I really miss my Minox GL35.
I'd love a simple light viewfinder digital camera with manual focus and aperture so long as it had an immediate shutter and low light sensitivity. I wouldn't need an LCD screen or other faff. It would have to produce RAW so I could attend to anything after download.
I'm using an Olympus Mu at the moment. For some reason my Fuji GX680 doesn't come on many rides with me.
2nd Lightroom. Amazing bit of software.
Sell, steal, do anything you can to get on that course. I learnt so much that weekend.
Looks like you're mates with Dom and Jamie judging by your Flickr stream. Done a few photo shoots with those guys last year. Would be happy to do another one soon and maybe help out with some tips I learnt from the course.
Not criticising, just pointing it out. [ego massaging mode] Your pics are one of the main reasons I got into this, inspiration if you like
why thank you Peter! But I'm so conceited it doesn't do well to admit this kind of thing. However, I'm all in favour of encouraging people to experiment with photography - each individual brings a new way of looking!
slight panning 2 weeks ago:
- but you're right, I don't do it much unless the light conditions demand.
Again, I don't think you use a flash, do you?
I hate it, because I'm trying to show what I see, and I never see lights shining from a) the camera b) the bushes. I agree it's useful for filling in shadows, but I never have the presence of mind to think of it.
I hate it, because I'm trying to show what I see..
Sadly the dynamic range of our eyes is waaaaay better than the sensors in our cameras, so your camera may not be able to record what you see without using a flash.
Could do with some fill in flash in that shot.
I would have thought the use of flash for MTB photography can remove a lot of mood and atmosphere from the photo. Granted, you'll get that covershot photo look if that's what you're after. However, sometimes the detail is in what you don't see. And that's art.
I hate it, because I'm trying to show what I see
Yep, me too. Hence the flash... I can see people's faces when I watch them and IMO that's the essence of the pic. Get the face well lit and you set the mood. Shots like this -
I really like it, but the front of the rider is dark, lacking detail. That's what I was struggling with....I rckon if I'd have had a bit of flash to fill the face and front of the rider in, from camera left, that would have beeen the perfect shot. 
Next time.....
For Canon RAW conversion, the software supplied with the camera (Canon DPP) is far better than any 3rd party effort. With DPP you also get rudimentary editing facilities such as curves, contrast, saturation, noise reduction, sharpening, cloning etc. It can often be enough to sort a picture out. If not, Elements should be more than enough - I have yet to find a reason to ditch Elements in favour of the full blown Photoshop, on the basis that if Elements isn't enough, the picture is probably shit in the first place.
I rckon if I'd have had a bit of flash to fill the face and front of the rider in, from camera left, that would have beeen the perfect shot.
Maybe, but it is bloody anti-social. I suspect I'm not the only one who'd applaud the sight of a photographer being beaten to death with their flash at the 24s
At night, I'd totally agree with you. I wouldn't touch a flash at night. Usesless, IMO.
At night you get this, pretty easily, without a flash...
@Epicyclo
Lacking dedication? 1/10 FAIL!
the GX680 is the perfect MTB camera...
(I had one on loan once. I don't think it ever went outside, except to put it in the car. Lovely bit of kit though.)
@Dudie: Have you tried Lightroom 2.x or 3 yet? If not, I suggest you give them a crack, as you may be very pleasantly surprised. Yes, DPP IS good, but it can't compete with a feature rich package that all but removes the need for visiting Photoshop 99% of the time, and does a great job of archiving your work to boot. It's changed my life. The only downside is that it isn't free.
Great night shot Peter!
Yeah like that!
I should probably take more pics at night then..?
I had a look at a G11 today - it's very impressive but @£460 so I'll have to get rid of my DSLR kit first - any suggestions where to advertise it? (other than ebay)
If i were looking at the G11 - I'd also be looking at the G10 because its a fair bit cheaper and the Panasonic GF1 or Olympus EP1 because they're a little bit dearer.
I had a look at a G11 today - it's very impressive but @£460 so I'll have to get rid of my DSLR kit first - any suggestions where to advertise it? (other than ebay)
5th - the present kit bag is:
Konica Minolta 5d with 18-70 kit lense, Sony 18-200, Minolta 28mm 2.8, Minolta 3600 HS flashgun - all in great condition, filters on the lenses from new, Lowepro No 4 AW bag - I also have a Manfrotto tripod but I may keep that for the next camera
I've had a lot more decent advice on here than some of the photography forums so it may be worth trying it on here first - thanks for the advice
Have you considered an LX3? Just swapped my Canon G9 for one although not sure if it was for the better yet (after one trip out).
Liking the wide angle but not that impressed with the photos yet. Think they may take a little more work to get right compared to the canon. Lx is much smaller too and the new firmware has auto bracketing for +3. Bugger all zoom though.
G9 is virtually the same as G10 as far as I can tell apart from the slightly larger wide-angle too.
Lumix DMC-GF1 has to be worth a look if you are feeling flush, Micro Four Thirds probably about the same size as a G10.
"x"th Lightroom. A vital tool when processing many images.
As for the camera, can I ask why you wouldn't just use the KM? Its the right tool for the job? How about a second hand DSLR body with a cheap fast 50mm prime for low light stuff? Say a Nikon D70 and 50mm f1.8?
Off camera flash, I dont mind it being obvious, and used well it can really make an image. I use it a lot, from my wedding work to DH race coverage. I dont think head on in a race situation is the right time for that though. Naturally, each to their own. I love natural light, evocative and serene images as much as I like flat out, ragging the tits off a bike shots. I just happen to be better at the latter! More to the point, in the pretty thick forests where we ride, natural light isn't around too much.
Simon, fair play for taking a D300 riding with you. I only stick to very gentle stuff when I have my gear with me.
Some nice work there guys.
@Dudie: Have you tried Lightroom 2.x or 3 yet? If not, I suggest you give them a crack, as you may be very pleasantly surprised.
Nope, but it sounds like I should. Thanks for the heads up.
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