Dawnstar Australis - Latest Comments

Re: Crisis Of Faith: The Moment Of Truth

Dawnstar Australis — Tue, 01 May 2012 02:36:39 -0000

Hi Shane,

Thanks for replying - one of the things I've enjoyed most about Olympus is your willingness to discuss the issues at hand.

Agreed the situation here is very personal - In no way do I imply that the OM-D is useless to everyone (indeed as I said in the article the OM-D is a very nice and well priced machine).

The DPreview.com review I linked had some very good high res pics of the battery grip so I was able to get a pretty good idea of the ways it extended the grip on the camera. Obviously I'd have an even better idea if I tried it out for myself and the Teds store is supposed to call me once it's in stock so I can give it a go.

I really don't want to give up my Olympus gear but I can't logically keep investing in gear that I won't be able to use in the field comfortably.

At the end of the day it's just a pragmatic decision driven by my ergonomic requirements

Re: Crisis Of Faith: The Moment Of Truth

Shane — Tue, 01 May 2012 02:01:58 -0000

Hi Daniel,

I can appreciate your comments. Whether the ergonomics of a camera are suitable is always going to be up to the individual photographer.

One thing I will say is to wait and try the battery grip. It does actually make a huge difference to the ergonomics of the camera. The grip is actually comprised of two parts, the battery compartment that attaches to the bottom of the camera and a second component that provides a deeper grip (I've attached an image for you). It also allows the camera to be used comfortably when shooting in a portrait orientation and provides an additional shutter button on the grip.

The grip is named the HLD-6 and will retail for $299 locally.

Clearly this doesn't help you with you other ergonomic issues but given that this was stated as being your biggest issue, I thought it worth clarifying.

Regards,

Shane

Olympus Imaging Australia

Re: Minifigs In The Fog Part 2

caskings — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:52:32 -0000

I remember having one of those red astronauts as a kid!

Re: This Photo Cost $4285 To Create

Dawnstar Australis — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:29:16 -0000

I purchased mine new through an eBay retailer (because the RRP price for the lens here in AU was another $500 on top of the price above).

It's a damn fine lens and I certainly recommend if if you can get your hands on one.The fact Sigma and other third parties have stopped making lens for the four thirds mount and don't seem interested in the micro four thirds mount either is another reason I'm looking at jumping camera brands.

Re: This Photo Cost $4285 To Create

Jlrminer — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 18:52:00 -0000

Oh, I'm jealous. The Sigma 150mm is an awesome looking lens, but of course they don't make it in four thirds anymore. I have been watching for one on ebay because although I would like a really good macro lens I can't stomach the $2,000 price tag of the Olympus 150mm lens.

Re: Best Photos Of 2011

Drew Triebe — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 03:21:28 -0000

Bravo, post-processing can subtly make a photo live up to what you saw. The best post is that which is undetectable.

Otherwise, abuse the shit out of the settings and make it really obvious, like with my zombie walk photos i desaturated, clarified and sharpened the shit out of them, shadows up and made the zombie apocalypse look as bleak and foreboding as possible.

those photos that lie in between, like overcooked HDR, can be really awful.

Re: Crisis Of Faith: The Saga Continues

D. Travis North — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:52:46 -0000

In defense of Nikon, I think where Nikon fell down with the D800 announcement is that they didn't really clarify what the intent is/was. I think in part, the camera should not have been named the D800. They should have done something entirely. It is not truly an extension of the D700. It is, in fact, a whole new line to the Nikon family. Think of it this way...up until now, Nikon (and Canon, for that matter) have been working on the premise of an all-around kind of camera brand. But they specialize in SLRs. Their flagship, now the D4, is still the type of full-frame camera that would be used in the field all over the world. Where Nikon (and Canon) can't compete is in the high-fashion portrait industry. That's where Phase 1 and Mamyia hold the corner. That is, until now.

Don't get me wrong, the D800 is not a replacement for a Mamyia. But at 36.3 megapixel, the images it produces can at least be reproduced on something the size of a billboard. And it can do it at a fourth the price.

Right...so what does that really mean? It means one of two things. Either 1) You're looking at the wrong cameras across the board (Nikon D700 or D800, Canon 5D Mk II or Mk III). Or 2) You actually need more of a professional type camera and you shouldn't be discouraged by what either brand has to offer in their mid-range camera systems.

Let me answer my own questions and state that with the type of photography that you shoot, the macro in particular, you would have a lot of use for a full-frame sensor. That said, you shouldn't be too concerned about the megapixel depth. At 22 megapixel, the Canon has already set the bar. At 36 megapixel, the Nikon gives you a lot of editing flexibility.

Now I will admit a slight biased towards Nikon in general. But I will state that at the entry-level and mid-low level cameras, I would say that there is little or no difference between the brands other than preference. But when you're comparing the Nikon D800 to the Canon 5D Mk III, that's where I really think that Nikon has the advantage. It's not about the megapixel depth (though as I said, 36 megapixel gives you a leg-up in post). I think Nikon's noise handling is far better, especially at higher ISOs. Color noise, in particular, seems to happen more frequently on the Canon. I also feel that Nikon's white balancing is a bit more advanced. Finally, and this is pretty huge, the D800 (and D700) can use both DX (cropped) and FX (full-frame) lenses at the flip of a switch. The 5D Mk II/III limits you to EF lenses. Sure, we would probably use full-framed lenses more often than not, but having the ability to use cropped lenses opens a door to a massive amount of lens options.

That said, I think you need to take a better look at the D700 or the D800.

Re: Hints & Tips For Doing A 365 Day Photo Project

Kampbyll — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:10:41 -0000

this is not as easy as made out to be , the project is designed that by the end of the year you know everything about your camera , shooting on auto wont cut it , same picture being taken day in and out dont work , you have to think everyday how can i do something different , its harder than it looks , iv seen some examples on here ppl that stated they done a 365 , yeah you did , but did you learn anything ? or do all of your pictures look the same ? then the job itself was a waste of your time . i think people are taking on this project way lighter than it was intended , you cant just pickup a camera and say ok im going to do a 365 , im a photographer and im not ready to do one of these yet , thats how much goes into it ... and please take that camera off auto , there is so much more to the camera than auto

Re: Crisis Of Faith: Time To Change Systems?

Dawnstar Australis — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:45:09 -0000

I've taken a look at Pentax but it seems to be suffering the same problem - no real roadmap for their high end gear and getting a hold of Pentax lens and accessories in Australia is almost as frustrating an expensive as Olympus gear

Re: Crisis Of Faith: Time To Change Systems?

Jenessa — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:13:46 -0000

I have an Olympus E-3 and a few lenses. I love my camera, but am worried about the same things as you. I am also frustrated that the 4/3 market seems to be dying. Sigma no longer makes compatible lenses and they used to make some nice ones. I am torn between looking into a new brand or just scouring e-bay for lenses being sold by disheartened Olympus fans.
One brand I would look into more is Pentax. Their cameras are pretty rugged and weather sealed and a lot cheaper than the weather sealed ones that I have seen by Canon.

Re: Crisis Of Faith: Time To Change Systems?

Dawnstar Australis — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:21:43 -0000

Full frame would certainly be nice but not strictly required. I'd like to see what Canon is pushing soon. I'd really love a articulated LCD but it seems the only current Canon model with one is the 60D

Re: Crisis Of Faith: Time To Change Systems?

Rick — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:57:53 -0000

A Canon 5DmkII can be had for a couple grand right now. If you wait for the mkIII to come out (sooner rather than later), you're going to add 800-1000 to that figure. That's enough to get you a decent lens.

That's if you want to go full frame, which I'm assuming you do. If not, the 7D is a decent buy right now also.

Re: Best Photos Of 2011

Inguan — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:40:24 -0000

Some rely good shoots, was a good photo year (=

Re: Photo Challenge Year

Dawnstar Australis — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 06:10:10 -0000

Cheers, appreciate the comment.

I wish you the best of luck in getting your photography business running, just don't burn yourself out in the process!

Re: Photo Challenge Year

Beez_baker — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 07:44:37 -0000

The important thing is you tried, and you have some brilliant ideas! I love the idea of challenging yourself. I am biting the bullet this year and going to try to make my passion of photography a business. Good luck to you in 2012 whatever you decide to do

Re: My Best Worst Decision Of 2011: Quitting My Job

L Tatt — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 01:03:40 -0000

Glad it's all working out for you. And hear hear on the bad management. I had so hoped the restructure may have helped but no. :(

Re: Photo Trip: Brisbane Zombie Walk 2011

Dawnstar Australis — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:25:23 -0000

Well it was one of the more impressive ones on the day

Re: Photo Trip: Brisbane Zombie Walk 2011

Corey Freestone — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 07:30:09 -0000

hey another photo of me LOL

Re: Hints & Tips For Doing A 365 Day Photo Project

Jennifer Ostrander — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 01:50:06 -0000

Thanks for the hints and tips, I'm thinking of embarking on my first and ... wow 365 seems like a chunk, then I ready once a week. THAT is doable. I don't want it to be a chore, I want to learn from it!

Re: Help Me Identify This Critter [Updated: Identified!]

Dawnstar Australis — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:20:26 -0000

QLD Museum has confirmed it's a Tangle-Veined fly

Re: Help Me Identify This Critter [Updated: Identified!]

Pickupkym — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:00:24 -0000

Wow, I'm sure it's a Bee, but can't find anything like it to say what type?

Re: Crisis Of Faith: Time To Change Systems?

D. Travis North — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 02:00:53 -0000

As you should. Get a few bodies in your hands before you make a decision.

Re: Crisis Of Faith: Time To Change Systems?

Dawnstar Australis — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 01:59:36 -0000

At present I'm just looking. Just spent most of my time looking at Canon first up because most of the people I know have them. I'll be reviewing the Nikon offerings soon as well.

Plan to do quite a few weeks of research before I go anywhere

Re: Crisis Of Faith: Time To Change Systems?

D. Travis North — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:31:59 -0000

Looks like you're looking at Canon - and while I can attest that Canon makes a great product, I would like to throw my Nikon hat in the ring. No - not trying to start a war. But I think you may want to look at something like the D700. Best feature of the camera: Full framed sensor in a slightly-larger-than cropped sensor form factor. What's more, you can switch between full frame and cropped sensor formats. That means you have more lenses to support it - including some of Nikon's classic lenses that work best on a full-framed sensor (and Nikon has never changed their SLR mount).

But again, you can't go wrong with either Canon or Nikon. Both are great products. It would be splitting hairs to say that one is necessarily the best in terms of image quality and the like. It's really a matter of preference. My advice would be to get one in your hand though. Personally, I wasn't comfortable holding any of the Canon bodies. The Nikons just fit better. But in the end, I ended up buying a Nikon myself because of their metering and focusing systems. The new lenses especially are quite fast and accurate.

Re: Crisis Of Faith: Time To Change Systems?

Dawnstar Australis — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:55:46 -0000

First off the 4/3 E series are pro series cameras with my current E-30 classified as a semi-pro. As such I'd want a consummate replacement (I fully expect the body to cost me in the order of 2-3 grand).

I was looking at the 60D as a possible but Canon removed the alloy body from that series which is a little disappointing.

The 7D looks like the business but judging by it's original release date I'm better off waiting to see if Canon will release an updated model sometime later this year/early next. Hopefully with an articulated LCD screen.

The grey import thing is another bugbear - one of the nicer things about Olympus is they offer a worldwide warranty meaning I can buy the gear from wherever I like and be fully covered. Not entirely liking the idea that I will need to pay the "Australia tax" on buying a Canon simply to get warranty cover.