Shokudo Japanese Pasta and Pizza
My Journey in Photgraphy
Its been almost a year since I started taking photos on a regular basis. Hence today, I shall give all the equipment that's been with me in my learning journey in photography for the past 2 years some credit.
Starting with my camera, well its no other than the entry level Nikon D40. I bought it in June 2007 because I got quite frustrated with how limiting shooting with a compact camera can be at times. It was during the NDP rehearsals period at that time and I find it hard to take any good photos no matter how I try with my compact.
Hence I convinced my parents to get me a more serious camera. Choice was between D80 and D40/x. As budget was rather tight, I settled for the D40. At 6 megapixels, its still able to come up with superb quality photos and I'm quite pleased with it. It shows that megapixels is not everything, and so far I've not really came to a point where I wished I've more megapixels in my cam. I bought it for $910, it was a display set, but I did not mind. It comes with a 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 kit lens, sufficient to take any kind of photos for a beginner, be it landscape, group photos or close up. Reproduction ratio is 1 : 3.5 which is I'm quite satisfied for a start.
Its quite light and compact, for a DSLR so bringing it out even for a dinner is no much of an issue. I strongly recommend this cam for girls who are interested to take up photography but wants something light but still able to take quality pics.
I could still remember the first day I got my cam. I got home, opened up the lens, and found a SPECK of dust in it. I tried to clean it with a microfibre cloth, and my cloth was even dustier than the lens. As a result more dust got onto the lens, and I cleaned even more. As a result of over-zealous clean, I'm left with a small scratch mark on the real lens element, on just the first day of buying the camera. I learnt my lesson- dust are best left alone, the hard way. Nevertheless, the scratch doesnt affect the photos in any way, its just something you have to get over with.
When I bought the camera, the salesman was saying D40 has a less variety of lens compatible with it because it does not have the autofocus motor in it. Hence its only compatible with the newer, more expensive DX lenses. It was a dismay, but I still chose it anyway. The salesman said I'll not regret my choice. I didn't.
Soon, I found the 18-55mm lens quite restrictive. I need a telephoto lens to take anything further away. I realised the problem when I was shooting in Chinese Garden and tried creeping up on a pair of tortoises. The bank was as close as I can get but even before I get anywhere near them, I scared the 2 shell creatures away. I came home and my dad saw my tortoise pics, with the tortoise barely making up 1/8 of the photo. I told him the story and he said I need telephoto lens. He's been visiting cash converter frequently and he told me they sell a few telephoto lens there. So during the weekend we go down to take a look. I was so delighted when I saw the focal length of the lens. It was a Cosina 100 - 300mm f/5.6 - 7.1 . So I got my first telephoto lens, from cash converter at $180.
I could still remember when I was at the shop trying out the lens. Although it clearly says its a 100-300mm zoom lens, I could not get it to zoom out no matter how I try twisting and turning. Turns out it is a push-pull lens, not the new kind of twist to zoom lens. So I went Bukit Timah Nature Reserve with Colin one day to try out the lens. A resting dragonfly was our model for the day. We spent about 15 whole minutes taking photos of the dragonfly. I also went to Butterfly Park in Sentosa with the lens. But soon, I find that at 300mm f7.1, it is too slow to be of much decent use unless the light is really strong. And the push pull design makes the lens slip back when mounted on a tripod at an angle. The lens was replaced by another telephoto lens soon to come.
One day, I decide to look into my father's possession of lens which he used even before I was born. Of those I found 2 lens which are quite remarkable. The first one is this 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 . I've used it a couple of times, once during the Orientation games at Sentosa and once during a indoor NTU performance. The colour rendition is good, I feel its far better than the kit lens I have. And at 85mm f/4.5 zoomed it, its better for low light condition compared to the kit len's 55mm f/5.6 . However its quite bulky and it lacked autofocus when mounted on my camera hence after a while I stopped using it.
Another wonderful piece of lens I found he owned is this Tamron 135mm f/2.5 . Its a prime lens, thats of fixed focus lens. At f/2.5 wide open, its good for low light situations when you need a medium telephoto lens. I've also used this lens for close up photography with a Close Up filter. I swear there could be mushrooms growing inside the lens but it does not affect the image quality in any way. Pretty amazing. Again, no autofocus as this is a fully manual lens, you'll even have to turn the aperture ring yourself.
Next comes the most widely used telephoto lens. Nikon 70 - 300mm f/4.5 - 5.6 G lens. It belongs to my Dad, technically. Comes with his D80 when he bought it. Nothing much about it, just a cheap telephoto lens from Nikon with no VR or ED or whatsoever. But I like used it nevertheless, to replace the Cosina telephoto lens. Quite sad but this lens a abit faster than the other one. Optically, I dont think there is much of a difference, except that this one is abit soft at the 300mm end. And as it is the normal twist to zoom kind of lens, it will not fall back when mounted on a tripod. Perharps I should start using the Cosina lens before it gets moldy.
After a while bringing my kit lens around for food photography as we eat, its frustrating that at 55mm f/5.6 its simply too slow to take any decent photos, especially at restaurants with dim lighting - good ambiance, bad photography. Slow shutter speed to compensate results in alot of handshake. The insufficient light is not very complimenting on the food either. Hence there come a need for a faster normal lens. The opportunity came just before Christmas in 2007.
While surfing Clubsnap's Buy and Sell forum, I came across this guy selling a 50mm f/1.4 prime lens for only $180. I was like "woah!". Its so cheap because its a manual lens, with no metering even. But I didn't mind because a brand new AF f/1.4 lens will cost about $750. I called him immediately and bought the lens. I tested the lens and was impressed at the depth of field it offer, and the bokehs it produced. It also produce 9 crossed flare on bright light sources. It seems to be of 1970s make according to the serial number - older than me even.
Its definitely the best buy ever, practically brought it everywhere I go now. I remembered saying "Food in low light, here I come!" It has quite a few scratch marks on both the front and rear lens element but again, it does not affect the image.
Just recently, I added another another piece of equipment to my collection. Again, bought 2nd hand from Clubsnap, the Phoenix 2x Teleconverter. It doubles the focal length of your lens at the expense of some light loss. Primarily used on the 70 - 300mm telephoto lens to take the Phases of the Moon series. I still have not though of what other use I have for it, perharps mount it together with the close up filter to take super close up.
Now technically this is not my equipment as it belongs to my Dad. But I sometimes bring it out when I really need the autofocus with the lens which D40 does not have, like taking the Singapore Air Show flying display. Other than that, I sometimes use its 18 - 135mm kit lens to take the YewTee Soccer League series.
And next, whats photography without filters right? This is 1 piece of filter that I feel is most underused. Polarising filter, can be used in outdoors under strong sunlight to increase contrast, cut down glare etc. Very much like what your your transition lens is made of. Can be used indoor too to cut down on reflection from glass surfaces such as shooting an aquarium.
Its effect as seen, cuts down the amount of light by 2 stops.
Infrared filter. My favourite, used to take the infrared photos. Its almost opaque, and lets only infrared light through. But not everyone likes IR photos I guess. Heard its short in supply now and could be stopping production soon, so I think I'll stock up 1 more spare one just in case.
Next this is a +4 Close Up filter. Its really just a magnifying glass.
Then when your equipment gets dusty how? Blower, brush, and microfibre cloth.
My tripods.... Officially the one on the left is mine, but Colin broke it (and I'm still waiting for my replacement tripod Colin...) so I've been using my Dad's Manfrotto since. The one on the right is my Dad's Vivitar tripod which he used eons ago. And right in front you have the tiny tripod which comes with my Fujifilm Z2. (its of no use, really. I'm just showcasing it for fun)
The light box I made myself for product shoots. Its much brighter than what you see actually.
And lastly, my very first compact camera that got me started in taking photos. Fujifilm Finepix Z2. Its ultraslim, compact and light weight. Classy too! And by the way, all the pics above are taken with the Z2.
After 1 year, I realised that it is not the camera that limits the quality of the photo taken. Although equipment does matter, its the environment factors (light) and composition(a snapshot is still a snapshot regardless of whether u use a compact or a D3 to take it) that make a photo work. Better equipment simply cope with adverse conditions(poor lighting) better, but it is up to you as the photographer to find ways to make the photo work. And ultimately, its how well you understand the limitations of your camera and make use of it to the best you can. You know your camera cant take pics in low light, give it light! Be it using a light box, using flash/ diffused flash or finding a seat that's brighter to take food, do what you must to make it work. When all else fails, lets just enjoy what you see and put it in your memory, like fireworks for example rather than trying to take it.
With this, I conclude my journey so far in learning photography. From not knowing anything and just "point and shoot" to having some decent knowledge now, it has been enriching. Google's your best friend. Anything you dont know, google for it. Thats how I learned. But this is not the end, as there is still much more to be understood. Perhaps one year from now, I'll have another review on how I moved on from today. Who knows.....
Fujifilm Finepix Z2.
Labels: Misc
