Messages

1

Canon General / Re: Beach Vacation in a month... & I'm scared for my gear.

« on: May 20, 2013, 12:42:06 PM »

I used to have these same kind of reservations, but then at some point realized that there was no point in having the camera if I wasn't going to take it anywhere.

I bought my current Canon body before a trip to Hawaii and it did take me a bit to get confident in using it all the time.

Last year I went on a trip to Cabo, and thought about it much less. I had it with me pretty much everywhere. I didn't have any big sand issues, but I almost had a major water issue. We went out for a day of shopping in town which was quite a ways from our hotel. I took only my camera and one lens, which is usually how I like to explore, make the lens decision based on where we are going and then make it work. There was an impromptu group decision to take a boat ride out to the arch at Lands End where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez. The boat was small and it was pretty rocky, lots of spray, but everything was going okay, got some really nice shots. The problem came when we got back and the boat landed on the beach, not a dock like where we started. A friend had offered to put my camera in her bag (not waterproof) for a bit of protection as I hadn't brought anything along (bad idea), and as she was jumping from the boat onto the sand she slipped, luckily landing on her backside and holding her bag up and out of harms way.

If it had gotten dunked, the fault would of course had been mine for not being prepared. I had a nice small drybag sitting in the hotel that would have been perfect and quite easy to take along in cargo shorts or a lightweight bag, and now I plan to always have it around when water is even a remote possibility. It's not one of those huge bulky dive bags but one of the smaller ones that rolls up into a very small package. I'd think about picking one up if boats or anything similar are a possibility.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Advice for Vacation to Belize

« on: May 17, 2013, 07:07:34 PM »

I had hoped to give an update on this trip, possibly right before we went detailing what I was going to bring, and definitely after with some images. I know there is a long list of people asking for advice and then never following up on things.

Unfortunately, I will no longer be going to Belize. My soon to be ex-wife will still be going, but I will have to wait to see the ruins and the Blue Hole.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Some day I hope to make the trip.

3

Software & Accessories / Re: Adobe to Stop Making Packaged Software

« on: May 13, 2013, 03:13:06 PM »

I'd be really curious to see a breakdown of Adobe users by business size/type.

I work for a smallish multimedia company and we have been on subscription for our 3D software for some time now. With that software (Maya and Max) it makes sense due to backward compatibility issues, upgrade pricing, etc. We haven't taken the leap here with our Adobe software yet, still on CS5. It wouldn't end up being a horrible deal for the company to go CC and it would open up some cross platform usage that is an issue here from time to time.

For my home use I'm bothered by the whole thing. I can't justify the annual cost based on what I do at home, especially since at the moment none of it is bringing in any money. If I was freelancing it would be different. I'm on a really old version right now that works for some programs on Windows 7, but not others (CS1).

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EOS Bodies / Re: Any news on the SL1 sensor?

« on: May 13, 2013, 02:55:37 PM »

Its not possible to compare raw images for SL1 and 60D on the digital picture web site, just jpeg images, which means very little, since they were processed in camera with different firmware.
 
However, DXO has tested the raw output of the T5i which has the same sensor as the SL1, and found no change in raw output compared to 5 year old sensors from Canon.  That's a more telling statistic than comparing jpg's on the digital picture.

Are you sure they share the same sensor? From what I read at launch, the T5i has the same sensor as the T4i, and the SL1 was something new. Maybe I had it wrong though.

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Software & Accessories / Re: XYZ vs Adobe Photoshop: Which one is the best alternate choice?

« on: May 10, 2013, 05:23:26 PM »

So far,

I've looked at the tutorial pages for Pixelmator, and it seems to not be looking much like a 'pro' tool like PS.
The interface seems a bit cartoonish, and from the little I've seen of the demos there, they look to be most presets to select from and that's it...

Am I missing something? Others had said it may be the next best thing at this point to PS as an alternative.


Thanx,

cayenne

Well, next best thing for $15, maybe, on a good day.

I needed to edit a few things on a Mac with no PS and bought it. It was okay in a pinch for some simple work.

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Software & Accessories / Re: XYZ vs Adobe Photoshop: Which one is the best alternate choice?

« on: May 10, 2013, 05:03:04 PM »

A whole lot of this will depend on what you do, and your workflow, but maybe that's obvious.

I've got Pixelmator on an old Mac at home and it seemed okay for what it is. I've messed with Gimp and Paint.net on the free side of things. I've barely touched Elements, Corel, and recent versions of Paintshop.

These all may be fine programs on their own. The problems that I have run into (and have had co-workers run into when they didn't have a PS license) is that nothing I have found is 100 percent compatible with existing PS files. Sometimes it's text layers. Sometimes it's vector shapes or masks, or something else. It gets to the point where it's not worth it for me, at least not on a professional level.

If you work in a bubble and don't have to exchange layered files with clients/subcontractors/etc., there is probably something else you can use. If you're not in a bubble, you have to be careful.

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EOS Bodies / Re: No 7D Mark II in 2013? [CR2]

« on: May 07, 2013, 02:41:00 PM »

I can only speak for myself on this, but I have a mixed reaction to this bit of "news."

On the one hand, it would have been nice to see the 7DII live and in action. I am hoping to upgrade in the not too distant future and I am curious about this camera. I am leaning to full frame though, 6D or 5DIII. I'm interested to see if some great leap forward would keep me in crop.

On the other hand, it will be nice to see what Canon comes up with given the extra development time, once the 7DII actually comes out. Maybe it will be a big step forward.

For me, the timing of my upgrade has much less to do with when Canon puts out a new body, and much more to do with when I can afford to upgrade. I have a feeling I'd be quite happy with a 7D, 6D, or 5DIII right now. I just can't spend the money right now (especially on full frame since I'd also be looking for a new zoom).

Until, I have the funds saved up, I'll be toting around my XSi and trying to get the most out of it that I can.

8

Black & White / Re: street photography...feedback please!

« on: May 03, 2013, 12:58:01 PM »

"Seeing in Black and White" is not BS, but you shouldn't take it literally. It's the ability to see the contrast in a color scene the way it would be represented in black and white. It's an acquired skill. Yes, you can make good black and white images from your RAW files if you don't work on seeing this way, but it will take you longer in post and you will have less black and white keepers.

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Software & Accessories / Re: Scanners

« on: April 29, 2013, 06:51:37 PM »

One thing to consider is to go completely the other route and pick up a used darkroom setup on CL or somewhere similar. I've seen whole kits of very good equipment available locally for very reasonable prices.

I know this brings up details of space, etc., but I bring it up because there is something magical and almost zen-like in the process of printing your own photos the old fashioned way. I enjoyed my darkroom time almost as much as the time spent shooting. I ditched my gear two house moves ago, and I still regret it. It's something that I really miss and I'm trying to figure out a location in my condo that I can setup a small rig again. The smell of fix still brings back memories.

Don't get me wrong, Photoshop and Lightroom are great tools, but it's a completely different experience.

10

Lenses / Re: Speedy Manual Focusing?

« on: April 17, 2013, 12:17:26 PM »

I miss the AE-1 split prism every time I try to focus manually.

Oh, and Don, I think you are right. Most MF lenses back in the day, even less expensive models, had a longer and more precise focus turn. Every once in a while I see it referenced on a high end AF lens in a review, but I know the lenses I own don't have that same precise feel.

I did look into a split prism finder for my XSi like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Split-Image-Focusing-Focus-Screen-for-Canon-450D-500D-/190590997928

But I read somewhere that installing this kind of screen somehow disables the focus confirmation points, though I'm not sure how that would work exactly. Since it's the only body I have at the moment, I don't want to mess it up.

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Canon General / Re: How do you buy equipment?

« on: April 16, 2013, 01:11:37 PM »

I only buy what I can pay for right then, cash, Paypal, or Amex, but pay it off at the end of the month. I don't make any money directly from my habit, so I can't justify overspending or financing anything. Just the cost of living in the LA area has the budget fairly tight. Of course living here also provides some great photo opportunities.

To quell the urge to buy new stuff, I've been picking up older gear on eBay. I know it's a gamble, but it reminds me of going to camera shows to pick up used gear when I was younger. Picked up a Spotmatic for the Super Tak that came with it, but now I'm interested in trying out the camera too.

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Software & Accessories / Re: Wrist or Neck strap

« on: April 15, 2013, 05:10:38 PM »

Been thinking about picking up a BR. Currently have a Rebel with a Click wrist strap (just in case). I hate the feel of a neck strap.

Since I use a smaller body, and I am usually using smaller lenses (most of the time, not always), 35 2.0, 85 1.8, which BR would be the best choice? Is the new Metro for even smaller gear like m43?

Thanks in advance for the input.

13

Lenses / Re: Which Super-Zoom is the best?

« on: March 29, 2013, 02:19:03 PM »

I went through this myself looking for a single lens to take on hiking trips. The canon 18-200 was a clear winner, but be warned that sharpness from any super zoom is nowhere near a great zoom like the 17-55 or any of the 70-200's.

It is also the worst lens that I have ever used for "lens creep". Mine has a rubber band from a head of broccoli as a permanent feature to keep it under control. Also, this lens does NOT play well with teleconverters.

I made the same choice a few years ago, thinking I could live with a little lower IQ and take more pictures since I wouldn't have to swap lenses.

Now, my 18-200 pretty much sits in the bag. It's not a bad lens when you take into account its range, and I have used it to get some nice shots. It just doesn't hold up to my other lenses. I've gone back to shooting with primes for the most part, the same way I shot back in the FD days.

It is convenient to have the range, and I haven't gotten rid of it. I just don't use it as much as I thought I would. It might be something to borrow/rent (if that's possible) to get a feel for it before buying. If I had to go back, I think I would have put the money toward a 200mm 2.8 L and stayed with my kit lenses for zooms.

14

Lenses / Re: 40mm f/2.8 Wow what a lens

« on: March 27, 2013, 12:26:58 PM »

Has anyone compared the 40 to the non-IS 35mm 2.0? I already have the 35, so the 40 would seem redundant. But if the AF, sharpness, etc. is much better I would think about replacing the 35 with the 40. I'd be giving up a stop though.

Thoughts?

15

EOS Bodies / Re: Big Megapixel Development Announcement in the Fall? [CR2]

« on: March 26, 2013, 12:49:26 PM »

It will only produce better IQ if the lenses improve.  Once it does arrive you will hear on these forums about how soft it is.  This will be due to lenses and not the camera.  Even with the MK II lenses, the images will be softer and the complaints will start.

I think instead of focusing on 135, they should expand into larger formats where the extra MP will be of more use.  Makes no sense for the sensors to out resolve any of the lenses currently in production.

I'm not so sure about that. Are people with an 18 MP 7D complaining about the softness of the MK II lenses? If you made a full frame sensor with the same pixel density of the 7D, you'd be around 47 MP (unless my source on that is off).

A crop from the center of a big MP sensor would look much like what 7D shooters ( and I suppose anyone with a decent 18 MP APS-C body) are shooting right now. I know there are a lot of complaints about that sensor, but none that I have heard have to do with it making high end glass look soft.

Maybe my logic is off there, but I don't think you'd be pushing it with the newer lenses.