Photo sharing: Sony Alpha

[fractal]

Free RAW converter for Sony files...

Capture One offering free RAW converter for Sony cameras.


http://www.phaseone.com/en/Imaging-Software/Capture-One-for-Sony.aspx


I downloaded this last night and it's comparable to Lightroom. Different format but easy to use and as fast as my LR (if not faster). There are a few things I couldn't figure out like how to "set my crop" after I was finished cropping. When I have more time I'll go back and actually reading the help instructions.

 

[Rgonzalez79]

Fractal, forgot to comment on the excellent quality of the cheerleader shots Great colors/lighting. That's weird that the 7 would have more noise than the 3, I'll make sure to read up when I'm ready to upgrade.

Thanks for all the great feedback everyone, I was able to get a few night shots. The gazebo came out great, I thought, but the street shot looks a tad...golden (not sure how else to describe it). How do I adjust for this? I tried messing with the white balance but couldn't quite get it to look right.

Gazebo by raddie99, on Flickr

Window by raddie99, on Flickr

 

[1Grumpy9]

I was thinking about getting a gorillapod tripod for my upcoming trip instead of lugging around my regular tripod to get some fireworks pictures. I have an A57 and would either have my 18-55 lens or my Sigma 50-200 lens on it.

Would this be a decent alternative for placing my camera for fireworks pictures?

 

[havoc315]

I was thinking about getting a gorillapod tripod for my upcoming trip instead of lugging around my regular tripod to get some fireworks pictures. I have an A57 and would either have my 18-55 lens or my Sigma 50-200 lens on it.

Would this be a decent alternative for placing my camera for fireworks pictures?

I've done that with a smaller camera, worked great. I used the railing around the lake in Epcot to secure the gorillapod. (and hoped it didn't fall into the lake!)

 

[Patrick in Oregon]

I'm thinking about getting the Tamron 17-50 2.8. Looking around I see prices ranging from ~ $270 to $400. I also see the model numbers A16S and A16M floating around. Dyxum only shows one Tamron 17-50 2.8 so I don't believe there is more than one generation of this lens. Is that right?

 

[fractal]

Rgonzalez,

If you shot those in JPG is hard to make WB adjustments after the fact. What you want to do in a situation when there is too much "yellow or orange" is make the WB "hotter" which basically means moving the WB more to the "blue" scale. I'm not sure how you can do that in the NEX-3 menu.

One of the great things about shooting RAW is that you can change the WB in post processing without damaging the rest of the picture.

That's a very simple explanation.

 

[fractal]

some more pics from the game...

 

[Rgonzalez79]

Rgonzalez,

If you shot those in JPG is hard to make WB adjustments after the fact. What you want to do in a situation when there is too much "yellow or orange" is make the WB "hotter" which basically means moving the WB more to the "blue" scale. I'm not sure how you can do that in the NEX-3 menu.

One of the great things about shooting RAW is that you can change the WB in post processing without damaging the rest of the picture.

That's a very simple explanation.

Yea I have to get started shooting RAW, have to get a copy of lightroom or something and playing around with it. I'll try to keep messing with the white balance in the meantime. Thanks a lot

More great pictures by the way, love the really wide angle where you see the jumbotron, shows off the size of the stadium compared to the field.

 

[zackiedawg]

Rgonzalez,

You might check out the new free version of Capture One for Sony, just announced recently. It's a decent RAW converter software with good controls to get you started...and again, it's FREE! for Sony shooters - they are compatible with all E-mount cameras and a good number of Amount cameras.

Link from their website:
http://www.phaseone.com/en/Imaging-Software/Capture-One-for-Sony.aspx

 

[Patrick in Oregon]

Rgonzalez,

You might check out the new free version of Capture One for Sony, just announced recently. It's a decent RAW converter software with good controls to get you started...and again, it's FREE! for Sony shooters - they are compatible with all E-mount cameras and a good number of Amount cameras.

Link from their website:
http://www.phaseone.com/en/Imaging-Software/Capture-One-for-Sony.aspx

How does it compare to Lightroom as far as ease of use, tools available, user friendliness etc?

 

[fractal]

Spent last weekend in Annapolis

 

[fractal]

 

[Rgonzalez79]

Shooting around Manhattan some more. Feedback is absolutely encouraged.

Ping by raddie99, on Flickr

Best Lunch Break Ever by raddie99, on Flickr

The colors look dull on this one, do I just "Vibrance" in post processing?

Paper Village by raddie99, on Flickr

I feared for this young man's life but dedication made me want to shoot more

Anything for the shot by raddie99, on Flickr

The Flatiron by raddie99, on Flickr

This was actually from a rooftop in the Bronx...trying to show my artistic side

Window? by raddie99, on Flickr

Awesome street band

Union Square Street Band by raddie99, on Flickr

 

[Rgonzalez79]

One more question on manual lenses. When using focus peaking, the NEX will highlight the areas that should appear in focus but when I review the pictures later they will not be as sharp as I expected about 10-15% of the time.

Is this a lens issue or is something wonky with the focus peaking in my camera?

 

[Rgonzalez79]

The man invented the quarterback position Fractal...not just because I'm a Cowboys fan

 

[fractal]

One more question on manual lenses. When using focus peaking, the NEX will highlight the areas that should appear in focus but when I review the pictures later they will not be as sharp as I expected about 10-15% of the time.

Is this a lens issue or is something wonky with the focus peaking in my camera?

Depending on how wide your aperture is, the focusing area (depth of field) can be pretty thin. My NEX-7 has a focus assist button that magnifies what's in the center of my EVF to fine tune my peaking. Not sure if the NEX-3C has it but would be surprised if it didn't.

It takes some practice but once you get the hang of it your hit rate will improve dramatically as will the speed at which you can focus.

Nice shots above! I like the lady laying on the bench especially. You can add pop to color with either "vibrance" or saturation. I usually prefer vibrance.

As far as Roger Staubach - one of my favorite quarterbacks despite the fact that I'm a die-hard Eagles fan. I have much respect for him. Interesting fact that I learned while touring the US Naval Academy. When a player wins the Heisman, two trophies are awarded; one to the player and one to the school.

 

[havoc315]

Pinocchio, No Strings by Havoc315, on Flickr

 

[fractal]

very nice Havoc ^^^

Beautiful colors!

 

[havoc315]

very nice Havoc ^^^

Beautiful colors!

Thank you but shhh.. wasn't supposed to take pictures (Disney Fantasy Wishes Show)

 

[Rgonzalez79]

Depending on how wide your aperture is, the focusing area (depth of field) can be pretty thin. My NEX-7 has a focus assist button that magnifies what's in the center of my EVF to fine tune my peaking. Not sure if the NEX-3C has it but would be surprised if it didn't.

Ah so, depth of field = focus plane, is that right? There is focus assist on the 3N but it's sometimes tough to use with a moving subject.

I guess like most things in life, practice makes perfect. I'll keep at and try a wider range of aperture settings.

I won't hold the Eagles thing against you brother I didn't know that about the school also getting a Heisman though, nice trivia answer.

Agreed on the colors in that shot Havoc, really nice! I think I like it more now that I know it was done undercover.