Pandora's Box

[swintonphoto]

When I got really serious into photography years ago, I asked my uncle (a professional photographer) for some guidance on good gear. He gave me some suggestions and I told him that I was convinced that would be all the gear I needed. My wise uncle sat me down and said "Jonathan, you need to realize that you have opened pandoras box. You will never have everything you need. There will always be something else you 'need'." I of course didn't believe him.... MAN WAS HE RIGHT!
It's like an addiction. I think we should start something called "Cameras Anonymous":rofl

[Seymore]

So true... So true... Also, don't ever get caught into MF prime lenses. With many of them so much cheaper than AF lenses, and the quality so much better (IMPO) when it comes to landscapes, it can be an endless pit and all of the sudden you have 20-30 lenses!!! ...but only 2 eyes! :cry

Then you think OK, which lens will I need today and haul 20lbs of glass to cover most situations you may encounter. <sigh> But on a positive note, it does keep you in shape!!! :wink

So many lenses, so little time... :huh
Sux to git old...

[Icebear]

The older I get the crappier my eyes get, so it don't matter so much how sharp a lens is or isn't. I can't see the diff. We photogs are the only ones who look that close anyway.:wink

[Cuong]

"Camera Anonymous". I second that. Now we understand why women love to shop.

Cuong

[Tommyboy]

Hi. My name is Tom. I'm a lensaholic. . . .

[swintonphoto]

Hi. My name is Tom. I'm a lensaholic. . . .

I laughed out loud when I read that. Thanks.

[Tee Why]

You got GAS.
Gear Aquisition Syndrom.
Don't it stink?
:)

[Glenn NK]

So true... So true... Also, don't ever get caught into MF prime lenses. With many of them so much cheaper than AF lenses, and the quality so much better (IMPO) when it comes to landscapes, it can be an endless pit and all of the sudden you have 20-30 lenses!!! ...but only 2 eyes! :cry

Then you think OK, which lens will I need today and haul 20lbs of glass to cover most situations you may encounter. <sigh> But on a positive note, it does keep you in shape!!! :wink

So many lenses, so little time... :huh
Sux to git old...

Small question - where do you find MF primes?

I'm using a 100 mm f/2.8 macro, but AF lenses require very little turning of the focus ring to change focus, whereas manual lenses (as I recall) required more "turning" to change focus from point to point. This would be an asset with focus stacking.

[Seymore]

Small question - where do you find MF primes?
eBay, Craigslist and a few sites I frequent. I'll drop you a PM...

[puzzledpaul]

<< manual lenses (as I recall) required more "turning" to change focus from point to point. This would be an asset with focus stacking. >>

Most of the stacked (macro) images that I've seen have been done by altering the distance between camera/ lens setup and subject - leaving lens focus / mag on the same setting - therefore altering the focus plane...

Some of the gear that one truly superb 'stacker' uses is described here -

http://www.photomacrography2.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2825

pp

[Joves]

Yes it is a Pandoras Box. I have sold children for glass. Wait I dont have any to sell. :D Yeah it is a vicious circle.

[Glenn NK]

<< manual lenses (as I recall) required more "turning" to change focus from point to point. This would be an asset with focus stacking. >>

Most of the stacked (macro) images that I've seen have been done by altering the distance between camera/ lens setup and subject - leaving lens focus / mag on the same setting - therefore altering the focus plane...

Some of the gear that one truly superb 'stacker' uses is described here -

http://www.photomacrography2.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2825

pp

Ah yes, I see what you mean, and that works well for a "round" object like a bug's body.

However in many cases, moving the camera in/out will change the lateral relationship between objects that are not on the optical axis. A petal or leaf that is off-axis may be partially hiding one behind it; moving in/out will reveal more (or less) of the leaf behind it. Quite simply, moving the camera changes the three dimensions geometry.

Mind you, changing focus results in the same problem. I tried multi-focusing a spiked plant with a total DOF of about three inches - it was a disaster.

It seems that the longer the focal length, the less the problem will be; at infinity there is no problem. Does anyone know of a 1,000 mm macro?:rofl :rofl

Still, using the lens focus method would be easier with a MF lens that requires more turning to change the focus. Right now with the 100 mm lens, the amount of turning from focus point to focus point is miniscule and hence difficult.

[bham]

You got GAS.
Gear Aquisition Syndrom.
Don't it stink?
:)

:rofl

[nightspidy]

Hi. My name is Tom. I'm a lensaholic. . . .

Ahhh, that's great. You just made me laugh so hard :lol4