What did you do with your Z today

FromG2Z

YAY! Ken, I expect you to take of the device that is supposed to take the pics hehe... in other words, show us your new camera!!!

__________________
2012 5.0 GT Prem, Kona Blue, 6MT, HID, Brembo, 3.73 -- Ordered: 9/20/11, Born on: 10/20/11, Delivered 11/15/11"Marilyn" GT500 mufflers/flaps, MGW shifter, FRPP K springs, BMR panhard bar, Boss coil covers, 3DC spoiler, Llumar Tint (35% and 20%), 3M ClearBra

kenchan

yah, that's wat im hoping. i mean, considering the price it's not a huge deal... my uncle is a retired professional photographer (made those huge bulletin boards ads at airports and train stations) so hopefully during my next visit i can ask him some smart questions instead of .... uh.. so you put the circular polarizer over the UV filter? and dat doz wat again?

mr.onzedge, thank you for not stomping on the kenchan....

once im hooked in a few yrs i'll get the top of the line one from nikon at B&H's site.

hahaha, so i need a mirror...

Econ

someone sell me their stillen G3's noW!

__________________
2014 Triumph Thruxton 900
2013 Fiat 500 Abarth
2009 Nissan 370z

kenchan

why? those things are just noisy. get the HPS tubes and K&N drop-ins. same thing... if not better.

onzedge

Yes, I have the Stillen Gen II. I go them because I was not keen on pulling the bumper just to inspect/clean the air filters.

In hindsite, I think I would have gone a route like the honorable Kenchan suggests. The Stillens are cool and all, I just don't know if there is enough benefit to justify the cost. they definitely improve the throttle response and sound (and likely HP).

__________________

Koni|Swift|Michelin|Motordyne|Berk|RJM Performance|Gates|SPL|Motul|Technafit|Ate Super Blue|Hawk
Tommy Kaira|Momo|Optima|Hella|Hotchkis|Red Line|ZSpeed|Stillen|B&M|H&R

Cmike2780

Ken, skip the circular polarizer and just wait for dusk or wake up at dawn to take pics outdoors. Direct sunlight shots will always look "washed" no matter what lens you use. You might be able to get away with it if the subject is in the shade, but even then its a bit tricky. A circular polarizer will cut reflections and looks great in some cases, but really not needed in most situtation. In other words, you don't want it on all the time.

Now all you need is a speedlight flash to take good indoor shots, a "fast" low aperture lens (like a 50mm f1.8 which is really inexpensive) and of course a tripod & remote trigger.

Also, in addition to a UV filter, a lens hood is a good addition if your lens allows it (might be unlikely if you have the 18-55mm kit lens though).

__________________

[09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R]

kenchan

hey thanks for the insight. although i have some change and some toys to play with, i just dont have the luxury to choose which time to take picts. being a dad and working all week long i only get like 2-3hrs per morning on weekends to really play with my cars. which means, i dont get to choose sunny or cloudy. if rainy then obviously i just stay indoors. that said, i need a setup that could work on sunny days as well...and that means i need to have a circular polarizer, no?

nikon offers a factory hood for the lens, i think i will pick one up as well.
im not sure how the polarizer works, but does the hood need to come off when i use the polarizer?

you see, such newb questions... kinda like some of you folks asking... so how to use washlet. do i just press a button and enjoy myself? wow, that's some strong schit!!

onzedge

The hood and polarizer will work together.

I was not suggesting using the polarizer all the time, just when around glare. A polarizing filter was the first filter I ever purchased for my first SLR, a Canon FTB I got in 1974 or so and I have always had one available for my lenses from all of the film SLRs I have (and have had) to the lenses I use on my DSLR -- a Canon EOS 7D.

__________________

Koni|Swift|Michelin|Motordyne|Berk|RJM Performance|Gates|SPL|Motul|Technafit|Ate Super Blue|Hawk
Tommy Kaira|Momo|Optima|Hella|Hotchkis|Red Line|ZSpeed|Stillen|B&M|H&R

Cmike2780

You can use a cicular polarizer with a hood, but depending on the lens and hood, it might be hard to use together. To use a circular polarizer, use need to be able to adjust it. It's not like a UV filter that you just put on. You turn it to adjust.

You might be better off with a neutral density filter with direct sunlight shots.

__________________

[09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R]

kenchan

sounds great! yah, first issue i have with taking picts in the daylight with my digital cam or my droidx is glare and werd/fuzzy contrast. i want the depth so will get the polarizer for the times i need it for sure.

thanks.... huh, 'neutral density filter'... yet another new term i need to study.

Cmike2780

Sorry to bombard you with all these terms. Basically, these filters reduce the amount of light entering the lens.

Here's an example of a ND filter


Makes it easier if you see what each one actually does. Best way to learn is to try stuff out and see what works for you.

__________________

[09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R]

Red__Zed

^ agreed, except on the d3000, go with the 35mm 1.8. Freaking amazing lens for the price.

Ken, come hang out in the photography thread!

PapoZalsa

Got it out of the garage so the AC people could fix the extreme leaking from it. So I went to work, get a text from the old lady that she pull the car in the garage. My garage is a real tight space one...so I say to myself, ooh $hit..she has never driven my car.

Well got home and the car is all sideways in the garage. How she managed to park it that way and get off the car... don't ask me. Luckly there is no scratches or dent that I did notice at lunch time.

__________________
2009 370Z MB Base w/Sport Package 6MT
Modshack's Custom Air Intakes /3M Clear Bra/ Illuminated Kick Plates / F. I CBE w/12" resonators / EVO-R Front Lip / Rear Hatch Wing / Tein S-Tech Springs /Ilegal Tint in the Rep. of VA/4x20mm Z1 Spacers/ Vinyl Roof/Liquid Carbon Designs

kenchan

so she did a burn-out dorifuto into the garage?

anyway hope you dont find any scratches...


btw, i can't find the Neutral Density filter at B&H.... where to buy such filter lens?

Cmike2780

I can't get on the B&H website for some reason, but here's a link to a local shop I go to. There are different kinds depending on how dark you want to go, but the one below allows you to adjust. I usually go with Hoya, but I don't think they make a variable ND filter.

Polaroid 52mm HD Multi-Coated Variable Range Neutral Density Filter

Just know that because your allowing less light in with a ND filter, your shutter speed will need to be longer to achieve a correct exposure. You might need a tripod or at least a flat surface to keep your images sharp.

Note: Don't confuse with the graduated neutral density filter which has only has half the filter dark.

Also, I would take some shots without buying the filter first to see if you really need it. You'll get better results buying a book on photography than any filter. You could get away with just adjusting how your camera exposes the image. It's where one subject could underexposed and another could be overexposed in the same frame that filters come in handy.... or if you want to capture blurred movement in bright situtations like a waterfall.

__________________

[09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R]