back at the dog park. 85 & 180

[pixmedic30 2]

took the 85mm and 180mm out to the dog park.
we're there pretty much every week so, plenty of practice.
today was very overcast and windy, which made things a little more challenging.
these were all taken on my old D200 (manual mode if anyone cares about that)
I clipped less tails and paws this time, but still managed to dock a few.
the sun came and went as the clouds moved around. bright one minute, cloudy the next. my main focus for these was to keep exposure and white balance consistent for all the photos.
C&C if you like.


#1View attachment 42516
#2View attachment 42515
#3View attachment 42514
#4View attachment 42513
#5View attachment 42512
#6View attachment 42511
#7View attachment 42510

 

[PropilotBW]

Which dog(s) are yours?

I like the 2nd shot a lot!

 

[pixmedic30 2]

one of the black labs is ours. Fenris.
#3 and #4
the dog behind him in #3 is shadow. another black lab mix.

 

[Rafterman]

Good stuff. Much improved since the last set you posted! :thumbsup:

Are you focusing primarily on long-distance shots, or would you be open to some up-close, in-your-face, wide-angle stuff? Dogs' long faces always look hilarious to me when you get them at super wide angles.

 

[pixmedic30 2]

Good stuff. Much improved since the last set you posted! :thumbsup:

Are you focusing primarily on long-distance shots, or would you be open to some up-close, in-your-face, wide-angle stuff? Dogs' long faces always look hilarious to me when you get them at super wide angles.

<img src="http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=42520"/>

Ive only been bringing the longer primes. Might take something a little wider next time.

 

[o hey tyler]

Good stuff. Much improved since the last set you posted! :thumbsup:

Are you focusing primarily on long-distance shots, or would you be open to some up-close, in-your-face, wide-angle stuff? Dogs' long faces always look hilarious to me when you get them at super wide angles.

<img src="http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=42520"/>

Dat a greyhound?

 

[Rafterman]

Dat a greyhound?

Nope, Marlie's just a 50lb mutt. She's my in-laws' dog and they think she's some sort of pit/lab mix perhaps.

 

[KrisztinaK]

These look really good to me. #3 appears a bit brighter than the rest, their fur is not as dark.

Your photos make me miss the dog park. I haven't taken my dog to one in a while.

 

[Derrel]

Looks like you are getting a handle on the new 180 already.

 

[pixmedic30 2]

Looks like you are getting a handle on the new 180 already.

thanks Derrel,

the switch from zooms to primes has been interesting. I can definitely see the advantage of a zoom with moving targets, and not having to switch lenses and move all over the place. I really wanted to get some practice with the primes in, and i know if I take a zoom, I will get sucked into using it just out of convenience.
getting rid of the 70-300 for an 85mm lost me some focal range, but i really like the 85mm lens. The 180mm has been a bit different than im used to, but really hasn't been as difficult as i was expecting. its not a huge lens (about the same size as the 70-300 was) but it lacks the VR that was nice for shooting handheld.
fortunately, going to a faster lens lets me adjust the aperture bigger, allowing me a faster shutter speed to make up for no VR. Sure would be nice to have a constant f/2.8 AND VR though.

Honestly though, not that the dog park on a cloudy day is "harsh" shooting conditions, but I am not seeing any huge issues not having VR even handheld. Granted, it would certainly help in some situations, especially for sports shooters at night or indoors, But with all the yapping i hear about VR being a "must have"....im just not seeing it. If "I" can get good shots with my old D200 and an old AF ED 180mm f/2.8 lens handheld...then ANY halfway decent photographer can. especially if your shooting with a camera that handles higher ISO better. I keep the ISO on the D200 under 400 pretty much all the time.

Ive really been trying to stay in manual mode on these outings, just for the practice. im finding it pretty easy now. aperture on the front dial, shutter speed on the rear dial, and even though i rarely change the ISO, its just a quick hit of a button on the top left, and a rear dial spin. plus, its easy enough to keep an eye on the meter. maybe its just because im using an older camera for my practice outings...but i really think im smarter than the camera is for choosing shutter speeds and aperture. I shot in shutter priority for the longest time, but having forced myself to shoot manual the last few weeks at the park, im really finding it easier now, and the results are better.

anyway, thanks for taking a look Derrel. I am really liking the 180mm. Im glad i wasn't scared off by an older AF Nikkor lens not having all the advantages of the newer lenses. Theres some really good deals to be had in older lenses if you look around. im glad I took advantage of that one.

 

[bc_steve]

Ive really been trying to stay in manual mode on these outings, just for the practice. im finding it pretty easy now. aperture on the front dial, shutter speed on the rear dial, and even though i rarely change the ISO, its just a quick hit of a button on the top left, and a rear dial spin. plus, its easy enough to keep an eye on the meter. maybe its just because im using an older camera for my practice outings...but i really think im smarter than the camera is for choosing shutter speeds and aperture. I shot in shutter priority for the longest time, but having forced myself to shoot manual the last few weeks at the park, im really finding it easier now, and the results are better.

I agree. I don't trust a camera's suto settings either. I almost always shoot in Manual mode, but sometimes it can be a little slow to capture something spontaneous so I have my U1 settings as something like 1/320 f/5.6 (set for my 70-300 I usually leave on the camera) but with auto-ISO so I don't have to fiddle and miss my moment. It almost worked out great for me yesterday when we stopped in the truck right beside a deer. I pulled out the camera and was ready to shoot pretty quickly, but one of the dogs in the truck freaked out and barked his head off at the deer and scared it away. He did the same thing with a coyote and a bald eagle. I was not impressed.

shot #3 is great, you captured their playfulness quite well!