FST513

Matt - Difference between a shoot-thru and a softbox is that the softbox is more directional and a larger light source therefore spreading more light and less light fall off. The brolly would be the same as a softbox effectively at a further distance but using more power in your strobe/flash. The softbox is a lot softer as well depending on whether you use the inner diffuser as well as the outer and/or a grid too. The light also isn't as harsh out of a softbox.

One more from Sunday

Never heard of that 'tog lol. I only know Ansell Adams from the old days. But that would be sweet! Maybe when i'm on my death bed i can auction it off for a small fee

Thanks Nick. Such a n00b with phones and photos and how to view them lol.

Great idea! I need to take more photos with my phone. The trouble is, i can't be stuffed to take them off the phone and onto the computer. Actually, i don't even know how to do that (iPhone 3GS) i'm guessing i can rip them off using iT00ns?

Do you want a group sucking Matt? It CAN be arranged for you As i said on flickr. Cool shot!

Hehehe. I'm thinking of making a Project 365 coffe table book once December 31st rolls around. Maybe i'll wait til then to see my photos in a book Or.. Maybe i'll keep submitting hahaha. Good luck to everyone!!

Submitting these: Enough of a spam for you Hahahaha. I'll submit a few more than i don't have online.

Totes entering this

Thanks Sidd, Matt and Nick! I was at the creek on Sunday Matt, i'm guessing you were there on saturday? I'm going to re-try that star shot sometime soon Texi time soon! Nick - That Ferrari was a stunning example. It was either extremely well looked after or had a re-spray. It was the brightest red, looked like it had been polished religiously! And that 1200 is a fine example. Love how clean it is! Nice shots Oizo. Looks like your getting the hang of "Beauty shots". Couple more shots:

A couple of photos from the past 2 weeks.

I was at the event taking photos and damn, they are quick! Congrats to both of you, you should be extremely proud. I believe they are running Hoosier tyres (judging by the hoosier writing on the sidewalls i saw).

Sweet photos matt Keep it up! I got some photos to post later tonight hopefully when my stupid web server gets back up after maintenance. BTW - With your watermark do the following MUCH easier! In photoshop: File -> New -> Transparent background Type out your watermark exactly how you want it. Flatten image (MUST DO! to create a "Layer 0". If it doesn,t just double click the "background" layer so its not locked) Save as -> PNG. Then open it in photoshop, draw a marquee around it. Copy it. Minimize it. Paste onto photos as you go along! Use the free transform tool (i set mine to 40% Width and Height) then the move tool to position it. You can also make this an action also. Although i think you need your saved "watermark" to be open. Haven't played around with this part. Ideally you can create a brush also. Then run an action and batch all your photos if you want to do it that way also.

Nice shot of your Evo! Like it a lot. Lighting definitely brings out the pop factor! Checked out your website, few typos/spelling mistakes Besides that, seems like it will be getting on track! Checked out your galleries, need more panning! That cloud shot from WTAC is friggin epic!!!!! Nice work in getting your site up though You getting a blog or anything seeing as it is wordpress

What car were you driving, i'm sure i got a photo of you if your after one.

+1 I didn't think it was THAT bad, i think its gotten a lot better than when i was younger! Only can improve i think

I laughed and even told Jerry that my photo of "fancy effects like this can be acheived with a high end D-SLR" was a mistake photo hahahaha. I guess it's my trademark.. Pics that are released are now on my blog, I know Brian has already contacted me about his photos, but i think its "NIsmo86"?? Black 32GTS-T who goes to track events with circuit club. If you want some of your pics, contact me at [email protected]

Nice Mat! With an extended rig, your car would look great at sunset being silver, the lines would show great. Try and head somewhere that is green as well because it will contrast with your car and make your car "pop" more. Or just put it in, in post. Triple J listener

To my eyes, that is backfocusing slightly. Highly impressed actually. I thought it would be much worse from the original photos you posted earlier. Not writing you off or bashing or anything. Shooting at wide apertures is hard to master! But once you've mastered it. ENJOY!!!! I would be happy with that. Seeing as you can't microadjust, it seems perfectly fine too me. Slightly backfocusing, add +1 to about +4 and it would be perfect. Extremely sharp too if this is straight out of the camera. Great job on the focusing tests! Now get out there and start shooting more

Thats good news. The "test chart" he gave you will give seriously inaccurate results. I would suggest sending it back to them and letting them test it out/give you another copy PENDING your 45 degree test chart samples you post up.

And that

Cameras direct are pretty good. They have fast turn around and great customer service. Call them up if you dont here back, they have people on phones all the time who know what they are talking about. You can do both. Either: Microadjust for A lens. Microadjust for EVERY lens. The camera remembers which lens is "bolted" on and what settings you have chosen

I Think all Lens brands have their faults. Sigma is known in the US to have weak QC. Unsure how it is in AUS or where we get our stock from, but Nikon would have tighter QC policies and standards within how much a lens can be within tolerances than Sigma. I suggest sending this back and getting another one. If thats not good enough, then send it back for a refund say your not happy and who knows they might calibrate it for you for your camera. If not, buy a Nikon one if your not happy with it. Microadjust helps this a lot, but sometimes lenses are just so far out, you can't do it without sending it back. When you focus with a single point, is the focus in that area, or is it in front or behind? Try the ruler test then we can determine what is wrong.

To add onto Zennons post. Make sure your shutter speed is above 1/focal length. To be "doubly" sure, increase it x2. So if your metering it and it suggest the following settings: 1/100th shutter speed 1.4 aperture ISO 100 Increase this to 1/200th and bump the ISO up to accomodate for a higher shutter speed and make sure your exposure is not underexposed so it is easier to tell the results. Use a tripod as stated by Zennon at a 45 degree angle, with the ruler in the middle of the frame. Do not shoot from a long way away, try it about 3 feet-4 feet away i think. In short, this will rule out camera shake EVEN THOUGH it is on a tripod. You need to eliminate all the errors and make sure its not a user error. Also, use the Centre focal point and not "Auto" for the most accurate focus as its the largest AF point. Although this is Nikon and i'm unfamiliar with Nikon, but i believe the lower end cameras (d40/d60) only has 3 focus points????? As you have stated you don't have a printer, i highly recommend using a 30cm ruler (preferably wood) and focus at around 15cm. Correct me if i'm wrong about Nikons focal points. Post up the test images!

I'm just going to have a stab in the dark and say it moves the focal plane forward or backwards. Either one, once you use it, you'll know how to use it. It came out on the 1D3's, 1Ds3's, 50D, 7D, 5DmkII and the 1DIV. So for Nikon i'm guessing its from D90 upwards? Or maybe D300. Either way Barra, those photos are way too soft, i would look at exchaning it for another copy or just try out all the lenses they have until you are happy (would be much easier if you bought it from a camera shop). Mat - Cactus's have lasted me a year. Hopefully your "iSHOOT" will last a while! Only misfire every now and then. Dropped them in saltwater and they still work. Until i have spare cash, they will last me. Then i'll upgrade to cybersyncs Nice shots GoldZilla!