Farming photography

[Christoph1945]

I have been having a look at some of the photographs posted in the annual TFF calendar competition and have been highly impressed by some of the submissions. Moved by a mixture of both subjective and objective values, I have been wondering what photographic equipment you folk are using around the farm on a working day.

Chris

 

[Cowabunga]

I have not submitted any to a competition but on a daily basis in a tractor, I carry the iPhone and a Panasonic G6 or sometimes a G7 with a 14-140 zoom lens. That's a 28-280 full frame equivalent.

 

[Christoph1945]

Would that be a Panasonic G6 and a Canon G7; I'm pretty much out of touch with the newer cameras? I still have a Kodak Box Brownie in the wardrobe!

 

[Cowabunga]

Would that be a Panasonic G6 and a Canon G7; I'm pretty much out of touch with the newer cameras? I still have a Kodak Box Brownie in the wardrobe!

Both micro four-third sensor cameras. Mirrorless, as are all my cameras these days. Both very sophisticated but near entry level cameras in terms of price range when new. I like the simplicity of the G6 but the G7 is the better camera. The latest current version of these for sale is the G85 which has a much improved shutter and in-body image stabilisation, neither of which my two have. The 14-140 lens and many other Panasonic lenses are stabilised though and it isn't an essential feature. Both have full touchscreen functionality, live view through the LCD and electronic viewfinders. The G7 and later models in the Lumix G range are just exceptionally nice cameras to use and to hold. Not so much to look at perhaps.

Here you will find an easy to read but typical review of the G7 with honourable mention to the G6

 

[Christoph1945]

Thanks for the link; I'm heading over there now.

Of course our Box Brownie is no longer in use but I assume it could work if required to. I do remember, many years ago, seeing work by Tom Hustler (the society photographer) using a Box Brownie and real fine it was too!

 

[Phil P]

Haven’t posted any pictures in the calendar comp either but I generally use the iPhone XS
“The iPhone XS and XS Max have new cameras. The main six-element lens has a new 12-megapixel, wide-angle sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, optical image stabilization, and a 1.4nm pixel size. The second telephoto lens also has 12 megapixels with OIS, a 2x optical zoom, and an f/2.4 aperture”

And usually also have the DJI mavic2 zoom in the cab.

• Sensor: 1/2.3″ CMOS.
• Pixels: 12 million.
• Lens FOV: 83°.
• Aperture: f/2.8 (24 mm) to f/3.8 (48 mm).
• Electronic Shutter Speed: 8 – 1/8000s.
• Still Image Size: 4000 × 3000.
• Max Video Bit Rate: 100 Mbps.
• Color Mode: D-Cinelike.

I’ll be honest I’m not that much of a camera buff but both take good enough pictures for me ?

 

[Cowabunga]

Thanks for the link; I'm heading over there now.

Of course our Box Brownie is no longer in use but I assume it could work if required to. I do remember, many years ago, seeing work by Tom Hustler (the society photographer) using a Box Brownie and real fine it was too!

It adds a certain unique style to photographs. All of which would need processing/printing back then of course. Very few photographs tend to be printed these days and photography is much cheaper, easier and more accessible as a result. Good images depend, as ever, on good light, the right scene and subject and the skill of the photographer, so nothing new there.

 

[Christoph1945]

I only ever worked with monochrome when I first took an interest in making pictures; colour was far to complex for me to produce in my old shed of a darkroom. The digital revolution has opened up photography to a whole new generation of potential photographers but alas there are still some that decry it as not being 'real' photography.

 

[Cowabunga]

I only ever worked with monochrome when I first took an interest in making pictures; colour was far to complex for me to produce in my old shed of a darkroom. The digital revolution has opened up photography to a whole new generation of potential photographers but alas there are still some that decry it as not being 'real' photography.

Not to worry, they are dying out fast. Get with the revolution!

 

[Christoph1945]

Haven’t posted any pictures in the calendar comp either but I generally use the iPhone XS
“The iPhone XS and XS Max have new cameras. The main six-element lens has a new 12-megapixel, wide-angle sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, optical image stabilization, and a 1.4nm pixel size. The second telephoto lens also has 12 megapixels with OIS, a 2x optical zoom, and an f/2.4 aperture”

And usually also have the DJI mavic2 zoom in the cab.

• Sensor: 1/2.3″ CMOS.
• Pixels: 12 million.
• Lens FOV: 83°.
• Aperture: f/2.8 (24 mm) to f/3.8 (48 mm).
• Electronic Shutter Speed: 8 – 1/8000s.
• Still Image Size: 4000 × 3000.
• Max Video Bit Rate: 100 Mbps.
• Color Mode: D-Cinelike.

I’ll be honest I’m not that much of a camera buff but both take good enough pictures for me ?

Sounds a little bit like me Phil; point and shoot and generally happy with what pleases me. I do try for improving my subjects and composition though.

A farm must be full of opportunities to catch nature as she reveals her self to any who are prepared to stop and look. The rising and the setting of the sun, a multitude of animal characters, and the whole cycle of the seasons.

 

[Feynman]

I pretty much permanently have a bag containing my Fuji XT3 and a selection of lenses with me, it's surprising the thing you come across in a days work

 

[Christoph1945]

I remember, as I was leaving the hospital earlier in the year, coming across some hawthorn bushes in full bloom and upon looking closely at some individual flower being blown away by their delicate beauty.

Just a pity that I didn't have my camera with me!

 

[Cowabunga]

I pretty much permanently have a bag containing my Fuji XT3 and a selection of lenses with me, it's surprising the thing you come across in a days work

I don't risk carrying anything like that value of equipment around during farm work. One camera in a holster bag, with a multi-purpose lens attached, hanging from the cab window latch, plus the phone is all I'm willing to risk in a tractor or pickup. The X-T3 is a superb piece of equipment. A work of art almost.

I remember, as I was leaving the hospital earlier in the year, coming across some hawthorn bushes in full bloom and upon looking closely at some individual flower being blown away by their delicate beauty.

Just a pity that I didn't have my camera with me!

The best camera is always the one you have with you. Hence the utility and popularity of the smartphone and the importance given to the camera part by phone developers. To that end I often find that the small camera, whatever it be, that can just about fit in a coat pocket or lady's handbag, is more likely to be carried on a regular basis than a whopping great big DSLR. Unless you go out specifically with photography in mind of course.

Do you have and use a reasonably high end, relatively new smartphone? Or any post-2012 or so digital camera?

 

[Christoph1945]

I do have a Canon EOS450D plus an assortment of support equipment and lenses but wouldn't dream of toting it around a farm in a tractor whilst doing farm work and that was, partly, what got me wondering what photographic equipment you folk keep at hand during working day.

It may be a good idea for me to put a better mobile phone on
my Santa wish list.

 

[Cowabunga]

I do have a Canon EOS450D plus an assortment of support equipment and lenses but wouldn't dream of toting it around a farm in a tractor whilst doing farm work and that was, partly, what got me wondering what photographic equipment you folk keep at hand during working day.

It may be a good idea for me to put a better mobile phone on
my Santa wish list.

That's the thing. We both don't want to risk damaging high value equipment by carrying it around a dusty and rough environment. However I have carried my G6 in a lightly padded holster bag with me a good proportion of the time over several years and there isn't a scratch on it. The bag keeps dust at bay, so that looks a bit tired of course. I would not [yet] consider carrying my A7 Mk3 Sony around during work for extended periods, partly because of the value and partly because it is too big and heavy, especially so with the 10x zoom on it, which is substantial in every way.

However, your Canon must be about ten or eleven years of age by now, so perhaps you are being a bit too precious about it, and considering just how much cameras have advanced during that time, maybe it's time to get it out and put a few put a few thousand extra clicks on it? Before the Autumn leaves all fall off.

 

[Feynman]

If you get a decent bag carrying a good camera about isn't a problem as long as you're not too oafish about it but I totally agree if you're happy with the results from a smartphone then why carry anything more. As with most things in life the best tool for the job depends on your requirements

 

[Christoph1945]

For an active farmer, I recon that a decent smart phone is ideal for emergency contacts, instant capture of pictures, and even photographing evidence in case of criminal damage to your property, for insurance purposes.

Cowabunga was spot on with his aging of my Canon; bought it ten years ago, when I retired from international aviation security but for the last couple of years it's been languishing in a bag under the bed (along with my other gear) but has had the battery checked and charged on a regular basis. Perhaps it is time to dust it off and reawaken my photographic interests.

 

[Cowabunga]

For an active farmer, I recon that a decent smart phone is ideal for emergency contacts, instant capture of pictures, and even photographing evidence in case of criminal damage to your property, for insurance purposes.

Cowabunga was spot on with his aging of my Canon; bought it ten years ago, when I retired from international aviation security but for the last couple of years it's been languishing in a bag under the bed (along with my other gear) but has had the battery checked and charged on a regular basis. Perhaps it is time to dust it off and reawaken my photographic interests.

Camera in bag under bed might as well be dead. Get it out of there and find those interesting subjects and angles.
It will soon get rather grey and dark, unfortunately. Good light only persists from around 9am to 2pm even now but December and January are grey months unless the Winter sun comes out, we get frost or snow or even mist. There are opportunities, if you push yourself.

 

[Christoph1945]

Even table-top & still life, or perhaps a bit of portraiture?

 

[Christoph1945]

Camera in bag under bed might as well be dead.

Hmmm, the camera; or me?