deskthority

What Sony? Some Sony bodies have functions that assist with manual focus... Zoom and peaking, to be precise.

You could buy an adapter to use all of your old lenses on it if it's a mirrorless body.

Absolutely no idea! I'll know in a few weeks for sure. A260 comes to mind, though.

Silly? No. That's a good question. I've no idea about the answer. Other than that Canon and Nikon are where the photography snobs tend to live, with grudging respect of the other camp, united in our general aloofness over the Sonys, Minoltas and Olympussies of the world.

So yeah, I'm ignorant about this. I'd lean towards getting a Nikon body, but it's really just my background speaking. Sony could be very competitive for all I know. But their lenses? <shrug>

photekq wrote: Yeah, this is the lens : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_AF- ... f/3.5-5.6G

The focal length and aperture are tied to one another, so at 18mm you're at f/3.5 and at 55mm you're at f/5.6. That's why I pretty much use it as a 55mm prime lens.

I get what you're saying about (maximum) aperture being tied to focal length on most zooms. But minimum aperture is all yours to play with. Check out the table in your link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_AF- ... ifications

See those minimum apertures? You can stop down to at least f/22 with all those lenses, at any focal length. It should be available in Aperture Priority or Manual mode on your camera.

Entry level Sony lenses SUCK, but their sensors are good. Adapting manual focus lenses is the only real value in Sony cameras.

Nikon is best if you want to enter a company with cutting edge sensors (which they buy from Sony) AND a mature lens lineup.

I just want to take moderately nice pictures of keyboards!

If you get back to us with the model of the Sony your family offered, I'll weigh in.

Otherwise, sell your gear and get an entry level Nikon. You can't go wrong with the kit lenses -- they're not perfect, but they're marvelous for the price.

"I just want a nice cheap mechanisch keyboard!"

To be honest, keyboard photography isn't very demanding at all, in equipment. Any DSLR will do. The main thing is practice, and learning what works. Then repeat!

I already invest all of my spare time in crawling through auction sites, desoldering, resoldering, washing and scraping dirt off of keyboards. I do not need another obsessionhobby like this! I'll see how it all pans out anyway. I need to give Nikon another chance, I think.

Edit: I suppose, to draw an analogy, I just want the fullsize Model M or Filco of the camera world. I don't want a lubed HHKB Pro with a controller replacement and Hyper silencing bands or a self-assembled Alps64 with blue Alps or anything so involved. Yet!

Muirium wrote: I get what you're saying about (maximum) aperture being tied to focal length on most zooms. But minimum aperture is all yours to play with. Check out the table in your link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_AF- ... ifications

See those minimum apertures? You can stop down to at least f/22 with all those lenses, at any focal length. It should be available in Aperture Priority or Manual mode on your camera.

*pulls out D3100

*can't find a way to stop down further than f/5.6

*starts to google frantically

Redtext: it's getting real!

I've no idea what would be locking your aperture. Maybe try cleaning the contacts on the back of the lens? Seems like the camera thinks it's an old manual lens. The kind where you control the aperture like this:




@Scottc: Yeah, I hear you, all right. Photography is a whole other world of obsession, just like keyboards but more expensive! Beware.

Fortunately, a lot of photography comes down to technique. You're ultimately the difference between crappy shots and the good stuff. Gear gives you more options, but even high end kit is well able to make shitty pictures. Trust me, we all go through the long rough march to competence!

Yup DT got me back into photography only to have me realise exactly that...

...we all go through the long rough march to competence!

Seeing all the great shots here has raised my personal expectations also, the peak was DTA5 with so much really strong photography.

Yeah, Madhias really knows what he's doing! He dominated that contest. Great work. His best skill is in lighting. One person I don't have to complain to about hard flash around here!

Now I've got my strobe, I hope to step up to the challenge. Alas, my desk is the worst for wear. Not pretty, classical wear, but the result of an old Ikea desk losing its veneer. But how to hide the background? Oceans of bokeh?

I've not been reminded of something else I've been meaning to buy.. A proper wireless flash trigger!

Muirium wrote: But how to hide the background? Oceans of bokeh?

Well yeah possibly some bokeh or just some strategic lighting that should be easier with that strobe of yours. The desk can't be that bad.

Muirium wrote: Now I've got my strobe, I hope to step up to the challenge. Alas, my desk is the worst for wear. Not pretty, classical wear, but the result of an old Ikea desk losing its veneer. But how to hide the background? Oceans of bokeh?

That is not easy with the strobe, as seebart also mentioned! I like such pictures when there is only one light source used, like a lamp or as always the screen; or you make the strobe setting not so strong and soften it. Then you can easily - and that is the simple trick - make dark parts darker. All parts which are not in the light area are black then, with a nice gradient towards the light! I don't know if I can explain this somehow...

photekq wrote: I've not been reminded of something else I've been meaning to buy.. A proper wireless flash trigger!

I have a really cheap one, and it is totally OK. But I always forget to turn both parts of it off!

Hmm. I've had luck so far with triggering from my built in flash. But my fancy Canon flash has a 2.4 GHz receiver and transmitter, so it's tempting to go RF. Wonder what would work with it besides Canon's way pricey official controller?

I also use the wireless controller for remote triggering the camera, so not only the flash. I think that Nikon remote controller costs not only one $100 note! So the same as with original Canon stuff!

This thread needs more love!

Here is a pic that I took Sunday with my shittydirty old D70, and I really love it.



I'm thinking about shooting some keyboards with one of my film SLRs, could be fun!

I'm also on the same boat on trying to get back into this. Got myself a Eye Fi mobi and a CF converter for 7D last week and so far loving it. Just need to shoot raw and jpg and all set to go on my phone.

Ended up buying a D800..

photekq wrote: Ended up buying a D800..

Good, then we can expect phenomenal pictures from you in the future.

Congrats on the D800!
This thread needs more photos!
Here's one from tonight! I think it came out alright...Haven't seen it on a proper screen yet, only on camera and the phone! I'm at my "home-village" and took the opporunity for some night shots!

Sorry for the Tapatalk hosting, but my cell coverage is crap, and Chrome just refused to upload it!

chzel wrote: This thread needs more photos!

Agreed! That's great light in that shot chzel, very moody.

I got my first AF lens for my old K10 today, let's see if my pictures turn out better with the electronic assistance. Phone pic of the SMC DA 1:1,8 50mm. DSLR pics to follow.