D3 FRUSTRATIONS!!! Is just me??? Is there a solution?

Drew Loker said:

I can appreciate those who shoot a mjority of a wedding or portrait
with no flash. But I don't think it is realistic...at least not for
me.

For one, I would need to prepare clients for that look in a wedding.
It hasn't been my style...so if they went looking through my sample
galleries, they would get the wrong idea. I have an assistant...and
that helps to get some shots I wouldn't get if I was alone...but I
still focus on getting the shots people expect to see.

Two, I CAN shoot a portrait with natural light, using reflector,
shades, etc. But is is a lot more time consuming.

--
Drew
http://drewloker.com about.htm (me) (Equip list in Profile)

Click to expand...

Drew, I visited your site and could not find any problem with exposure. I assume your intention were to show the exposure only, hence, no comment on composition, style etcetera. I did not have time to look at the wedding but I will this weekend. I have to run.

--
ecube

I do have a question for you about the 28-105 if you have to call me

that they HAVE the 24-120

For big glass, go here and tell'em George sent ya
http://www.lensrentals.com/category/nikon-supertelephoto
200-400 is there too

Thanks for the additional link. I understood why you sent the other link. I wasn't aware of either company. Pretty cool. Last time I checked in to renting...if you didn't live next to them, you would be paying a bundle while it was traveling to and from you. Both of these places do not charge while in transit...very cool.

Thanks!
--
Drew
http://drewloker.com about.htm (me) (Equip list in Profile)

Excuse me for having taken the liberty of using your photo.

If you compare this with yours you will see a substantial difference. Is this not good for you?

Are you shooting jpg?

Kind regards

Raul

Hello. Thanks for taking the time to reply..and to tweak my photo. Very nice of you.

Are you trying to show me a change in the exposure? If so, please understand that I only batch process through an automatic Capture process of D Lighting, levels adjustment and USM, then I run a 2nd batch to resize via Nikon View, then I upload to Smugmug. When a person orders an enlargement, I will upload a replacement that is hand processed.

Let me know what else I should be looking for...and how you did it.

Thanks!

--
Drew
http://drewloker.com about.htm (me) (Equip list in Profile)

I tried to show you that your photos have a lot to show: highlights and shadows, detail and not bad WB.

The camera is good, your lenses are also fine: in my opinion (please consider that I do not shoot weddings) it is about you feeling comfortable and post-processing.
If ever a camera has been complex, the D3 is more.

You will have to get used to it and you will get great results. Seeing your photos (I dont think you should show your originals there: many guys will be happy with them and may feel tempted to use them) it is clear that your batching is not applicable to all the photos; some faces show strong sharpening, heavy blur in parts. In general they dont look so good.

Maybe you want to take a look at Curmeister (it has a trial), it is a fine tool for assistance in speed and good highs lows and WB.

Wish I could help more.

With kind regards

Raul

Drew Loker said:

Hello. Thanks for taking the time to reply..and to tweak my photo.
Very nice of you.

Are you trying to show me a change in the exposure? If so, please
understand that I only batch process through an automatic Capture
process of D Lighting, levels adjustment and USM, then I run a 2nd
batch to resize via Nikon View, then I upload to Smugmug. When a
person orders an enlargement, I will upload a replacement that is
hand processed.

Let me know what else I should be looking for...and how you did it.

Thanks!

--
Drew
http://drewloker.com about.htm (me) (Equip list in Profile)

Click to expand...

I am having the reverse dilemma. I will probably return the D300 and keep the D3.

The D3 is a good 1-2 stops better and dropping a TC14 on compromises very little and gives me the reach I need when I need it. I was having some focusing problems as well and got some input on switching to portrait mode while shooting fast action in low light and that did the trick as well.

YES, it's just you

I shoot weddings all the time and use the 85mm heavily on the D3 - it is great... we need to learn to slow down and compose... this is fine for the Photo shoot section... During the action shots, I use the 28-70 mainly and 70-200 as well and the 14-24 is GREAT!!!

Good photographers take time to MAKE photos... try shooting film for a while and re-learn that discipline....

Well, George, I gave your idea a try today...to force myself to like DX mode a little more. I shot some casual shots...nothing fancy...so need to do more serious test.

Has anybody done any more elaborate testing...like Dx at 70mm vs. FX at 105mm on the same lens?? I know 5mp is pretty adequate for most anything...but I am curious how it would hold up to 16x20 printing. How does the D3 at DX at 5mp hold up against D2h at 4mp????

Also, is there any difference in the ISO performance results?

--
Drew
http://drewloker.com about.htm (me) (Equip list in Profile)

I agree with you on the Non-AFs issue. I posted this a few weeks ago: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=26771007

I KNEW I wasn't going to like the non-AFs lens. I even posted on Nikon Cafe that I thought NON-AFS was SUBPAR. Then, decided after chatting with a 28-105 owner that it would be ok...and got a 28-105 off of Ebay.

But, after 5 shoots, plus other random usage, I have decided that I was correct...anything less than AFS is at best less than ideal.

About the 28-70 vs. 24-70. Why do you recommend that I sell my 28-70? Even if it is 100% better IQ...I need IQ at 70-105??? I don't see how swapping out my 28-70 for a 24-70 is going to help at all in regards to the fact that my perfect 28-70 in a DX body just became nearly useless for portraits.

Thanks for the feedback!

--
Drew
http://drewloker.com about.htm (me) (Equip list in Profile)

Moonwalker said:

First, I would change to the new 24-70mm lens. It's better than the
old one (more contrast, better sharpness, I've done lots of tests

Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback. It is good to know that there are others having challenges. But I am not sure why people recommend the change from the 28-70. Even if it is 200% better...it still doesn't solve my challenge I am having. Wide on the D3 is NOT a challenge. One thing I liked about the 24-85 over the 28-70 (on a DX body) at receptions (I shot with the 28-70 for the pre/ceremony/post) was the long end. in fact, the 28-70 is plenty good QUALITY. It is just that 70mm for portraits is too short. I haven't even used the 28-70 in weeks...and am really thinking about selling it completely. I dunno. I know I have 6 days before the my first big wedding with the D3. I am at about 9k pictures with the D3...and am not feeling 100% on it yet.

Moonwalker said:

zooms. I need a few more events to finally settle on a new solution.
Of course, the 70-200mm lens would cover everything when combined
with the 24-70mm lens, but the 70-200mm is very large and heavy.

Click to expand...

I shot two more portrait sessions yesterday, a bridal and an engagement...and 95% of the time I was using the 70-200. Great results...but it is NOT a portrait lens to be swung around back and forth, vertical to horizontal...especially with a flash bracket attached, etc. WOW!!! But I don't see any other solution.

--
Drew
http://drewloker.com about.htm (me) (Equip list in Profile)