Theme - 100 metre challenge

David Mitchell

David Mitchell

Well-Known Member
Hi all,

I decided about half an hour ago to get up and go for a walk outside, its a nice day and to take my D3100 with me with the kit lens (although the pre-ai 28mm lens was in my pocket). I wanted to see if I could get some nice images from the camera and see how they did when post processing them as a comparison. A few notes before I add in the photos:

Nikon D3100
Set to 'A' mode
ISO settings - set to auto BUT native set to ISO 100, max of 3200
Shutter speeds - minimum of 1/30 second as all hand held (couldn't stop down the lens as much as I didn't have a tripod).

I have found that all but 1 shot (which I havn't used below) was at ISO 125, all images are at ISO 100 - I prefer lower ISOs so I can cut down on the digital noise. Looking at some of the reviews on current digital cameras I wouldn't want to push it above about 800 (personal choice).

Anyway, here are some images, I took 9 image in total and am happy with about 6 of them, here are some examples - I have done an 'as is' out the camera (no WB adjustment apart from what the camera thinks is correct), then a processed image with levels adjusted.

Water tower - ISO 100, 26mm (39mm equivilent), F4.5, 1/800s

Directly from camera

DSC_0037.jpg


Cropped and processed

DSC_0037-2.jpg


Here is a crop from the top of the tower, this is with the basic kit lens.

DSC_0037-3.jpg


Road bend - ISO 125, 44mm (66mm equivilent), f5.3, 1/30s

As is from the camera

DSC_0040.jpg


Cropped and processed

DSC_0040-2.jpg


Here is a slightly more creative image:

Gate with warning - ISO 100, 30mm (45mm equivilent), f5, 1/40

As is from camera

DSC_0044.jpg


Processed

DSC_0044-2.jpg


I am beginning to like digital as I am able to go out and take photos quickly, come back and tweek them easily and have nice results. I will still be shooting mainly film as I enjoy shooting on that but its nice to know that digital images are ok as long as the camera settings are good and you don't have a noisy image, film grain good, digital noise bad lol.

I also wanted to post this up to be used as a thread that can be linked to if any beginners were wondering about if they should save up and buy a really expensive camera. These are all shot with the base model D3100 with the basic kit lens, its not the camera that takes the photo its the photographer. It also shows how you can get nice clear images if you get the settings right, ie lower ISO and limit the minimum shutter speed so images are sharper (no blurs).

Now its everyone elses turn to try this challenge, ive called it the 100 metre challenge, and there are a few rules.

  • Photos must be taken within 100 metres of whereever you live
  • No specialist equipment can be use - all hand held
  • You should show a before and after shot if post processing
  • Can be of any subject
  • Max of 3 images selected
  • Max of 10 shots to be taken overal
  • 30 minute time limit
  • You must have fun shooting



Hope this thread will be of use in the future, will be interesting to see what everyone else does :)
 
Will have a go on Wednesday or Thursday I would agree with the sentiment that its the photographer not the camera that takes the photo but before you go head long into purchasing a camera a couple of points to watch for as for base to a prosumer model (as there called)

Second hand purchasers what type of memory card is used its no use having a 16gb class 10 SD card in your old camera if you buy one which takes Compact flash! (also you would need to take into account the cost of a card reader most laptops have an SD card reader)

And secondly this would go for new cameras and second hand cameras:- Lenses There is no point saving money on the camera if extra lenses you wish to purchase which work with your camera cost you more than almost identical lenses for prosumer models (For Nikon a 70-300 zoom for a better camera which will autofocus is nearly £100 cheaper)
 
I will be using my D3100 as much as I can, because its the cheaper model, amazingly its easily to fit the manual lenses to - although no metering but im getting used to that due to having other vintage cameras.

In a year or two I will be buying another digital camera, I will be getting an NEX-5R which has just come out so I can't justify the cost, I will be getting one when the price comes down though. As its a CSC with a very short flange distance I can use all sorts of adaptors so I can use all of the lens I have - even a C mount cine lens lol.

With regards to lens and cameras I know that you should always put your money in lenses, I know with Nikon lenses you can fit them to either Nikons or Canons, however you can't fit a Canon lens to pretty much anything else lol the main issue I have is getting a wide lens for a crop sensor, as you can see above the shots were taken at a 30-40mm so at least they are attainable - its why I have a pre AI 28mm which is close to a 50 for a crop sensor camera.
 
Dave I was thinking more for beginners anyway!! one your use to manual focus so the problem with Nikon compatabillity isnt as much an issue as it would be for a beginner I was reading something on Flickr a couple of weeks ago forget which group as the person was complaining that there new zoom lens didnt work. At least Nikons budget camera lenses are compatible with the better models!! unlike Canons
 
Nice Challenge David get Hamish/Pete to drop the thread into the Comps/themes thread I'll see what I can come up with over the coming days...:)
 
Kev Pugh said:
Nice Challenge David get Hamish/Pete to drop the thread into the Comps/themes thread I'll see what I can come up with over the coming days...:)
Click to expand...

Could do, it was more of a case of me going out and deciding about digital, I got the D3100 to learn about exposure as a training tool for my vintage film cameras.

I'm quite happy with the results I managed to get, keep the ISO low and the shutter speed above 1/30th seems to be a good rule unless you are wanting to blur motion. Kinda wish they did a lower sensitivity sensor rather than a low light noisy sensor at something silly like ISO 12,800 lol
 
Beth Anthony said:
what if we're american?

love the photos. will have a go tomorrow when i'm off.
Click to expand...

Sorry, 100 meters :) better? :D im sure I can make an exception though :) but you get the idea, no hiking off to somewhere a million miles away lol local only :)
 
I guess it could be amended to 30 minute challenge, ie only as far as you can go in 15 minutes (and 15 minutes back), might be better than a set distance due to all the varying locations.
 
By foot, but I guess you could take a car or train but then you might miss shots along the way, with my time I shot things on the way rather than traveling somewhere to take a shot if that makes sense.
 
Awesome :D I like the framing on the station and the brickwork on the shed, have these been post processed at all?
 
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