Project 52: Week 24

Week 24:  Black and White
More black and white images from the past week.  I've been taking lots of pictures lately.  Between spring flowers starting to bloom, warmer weather, lots of walks, baseball starting, my new macro lens, and even more exciting my new D750 (!!!!!!) I just can't seem to put my camera down.  I also have been working really hard on getting my b&w conversions just the way I like, I'm really happy with how they've been coming out.











         










Comments

lottie said…
You got the d750??!! :D :D I've been seriously considering that one. Tell me what you like/don't like about it (so far, you'll probably need more experimenting before you really know what you like and don't like.) Which camera did you have before & how does it compare?
Jess said…
So far... I LOVE it! I have been planning on upgrading (and have been slowly acquiring a few full frame lenses for the past couple years so that when I did eventually upgrade I wouldn't have to rebuy lenses), but wasn't expecting it to happen quite so soon, until it went on sale... which made it happen sooner rather than later. I previously used the D5100 (which has now been passed on to my son). My first impressions are: 1- I looooove the larger view of a full frame, it's like I finally have breathing room in my photos, which I was missing before. Plus I think it helps so much to get better depth of field and creamy backgrounds when you have the different field of view (if that makes any sense), 2- the autofocus is lightning fast, I'm not missing nearly as many shots waiting for the camera to try and fail and try and fail for the focus to lock, I didn't even realize that was an issue before so this has been the biggest unexpected improvement, 3- shooting at a WAY higher ISO with far less noise and grain is awesome and lets me shoot faster in lower light, which I love (especially when using the macro lens), and 4- overall I've noticed more sharper images (assuming I'm actually doing what I need to be doing in order to get sharper images), 5- I love having more buttons that control functions instead of having to go into the menu to change certain things (like white balance), it just makes it easier to adjust settings on the fly... or at least it will be once I get muscle memory for where all the buttons actually are, 6- While I haven't yet tried this out, it has a command mode for flash, which my other camera didn't, so I can do better off camera flash photography, which I'm hoping to try out sometime soon. The only thing that's a little limited is that while there are a ton more focus points (51, compared to my precious 11), they are pretty condensed to the middle of the frame (as opposed to say the D810 which has them more spread out), so I do more focus and recomposing. It's not really that big of a deal for me, but I know some people prefer to have a wider array of focus points. Also, the files are bigger, so it takes up more hard drive space (which isn't really that much of a problem, but I am trying to get better about deleting the truly bad or unnecessary pics). All in all, I am SO SO SO happy with it! It's gotten really good reviews from everything I've read on it, and the price is pretty good, especially for a full frame, and especially with the sale (which I think is still ongoing). So that's my very un-technical review. What camera do you currently have?
lottie said…
Sorry, I went on vacation, and just found this in my inbox. Thank you so much! That is so helpful! So right now I'm shooting with the d3200 which is less than optimal. But with a little touch up in PSE 11, it's okay. That said, I've gotten a couple requests to shoot events (I did two photo booths for my scout troop, one informal, and a one a formal masquerade...Which prompted a request for a family shoot, and first communion - I'm not catholic, but they are - also I'm an assistant wedding photographer in june, so I'm kinda thinking an upgrade is needed.) I think I would like a wider array of focal points. The other camera I've had my eye on is the d800, but I haven't done as much research into that one. I think I'll take a look at the d810, also. Research is really hard, though, and your comment is so so helpful, from a more casual point a few (also you mentioned things that I've been looking for and wondering about.) How did you decide on that one?
Jess said…
Hey Lottie-- I hope you had a great vacation! That's awesome that you're starting to get requests for sessions! How have they been going so far? I still kind of think about starting up a business, but there are several things holding me back, so for now I'm trying to just enjoy photography as my hobby. My dad has the D810 and I've used it a couple times. My thoughts on that--- it's AWESOME! Lots of focal points, great ISO range, and you can crop into a photo really really tight without noticing much noise. The biggest complaint... it's a little heavy, and the file sizes are HUGE. Like he had to get a new computer and hard drive to manage them (which I've heard other people say as well). However, it is a better camera than the one I have. But for my purposes, I'm happy with the D750. My decision was actually between Df or the D750, and was really on the fence, but ended up going with the 750 because of the price difference and because Df doesn't have movie capabilities (which isn't such a big deal, but as I've found out my new camera does take really incredible movies, and I can shoot them in manual mode which is really fun). Though the Df does have a really, really great sensor (same as the Nikon D4s I think). I know there are lots of online sources that compare the D610, D750, and D810... I think I read them all... so you can really get an idea of what specifically is different about each one and see which camera best suites your need.

ps- I tried your iced tea recipe! Thanks for sharing! I never heard about the baking soda thing and I think it made a good addition. My husband loves sweet tea (I usually prefer unsweetened), so I'll probably be making this for him all summer.