Messages

1

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Am I crazy to sell my Canon gear?

« on: May 20, 2013, 12:17:16 PM »

What is a 5Dc? - I'm assuming that it is a 5D based upon the prices you could get for it.  For $1800 you could get from Costco a complete Nikon D7100 with their $850 18-200 lens.  This combination is small, light, 24MP, and that one lens covers the equivalent from 27mm to 300 without ever changing lenses.  I am very surprised on how good that lens is.   I have a 5D (and a 5D2, 5D3)  and I can see why you are not having fun with it.  This would be a totally new approach.  I did add Nikon gear to my tools and it really opened my eyes and made photography fun again.  I also suggest you start by having some large prints made (at least 17x25) and have them framed or prepared in your favorite way.  Sometimes Photography is a shared joy.

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Lenses / Re: Samyang 24mm f/3.5 Tilt-Shift Lens vs Canon 24mm f/3.5 Mark I

« on: May 19, 2013, 10:49:50 AM »

Are you  saying that the Samyang is closer to the Canon 24mm TS-E Mark II than the Mark I?

In functionality yes. The Canon MkI is severely limited in the tilt to shift orientations (as are all Nikon PC-E lenses), the Canon MkII version was a vast improvement on that and offers unlimited tilt and shift orientation not only in the picture but in relation to each other, the Samyang, though obviously built to a lower price point, has the same orientation adjustments as the Canon MkII lens.

This is enough for me to recommend the Samyang. Besides, the Canon 24mm MkI is not a particularly "good" lens.

+1;  I've got both the 17 and the 24 tse Mark II Canon and I love them both.  Nikon is way behind on TSE.  I've had the Samyang Nikon 24 tse on order for some time.  They were estimated to ship by May 15th but that didn't happen.  I'll let you know what I think of the Samyang compared to the Canon but my expectations are more in line with the price difference.

3

Software & Accessories / Re: Alternatives to Adobe Software

« on: May 09, 2013, 12:15:20 PM »

I wouldn't be surprised if some new software appears on the horizon to challenge Adobe's place in the market.  Seems like a good opportunity for a company to appeal to those not interested in cloud based software.

Perhaps members of this forum and the Nikon forum can band together to get out the word on their experience with other apps than Photoshop.  Before Adobe takes away Photoshop from individual users, I would value the experience that others have in using Photoshop's competitors products.  I've never been interested in anything other than Photoshop, but enough of this "Cloud" krap.

4

Lenses / Re: Poll: Most Wanted New Lenses of 2013.

« on: May 07, 2013, 04:25:21 AM »

Depending upon price, I really would like a 400mm F4L IS to be the follow-on lens to the 400 5.6 so that the new version would have IS and could accomodate a 1.4 converter resulting in a lighter weight 500+ 5.6 lens.  Yes I would like the 14-24 F2.8 but I use my Nikon with a converter for that which works out quite ok.

5

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

« on: May 07, 2013, 04:08:58 AM »

I've looked at their subscription stuff and it simply doesn't make sense for me.

They are trying to smooth revenues through constant revenue flow rather than having big revenue increases during releases.  I have no interest in renting software.

+1 on "no interest in renting software".  As a former programmer, I like the reasonable price on Photoshop upgrades for current Photoshop users.  I have always tried to keep up to date because I've kept up to date on new cameras and I needed the new releases.  I'd be ok with a new camera raw price on a per camera basis to pay for their support needs.  Even a modest yearly charge for support makes sense ($50-100).  But ANYTHING that says I have to run my system from the Internet is a NONE starter.  I can't afford that degree of unreliability.  As someone else has said, they will probably have you still download your copy of the program to your hard drive as usual.  It is the constant connection to the internet that I don't want to be forced to have.

6

EOS Bodies / Re: 70d out in time?

« on: April 30, 2013, 02:25:36 AM »

I think I am leaning towards selling the tamron and getting the 6d w/ 24-105.

Sounds like a good decision.

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EOS Bodies / Re: 70d out in time?

« on: April 29, 2013, 01:44:35 PM »

Thanks guys for the suggestions, please keep them coming! They are extremely helpful!

One of the problems I have with going APS-C is that I do see myself going full frame in the future, and I don't want to spend any more money on Crop lenses, if I won't be able to use them in the future (unless in crop mode). And the reason I don't just get a 60D with a 24-105, is with the crop factor, I don't know if 24mm-->really 38mm is wide enough.

Given your future is NOT aps-c, then a used 5d2 with a 24-105 sounds like a pretty good way to start.  Good luck.

8

EOS Bodies / Re: 70d out in time?

« on: April 29, 2013, 12:38:23 PM »

I am new to DSLR's and will be traveling to Europe for a little over a month (leaving June 10th). I am pretty set on the XXD line, but would be interested in other suggestions. I was rather hopeful of the April 23rd announcement date, but now that has come and gone and no 70D. So do you guys 1) think the 70d bill be released before I leave? Or 2) think I should go for the 60D, or another suggestion.

I too shoot Canon and I love my 60D with the 18-200mm.  Now -- Canon shooters/lovers avert your eyes....  I like my D7100 with the 18-200 just a little better and you can get lens and camera for $1800 usd.  If you had enough for a an external flash you could use commander mode for off-camera flash when possible (diffuser like Gary Fong collapsible Light Sphere good for travelling) would be good for the wedding since the lens is not low light.  Perhaps adding a 50mm 1.8 would be a cheap low-light alternative to the external flash. 

9

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Feedback for first real estate video

« on: April 22, 2013, 11:43:07 PM »

Nice soundtrack and I'm sure it is a great house.  As far as feedback you requested:

Less time on the dock but the shot from the dock of the house was great but that was enough dock.  I'd stage food with a table set at the outdoor table.  Perhaps wider angle lens on the bedroom and perhaps a high angle on the room.  If there was any way to show kitchen with appliances and countertops from a low angle but wide.  I would also dial the outside exposure way, way down so the sky is Not so pasty white and the deck looked washed out as well as the house.  Interior shots were well exposed.  Perhaps a sunset scene with candles and hidden lighting to make the lightning dramatic at night.  Again staging of the eating area - I got no feeling for where people would gather (living room, area, or where?).  How about the front of the house? Just some thoughts - hope it helps.

10

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

« on: April 19, 2013, 06:30:21 PM »

I have an Epson 4880 (got a really good price several years ago, after selling my old 13" Epson to a friend and giving him a good price) the 4880 only cost around $800!

I love printing my own work - picking the paper, getting vision to come alive.  I believe Ansel Adams said something to the effect "the negative is the score, the print is the symphony". 

I started out with Cibachrome in grad school (many years ago) and was about to get a wet darkroom when I got married and bought a house.  However I did not like the idea of chemicals and when digital printing came along, ... the rest is history.

In the end, the capture is only the start of the image making process - the print completes it.

I certainly would agree.  I would also add that the final end of the print creation process is actually the matting (color and texture of mat, how many mats, etc), the framing (choosing color of frame, material, size, texture, etc), and then the display lighting used to show off the best attributes of the art.  Then the total piece of art is done.  Some would argue that the end result is when someone takes it home to add to their home decor and then tell stories to their friends of when and where they acquired it.  Art actually keeps on giving to those that appreciate it.

11

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

« on: April 19, 2013, 01:40:12 PM »

I print on my Canon IPF5000 and the IPF6350.  I enjoy selecting different papers and seeing the print in a few minutes.  Even though I have color corrected my monitor (dell 30" ultrasharp), I can still see things in the print that I missed on the monitor.  My "normal" print size is 2' x 3' because I shoot landscapes with my D800E.  I will display my work in galleries for sale and commercial venues.  And yes, the printers are sometimes a problem if they are not used weekly.  The do turn themselves on and off to help with this problem but I try to give them something to do.  Roll paper is so cheap compared to sheet paper than I am not bothered with paper cost.  Ink is a different matter.  My 6350 is very, very good at a minimal amount of ink and with the hard drive I can keep my print log so I can see exactly how much ink (and what colors) are on each print.

The main reason I like to print is to get immediate feedback from my CS6 tool and plug-ins.  Somehow holding the print in your hands is a great feeling.  I also like to compare several large prints side by side for a comparison of techniques.  At a photo club I attend, all the other attendees put their JPG images on a thumbdrive and then we look at the photos on a low-res projector (1440x800).  To me they all look pretty soft when projected on a 6 foot screen.  I still remember razor sharp images from transparencies on the same size screen.

Yes printing is expensive but I enjoy my process and I'm pleased with the results but I know this is not for everyone.

12

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Nikon D800 Value Dropping?

« on: April 13, 2013, 10:39:48 PM »

When the price of a new D800E from B&H drops down to $2500, I may want to sell my D800 to buy another D800E as a backup body.  I did shoot my 5D3 just last week because I decided to try out the new 24-70.  Which, by the way, looks very good and well built and is a real pleasure to use - Good Going Canon!.  Right now I've been cleaning the sensor on the D800 and I see no camera is immune from dirt gathered during a windy day when changing lenses.  Now there is a topic I'd like to see discussed regardless of camera brand.  Maybe some people selling their cameras clean their sensors with comet....

13

Canon General / Re: Goodbye Cruel Canon

« on: April 09, 2013, 02:38:29 AM »

I'd start by getting a girlfriend.

That's the last thing any photographer needs!!!

Always-available model! 

I wish that was true.  I've been married for over 33 years and I can never get her to pose anymore.  Come to think of it, she wasn't very happy about it even in the beginning.....

14

Lenses / Re: I bit the bullet!

« on: April 06, 2013, 01:10:36 PM »

I would still like to see a 400 f4 for birds and other wildlife. Combine that with a 1.4 to get you a 560 5.6 would be sweet.
Would I be asking to much that such a lens if ever introduced be reasonably priced as well? 

I'd like to see that from both Canon and Nikon.  Canon does have the 400mm DO F4 however.  I have a friend that has one and he likes it.

15

Lenses / Re: I bit the bullet!

« on: April 05, 2013, 10:47:16 PM »

Now that the Nikon 80-400mm upgrade lens in now in the hands of customers and reviewers, perhaps Canon will think it is now safe to announce their new 100-400 lens (I'm hoping for 200-500 F4 non-push pull - probably would be too heavy) version.

200-500 would be monstrous both in size and price and weight.

The fixed 500F/4L IS II costs at the 10K region...

Do you mean the sigma 200-500 f/2.8? That costs 25k or so? http://www.dpreview.com/news/2008/1/31/sigma250500

No.  I was meaning a NEW product from canon that would surpass the Nikon 200-400mm F4.  You remember when things could be totally new - right?  Maybe a 300-500mm F4.