Messages

1

Portrait / Re: street portraits

« on: April 22, 2013, 07:05:58 AM »

we set up a black pop up reflector and ring flash off camera on a street corner in Sydney. Stopping the more interesting people for 5 or so shots, trying to find the most interesting feature to bring out of them. I put some on my website http://www.jeremypark.com.au  if you're interested.

Very cool, Jeremy.

2

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D2 refurb or new 7D as backup to 5D3?

« on: March 21, 2013, 08:55:53 PM »

My 5d2's set button does not make a slapping sound at all. I might be concerned about this and would attempt an exchange but I am a stickler by nature.

If Canon has another 5d2 then problem solved I would imagine, since you made the initial decision to get one.
If not, then a new 7d is not the worst decision; you get a new high quality camera that is different from your other one i.e. crop factor and you may find that useful.

Regardless, your hand is slightly forced in this case, or so it seems to me and the camera gods will decide for you. 

3

Lenses / Re: Bridge not sharp - why?

« on: March 11, 2013, 06:35:21 PM »

Thanks to everybody who weighed in on this. I believe I have found the culprit and it is me. Yes, a higher ISO and/or IS would have eliminated this motion blur.  However, it wouldn't have happened in the first place had I taken the time to make sure everything was solid before I snapped the photo. That's what happens when you get in a hurry; you skip over some of the basics that you've been doing for a long time! All of the Canon 70-200 L's, regardless of aperture or IS, are really sharp, so that's why I was surprised to see this at first. I've used this same set up in creeks with exposure settings of .5 to a full second without any problems before.

In any event, I'll take care to keep everything still next time. Thanks again for the feedback.

What was not solid?

4

Lenses / Re: Bridge not sharp - why?

« on: March 11, 2013, 06:58:56 AM »

I have a Canon EF 70-200 f/4 L and a 5DmkII. I've used this setup regularly for awhile now, and I've come across something I can't quite explain. I recently shot this bridge in Oregon. I used a sturdy tripod (Manfrotto ballhead/tripod combo), so stability isn't an issue. Still, several of these images came out much less sharp than I've been used to seeing from this lens. It looks like motion blur to me, but like I said, I was using a sturdy tripod. I shot at f/8, and even one of the images at f/11 had this same issue. Shutter speed was 1/20 and ISO was 125, and autofocus was directly on the front of the bridge itself.  I can't imagine this lens is suddenly misfocusing so badly.

You say that several of your images came out blurry, which implies that others did not. How do the settings compare between these two sets?

I would suspect mild shake due to the wind or the mirror flipping up. As others have suggested mirror lockup could address this.  But it might just be that your AF had a rough day. Did you try manual focus as well?

5

Technical Support / Re: Sharpening question for Photoshop experts

« on: February 24, 2013, 03:18:31 PM »

High pass sharpening.  It's quick, easy and effective.

For those few people who may be unaware of what high pass sharpening is, here you go!
http://www.photoshopessentials.com/photo-editing/sharpen-high-pass/
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/high-pass-sharpening.shtml
http://www.adobepress.com/articles/article.asp?p=1326507&seqNum=4

-PW

Thanks for the links!

6

Lenses / Re: All street photographers share your gear here!

« on: January 29, 2013, 04:24:31 PM »

T2i and Sigma 8-16, sometimes 17-40

7

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Third Party Accessories - What to Buy, What to Avoid

« on: January 15, 2013, 07:35:37 AM »

I have a pair of cactus v5 triggers. No ETTL but the price is right. They are less than robust but I have had no problems using them. From time to time my off camera flash does not fire but reseating the triggers/flash sorts this out. If you are on a budget, I recommend them.

8

Lenses / Re: Dropped my 70-200L F4 onto the carpet from my bag. Advice.

« on: December 30, 2012, 11:43:59 PM »

My initial tests indicate that the lens is ok. I have to do some more tests but I have to wait for the flu to clear. Thanks again for the advice.

9

Lenses / Re: Dropped my 70-200L F4 onto the carpet from my bag. Advice.

« on: December 29, 2012, 10:41:19 AM »

Thanks guys for the sage advice. I am going to do exactly what you have recommended, after I get better. 

10

Lenses / Dropped my 70-200L F4 onto the carpet from my bag. Advice.

« on: December 28, 2012, 11:25:29 PM »

While under the ravages of the flu, I dropped my 70-200L F4 onto the carpet from my bag. I guess it dropped about 4 feet. What tests do you recommend to make sure it is still functional? If the lens is broken (hopefully not), what are my options? The lens is just over a year old. 

I love it very much and feeling bummed out (the flu does not help matters; I am freezing cold and feel completely out of it which is why I dropped it).

Thanks for any advice.

Simon

11

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Sigma 35 f/1.4 DG HSM First Impressions

« on: December 25, 2012, 01:15:18 PM »

For what it is worth I have been in the market for a 35mm and tomorrow I am going to buy the Sigma for my 5d2. I have read enough reviews that I am fully persuaded that the lens is worth it and that spending more money on a Canon 35L would not be the correct decision:

$899 vs $1300+

Maybe I will regret it but I am hoping I won't. Will be up at the store by 8:30 for its 9:00 opening.

12

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Sigma 35 f/1.4 DG HSM First Impressions

« on: December 20, 2012, 01:08:13 PM »

Sorry if this linked elsewhere:

http://lcap.tistory.com/entry/Sigma-35mm-f14-vs-Canon-35mm-f14-L

13

Canon General / Re: Recommended photography books

« on: December 13, 2012, 07:27:16 AM »

Not sure what level or type of book you are considering, art, composition, technique, lighting?

I am less interested in technique per se and more interested in composition. In particular, I want to explore the ideas informing high art photography and how the image works on the mind. I just picked up Stephen Shore's book which for me is expansive. Sontag on the other hand I find to be trite but perhaps she just annoys me and I am being unfair.

14

Canon General / Re: Recommended photography books

« on: December 07, 2012, 10:32:54 PM »

Thank you very much for your responses.

I should add one book to this list: Vivian Maier: Street Photographer.

I lit upon this book by accident sitting on a friend's night table. I find it remarkable.

Not sure if I am allowed to link to it but here is the site with some great examples of her work:

http://www.vivianmaier.com/

15

Canon General / Re: Recommended photography books

« on: December 07, 2012, 07:11:01 AM »

Then, if you want to challenge yourself, pick up Susan Sontag's On Photography and Roland Barthe's Camera Lucida ...

Each can be read over and over again and each time you will learn something new. And, not a single one talks about f-stops, ISO, noise, bokeh, crop factor, or any of the other drivel that bogs people down. They are all about vision and understanding this fascinating and addictive craft.

Excellent recommendations. Thank you.