Using a Telephoto Lens

I just added a telephoto and a wide-angle lens attachment to my Nikon Coolpix 995. The telephhoto lens is one way of getting closer to a subject without calling too much attention to yourself or trespassing onto railroad property.

The example I am posting here is only to illustrate what you can do. I was on the back of a caboose at the Danbury Railway Museum and used the rail to brace the camera for both shots.

First, this shot with the normal lens will give you an idea of the distance between me and my subject, two workers getting ready to install a new switch point.


Now, I have added the telephoto attachment.


This is a fairly routine use of a telephoto lens. How about posting some of your creative examples here.

 

I only recently have started playing with a tele and am loving it. Lets me reach deeper into yards to shoot locos I normally couldn't. Also been getting better color and such using it. Don't ask me why, I really don't know a thing about photography. The only thing is it is pretty heavy to lug around and makes advancing the film to shoot a fast moving train quite a challenge.

 

You are right about the weight of a telephoto lens. That is why I used the end rail on a caboose to help steady the camera for these two shots. I find, also, that I am using my tripod more. When I can't brace the camera, I use a higher shutter speed to overcome any extra camera unsteadiness.

 

Nice photo, Pierce!

Here's my submission:

 

I see this is post number 1 for you, Hunter. Welcome to Trainboard.

You picked a great shot for your first post here. I can almost feel the ground vibrate as this beast rumbles by. This is an excellant example of how you can get the viewer right into the action while the photographer stays a safe distance away.

 

could you post the specifics about the telephoto lens for the Nikon 995? Also, I assume that this is without the 'digital' telephoto on, 'optic' only? I have the same camera, thus my curiousity.

 

The Coolpix 995 is a fixed-lens, as opposed to interchangeable lens, camera, so the telephoto, wide-angle, and fish-eye lenses are attachments. I don't know if anyone other than Nikon make these attachments, but it is possible somebody does. I chose to go with the Nikon lens attachments, and not look elsewhere, because I was sure the match with the fixed lens would be the best possible.

The telephoto I bought is the Nikon TC-E3ED, 3x, model. I believe it will work with any of the Coolpix cameras with the 18mm mount. It can also be used with a couple of others, if you use a size adapter. I have been putting it through several field tests and am happy with it.

I try to avoid using the digital zoom. The quality is less than with the purely optical zoom. By-the-way, the optical zoom can be used with the telephoto attachment in place. It really gives a versitile set-up.

[ 30. June 2003, 01:38: Message edited by: Peirce ]

 

I'm not sure what qualifies as a telephoto lens. I have a lens that will zoom to 210, and here's what it can do:



edit: I should clarify that I was not in the tunnel nor on the track when I took this shot. Note how the track curves away from the middle of the shot.

[ 30. June 2003, 06:40: Message edited by: LCSO_927 ]

 

The long end of a zoom setting certainly qualifies as telephoto, in my opinion.

According to the Nikon literature that came with my telephoto attachment, the combination of the zoom and the tele is equivalent, in 35mm terms, to a lens with a focal length of about 460mm.

Good start with the examples of how you are using your telephoto lenses I like seeing how creative you can be.

 

I too have experienced the weight of a telephoto lens. Have you guys considered the use of a mono-pod vs. a tripod? I do use a mono-pod in those situations where a tripod is just bulky and a hassle to move quickly.

Also, not to get into a discussion about film, I try to make sure I have some Fujichrome Provia F 400 speed film in my camera when I know I am going to be using telephoto shots. The grain is not as sharp as the 100 F but pretty close and the speed more than helps compensate for the light disadvantages of the lack of light.

 

AJ
Your idea of using a monopod is a good one. I don't have one at the moment, but it is worth looking into. I believe I have seen some that telescope or fold into a very small space.

One way to help steady the camera when it is hand-held is to rest the lens in my palm, with the camera body on the heel of my hand. Then I bring my elbow in against my body for additional support.

The point you make about using a faster film applies in the digital world too. I have found that I get better results when I boost the ISO setting when using the lense attachments. The logic here is that the additional glass will absorb a little of the light and the higher ISO setting will compensate.

 

Telephoto lenses are wonderful creative tools. They help to distort distance, compressing them down to fit into photos. I currently have three telephoto lenses in my arsenal, a 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 autofocus, a 200mm f/4 manual focus, and a 500mm f/8 manual focus. Every lens serves a niche purpose in my camera bag. Here are a few photo examples taken with a tele lens.

 

Peirce, good subject. The first telephoto I had back in the 60's was a German make, and I can't remember the brand. It had a tripod screw mount on it and I soon found out why, as it weighed a ton. I ended up putting Handgrips on both the Pentax and the lens, so it looked like a Thompson submachine gun, and had a cable release from one of the grips--wo, what fun. Used it mostly at airshows filming flybys. Worked great. Today's are so much lighter, thankfully.

 

Brian, great examples of what you can do with a telephoto.

Fitz, that was a good idea for taming that old monster.

 

Well I havn't been using a tripod or anything really to steady my camera. Got one, just never tried it out yet.

I too use ISO 400 speed film and a faster shutter speed. Been getting great results so far without any blurring from being handheld.