dSLR Camera suggestions

[Pared]

Re: dSLR Camera suggestions

Yes, a UV filter is a MUST for your expensive lens... don't run the risk of ruining that precious glass for the sake of saving $20.

[ChubbyBanana]

Re: dSLR Camera suggestions

So you sat their with your camera on a tripod and just hoped the lightning would strike above the position the camera was focused on?

Usually, what I do is find where the lightning is striking at. Then I attempt to find a closed gas station or something with a roof/awning over my head so I won't get myself or my equipment wet.

Then I start an exposure, and usually leave it open for 6 or 7 seconds. If lightning occurs in the area of the sky where the camera is pointed before the 6 or 7 second mark, I close the shutter right after the bolt.

A picture like the one above is like 1 out of 100. I took probably 75-80 pics that night, and only 7 of them turned out.

Here's the rest of them from the same location:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/backfocus/2692345620/" title="DSC_0902 by Back Focus, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3214/2692345620_387e74fbb9.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="DSC_0902" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/backfocus/2691531537/" title="DSC_0904 by Back Focus, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/2691531537_64f133c3e7.jpg" width="500" height="275" alt="DSC_0904" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/backfocus/2692346162/" title="DSC_0909 by Back Focus, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3068/2692346162_923295dbfc.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="DSC_0909" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/backfocus/2691532007/" title="DSC_0910 by Back Focus, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3262/2691532007_f408dda30d.jpg" width="500" height="211" alt="DSC_0910" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/backfocus/2691532267/" title="DSC_0918 by Back Focus, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/2691532267_c51ec0aa36.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="DSC_0918" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/backfocus/2691532485/" title="DSC_0928 by Back Focus, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/2691532485_f237b3c04d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="DSC_0928" /></a>

[23]

Re: dSLR Camera suggestions

Those pictures once again Chubby as I told you long ago are insane!

Youre going to have to tutor me when I get mine. I was in bestbuy today showing a buddy of mine the D40

[ChubbyBanana]

Re: dSLR Camera suggestions

Those pictures once again Chubby as I told you long ago are insane!

Youre going to have to tutor me when I get mine. I was in bestbuy today showing a buddy of mine the D40

Just follow my instructions above and everything will work out fine.

That storm was the best one of the year. I've taken several "single bolt" pics, but not too many double or triples, and I got 7 of them in one night.

You'll figure it out the more you play/tinker around with settings. It's like fine tuning a machine, you have to tinker around with things until you get them exactly how you want.

Also, part of it is also luck. Sometimes it's on your side, others it's not.

And the most important part about taking those pics is to be safe. I've had several storms come up right on top of me, and it's not fun. Especially when it's night time and visibility is at a low.

I'm a grown man but when you're sitting in pitch black cause the power went out and you have thunder that sounds right after the bolts or almost in unison, you know the storm is close.

[23]

Re: dSLR Camera suggestions

Meh im in Cali so i wont be seeing any storms but i want to take some fantastic pics like you yourself have managed to do around the city for myself

[ChubbyBanana]

Re: dSLR Camera suggestions

Meh im in Cali so i wont be seeing any storms but i want to take some fantastic pics like you yourself have managed to do around the city for myself

It doesn't thunderstorm in Cali?


I have to get out of Ohio more...

[RockinDaMike]

Re: dSLR Camera suggestions

I got the camera and wow, I am amazed. I've never tried a camera this advanced, I feel like a 60 year old woman on the internet but its very exciting. I'm pretty much taking a picture of everything I see in the different modes. Going to keep playing with it. By the way chubby, I forgot my buddy had some great lightning shots, I'll post below. His name is Josh Ruth, great pics from Phoenix monsoon season in 2006.

[ChubbyBanana]

Re: dSLR Camera suggestions

Those are some nice pics Mike. Tell him good job

[peteykirch]

Re: dSLR Camera suggestions

I love my D40, however I will be upgrading soon enough, hopefully when I finally get my tax money back.

[23]

Re: dSLR Camera suggestions

nice pics fellas

[Steve_OS]

Re: dSLR Camera suggestions

Which camera is recommmended and which lens for sporting events? I've had so many cameras over the years, it seems every one of them have blurred output when taking pictures of fast moving "anything".

That NASCAR shot earlier looks real nice.

Thanks.

[peteykirch]

Re: dSLR Camera suggestions

Which camera is recommmended and which lens for sporting events? I've had so many cameras over the years, it seems every one of them have blurred output when taking pictures of fast moving "anything".

That NASCAR shot earlier looks real nice.

Thanks.

I use on my D40, a 55-200mm VR lens, I took all the pictures I posted with that lens a few posts above.

[Steve_OS]

Re: dSLR Camera suggestions

I use on my D40, a 55-200mm VR lens, I took all the pictures I posted with that lens a few posts above.

Wow, those look great!

Is there a trick w/ the 55-200mm VR lens to make them come out so sharp w/o any tweaking on the camera? I mean, is it point and click or take a genius to setup?

Why are you looking to upgrade? What do the newer models do better than the one you currently have?

[Kashanova]

Re: dSLR Camera suggestions

I want a DSLR for sporting events and portraits

[peteykirch]

Re: dSLR Camera suggestions

Wow, those look great!

Is there a trick w/ the 55-200mm VR lens to make them come out so sharp w/o any tweaking on the camera? I mean, is it point and click or take a genius to setup?

Why are you looking to upgrade? What do the newer models do better than the one you currently have?

Those pictures I posted were some of the earliest ones I ever took, I was using the automatic sports setting, and just did some minor touch ups in Photoshop.

I'm looking to upgrade because the D40 needs special lenses that have a built in motor, thus they cost a bit more than most other lenses, plus it has the fewest Mega pixels out of Nikon dSLRs. I got to say though it does take some amazing pictures though with little effort.