Messages

1

Software & Accessories / Re: Screw-on ND filter for 16-35 II

« on: April 29, 2013, 01:07:47 PM »

Maybe a little off the subject, but I just don't get how someone can spend so much money on a Canon L lens like the 16-35 II & then buy the cheapest filter they can find to put on the lens! I mean I like a great deal just as much as the nest guy, but at what cost to the IQ. The whole point of spending the extra money & buying an L is for the superior IQ. Why wouldn't you do the same & spend the extra on the filter that you put in front of that expensive L glass??? It makes no sense to me.

A valid point, but as a person who normally uses good quality (I typically use the higher levels of Hoya filters - Pro1D or equivalent), I can certainly attest to the fact that the advantages over premium filters (beyond the better Hoya level) are going to be imperceptible to almost every eye.  Just because a more expensive product exists doesn't mean that I blindly buy it.  In the case of the Haida, I did the research, looked at a lot of pictures taken with it, then took a flyer on it.  I had a great experience with the first, enough so that I bought a second in another filter size that I have been equally pleased with.  In fact, if I'm not mistaken, I think Haida is actually using the same glass manufacturer as B+W.  Because of that, I have not problem recommending them to someone else.

BTW, I tried a circular polarizer filter from Haida when I switched to an 82mm filter size.  Didn't like it at all - not because of the optics, but because I found the rotating ring very stiff and virtually unusable in the field.  The seller replaced it with a second copy, but I wasn't crazy about it, either. I ended up spending the money on a Hoya Pro-1D filter which I'm perfectly happy with.  I certainly won't recommend that Haida CP to someone, but the ND filters I've had great success with.

I would rather spend a few extra dollars for a B&W then buy from a company that the workmanship is hit or miss, just like you described with your Haida filters. Buy it once & you don't have the hassle or expense of returning it & getting something to replace it. I'd rather not waste my time or money like that. My original comment was directed at the optics, but overall craftsmanship & quality is very important as well to me. I want the products I buy to last & don't want to have to return the item or replace it in a few years down the road.

2

Lenses / Re: Best lens for capturing the Milky Way?

« on: April 29, 2013, 09:13:42 AM »

I live in western Kansas & it is the same here for me, I can drive a few miles & basically have very little to no light pollution at all. I have a 5dIII & I love to do Milky Way shots! As you can see in my signature below I have a few fast lenses for that type of photography. I get some good images with the gear that I have, however I am still looking for the PERFECT lens. I think that I have found it though!! The Zeiss 25mm f/2.0 lens.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/839987-REG/Zeiss_1871766_Distagon_T_25mm_f_2_0.html

What you need in a Milky Way lens is exceptionally sharp wide open, wide to ultra-wide focal length & a fast aperture (f/2.8 or faster). This lens is (in my opinion) the ultimate Milky Way lens!! I'm not alone in that thinking either. I know of another guy that bought this lens just for a trip up North to shoot the northern lights. This conclusion has been probably two years in the making, I'm very serious about my Milky Way photography & I'm out for perfection!

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Software & Accessories / Re: Screw-on ND filter for 16-35 II

« on: April 27, 2013, 09:40:25 AM »

Maybe a little off the subject, but I just don't get how someone can spend so much money on a Canon L lens like the 16-35 II & then buy the cheapest filter they can find to put on the lens! I mean I like a great deal just as much as the nest guy, but at what cost to the IQ. The whole point of spending the extra money & buying an L is for the superior IQ. Why wouldn't you do the same & spend the extra on the filter that you put in front of that expensive L glass??? It makes no sense to me.

4

Lenses / Re: 24-105 &/or 24-70

« on: April 27, 2013, 09:25:52 AM »

Hi,

Great thread! A question for the people that have had both: which is better for indoor, low light - events?

Thanks!

By far the 24-70 f/2.8 version I or II would be better for low light than the 24-105 f/4 IS for objects in motion such as at events. The IS of the 24-105 only helps with stationary objects. The f/2.8 lets in twice as much light as the f/4.0 so that you can either have a shutter speed that is twice as fast or an ISO that is half as much for the same exposure. The high ISO capabilities of these newer cameras just keep getting better & better, making this low light/larger aperture issue less & less important. By NO means is it a non existent issue, just not as big of an issue as it has typically been.

5

Canon General / Re: Do you carry around a back up? point&shoot/mirrorless/iphone?

« on: April 25, 2013, 01:53:27 PM »

Also the new Fuji X20 might be of interest.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/910169-REG/fujifilm_finepix_x20_digital_camera.html

6

Canon General / Re: Do you carry around a back up? point&shoot/mirrorless/iphone?

« on: April 25, 2013, 01:38:26 PM »

I can't believe all of the guys that fly off the handle and reply to a thread without fully reading the post to begin with!!  This thread is a prime example. Xopher wants a camera that he can take where a DSLR isn't allowed or when he doesn't want to lug it around, but he still wants good quality pictures & manual controls. Read the thread people!

Xopher, I always have my 5DIII close by. Usually locked in the vehicle. I have however always wanted to have a G1X also. Its smallish, has good optics & has manual controls. I think that it is the perfect camera for the situations you described.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/838600-REG/Canon_G1X_PowerShot_G1_X_Digital.html

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Software & Accessories / Re: Screw-on ND filter for 16-35 II

« on: April 25, 2013, 10:26:38 AM »

I own the 16-35 II & the B&W 10-stop. However, sadly, I haven't used the 10-stop on the 16-35 yet.

8

Lighting / Re: T3i - 600EX-RT or Canon Speedlite 580EX II

« on: April 23, 2013, 12:10:59 PM »

Congratulations! Glad that I could help you in making that decision! Let us know if you have any questions & how you like the new gear!!

9

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Zeiss 135mm f2 Apo Sonnar Preview

« on: April 23, 2013, 12:11:04 AM »

If its the Canon mount, the focus confirm in the view finder. The focus confirm does have a bit of latitude in it, I must admit.
[/quote]

Wouldn't a micro adjustment fix this? Maybe I'm wrong about that.

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Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Zeiss 135mm f2 Apo Sonnar Preview

« on: April 22, 2013, 06:04:16 PM »

I want one! Droll!!

Problem is, I want too many new lenses!! LOL!!

11

Lenses / Re: 24-105 &/or 24-70

« on: April 19, 2013, 06:56:42 PM »

My mind is made up! Thanks for all the comments & help! I am going to get ride of the 24-105 & buy a 24-70 MArk II. I have a 24-70 Mark II coming as a CPS loan to try it out in May......I might not even make it to May before I buy one! HAHA

12

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Anyone use Wasabi Power Batteries?

« on: April 19, 2013, 05:35:28 PM »

I personally stick with Canon brand batteries. You spend all that $$$ on a camera body & then what if the battery shorts out or something & causes damage to your camera. The extra $$ is WELL worth the peace of mind in my opinion! Just my 2 cents.

13

Lenses / Re: 24-105 &/or 24-70

« on: April 19, 2013, 10:56:27 AM »

Thanks for the replies guys!!

Looking at your gear list I'd have to wonder why you'd actually need the 24-70ii unless your doing a lot of event work? even then I'd be happy with two bodies your 16-35 on one and the 70-200 on the other. Just my $0.02

I don't do a lot of event work. I do some events on the side (two weddings & receptions in the last year) but this is more of a hobby for me than anything. A really expensive hobby!!

I happened to purchase the 24-105 as a kit with my 5DM3, and I love it.  The nice thing about the 24-7 is the f2.8, which you don't have in the 24-105.

Because I got the 24-105 first, I grew to love it.  Now I have several primes and the 70-200 f2.8 IS II USM (which is amazing).  I don't really find myself missing the 24-70 because I've got plenty of good lenses with f2.8 or better.

I honestly do really like this lens. It is also my first FF standard zoom lens. My other standard zoom that I had was a 17-55 that I had for my 7D. Which I miss the 2.8 of that lens, which is why I'm considering purchasing the 24-70. I do a lot of nightscapes, which the 2.8 will definitely be welcome there.

If you have a 5d3 then your high iso is good enough that the extra stop isn't going to be a big revelation. Besides, you can get some sort of 50mm 1.4 AND the 24-105 for the same price as a 24-70. I don't own a 24-70 but I can say that aside from primes, I cannot bring myself to buy a lens that doesn't have IS, which is another factor.

Having IS on the new 24-70 would be nice.

14

Lenses / 24-105 &/or 24-70

« on: April 19, 2013, 09:12:10 AM »

I have noticed some of you own both the 24-105 & a version of the 24-70. What is the purpose of having both? I am looking at possibly buying a copy of the EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II USM but I already have a EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM that I got in my 5DIII kit. If I were to own both the only reason I think that I might use the 24-105 over the 24-70 would be if I only wanted to take one lens & I might need a little extra reach. A low key day on vacation with nothing in particular to shoot comes to mind. Other than that why own both? Is that a good enough reason to justify owning both? Does anyone want to buy a gently used 24-105?? (on that last one I'm kidding....kinda)

Thanks in advance!

15

Software & Accessories / Re: How do you print your photos for those who still do?

« on: April 18, 2013, 05:42:59 PM »

Online print houses! There are a lot of reputable sites. I personally use WHCC (White House Custom Color). It helps if you have a calibrated monitor, so that what you see is what you get.