Royal Oak 15400 - DSLR Daytime Shots ***Updated 1st May 2013***

[benlee]

Sorry, the previous thread, the pics links were moved so I have to re-post this thread. So this is the updated thread after I re-link them. Now it's working.


I got some time today to spare so I whipped out my Nikon DSLR and tripod and started to shoot these. Almost all of my shots of the AP RO15400 that I posted in this forum have been captured with my Galaxy Note mobilephone cam so far. It's surprising how clear and sharp the pictures often turn out to be. Yet, as good as camera-phones have generally improved, it's still not adequate enough to challenge DSLR for really detailed close-up shots or low-lighting shots.

Such as this :



As a recent watch collector, I see my timepieces as not just mere watches but work of art that I can wear on my wrist, which especially in Haute Holorogie timepieces like Audemars Piguet, they are all finely crafted and meticulously furnished for our enjoyment.

This is my 4th album of this watch and the first to use only DSLR. It's shot mostly with my Nikon D5100 at aperture setting f/16 and ISO 1600, with a Nikkor 105mm micro-lens. These shots are then fine tuned in Picasa.

So let's get started.

First some monochromatic backgrounds :












Now, a bit of color ....








This shot actually got my bracelet a light scratch.. .ouch!





The white dial RO15400 can be astonishingly good looking in B&W photography. And here's some further examples :








and my favorite shot of the whole lot, this!





not to forget also the crown and the bracelet :









and finally, to the inner workings of the RO15400 as seen from the display back. These shots are why I am such a sucker for watches with display backs! I have to change metering to spot and use manual focus to get some of the shots. I do think they can be improved upon though...


The display back of Royal Oak 15400 automatic



The tiny gears and parts




The Rotor with AP's engraving, made of 18K Gold







Close-up of the inner workings..






Some further shots...








I will add DSLR shots to this thread as and when I get some nicely done ones. I will also do another album for night time DSLR shots of the same watch maybe in near future, when time permits.

All comments and suggestions are very welcome. Thanks for viewing.


P/S : Hope to do one for the Diver soon. Will even be better!

[martinr]

Very nice photos but if you are using a tripod and cable release why not shoot at 200 instead of 1600? Try it and you will see the difference, way less "noise". Also, try a hand held incident light meter and measure the light "falling" on the whole subject. You will end up with a better exposed "negative" and the only correcting might be for sharpness or contrast. I'm not a pro, just an experienced amateur that's been doing product shots of my other hobby, knife collecting. I'd post a few pics but I don't think they're allowed.

[taxidriver]

Nice shots belee :) i also love to take photos of my watches. Im using nikon D5000 with stock lens n flash, no tripod :)

[alexlt730512]

Amazing photos

[paul77]

Thx!
Finally, i can see your beautiful pictures .

[Monte Cristo]

Great pics!

[dsk28]

Ben! Do a photoshoot on mine too please!!

[Andad]

Not bad shots for a DSLR.

[mikkemus23]

Grail alert! Thanks for sharing such beautiful pics of your lovely RO

[travisb]

I never get tired of these pics.

[desfrie]

Great shots! The rotor is actually 22k gold!

[Peppers90]

Ben you take fabulous shots! Of course your model is very photogenic too ;).

[cdnyc]

Love these shots! Your favorite of the bunch is also my favorite.

And I agree with you about B&W going beautifully with an AP white dial:

[Demonoid]

Beautiful pictures. I have the 15400 in blue but these shots make me wanna pull the trigger on this one.

[kevbm]

Amazing shots, as always Ben! Big fan

[AK797]

Originally Posted by taxidriver

Nice shots belee :) i also love to take photos of my watches. Im using nikon D5000 with stock lens n flash, no tripod :)
Attachment 383606

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Is that lume because of the camera or irl is it that bright? More like a Breitling than AP!

[VICI]

Awesome shots!

What an amazing watch!

[B. Doggy]

Some of the best I've seen to be quite honest.

[Trouble15]

Wow, amazing shots!

[slavik]

stunning photos! absolutely love the 15300/15400

[Hairdude1]

Awesome pics!

[psv]

Excellent photography! Thanks for sharing!

[nick c]

Love it

[wingku]

Beautiful macros!

[psv]

Cr-p. Now the 41mm version is growing on me (I'm passed the whole the date-window-is-not-at-the-edge-phase...)

[Submarino]

Fantastic shots Ben!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Watches are the new currency!

[benlee]

Thanks guys for all your lovely compliments!

Originally Posted by martinr

Very nice photos but if you are using a tripod and cable release why not shoot at 200 instead of 1600? Try it and you will see the difference, way less "noise". Also, try a hand held incident light meter and measure the light "falling" on the whole subject. You will end up with a better exposed "negative" and the only correcting might be for sharpness or contrast. I'm not a pro, just an experienced amateur that's been doing product shots of my other hobby, knife collecting. I'd post a few pics but I don't think they're allowed.

Thanks for the suggestion. The reason I didn't use a lower ISO is because these are daytime shots and I don't see much difference in the actual outcome. Higher ISO seems to have the advantage of sharpenss, at least for my camera setup.

Originally Posted by dsk28

Ben! Do a photoshoot on mine too please!!

Sure! Lend me your FC Novelty 44mm to wear for a week. I'll gladly do it for you.

Originally Posted by cdnyc81

Love these shots! Your favorite of the bunch is also my favorite.

And I agree with you about B&W going beautifully with an AP white dial:

Yours are brilliant too!

Originally Posted by Demonoid

Beautiful pictures. I have the 15400 in blue but these shots make me wanna pull the trigger on this one.

There is no rules against owning 2 ROs with different dial colors. Go for it.

[benlee]

Just too some new shots!

[peter79]

Very nice silver dial...

[orangedial]

Originally Posted by benlee

This shot is really nice
But this watch is 2mm too thick