Calling all Photography nerds!

I enjoy photography quite a bit, and I use a old Nikon D40 SLR with a newer Tamron 18-270 lens. People scoff at a 10 year old, 6mp digital SLR, but it does what it does and I am super happy with it. I think the last time I checked the shutter count it was like 28,000 or so. I lug it everywhere, for when a shot presents. I absolutely refuse to edit shots in any way, because I feel that cheapens the experience.

Most of my current pics and trip reports are linked in my signature.

These are from my last trip, to Idaho, in October 2016...





Probably one of my favorite pics, near Cinnamon Pass, although this was taken with a P&S camera (Canon Elph) in 2010:



And since OP asked for a truck pic...

Old...



New...

 

Mix of my new and old truck. Forgot how many awesome places my Tacomas have taken me, gets me pumped to head out somewhere new this weekend!!

My camera gear is lacking these days, most of these taken with an iPhone

But also shoot with my humble Sony A6000

 

Why wouldn't you edit your photos yourself instead of relying on your camera to interpret the image. I understand not wanting to change the picture and photoshop it beyond what you actually saw but I feel relying on the camera to do a proper job could be a bit of a crap shoot at times.

 

I can say this, even when shooting for ESPN where I transmit live via Mifi to an editors desk (hence, no editing in camera, not even allowed to set in camera stuff like contrast or sharpness), the images still get editing before hitting the web or print. You almost have to with DSLR if for no other reason than to overcome the anti-aliasing filter which essentially altered the image from what you saw to begin with. I'm not a fan of huge cross processing (although there are times its appropriate for artistic reasons) but mild sharpness, color, and curves edits will generally improve an image and render it closer to what you saw. Remember, the dynamic range of your eyes blows away anything that the DSLR ever has, or ever will cook up.

 

Lots of great pics!!

Nikon D3300 Photo dump (Had to add the dog pics)

Big Sur, Ca





Graveyard Lakes, Ca



Kearsarge Pass (Kings Canyon), Ca

 

I have a question for yall... since I bought the truck been taken more pictures of the truck and landscapes of my adventure. What would be a good beginner nikon camera? I want something on the higher end of beginners to lower moderate level.

 

While I shoot mainly DSLR, I would actually suggest consider a micro 4/3rds camera. They are amazing in image quality and function, a bit more affordable (obviously dependent on many variables) and very easy to travel with. I've done family trips where I leave all my pro gear at home in favor of an older Olympus OMD and never really regret it. Just something to consider.

 

Good glass, then buy whatever body you can afford after that. It's very difficult to go wrong with a body from Nikon or canon in the last five years or so and used is fine. Just make a few photos you can check with it before you buy it.

 

Yeah, Ansel Adams really ended up cheapening his images...

 

misc. stuff. I am a photographer by trade (www.360tours.net), but try to dabble into creative stuff, some with significant post-processing...

 

Ansel Adams was a hack!

Nah... just kidding. I actually take a lot of inspiration from Ansel Adams. I especially enjoy his contemporary O Winston Link, I think I enjoy photos of infrastructure as much as I do photos of nature. As far as editing, I just don't like tweaking images. I'm also not selling or disseminating my images so there's no reason to try and make them appeal to anyone but me, and I like to take the shot as I see it at the time, not as it can later be made. Just me. I have a co-worker who takes some great shots but he spends more time editing photos than he does taking them, and for me the pleasure is in getting out there and taking them.

 

dude spent more time in a dark room than in the field! then again, I couldn't shoot f/64 if I had to!

 

You guys have any recommendations for a decent entry level camera? Something under $300.

 

I was just poking fun. I totally get where you are coming from. I shot slide film for a long time so I'm very used to what comes out of the camera is all you've got. Since I also shot a fair bit of B&W and am used to doing darkroom work I prefer shooting RAW and post-processing. But I also completely understand finding some good in camera JPEG settings and then just working with that. No "right" way to do things!

 

Sony A6000



Canon 80D




DJI



Canon XSi

 

There has been very little improvement in camera sensors for a few years now. So that means you can get older models on clearance or used at a good discount and not be missing out on anything.

For under $300 and good for truck photos and landscape I'd recommend a "bridge" camera and at that price point with a 1/2.3" sized sensor. Something like the Canon SX60 or other "super-zoom" model from a few years ago.

 

Favorite pic so far ... where is this?

 

OK thanks. I'll check it out. Was looking at the SX540 as well.

 

You should/can find a good used Canon or Nikon model camera with a proven good track record. Find out how it was used and by whom.
Some pros use their equipment hard and often but they still know it's limitations and respect their investment. Just know where the camera /and lens(es) came from. When you find one you want use it a lot and "get the hell off of the auto setting". Using a DSLR on "full-auto" is the same as using a point and shoot and some "better" cell phones. The camera is making ALL of the decisions for you -and as a result -you learn NOTHING!
Use Aperture Priority or shutter priority starting out and watch how either of these settings will change your shots. When you get this --then graduate to full manual -- after some time (varies) --the settings will come naturally.
If after some time you are still interested -- you can move up to better camera bodies and better lenses.
Good luck!!