Photo sharing: Sony Alpha

[1Grumpy9]

Great Shots Hockeyman...Since I just got the camera, I haven't had time to play around with it other than last weekend (at the races). I have the rest of hte summer to play wiht it and learn it some more. I just want to get the whole fireworks pictures down before I head to WDW in December.

 

[Hockeyman]

For Sony brand stuff, occassionally you can find some things a little cheaper on Amazon etc. But usually it's not that big a difference. From my experiences maybe $20-$50. Sony really sets their prices so 9 times out of 10, you find the same price on Sony, BB, and online for certain Sony items.

Yeah, and w/ BB don't forget about all the extra services, warranties etc they try to sell you too. Scam! By the time your done your $300 camera or lens is now $600.

I ended up paying $75 for a warranty with Dell when I bought my camera. I usually never get the warranty but I figured that wasn't too bad all that expensive and covers it for 2 years.

You know those $100 HDMI cable Best Buy sells? With our associate discount we would get them for $7.00 no joke. Now thats a scam for you lol. Accessories always had a huge marked up.

 

[Hockeyman]

Great Shots Hockeyman...Since I just got the camera, I haven't had time to play around with it other than last weekend (at the races). I have the rest of hte summer to play wiht it and learn it some more.

Thanks! Enjoy getting out there and snapping away

I just want to get the whole fireworks pictures down before I head to WDW in December.

You and me both lol. I just downloaded this e-book last night ironically enough. Its loaded with some great tips and things I didnt even think about or know, so next time at WDW ill be ready, I hope lol.

http://www.howtophotographfireworks.com/


.

 

[HPS3]

Jackson Square NOLA by Harry Shields, on Flickr

 

[HPS3]

The Cathedral by Harry Shields, on Flickr

 

[Hockeyman]

[/url] Sorcerer Mickey by MIke Sperduto (Sperduto Photos), on Flickr

 

[HPS3]

Mike, that's a really cool shot. Please tell me how to blur the background like that. That 3D effect is really cool.

 

[Hockeyman]

Mike, that's a really cool shot. Please tell me how to blur the background like that. That 3D effect is really cool.

It was a pain lol. If you go on my FLickr page under that pic I wrote a description on how I did that. Its basically 2 of the same pictures combined with the background picture having a lens blur applied and then the foreground on top of it. I had to zoom in and with the paintbrush erase around the foreground to reveal blurred background and that took forever to do. There has to be an easier way than that to do it though.

This is a web site I found that I followed step by step to get the pic. Worked the same for me in CS6

http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/how-to-change-the-background-of-a-photo/

 

[HPS3]

Spaceship Earth by Harry Shields, on Flickr

 

[Hockeyman]

Alice In Wonderland by MIke Sperduto (Sperduto Photos), on Flickr

 

[Hockeyman]

Storm Trooper 501st Garrison by MIke Sperduto (Sperduto Photos), on Flickr


Seems like everyone is at Star Was weekend but me. May have to squeeze in a quick trip the last weekend of the event

 

[HPS3]

Mike, I wish I could see SWW too. Your shots look awesome.

 

[Hockeyman]

Mike, I wish I could see SWW too. Your shots look awesome.

Thanks Harry. I like tha fisheye Epcot you you posted

I didnt plan our rips too well. Should have pushed our early May tip back 2 weeks so we around for SWW. Tried squeezing a short weekend tip in before our trip in July but just too soon.

 

[HPS3]

Here's another fisheye.


Fountain View by Harry Shields, on Flickr

 

[HPS3]

Unsure by Harry Shields, on Flickr

 

[BigGreen73]

Nice fisheye pics. Guess I have to get the FE lens sometime soon. Any suggestions on a good, not too expensive fisheye for Sony Alpha?

 

[zackiedawg]

A few from last week with the NEX-5N:

 

[HPS3]

Biggreen73, I use the Rokinon 8mm fisheye and highly recommend it. You can pick it up for $250-$300 brand new. The only draw back is that it's a fully manual lens, which isn't a big deal. You set the aperture on the lens and focusing is a breeze. I usually set my focus to 1.5-3 feet and leave it alone. When shooting at f8 or higher mostly everything is in focus.


Tomorrowland Speedway by Harry Shields, on Flickr

 

[Hockeyman]

Biggreen73, I use the Rokinon 8mm fisheye and highly recommend it. You can pick it up for $250-$300 brand new. The only draw back is that it's a fully manual lens, which isn't a big deal. You set the aperture on the lens and focusing is a breeze. I usually set my focus to 1.5-3 feet and leave it alone. When shooting at f8 or higher mostly everything is in focus.

I second that Rokinon fisheye recommendation. Have it and love it.

Sometimes though I have trouble with the focus (mostly when Im within 3ft of the subject) could be just user error though (me) lol. Harry you ever run into that problem? Saw someone had the same problem and fixed it themselves, just had to loosen a screw to adjust the focus ring after measuring out 3ft and placing a subject at that point to get the focus right and was good as new.

 

[HPS3]

Mike I've never payed attention to that. I've heard of the fix though. Maybe mine doesn't have problems? For that fountain Epcot shot I was right on top the fountain.