Playing with this new camera - First Video Created

[thor447]

I began my high dive into the deep dark hole that is digital cameras. I just bought one with the idea in mind that I could take some close up pictures of some of projects I've been working on (watch repair related). I have been studying up this past week on all things digital photography, and while 'beginner' doesn't even begin to describe my skill level, I have learned quite a bit thus far. I took the camera outside today. I was wanting to play around with f/stop, shutter speed, and the ISO settings to get some hands on experience at how this affects the pictures being taken in different scenarios.

I have to say that some of these shots (from my backyard) came out exceptionally well. At least I think they did. I've watched several class lectures from B&H Photo on their YouTube channel, and about a hundred other videos on camera setup, lighting, etc.

These aren't too bad for a novice just turning knobs on the camera!

I had to seriously downgrade the quality of the pics to post them on the forum, but with not zooming in you can still tell. The originals keep their detail as you zoom in, as I'm sure these won't because they went from 20mb per photo to 1mb per photo!

 

[OK Corgi Rancher]

What camera did you get? Inquiring minds are really nosey and want to know!

I have a couple I play with. By far the best is a Sony RX10 IV. Really a nice camera. But last year I finally upgraded my phone to the Galaxy S22 Ultra and the dang camera on it is so good I rarely get my real cameras out any more.

 

[Gunbuffer]

Looks like pics from my iPhone.

 

[thor447]

Looks like pics from my iPhone.

Your avatar is appropriate.

 

[thor447]

What camera did you get? Inquiring minds are really nosey and want to know!

I have a couple I play with. By far the best is a Sony RX10 IV. Really a nice camera. But last year I finally upgraded my phone to the Galaxy S22 Ultra and the dang camera on it is so good I rarely get my real cameras out any more.

I didn't buy a 'top of the line' model, because what I'm wanting to do doesn't require something of that level, but I ended up getting a fair price on a Nikon Z 30. It came with a wide angle 16-50mm-f/3.5-6.3 lens. They market it more to YouTube type creators, but the sensor on the camera is the same as others I was looking at, but at a better price. I picked up a 50mm-f/2.8 macro lens as well. I went back there today to pick up my lens protector (they didn't have the size I needed in stock when I bought it), and they had a sale on other Nikkor lenses. I got a 24-200m-f/4.0 for half off. I got a wide angle, macro, and now a general purpose lens for about the cost of what just the other model camera I was looking at was going to cost.

Yep, both feet first I suppose.

 

[OK Corgi Rancher]

Good for you! Sounds like you got something you can have a lot of fun with. I really enjoy mine even though I'm not much of a photographer. It makes me happy playing around with them and gives me something to do.

 

[PanhandleGlocker]

I used to have a nice camera then I got the iPhone 12 and the camera on it was way better than any lenses I had for the camera.

 

[TerryMiller]

Sounds like a good starter set, which should work for you for quite some time. I don't know why, but I'm not seeing the pictures in your first post.

The biggest issue that I might have with the Z30 would be that it doesn't seem to have a separate viewfinder and that one has to use the back screen for composing the photos. I seem to have issues when outside that I can't see the back screens well enough to really compose properly. I have the same issue with trying to take photos with my phone. The outside light just "washes out" the screen to where I have difficulty seeing what I want.

 

[OKCHunter]

With experience you will likely gain a good understanding for setting the correct exposures, controlling the DOF, and operating the camera controls. But, once you start delving into composition, creativity, and techniques such as focus stacking you'll really think you're looking into a deep dark hole.

 

[thor447]

With experience you will likely gain a good understanding for setting the correct exposures, controlling the DOF, and operating the camera controls. But, once you start delving into composition, creativity, and techniques such as focus stacking you'll really think you're looking into a deep dark hole.

I've already started focus stacking, primarily due to the macro lens. I found a (free) program that will let me edit the raw files and will compile the stack into a single image. It's been interesting to play with thus far.