Messages

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Software & Accessories / Re: What are the Hardware Specs for the machine you run Photoshop on?

« on: June 11, 2013, 11:50:05 PM »

Windows 8 Pro 64-bit
Intel 3770K CPU
Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H motherboard
AMD Radeon 6970 2GB graphics
32GB DDR3 1866MHz RAM
256GB Samsung 840 Pro SSD
About 6TB worth of mirrored storage across several 7200RPM drives
More storage via NAS

Unsurprisingly, photoshop runs great.  My panos take far less time to process on this computer versus my old machine (having 32GB of RAM comes in handy - I've seen photoshop using 28GB+ a few times while stitching together 40+ frame panoramas).  For general image editing, you don't need nearly as much RAM as I put in my machine - but having more can't really hurt.  The only time I'm ever really waiting is when firing up the mechanical hard drive arrays - they take a second or two to spin up from idle.  I can't really complain about performance.

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Software & Accessories / Re: New Macpro teased at Mac Conference

« on: June 10, 2013, 04:22:41 PM »

Interesting design, but it's a workstation - and if there was ever a use-application where the size of the box was not a primary concern, it's workstations.  All those custom parts means you can pretty much forget expandability.  No displayport or DVI, so you are pretty much limited to thunderbolt displays (or HDMI).  Performance sounds pretty great for the size.  Built-in bluetooth 4.0 and ac wifi is nice.  What'll it cost?  I assume unreasonable amounts of money.

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Pricewatch Deals / Re: Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 DG OS HSM Now in Stock

« on: May 30, 2013, 09:59:22 PM »

Nice caddy shack  drop.  I have nothing in response but I appreciated it.

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Pricewatch Deals / Re: Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 DG OS HSM Now in Stock

« on: May 30, 2013, 06:08:13 PM »

so where it's this in the packing order of the  Canon 70-200 is f2.8L mkii.  better,  worse,  our  just a different lens so the comparisons aren't really fair.

Well, judging from TDP's IQ charts for the IS II and the previous version of the sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 OS, the canon is way better (at any aperture) in the 70-119mm range, and sharper across the frame @ f/2.8 from 120-200mm, but it just doesn't compare at 201-300mm.  Throw a 1.4x III on the IS II and @280mm the canon is sharper from mid-frame into the corners @ f/4, but the sigma is sharper in the center.  And the sigma also does f/2.8 @ 300mm - so it's got that going for it, which is nice.

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the v2 sigma has better IQ than the previous edition, if for no other reason than that it seems like sigma's finally taking quality control more seriously.

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Pricewatch Deals / Re: Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 DG OS HSM Now in Stock

« on: May 30, 2013, 05:13:22 PM »

If this lens has no autofocus demons with Canon bodies (or at least none that can't be banished using the USB dock), they'll sell quite a few.  Sure, image quality of the previous version (optical formula is unchanged in the new version) wasn't perfection like the Canon IS II's, but it was good enough, and the price is a bit more down to earth than first party kit.

The weather-sealing is a nice add (about time, too).  On a related note, does anyone know if it require a filter to complete the sealing (because 105mm filters aren't cheap)?

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D3 and 24 1.4 II L owners please read!!!!!!!!!!!!

« on: May 23, 2013, 12:56:21 PM »

Just to confirm - everything else is the same with the physical setup?  Remember that it's not just what's in front of the camera that matters - light entering through the VF also affects metering so if you're in a different position behind the camera, that can make a difference.  Try covering the VF during testing (a lens cap hung over the eyecup does the trick).

Since Live View metering is done using the image sensor rather than the metering sensor, might be good to see if the same phenomenon occurs in live view.

The change was directly related to physically moving the AF/MF switch on the lens - shutter speed on the secondary LCD updated instantly as I switched the AF/MF switch (I flipped the switch multiple times a second and shutter speed changed directly in time with each flip of the switch).  Viewfinder covered, ISO100, f/2.8 - additionally, this issue does not replicate in LV mode or any other metering mode besides evaluative metering.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D3 and 24 1.4 II L owners please read!!!!!!!!!!!!

« on: May 23, 2013, 12:26:07 PM »

Please can you check your camera, in AV Mode and Evaluative Metering, do not move, and switch the lens to manual and back again to Auto AF and please look at your metering value does it change?

It doesn't seem to change with a different lens

But does with the 24mm

Thanks for your time,


Louis

I have a 5DIII and 24LII (that exact combo happened to be sitting on my desk when I saw your post...), and can confirm the issue you noted - switching between AF and MF on the lens changed my metering value by 1/3rd of a stop (AF mode was giving me an exposure of 0.3" and MF gave me 1/5) - an odd little quirk, but I don't really consider it to be much of an issue.  I'm running the latest firmware if that makes any difference.

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EOS Bodies / Re: Patent: Canon Foveon Sensor

« on: May 22, 2013, 10:05:56 AM »

A foveon-style FF sensor in a canon body would be sweet.  Canon, dooo ittttttt.....

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Lenses / Re: Who has pre-ordered or will order 200-400

« on: May 14, 2013, 05:45:22 PM »

I'd still like an updated 100-400L, though, as a more portable option.

Same here - large aperture superteles are fun and all that, but most of time I want something that can fit in my usual camera bag and doesn't weigh me down too much.

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Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Looking for an Mirorrless or Compact for climbing/high altitude hiking

« on: May 01, 2013, 04:21:15 PM »

Need some advice:

I am looking for an compact Camera or Mirrorless for climbing or high-altitude hiking.
Preferences:

• smaller an lighter than SLR
• focus on high image quality
• normal AF speed (shutter lag <0,5s)
• able to use an polarisation filter e.g.
• wide angle preference

Price unter 1500€ inclusive wideangle lens

I aimed at the Sony Cyber-shot RX100, but there are very variying tests. (Dpreview gives not the best notes. Color foto (German magazine) says superb,...) Which test to trust?
The Fuji 100s or the X-1E?

Which model would you prefer?

I have an RX100, corners at wide angle are a weakness.  Otherwise I like it quite a bit - IQ is better than any other compact I've used, but not up to the standards of my 7D.  Being able to charge the battery via microUSB is an asset in the backcountry if battery life is a concern (although the RX100 already has pretty good battery life) - you could keep it charged w/ a small solar kit (I have one that works with the RX100 and weighs about 8oz).

How about the Nikon Coolpix A or Ricoh GR?  Fixed 28mm equivalent lens, APS-C sized sensors (no AA filters on either), very good IQ for the size/weight.

Also consider the Sigma Merrill DP1 - amazing low ISO IQ, but a bit heavier, slower AF, slow write speeds, slower in general, battery life isn't great, high ISO performance is crap.  But that low ISO IQ is amazing.

I think the Ricoh GR would probably be my top recommendation at the end of the day - cheaper than the Nikon, IQ just as good or better.

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HDR - High Dynamic Range / Re: Post your HDR images:

« on: April 25, 2013, 06:20:21 PM »

I recently moved into a new apartment, here's an HDR panorama of one of the new bedrooms, shot with a 5DIII + 24L II.  I believe there were a total of 12 frames - 4 sets of 3 frames (-2.3, 0, +2.3) converted into 4 32-bit tiff files, then reprocessed in ACR and photomerged via PSCS6:

Very nice. Great use of HDR, not looking like something produced by Looney Tunes.

Thanks.  Although most of the credit should really go to the HDR processing method I used - creating 32-bit tiffs in Photoshop CS6 and then reprocessing them in ACR makes it very easy to create well-balanced, realistic looking HDRs.  Someone here posted B&H-produced tutorial of that functionality awhile back and it really streamlined my approach to HDRs.

Edit: So it was actually Adorama that made the tutorial I'm referring to, highly recommended viewing if you own a copy of CS6 -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JT1b12BBHs
	Small | Large

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HDR - High Dynamic Range / Re: Post your HDR images:

« on: April 25, 2013, 05:04:17 PM »

I recently moved into a new apartment, here's an HDR panorama of one of the new bedrooms, shot with a 5DIII + 24L II.  I believe there were a total of 12 frames - 4 sets of 3 frames (-2.3, 0, +2.3) converted into 4 32-bit tiff files, then reprocessed in ACR and photomerged via PSCS6:

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Software & Accessories / Re: Quick release plates: RRS v's Manfrotto

« on: April 16, 2013, 07:07:13 PM »

Slightly off-topic but important:
...there are heads/clamps which don't fit between the gripped 5D3 body and the head attachment. I have the 300 f4 and the 70-200 f2.8L2 and know that for instance, my Manfrotto 322 grip head with the RC2 plate will not fit up under the 70-200 because the bulkiness of the battery housing. I have to try the same combo with the 300 but suspect I'd see the same problem. I have an aftermarket grip but I think its shape will not differ too much from the Canon offering.

I am planning a change to all Arca Swiss (AS) camera attachment so am thinking about this right now, too. I plan to adapt all heads to the AS clamps, even retro fitting somehow the AC system on a Manfrotto 410 geared head. I will have to figure out how to replace/adapt the 322 grip, too, but I knew the inability to attach the 70-200 required some new solution, anyway.

I have an 322RC2 head - the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II + gripped 5D3 (I use the Canon BG-E11 grip) does in fact fit - after installing the RC2 plate to the lens collar, you need to rotate the tripod collar on the lens (ie, as you would if you were shooting vertically), then attach it to the tripod head, and then rotate the lens collar back in place - boom, it fits with your gripped camera.  I had the same issue with my gripped 7D, too.

Regardless, I am very happy to have moved on to the RRS AS-style plate system - big improvement versus the manfrotto RC2 system.

14

Software & Accessories / Re: Help me finalize my tripod & ballhead choice

« on: April 16, 2013, 03:14:49 PM »

If you plan to use it for backpacking - sturdiness, compact size, and overall weight are all concerns.  I'm also a frequent backpacker (an ultralighter, too - excluding camera gear, my base weight is usually in the 10-11lbs range), and shoot with a 5D3/7D and an assortment of lenses (24mm f/1.4 II, 100mm f/2.8 IS, 40mm f/2.8 STM, 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II, etc. - although in the backcountry I usually pack just the 24 f/1.4).

Given my intended use and equipment set here's what I ended up with:

For the legs I went with a gitzo GT1540F, a 4 section design which uses gitzo's ocean locks on the bottom two leg sections (about $580, the ocean locks make the tripod easier to clean in the field and give me more flexibility/less to worry about when setting up in streams, etc.).  For the head I have a RRS BH-30 ($275, plus about $50-60 per for several plates - one of the 5D3, one for the 7D, one for the 70-200 f/2..

The combination is exceptionally sturdy - the gitzo tripod is appreciably more solid feeling than the manfrotto 190CXPRO3 tripod I was using before.  And lighter - the combined weight of the head/tripod is pretty manageable at about 3lbs (which is about what the manfrotto weighs by itself). Folded, the combo is quite compact, and with all leg section fully deployed my ungripped 5D3's viewfinder is at eye-level (I'm 5'8") w/o having to extend the center column.

The RRS plate system combined with the lever release of the head itself is unequivocally better compared to the manfrotto RC2 QR plates of my previous head (a manfrotto 322RC2).  The RRS system offers a simple, sure lock, but the RRS lever release also allows for you to fine tune placement of the setup without having to fully unlock (there is a halfway point where the plate itself is free to move, but it isn't a full release so there is greatly reduced risk of your equipment taking a catastrophic fall).  Comparatively, my RC2 system would occasionally jam, placement had to be just right for it to lock, there was no adjustment available, etc. - the arca-swiss style plate systems are better in every way I can think of.

I paid twice looking for my ideal setup, hopefully others examining this thread don't have to do the same.

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

« on: March 27, 2013, 02:10:40 PM »

I love my 40!

Same here, it's such a perfect pairing for unobtrusive general photography on my 5D.  I think it and a 6D would make a wonderful compact/stealth kit.  Canon really needs to make an equivalent lens for EF-S mount, the shorty 40's just a bit too much telephoto for my tastes on APS-C.