Gear discussion thread v. "I got some new gear and I got to post it here" - General

I have a Fuji X-E2 on order. It's similar to the X100S, except interchangeable lens and a bunch of upgrades (no optical viewfinder but more compact size). I was in a similar situation to you, I was getting annoyed by the large size of a DSLR and lens, I only really took pictures if I purposefully went out to take pictures, I couldn't easily just carry my camera on me. I'll be able to say more about it once I have it, but going by reviews and such it's the perfect easy to carry camera, IQ is up there with FF cameras.

Let's talk mobile apps that help you take photos and shit. I occasionally use photo tools for android.

might take the plunge on a pair of zeiss contax lenses this week :O

[QUOTE=Trogdon;42973387]might take the plunge on a pair of zeiss contax lenses this week :O[/QUOTE] Only thing I want would be the sigma 18-35 f/1.8. Love that sharp thing. Would be awesome for videos. Better than the distortion filled kit lens.

Not really a regular in this subforum, but I thought I'd get opinions. I was going for an entry level DSLR, and I've ordered a Pentax K30. I got this one because I heard it was excellent for astrophotography and nightscapes, but also because my sister gave me a multitude of compatible Pentax lenses for free. What are your opinions on this particular camera body? For those curious, I managed to get it for about $499 new, whereas it apparently can go for up to $700-$1300 new.

you did good, pentax bodies have the best weather sealing of most DSLRs (afaik), including the high end 1D and D3/4 level stuff. The only reason I didn't get a pentax as my first camera is because i have access to a lot of nikon lenses and nikon compatible stuff. Normally id say there are less lenses for pentax system but if you are getting lenses for free from your sister then yeah thats awesome, good job. but where did you get one for $500? [editline]27th November 2013[/editline] but dont let it get into your head that having a good camera means that you take good pictures

[img]http://i.imgur.com/z16L1Zt.jpg[/img] Well this happened

[QUOTE=:smugspike:;42993415]Not really a regular in this subforum, but I thought I'd get opinions. I was going for an entry level DSLR, and I've ordered a Pentax K30. I got this one because I heard it was excellent for astrophotography and nightscapes, but also because my sister gave me a multitude of compatible Pentax lenses for free. What are your opinions on this particular camera body? For those curious, I managed to get it for about $499 new, whereas it apparently can go for up to $700-$1300 new.[/QUOTE] hey, i have a similar story except with nikon. older brother works at a photonics business and they abandoned f mount a few years after founding, so i have access to whatever lenses they had at the time. literally like 2 filing cabinets full of lenses, it's insane

[QUOTE=Trogdon;42999952][img]http://i.imgur.com/z16L1Zt.jpg[/img] Well this happened[/QUOTE] Something about high quality film bodies in such small packages is great. Put a pancake lens on that and you just got the best thing ever.

the camera was a free bonus from the seller, originally i was just getting the lenses for the future when i get an a7 (as i expect prices of these lenses to climb again, they were like ~$150 each 5 years ago...), but i'm glad i can at least use the 45mm now. went hiking today and shot almost half a roll, so hopefully i could even show scan those in by monday!

is dxo optics pro 9 a good software? any other recommendations that arent extremely expensive [editline]28th November 2013[/editline] the only other software i know is aperature 4 and lightroom 5 and idk how those compare i already have CS5 i should probably buy a new computer before I get software but I will probably have to wait over a year until mine dies.

lightroom is the easiest for editing as well as archiving dxo 9 has a cool noise reductionthing though, like super noise reduction or something but it's really cool

whats cool about getting scans from the lab is that the photos are already on cd for safe storage i just dont know which cd has what on them

[QUOTE=notlabbet;43006331]whats cool about getting scans from the lab is that the photos are already on cd for safe storage i just dont know which cd has what on them[/QUOTE] Well start opening the cds on your computer and start archiving

[img_thumb]http://i.imgur.com/LCF5QNK.jpg?1[/img_thumb] Calumet do weekend rental for the price of one day, figure I will pick up my own in January anyway! Smaller than I expected from all the reading I did, can't wait to take it out this evening. For those of you who have used rangefinders, were you right eyed before you starting using them? I'm left eyed and find its pretty weird if not cool to have some perspective!

[QUOTE=MisterM;43016209][img_thumb]http://i.imgur.com/LCF5QNK.jpg?1[/img_thumb] Calumet do weekend rental for the price of one day, figure I will pick up my own in January anyway! Smaller than I expected from all the reading I did, can't wait to take it out this evening. For those of you who have used rangefinders, were you right eyed before you starting using them? I'm left eyed and find its pretty weird if not cool to have some perspective![/QUOTE] I use my left eye when using a DSLR, it feels weird when I use my right eye. Plus my left eye is better than my right

should I get a sigma 30mm 1.4 dc hsm instead of the nikon 35mm 1.8? i have the money for it

[QUOTE=dwt110;43018085]should I get a sigma 30mm 1.4 dc hsm instead of the nikon 35mm 1.8? i have the money for it[/QUOTE] Is the Nikon one HSM or USM or whatever the equivalent is?

yeah its SWM (silent wave motor)

If you really want that wider aperture get the sigma. I'm sure it's the new one and it's really good.

how does the one in question here (30mm 1.4 art) compare to the 30mm 1.4 ex?

The art is better optically I'd still just get the Nikon the 2/3rds stop isn't really worth twice the price

30mm ex vs the nikon 35mm? its only like an $80 price difference

[QUOTE=Trogdon;43018189]The art is better optically I'd still just get the Nikon the 2/3rds stop isn't really worth twice the price[/QUOTE] My friend got the canon 50mm 1.4 because he wanted f/1.4 (and USM) but it was 4 times more than the 1.8

[QUOTE=dwt110;43018225]30mm ex vs the nikon 35mm? its only like an $80 price difference[/QUOTE] The art version is $500 on amazon, the older sigma is $289 on amazon but that isn't as good optically. If you can get the art edition for $80 more than the Nikon I would go for it, but the Nikon will perform better than the older sigma. [QUOTE=garychencool;43018286]My friend got the canon 50mm 1.4 because he wanted f/1.4 (and USM) but it was 4 times more than the 1.8[/QUOTE] Well that case is a bit different, the 1.4 has a lot more to it than just the extra speed, like more aperture blades, better build, better focusing, and closer mfd, which makes up the price difference in my opinion. But for the sigma vs Nikon, the main difference is speed because they are similar in all those regards.

my pen f came! but without a lens cap, and fuck paying £6 for one! [editline]29th November 2013[/editline] oh trip 35 lens caps fit it too crisis averted [editline]29th November 2013[/editline] now i should find a lime green leatherette so it matches my trip 35 oh god

My X-E2 arrived. The quality is absurdly nice and manual focusing with an EVF is so much easier (especially once focus peaking is enabled). Going to the beach tomorrow with some society buds to try it out. [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/VPgVeKb.gif[/IMG] So glad not to be lugging a big DSLR around.

[QUOTE=Trogdon;43018500]The art version is $500 on amazon, the older sigma is $289 on amazon but that isn't as good optically. If you can get the art edition for $80 more than the Nikon I would go for it, but the Nikon will perform better than the older sigma. Well that case is a bit different, the 1.4 has a lot more to it than just the extra speed, like more aperture blades, better build, better focusing, and closer mfd, which makes up the price difference in my opinion. But for the sigma vs Nikon, the main difference is speed because they are similar in all those regards.[/QUOTE] Ah I see, makes more sense. The nifty fifty is fantastic plastic.

ok what idiot positioned the tripod mount of this?? [img]http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Olympus-Pen-F-half-frame-camera-with-Zuiko-38mm-and-100mm-f3-5-lenses-/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/cR4AAMXQfvlSkDX2/$_16.JPG[/img] like seriously good one there

Well, I finally got something new to use my Sony 16mm pancake on :v: [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/leevmeister/11120774483/][img]http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2834/11120774483_ea9f033e2b_c.jpg[/img][/url]