I took six of these fotos with my camera and four with another, given to me, that costs three times as much as mine. Can you distinguish which is which? I realize I might NOT YET be able to get top performance from the second camera. Or maybe in this format it’s impossible to distinguish one from the other . .. because they’re like oil and oil. Or like these two tankers, contorted together like slugs in love. Ever seen slugs in . . . love?
Mahanadi Spirit gets assisted from her berth by
Charles D. McAllister, spun counterclockwise and
sent out
to sea with additional assist by Maurania III.
Next to move was Chemical Pioneer, with the same
assist team.
A bit later, sibling tankers came in to the dock. Noble Express came in followed by
Silver Express.
Docking looked like this, one vessel almost merged with the other.
And can you tell which fotos were taken with camera A and camera B?
Answer is down a bit.
Slugs in love . . . I first saw it waiting at the commuter rail station a few weeks back at 6:15 am, thinking I should have had more coffee . . . .
Please . . . some feedback. Be blunt and frank about the quality of fotos on this blog. Pass the link onto any professional photographers even. I’m re-examining my aesthetic. And after seeing slugs in love, I can handle anything, even dragonfly love.
Answer: The first three were with my usual camera, then three with camera B, then two one with mine, then one more with camera B, and the last two were with mine. The two cameras in question were mine (SP 590-UZ Olympus) whose weight and zoom capability I love and a Sony Cyber-shot DSC R1.
tugster: a waterblog 
11 comments
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October 24, 2011 at 8:59 am
bowsprite
I am heartened to know that what I thought was KVK general smog was, in fact, your beloved lightweight camera! I LOVE the photos with the new camera! I know you don’t want to become Lugster, carrying the heavier camera, but on this end, I like so much more the better quality photos. Thank you!!!
October 24, 2011 at 9:11 am
tugster
maybe the rattle in my chest from breathing bunker smoke is caused by the lightweight camera too . . . and here all along i thought it was proto-athsma . . .? seriously, bowsprite, thank you for the feedback. please anyone else who wishes . . . i need feedback. i will still use my olympus for the zoom shots . . .
October 24, 2011 at 9:34 am
bowsprite
and i thought that sound was the anchor.
the new camera makes the sluggish slugs in smog look like crisp mating dragonflies on springy zephyrs. Well, no. They still look like beautiful orange tankers to me, but at least we can read the lettering clearly.
October 24, 2011 at 10:04 am
HT
I agree with bowsprite, the photos taken with the new camera are clearly better!
October 24, 2011 at 10:51 am
Les Sonnenmark
Yes, the new camera takes clearer photos, but one of the most attractive features of your blog is your display of close-up details. I’ve always admired that super-zoom lens and hope you’ll continue to use it.
October 24, 2011 at 11:51 am
Buck
In an A/B comparison, I too prefer the new camera. But!
I think that a camera is a very personal choice. For what you do, the very long zoom on the Oly might be a deciding factor. You mostly do daylight, so the high ISO of the Sony is not that important. They’re both F2.8, both allow for manual focus. I myself like the AA batteries – a set of rechargeable high capacity AA’s probably shoots lots of photos, and if you run out of juice unexpectedly you can find AAs anywhere.
When I bought my latest camera I basically gnashed my teeth over what was essentially an easy decision. I used a 35mm film (all manual everything) for 30 years, then inherited my wife’s point and shoot 1st generation Nikon which is great for macros and less great for anything else. I bought a Lumix DMC-G1. The reasons I picked the Lumix were budget (it was on sale), bright viewfinder (I hardly ever use the screen) and full manual controls. The modern sensor and interchangeable lenses sealed the deal. I don’t use hardly any of the fancy-pants thingies the camera is capable of. It’s either in manual when I want to make photographs, or in full auto when I want to document something.
So yes, I like that Zeiss lens but I’m not sure I like it enough to switch. The best camera for you is the one you use (mine is almost always in my backpack).
If you really want to be a camera nerd, take two tripods and take photos of the exact same scene at the exact same zoom and compare the results. I’m betting you’ll find there are places the Sony doesn’t reach. That zoom on the Oly is very impressive.
ps What tale does the scarring on Mahanadi Spirit’s bow tell? What storm wrapped the anchor over the bulb? Were they short on chain? Did the anchor shift before it was set?
I do so love your eye.
October 24, 2011 at 8:55 pm
John Huntington
I guessed the first six right (I’m running a fever so I blame the others on that). The contrast was really obvious, and the color saturation. I much prefer the “new” camera. Next, we’ll have to get you going in Lightroom 🙂
October 25, 2011 at 3:21 pm
Bill Drago
The new cam is definitely better, but are you sure you’re getting the best performance from your old one? Try the Vivid setting. That will improve color and contrast especially on cloudy or foggy days.
October 25, 2011 at 3:43 pm
Dennis Willard
i’m willing to bet that if you played with the software that came with the olympus,the photos would be every bit as good as the ones taken with the sony . . .
either way,having two cameras is a good thing.
October 25, 2011 at 6:28 pm
JMDarby
To my eye the images taken with camera B are somewhat crisper and have more color saturation. However, I definately would not want to loose the optical zoom capability of the Olympus. I agree that the two camera approach is a good thing if you are comfortable carrying an additional piece of equipment. I believe you can pick up (at Amazon) a used Sony Cyber-shot DSC R1 for about the price of a new SP 590-UZ Olympus.I will continue to enjoy your fotos either way Will.
October 25, 2011 at 9:25 pm
tugster
thanks very much all for the camera feedback. tugster will soon become lugster, carrying more equipment. seriously, thanks all for the camera reactions. this morning i traveled light with –only the camera A.