Thursday, October 29, 2009

Mid-Week Update for the 10/31/2009 Goal

So this week I set out to paint five M4A1 Sherman tanks from BattleFront (the Flames of War people).  This is my first foray in 15mm scale.  I own some 12mm Warmaster models, but they came painted off eBay.  I had to buy them, honest.  It is the only game system where Kislev is fully supported with respect to the rules (and at one time miniatures), even if it is a finesse army.

So here is what I started with on Sunday Night.








Not much to look at and they take up room.  'Twas an ideal candidate for Goal of the Week.  As you can see on my other posts, those guys had stay on my desk for ages. These pictures were taken after I had painted the heavy machine guns and the tracks (basically black) and touched the metal pins in the tracks with boltgun metal.  I used the AFV FAQ book by Mig Jimenez to get that shade of bright green via an airbrush mix of Tamiya colors.  At first it looked way to green, almost like some kinda Home Depot spray can.  Later, we'll see why that color intensity is so important.  I was really worried they would come out looking like cheap toys doused in lime juice.  I really should have had more faith in that book.

On Wednesday, this is where I stood:







So, here they are with the basic painting, decal treatment, and washes done.  You can really see why the tank needed to start out that bright.  What is left?  Well, spot highlighting, armor fading, varnishing and weathering.  The tank commander poking his head out also needs more than a coat of Tallarn flesh and Badab black wash he has now.

On a side note, I have no idea how to use my new camera and my images will suffer until I figure it out.  it is a huge adjustment going from a decent but old point and shoot camera with a 3in near focus (Nikon Coolpix 4500) to a quality new DSLR with an 18 in near focus (D90).  With the Coolpix, I just zoomed in and shot. it was the only option really.   Now that I am at a tier of quality where the general purpose 18 105mm, is not as easy to use for macro photography, I need to actually learn what I am doing.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

First Pictures with the D90

Note: This post does not appear to be rending properly under FireFox.
It seems to be fine under Chrome and Internet Explorer.

So on  a whim I pulled my DKoK Super Heavy Armored Urban Assault Division and laid it out on my staging/gaming/work area (er, pool table).  Using the heavily discounted tripod thrown in with the camera, I was able to raise camera above my head and keep it steady for a better high angle shot.  Later last night, I also started experimenting with the macro and zoom features for up close photography of this week's goal (paint to completion 5 FoW Sherman tanks).


Here is the wide angle from about my should level (so 5ft).



Here is the same set up about 1 ft closer and at about 6ft 6in on the tripod.

You'll have to bear with me as I handle the initial excitement with my new toy. While the D90 replaces a Nikon Coolpix 4500, which wasn't a slouch of a camera 8 years ago, this is my first camera that is designed to be used out of AUTO. I am way over my head. It turns out the 4500 has a near focus of like 3 inches while the D90 has near 18 inches. The D90 however has such a high resolution, and is such a quality camera, that In macro mode even 2-3 feet away, you can zoom way in on the images. Guess I need to add photography to the list of classes to take. It will be joining in no particular order: Classical & Koine Greek, Hebrew, Intermediate Ice Hockey and Medieval European History.


This evening I will post updated pictures of those M4A1s. The first pass of Badab Black was huge. I expect great things from some well placed judicious Delvan Mud. Sadly, I am anything but judicious.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Brass Monkey et al.

So off to the side there, you can see I got a stash of "phat l00t" this week.  So here goes...




Here you see what arrived.


The smaller stuff.


All the stuff from Monday.



Here is the MonPoc unpacked, yes that is a Brass Monkey in the center.  Those lads must be some kinda Beastie Boys fans.  Actually it is officially, Mega King Kanda. And more importantly, I got me some fishmen, er Tritons.


Then THIS arrived on Tuesday.  Nikon D90 with a Nikkor 18-105mm lens.  There is a remote trigger somewhere around here too.  I will have the most expensive poorly shot pictures of poorly painted minis in Dumfries, VA!  So long CoolPix 4500, Hello D90.