Bought a DSLR today and took some pics..

[bkw]

First DSRL, trying to turn theory into technique so please critique.

Oh, and this is the first time I've posted any pics of my M3.
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?act=module&module=gallery&cmd=viewimage&img=395485
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?act=module&module=gallery&cmd=viewimage&img=395611
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?act=module&module=gallery&cmd=viewimage&img=395610

and non-bmw:
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?act=module&module=gallery&cmd=viewimage&img=395481

:evil2

[socal328]

damn and you bought the camera today!
mad skillz :buttrock

[mikese36]

Nice Estoril!!Very Clean!

[Forged328]

Badass

[BMWALDO]

Damn. That camera brought out the Estoril in the Estoril. Your car looks fantastic!

[E36 PWR]

too much conflicting colors on the front
Ambers w/ French Fogs looks funny

its clean though :D

[Estrl M3]

Pics look way off. cartoony even.

[vikgiri]

wut camera?

[Goon]

Bit highly saturated and contrasted. But your M's paint looks like GLASS!

[yod88]

the paint looks really rich and bright...did you play with the pics in photoshop?

+1 on the colors up front...throw some clear corners on there and black kidneys ;)

nice pics though, i was a slr camera..

[hootie]

i like numba 2

[CVGTURBO86]

i like the pics man! btw please keep the ambers on your car

[m3j0n]

HOLY SHIT! youre car is hot as FAWK!! what camera did you use and did you use photoshop? thanks!

[htamotorsports]

what lip/splitter is that...sorry im a newb

[SG Wannabe]

Fucking hawt car, man.

[Dino Antonov]

what camera did you get?

[spare]

I dont know if its your awesome car thats the convincer, but those photos look great :)

[Estrl M3]

the paint looks really rich and bright...did you play with the pics in photoshop?

+1 on the colors up front...through some clear corners on there and black kidneys ;)

nice pics though, i was a slr camera..

he already has black kidneys but im glad you said this. :)

OP what kind of black kidney did you get? i need one badly.

- 4 > 2 Member 1...

[bkw]

Thanks guys for the comments.

Truth be told, its the post processing that made the pictures stand out rather than my photo skills. Out of 300 pictures yesterday, only 25 of them were decent enough for me to work with. From those 25, I was left with 6 that I actually liked.

Camera = Canon Rebel XTi (400D)
Lens = crappy kit 18-55
Post Processing = PS9 CS2 - bumped up contrast and played with highlights a little.
Kidneys = ebay
Splitter = Rieger

And about the ambers, I've got the entire set of euros here, but the tails would constantly throw codes so I removed them. I thought the set looked a bit funny without them so I went back to full amber. I'll reinstall them later and take some more pics and you guys can tell me if I should keep em, or just get off my ass and order some 'quality' tails.

This is only the beginning! I've ordered two lenses and a bunch of other accessories for the camera.

Please give me some more comments on the photos! Thanks 98m3sedan, I like your 'cartoony' comment. It's feedback like this that'll make me into a better photographer and photoshopper!

[marcus3]

Nice photo :D

[patmcd]

Thanks guys for the comments.

Truth be told, its the post processing that made the pictures stand out rather than my photo skills. Out of 300 pictures yesterday, only 25 of them were decent enough for me to work with. From those 25, I was left with 6 that I actually liked.

Camera = Canon Rebel XTi (400D)
Lens = crappy kit 18-55
Post Processing = PS9 CS2 - bumped up contrast and played with highlights a little.
Kidneys = ebay
Splitter = Rieger

And about the ambers, I've got the entire set of euros here, but the tails would constantly throw codes so I removed them. I thought the set looked a bit funny without them so I went back to full amber. I'll reinstall them later and take some more pics and you guys can tell me if I should keep em, or just get off my ass and order some 'quality' tails.

This is only the beginning! I've ordered two lenses and a bunch of other accessories for the camera.

Please give me some more comments on the photos! Thanks 98m3sedan, I like your 'cartoony' comment. It's feedback like this that'll make me into a better photographer and photoshopper!

Nice photos for your first day with your camera. The only suggestion I have for you (other than just playing with your camera more) is that on the last photo it would be nice to see a little more detail in the rocks/trees. Your camera should have a feature that allows you to force a longer exposure to help you do that. You can also fool around with different focusing points in the picture. You should be able to focus on one object then hold that focus setting while you re-frame the photo.

[The-Great-328ic]

:eek:

[e30evo]

Very good pics considering you just bought the camera

[mike 318is]

very nice liking the ambers on it

[Bsaint]

:eek:

someone wishes they didn't buy that sony non dslr ;) lol

[///M3Augy]

Nice shots, nice M. ;)

[jszy25]

Beautiful Estoril!

[The-Great-328ic]

someone wishes they didn't buy that sony non dslr ;) lol



:biglaughb

[Steinkek]

is the sony no good??

[The-Great-328ic]

is the sony no good??

it's more than good :buttrock

[SeeMeFly]

is the sony no good??


theres just much better sh*t out there.. nikon.. or a canon

[The-Great-328ic]

$$$$$$$

[Bsaint]

$$$$$$$

you paid more then a D50 costs.... which is a much better camera

[The-Great-328ic]

you paid more then a D50 costs.... which is a much better camera

depends on what's your definition of better

[Bsaint]

depends on what's your definition of better

quality, settings, function...

these were with a d50


http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/231/11231so6.jpg

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/9187/dsc0206copyrt2.jpg

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/3093/dsc0337eu2.jpg

http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/8859/picture068im8.jpg

[Zaf///Mroadster]

fantastic pics man. think I need to get me one of those cameras

[Ahheck01]

I love shooting the DSLR's.. I'll be getting a Canon 20D soon, with a 50mm 1.8, and a 17-85 or 18-135.

A few things to keep in mind:

In effect, your 18-55 is more like 29mm-88mm because of the crop on the sensor (many DSLR's have this - most are 1.6x), and though that lens isn't the sharpest, it's a good starter lens to get a good idea of what kind of shooting you like to do. Once you get a feel for things, I STRONGLY recommend getting on the dpreview forums and inquiring about good lenses for your situation.

fwiw, pictures shot at an effective 50mm or higher aren't going to have the distortion you tend to get in the point and shoots from the wide-angleness, and they tend to just look more professional in general. Also, since the lines of your car aren't distorted, it looks more aggressive.

Just a little input. I'm still relatively new to the serious photography world, but I have several great resources close to me, and I haven't said anything that they haven't told me anyway.

-Evan

[bkw]

Ordered a bunch of stuff including the nifty fifty (50 1.8) today. Also looking at a sigma 10-20, but have read that the canon 20mm is nicer.

I almost bought a used 20D, but after researching the 20D versus the 400D, I 'settled' for the 400D. If I had a few more bucks, I wouldve purchased the 30D or the Nikon D80 - but since I'm a DSLR noob, thought the XTi was good enough.

[The-Great-328ic]

quality, settings, function...

these were with a d50



I guess we'll see when i start taking decent pictures with this one :)

[HulkManJ99]

nice pics!!

[Ahheck01]

Ordered a bunch of stuff including the nifty fifty (50 1.8) today. Also looking at a sigma 10-20, but have read that the canon 20mm is nicer.

I almost bought a used 20D, but after researching the 20D versus the 400D, I 'settled' for the 400D. If I had a few more bucks, I wouldve purchased the 30D or the Nikon D80 - but since I'm a DSLR noob, thought the XTi was good enough.

You seem to want to avoid the 20D based on your research. Why?

-Evan

[bkw]

Simple. Did not want a used camera.

[redline effect]

Nice pictures. I love my XTi. Hope you got a tripod and photoshop too. :)

[Citizen328ci]

damn, nice work.

[Ahheck01]

Simple. Did not want a used camera.

Dang, go through KEH and get a steal. Even their EX- is considered to be fantastic condition, nothing at all that would be considered even slightly affecting performance, get a lot off, and I have several friends and coworkers that have gone through them and are raving about their customer service.

Just my two cents.

-Evan

[m3j0n]

Lens = crappy kit 18-55



is that the lens that comes in the xti kit?

[SC David]

Thanks guys for the comments.

Truth be told, its the post processing that made the pictures stand out rather than my photo skills. Out of 300 pictures yesterday, only 25 of them were decent enough for me to work with. From those 25, I was left with 6 that I actually liked.Haha, I know how that goes. It's amazing how much wasted space there is on my computer from pictures I should erase but don't. The pictures look great! Looks like you went a tiny bit overboard with the contrast, but I really should not be the person to tell you this. My pics are always way overboosted as well.

I just picked up an XT and have been accessorizing a bit. What kind of lenses did you order? I would guess that one of them is a 50mm? :D You should check out the photography forum here too, btw.

[bkw]

Dang, go through KEH and get a steal. Even their EX- is considered to be fantastic condition, nothing at all that would be considered even slightly affecting performance, get a lot off, and I have several friends and coworkers that have gone through them and are raving about their customer service.

Just my two cents.

-Evan

True, but being able to walk into B&H or J&R and pick up what I want rather than wait for shipping made my impulse buy what it is.. an impulse buy. I'm sure I'll eventually want the 30D or even the 1D Mark II, but in the meantime - the 400D will suffice.


is that the lens that comes in the xti kit?
Yes.


I just picked up an XT and have been accessorizing a bit. What kind of lenses did you order? I would guess that one of them is a 50mm?

Being in Manhattan, I have access to quite a number of photo shops. Been to B&H, J&R, and a few japanese shops to look at gear, but ultimately purchased some lenses today at a small shop around the corner from my office (midtown east). Picked up the 50 1.8, and a sigma 28-70. Both are budget lenses, with the 50 being one of the 'must buy' lenses. I'm in the market for a 70-200 or 70-300 zoom, and a canon 20 or sigma 10-20 wide angle lens.

I also picked up the Canon BG-E3 camera grip, the speedlight 540ez w/ omibounce, and various filters (UV and PL). Oh and yesterday, picked up a Canon bag and a sunpro (i think) tripod.

[E36DJ]

Damn you all are harsh, he just got a new camera :p

I think everyone should just get a D200 and be done with it :)

[Ahheck01]

True, but being able to walk into B&H or J&R and pick up what I want rather than wait for shipping made my impulse buy what it is.. an impulse buy. I'm sure I'll eventually want the 30D or even the 1D Mark II, but in the meantime - the 400D will suffice.



Fair enough! I can certainly relate. Just want to be clear, I don't think you made a bad call at all, I was just thinking out loud and trying to make the best decision for my own purchase and was curious your reasonings. Congrats on the next big step in a really quite awesome hobby!

-Evan

[99CosmosM3]

Wow.... really nice

[bkw]

Fair enough! I can certainly relate. Just want to be clear, I don't think you made a bad call at all, I was just thinking out loud and trying to make the best decision for my own purchase and was curious your reasonings. Congrats on the next big step in a really quite awesome hobby!

-Evan

no offense taken whatsoever! The prosumer cams like the 20D are much nicer than the Rebels, and I would absolutely love to be able to get the 30D, but since I'm still a noob to SLR's - I just didnt want to blow all that money and realize that I suck at this.

Anyways, took some pics with the 50 1.8 today and once again I was left with 5 good pictures out of 100! And the sigma.. well lets just say that was a poor impulse buy.

[bkw]

pic of my daughter kaitlyn with the 50mm
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?act=module&module=gallery&cmd=viewimage&img=396349

A few more with the kit lens at 18mm
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?act=module&module=gallery&cmd=viewimage&img=396357
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?act=module&module=gallery&cmd=viewimage&img=396347

the salty RL
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?act=module&module=gallery&cmd=viewimage&img=396359

[japspecvr6]

can you take pics of my car...........yur car is Hawt

[Ahheck01]

can you take pics of my car...........yur car is Hawt

:confused

[SC David]

True, but being able to walk into B&H or J&R and pick up what I want rather than wait for shipping made my impulse buy what it is.. an impulse buy. I'm sure I'll eventually want the 30D or even the 1D Mark II, but in the meantime - the 400D will suffice.


Yes.



Being in Manhattan, I have access to quite a number of photo shops. Been to B&H, J&R, and a few japanese shops to look at gear, but ultimately purchased some lenses today at a small shop around the corner from my office (midtown east). Picked up the 50 1.8, and a sigma 28-70. Both are budget lenses, with the 50 being one of the 'must buy' lenses. I'm in the market for a 70-200 or 70-300 zoom, and a canon 20 or sigma 10-20 wide angle lens.

I also picked up the Canon BG-E3 camera grip, the speedlight 540ez w/ omibounce, and various filters (UV and PL). Oh and yesterday, picked up a Canon bag and a sunpro (i think) tripod.I'm sure you've very quickly discovered that it's more about the photographer than the camera, but good equipment certainly helps. You definitely are a good photographer, and the 400d should be more than competent enough to fulfill your needs for a good while.

[mbimmoor]

what percent tint do you have?

Your estoril looks gorgeous!

[Ahheck01]

I love the baby shot! Gotta love the shallow depth of field that such a wide open aperture gives you.

-Evan

[M13]

http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?act=module&module=gallery&cmd=viewimage&img=396357

Why..:banghead:. didn't...:banghead:. .. I....:banghead:. buy.....:banghead:. an...:banghead:. .. Estoril.....:banghead:. ..


Want to trade cars?? :(

[mikezip007]

I'd Hit it. looks really good man!

[88MPOWER]

i think its the camera that makes that car look so good :-)

[fazooley]

The camera has about 10% to do with the actual outcome of the picture, the photographer will make it or break it depending on his skill. Your shots need alot of work, well not really the shots but you need to start understanding how to use DOF and utilize lenses which will provide the proper Bokeh for your shot. Considering your in the city, bring your dslr to one of the next meets and I'll be glad to show you some quick pointers. Once you understand how to achieve the look of your photo utilizing dof things become much more interesting. In the pictures you shot above, you needed to be closer to the car, taking them as above you lost any DOF making the picture bland. I'll be selling me 20d with a few L series lenses for a 5d. If anyone in this thread is looking for a good deal, all items have 5 year mack warranty with maybe 3 years left

fazooley

[dementievafan]

that car is gorgeous, prob one of the best looking estorils and e36 m3s in gen

[dementievafan]

is ur tint blue?

[bkw]

The camera has about 10% to do with the actual outcome of the picture, the photographer will make it or break it depending on his skill. Your shots need alot of work, well not really the shots but you need to start understanding how to use DOF and utilize lenses which will provide the proper Bokeh for your shot. Considering your in the city, bring your dslr to one of the next meets and I'll be glad to show you some quick pointers. Once you understand how to achieve the look of your photo utilizing dof things become much more interesting. In the pictures you shot above, you needed to be closer to the car, taking them as above you lost any DOF making the picture bland. I'll be selling me 20d with a few L series lenses for a 5d. If anyone in this thread is looking for a good deal, all items have 5 year mack warranty with maybe 3 years left

fazooley

Thanks, youre definitely on! The next nyc area meet I'll PM ya to see if youre going. If so I'd graciously appreciate any tips you may be able to give me!

While the 50 1.8 takes great pictures, it's quite hard to get it to focus correctly. Every single shot on my tiny 2.5" screen looked great, but once downloaded looked like crap. Shame, because some were very nice.

What lenses do you have for sale? I'm in the market for a short wide angle (sigma 10-20) and a 70-200 (or the budget 300).

As for the tint, 35% smoke.

[The Boston GRUN]

too much conflicting colors on the front
Ambers w/ French Fogs looks funny

its clean though :D
i vote for clears:buttrock

[M13]

I vote for trading :devillook

[bkw]

i vote for clears:buttrock

ok ok ok! I put them back on last night and will take pictures later, but it's supposed to snow so we'll see.. I still think it'd look funny with the sides and corners clear, and the tails still stock.

[japspecvr6]

:confused
:stickoutt