Photo sharing: Sony Alpha

[HPS3]

Nice shot Mike! Jen wanted me to ask you how you got the colors on your Cinderella fountain shot. I dont remember the lighting on the building being that blue/purple. Anyway, that shot is nice I'm waiting for you to post it here.

 

[Hockeyman]

Thanks Harry . Here are before and after shots of the fountain. You can see a hint of that coloring before I processed it.

Before

Before by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr


After

Uploaded it into Lightroom and then from there added some filters using Nik Color Efex. I either used the tonal or pro contrast and then a little detail extractor. From there went back into Lightroom and tweek a few things, clarity, sharpness stuff like that. And here is what I got.


Ariel's Fountain by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

 

[HPS3]

Cool Mike! Its amazing how much we can push the shadows.

 

[Hockeyman]

Cool Mike! Its amazing how much we can push the shadows.

Nik Color Efex is my savior

 

[HPS3]

Ill have to do a trial run, I usually use Topaz Adjust. I dont know about Nik but Topaz introduces a lot of noise that I have to clean up.

 

[Hockeyman]

Ill have to do a trial run, I usually use Topaz Adjust. I dont know about Nik but Topaz introduces a lot of noise that I have to clean up.

Nik brings out some noise but depends on what filter I am using. Like with the contrast filters its not bad but when i use the detail extractor it brings it out a bit. Usually though I will lower the level once I see its getting and fix it some more back in Lightroom.

 

[HPS3]

I have been going crazy over this big FF craze. I'm not sure if I really want to haul around a brick but I just couldn't resist the urge to try out. I was at the local BB yesterday and they had 2 in stock which was shocking. So far, just playing around the house, this thing is a BEAST. Not just any beast, a high ISO noise eating beast. I'm so use to shooting under 3200 on APS-C that I was amazed that the D600 can shoot at >3200 with ease. As a matter of fact, I took a couple of test shots at 6400 that are pretty much equivalent to 1600-2500 on my Nex 6. The other thing that I'm not used to is the OVF, there is no histogram and eventhough its a huge FF pentaprism, it's darker than my OLED EVF. Sony , you have spoiled me. I had almost forgot what a meter was. Anyway, I was trying to tell myself I could use a camera like this but it's just HUGE to me. I wish they had a Pentax K5IIs to look at around here.


Full Frame by Harry Shields, on Flickr

 

[HPS3]

Oh Yeah, and Mike, this is the new Rokinon 8mm f2.8 fish for Nex mount. This thing is razor sharp even at 2.8. This will be my #1 lens in Feb. at the World. It sure beats my old setup of larger fisheye+adapter+electrical tape(I had to rig up the adapter because I was having a light leak on the lens mount). This is a super light setup. This is the reason I love the Nex series. If I could only keep one camera it would definitely without a doubt be the Nex.


Rokinon 8mm f2.8 Fisheye by Harry Shields, on Flickr

 

[Hockeyman]

I have been going crazy over this big FF craze. I'm not sure if I really want to haul around a brick but I just couldn't resist the urge to try out. I was at the local BB yesterday and they had 2 in stock which was shocking. So far, just playing around the house, this thing is a BEAST. Not just any beast, a high ISO noise eating beast. I'm so use to shooting under 3200 on APS-C that I was amazed that the D600 can shoot at >3200 with ease. As a matter of fact, I took a couple of test shots at 6400 that are pretty much equivalent to 1600-2500 on my Nex 6. The other thing that I'm not used to is the OVF, there is no histogram and eventhough its a huge FF pentaprism, it's darker than my OLED EVF. Sony , you have spoiled me. I had almost forgot what a meter was. Anyway, I was trying to tell myself I could use a camera like this but it's just HUGE to me. I wish they had a Pentax K5IIs to look at around here.


Full Frame by Harry Shields, on Flickr

wow buddy congrats on that beast Cant wait to see some of the shots you post with that bad boy. I think once you see some of the shots you get out of that, carrying it around wont be to much of a burden

 

[Hockeyman]

Oh Yeah, and Mike, this is the new Rokinon 8mm f2.8 fish for Nex mount. This thing is razor sharp even at 2.8. This will be my #1 lens in Feb. at the World. It sure beats my old setup of larger fisheye+adapter+electrical tape(I had to rig up the adapter because I was having a light leak on the lens mount). This is a super light setup. This is the reason I love the Nex series. If I could only keep one camera it would definitely without a doubt be the Nex.


Rokinon 8mm f2.8 Fisheye by Harry Shields, on Flickr

I love that little lens. I never would have imagined id like shooting with it as much as I do. Mine does soften up a little the wider I open it up though.

 

[havoc315]

I have been going crazy over this big FF craze. I'm not sure if I really want to haul around a brick but I just couldn't resist the urge to try out. I was at the local BB yesterday and they had 2 in stock which was shocking. So far, just playing around the house, this thing is a BEAST. Not just any beast, a high ISO noise eating beast. I'm so use to shooting under 3200 on APS-C that I was amazed that the D600 can shoot at >3200 with ease. As a matter of fact, I took a couple of test shots at 6400 that are pretty much equivalent to 1600-2500 on my Nex 6. The other thing that I'm not used to is the OVF, there is no histogram and eventhough its a huge FF pentaprism, it's darker than my OLED EVF. Sony , you have spoiled me. I had almost forgot what a meter was. Anyway, I was trying to tell myself I could use a camera like this but it's just HUGE to me. I wish they had a Pentax K5IIs to look at around here.

Interesting notes. Were those noise levels in raw, or jpeg(after in-camera noise reduction)?

Even in crop cameras, Dxo rates Nikons better than Sony for noise.

On the a55, I start seeing noise in raw images over 1600. At 1600, I can see it in darker images, but bright images are pretty clear.

 

[HPS3]

Interesting notes. Were those noise levels in raw, or jpeg(after in-camera noise reduction)?

Even in crop cameras, Dxo rates Nikons better than Sony for noise.

On the a55, I start seeing noise in raw images over 1600. At 1600, I can see it in darker images, but bright images are pretty clear.

I always shoot RAW so I was comparing SOC with no noise reduction. The D600 beats out the A99 due to the translucent mirror. I think the RX1 would be the same as the D600 in terms of noise handling. I'm actually returning the D600 because its just larger than I want. I cant shoot with just one hand like I need with the kids sometimes. I have average hands and it just doesn't feel comfortable to me because I'm used to adjusting settings with one hand on the camera. When I picked up the D600 I was really looking for the Pentax K5IIs(no AA filter) but no one carries it locally. I think for myself I would rather spend the money on a K5IIs and lenses and I would still have money left over for even a new computer. I dont shoot at 6400 too often and I'm fine with 3200 on my Nex

 

[BigGreen73]

So w/ the black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, anyone pick up or going to pick up a new Sony? A77 is $300 off and you can get a new TV w/ the A99.

I have been weighing the cost of A77 vs the A99. I am really leaning toward the A77 now as it is 1/3 the cost of the A99....I's like to get the Tamron f2.8 70-200, Battery Grip, and a couple extra batteries and that is still way less than the A99.

Finally broke down and bought a photo editing program this weekend. Couldn't resist photoshop elements 11 for $50.

 

[johamna]

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! I don't know if I'm crazy or not, but I'm heading back down on December 19th and absolutely cannot wait to get back to shooting.

You all have shown me such incredible shots and have inspired me to step out of my boundaries. I'm looking forward to stealing all of your ideas!


Hollywood Studios: Rock 'n Roller Coaster by Hamilton!, on Flickr

 

[HPS3]

So w/ the black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, anyone pick up or going to pick up a new Sony? A77 is $300 off and you can get a new TV w/ the A99.

I have been weighing the cost of A77 vs the A99. I am really leaning toward the A77 now as it is 1/3 the cost of the A99....I's like to get the Tamron f2.8 70-200, Battery Grip, and a couple extra batteries and that is still way less than the A99.

Finally broke down and bought a photo editing program this weekend. Couldn't resist photoshop elements 11 for $50.

I think the A77 is a great deal and it would be nice to have that 70-200.

Did you look into Lightroom 4 for $99. That is a steal on one hell of a program. If you shoot RAW, LR is fantastic. I have PS8, CS5, and havent touched them since getting Lightroom.

 

[havoc315]

I think the A77 is a great deal and it would be nice to have that 70-200.

Did you look into Lightroom 4 for $99. That is a steal on one hell of a program. If you shoot RAW, LR is fantastic. I have PS8, CS5, and havent touched them since getting Lightroom.

LR4 is still cheaper with an educational discount.... which even a child in your household in kindergarten can qualify for.

 

[BigGreen73]

I think the A77 is a great deal and it would be nice to have that 70-200.

Did you look into Lightroom 4 for $99. That is a steal on one hell of a program. If you shoot RAW, LR is fantastic. I have PS8, CS5, and havent touched them since getting Lightroom.

The only thing holding me back on the A77 is some reviews and comments that I read about the noise at higher ISO. Seems like the only negative about this camera. I want to take a step up from the A55 in that department not a step back. The A99 should be a definite step up but the cost is hinderance.

I did look at LR4. I was trying to choose between LR4 and PSE3. The $50 price tag of photoshop sold me. Have to start somewhere.

 

[HPS3]

The only thing holding me back on the A77 is some reviews and comments that I read about the noise at higher ISO. Seems like the only negative about this camera. I want to take a step up from the A55 in that department not a step back. The A99 should be a definite step up but the cost is hinderance.

I did look at LR4. I was trying to choose between LR4 and PSE3. The $50 price tag of photoshop sold me. Have to start somewhere.

If you end up shooting RAW like I do then you will end up buying LR4. The A99 has the noise problems also because they share the translucent mirror. I had the same problem with the Laea2 on my Nex. The adapter has the mirror and I could notice a noise difference with and without. Thats why the RX1 will do so much better than the A99 as far as noise.

 

[Hockeyman]

Main Street Electrical Blur by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

 

[BigGreen73]

If you end up shooting RAW like I do then you will end up buying LR4. The A99 has the noise problems also because they share the translucent mirror. I had the same problem with the Laea2 on my Nex. The adapter has the mirror and I could notice a noise difference with and without. Thats why the RX1 will do so much better than the A99 as far as noise.

Already bought PSE11. $50 was too good to pass up. I shoot mostly jpeg. I may just stick w/ my A55 for now. Love that camera. I think I'll wait until next year sometime. Wish the A55 had a grip...can't have everything I guess....

UPDATE: Couldn't resist the $300 off. Purchased the A77 last night along with the grip, couple of extra batteries, and the Tamron f2.8 70-200mm. I'll be the judge of the high ISO "issue", other than that the camera looks pretty awesome and many reviews and users agree.