Fotkins' Collective Wisdom

Macro lens

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:22:07 GMT

Is this the correct forum to ask this question? The only lens I am missing for my collection is a macro lens. I am using the nikon system and I try to stick with Nikkor lenses unless somebody gives me a really good recommendation for another lens that will work with my Nikon d5100. Here are the lenses I am considering: AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G $300 CA AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED $580 CA AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR $500 CA AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED $900 CA I am not nor will I ever consider being a professional photographer, but at the same time, I don't want to spend money on something that I will grow out of. I have read that the 40mm or 60mm macro lenses will cast a shadow on the subject because you have to get so close to it. Also, if you are trying to take a bug or something shy, as most small creature are, you can't get close enough to get a good photo. The 85mm is cheaper than the 60mm so it makes it look like a good deal, but why is it cheaper? I could afford to save up for the 105mm, but I don't want to pay that much, unless I knew it would actually take photos that I couldn't get with the cheaper models. Plus Ken Rockwell says it 'breathes' thus loosing focus when you take the photo. I don't even know if I would actually notice this. Does anybody have any of these lenses? Also keep in mind the d5100 does not have an auto focus on-camera so will not auto-focus on lenses that are not marked AF-S. I know that you are supposed to manual focus with macro shots anyway so it should not be an issue, but I am slow and have a really bad astigmatism so I kind of suck at this. I may get better, but in the mean time, I would really like to at least have the option to auto-focus.

These could be new members

Sat, 12 May 2012 06:22:58 GMT

Viv if your not to busy would you mind to take a look at the lighthouse Album ,,this a very small group I started at probus in the last few weeks,,most have point and shoot and more of a fun group to take a picture rather than just snapping away...I have a few places to take them, to me the result was not bad for the first time,,,with your past help I did have to crop rather hard on the edits and give them a little lift here and there,,,,,we could run a couple in the other furum what do you think? May copy this to another furum and see the reply Regards Roy

I can't get response from Customer Support

Sun, 6 May 2012 18:50:30 GMT

Is anyone else having this issue. I first emailed support@fotki.com on August 21 telling them that a customer had a problem with a print. A few days later, they emailed me asking me to send a "snapshot" of the print in question. I don't think I should have to request that a customer I don't know go to all this trouble, so I asked Support to please replace the print and send it to the customer. I haven't heard back since. The customer also tried contacting Fotki a few times before but never heard back. I'm disturbed about the lack of support, so I'm thinking of switching to a different company. Have any of you had this problem? Is there no phone number to call?

FOTKI member search "No Member Found"

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:59:02 GMT

OK so here is the trouble Fotki can't seem to fix. And I have had others try this from other PC in different geographic locations and got the same “No Member Found” issue. Go to the FOTKI main page: http://public.fotki.com/gopackgo/fotki-inquiry-id/1-main-page.html And enter gopackgo in the Members Search and everyone (except for Fotki) is getting: http://public.fotki.com/gopackgo/fotki-inquiry-id/2-not-found.html but then click on the Radio Button on the same page with gopackgo already filled in by Fotki's site and you get: http://public.fotki.com/gopackgo/fotki-inquiry-id/3-found.html Why can’t Fotki get this resolved? I have used several different PC and MAC users and they all get the “Member not Found” when typing in gopackgo from your main page. I opened this at the "Customer service center" 11/27/2011. Please let me know if I am insane. If you go to the FOTKI main page and in the Member Search field type in gopackgo, do you find me? Please let me know if you do or do not not so I can let FOTKI know. Please HELP me out here!!!!!!!!!! This is what Fotki is saying: As promised, I have forwarded this issue to our technical team some time ago, but as of yet they cannot say anything definitive because, as strange and frustrating as this may sound, we can all search you up successfully. I wonder what is different between us and your friends. Are they Fotki members as well? Were they logged in at the time they tried to find you in our system? I will raise this issue again and share any news I can get on this one. Happy Holidays, Julia, Fotki Team

How would you add to this........

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:35:16 GMT

I do not think this is for the other forum,, I have taken a few of this type of peir, but would like your thoughts how we could change it or add a little more life to it,,,,,low tide ,,,waves a dog or such? people would be good but you know how it is these days with a camera in hand,,,,,,,,,,,, Roy

portrait

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 04:07:43 GMT

Hello All Could someone please explain the definition “Portrait”? I think I got it all wrong again:(. I find that in the b/w PORTRAIT contest are more “normal” b/w photos than portraits but what exactly is a portrait? Wishing you all a great week end Christel

is it possible to use old nikkor-p 105mm f2.5 auto on Nikon D80 ?

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:07:49 GMT

Does any one has any idea if it is possible to use old nikkor-p 105mm f2.5 auto on Nikon D80 ? I am well aware that I would not be able to use auto features, and it will be 100% manual camera but it is well with me. I only want to know if it will be possible to mount lens on without any further conversion.

Is fotki being abandoned?

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:50:07 GMT

I love fotki but I see cracks starting to appear and I am worried these may turn into bigger cracks which may even lead to photo files becoming corrupted or even lost forever. I hope I am wrong. 1. Multi tag search does not work any more. Try tagging two words on a photo then search the two words in your own account search box. 2. Slideshow on my co-branded page does not work properly. On my co branded page if you click on a photo in the slideshow it used to take you to the photo. Now it says error not found. There are other problems but the above two are really important to me. I have contacted help several times and each time is the same sort of answer "Thank you we will pass this on to our technical team" That's as far as it goes. So to add my wisdom to this forum I would say even though fotki up to now has been reliable for photo storage you really don't know what is around the corner and personally I would advise backing photo files up on a usb hard drive or on dvd's just in case those little cracks become big ones.

http://www.worqx.com/color/complements.htm].....

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:45:25 GMT

This topic came up in the other forum regarding some flowers growing in this part of the world this time of the year what are your thoughts regarding color complents,,,,,,,,my thoughts well nature sure seems to get it right and with that you have a wide scope,,, This may be a desirable illusion hmmmmmmmmmmmm Roy

New Camera Advice Please

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:59:05 GMT

Which way to go? Nikon, Canon or Sony? I now have an Olympus point and shoot. A friend has suggested Nikon D5100 with a Tamron 18-270 lens. My budget is under $2000. Any and all suggestions are welcome? I'll mostly be photographing wildlife, macro and landscapes. I do need pretty decent video also. Thanks in advance for your help.

photo of the week comp.

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 16:15:40 GMT

I am not sure if others feel as i do, but the result of this past weeks comp beggars belief, the winning photo was not even in consideration two days before voting finished, it achieved only six or so comments, yet jumps to the top more or less overnight. This is not sour grapes on my part, i thought Helenes photo was a moral right from the start, and honestly believed there were a few others better than my own, im not sure whats gone on here , but i dislike it intensely, in fact it stinks.

Histogram's

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 02:37:59 GMT

Many pages regarding this Topic,,,,,but 1,,,,,,,,is to what extent do you use it? this just one for starters so you don't mix me up as you know that is easy to do,,,,,,,,,,what started this page 151 elements book got up to step 15 ,and thought this is a hard way to fix you image ,, Roy

How To Take A Great Nature Photograph (tips by Al Perry)

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 03:38:32 GMT

The screenshots below are from an article about one of fotki's best photographers Al Perry. I asked him if he would mind if I posted it here for fellow fotkins to glean some tips, and he graciously agreed.

Al has written an excellent photography entry in this forum already which can be found here: http://forum.fotki.com/fotkicom/11728432511/fotkins-collective-wisdom/wqrfbfgwtt/ You can find Al's fotki website here: http://members.fotki.com/alperry/about/ Many fotkins may not be familiar with Al's profile, so (with his permission), here are some details and some fabulous photographs. A PDF file, an article on Shooting the Competitive Photo Contest: Images for Conservation Fund (ICF) First Contest 2006 http://www.naturescapes.net/062006/ap0606.htm Al's cover shot for NatureEscapes.Net magazine: http://www.naturescapes.net/covers/062006.htm A slideshow of 176 images (Warning this is a 367 Mb file, but trust me, well worth the download) http://alperry.com/files/ICF.zip

FILTERS ON CAMERA

Wed, 5 Oct 2011 11:26:11 GMT

i have a pretty large selection of Cokin filters in what they call the the p series Some of the most useful are ND8 and ND4 ,neutral density filters which i use extensivley for water fall shots to slow shutter speed and get the soft milky water look. Next i like to use the Graduated grey and blue . the grey give excellent definition in clouds and the blue is super for getting dark blue sky. i have an star 8 which is fun to use for special effect stars coming of the lights in your shots. i also have a sun set filter for intensifying the colours of the first light just wondering if any of you are users of filters or do you do it all on camera?? there are some draw backs with filters, such as more chance of lens flare particulary if you have 2 or 3 stacked on the front of the camera cheers don

URGENT...Fotki being used By SCAM Artists......

Wed, 5 Oct 2011 10:46:08 GMT

Dear Fotki Users... I received an Email from a regitered Fotki User going by the Username of "Sofayalove" After receiving this email and Replying i quickly realised that it was a SCAM and want to let you all know that this is happening. PLEASE understand that this would NOT have anything to do with the Fotki Team and they also should be aware that this is happening on ther WebSite. This User needs to be removed as soon as possible and claims she is from SENEGAL and stuck in a Refugee camp. Please Read the following Emails I have Received and DO NOT REPLY to them whatever you do.... I replied once to see how she would respond and it is very clear that she does not exist. EMAIL 1 - Hello,Dear I hope my massage meet you well,it's my pleasure reaching you with my massage,my name is miss Sofaya Gomesena,i'm a young lady with a good sence of humour.i joined here newly to saerch for a good relationship. And i went trough your profile here at (www..fotki.com) reading trough,i raely enjoyed it,i developed intrest to know you more better. please kindly send me reply,so i will be able to tell you more about me and also send you my phonto. am hoping to llo,Dear.read from you soon,with much love and espectation of your responds,have a nice time.kisessssss. y our newfriend. Sofaya. Email 2 - Hello Dear How are you doing,i hope you are fine,am very happy to recieve your reply to my mail,that shows me how wonderfull and carring you proved to me. my pleasure will always be by reading from you,and i believe we can keep up with a good relationship,the future i believe will be so brigth,please lets treat each other with true love and passion. my name is (sofaya Gomesena)a young and decent african lady,from Sudan.am 23 yrs old,and as you can see in my photo i'm a little lite fair lady with an average built and 171cm i also have the weight of 60kg,and i hope you dont mind,what matter's to me is a true and lovely relationship, my father name is Mr Fredrick Gomesena, a former special adviser to our late haed of state,i was a student at the university of Darfur Sudan while studing (social science)before the war. right now my dear am living in senegal as a refugee,becuase since after the war,i was taken down to senegal by the red cross society,now am living in the refugee camp. here in this refugee camp,we are been taken care by the (UNHCR)which is the united nations high commision for refugee. i feel so lonely here,losing both parents and a younger brother,i was having good friends during my school in the university,but all of a suden i found my self in a refugee camp. i want to have a good relationship to make feel happy and forget my past,i believe by having you to be my good freind,and i believe with you by my side am going to find my happiness once again. i believe with a good sence of humour and much understading with love and trust,our future will shine more brigther than we think,and i believe we will never regret knowing each other,as my promise is that i will keep on loving you. going trough your profile,i picked a very good intrest over you,and i believe in a truthful and lovely relationship,i am a very simple lady,having good intentions for a better future,ready to share good times and also bad time's, i came from a God fearing family,my mother,name is Mrs Mariam Gomesena ok/// about my hobbies,i like to whacth movies,like reading,sports,swiming,handball;keep fit. please i will also like you to tell me much about your self,in you next mail,and also send me your photo,for me to know you more better,i will be sending you mine along with this massage. have a nice time with much love and kisess. yours. Sofaya. EMAIL 3 - Hello My Dear What a wonderful beginning to a new lovely relationship!me finding you, online, confessing my love, and then it happens all over again. The feelings that I’ve felt for you all along begin to resurface. Only this time, I am free to act on them without fear of upsetting anyone. Dear What more can a woman say to man who opened her heart to him, allowing him to feel the warmth of her love across the great distance that separates them? You truly have no idea what I feel for you. I try to put this feeling into words, but fail miserably. This feeling of being both scared and at peace, of having both butterflies and a sense of calm, is a feeling that I have only dreamed about. As the days continue to pass, my love for you continues to grow. I never thought I had the capacity to love anybody as much as I love you right now. Yet, my love for you continues to mature, growing beyond the realm of my heart. It seems that you have become the fiber of my soul, the very reason for my existence. I have no other words to describe the way you make me feel. No words, no actions could even come close. I believe that Ronald Regan said it best to Nancy in a letter, telling her only that, "I more than love you". Their love was a strong love, surviving everything, even death. I believe that even after his passing, Nancy felt Ronald's love for her raining down upon her. That is why she has always seemed at peace after the death of such a truly loving husband. That is the love that I feel for you. I wish I didn't have to miss you. If only you could be with me always. I know I could never be any happier. But then again, I know that the day will come when I will be able to spend my every waking moment with you. I even miss you when I am sleeping! I love you, babe. You are my first and my only love, and I thank you for be so kind with my heart. Hopefully, soon I won't have to hate missing you. sometimes i felt like calling you on phone's but that is beyond my capacity,as we are not allowed to handle phone's in the refugee camp here. if i were prevelaged to make a call i would have done it,my day's to day's dream is to meet that man of my chosen heart,dear you have put an inpact to me and you should bear this in mind,my love for you will never die. i want to get out of this place to meet with you,and share the whole day's of my life with you,i want to be your loving wife, my love i wait to read from you as soon as possible with all my love and trust have a nice time. Forever Yours, Sofaya. EMAIL - 4 My Dearest Friend many thanks to you. I am very grateful recieving your sweet and wonderful reply. it has been to me a greath pleasure been in contact with you. i am a decent young lady with a good sence of humour. from central Africa sudan, but presently live's in Rosso refugee camp Senegal,with the help of the?UNHCR.and THE REDCROSS SOCIETY. this is do to the war conflict in my home country sudan,which started on December 23, 2005. the war lead to the lost of my late father,Dr.,fred.Gomesena .whom was shot in his car on his way home from work.my late father was a successfully business man,while. My mother miss mariam .F.Gomesena,whom was one of the leader of the womens wing,of,ECS - Episcopal Church of the Sudan (ECS) Head of the Church in the Sudan,Juba (Sudan),died on the 3rd of march 2008,after surferring from a heart attack. these incidents leads to my present agony and surffering,stoping me from my university course of social science. after the death of my father, and that of my late mother Miss Maraim .F. Gomesena,life has been treating me so bad. please i do not mean to bother you with my present condition,but sincerly speaking i believe that problem been shared is almost solved. my dear please my reason of contacting you is that i am only daughter of my late parent's,been lonely having no parents or relative's. please dear am contacting you in request of help,which i believe you will understand with me. to seek for your assistance in the area of helping me out of this refugee camp and also to help me transfer the money my late father deposited in the bank over to your account in your home country. please i am afraid of lossing my life down here if poeple get to know about it,that is why i seek for your help,inorder for me to leave here and join you,for a better future,as soon as the money is transfered into your account. please i want to get out of this refugge camp,so that i will continue my education to live for a better future. dear please i request for your otmost understanding and surport,as am having having the neccessary documents given to me by my late father in order to claim the deposited money which i am the soul beneficairy,and next of kin. i needed your assistant to transfer this money into your account pending my arrival to meet with you over there in your country to continue my education,while you go into investing the money in any bussiness well knwon by you. this is becuase the bank has advised me to look for one of my relative's or a trusted foreign partner that will help me transfer the money,since i am a refugee status. The amount is(6.5 Million US Dollars)( Six Million five Hundred Thousand US Dollars) My late father made this deposit with the bank some years back, the money was deposited as a family treasure, which i am the next of kin to my late family! i am asking you to stand on my behalf as my foriegn trustee partner to transfer the money to your account over in your country . please my day's to day's dream is to get out of this refugee camp complete my education and become useful to the society. Pls grant me the grace of adopt as your own blood sister / wife or trustee partner, to manage this money for investment project,and also to help me in my area of education. I have made up my mind to offer you 15% out of the total money as soon as the money is been transfered to you. I will give you all the necassary information of the deposited money and the contact of the bank so that you will consult the bank for more dirrective's. i my self will also inform the bank about you,been my trusted partner,and whom i will like the bank to transferd to your account. Dearest one,I truely need your assistance towards my situation,and pray by God grace you be a help to me with much understanding and trust. I am looking forward to recieved your's kind responds . Yours in love, Sofaya. PLEASE FOTKI TEAM, You have a fantastic WebSite and im sure you want to protect the loyal and trusting users of your site so PLEASE see what you can do to monitor these unlawfull acts that can do so much damage to an inoccent and trustworthy person who may be willing to help someone who cleary has BAD INTENSIONS.. Regards, Jinky77......... :( by: Jinky77

Is it legal to post pix of people without permission?

Wed, 5 Oct 2011 10:20:45 GMT

I see that such as "street photography," photojournalism, etc. captures images of people and they are published without release form or permission of subjects. RECENTLY, we were taken by friends to a meeting where controversial discussion and practices exist. Some shutter-happy soul took pictures including us and they are now posted on a website and the site sells books of the event. Is this in any way illegal? Does law sanction their "right" to post our image on their site? Thank you, Certo

Report THIS as SPAM!

Wed, 5 Oct 2011 09:51:49 GMT

You have all heard me scream and rant about Fotki.. but THIS is a perfect example of why I have let my membership expire and spend so little time here. Peter has reported this latest batch of spam as did I.. it has been here now for 3 days. One of the other sites where I now spend more of my time seems a bit more proactive.. well here is an email I received from them after reporting a spammer leaving messages in every bodies guestbooks: Thanks so much for reporting this. The spammer has been removed. Best Regards, - Admins Not only was spam removed, but I received a thanks. This was less than 6 hours later. Folks, don't let your familiarity with this site blind you to the fact that the internet is a big place with many opportunities to interact, learn, share and grow. You don't have to waste your money or energy on a site that continues to ignore even the most basic of customer service. (OH, and this site that I am now on... FREE)

Before and After

Wed, 5 Oct 2011 09:27:42 GMT

No, I still haven't figured out the setting for exifs. Mea culpa - still working on it. I believe though, that the settings for this shot was plain "Auto" and I took this image out of the trash bin to practice my skills in editing. Here's the original: ..and here's the edited version. I tried to reduce the noise, lighten it and turn the eyes from high beam fog lights into eyes by using the paint brush and the smudge tool. Also used different layers of vivid light (16% opacity) and pin light.

Still trash or semi acceptable ? :-))) I really value your opinion ! I don't want to make excuses, but the deer was at least 30 ft. away and the light conditions lousy. I liked the pose though and that's why I tried to save it after all.

Camerapedia

Tue, 4 Oct 2011 20:22:17 GMT

Some of you may already know of it, but I just discovered Camerapedia while searching for a defunct camera company from WWII era Germany and was amazed at the amount of knowledge on this camera bearing my name, Certo, and its manufacturing company. Anyway, Camerapedia may prove to be a great resource for camera buffs. http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Camerapedia

just a topic

Tue, 4 Oct 2011 18:09:13 GMT

what ever camera brand you buy most have there own software,but as I see it a lot of people you talk to use adobe,,,,,,,that has more than one level plus all the add on's, hours can be spent just to master one of these,,,,,,,,Confuseing to many,,,,,,,,yes... then along come's say Niki and claim there software is twice as easy to use but it would cost you exta $$ ,,,,I am for a easy way out to learn (lol) but like all things it does come dowm to how good you are at your job, like a salesman at you local camera show who knows his product inside out, the next step for most will be 3d , but for me it is Scott Kelby elements 9 well worth the few $$ ..............Roy

Please Post Your Suggestions on Fotki Forums Structure Here!

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:18:51 GMT

Dear Fotkins, as Fotki Forums are for you, you are the ones who know which categories and forums should be added first of all. You are welcome to post your ideas and discuss them in this topic.

This Forum Is For Photography Discussions Only!

Thu, 9 Sep 2010 08:01:24 GMT

Please DO NOT post off-topics here! They will be deleted. If you have a problem using Fotki or if you would like to ask a question about using Fotki, please submit an inquiry to our Customer Service: http://myaccount.fotki.com/customer_service/new_inquiry/ Fotki customer service team responds to customer inquiries in a very prompt fashion, so using this form is almost like talking to a live person. Also, you can call us using the numbers from this page: http://about.fotki.com/contact_us/.