15 Tips for Better Train & Railway Photos - B&H Photo

RBrodzinsky May 12, 2019

  1. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    B&H Photo, in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike, posted this article

    Some very simple and basic tips, along with some great ideas to really help one step up to the next level
     
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  2. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for that Rick -- lots of excellent information there. The author writes that "scouting out locations is a big key to getting the best images possible" and it's so very true. It's a lot harder than it used to be, with fences, phone poles, billboards, vehicles and other impediments ruining compositions. If I can't find a pleasing composition, I won't take a picture.
     
    Dogwood likes this.
  3. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Safety. Oh yes.

    For me, it is very frequently difficult to simply find a place where one can pull off the roadway, get out of the vehicle and grab that photo. Other traffic roaring past, within inches..... :(
     
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  4. Tony Burzio

    Tony Burzio TrainBoard Supporter

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    I admire the brave souls that take white “mug me” long lenses out to take pictures in LA... :)
     
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  5. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    On a number of camera forums there are humorous threads featuring photos of long lens-owners. It seems that more than a few of these hyper-expensive lenses spend their entire lives in specialized backpacks, but are never deployed because of their size and weight. I have only one telephoto and it's not a good one. It suffers from some sort of internal reflectivity where bright headlights and ditch lights appear elsewhere as green spots as seen below. It drives me crazy, so I don't often use it for rail photos. Maybe some day I'll purchase something better. :(

    upload_2019-6-14_9-30-0.png
     
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  6. fitz

    fitz TrainBoard Member

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    I once knew the cause of that and corrected it on mine. It MAY be due to a UV or other filter that we all install just to protect our lenses. I am not sure, since this stroke did things to my memory.
     
  7. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Yes, a poor filter can cause that. Especially on high zoom.

    I recently got a Tamron 18mm-400mm zoom, and am loving it. Have a 72mm Hoya UV filter on it, plus a nice polarizing filter, for when needed.
     
  8. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    I too thought that might be it, so removed my UV filter a few years ago to no avail. :(
     
  9. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Tamron seems to enjoy a good reputation. They'll be on my research list when I start to shop for a replacement lens.
     
  10. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I still have my Tamron from SLR days. It served me well. My current DSLR came with a zoom lens, which I have as yet to seriously employ as any comparison.
     
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  11. Dogwood

    Dogwood TrainBoard Member

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    I've a Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 with image stabilizer and can only recommend it. A Hoya or Rodenstock protection filter is enough. All new and newer Tamron and Canon lenses are UV protected. Use a slim filter!
     
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