Ray Sachs
Legend
- Location
- Not too far from Philly
- Name
- you should be able to figure it out...
I spent a day and an evening in Atlantic City on Thursday. This city is dying again, as gambling is allowed in more and more neighboring states and new casinos are cannibalizing the old (and in some cases, themselves). I've seen a distinct change in the last 3-4 years. Nonetheless, the place is a fascinating melting pot of old and young, rich and poor, with all races and religions seemingly well represented. And it all comes together on the boardwalk.
I'd been going back and forth between the D610 and the Df for a couple of weeks and when it came time to commit to one or the other, it was a ridiculously close call. The D610 is a better camera in good light - the Df is a better camera in low light. BUT, the D610 is an excellent camera in low light too (same sensor as the RX1, which had been my favorite low light camera until I shot with the Df) and the Df is a plenty good camera in good light, which, let's face it, is easier to be than a good low light camera. I like some of the controls more on the D610 and some more on the Df. I prefer the feel of the D610 in the hand with larger lenses but I prefer the feel of the Df with smaller primes. In the final anaylsis, my brain said D610 but my gut kept saying Df. And I went with my gut because it usually ends up being smarter than my brain. I think if I did more landscapes and sunsets (which I've done a lot of this month at the shore, but don't do much of otherwise) I'd have gone with the D610, where the detail and dynamic range are hugely beneficial. But for the more general all around shooting I tend to do, and as much as I value low light capability, I kept coming back to the Df. So, the Df it is. BTW, the only connection either of these cameras have to Serious Compacts is that a) they're serious and, b) they're as compact as it gets for full frame DSLRs. And the Df, at least, seems to have a following around here...
So, here are some shots from Atlantic City, a few daytime street shots (1 or 2 shown in the street thread already) done with 24 and 20mm "D" primes. And a bunch from a jazz performance on the Boardwalk in the evening. GREAT music (most enjoyable jazz show I've heard in years), great crowd, just a great atmosphere in general. I was able to move around the stage and shoot from different angles. These were all done with the 85mm f1.8, also a "D" lens, all of which are optically similar to their "G" counterparts, but have aperture rings and a bit slower AF. The lens bargains of the century - some are optically very good, some are optically good enough for me. But they're the right size and weight and price.
First, this is the Revel Casino - a key catalyst to the current woes of the gambling industry in the city. The state poured a huge amount of money into the place and it's been a dismal failure, not only going broke itself (I think it's up for public auction in the next couple of months), but taking the Trump Plaza down with it, and probably a few more in the coming years. Pretty cool building to shoot though....
AC DSLR-191-Edit by ramboorider1, on Flickr
Some street shots from the boardwalk. I did more street work with the Coolpix A, but it was so easy to move between street and general settings on the Df, I used it for some as well when I was doing other stuff and a street opportunity presented itself...
View attachment 95632AC DSLR-300-Edit by ramboorider1, on Flickr
AC DSLR-273-Edit by ramboorider1, on Flickr
View attachment 95634AC DSLR-132-Edit by ramboorider1, on Flickr
AC DSLR-261-Edit by ramboorider1, on Flickr
And from the jazz show - the Mike Pedicin Quartet, with a very good pianist and bass player and a FANTASTIC drummer and sax.
Jazz on the Boardwalk-104-Edit by ramboorider1, on Flickr
Jazz on the Boardwalk-212-Edit by ramboorider1, on Flickr
Jazz on the Boardwalk-90-Edit by ramboorider1, on Flickr
Jazz on the Boardwalk-147-Edit by ramboorider1, on Flickr
Jazz on the Boardwalk-110-Edit by ramboorider1, on Flickr
Jazz on the Boardwalk-204-Edit by ramboorider1, on Flickr
Two spectators, one through the amps sitting on the back edge of the stage, and the other about the most into it I've ever seen - a true jazz lover. Really a great crowd and great vibe all night...
Jazz on the Boardwalk-82-Edit by ramboorider1, on Flickr
Jazz on the Boardwalk-78-Edit by ramboorider1, on Flickr
And finally, two more shots with the 85 f1.8 from the walk back after the show:
Jazz on the Boardwalk-245-Edit by ramboorider1, on Flickr
Jazz on the Boardwalk-257-Edit by ramboorider1, on Flickr
Thanks for looking.
-Ray
I'd been going back and forth between the D610 and the Df for a couple of weeks and when it came time to commit to one or the other, it was a ridiculously close call. The D610 is a better camera in good light - the Df is a better camera in low light. BUT, the D610 is an excellent camera in low light too (same sensor as the RX1, which had been my favorite low light camera until I shot with the Df) and the Df is a plenty good camera in good light, which, let's face it, is easier to be than a good low light camera. I like some of the controls more on the D610 and some more on the Df. I prefer the feel of the D610 in the hand with larger lenses but I prefer the feel of the Df with smaller primes. In the final anaylsis, my brain said D610 but my gut kept saying Df. And I went with my gut because it usually ends up being smarter than my brain. I think if I did more landscapes and sunsets (which I've done a lot of this month at the shore, but don't do much of otherwise) I'd have gone with the D610, where the detail and dynamic range are hugely beneficial. But for the more general all around shooting I tend to do, and as much as I value low light capability, I kept coming back to the Df. So, the Df it is. BTW, the only connection either of these cameras have to Serious Compacts is that a) they're serious and, b) they're as compact as it gets for full frame DSLRs. And the Df, at least, seems to have a following around here...
So, here are some shots from Atlantic City, a few daytime street shots (1 or 2 shown in the street thread already) done with 24 and 20mm "D" primes. And a bunch from a jazz performance on the Boardwalk in the evening. GREAT music (most enjoyable jazz show I've heard in years), great crowd, just a great atmosphere in general. I was able to move around the stage and shoot from different angles. These were all done with the 85mm f1.8, also a "D" lens, all of which are optically similar to their "G" counterparts, but have aperture rings and a bit slower AF. The lens bargains of the century - some are optically very good, some are optically good enough for me. But they're the right size and weight and price.
First, this is the Revel Casino - a key catalyst to the current woes of the gambling industry in the city. The state poured a huge amount of money into the place and it's been a dismal failure, not only going broke itself (I think it's up for public auction in the next couple of months), but taking the Trump Plaza down with it, and probably a few more in the coming years. Pretty cool building to shoot though....
Some street shots from the boardwalk. I did more street work with the Coolpix A, but it was so easy to move between street and general settings on the Df, I used it for some as well when I was doing other stuff and a street opportunity presented itself...
View attachment 95632AC DSLR-300-Edit by ramboorider1, on Flickr
View attachment 95634AC DSLR-132-Edit by ramboorider1, on Flickr
And from the jazz show - the Mike Pedicin Quartet, with a very good pianist and bass player and a FANTASTIC drummer and sax.
Two spectators, one through the amps sitting on the back edge of the stage, and the other about the most into it I've ever seen - a true jazz lover. Really a great crowd and great vibe all night...
And finally, two more shots with the 85 f1.8 from the walk back after the show:
Thanks for looking.
-Ray