Poppy Fields -- first shots with new DSLR (DIAL-UP WARNING)

[regnaD kciN]

Well, after months of going back and forth on DSLR brands and models (and realizing that there was no way I was going to be able to afford the Nikon D200/18-200 VR combo, even if I could find one in stock), I gradually decided on the upcoming Sony Alpha series resulting from its collaboration with Konica Minolta. However, I figured I'd have to wait a few months, until not only the Alpha 100's release but until the bugs of the first production models had been worked out. (You see, I'm a realist...) Anyway, when I was in my local Ritz affiliate, I noticed they had the Konica Minolta 5D (the predecessor of the Alpha 100) on clearance sale for $599 with the 18-70 kit lens. I did some test shooting, comparing the results to shots taken at the same time on similar-level Nikons and Canons, and was surprised to realize that, not only was the KM5D equal in overall image quality, but it was also slightly better in high-ISO shooting. Plus, of course, it had the in-body image stabilization -- I was stunned to print out an 8x10 of a handheld 1/15th second shot I took at "normal" focal length, and find it razor-sharp. Based on this, I formulated a plan: pick up the 5D at the sale price now, equip it with additional Minolta lenses and accessories purchased (as much as possible) second-hand, and eventually pick up the Alpha 100 and make the 5D my second camera body.

Of course, with the 5D in hand, I was off to do some test shooting, at a nearby field of poppies...


















And where was this wildflower field, you might ask? Somewhere on Rainier or some other part of the Cascade range? Some prairie off in the Washington farmlands? Wrong...it was actually on the grassy area of a state highway on-ramp adjacent to a mile's worth of strip malls, and just across the highway entrance from the camera store!



(In the image above, you can see the highway overpass in the upper right corner.)

I have no idea who planted those flowers along the highway, but it's a huge improvement over the invasive and allergenic Scotch Broom that seems to have been the state D.O.T.'s planting of choice for several decades.

Anyway, I find it a bit ironic that, seeing as my first 35mm SLR was a Minolta SR-T200, my first DSLR also happens to bear the Minolta name...and, in fact, is the last camera ever to be released under that name.

[Blue_In_AK]

1. Beautiful...

Those little blue bachelor's buttons were my favorite flower when I was a little girl. I don't know why, there's nothing really special about them, but they've always really appealed to me for as long as I can remember.

[NV Whino]

2. Beautiful!

These photos quite literally leap off the page (or screen) at me. I have prisms in my glasses to keep my eyes focused ahead and they have the added feature of creating 3-D with colors like that. Very cool.

:crazy:

[priller]

3. Vivid colors

Those are very nice. And sounds like a good plan, too, the Sony Alpha seems like a great camera.

[Immad2]

4. All these photos are breathtaking-WOW- beautiful!

[intheflow]

5. I think the highway department plants those flowers.

Cuts down on erosion and invasive species while also cutting down on overhead... for cutting the lawn along the highway. At least, that's what they do in Colorado.

These are gorgeous photos. Thank you so much for the eye candy! :hi: