Comments on: Episode 20: Lenses Part 5 http://kelbytv.com/dtowntv/2009/07/09/episode-20-lenses-part-5/ D-Town TV is a fresh approach to teaching camera tips and photographic techniques to today's digital photographers with Scott Kelby and Matt Kloskowski as its hosts. No matter what the skill level or interest, each episode covers a wide variety of topics. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:54:58 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Kent Staubus http://kelbytv.com/dtowntv/2009/07/09/episode-20-lenses-part-5/#comment-4480 Kent Staubus Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:33:50 +0000 http://www.dtowntv.com/?p=611#comment-4480 I have some of Nikon's best lenses but have never used a UV filter for "protection." I am an outdoor/adventure photographer, and photo almost daily in tough conditions. My lenses are perfect. I do use the lens hood and tough plastic lens cap every time though. Problem with UV filters for me is I do get random flare/ghosting, even with quality B+W mrc coated ones. It would actually be cheaper for me to pay to replace an occasional front lens element than to have expensive high quality multi-coated filters on each one. Don't see the point in using UV filter except maybe in very hazardous conditions. Modern lens coatings are actually very hard. I've never once had a problem. As for polarizers, I don't leave home without one. I am careful to only use the high quality multi-coated ones though. I have some of Nikon’s best lenses but have never used a UV filter for “protection.” I am an outdoor/adventure photographer, and photo almost daily in tough conditions. My lenses are perfect. I do use the lens hood and tough plastic lens cap every time though. Problem with UV filters for me is I do get random flare/ghosting, even with quality B+W mrc coated ones. It would actually be cheaper for me to pay to replace an occasional front lens element than to have expensive high quality multi-coated filters on each one. Don’t see the point in using UV filter except maybe in very hazardous conditions. Modern lens coatings are actually very hard. I’ve never once had a problem. As for polarizers, I don’t leave home without one. I am careful to only use the high quality multi-coated ones though.

]]> By: Aclim http://kelbytv.com/dtowntv/2009/07/09/episode-20-lenses-part-5/#comment-4479 Aclim Sat, 08 Aug 2009 03:16:36 +0000 http://www.dtowntv.com/?p=611#comment-4479 I have dificulty to watch this episode cause it stop at around 8 mins after playing... I try this few time, but problem still persist, anyone can help? I have dificulty to watch this episode cause it stop at around 8 mins after playing… I try this few time, but problem still persist, anyone can help?

]]> By: Marcelo Rescala http://kelbytv.com/dtowntv/2009/07/09/episode-20-lenses-part-5/#comment-4478 Marcelo Rescala Sat, 08 Aug 2009 00:40:50 +0000 http://www.dtowntv.com/?p=611#comment-4478 Thanks, really helpful tips. Thanks, really helpful tips.

]]> By: Ken Elliott http://kelbytv.com/dtowntv/2009/07/09/episode-20-lenses-part-5/#comment-4477 Ken Elliott Wed, 05 Aug 2009 22:06:53 +0000 http://www.dtowntv.com/?p=611#comment-4477 Polarizers work best when you are 90 degrees to the sun. At that angle, light is highly polarized. When you are pointed directly toward the sun, or directly away, the polarizer is less effective. Normally, this is not a big concern. But a wide angle lens may have a problem with this. Some of the super wide lenses can cover a wide range of the sky. Let's say you have the sun at your back and use a 18mm lens. In the center area, the light is not polarized, so the filter can't really darken the sky much. But the sky near the edges of your image might be highly polarized and this will let the filter darken them greatly. You'll also notice a difference top-to-bottom. So it might not be vignetting. Try taking a series of shots, moving in a full circle. If this is the cause, you'll see the north and south sky looking different from the east and west sky. Altering the aperture will not have an effect on this. But the other issue is this could be caused by stacking filters, or using filters with "thick" (long) mounting rims that extend into the picture area. When used with a wide angle lens, you may need a thin (short) mount filter. Stopping down the aperture (bigger number) will also reduce this effect. Polarizers work best when you are 90 degrees to the sun. At that angle, light is highly polarized. When you are pointed directly toward the sun, or directly away, the polarizer is less effective. Normally, this is not a big concern.

But a wide angle lens may have a problem with this. Some of the super wide lenses can cover a wide range of the sky. Let’s say you have the sun at your back and use a 18mm lens. In the center area, the light is not polarized, so the filter can’t really darken the sky much. But the sky near the edges of your image might be highly polarized and this will let the filter darken them greatly. You’ll also notice a difference top-to-bottom. So it might not be vignetting. Try taking a series of shots, moving in a full circle. If this is the cause, you’ll see the north and south sky looking different from the east and west sky. Altering the aperture will not have an effect on this.

But the other issue is this could be caused by stacking filters, or using filters with “thick” (long) mounting rims that extend into the picture area. When used with a wide angle lens, you may need a thin (short) mount filter. Stopping down the aperture (bigger number) will also reduce this effect.

]]> By: Skip Harless http://kelbytv.com/dtowntv/2009/07/09/episode-20-lenses-part-5/#comment-4476 Skip Harless Sun, 02 Aug 2009 20:36:02 +0000 http://www.dtowntv.com/?p=611#comment-4476 Just watched Episode 20 (I'm a little behind) and wanted to share a real life horrifying tidbit. Recently while shooting a 5k race my D700 with a 17-35 lens slipped off my shoulder. It hit the sidewalk lens down and it shattered. I thought the worst but I was elated to find that it was only the $24 lens hood that shattered without any other damage. Always, always use a lens hood. Great show, guys! Best regards, Skip Just watched Episode 20 (I’m a little behind) and wanted to share a real life horrifying tidbit. Recently while shooting a 5k race my D700 with a 17-35 lens slipped off my shoulder. It hit the sidewalk lens down and it shattered. I thought the worst but I was elated to find that it was only the $24 lens hood that shattered without any other damage. Always, always use a lens hood.

Great show, guys!

Best regards,

Skip

]]> By: Rogier Bos http://kelbytv.com/dtowntv/2009/07/09/episode-20-lenses-part-5/#comment-4475 Rogier Bos Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:22:16 +0000 http://www.dtowntv.com/?p=611#comment-4475 Oh man - Nikon just came out with some updates to some of their more popular lenses... Now you guys need to do a lenses-part 6 episode! :-) On a more serious note (and I realize this may be a little specialized), but I would love for you guys to demonstrate how you use a Perspectice Control Lens well. I am considering buying the 24mm version for architecture and product photography, but find myself hesitating because I am not sure how to use such a lens, and if it will do what I am hoping it will. Peace, Rogier Rotterdam, The Netherlands Oh man – Nikon just came out with some updates to some of their more popular lenses… Now you guys need to do a lenses-part 6 episode!
:-)

On a more serious note (and I realize this may be a little specialized), but I would love for you guys to demonstrate how you use a Perspectice Control Lens well. I am considering buying the 24mm version for architecture and product photography, but find myself hesitating because I am not sure how to use such a lens, and if it will do what I am hoping it will.

Peace,
Rogier
Rotterdam, The Netherlands

]]> By: Scott Schaffer http://kelbytv.com/dtowntv/2009/07/09/episode-20-lenses-part-5/#comment-4474 Scott Schaffer Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:42:33 +0000 http://www.dtowntv.com/?p=611#comment-4474 I just got a D90 with the typical kit lens (18-55mm with the higher aperture (not the greatest for low light indoors/outdoors. I am looking for a "Swiss army knife" type of lens that is a zoom that is a f2.8 that will work well with my church's upcoming Vacational Bible School. I need a multi-purpose zoom lens with low aperture (f2.8). What would you guys recommend?? I just got a D90 with the typical kit lens (18-55mm with the higher aperture (not the greatest for low light indoors/outdoors. I am looking for a “Swiss army knife” type of lens that is a zoom that is a f2.8 that will work well with my church’s upcoming Vacational Bible School.

I need a multi-purpose zoom lens with low aperture (f2.8). What would you guys recommend??

]]> By: Scott Diussa http://kelbytv.com/dtowntv/2009/07/09/episode-20-lenses-part-5/#comment-4473 Scott Diussa Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:19:58 +0000 http://www.dtowntv.com/?p=611#comment-4473 Well... Scott does play drums, too. So I guess he just can't help himself! Well… Scott does play drums, too. So I guess he just can’t help himself!

]]> By: Scott Diussa http://kelbytv.com/dtowntv/2009/07/09/episode-20-lenses-part-5/#comment-4472 Scott Diussa Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:18:11 +0000 http://www.dtowntv.com/?p=611#comment-4472 Nick, A focal length is a focal length... the numbers are what they are and if they were to represent something they are not then it would get really confusing. It's a different format if a photographer has never shot any FX/35mm equipment in the past then the DX numbers would look perfectly normal to that photographer. Nick,

A focal length is a focal length… the numbers are what they are and if they were to represent something they are not then it would get really confusing. It’s a different format if a photographer has never shot any FX/35mm equipment in the past then the DX numbers would look perfectly normal to that photographer.

]]> By: Scott Diussa http://kelbytv.com/dtowntv/2009/07/09/episode-20-lenses-part-5/#comment-4471 Scott Diussa Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:14:03 +0000 http://www.dtowntv.com/?p=611#comment-4471 Marcelo, These are actually two very related questions... If you stack filters on top of each other then you may experience vignetting in the corners of your image due to the thickness of the filter ring(s). That's what I think is happening in #2 as well. The more expensive filters are usually larger in size than the filter thread size to keep the filter from vignetting. Cheaper filters are the same size as the lens and vignetting tends to happen on those more especially with wider angle lenses. Hope this answers your questions... Scott Marcelo,

These are actually two very related questions… If you stack filters on top of each other then you may experience vignetting in the corners of your image due to the thickness of the filter ring(s). That’s what I think is happening in #2 as well. The more expensive filters are usually larger in size than the filter thread size to keep the filter from vignetting. Cheaper filters are the same size as the lens and vignetting tends to happen on those more especially with wider angle lenses.

Hope this answers your questions…
Scott

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