Ivan Muller Posted January 2, 2011 Share #1 Posted January 2, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Tried some close-up photography of the lillies in my pond today. I find that when I use the X1 lcd that the best way to hold the camera steady is to put the strap around my neck and stretch it until its taught, almost like a home made IS. It is quite interesting how different the two images look with only a slight change in angle from full sun to overcast with clouds.... Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/140642-close-ups-with-x1/?do=findComment&comment=1545921'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 2, 2011 Posted January 2, 2011 Hi Ivan Muller, Take a look here Close-ups with X1. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Guest Posted January 2, 2011 Share #2 Posted January 2, 2011 i like the second one,looks great what do you think about this close up ? Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/140642-close-ups-with-x1/?do=findComment&comment=1546164'>More sharing options...
DwF Posted January 2, 2011 Share #3 Posted January 2, 2011 Tried some close-up photography of the lillies in my pond today. I find that when I use the X1 lcd that the best way to hold the camera steady is to put the strap around my neck and stretch it until its taught, almost like a home made IS. It is quite interesting how different the two images look with only a slight change in angle from full sun to overcast with clouds.... Ivan, I like these and the second one works for me because the reflections that you captured with that angle, create a nice contrasting texture for the larger pods and the two dark lillies. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 3, 2011 Share #4 Posted January 3, 2011 Hey Ivan the images look great but I cannot help but laugh when I envisage you with the strap taut around your neck, of course whatever works but this is new and really funny to me...hahahah!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Muller Posted January 3, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted January 3, 2011 Thanks David & Lambda. Regarding your image, Lambda, I quite like the the out of focus zones and then thin strip of sharpness. Colours look almost monochrome, which I also like but it almost looks like the edges are lighter and the bottom half looks a bit muddy.... of course it could just be the low res downsize... but if not, I think a bit of effort with Nik silver efex or LR could make a big difference... Phancj, I should have looked up the spelling of 'taut' in the dictionary, but in any case sometimes I get so frustrated by the slow operation of the x1 that I feel like hanging myself with the strap! You should have see what I looked like when I still used my 4x5, big wooden tripod, camera on top, folded focussing cloth over my shoulder to ease the weight of it all, spotmeter in a hoster, ( often got asked if it was a gun) ten darkslides in another belt bag, and a little custom made enlarging lens(to help with the focussing) clipped to my spectacles! No wonder my children don't want to be seen with me... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 3, 2011 Share #6 Posted January 3, 2011 Ivan, I must say I am totally in awe of your dedication in achieving optimal photos given the available hardware, a rare quality your children should aspire to emulate IMHO. But I understood you as saying "taut" anyway thats the first impression, I didnt even know the spelling was different maybe I am having "predictive text" reading haha... Join the X1 photo challenge, it was aimed at drawing out diehards hardcore photographers like your goodself! Also a great way to showcase your "painterly effect" which I find novel. CJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DwF Posted January 3, 2011 Share #7 Posted January 3, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Gentlemen: I say whatever it takes to secure the camera in absence of a tripod is good practice. I tend to do this for long exposures and try to be creative in ways that I can secure my camera because I like to make long exposures that include movement. I am posting my falls shot here as a case in point. I managed this one at 1/4 second so that I could stop down to f8 (looking back at exif data) and I probably extended the strap as Ivan described to make it happen. David Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/140642-close-ups-with-x1/?do=findComment&comment=1546938'>More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 3, 2011 Share #8 Posted January 3, 2011 Beautiful shot David! Now to find my neck strap not sure where I placed it... But then I do not relish wearing any camera round my neck maybe this is new good reason... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DwF Posted January 3, 2011 Share #9 Posted January 3, 2011 Thanks CJ. As for neck/wrist strap controversy....I am back forth depending on camera. Currently (and for a couple of years now) I have my M8 on a wrist strap because I have a beautiful Luigi case with the built in grip for that camera. I also have a wrist strap (from Gordy) on my LX5. I had that strap on the X1 when I first got it but decided to switch over and give the neck strap a try. One point I will share is that I wear any camera that I have with a strap quite high. I also don't love having a camera to swing around so I know where you are coming from The other day, using my 90mm Summicron on the M8, I wished I'd had the neck strap to help stabilize the camera. I did pretty well though and that lens at f2 still produces really nice images. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 4, 2011 Share #10 Posted January 4, 2011 Hey David, Any camera on my chest I find an irritant, especially in hot humid weather where I am from. I also do not enjoy the camera bumping on the chest haha.... For my DSLR I use "Blackrapid" which I find tolerable as the camera sits below the hips in that nice space on the side/back and always ready to be swung into action.My hands are free that way. I have a wrist strap on the X1 to stabilize it when shooting and that works well for me so far. When not shooting the X1 sits nicely in my belt pouch which is an exact fit. I am still sitting on buying an M9...hmmm...in any case the lenses I want are all out. For its size/weight I am not sure if I want to forgo VR, AFS & my existing great Nikon lenses. I also find the Ms somewhat restrictive in macro and tele. I look at my new Nikkor F/1.4 lenses like the 85mm and the imminent 35mm and I really think the images from these lenses are gorgeous. Since I do not shoot landscapes normally where the superiority of the wide M lenses really shines I am not sure if I will get the most from my investment. Its a hobby so not sure if it is prudent.....my wife has been hounding me to buy the M9 though and she is all so supportive. I suspect the reason is she has eyes on my X1 haha:D having said that the lack of an AA filter in the digital M is a big plus for me, just not sure whether I ought to forgo the convenience of AF and other features. But an M8 with cron wow you can take some fantastic pictures! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DwF Posted January 4, 2011 Share #11 Posted January 4, 2011 CJ, I understand the appreciation for the Nikon and they make some nice lenses. I always liked Nikon among the SLRs myself. The thing with the M8/M9 in terms of speed is that if you are using it and get good at it, it does pretty well. The old M cameras with Rapidwinder were really fast if you had your technique down. I find if I put my M down (and I do because I am mainly amateur photographer) I become slow; use it or lose it. I prefer manual focus to autofocus and put up with the slow X1 because I love the results. And I like that you ave to adjust your game to use it. If I was shooting a wedding and needed to show a portfolio, I would prefer to have the Nikon When I bought my M8, I was shooting with an R D1 but went in to look at the new Nikon D300. I was at the store and marveling at it although it had too much stuff attached for my taste. Then the salesman paced the M8 in hand....end of story! These M cameras just makes sense to me. They have limitations and I deal with those fine. I may get an M9 eventually. I have been very satisfied with my M8 and find I can make nice pictures with that camera. For now the X1 more than satisfies me. I hope to travel with it soon...and the M8 of course. CJ, it is a lucky man whose wife will support her man buying a Leica! David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 4, 2011 Share #12 Posted January 4, 2011 Yes David, I agree the Japanese DSLRs have too much clutter and buttons I do not care to use, and they get in the way. Also styling I prefer the look of the digital M. As for getting nice images I can attest that the new Nikkor f/1.4s are dream lenses, to my eyes they render differently but is on par with lux lenses. My new 85mm has killer bokeh and that fabled 3D "pop" in just about any image it takes. Add to that AFS and you can be sure to nail all that shallow DOF look. With the Ms I find that a real challenge with MF, but maybe thats me. Speed of operation of digital Ms cannot be good at f/1.4. Dont get me wrong I am fine with MF having used manual Nikons before I switched to digital but if I am taking many shots a day traveling or at work the need to do MF sometimes even in low light can frustrate. The D300 is a good camera I bought it at launch so it is a digital camera I have ever used for the longest time (normally one year max). It is good but I do feel I want fullframe now but the D3X is not worth it and I want 16MP minimum since I do crop soemtimes. The D700 has only 12 MP so thats not what I want in a camera at this present moment. Ditto the D3s and its damn heavy and big. The D800 seems the one for me supposedly launching Mar this year we'll see... To the X1's credit at its size the high iso performance compared to the X1 is actually better. Images are better up to the Nikkor f/2.8 zooms but images from the new Nikkor f/1.4s are in a different league of course. Also, I feel honestly looks aside DSLRs are way more durable, weather sealed and can take a beating without RF going out of alignment or sensor glass breaking. Film Leicas have that tank-like feel and durability sadly less present in their digital counterparts. Altho I have seen some badly beaten M8s (Tina's fabled example comes to mind) I have also read and have people tell me of their bad experiences with durability of the digital Ms. Add to that the need to service the camera in Germany and the corresponding down time it is a big concern of mine still. Yup, I am indeed lucky, any gear I wish for my wife fervently supports, I feel bad for my friends whose wives complain when they dish out dole for the latest gadget haha... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Muller Posted January 4, 2011 Author Share #13 Posted January 4, 2011 I use my X1 as a 'carry with me everyday' camera. It fits nicely in my billingham bag together with all my other stuff and it gives me the quality that I want, but its a compromise camera. If I know I am going to be photographing landscapes or architecture, I will take the best camera for landscapes plus a tripod. Once you use the tripod then you might as well put the largest and heaviest i.e best quality camera on it. Thats why people still use 4x5, absolute pain in the neck to carry around but once in the darkroom, living is easy! My absolutely favourite tripod camera is a ZD with 50 mm shift lens. Having a lens with shift makes it so much more versatile. The 50mm is also quite close to 35mm in viewing angle so my vision doesnt have to change much. On a trip to Milan last year I took a walk about with this combination. I took far fewer photos - about 2gigs worth- but almost all were 'acceptable'. The enclosed photo has almost no cropping and massive dynamic range and the detail is incredible and of course with the shift one can frame precisely and somehow with med format, f22 is still sharp. But it requires a lot of effort and a sturdy back.... Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/140642-close-ups-with-x1/?do=findComment&comment=1547534'>More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 4, 2011 Share #14 Posted January 4, 2011 Yes Ivan the X1 is a compromised camera so is EVERY camera. ALl it is is small camera large sensor good lens. Buy and use it for what it is and you'll be happy. To each his own, but carrying a Medium format camera, tripod, etc,etc may not break one's back, but to be encumbered certainly means ruining that holiday for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert blu Posted January 4, 2011 Share #15 Posted January 4, 2011 @ ivan: excellent shot, very impressive ! robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Muller Posted January 5, 2011 Author Share #16 Posted January 5, 2011 Thanks Robert! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 6, 2011 Share #17 Posted January 6, 2011 BTW Ivan, do you have difficulty finding competent labs for film in S.Africa? I have been pondering the idea of buying a film M, but here is Singapore even though a modern city it works against me more coz everything is going totally digital, and the way they process films are now very slipshod coz so few people still use film. I like the look of film though... CJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Muller Posted January 6, 2011 Author Share #18 Posted January 6, 2011 I dont really know regarding colour film as I havent used that since 2004. I stay in a city about 40km from Johannesburg, where all the photography action is, so the local labs, even though they call themselves 'professional' are pretty useless! In Jhb all the main traditional labs have closed down, but I believe that some smaller outfits have opened up especially for E6 processing. One of the best B&W labs in the world is run by Dennis Da Silva, of Silvertone International in Johannesburg. He has processed(afaik) for the likes of Roger Ballen, Harry De Zitter & Nadav Kandar( all local boys by the way!) When I was there last an American photographer had send him hundreds of 4x5 B&W sheets to be processed and contact printed, all by hand - a small fortune as I remember. He also runs a suberp inkjet service and to top it all is a very nice fella! But, and this is my personal opinion, I believe that one can emulate any film look with digital tools. Digital colour is far more accurate and B&W film is much more contrasty than digital... That doesnt mean that film doesnt have a place, I am thinking of reviving my 4x5 sheet film processing, but is a pain! Regarding film and Leica the only advantage that I can see is that the older lenses have focus shift issues that gets fixed in film because of the depth of the silver halide layers but seems to be noticeable with digital where the microlenses apparently are the problem, and that some very low iso films have more resolution than digital. I have my own A0 inkjet rollfilm printer, a HP z2100, and I have printed LARGE and depending on media and a few other things have printed a 12mp image up to A0 with very good results. So unless you can find a good lab or are prepared to process your own b&w negs and then having them scanned, stick with digital. I have been there and done that and my vote goes for digital! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 6, 2011 Share #19 Posted January 6, 2011 Thanks Ivan for the kind and informative advice. My gripe with film is processing here, really too much of a bother to inspire me to shoot often. You are probably right about digital being close to film the M9 being prime example. Nevertheless there is some feel of film that tonality and softness I seem to be drawn into when looking at images shot with film, this can be emulated by post to certain extent and the M9 does produce images that are extremely film-like but not always for all shots. Thanks again, CJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrdawkins Posted January 6, 2011 Share #20 Posted January 6, 2011 I agree that the film look is very desireable and not easy to produce. Having spent 15 years trying to achieve this I can say, I believe this time with some conviction, that as CJ says it only works on certain images and it is somewhat hard to determine which ones. And again, despite my differences with CJ which I hope have now been forgotten - it's true that the X1 (and M8 and M9) gives you that perceptual look of film that hardly any other unit can. The best process I discovered was to physically reference a film image held in my hand whilst I adjusted the curves. I tried to reference many, many scanned images of film and somehow I struggled. For an insightful, if not heavy(ish) read, this article might be of interest to you all. It discusses what the author claims to be 'The Paradoxes of Digital Photography' and I found it quite relevent to my own thoughts on the matter of film - digital. Lev Manovich | Essays : The Paradoxes of Digital Photography The article might appeal to the more technically minded here, but it also raises some philosophical issues too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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