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3 More Images from Denver Union Station

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Posted by M636C on Saturday, November 1, 2014 10:43 PM

I guess I asked for these in the "Film is Dead" thread.

I think the third one is really great.

I'm not looking at the original B&W prints, of course, but I think that third digital shot is the best shot from the session.

I've used B&W and usually printed my own prints, right up until 1990. In 1990 I realised that good quality commercial colour prints were better than I could produce as well as being significantly cheaper. Partly, about then publications began to use colour for general work, so colour prints became appropriate. But I believe that current digital photos are technically better than the best we could acheive with film, either colour or B&W. I don't mean that the resolution is better than Kodachrome, but that in my case the photos are sharper and more usable.

As to the discussion on lenses, I have Canon 24-85 and 28-105 lenses built to the same general specifications. I think the 24-85 is sharper but the 28-105 is more useful for normal (railfan) purposes. But neither of these have image stabiisation. I have become a great supporter of IS (what Nikon call VR) in all conditions. So I purchased a Canon 17-85 IS lens which I don't think is quite as sharp as the 24-85 but can produce good images in poorer lighting conditions.

M636C

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Posted by ChuckCobleigh on Friday, October 31, 2014 7:41 PM

edblysard
I whole heartedly agree, spend time looking at Chris’s other work…you will find something that keeps drawing you back again and again.

And expect to spend more than a few minutes; it's that much fun.

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Posted by edblysard on Friday, October 31, 2014 5:48 PM
I whole heartedly agree, spend time looking at Chris’s other work…you will find something that keeps drawing you back again and again.

23 17 46 11

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Posted by ChuckCobleigh on Friday, October 31, 2014 12:31 PM

Regarding the third picture, once again I mention that "eye" thing that finds stunning compositions over and over.  When the "eye" develops with the technical side of the process, these are the kinds of images that result.

Oh, and once again, for a real treat, click on any picture and rummage around Chris' other images that don't make it into a forum post.  But only do that when you have some free time for enjoyment.

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Posted by CopCarSS on Thursday, October 30, 2014 11:20 AM

It's been an interesting trade-off. The lens I dropped was the 24-85mm f3.5-4.5 VR. The lens I replaced with with was an older 28-105mm f3.5-4.5D. I picked it up for less than $100 shipped. The 24-85mm lens is sharper wide open, but they're comparable stopped down even a little bit.

Things I like more about the 24-85mm:

  • Vibration Reduction.
  • AFS focus motor (silent).
  • I like the color rendition slightly more. This can be corrected in PP, though. Just more work.
  • 24mm wide angle vs. 28mm. I have another lens that covers 24mm, but it obviously involves switching lenses.
  • Slightly sharper wide open as I mentioned.

Things I like more about the 28-105:

  • Smaller
  • Lighter
  • More telephoto range on the long end.
  • Fairly useful 1:2 macro range...I can focus really, really close with this one from 50mm to 105mm.
  • Usability on older film bodies because it has an actual aperture ring.
  • Way, way less distortion. Another one that can kind of be fixed in PP, although the 24-85 was so bad in this regard that sometimes it was hard to fix. It wasn't just simple barrel or pincushion distortion.

Honestly, part of me thinks I really don't need to replace the 24-85. The only point I think I'll really miss is the Vibration Reduction. I'll see how I feel after a few months of using the 28-105mm, I guess.

-Chris
West Chicago, IL
Christopher May Fine Art Photography

"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams

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Posted by daveklepper on Thursday, October 30, 2014 10:42 AM

a group of terrific pictures, and i am happy denver union seems a great station design.      but is your more economical lens as sharp as the one replaced?

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3 More Images from Denver Union Station
Posted by CopCarSS on Thursday, October 30, 2014 10:27 AM

Hello All,

On my last Boston trip, I managed to drop one of my lenses and break it. I don't have the funds to repair or replace it with an exact copy right now, so I had to find a cheaper alternative. Once I received it, I needed to test it. Denver Union Station has always been sort of a proving grounds for new equipment for me, so I loaded up the camera and headed down there. These were my three favorite shots from the evening:

 Amtrak and Water Tower - Denver Union Station by Christopher J. May, on Flickr

 Denver Union Station Canopy Abstract by Christopher J. May, on Flickr

 California Zephyr at Denver Union Station by Christopher J. May, on Flickr

As always, C&C more than welcome!

-Chris
West Chicago, IL
Christopher May Fine Art Photography

"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams

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