Ask a question!

Chris loves answering your questions!

They don’t have to be questions though: you can also send in

  • greetings (“I’d like to give a shoutout to the members of the Loch Ness camera club…”)
  • a show intro (“This is Chris Marquardt from Tübingen, Germany and you’re listening to Tips from the Top Floor”)
  • the place where you listen (“I listen to TFTTF while flying my Boeing 777…”)
  • something that happened to you when out shooting (“Yesterday when out shooting, my camera’s battery grip exploded…”)
  • or simply feedback about the show.

This is how you can get your voice heard:

E-Mail is cool, but you can make Chris really really (really!) happy if you record something on your smart phone!

To do that, you have several options:

Preferred: Audioboo (it’s fast and free!)

Step 1: record an audioboo and tag it asktfttf
Step 2: there is no step 2

Make sure you don’t forget to tag it!

(You can get the Audioboo app for your mobile device at audioboo.fm)

» Click here to record an Audioboo directly in your browser.


Via phone:

Just pick up your phone and call one of these two numbers:
US: 206-202-3757 (that’s 206-202-DSLR)
Intl.: +44-7005-805-742

Hint: if you put those numbers in your phone’s address book, you will be able to call in with a question any time it comes up.



Via email:

Fire up your microphone and record an MP3 or similar (don’t worry too much about the format, I can work with virtually anything), record your question and send it to info@tipsfromthetopfloor.com


Use your smart phone:

You can also use the Voice Memo app on your iPhone or any other voice recorder on any other phone. These recordings sound really great and make it easy for you to record anywhere. Once you finished recording, send it to info@tipsfromthetopfloor.com.



audioboo icon by audioboo.fm, other icons on this page by clker.com

Butt-dialled calls

Yes, sometimes someone sits on their phone and doesn’t notice they called the show’s voicemail number. I get at least one of them a week. Most of them are very uneventful. Sometimes they’re more interesting. I have started this section to upload some of the butt-dialled calls that I found worth sharing.

  • Anthony Sparacio

    I heard your audio with David Person… It was very good but you forgot the BRIDGE cameras ( that have P.S.A.M. bilt in just like the DSLRs….                             tony     kd2ka@juno.com

  • Tech4ken

    Chris,
    I am thinking about getting the Sony NEX5n and I am new to this type of photography. My past cameras have all been point and shoot. I really love taking pictures and I want to bring it to the next level. what are your thoughts? 

  • http://chrismarquardt.com/ chrismarquardt

    A new camera will never make you a better photographer, it’ll only make your pictures have more megapixels (or make them sharper, or give them better contrast, …). 

    My number one suggestion before you invest in any new gear: learn, learn, learn. Find a photo club, ask a pro photographer, take a workshop. That’ll catapult you up to become a good photographer so much faster than any piece of gear ever will.

  • http://chrismarquardt.com/ chrismarquardt

    True, bridge cameras are an interesting hybrid though, depending on sensor size I’d probably count them into the compact camp or into the DSLR camp.

  • Martin

    DEATH OF THE CAMERAS
    http://orf.at/stories/2130204/2130288/ 
    there is a whole lot of high-tech in the tube that will hit us one of the next months and years…
    quite interesting!
    love your show – keep the good work up!
    Cheers Martin
     

  • http://www.facebook.com/borden17 James Borden

    does anyone know of a program to allow me to find out how many actuations my 7D has?

  • Steve from LA

    Hey Chris. Been enjoying your podcast immensely. I’ve got a new camera (Pentax K-5) and I’m thinking about adjusting, or fine-tuning, the auto focus on the body to make it focus more accurately with my existing autofocus lenses. Can you talk about the best procedure for checking the AF on the lenses and making adjustments on the camera body? Thanks.

  • http://chrismarquardt.com/ chrismarquardt

    I don’t know the answer to that, but how about sending in an audioboo about it (see above) and I can put it on the show, maybe someone else might know the answer.

  • Bruce Haseley

    Steve
    I just finished fine tuning each of my lens to my Nikon D300s and D800 bodies. It was not a difficult process. I used a Focus Pyramid. It costs $25.

    http://focuspyramid.com/autofocus-lens-calibration-tool-canon-nikon-sony-olympus-and-pentax-af/

    Bruce

  • Chris from Detroit

    Hello Chris,

    Chris from Detroit Michigan here.  To escape the winter blues, I am getting ready to take a cruise.  This is the second voyage to the islands and as the ship sails by, I would like to get some good shots of the landscape.  My question is: What is the best way to take pictures from the deck of a ship with my DSLR?  I’ve tried to use a monopod as well as supporting myself against a wall and it seems as though I get too much camera shake even on the large cruise ships?  Any thoughts?

  • http://www.facebook.com/dbryantphoto Don Bryant Thompson

    I thought you guys were working on a real pinhole camera. Never heard back from you if it was something that actually really happened. Did that ever happen? 

  • http://chrismarquardt.com/ chrismarquardt

    Sometimes projects hit a snag. This one did, but it’s by far not over yet, just takes a bit longer. Once it’s there, you’ll definitely hear about it.

  • Frank Monaldo

    Chris,

    Your 

  • Frank Monaldo

    Dear Chris,

    Of course, your picture this week is illustrating a case of a narrow dynamic range, perhaps two stops.  However, it is my assumption that the numerical dynamic range, the number of bits representing brightness in the image is not dynamic.  Is this true? If I have a narrow range of brightness in the exposure, will I have all the information contained in only a narrow range of bits.  By way of example, if  I have 8-bits of numeric dynamic range (real sensors have more) with possible brightness ranging from 0-255, could an image such as the one you have here have values within the range of say 128 to 136, hence only 8 possible levels? I guess seeing these discrete levels would formally be referred to as quantization noise.

    Thanks for any response, love the show.

    Frank Monaldo,
    Laurel, MD USA 

  • http://chrismarquardt.com/ chrismarquardt

    Frank, thanks for your question. If you post it together with the episode at http://www.tipsfromthetopfloor.com/2013/03/01/tfttf590-photographer-lingo-eplained/ or if you call it in via Audioboo or as a voice message on 206-202-3757 you’ve got a much greater chance of making it on the show ;)

  • I5h

    Hey Chris, great show. My question is about shutter speed. The other day I was doing long exposure and ran across a shutter speed that I never noticed before, it’s the x325 which is right after the bulb mode. I use a D600 and a D7000 both have said shutter speed. So what is it used for? Is it the same as 1/325? Is it high speed shutter sync? I tried it but didn’t notice a difference but then again I didn’t have a flash with me. Thank you in advance. Ish

  • Dan

    Dear Chris,

    I have recently found your show on Stitcher and I am now an avid listener. I like a lot of the ideas you present and the photos you share online. I am considering upgrading to a new Canon standard zoom lens for my T2i camera, to be used primarily for travel photography. I usually shoot in the 24mm – 80mm range, and going down to 18mm is very helpful once in a while. I am considering the following lenses: Canon EF 24-105, Canon EF-S 17-85 and Canon EF-S 18-135. What are your thoughts on these lenses if you had to select only one of them when traveling light?

    Thank you and best regards,
    Dan

  • http://chrismarquardt.com/ chrismarquardt

    During daytime you shouldn’t really get camera shake with a current camera unless you work with really small apertures or very long shutter speeds.

  • http://chrismarquardt.com/ chrismarquardt

    The only one of these three that I used is the 24-105, I like it. You might want to ask the same question in the community at http://tfttf.com/community – great bunch of people there!

  • http://chrismarquardt.com/ chrismarquardt

    I’m not a Nikon user, so I have never seen that. Have you checked your camera manual?

  • Mark Alderson

    Hi Chris,
    Love the show, I listen to the podcast while i’m driving back and forth to work, you make a great traveling companion!
    I’m interested in you opinion of the 70-300 L lens that you took to Japan with you. I have the EF 70-300 IS USM, and i like it a lot, but I have been thinking about stepping up to a L type telephoto, either the one you got or the 100-400 L. Are you going to do an informal review of the 70-300 L? The price range seems to be good for that model, but it is very similar to the one I have. Better glass and quicker focusing I’m guessing, do you have an opinion? Thanks!

  • leah camara – Rhode Island USA

    how do I find the episodes here on you website? Just downloaded your podcast but can’t find the episodes to follow along with the picture you are talking about. Looking for 589.

  • http://chrismarquardt.com/ chrismarquardt

    Click the Home link above, this will take you right to the episodes.

  • jj

    What’s the easiest way to find out what the photo theme of the week is? Thanks!

  • Pentalive

    Hi Chris, And all other topflorians!

    I am moving back to Windows from a period of Linux use.. I am looking for recommendations for Free / Libra / Open Source software to index and arrange my photos. I use Gimp for darkroom functions. The windows explorer (Winodw’s built in file manager) does a lot, but I think tagging pictures and reading/sorting by exif data would probably be helpful too.

    My camera is a Kodak ZD710. JPG only – no RAW.

  • http://chrismarquardt.com/ chrismarquardt

    Care to ask that question via Audioboo or phone? This way it’s easier to get it on the show. See http://tfttf.com/askme

  • Vern

    Hi Chris, Love the show. It make me want to go out and take more photos. I have a question. I have a Canon 1100D DSLR. I found out recently that it does not have mirror lockup. The only workaround appears to be live mode. I was wondering if using live mode causes any additional noise in the photos, considering the ISO would be set the same. Thanks for your time.

  • http://chrismarquardt.com/ chrismarquardt

    Great question, care to ask via Audioboo so I can answer it on the show? See above for instructions.

  • Vern

    Sure. Just sent it. If I did it right..(first time) thanks again.

  • James

    What developer do you use for your large format b&w film? It’s been decades since I developed medium (2 1/4″) format b&w film. I used to use D-76 1:1 one shot. It’s good to know that you still appreciate old school.

    I had the good fortune to take a few classes by Al Weber. I learned more from him then anyone else.

    Enjoy your vacation and hope to see your 4×5 b&w posts.

  • http://chrismarquardt.com/ chrismarquardt

    I use anything from Rodinal to HC-110 to D76, depending on if I want to push, pull or treat it with a stand development, and on what kind of result I want. Black-and-white is very flexible in both the way you handle it when shooting and the way you develop it.

  • Dave h8fl

    Just got lumix 14-140mm lens. I have something to share about the gx-1 built in flash and lens hood. Lens body causes a shadow at 14mm setting. At 18mm lens hood blocks out part of the image. Then very noticable at 14mm. Should have seen this coming but im getting old.

  • Dave h8fl

    I used ID-11 by Ilford many years ago. Liked the results