Picked up a new lens for the old D90

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Picked up a new lens for the old D90

Posted: 5/4/2016 7:41:35 PM EDT

At the local camera store and was offered this Tamron SP AF 200-500 for 450 dollars. In box with Lens bag all plastic bags and papers with the Hood. The lens appears new, Maybe a display? I dunno. He allowed me to play with it on a D7200 for a bit and I took it. I wish it was a Sony A mount, But then I would not have gotten it at that price.

So far I like it. How did I do? Seriously? I have read the reviews and looked at this lens in the past, but when he gave me a price I took it.

Posted: 5/4/2016 7:51:55 PM EDT

[#1]

I don't know much about those but I can say the lens hood looks a bit small. Need one that's a lot longer than that.

When do we get to see pictures taken with it?

Posted: 5/4/2016 11:00:42 PM EDT

[#2]

Some right off the camera. I dont think I'm doing it right.

They are not quite as sharp as I'd like.

I have no issues with the Sony cameras, This darn Nikon... I cant seem to figure it out. LOL

This one is wayy out there. I used manual focus because I was shooting through a fence.

Posted: 5/4/2016 11:07:08 PM EDT

[#3]

Make sure you're keeping on top of your reciprocal rule.

Example: at the 500mm end of that lens, you'll want to consider the original 500, + the 1.5x crop, so you'll have an effective focal length of 750mm.

Shutter speed should be higher than that. Think 1/800 or faster. 1/1000 or 1/1250 would be better. Unfortunately, that lens also has a fairly slow aperture at the long end, so with the older camera, you may well not have good performance at the ISO levels required to get the shutter speed that high. Especially once you stop it down a stop or two to get your max performance

That said, if you're on a solid tripod you can reduce the shutter speed a bit and use multiple shots to increase your keeper rate.

Posted: 5/4/2016 11:23:36 PM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
Make sure you're keeping on top of your reciprocal rule.

Example: at the 500mm end of that lens, you'll want to consider the original 500, + the 1.5x crop, so you'll have an effective focal length of 750mm.

Shutter speed should be higher than that. Think 1/800 or faster. 1/1000 or 1/1250 would be better. Unfortunately, that lens also has a fairly slow aperture at the long end, so with the older camera, you may well not have good performance at the ISO levels required to get the shutter speed that high. Especially once you stop it down a stop or two to get your max performance

That said, if you're on a solid tripod you can reduce the shutter speed a bit and use multiple shots to increase your keeper rate.

View Quote

Shutter speeds on all photos are in the 1/3200 to 1/4000 range. ISO was at 2000. F-stops were f 6.3, f7.1, f8, f7.1 iirc in that order.
the heli and the cessna with the train cars in the background was on a tripod.

Posted: 5/4/2016 11:31:47 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:

Shutter speeds on all photos are in the 1/3200 to 1/4000 range. ISO was at 2000. F-stops were f 6.3, f7.1, f8, f7.1 iirc in that order.
the heli and the cessna with the train cars in the background was on a tripod.

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Make sure you're keeping on top of your reciprocal rule.

Example: at the 500mm end of that lens, you'll want to consider the original 500, + the 1.5x crop, so you'll have an effective focal length of 750mm.

Shutter speed should be higher than that. Think 1/800 or faster. 1/1000 or 1/1250 would be better. Unfortunately, that lens also has a fairly slow aperture at the long end, so with the older camera, you may well not have good performance at the ISO levels required to get the shutter speed that high. Especially once you stop it down a stop or two to get your max performance

That said, if you're on a solid tripod you can reduce the shutter speed a bit and use multiple shots to increase your keeper rate.

Shutter speeds on all photos are in the 1/3200 to 1/4000 range. ISO was at 2000. F-stops were f 6.3, f7.1, f8, f7.1 iirc in that order.
the heli and the cessna with the train cars in the background was on a tripod.

Sounds like you were doing it right. I don't know much about that specific lens but considering the reports of less than stellar performance in some of Tamron's newer stuff, the old one may not be quite up to task. Doesn't mean it wasn't worth it. You get a lot of reach with it, and if you shoot the pics right and process em right, nobody will ever know the difference.

Posted: 5/4/2016 11:40:46 PM EDT

[#6]

What would be a good recommendation on software? I have and have used Paint Shop Pro ultimate. I haven't used it since my desk top computer kicked the bucket and I got my new laptop.

Posted: 5/4/2016 11:42:23 PM EDT

[#7]

The lightroom + photoshop bundle for $10 a month is what I use. No complaints. You can get some of the older versions for free as I understand it but they are not compatible with the RAW files from my camera.

Your D90 may well be compatible with the older ones.

Posted: 5/5/2016 4:59:43 AM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
What would be a good recommendation on software? I have and have used Paint Shop Pro ultimate. I haven't used it since my desk top computer kicked the bucket and I got my new laptop.

View Quote

I really like the LR+PS bundle for $10/month.
I also have Paint Shop Pro 16 installed and use it regularly. It uses most (all?) the same plug-ins as Photoshop.

Posted: 5/5/2016 8:27:21 AM EDT

[#9]

I've got the tamron 150-600, and it's a little soft, particularly at the long end. On a tripod, stopped down to f/8 or f/9, with mirror-up remote, and with some judicious post work, I find it very usable. The unsharp mask is your friend!

I am using Nikon's free Capture NXD for my post work.

Here's probably the best results I've gotten (shameless re-post).

DSC_8848-Moon160124 Early by FredMan, on Flickr

Here's another image with no post:

DSC_8887-Moon160125-NoPost by FredMan, on Flickr

And the same image after some post work.

DSC_8887-Moon160125 by FredMan, on Flickr

Posted: 5/5/2016 9:30:47 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
I've got the tamron 150-600, and it's a little soft, particularly at the long end. On a tripod, stopped down to f/8 or f/9, with mirror-up remote, and with some judicious post work, I find it very usable. The unsharp mask is your friend!

I am using Nikon's free Capture NXD for my post work.

Here's probably the best results I've gotten (shameless re-post).
<a href="https://flic.kr/p/CUKJrM" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1540/24225834039_4277fba21c_b.jpg</a>DSC_8848-Moon160124 Early by FredMan, on Flickr

Here's another image with no post:
<a href="https://flic.kr/p/Dt4M3N" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1572/24591482686_124522d5c4_b.jpg</a>DSC_8887-Moon160125-NoPost by FredMan, on Flickr

And the same image after some post work.
<a href="https://flic.kr/p/CWSGvB" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1694/24249826309_794332ae70_b.jpg</a>DSC_8887-Moon160125 by FredMan, on Flickr

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Nice!

Maybe that is some of my issue. I am either not patient enough or not sure how to post process real well.

Posted: 5/5/2016 5:09:34 PM EDT

[#11]

This is monkeying around with NX-D.

Took this shot today while sitting at the observation lot at the airport.

Posted: 5/5/2016 9:08:43 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
This is monkeying around with NX-D.

Took this shot today while sitting at the observation lot at the airport.

http:////embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

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How much is that cropped? Are you shooting raw? If you're NOT shooting raw, then START! You can do things with the raw data that the camera-generated jpg will never let you do. Still looks kinda fuzzy to me. Here's another pre and post comparison:

Straight jpg conversion from raw:

DSC_9960-NoPost by FredMan, on Flickr

And after some cropping, lighting adjustments, and sharpening:

DSC_9960-USCG2001 by FredMan, on Flickr

Posted: 5/5/2016 9:25:00 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:

How much is that cropped? Are you shooting raw? If you're NOT shooting raw, then START! You can do things with the raw data that the camera-generated jpg will never let you do. Still looks kinda fuzzy to me. Here's another pre and post comparison:

Straight jpg conversion from raw:
<a href="https://flic.kr/p/FYrgyG" target="_blank">https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/26236567884_e67007a2cb_c.jpg</a>DSC_9960-NoPost by FredMan, on Flickr

And after some cropping, lighting adjustments, and sharpening:
<a href="https://flic.kr/p/CUYtpk" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1664/24228319893_872f90a5eb_c.jpg</a>DSC_9960-USCG2001 by FredMan, on Flickr

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
This is monkeying around with NX-D.

Took this shot today while sitting at the observation lot at the airport.

http:////embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

How much is that cropped? Are you shooting raw? If you're NOT shooting raw, then START! You can do things with the raw data that the camera-generated jpg will never let you do. Still looks kinda fuzzy to me. Here's another pre and post comparison:

Straight jpg conversion from raw:
<a href="https://flic.kr/p/FYrgyG" target="_blank">https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/26236567884_e67007a2cb_c.jpg</a>DSC_9960-NoPost by FredMan, on Flickr

And after some cropping, lighting adjustments, and sharpening:
<a href="https://flic.kr/p/CUYtpk" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1664/24228319893_872f90a5eb_c.jpg</a>DSC_9960-USCG2001 by FredMan, on Flickr

I only shoot RAW. It is cropped very little. I cropped out some clutter on the left side.
The Predator in the picture was a bonus.

I had no idea it was there, I was just shooting the helicopter.

Posted: 5/5/2016 9:26:03 PM EDT

[#14]

The image degradation in those looks like the wibbly wobbly heat wave mirage things. Whatever they're called.

Posted: 5/6/2016 10:12:01 AM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
The image degradation in those looks like the wibbly wobbly heat wave mirage things. Whatever they're called.

View Quote

My riflescope gets those too, sorcerers with nothing better to do screwing with optical clarity!

Posted: 5/6/2016 4:26:45 PM EDT

[#16]

That chopper was way out there. And it was 92degrees that day. So there certainly was mirage do deal with.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Picked up a new lens for the old D90

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