How and where to start

[Xlr8tin]

Hey guys!

I'm thrilled to be here, but I am overwhelmed because I'm not sure what to do. I recently bought my a7Rii. Right now I only have a handful of old manual focus lenses that seem to be very nice for what I've done so far.

I bought my camera and lenses last week, and have been going over a lot of settings of the camera. (many have been helpful on here on this topic)

I'm very new to all of this, but I love taking pictures. Prior to this I have been using my Samsung phones. I have taken what I believe to be some great pictures. I feel like I have a good eye, but that's where it ends.

I want to take landscape pictures mostly. I don't feel like being someone who takes portraits of people since I am an introvert and am not good with conversation face to face. I also, don't like making videos of myself, so youtube is not something I've looked into.

At this point, I don't know what to do. There are too many directions to go in. I would like to be able to do photography as a hobby to make some money on the side, but I have no idea how or where to start. To at least make my money back on the camera and lenses would be at least the most I expect to be happy.

I opened a flicker account, but I don't know how to utilize it. I looked at the pro level, but not sure if it is worth it at this point in the game.

Besides getting out there and taking photos, what do I need to do? There is too much material out there, and it seems like everyone and their grandmother are photographers.

Real estate looks like a good option as well, but I don't know where to start. Any help or suggestions would be helpful. Maybe let me know how many of you started and how you are doing now, and how long it took for you to get going?

At the very least I have a great camera for family pictures, but I could have bought something 1/3 of the price to do that

Gregg

 

[BBbuilder467]

played around with the setting in a very dark room. This room has no lights on, 5 windows, but all blinds shut and they have sun shade screens on the outside of them, so it is very dark. I used the camera settings to brighten the room. I'm actually surprised how great this camera can brighten up a dark room even with a novice like me.

How can I improve the better shots here. Obviously, the first ones were grainy and dark. The other ones seem too fuzzy and bright around the edges. The middle seems better, but I'm sure I could do better?

You might want to put your camera in P mode (professional mode) and see what setting your camera selects for exposure. Make note of them.

Shoot other things in P mode and make note of the settings your camera selects.

Then think about why your camera selected those setting and also about the relationship between shutter, aperture, and ISO for the light available in the scene you were trying to capture.

Just a thought, not a recommendation, just something that worked for me many years ago.

If the OP is using adapted film lenses, he probably can't use anything but Aperture and Manual Exposure modes.

 

[JeffSlade]

played around with the setting in a very dark room. This room has no lights on, 5 windows, but all blinds shut and they have sun shade screens on the outside of them, so it is very dark. I used the camera settings to brighten the room. I'm actually surprised how great this camera can brighten up a dark room even with a novice like me.

How can I improve the better shots here. Obviously, the first ones were grainy and dark. The other ones seem too fuzzy and bright around the edges. The middle seems better, but I'm sure I could do better?

You might want to put your camera in P mode (professional mode) and see what setting your camera selects for exposure. Make note of them.

Shoot other things in P mode and make note of the settings your camera selects.

Then think about why your camera selected those setting and also about the relationship between shutter, aperture, and ISO for the light available in the scene you were trying to capture.

Just a thought, not a recommendation, just something that worked for me many years ago.

If the OP is using adapted film lenses, he probably can't use anything but Aperture and Manual Exposure modes.

Makes sense. I guess you go to war with the army you have!

 

[LightCameraAction]

I've been playing with exposure compensation and zebra. I googled them since I didn't know anything about them. I had to play around with the diopter and got the viewfinder dialed in...finally I moved focus peaking to medium. High is next if this doesn't work.

And yes, I made this custom bird feeder holder..lmao. I'm normally a welder and metal fabricator...so that is what I am coming from..Talk about a change in hobbies.

What do you guys think about these two photos?

Hmmm...it still doesn't seem as sharp as I would expect, but it's always a bit hard for me to tell when viewing on my phone.

The image as a whole is a bit overexposed, but the sun makes this a very tough picture. In this case, instead of shooting into the sun, try shooting away from the sun. That should improve the results.

I had zebra set to 100+ and focus peaking on medium. I shoot into the sun because I like the look it leaves on the backyard and trees. I understand what you are saying, I'm just not concerned right now with this since the only other way would be to turn to the house or go to the front yard which would make it all dark in front, and no one cares about seeing my house...lol

I still need to get out and take photos, but I want to get these settings down more. I keep learning something new everyday.

You may also consider using a high shutter speed (or using a tripod) and using focus peaking to make sure you are nailing focus. This is all just for test purposes (since I would expect sharper results).

I changed all settings to try to get rid of the zebra, so this is what I got. I couldn't get rid of all of it because of the obvious sun. I also don't have a tripod yet

What f-number are you shooting at?

Shoot. I can't remember. It was either all the way opened or close, because when I moved it one way it wouldn't move anymore.

Edit: I just looked at the pictures again and it is possible that the sharpness may be fine (it's hard for me to tell). The largest issue is that the bright sky and shadows make this a very challenge scene for the camera.

Haha...that makes sense . I still think that the shot is overexposed. The problem with shooting with a powerful backlight (the sun in this case) and properly exposing the subject (the bird feeder in this case) is that the pictures will tend to look less contrasty and washed out. If you feel inclined, you may consider shooting the same scene in the morning when the sun is behind you.

I also suspect that some of the advice you received on this forum has not been entirely clear (why a good photography book is a good idea). There are a couple of philosophies that photographers may use when shooting raw images:

1. Try and maximize exposure without clipping the highlights. These photographers will do exactly what you did. They will set up the camera with setting that maximize exposure without getting zebras (which indicate that highlights are clipped). They will then use their favorite raw editor to decrease the brightness to get the picture they want (this is the step you are missing in the picture above, I think). This technique does not really work well if shooting JPEG images. I would also personally consider it more of an advanced technique that is best applied to challenging images. I suspect that a lot of people on this forum who use this technique regularly are engineers who feel the need to optimize everything (or regularly shoot scenes with high dynamic range).
2. Try to get the correct image out of the camera. These photographers will use the camera settings to get the desired image brightness straight out of the camera. This is the method that must be used if shooting JPEGs (and you will still get very nice results with a large sensor camera like the Sony A7rii). I recommend that you use this technique initially. In the picture above, I would have probably decreased exposure by one or two stops (e.g., double or quadruple your shutter speed). The bird feeder would look like more of a silloett, but the image as a whole would probably look better.

Anyway, certainly nothing wrong if you like the results you are getting. But the nice thing about digital photography is that experimentation is free.

 

[Xlr8tin]

That is because the dynamic range of the scene is too large for the camera as I mentioned earlier.

You need to reduce the exposure as I mentioned earlier if you want to preserve the highlights.

Do you recall what exposure is?

But you say you are not even sure if the lens was widen open or at minimum aperture so it is not surprising at all you are having difficulties.

Didn't you check before you took the photo?

It appears to me you are using a scatter gun approach to setting your exposure settings in the hope something will work.

When watching many videos they all said to + exposure when lighting is bright, and - when dark. There is more to it, but that is a start. Since I am just now playing around with it I had the zebra setting on.

If you keep in your mind that

Exposure = the amount of light that hits the sensor per unit area

and that scene luminance, aperture and shutter speed affect and control exposure then photographing your scene is not rocket science.

Since you won't be bracketing and then blending exposures all you have to do is decide how well you want to preserve the sky and then set exposure settings accordingly.

Quite simple really

I had zebra on, and it was working just fine. I couldn't eliminate all of it since the sun was too great for the scene, but I eliminated most of it.

As far as the aperture, I think you forgot that this is a manual lens. The aperture isn't displayed on the screen. And since I don't look at each click for the aperture I don't remember what it was at. If I were to guess it was almost stopped down.

Yes I am still learning about exposure. These were literally the first 2 pictures I took after playing with the dial. So, yes it is obvious I need work. I just bought the kit lens and I'm waiting to get it in. Than all of this will be moot point.

Yea, I'll wait until I learn more about these setting before moving on to something else like bracketing. I have heard about it, but I'm not moving forward just yet.

 

[Xlr8tin]

I've been playing with exposure compensation and zebra. I googled them since I didn't know anything about them. I had to play around with the diopter and got the viewfinder dialed in...finally I moved focus peaking to medium. High is next if this doesn't work.

And yes, I made this custom bird feeder holder..lmao. I'm normally a welder and metal fabricator...so that is what I am coming from..Talk about a change in hobbies.

What do you guys think about these two photos?

Hmmm...it still doesn't seem as sharp as I would expect, but it's always a bit hard for me to tell when viewing on my phone.

The image as a whole is a bit overexposed, but the sun makes this a very tough picture. In this case, instead of shooting into the sun, try shooting away from the sun. That should improve the results.

I had zebra set to 100+ and focus peaking on medium. I shoot into the sun because I like the look it leaves on the backyard and trees. I understand what you are saying, I'm just not concerned right now with this since the only other way would be to turn to the house or go to the front yard which would make it all dark in front, and no one cares about seeing my house...lol

I still need to get out and take photos, but I want to get these settings down more. I keep learning something new everyday.

You may also consider using a high shutter speed (or using a tripod) and using focus peaking to make sure you are nailing focus. This is all just for test purposes (since I would expect sharper results).

I changed all settings to try to get rid of the zebra, so this is what I got. I couldn't get rid of all of it because of the obvious sun. I also don't have a tripod yet

What f-number are you shooting at?

Shoot. I can't remember. It was either all the way opened or close, because when I moved it one way it wouldn't move anymore.

Edit: I just looked at the pictures again and it is possible that the sharpness may be fine (it's hard for me to tell). The largest issue is that the bright sky and shadows make this a very challenge scene for the camera.

Haha...that makes sense . I still think that the shot is overexposed. The problem with shooting with a powerful backlight (the sun in this case) and properly exposing the subject (the bird feeder in this case) is that the pictures will tend to look less contrasty and washed out. If you feel inclined, you may consider shooting the same scene in the morning when the sun is behind you.

I also suspect that some of the advice you received on this forum has not been entirely clear (why a good photography book is a good idea). There are a couple of philosophies that photographers may use when shooting raw images:

1. Try and maximize exposure without clipping the highlights. These photographers will do exactly what you did. They will set up the camera with setting that maximize exposure without getting zebras (which indicate that highlights are clipped). They will then use their favorite raw editor to decrease the brightness to get the picture they want (this is the step you are missing in the picture above, I think). This technique does not really work well if shooting JPEG images. I would also personally consider it more of an advanced technique that is best applied to challenging images. I suspect that a lot of people on this forum who use this technique regularly are engineers who feel the need to optimize everything (or regularly shoot scenes with high dynamic range).
2. Try to get the correct image out of the camera. These photographers will use the camera settings to get the desired image brightness straight out of the camera. This is the method that must be used if shooting JPEGs (and you will still get very nice results with a large sensor camera like the Sony A7rii). I recommend that you use this technique initially. In the picture above, I would have probably decreased exposure by one or two stops (e.g., double or quadruple your shutter speed). The bird feeder would look like more of a silloett, but the image as a whole would probably look better.

Anyway, certainly nothing wrong if you like the results you are getting. But the nice thing about digital photography is that experimentation is free.

Yes, please keep in mind that these are jpg, since that's all I can upload on this site, and they aren't edited. Plus, they were my first pictures after I research what exposure compensation and zebra were. Granted I can change the fact of when I shoot, and I will shortly, but right now I'm trying to be consistent and this is when I have been shooting the backyard...lol Stupid I know. I feel a little stupid taking pictures around my yard;-)

My kit lens should be here this Friday, so hopefully, I can learn what I should be soon. I'm not giving up on my manual lenses yet though

 

[Xlr8tin]

High ISO, mid shutter speed, aperture wide open


HIgh ISO, 8000 shutter speed, aperture open at 16


ISO auto, aperture 16, shutter speed 100


ISO auto, aperture 16, shutter speed 60

I played around with the setting in a very dark room. This room has no lights on, 5 windows, but all blinds shut and they have sun shade screens on the outside of them, so it is very dark. I used the camera settings to brighten the room. I'm actually surprised how great this camera can brighten up a dark room even with a novice like me.

How can I improve the better shots here. Obviously, the first ones were grainy and dark. The other ones seem too fuzzy and bright around the edges. The middle seems better, but I'm sure I could do better?

I think you need to set the ISO to some fixed point like 200 or 400 and try to get some sense of the balance between aperture and shutter speed. Your auto ISO is varying from 100 to 65000. Try maintaining 0 EV when changing aperture or shutter speed without auto ISO.

With an adapted film lens, the aperture doesn't display, so you can't see the relationship. You're just seeing shutter speed. You don seem to be making the connection between the two.

You are definitely right. I hate trying to learn something this advanced without step by step instruction. Honestly, with the way I actually learn, reading is not going to work. Never has....Videos are ok..better than nothing at this point.

 

[Xlr8tin]

played around with the setting in a very dark room. This room has no lights on, 5 windows, but all blinds shut and they have sun shade screens on the outside of them, so it is very dark. I used the camera settings to brighten the room. I'm actually surprised how great this camera can brighten up a dark room even with a novice like me.

How can I improve the better shots here. Obviously, the first ones were grainy and dark. The other ones seem too fuzzy and bright around the edges. The middle seems better, but I'm sure I could do better?

You might want to put your camera in P mode (professional mode) and see what setting your camera selects for exposure. Make note of them.

Shoot other things in P mode and make note of the settings your camera selects.

Then think about why your camera selected those setting and also about the relationship between shutter, aperture, and ISO for the light available in the scene you were trying to capture.

Just a thought, not a recommendation, just something that worked for me many years ago.

Makes sense. Might be worth a try for sure

 

[Xlr8tin]

played around with the setting in a very dark room. This room has no lights on, 5 windows, but all blinds shut and they have sun shade screens on the outside of them, so it is very dark. I used the camera settings to brighten the room. I'm actually surprised how great this camera can brighten up a dark room even with a novice like me.

How can I improve the better shots here. Obviously, the first ones were grainy and dark. The other ones seem too fuzzy and bright around the edges. The middle seems better, but I'm sure I could do better?

You might want to put your camera in P mode (professional mode) and see what setting your camera selects for exposure. Make note of them.

Shoot other things in P mode and make note of the settings your camera selects.

Then think about why your camera selected those setting and also about the relationship between shutter, aperture, and ISO for the light available in the scene you were trying to capture.

Just a thought, not a recommendation, just something that worked for me many years ago.

If the OP is using adapted film lenses, he probably can't use anything but Aperture and Manual Exposure modes.

You might be right, but ISO and shutter speed might work with it? I need to give it a try

 

[BBbuilder467]

That is because the dynamic range of the scene is too large for the camera as I mentioned earlier.

You need to reduce the exposure as I mentioned earlier if you want to preserve the highlights.

Do you recall what exposure is?

But you say you are not even sure if the lens was widen open or at minimum aperture so it is not surprising at all you are having difficulties.

Didn't you check before you took the photo?

It appears to me you are using a scatter gun approach to setting your exposure settings in the hope something will work.

When watching many videos they all said to + exposure when lighting is bright, and - when dark. There is more to it, but that is a start. Since I am just now playing around with it I had the zebra setting on.

If you keep in your mind that

Exposure = the amount of light that hits the sensor per unit area

and that scene luminance, aperture and shutter speed affect and control exposure then photographing your scene is not rocket science.

Since you won't be bracketing and then blending exposures all you have to do is decide how well you want to preserve the sky and then set exposure settings accordingly.

Quite simple really

I had zebra on, and it was working just fine. I couldn't eliminate all of it since the sun was too great for the scene, but I eliminated most of it.

As far as the aperture, I think you forgot that this is a manual lens. The aperture isn't displayed on the screen. And since I don't look at each click for the aperture I don't remember what it was at. If I were to guess it was almost stopped down.

Yes I am still learning about exposure. These were literally the first 2 pictures I took after playing with the dial. So, yes it is obvious I need work. I just bought the kit lens and I'm waiting to get it in. Than all of this will be moot point.

Yea, I'll wait until I learn more about these setting before moving on to something else like bracketing. I have heard about it, but I'm not moving forward just yet.

Turn off the auto ISO and pick one. In Aperture mode, the shutter speed will change with changes to aperture. It will be obvious what it does.

If you're in Manual Exposure mode, you could over and under expose all over the place if you're just guessing the aperture and shutter speed. Every time you click the aperture ring, it changes.

I'm not sure that camera works right in modes other than Aperture or Manual with an adapted all manual film lens.

 

[Bassam Guy]

Hey guys!

Yo again!

Next step is to learn the basics -- aperture (and how it affects depth-of-field) and shutter speed (and how it affects blur). These are the two primary tools available to a photographer (at least, traditionally) and they will help you begin to see how you can take control of your photography. Shooting the same pic at multiple settings will help you see the differences.

Here's a book I always recommend for beginners (linking to the used 10th edition because new 12th edition is hella expensive). The 4th edition was my textbook in the 90s and I still refer to it.

Someone else asked about online classes. I watched this one when it was free at the beginning of the pandemic and thought it covered the basics quite nicely. (And the info applies to all cameras, not just Nikons.)

Meanwhile go out and take "photo walks" -- go someplace you wouldn't normally go, walk around for an hour and snap what looks interesting. Great way to practice composition, and that's what starts you thinking about technique: "Hey, this would look good with the background fuzzy, so I'll use a larger F/stop" or "Blurring the motion of the cars on the street would give this some action, so I'll shoot at 1/30th". Things like that.

HTH

Aaron

Crap, he found me! I think you are stalking me..lmao;-)

Yea, shutter speed is one I don't get yet. I've played with it a lot, and all I can figure so far is that it seems to also darken or lighten my photo. So based on what you just told me I'm wrong..lol

Thanks, I went ahead and added that book to my cart as well. I bought one that was recommended and just got it, so I can start reading it. I'll definitely look into this video as well.

I need a good photo editor that is easy to use. I downloaded Capture One and it isn't as easy to use as I would like it. I am looking for something as easy as it is for my phone or uploading photos to Instagram. I'm new to this so I need something I don't need a degree to operate it or else I'll never edit photos, and I like editing when it's convenient enough.

Yea, I gotta get out and take a walk with my camera. I've been taking photos of the backyard. So far I'm getting a little discouraged as most of them are rubbish. Most don't seem that great once I upload them to my computer. I don't know if it's my lenses or my laptop. Do I need a good desktop with a good quality screen? I have a thinkpad X1 Carbon. It's one of the best laptops out there, but maybe not for viewing photos?

All good photographers have learned the bitter lesson that it is not the camera and not the computer but the photographer.

Sorry but improvement must come from you, otherwise you'll waste money on more cameras and lenses and computers instead of investing time in learning, photographing, and correcting your mistakes.

Take a few minutes and learn about these fundamental photography concepts:

1. Shutter Speed
2. Aperture
3. ISO
4. Lens focal length

 

[Bassam Guy]

Hey guys!

Yo again!

Next step is to learn the basics -- aperture (and how it affects depth-of-field) and shutter speed (and how it affects blur). These are the two primary tools available to a photographer (at least, traditionally) and they will help you begin to see how you can take control of your photography. Shooting the same pic at multiple settings will help you see the differences.

Here's a book I always recommend for beginners (linking to the used 10th edition because new 12th edition is hella expensive). The 4th edition was my textbook in the 90s and I still refer to it.

Someone else asked about online classes. I watched this one when it was free at the beginning of the pandemic and thought it covered the basics quite nicely. (And the info applies to all cameras, not just Nikons.)

Meanwhile go out and take "photo walks" -- go someplace you wouldn't normally go, walk around for an hour and snap what looks interesting. Great way to practice composition, and that's what starts you thinking about technique: "Hey, this would look good with the background fuzzy, so I'll use a larger F/stop" or "Blurring the motion of the cars on the street would give this some action, so I'll shoot at 1/30th". Things like that.

HTH

Aaron

Crap, he found me! I think you are stalking me..lmao;-)

Yea, shutter speed is one I don't get yet. I've played with it a lot, and all I can figure so far is that it seems to also darken or lighten my photo. So based on what you just told me I'm wrong..lol

Thanks, I went ahead and added that book to my cart as well. I bought one that was recommended and just got it, so I can start reading it. I'll definitely look into this video as well.

I need a good photo editor that is easy to use. I downloaded Capture One and it isn't as easy to use as I would like it. I am looking for something as easy as it is for my phone or uploading photos to Instagram. I'm new to this so I need something I don't need a degree to operate it or else I'll never edit photos, and I like editing when it's convenient enough.

Yea, I gotta get out and take a walk with my camera. I've been taking photos of the backyard. So far I'm getting a little discouraged as most of them are rubbish. Most don't seem that great once I upload them to my computer. I don't know if it's my lenses or my laptop. Do I need a good desktop with a good quality screen? I have a thinkpad X1 Carbon. It's one of the best laptops out there, but maybe not for viewing photos?

Don't buy a new computer (at least not yet). Screen calibration can matter, but I have edited on poor quality non-calibrated screens before and the pictures turned out ok. You may want to get a small print made and see how closely it matches your screen.

Is the issue sharpness, colors, or lighting? If you post a sample we may be able to give some suggestions.

I will have to take more jpg since this site won't let me upload my RAW photos.

You might be on to something though by printing some photos.

Shooting raw is fine. Your photo editor should allow export as JPEG.

 

[LightCameraAction]

I've been playing with exposure compensation and zebra. I googled them since I didn't know anything about them. I had to play around with the diopter and got the viewfinder dialed in...finally I moved focus peaking to medium. High is next if this doesn't work.

And yes, I made this custom bird feeder holder..lmao. I'm normally a welder and metal fabricator...so that is what I am coming from..Talk about a change in hobbies.

What do you guys think about these two photos?

Hmmm...it still doesn't seem as sharp as I would expect, but it's always a bit hard for me to tell when viewing on my phone.

The image as a whole is a bit overexposed, but the sun makes this a very tough picture. In this case, instead of shooting into the sun, try shooting away from the sun. That should improve the results.

I had zebra set to 100+ and focus peaking on medium. I shoot into the sun because I like the look it leaves on the backyard and trees. I understand what you are saying, I'm just not concerned right now with this since the only other way would be to turn to the house or go to the front yard which would make it all dark in front, and no one cares about seeing my house...lol

I still need to get out and take photos, but I want to get these settings down more. I keep learning something new everyday.

You may also consider using a high shutter speed (or using a tripod) and using focus peaking to make sure you are nailing focus. This is all just for test purposes (since I would expect sharper results).

I changed all settings to try to get rid of the zebra, so this is what I got. I couldn't get rid of all of it because of the obvious sun. I also don't have a tripod yet

What f-number are you shooting at?

Shoot. I can't remember. It was either all the way opened or close, because when I moved it one way it wouldn't move anymore.

Edit: I just looked at the pictures again and it is possible that the sharpness may be fine (it's hard for me to tell). The largest issue is that the bright sky and shadows make this a very challenge scene for the camera.

Haha...that makes sense . I still think that the shot is overexposed. The problem with shooting with a powerful backlight (the sun in this case) and properly exposing the subject (the bird feeder in this case) is that the pictures will tend to look less contrasty and washed out. If you feel inclined, you may consider shooting the same scene in the morning when the sun is behind you.

I also suspect that some of the advice you received on this forum has not been entirely clear (why a good photography book is a good idea). There are a couple of philosophies that photographers may use when shooting raw images:

1. Try and maximize exposure without clipping the highlights. These photographers will do exactly what you did. They will set up the camera with setting that maximize exposure without getting zebras (which indicate that highlights are clipped). They will then use their favorite raw editor to decrease the brightness to get the picture they want (this is the step you are missing in the picture above, I think). This technique does not really work well if shooting JPEG images. I would also personally consider it more of an advanced technique that is best applied to challenging images. I suspect that a lot of people on this forum who use this technique regularly are engineers who feel the need to optimize everything (or regularly shoot scenes with high dynamic range).
2. Try to get the correct image out of the camera. These photographers will use the camera settings to get the desired image brightness straight out of the camera. This is the method that must be used if shooting JPEGs (and you will still get very nice results with a large sensor camera like the Sony A7rii). I recommend that you use this technique initially. In the picture above, I would have probably decreased exposure by one or two stops (e.g., double or quadruple your shutter speed). The bird feeder would look like more of a silloett, but the image as a whole would probably look better.

Anyway, certainly nothing wrong if you like the results you are getting. But the nice thing about digital photography is that experimentation is free.

Yes, please keep in mind that these are jpg, since that's all I can upload on this site, and they aren't edited. Plus, they were my first pictures after I research what exposure compensation and zebra were. Granted I can change the fact of when I shoot, and I will shortly, but right now I'm trying to be consistent and this is when I have been shooting the backyard...lol Stupid I know. I feel a little stupid taking pictures around my yard;-)

My kit lens should be here this Friday, so hopefully, I can learn what I should be soon. I'm not giving up on my manual lenses yet though

Nice! I think you will enjoy the kit lens.

I didn't mean to be too critical, and hope it didn't come across that way. Based on previous posts i thought you were not quite happy with the results you were getting and I wanted to make sure you had a path to obtaining results that make you happy . The A7rii is an amazing camera, and I think you will love the results (I have considered upgrading to one before).

BTW: no need to give up on the manual focus lenses. They can give very nice results, but have a bit of a learning curve.

 

[Xlr8tin]

That is because the dynamic range of the scene is too large for the camera as I mentioned earlier.

You need to reduce the exposure as I mentioned earlier if you want to preserve the highlights.

Do you recall what exposure is?

But you say you are not even sure if the lens was widen open or at minimum aperture so it is not surprising at all you are having difficulties.

Didn't you check before you took the photo?

It appears to me you are using a scatter gun approach to setting your exposure settings in the hope something will work.

When watching many videos they all said to + exposure when lighting is bright, and - when dark. There is more to it, but that is a start. Since I am just now playing around with it I had the zebra setting on.

If you keep in your mind that

Exposure = the amount of light that hits the sensor per unit area

and that scene luminance, aperture and shutter speed affect and control exposure then photographing your scene is not rocket science.

Since you won't be bracketing and then blending exposures all you have to do is decide how well you want to preserve the sky and then set exposure settings accordingly.

Quite simple really

I had zebra on, and it was working just fine. I couldn't eliminate all of it since the sun was too great for the scene, but I eliminated most of it.

As far as the aperture, I think you forgot that this is a manual lens. The aperture isn't displayed on the screen. And since I don't look at each click for the aperture I don't remember what it was at. If I were to guess it was almost stopped down.

Yes I am still learning about exposure. These were literally the first 2 pictures I took after playing with the dial. So, yes it is obvious I need work. I just bought the kit lens and I'm waiting to get it in. Than all of this will be moot point.

Yea, I'll wait until I learn more about these setting before moving on to something else like bracketing. I have heard about it, but I'm not moving forward just yet.

Turn off the auto ISO and pick one. In Aperture mode, the shutter speed will change with changes to aperture. It will be obvious what it does.

If you're in Manual Exposure mode, you could over and under expose all over the place if you're just guessing the aperture and shutter speed. Every time you click the aperture ring, it changes.

I'm not sure that camera works right in modes other than Aperture or Manual with an adapted all manual film lens.

You are probably right about that. I was trying to take some photos of the moon last night and I couldn't get anything worth while

I finally got my 28-70mm kit lens..SOOOOO much better now

 

[Xlr8tin]

I've been playing with exposure compensation and zebra. I googled them since I didn't know anything about them. I had to play around with the diopter and got the viewfinder dialed in...finally I moved focus peaking to medium. High is next if this doesn't work.

And yes, I made this custom bird feeder holder..lmao. I'm normally a welder and metal fabricator...so that is what I am coming from..Talk about a change in hobbies.

What do you guys think about these two photos?

Hmmm...it still doesn't seem as sharp as I would expect, but it's always a bit hard for me to tell when viewing on my phone.

The image as a whole is a bit overexposed, but the sun makes this a very tough picture. In this case, instead of shooting into the sun, try shooting away from the sun. That should improve the results.

I had zebra set to 100+ and focus peaking on medium. I shoot into the sun because I like the look it leaves on the backyard and trees. I understand what you are saying, I'm just not concerned right now with this since the only other way would be to turn to the house or go to the front yard which would make it all dark in front, and no one cares about seeing my house...lol

I still need to get out and take photos, but I want to get these settings down more. I keep learning something new everyday.

You may also consider using a high shutter speed (or using a tripod) and using focus peaking to make sure you are nailing focus. This is all just for test purposes (since I would expect sharper results).

I changed all settings to try to get rid of the zebra, so this is what I got. I couldn't get rid of all of it because of the obvious sun. I also don't have a tripod yet

What f-number are you shooting at?

Shoot. I can't remember. It was either all the way opened or close, because when I moved it one way it wouldn't move anymore.

Edit: I just looked at the pictures again and it is possible that the sharpness may be fine (it's hard for me to tell). The largest issue is that the bright sky and shadows make this a very challenge scene for the camera.

Haha...that makes sense . I still think that the shot is overexposed. The problem with shooting with a powerful backlight (the sun in this case) and properly exposing the subject (the bird feeder in this case) is that the pictures will tend to look less contrasty and washed out. If you feel inclined, you may consider shooting the same scene in the morning when the sun is behind you.

I also suspect that some of the advice you received on this forum has not been entirely clear (why a good photography book is a good idea). There are a couple of philosophies that photographers may use when shooting raw images:

1. Try and maximize exposure without clipping the highlights. These photographers will do exactly what you did. They will set up the camera with setting that maximize exposure without getting zebras (which indicate that highlights are clipped). They will then use their favorite raw editor to decrease the brightness to get the picture they want (this is the step you are missing in the picture above, I think). This technique does not really work well if shooting JPEG images. I would also personally consider it more of an advanced technique that is best applied to challenging images. I suspect that a lot of people on this forum who use this technique regularly are engineers who feel the need to optimize everything (or regularly shoot scenes with high dynamic range).
2. Try to get the correct image out of the camera. These photographers will use the camera settings to get the desired image brightness straight out of the camera. This is the method that must be used if shooting JPEGs (and you will still get very nice results with a large sensor camera like the Sony A7rii). I recommend that you use this technique initially. In the picture above, I would have probably decreased exposure by one or two stops (e.g., double or quadruple your shutter speed). The bird feeder would look like more of a silloett, but the image as a whole would probably look better.

Anyway, certainly nothing wrong if you like the results you are getting. But the nice thing about digital photography is that experimentation is free.

Yes, please keep in mind that these are jpg, since that's all I can upload on this site, and they aren't edited. Plus, they were my first pictures after I research what exposure compensation and zebra were. Granted I can change the fact of when I shoot, and I will shortly, but right now I'm trying to be consistent and this is when I have been shooting the backyard...lol Stupid I know. I feel a little stupid taking pictures around my yard;-)

My kit lens should be here this Friday, so hopefully, I can learn what I should be soon. I'm not giving up on my manual lenses yet though

Nice! I think you will enjoy the kit lens.

I just got it and put it on...WOW!! Sooo better.

I didn't mean to be too critical, and hope it didn't come across that way. Based on previous posts i thought you were not quite happy with the results you were getting and I wanted to make sure you had a path to obtaining results that make you happy . The A7rii is an amazing camera, and I think you will love the results (I have considered upgrading to one before).

Oh no, no worries. I need to hear everything, and I appreciate it. You have given great advice. And yes this is quite the camera for sure

BTW: no need to give up on the manual focus lenses. They can give very nice results, but have a bit of a learning curve.

Yes, I think they will be my portrait lenses for the most part. Those seem like an easier way to manage them for now

 

[Xlr8tin]

Hey guys!

Yo again!

Next step is to learn the basics -- aperture (and how it affects depth-of-field) and shutter speed (and how it affects blur). These are the two primary tools available to a photographer (at least, traditionally) and they will help you begin to see how you can take control of your photography. Shooting the same pic at multiple settings will help you see the differences.

Here's a book I always recommend for beginners (linking to the used 10th edition because new 12th edition is hella expensive). The 4th edition was my textbook in the 90s and I still refer to it.

Someone else asked about online classes. I watched this one when it was free at the beginning of the pandemic and thought it covered the basics quite nicely. (And the info applies to all cameras, not just Nikons.)

Meanwhile go out and take "photo walks" -- go someplace you wouldn't normally go, walk around for an hour and snap what looks interesting. Great way to practice composition, and that's what starts you thinking about technique: "Hey, this would look good with the background fuzzy, so I'll use a larger F/stop" or "Blurring the motion of the cars on the street would give this some action, so I'll shoot at 1/30th". Things like that.

HTH

Aaron

Crap, he found me! I think you are stalking me..lmao;-)

Yea, shutter speed is one I don't get yet. I've played with it a lot, and all I can figure so far is that it seems to also darken or lighten my photo. So based on what you just told me I'm wrong..lol

Thanks, I went ahead and added that book to my cart as well. I bought one that was recommended and just got it, so I can start reading it. I'll definitely look into this video as well.

I need a good photo editor that is easy to use. I downloaded Capture One and it isn't as easy to use as I would like it. I am looking for something as easy as it is for my phone or uploading photos to Instagram. I'm new to this so I need something I don't need a degree to operate it or else I'll never edit photos, and I like editing when it's convenient enough.

Yea, I gotta get out and take a walk with my camera. I've been taking photos of the backyard. So far I'm getting a little discouraged as most of them are rubbish. Most don't seem that great once I upload them to my computer. I don't know if it's my lenses or my laptop. Do I need a good desktop with a good quality screen? I have a thinkpad X1 Carbon. It's one of the best laptops out there, but maybe not for viewing photos?

All good photographers have learned the bitter lesson that it is not the camera and not the computer but the photographer.

Sorry but improvement must come from you, otherwise you'll waste money on more cameras and lenses and computers instead of investing time in learning, photographing, and correcting your mistakes.

Take a few minutes and learn about these fundamental photography concepts:

1. Shutter Speed
2. Aperture
3. ISO
4. Lens focal length

Yes, but everyone has been judging this from a manual film lens. With the right lens, it doesn't take a great or even a good photographer to take decent photos. Technology nowadays is lightyears from the days of old film.

I have the kit lens now, so this will be easier.

 

[nieve5552]

I only began to get properly into learning about the basics and technicalities of photography this year, the previous years I had mostly been winging it. My country had a lockdown earlier in the year which gave me heaps of time to actually do some learning.

I really recommend taking a free online course for the very basics (I found some free online courses on Alison courses) which were decent, especially considering they were free. I also recommend Tony and Chelsea Northrup youtube channel, they've got a number of videos that explain shutter speed, aperture etc among others in a concise way.

 

[Bassam Guy]

Hey guys!

Yo again!

Next step is to learn the basics -- aperture (and how it affects depth-of-field) and shutter speed (and how it affects blur). These are the two primary tools available to a photographer (at least, traditionally) and they will help you begin to see how you can take control of your photography. Shooting the same pic at multiple settings will help you see the differences.

Here's a book I always recommend for beginners (linking to the used 10th edition because new 12th edition is hella expensive). The 4th edition was my textbook in the 90s and I still refer to it.

Someone else asked about online classes. I watched this one when it was free at the beginning of the pandemic and thought it covered the basics quite nicely. (And the info applies to all cameras, not just Nikons.)

Meanwhile go out and take "photo walks" -- go someplace you wouldn't normally go, walk around for an hour and snap what looks interesting. Great way to practice composition, and that's what starts you thinking about technique: "Hey, this would look good with the background fuzzy, so I'll use a larger F/stop" or "Blurring the motion of the cars on the street would give this some action, so I'll shoot at 1/30th". Things like that.

HTH

Aaron

Crap, he found me! I think you are stalking me..lmao;-)

Yea, shutter speed is one I don't get yet. I've played with it a lot, and all I can figure so far is that it seems to also darken or lighten my photo. So based on what you just told me I'm wrong..lol

Thanks, I went ahead and added that book to my cart as well. I bought one that was recommended and just got it, so I can start reading it. I'll definitely look into this video as well.

I need a good photo editor that is easy to use. I downloaded Capture One and it isn't as easy to use as I would like it. I am looking for something as easy as it is for my phone or uploading photos to Instagram. I'm new to this so I need something I don't need a degree to operate it or else I'll never edit photos, and I like editing when it's convenient enough.

Yea, I gotta get out and take a walk with my camera. I've been taking photos of the backyard. So far I'm getting a little discouraged as most of them are rubbish. Most don't seem that great once I upload them to my computer. I don't know if it's my lenses or my laptop. Do I need a good desktop with a good quality screen? I have a thinkpad X1 Carbon. It's one of the best laptops out there, but maybe not for viewing photos?

All good photographers have learned the bitter lesson that it is not the camera and not the computer but the photographer.

Sorry but improvement must come from you, otherwise you'll waste money on more cameras and lenses and computers instead of investing time in learning, photographing, and correcting your mistakes.

Take a few minutes and learn about these fundamental photography concepts:

1. Shutter Speed
2. Aperture
3. ISO
4. Lens focal length

Yes, but everyone has been judging this from a manual film lens. With the right lens, it doesn't take a great or even a good photographer to take decent photos. Technology nowadays is lightyears from the days of old film.

I have the kit lens now, so this will be easier.

Didn't you say above that you had trouble understanding shutter speed and how it affects your photos?

Technology has nothing to do with composition, and the rules about my four points above have not changed and will not change. Can technology change the fact that 2 + 2 equals 4, or that a slow shutter speed of a moving subject induces blur? NO!

And your backyard photos - at least those I saw - look like they were taken through a window, which has never been a way to consistently get good photos.

 

[Xlr8tin]

Hey guys!

Yo again!

Next step is to learn the basics -- aperture (and how it affects depth-of-field) and shutter speed (and how it affects blur). These are the two primary tools available to a photographer (at least, traditionally) and they will help you begin to see how you can take control of your photography. Shooting the same pic at multiple settings will help you see the differences.

Here's a book I always recommend for beginners (linking to the used 10th edition because new 12th edition is hella expensive). The 4th edition was my textbook in the 90s and I still refer to it.

Someone else asked about online classes. I watched this one when it was free at the beginning of the pandemic and thought it covered the basics quite nicely. (And the info applies to all cameras, not just Nikons.)

Meanwhile go out and take "photo walks" -- go someplace you wouldn't normally go, walk around for an hour and snap what looks interesting. Great way to practice composition, and that's what starts you thinking about technique: "Hey, this would look good with the background fuzzy, so I'll use a larger F/stop" or "Blurring the motion of the cars on the street would give this some action, so I'll shoot at 1/30th". Things like that.

HTH

Aaron

Crap, he found me! I think you are stalking me..lmao;-)

Yea, shutter speed is one I don't get yet. I've played with it a lot, and all I can figure so far is that it seems to also darken or lighten my photo. So based on what you just told me I'm wrong..lol

Thanks, I went ahead and added that book to my cart as well. I bought one that was recommended and just got it, so I can start reading it. I'll definitely look into this video as well.

I need a good photo editor that is easy to use. I downloaded Capture One and it isn't as easy to use as I would like it. I am looking for something as easy as it is for my phone or uploading photos to Instagram. I'm new to this so I need something I don't need a degree to operate it or else I'll never edit photos, and I like editing when it's convenient enough.

Yea, I gotta get out and take a walk with my camera. I've been taking photos of the backyard. So far I'm getting a little discouraged as most of them are rubbish. Most don't seem that great once I upload them to my computer. I don't know if it's my lenses or my laptop. Do I need a good desktop with a good quality screen? I have a thinkpad X1 Carbon. It's one of the best laptops out there, but maybe not for viewing photos?

All good photographers have learned the bitter lesson that it is not the camera and not the computer but the photographer.

Sorry but improvement must come from you, otherwise you'll waste money on more cameras and lenses and computers instead of investing time in learning, photographing, and correcting your mistakes.

Take a few minutes and learn about these fundamental photography concepts:

1. Shutter Speed
2. Aperture
3. ISO
4. Lens focal length

Yes, but everyone has been judging this from a manual film lens. With the right lens, it doesn't take a great or even a good photographer to take decent photos. Technology nowadays is lightyears from the days of old film.

I have the kit lens now, so this will be easier.

Didn't you say above that you had trouble understanding shutter speed and how it affects your photos?

Maybe I did yesterday, but due to the fact that I am online constantly researching and taking photos. So, yes...Yesterday I may not have understood, today maybe I do a little better

Technology has nothing to do with composition, and the rules about my four points above have not changed and will not change. Can technology change the fact that 2 + 2 equals 4, or that a slow shutter speed of a moving subject induces blur? NO!

Technically, I can take a picture of a math problem, and an app calculates it for me. So yes technology has come a long way

And your backyard photos - at least those I saw - look like they were taken through a window, which has never been a way to consistently get good photos.

Lmao...Thanks for the compliment. Your insult does not work on me. I was in the military for 10 years and I'm not a snowflake. Again, these photos have all been with film lenses. Which means some of the settings in the camera itself were off. I now have the kit lens and already notice the difference.

 

[Xlr8tin]

I only began to get properly into learning about the basics and technicalities of photography this year, the previous years I had mostly been winging it. My country had a lockdown earlier in the year which gave me heaps of time to actually do some learning.

Yea, I hear that! That's mostly what I was doing on my smartphone. I'm also in a similar situation where I have free time to learn in between this and that.

I really recommend taking a free online course for the very basics (I found some free online courses on Alison courses) which were decent, especially considering they were free. I also recommend Tony and Chelsea Northrup youtube channel, they've got a number of videos that explain shutter speed, aperture etc among others in a concise way.

I've seen a few free material out there, but I had a bunch of people chime in another thread I started and said there is a bunch of material out there that isn't helpful. So instead of telling me what is, they just said don't do it..I'm a visual learner, which is annoying

 

[Bassam Guy]

Hey guys!

Yo again!

Next step is to learn the basics -- aperture (and how it affects depth-of-field) and shutter speed (and how it affects blur). These are the two primary tools available to a photographer (at least, traditionally) and they will help you begin to see how you can take control of your photography. Shooting the same pic at multiple settings will help you see the differences.

Here's a book I always recommend for beginners (linking to the used 10th edition because new 12th edition is hella expensive). The 4th edition was my textbook in the 90s and I still refer to it.

Someone else asked about online classes. I watched this one when it was free at the beginning of the pandemic and thought it covered the basics quite nicely. (And the info applies to all cameras, not just Nikons.)

Meanwhile go out and take "photo walks" -- go someplace you wouldn't normally go, walk around for an hour and snap what looks interesting. Great way to practice composition, and that's what starts you thinking about technique: "Hey, this would look good with the background fuzzy, so I'll use a larger F/stop" or "Blurring the motion of the cars on the street would give this some action, so I'll shoot at 1/30th". Things like that.

HTH

Aaron

Crap, he found me! I think you are stalking me..lmao;-)

Yea, shutter speed is one I don't get yet. I've played with it a lot, and all I can figure so far is that it seems to also darken or lighten my photo. So based on what you just told me I'm wrong..lol

Thanks, I went ahead and added that book to my cart as well. I bought one that was recommended and just got it, so I can start reading it. I'll definitely look into this video as well.

I need a good photo editor that is easy to use. I downloaded Capture One and it isn't as easy to use as I would like it. I am looking for something as easy as it is for my phone or uploading photos to Instagram. I'm new to this so I need something I don't need a degree to operate it or else I'll never edit photos, and I like editing when it's convenient enough.

Yea, I gotta get out and take a walk with my camera. I've been taking photos of the backyard. So far I'm getting a little discouraged as most of them are rubbish. Most don't seem that great once I upload them to my computer. I don't know if it's my lenses or my laptop. Do I need a good desktop with a good quality screen? I have a thinkpad X1 Carbon. It's one of the best laptops out there, but maybe not for viewing photos?

All good photographers have learned the bitter lesson that it is not the camera and not the computer but the photographer.

Sorry but improvement must come from you, otherwise you'll waste money on more cameras and lenses and computers instead of investing time in learning, photographing, and correcting your mistakes.

Take a few minutes and learn about these fundamental photography concepts:

1. Shutter Speed
2. Aperture
3. ISO
4. Lens focal length

Yes, but everyone has been judging this from a manual film lens. With the right lens, it doesn't take a great or even a good photographer to take decent photos. Technology nowadays is lightyears from the days of old film.

I have the kit lens now, so this will be easier.

Didn't you say above that you had trouble understanding shutter speed and how it affects your photos?

Maybe I did yesterday, but due to the fact that I am online constantly researching and taking photos. So, yes...Yesterday I may not have understood, today maybe I do a little better

Technology has nothing to do with composition, and the rules about my four points above have not changed and will not change. Can technology change the fact that 2 + 2 equals 4, or that a slow shutter speed of a moving subject induces blur? NO!

Technically, I can take a picture of a math problem, and an app calculates it for me. So yes technology has come a long way

And your backyard photos - at least those I saw - look like they were taken through a window, which has never been a way to consistently get good photos.

Lmao...Thanks for the compliment. Your insult does not work on me. I was in the military for 10 years and I'm not a snowflake. Again, these photos have all been with film lenses. Which means some of the settings in the camera itself were off. I now have the kit lens and already notice the difference.

Sorry you took that as an insult. Please don't take it personally and so emotionally. It was you who said "I've been taking photos of the backyard. So far I'm getting a little discouraged as most of them are rubbish". You said you were new to photography, and I thought you'd appreciate a tiny tidbit of knowledge - whether it applies to the posted photos or not.

I am glad to hear you have the kit zoom with AF.

Enjoy!