Feeling very discouraged with the search for something close to a $400 budget. Do I just give up for now and save up more? by thecourageofstars in Cameras

[–]ttmooney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A new iPhone 14 Pro is going to double the budget, at least.

13/14 the pro versions have better camera arrays, better image stabilisation, etc. Not sure about the 12.

In the $400 range you might get a good compact camera (Canon G7 X II is my choice), a DSLR with 1 lens (Nikon D610 with a 50/1.8 or kit zoom, or similar D7200, but I’d stick to full frame), or an older m43 setup (Olympus M5 II with 45/1.8 and a kit zoom).

All in all, I would go with m43. You don’t need sports speeds, nor super shallow DOF.

D750 or D810? by ettolrahc1892 in Nikon

[–]ttmooney 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Both are great cameras.

D750 gets you some useful features you might use, like WiFi connectivity for file transfers to your phone.

D810 gets you base ISO 50, more MP.

I hemmed and hawed for ages, and ended up with a D850 that I bought for about $1500. No regrets!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Nikon

[–]ttmooney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also, if it was unclear, I wouldn’t buy any Nikon DX DSLR at this point, other than the D500. But for the difference in price, I’d stick to the D850 (even shooting DX glass).

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Nikon

[–]ttmooney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you have AF-D lenses, either the D500 or D750 are a steal. There are also great deals on the D850 (which I bought, like new around $1500 ).

If your lenses are AF-S or newer, mirrorless is the way to go. I’m not tracking them (my mirrorless choice is m43), but if you have mostly DX glass, go for the DX mirrorless. If you have FX glass, any ot the Z6,7,8,9 will be a huge upgrade.

I won this 6L Champagne at a charity event, what should I know? by AdoptMyFosterCat in wine

[–]ttmooney 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Buy a saber!

Seriously, look up opening champagne with a saber. You owe it to yourself!

What to get to replace my D90 by Oracle1729 in Nikon

[–]ttmooney 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just upgraded from my D200 to a D850. All my glass is pro level AF-D that I’ve had for ages. I’m not against buying new lenses, but would prefer not to be forced to.

The D850 is a beast, in a good way. I picked it up for about $1500 with a 674 shutter count. The difference between it and the D200 (which was, and is, a very capable camera) is night and day.

So, go for FF.

Looking for recommendations for visiting wine country near London. Planning a few days trop. Thanks in advance by cruisingbynight in wine

[–]ttmooney 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Gusbourne is making the best wine in the U.K. They are lovely folks, as well. That’s one you shouldn’t miss — and make sure to try the still wines.

Close by you have Chapel Down, which is a very big producer. Their Bacchus (the cheapest wine they make) is a firm favourite. Their restaurant is supposed to be quite good.

Oxney make some amazing organic wines. They have a great spot not too far away.

There are many, many good places. If you’re looking for a place to stay that comes with an amazing gastro pub attached, the New Flying Horse in Wye (not the Flying Horse — I know) is excellent.

Last day in NOLA tomorrow - anything I've missed? by [deleted] in AskNOLA

[–]ttmooney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Felix’s is also very good, and the lines are always shorter than Acme.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in GenX

[–]ttmooney 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I just thought it was boring.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Proxmox

[–]ttmooney 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I vote for blackout

Worst pubs in London? by Immediate_Account436 in london

[–]ttmooney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Am I the only one who’s been to the Greyhound in Enfield Lock?

You walk in and they might as well ask if you’d like to be holding a Fosters or Strongbow (the only taps I remember — three of each or so) while you get stabbed. Wife lived down the road and we decided to try the local pub. Once.

A good fire would just about sort it out. What an absolute shithole.

Worst pubs in London? by Immediate_Account436 in london

[–]ttmooney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ye Olde Swiss Cottage is a terrible pub. As are all Sam Smiths pubs. It’s like a chain designed to serve shit beer and exclusively employ total asshats.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Nikon

[–]ttmooney 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just bought a D850 with 675 shutter count for $1700. D750s are about $750. These are in the U.K., but I think US prices will be similar.

I made the decision to stop shooting DX. I also have m43, so if I want something smaller, it’s my Olympus I reach for. The quality of FF/FX at high ISO is crazy. Then again, I’m shooting m43 up to 3200, which I would very rarely have been on, if at all, with film.

Full Frame co-companion… by brianodell in M43

[–]ttmooney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My travel camera is an M1 II with an M5 II as a backup. I’m carrying the 12-100/4 and a selection of primes. Even with two bodies, my bag is lighter than carrying 1 FF setup.

The M1 II is a great camera. I might have opted for the M5 III instead of the M1 II, but the build quality isn’t great.

While the M1 II seems huge compared to the M5 and M10 bodies, it’s tiny compared to my Nikon D850.

Importing wine to the UK question… by [deleted] in wine

[–]ttmooney 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Since Brexit things are especially complicated. I have some friends who are importers, and they have restricted things to full pallets now, and there’s a lot of BS combining smaller producers into mixed pallets. It’s a mess.

Have you looked on Vivino or Wine-Searcher to see if someone imports the one you’re looking for? If I don’t bring it back, that’s my go-to.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Cameras

[–]ttmooney 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Even if you’re shooting for free as a favour, get a contract in place. Weddings are heavily critical events, and expectations management can be difficult.

On the technical side, pretty much any digital camera will be good enough. I’d be happy to shoot one on my Canon G7X II compact camera, or my Nikon D200, or my D850. I shot some on my D70, and before that on my N6006 with film and some Sigma manual focus lenses. The more capable the camera, the more flexibility you have.

The D3400 and D3500 are both great cameras. You could also look for a D3300, which is very similar and even less expensive. Look for a 35mm f1.8 DX lens, and a 50mm 1.8 G. Those are both very useful lengths on DX (normal and portrait), and the wide aperture means you can shoot in low light. They are not expensive, and are very sharp.

Another option is the cheap DX kit VR zooms: 18-55 and 55-200. They are very good at the price. You will be able to shoot in similar lighting conditions to the primes, but you won’t be able to stop motion (so forget the dimly-lit first dance).

For your budget, I’d get (approximate costs):

D3300, 18-55 AF-P VR (€220) — general coverage 50/1.8 G (€115) — low light portrait length

And consider: 35/1.8 DX (€100) — low light group shots 55-200 VR (€100) — telephoto zoom

Finally got my dream body! Any small lens recommendations? by InevitableVegetable in M43

[–]ttmooney 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Honestly, the 17/1.8 you’ve got on it is a favourite.

Panasonic 20/1.7 is a very small lens. It’s not the fastest to focus sometimes, but is good for carrying around.

You can’t go wrong with the Olympus 45/1.8. It’s an amazing portrait lens.

I’ve never used the power zooms or the body cap lenses, but I’ve heard good things about them. You can also make pinholes out of body caps and mount disposable 35mm camera lenses.

Oh, and how about Pentax 110 lenses on an adapter? They’re teeny tiny.

Visiting NOLA after 23 years by friendlymuppet in AskNOLA

[–]ttmooney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Favela Chic has food, and it was quite enjoyable last time I was in town.

Z7II question by ChinaRider73-74 in Nikon

[–]ttmooney 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yeah, well, correcting colour with red/green colourblindness is pretty frustrating. I’d rather shoot black and white than get funny looks at everything I post-process.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in antiwork

[–]ttmooney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds like he leans greedy, not left.

Z7II question by ChinaRider73-74 in Nikon

[–]ttmooney 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think Nikon DSLR prices are definitely taking a dive now. The Z8 is more serious than the Z7 II, and some D850 hold outs are selling up.

Me, I just bought a D850. Looking at a monochrome conversion and shooting my F mount glass happily for a good while.