First post

yellowjeep · Mar 24, 2008

Where to start... I needed one more class this semester and decided to take digital imaging, which is basicaly a photoshop class but has some pretty heavy photography elements also. It struck a cord with me and now, here I am. I picked up a second hand Sony a100 along with the 18-70 and 70-300 kit lenses for a really nice price. I also just picked up a mint Minolta 50mm f1.7 at a pawn shop for $20.

I want to post a few shots for critique and also ask what would be the best next step in terms of gear, I am thinking that a good flash would be my best bet. Any thoughts?

I am also very big in to bikes, you can click on the photo to see the rest of my newest build.

sultan · Mar 24, 2008

Reasonable pictures. Low DOF is good - up to a point. Here, I think you took the low DOF is a bit too low. Also, there isn't enough detail and contrast in the cat. It appears to be slightly out of focus.

Reduce your aperture (somewhere between f/2.0 and f/2.8 should be good) and turn up the contrast. Also try to focus them better.

yellowjeep · Mar 24, 2008

sultan said:
Reasonable pictures. Low DOF is good - up to a point. Here, I think you took the low DOF is a bit too low. Also, there isn't enough detail and contrast in the cat. It appears to be slightly out of focus.

Reduce your aperture (somewhere between f/2.0 and f/2.8 should be good) and turn up the contrast. Also try to focus them better.

Actually those were both shot with the 18-70, which is something like f3.5-5.6.

Edit, something strange to note, when viewing the cat jpeg in Lightroom and Window picture viewer it is a little warmer and a little more saturated, it just looks better. I tried up loading again but the picture still looks dull on Flickr..... I fixed it with flickrs editing tools. It looks the same now.

ChickenFriedRyce · Mar 24, 2008

Great start with a Sony. :thumbsup:

I have the A200.

Lenses are the most important part. Congrats on the Minolta. :]
Flash is probably in my opinion the next. Sony flashes are expensive so be on the lookout for good deals. Make sure you can do bounce with it too.

yellowjeep · Mar 24, 2008

Thanks, ChickenFriedRyce.
I know that Sony and Minolta Maxxum use a proprietary flash shoe. Could I use an older Minolta flash? Are there any other options that are so pricey?

Mesoam · Mar 24, 2008

are you on JeepsUnlimited?

ChickenFriedRyce · Mar 24, 2008

Actually, I think a Minolta flash will do the trick. I just do not think it'll sync at faster shutter speeds. The other flash options from sony are at the least $200. They cost more than that but I don't know the exact price.