Messages

1

Software & Accessories / Re: Pixma Pro 9000 II prints are dark

« on: April 09, 2013, 09:42:18 AM »

I have a question about the comparison between Lightroom and Easy-Photoprint (which I have never used). In lightroom I can use the Ilford ICC profile that matches my paper. In Easy-Photoprint I don't seem to have this option, I can only tell it that I am using matte photopaper... Am I missing something? If this is correct, then the comparison with LR does not work since the issue could be with LR or with the ICC...

I think you have been bombarded with so many answers that you might be trying to fix everything at once too  If the prints are indeed the same as the problems I am facing I would suggest you start to elimanate factors in order to get to the root problem. Forget about screen calibrations and custom ICC profiles and ILFORD profiles and start with basic settings.

Photoshop and Lightroom does not use the same print engines, so you can use Photoshop as your 2nd application for testing instead of the Canon Easy Photo Print. But what I suggest is you make a print in LR and in Photoshop where you use the same printer settings and paper type. This will tell you quick enough if LR is the problem or not. Once you have that answer you can go to step 2 and start calibrating your software of choice. Changing too many things at once is going to create new problems once it suddenly works... you won't know which of the 100 solutions or combinations of them actually did the trick 

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Software & Accessories / Re: Pixma Pro 9000 II prints are dark

« on: April 08, 2013, 04:15:01 PM »

Just for the record - I use a Pixma iP4940 printer and not the Pixma Pro series. This is a general Canon problem and not just on the Pro series. It has to do with the way Lightroom handles the printers. It is very difficult to explain exactly what the photos looks like and people will read "this guy battles with dark prints" but unless you actually see the results, it is difficult to convince people it is not just a wrong setting.

For example... I will print a series of 4x6 prints from LR, all prints taken the same day and same conditions. The first 2 prints might print fine and then suddenly the 3rd print will come out like Sepia and the 4th very dark. After that if I re-print the first 2 that was printing correctly will be very dark or the tonal range all mixed up.

It is a very annoying and hard to troubleshoot problem

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Software & Accessories / Re: Pixma Pro 9000 II prints are dark

« on: April 08, 2013, 03:45:10 PM »

hard copy to 4x6 works if it is the same paper. have tou tried easyprint pro plugin for L4. i may help.

Who makes the easyprint Pro plugin? I would like to give it a shot too. I still think he should print from a completely different program first, just to take Lightroom out of the equation - but seeing that I have the same problems I can maybe experiment with this plugin so long 

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Software & Accessories / Re: Pixma Pro 9000 II prints are dark

« on: April 08, 2013, 03:21:28 PM »

6. Don't know if that matters, but I shoot mostly with a 7D, now also with a 5Diii, 95% raw; raw conversion, PP, and printing all in/from LR.

Personally I think Lightroom is the problem. I have had this issue for a very long time and Adobe can't give me a solution. There is something about Canon printers and Lightroom that is not quite happy. Some prints will even print is a sepia tone from lightroom and I have considered that it might be because I shoot in Adobe RGB and not sRGB, but I could not nail the problem.

Easiest solution.... Install Canon's Easy Photo Print, save your photo as a TIFF file and print from there and print the same TIFF from Lightroom - this will tell you where the problem lies.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon 1D X - HDR First frame always shaky

« on: January 08, 2013, 11:22:47 AM »

It is indeed the Image Stabalizing! I tested some more images today and when the image stabalising is switched off, the first frame is fine, but when it is on, I get camera shake... I know this sounds like exactly the opposite of what should be working, but it seems the IS doesn't like it when the lens is beign held still by a tripod 

Ehm, no offense... But again some basics.... 

It's the basics that gets overlooked the most

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon 1D X - HDR First frame always shaky

« on: January 08, 2013, 10:54:01 AM »

So indeed,

1- Do not use the IS when on tripod
2- Use shutter release with a delay (2 seconds or 10 seconds )

let us know how it goes
have a good one.

It is indeed the Image Stabalizing! I tested some more images today and when the image stabalising is switched off, the first frame is fine, but when it is on, I get camera shake... I know this sounds like exactly the opposite of what should be working, but it seems the IS doesn't like it when the lens is beign held still by a tripod 

It also looks like it is happening more in the f18-f22 range and when the camera is slightly tilted upwards. Looks like the Image Stabalizer kicks in for a second to see if it should stabalise and the vibrations causes the camera shake.

Thanks for the input

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon 1D X - HDR First frame always shaky

« on: January 08, 2013, 10:50:20 AM »

How are you triggering the shutter? If you're simply pressing the shutter button, it's likely you are causing the movement.

Do explain because that is how I take my pictures and want to learn a better way. Thx.

these are basics! .......1DX user..............................................

Thank you for your EXTREMELY valuable input! I thought basics mean that you read a question PROPERLY before answering it

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon 1D X - HDR First frame always shaky

« on: January 08, 2013, 06:20:21 AM »

Do you press shutter release button for the first picture to be taken?

Uhhh.... Isn't the shutter release button supposed to be pressed?  Sorry I know what you mean and I am not using a cable release, but I press the button exactly the same way with all 5 exposures and it is always only the first exposure that shows camera shake. I will experiment a bit more but I do recall I had some issues with sharpness before using the camera on a tripod with IS switched on.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Canon 1D X - HDR First frame always shaky

« on: January 07, 2013, 03:53:42 PM »

I have taken a series of HDR shots today using my 1D X and 24-105L lens. I have also used a tripod and the camera is set to auto bracketing (5 exposures). In just about every series of shots the very first picture has camera shake and the other 4 exposures are sharp. I was wondering if anyone else had this problem before and if it is possibly the Image Stabalizing motor causing the shake? What is strange is that it is for instance a 3 sec exposure that is shaky but the longer exposures are perfect... This is very confusing!

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Software & Accessories / Re: Lightroom 4.1 Running SLOW!

« on: November 11, 2012, 03:42:25 PM »

I keep all my RAW files in CR2 format, could that be the problem?

Yes, that's it - the solution is convert them to dng and check the "embed fast-load data" option, that's specifically made for speeding up raw rendering. You can still embed cr2 in the dng if you never ever want to loose the original format, though of course required hd doubles. Personally, I like dng since all programs I ever looked at (except dxo) work with raw dng nowadays.

Sorry guys but I have to disagree... I know a lot of people preach converting to dng but I found that DNG IS the problem for Lightroom being so slow. I run an i7 processor with 24GB of RAM and when I convert to dng, I will click on the crop tool, wait 10 seconds... crop... wait 10 seconds... adjust a slider... wait 10 seconds etc etc. All my other catalogues are in CR2 format, so it made me think and I came across this article : http://www.foto-biz.com/Lightroom/The-case-against-dng

I kept the dng files I already worked on, deleted the rest from the catalogue and re-imported the CR2 files from the memory card... Suddenly Lightroom was working the way it is supposed to again. So my experience tells me that the dng file is indeed the problem.

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Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Have you considered joining the dark side?...

« on: August 15, 2012, 01:53:36 AM »

I used to recommend Canon entry level DSLRs without hesitation for newbies.
Now I have to temper that with, "What kind of shooting will you be doing?" Because the D5100 and now the  D3200 can fit slightly more advanced novices who intend to do some post-processing and will have some appreciation for the cleaner raw files from the sonikon bodies.

Canon's Rebels are, of course, still a good choice too.  but anyone aspiring to grow beyond this as a first camera has a bit more to think about now.  it's good to have options, confusing tho it can be.

This is exactly my feeling and deliberately just threw out the question without my opinion to see if others are feeling the same  I think Canon has quite a gap to fill in some areas

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Third Party Manufacturers / Re: What to tell a newbie?

« on: August 15, 2012, 01:50:13 AM »

Wow - this got a lot more feedback than I expected 

I can't quote on everyones comments else I will create one extra page with a lot of duplicate content hehehe...

Why did it hurt? Brand loyalty won't improve anyone's photographs.

No it doesn't and I did mention that in my original post, but you get loyal to a brand because it offers you something that no other brand can, maybe not technical, even an emotional connection can keep you loyal. And you are all correct about the glass... But everyone here is talking out of experience. And personal experience hardly ever motivates a beginner on a tight budget. They do not look at future glass investments or care about learning more about photography first (I am talking about the average 35 year+ home user here) they want to buy a camera now with as little money as possible but that can do as much as possible. My experience is that you can tell them camera A is the best camera for you and they will still buy camera F because they got a good deal and the salesman told them it is as good as camera A.

It all comes down to personal choice...

But overall I am saying that Canon is missing a crucial market here. Just about all the replies here is about the amazing glass Canon offers - but for a newbie buying a great lens only comes much later... after they invested in one or two camera bodies first. They might even buy a flash before considering a better lens. And from experience we know you should almost buy the CANON lens first, but in reality people don't think like that.

I also agree 100% that the D3200 isn't necessarily better than the EOS 650D... but it is on the shelf. I think that beats any camera on paper

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Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Have you considered joining the dark side?...

« on: August 14, 2012, 01:47:53 PM »

As mentioned before it has crossed my mind and it is not because I think the dark side is better, but I think Canon is losing the plot in terms of getting their products out to the clients.

But to change the topic a BIT... Would you advise someone else to rather join the dark side looking at the entry level DSLR cameras and current availability?

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Third Party Manufacturers / What to tell a newbie?

« on: August 14, 2012, 01:39:35 PM »

Today I came to a realization that Canon is indeed behind in the current camera market. I LOVE Canon products and LOVE my 1D X, but I also give training to new and upcoming photographers. I get a lot of questions on what camera to buy and what is the best camera and of course I know the best camera is the one you have in your hands, but how do you currently advise a new photographer to buy Canon if they just cannot deliver?

For example... I have someone who wants a camera to use when going overseas for travelling and holiday purposes (Powershot G1X will work here) and not sure if they will get serious about photography. But they also go away to a game farm frequently and wants to get a bit closer to the birds and wildlife. (SLR territory) Video is a nice to have feature seeing that it will also be a family camera.

Now newbies don't have a clue about ISO and shutterspeed and aperture and focal length etc - they want to push the button and get a great shot. Of course they will be disappointed and then they want to learn more on how to get the better shot.

Comparing Cameras AND availability just showed me once again that Canon has seriously dropped the ball. For what this student want the EOS 600D would be sufficient, but why force him to buy a Canon because I like Canon if the D3200 is clearly the better choice? I am comparing with the EOS 600D, because Canon had to recall the EOS 650D, once again, and it is not available - so in my opinion that isn't even a contender for someone who is burning to buy a camera.

I advised about 3 or 4 people in the last week to buy Nikon, and it really hurt! I still love my Canon gear, but Canon left a deep scar with the delays of the 1D X, the delays in the 5D III and now the EOS 650.

My only way of staying positive is believing they have something big up their sleeves... a game changer. Canon was the first to release a full frame DSLR and this made A LOT of Nikon users switch to Canon and they got a big market share there. Canon will have to bring out another miracle like the full frame DSLR - or they will lose all that ground they built up with it...

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: My Canon EOS-1D X Has Arrived!

« on: July 13, 2012, 05:08:37 PM »

Mine is here!!!

Looking at the handbag I have to wonder if you had your priorities right here and your wife was sitting in the back seat or you are a wife and the husband was sitting in the back seat