Filtering by Tag: 18.5mm

Bugs in the Summer

Added on January 4, 2015 by John Sturr.

Shot with the 18.5mm f1.8 -- surprisingly good results. Color rendering is pure Nikon and expected.

Texture

Added on December 30, 2014 by John Sturr.

the Chickens

Added on December 19, 2014 by John Sturr.

At the time these were taken - mid October, I didn’t give them much thought - but I had the idea the complicated scenes “may” come out as something decent. So I tromped out and took pictures of chickens in Twin Falls, Idaho; my Brother-in-Law’s place.

All were shot with the V1 and the 18.5mm (50mm equivalent) and most times I don’t second guess my lens choices and stay with one. Most of the time it is for convenience, but then the convenience factor becomes a creative factor. It is what it is.

Upon developing I used Nikon ViewNX, as the NX-d kept crashing and I didn’t need NX-d’s noise correction. After cooking them out I brought them into LR-5 for the lens corrections. Since these were all web - I pushed to .jpg vs. .tiff and cooked them out again in LR in order to watermark.

All corrections were in ViewNX and the color profile was a factory Vivid or Portrait with a boost in contrast - Sharpening is a bit powerful in ViewNX so I keep the slider at 2-4 depending on what the image can absorb and rarely do I go past 5.

It’s kindof a pain - but that’s the work flow.

The more I look at these the more I love them - the framing, the subject, the colors - not trying to toot my own horn here - but it’s taken me years to be able to view my own work and consider it viable as decent and something to share. I maybe print one or two of these 13x19 on aluminum.

I guess the lesson learned here is being able to force the capture of the photo. I had no intention of taking pics of chickens that day — none. But I had the gear - and some how - I came away with some interesting images.

High West

Added on September 27, 2014 by John Sturr.

Here’s a photo of opportunity - sitting for dinner at a distillery in Park City, Utah - High West - some in this group may have even experienced their award winning Whiskey, but I digress. This was a matter of great light, and shinny objects - and I can’t lie - I’m a sucker for those also. This is basically out of camera - with sharpening but NEF.

ViewNX - when I can get away with not having to lens correct is the editor of choice - the secret “color” sauce is very, very welcomed. I wish LR 5 had the magic. LR gives me about 90% of what Nikon’s software produces. Too bad it is always the last 10% which determines the good stuff.

I’m always torn with the V1 system - as I wish the lenses were faster - as now I’m thinking of going B/W and pegging it a 1600 ASA, and just going to town and seeing what happens. If anything it will provide a new perspective - and that is always welcome.

Over the Boards

Added on July 12, 2014 by John Sturr.

It’s been a while since a last posted - long work hours and the monthly delay between registering for copyright and being able to display images are the choke points.

This image is from the office, of Steve Goodwin working on final project design adjustments. As always the exercise is recognizing the scene and then capturing it with the Nikon 1 V1, 18.5 f1.8 - and then this was converted with NIK Silver Efex pro 2. No crop. I’m proud of this shot - it all came together.

And - by now - you may have noticed the watermark in the lower right. This is a bit of an experiment in branding. I’m not an Annie Leibovitz, Herb Ritts, or Hedrich Blessing, meaning - their careers are pretty much set - ok, so - two are dead, so maybe this wasn’t a good example. But I think the point has been made. When a photo is viewed — I want those to know who shot it.

Next Topic -

i blew the dust off the D3s a few weeks ago - hell I even had dead batteries, something which hasn’t happened since purchase in Nov. ’09. I was gobsmacked - and maybe I shouldn’t have been as it just means I’m not very busy on the pro side. As I only dig this out when I’m getting paid. Tilt shift lenses have yet to make their presence on the small cameras - and when shooting architecture - the TS separates you from the crowd.

But back to the point — small sensor cameras are fun and all — but full frame with an 85mm f1.4 lens — at f1.4 and wow. Just wow. There is nothing like having the flexibility to control backgrounds with a few clicks of the aperture - and then having the sharpness to go along with it.

I miss full frame - which reminds me that maybe I need to shoot the D3s more.

All systems have their advantages.

Next Topic -

Nikon needs to figure out what their business plan is going to be.

Are they going to sell cameras - then start producing some V3’s
Are they going to compete in the mirrorless market - then develop a full frame
Are they going to replace their CaptureNX - then make it happen
Nikon — how badly do you want it — how badly ?

The D3 series was a game-changer — so here’s the tip of the day - “hire those guys back to make something else”.

Next Topic -

Speaking of cameras — Sony is on a terror. First the Nex series, of which I had the “7”, then the A7 full frame series and now the “s” with the crazy low light capable sensor - and now the A6000, which for $600+ you have crazy APS-c performance. Read the reviews.

So — back to the point - Nikon, figure out what you want to be; Winner or Loser.

Sketching

Added on April 10, 2014 by John Sturr.

I literally set up, and took this shot without the subjects even knowing I was there. Upon talking to the gentleman on the left, he mentioned it was a pretty intense conversation and didn't even notice..

I'm glad I was there.

SBux on the back Porch

Added on April 5, 2014 by John Sturr.

I couldn't resist the light - and then I got to thinking - what makes a great image a success ?

Is it the camera, the light, the lens, the shooter -- or all 4 ?

Nikon 1 V1 - 18.5mm Converted with SFex Pro-2

Cafe Noir -- SLC

Added on February 9, 2014 by John Sturr.

Nikon 1 V1 - 18.5 - BW convert with SilverEfx

The scene

Added on January 23, 2014 by John Sturr.

I've said it before - but there are times when the scene just grabs me.

This image is one of those from the office when the "planets" aligned.

I love those moments when I can pay the scene this attention - if I can't then I almost become obsessed of the missed shot.

Spring

Added on January 20, 2014 by John Sturr.

When the Sun is out - and although it hits the fake orchids on the back porch shelf - I can't help but think of Spring.

Redlining the Plan

Added on September 18, 2013 by John Sturr.

I peered from the upper stair - went back to the desk to get the V1 and hoped the scene wouldn't change.

From above, I saw what I captured. Only on approach did I have to say - don't move - "keep doing what you are doing." And I love it when it all comes together.

Focus was Auto Area - rarely of which I use - but in this case, as in most - I can't fiddle with technicalities - it's either there and I lock on - or nothing.

That's the beauty of it all - everything related to the scene is perishable - and it isn't the same 5 seconds later. I thought of a BW convert - but it doesn't pop - and becomes much too busy.

Coast

Added on September 1, 2013 by John Sturr.

Summertime

Added on July 9, 2013 by John Sturr.

After last weekends 4th Holiday - I came back with a few keepers. They were both quite a surprise when i started to sort and post process the 400+ images, of which I ended up with about 80+.

My technique has evolved into using the 10fps silent shutter option which preserves the scene, but gives me a bunch of frames so I get the shot without eye-blinks. None of what I shot would have been possible without the crazy fast focusing in the V1 though - it is a game changer for compact cameras.

Adjusting a Model - action shot

Added on July 2, 2013 by John Sturr.

A colleague adjusts a model at the office of FFKR Architects in Salt Lake City.

The autofocus on the V1 is without peer - and the sensor size is compensated by the resolution of the lenses. Shoot a great lens and uprezzing is a non-issue. Shoot a "wanting" lens - and you can't hide the flaws at 12x18 print and bigger.

I would rather have the shot with a small sensor and less rez- than not with more rez, i.e. Nex-7.

This is with the 18.5mm eq. 50mm. Desired for two reasons, it is crazy sharp - and f1.8 to keep as close to the base ASA -- yes, I just said ASA -- boom !

Nikon 1 - V1, 18.5mm f1.8 - FFKR Architects, SLC

Glass Dancers

Added on June 21, 2013 by John Sturr.

Last nights Utah Arts Festival - and as we approached was this scene of dancers on the South side of the SLC Library glass.

Shot with the 18.5mm. The 10-30mm was in the bag but I decided to give this lens a real workout.

The focus response was stellar - and as close as I can get to a full D3s focusing system.

The only complaint I have is the focus point - I'm finding that in some cases the focus point is not as "Pin Point" as I would want or expect. And that surprises the result at times. Meaning - I miss focus.

ViewNX from NEF to JPG - no crop.

The V1

Added on June 15, 2013 by John Sturr.

After a few weeks - the "1" is becoming a very good above the fold, performance piece of equipment. It is small, cheap, and the color rendering is all Nikon. It impresses while at the same time being in the shadows.

The two plusses are nailing focus - and color rendering. The biggest minus is resolution on the sensor. This is like a mini D3s - sans $3200. Monochrome, as with the P330 is epic !

I just acquired the 18.5mm f1.8 - and I was going to wait on this -- but every thing I read played this up really well -- and for good reason. This thing is crazy sharp -- crazy !