Skyhawkmatthew From Australia, joined Oct 2005, 99 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 years 4 months 2 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 9287 times:
Hi,
I just got a Nikon D300 with an 18-200 VR lens and I am flying to Tokyo/Sapporo in a few days. Does anyone have any tips on how to get the best shots with this combination (mode, settings, etc)? Also, what are the best spots in Terminal 2 (Where QF is) in Narita, and JL terminals in Haneda and Sapporo?
Eadster From Australia, joined Jan 2005, 2214 posts, RR: 16 Reply 1, posted (5 years 4 months 2 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 9265 times:
Can't give you any advice on spots at the airport, but I would read the manual on the plane on the way over. You shouldn't be expecing great photos with little or no knowledge on a DSLR or basic photographic rules. The manual that comes with the camera is the best start.
Viv From Ireland, joined May 2005, 3106 posts, RR: 31 Reply 2, posted (5 years 4 months 2 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 9253 times:
Step 1:
Get some understanding of the basics of exposure - shutter speed, aperture, sensor sensitivity (ISO), colour temperature (white balance), exposure compensation, and how all these things interact with each other; of composition - framing, angle of view, lens choice; of post-processing - cropping, selective sharpening, correction of exposure. Three books by Ansel Adams - "The Negative", "The Print" and "The Camera", are a good source of accurate information.
Step 2:
Read the camera manual.
Step 3:
Set yourself some specific test assignments. Analyse the results, identify your mistakes, do not make those mistakes the next time.
Do not expect great results quickly. If you stick with photography, you will still be learning and improving in 20 years' time.
You have a great camera and a reasonably good lens. But, like any tools, they will only give great results if you know what you are doing, and why you are doing it.
Nikon D700, Nikkor 80-400, Fuji X Pro 1, Fujinon 35 f/1.4, Fujinon 18 f/2
Skyhawkmatthew From Australia, joined Oct 2005, 99 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 9211 times:
I have been into photography for a while and upgraded from an Olympus SP-510 to the SLR... I have read the manual already and have got some great shots of non-aviation subjects but haven't got to the airport yet!
777MechSys From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 350 posts, RR: 2 Reply 5, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 9085 times:
Take the 18-200 lens and throw it as far as you can. The further the better.
This lens is best used in bright sunshine at f/8. It is an extremely soft lens. I'm not saying you can't use it but you need to be on top of your game to get consistent results.
You wanna reach out to 200mm pick up an 80-200 f/2.8 Nikon or Sigma. You can't go wrong.
Eadster From Australia, joined Jan 2005, 2214 posts, RR: 16 Reply 6, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 9072 times:
In your current batch I only see one that is a possibility (shot 2).
I think your main problem is you are shooting on a really bad day. It's not ideal. Go and do something else when its like that. Especially when starting out with a DSLR.
Skyhawkmatthew From Australia, joined Oct 2005, 99 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 9060 times:
Quoting Eadster (Reply 6): I think your main problem is you are shooting on a really bad day
Yes, I was transiting Haneda en route to Sapporo and it was raining... took a few shots in the terminal waiting for the JL flight.
I have submitted at the moment This photo and shot 10 above.
Thanks for the input!
Matt
777MechSys From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 350 posts, RR: 2 Reply 11, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 9028 times:
Quoting Viv (Reply 10): It's not all that bad - I have literally dozens of shots taken with that lens and accepted here
I'm glad you read my post and paid attention.
Quoting 777MechSys (Reply 5): This lens is best used in bright sunshine at f/8. It is an extremely soft lens. I'm not saying you can't use it but you need to be on top of your game to get consistent results.
I never said you can't get good results. I have a bunch too, but I'm not here to shamelessly plug my shots.
Viv From Ireland, joined May 2005, 3106 posts, RR: 31 Reply 13, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 9023 times:
Quoting 777MechSys (Reply 11): I'm not here to shamelessly plug my shots.
I have no shame. Why on earth should I?
By the way, you seem to believe the old wive's tale about f/8 or nothing - it really amuses me when people spend big bucks on fast glass and then shoot at f/.8. I have a bunch of shots here, taken with the 18-200 lens at f/4 and f/5.6 and others taken at f/16. As you say, when one is on top of one's game ....
[Edited 2008-01-15 08:34:40]
Nikon D700, Nikkor 80-400, Fuji X Pro 1, Fujinon 35 f/1.4, Fujinon 18 f/2
777MechSys From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 350 posts, RR: 2 Reply 15, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 9016 times:
Quoting Viv (Reply 13): By the way, you seem to believe the old wive's tale about f/8 or nothing - it really amuses me when people spend big bucks on fast glass and then shoot at f/.8.
That is not what I said.
Quoting 777MechSys (Reply 5): This lens is best used in bright sunshine at f/8
Note the part "This lens..." in reference to the 18-200. f/5.6 on this lens is noticeably softer. Actually, it is horribly soft.
I never said one word about the 80-200 f/2.8 and only good at f/8. You took a specific statement and applied it everywhere you pleased.
777MechSys From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 350 posts, RR: 2 Reply 17, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 9008 times:
Quoting Viv (Reply 13): you seem to believe the old wive's tale about f/8 or nothing - it really amuses me when people spend big bucks on fast glass and then shoot at f/.8
Clickhappy From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 9444 posts, RR: 72 Reply 18, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 9005 times:
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Quoting 777MechSys (Reply 17): ummm the 18-200 is what you call fast glass?
it is fast. As in I sold it, fast.
If you have anything but a Japan-build 18-200 it won't live up to the hype.
Thing is so soft around the edges not even Viagra could help it.
Psyops From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 19, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 1 day ago) and read 8977 times:
The 18-200 is a great travel lens, wonderful for general photography because of its wide range of focal length. On a D300 with the higher iso capability it would also do well in lower light situations where you would need 2.8 glass.
It is however, very skittish in terms of sharpness. Some copies are better than others, but generally not what would be considered a lens to use when you want to ensure high quality.
Viv - I can accept you have got great shots with it. I think the point being made is that the lens can be hit or miss and there are better choices for purely aviation related photography. Everyone one has their own opinions, I would personally weigh in on the side of using the 18-200 for snapshots.
Clickhappy From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 9444 posts, RR: 72 Reply 20, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 23 hours ago) and read 8975 times:
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Quoting Psyops (Reply 19): I would personally weigh in on the side of using the 18-200 for snapshots.
Whatever, dude.
Don't let me catch you leaving your 'Tube N Squirt' by the pool or I will pop it
777MechSys From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 350 posts, RR: 2 Reply 21, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 23 hours ago) and read 8966 times:
Quoting Clickhappy (Reply 20): Don't let me catch you leaving your 'Tube N Squirt' by the pool or I will pop it
Clickhappy From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 9444 posts, RR: 72 Reply 23, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 23 hours ago) and read 8958 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW PHOTO SCREENER
Quoting Psyops (Reply 22): Snapshots - like the kind you would take with a point 'n shoot.
777MechSys From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 350 posts, RR: 2 Reply 24, posted (5 years 4 months 1 week 22 hours ago) and read 8951 times:
27 Viv: No, I did not say that. Read my post again - I made a generic comment about people who buy fast glass and shoot at f/8. The 80-200 2.8 is a wonderful
28 Psyops: Right on - and out at the wide end to get everything in.
29 777MechSys: What? Wide angle to make sure you get all of Royal? Dude, that is harsh.
30 Clickhappy: That's what Erick's sister always says. Weird.
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