Messages

1

Canon General / Re: Why do you do Photography?

« on: April 16, 2013, 10:44:31 AM »

I like photography because it clears my head when my only aim is to get that shot. I also like the feeling of satisfaction I get when I get a shot that I like. I personally think its quite the deterrent to becoming complacent in everyday life, or falling into a boring day-in-day-out routine.

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Landscape / Re: Post your best pictures of fireworks

« on: October 11, 2012, 11:14:31 AM »

Hong Kong, 1st of October National Day Fireworks

27mm (APSC Equivalent), F/6.7, 2.0s, ISO200

3

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 85mm f1.2 II - issue or am I just overreacting?

« on: September 17, 2012, 06:00:36 AM »

Don't worry about it. My 85L II also displays the same characteristics. Consider two things first -

1) The letters are entirely black on white, so the CA is far more evident than usual.

2) Most of the CA is occurring in places that are not in the plane of focus. For example, you have focused on the "E" in "Frieden" in both shots, and if you look at that letter, there is significantly less CA than the surrounding out-of-focus letters.
Its normal for this to happen in parts just borderline out-of-focus. For example to the left of the "E" you see purple CA and to the right you see green CA. Look at the wonderful background bokeh, and you'll see what I mean. You cannot see CA there.

Hope this settles your worries. Great concert shots btw.

4

Software & Accessories / Re: 82mm CPL that won't break (the bank)

« on: August 24, 2012, 11:04:01 AM »

@Neuro Oh of course not, there is a reason why i've saved up for so long for this chunk of L glass. The 17-55 just wasn't cutting it anymore in contrast, color and build quality. I will definitely try to avoid losing IQ, but the problem is that $225 just does not make financial sense to me at this point in time ;-(  Thanks Neuro.

@raptor Thats an awesome article on Lenstip.com, thanks for pointing it out. That Marumi looks like a great choice.

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Software & Accessories / Re: 82mm CPL that won't break (the bank)

« on: August 24, 2012, 07:28:10 AM »

Depends on your bank.   

I use a B+W Käsemann CPL, it's excellent although mainly I use it on my TS-E 24L II, less frequently on my 16-35L II.  Do be aware that if you're using it on FF, in much of the wider part of the 16-35's zoom range, those deep blue skies you yearn for will not be evenly deep blue.  At wide angles (starting at ~24mm on FF), a CPL will produce uneven polarization (banding in the sky).

Thanks Neuro for the advice. I almost fell off my chair after seeing the Käsemann´s price though... $225 is pretty steep for a (albeit good quality) filter IMO. BTW, I am using the 16-35 on 7D, so i believe the banding you describe will not affect me as much.

Any other suggestions for quality CPL under 150 or so?

6

Software & Accessories / 82mm CPL that won't break (the bank)

« on: August 24, 2012, 04:14:54 AM »

Hey guys, I have a 16-35 II, which as you probably know comes with a rather large 82mm filter thread as opposed to the "standard" 77mm for other L glass.

This is a problem for me as all this is my first 82mm-threaded lens and so consequently will have to purchase a whole set of new filters. I already have a HOYA Protector filter, but am yearning for those deep blue skies and (slightly) higher contrast.

Does anyone have recommendations for CPL's of this size with a reasonable price:quality ratio (i.e. won't break the bank but will not restrict the qualities of L glass)?

Thanks in advance!

7

Sports / Re: Kayaks on the James River

« on: May 10, 2012, 09:59:14 AM »

Ahh... Thank the lens for the sharpness, I've got the the version 1 IS of the 70-200/2.8 and it isnt as razor-sharp as yours (due to more elements =.= )

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Sports / Re: Kayaks on the James River

« on: May 10, 2012, 12:24:10 AM »

Thanks Pak

Lol that's my last name, just call me Pakman for now 

What settings and lens combo was used to get this shot? I really like the nice colors.

9

Sports / Re: Kayaks on the James River

« on: May 09, 2012, 06:41:55 PM »

Nice photo, quite sharp.

10

Black & White / Re: Black & White

« on: May 07, 2012, 03:52:30 AM »

this

Wow! Where was the first shot taken? Looks fantastic.

Great photos on this thread btw, makes me cringe when I look at my own photos

11

Lenses / Re: EF-S 15-85?

« on: March 27, 2012, 11:20:52 AM »

Why dont you consider a used 17-55? I owned a 15-85 as a kit lens for a while on 7D before selling it for the 17-55.  I don't regret selling it even though I now have less focal length covered, as image quality is about the same but I've now got a constant f/2.8 aperture, 2stops faster than the long end of the 15-85. (about 1.5 stops loss at 55mm?) It really depends on what type of light you'll be envisioning yourself shooting in though.

That said, the 15-85 is a stellar lens and you'll be amazed at the versatility, image quality and quick focussing compared to your 18-135.

12

Lenses / Re: Advice to buy filters and lens hood for canon 500D

« on: March 27, 2012, 06:51:03 AM »

I really appreciate for your reply. I read various forms and articles every one speaks different on their experience, one way which is good to know. Some mentioned in forums discussion that they don’t use filters and some don’t use lens hood, it’s everyone’s personal choice. I have made a choice to buy both.

I have decided I will invest money on good filters and buy decent lens hoods which are not cheap or expensive. 

Someone advised me online on a different forum to buy polarising filter for EF S 55-250mm, but I read an article and they say that “Rotating front element, problem with polarizing filter”.  Link: http://www.wildlife-pictures-online.com/canon-efs55-250mm-is-lens.html. Does Circular Polarising Filter are not good fit for this EF S 55-250?

I have made a short list to buy one of these listed below.

Hoya 58mm Circular Polarising Filter
Hoya 58mm Pro1 Digital Protector Filter
Hoya 58mm Pro-1 Digital UV Screw in Filter

I would also like to the difference between (what is the advantage of  Screw in Filter)

Pro1 Digital Protector Filter

VS

Pro-1 Digital UV Screw in Filter.

I have also purchased few DVD online to learn (DVD by Karl Taylor). Looks that his guy is good in teaching.

Many thanks

Leo

Glad you found inspiration. I would firstly like to point out that all the filters you are referring to are screw-in, and they attach to the front of the lens by the filter thread. I guess you were mislead by the different product titles, and I can certainly understand that!

I would suggest buying the Protector filter instead of the UV filter. Marketing states that it reduces some specific color inconsistencies, but to be honest it does not really have a detrimental effect to your photographs. Plus they are usually cheaper. In my opinion, you should put off buying a CPL (Polariser) as you lose some light entering the lens, making your shutter speed slower and increasing the chance of blurry shots. Also, the CPL might decrease your image quality. I bought a cheap CPL a while ago, and it reduced the image quality of my normally-sharp 70-200 to mush 

The quality of your filter should not matter too much at this stage unless you are making huge prints, which I highly doubt. Watch DigitalRev's video on YouTube titled something like "Pro vs Cheap Filter". It should help you in your choices.

Just FYI, CPL's also need a certain amount of practice to use properly, the front piece of glass turns, and by doing that selects the direction of the rays entering the lens. So you might need to continually adjust the filter depending on the conditions you are shooting in.

The best way to learn photography is to go out and practice. If you find "M" mode too difficult at first, you can just use Av or Tv. I'm sure your DVD will help you greatly in learning the basics of Photography!

13

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Converting from Canon to Sony - Lense equivalents.

« on: March 26, 2012, 07:38:58 PM »

I would suggest waiting for the 650D with its rumored in-video AF. Paired with the apparently silent-AF 18-135 II, it should fulfill your requirements very well. Plus you can use whatever lens you own currently on it too. But since you've got a baby due in 4 weeks, just take some stills with your 450D first! Congratulations on the baby BTW

14

Lenses / Re: 85mm f1.2 II or 70-200mm f2.8L IS II

« on: March 26, 2012, 07:32:33 PM »

In a nutshell - The 85mm is more of a specialized lens with amazing IQ even wide-open and the ability to get to f/1.2. The 70-200 the versatile, practical choice for everyday use  (that would I get before the 85L). Plus you have the new world of possibilities with the TC 1.4x and the 2x.

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Lenses / Re: Advice to buy filters and lens hood for canon 500D

« on: March 26, 2012, 07:22:29 PM »

If you need to priortize, get a hood first.  Unlike cheap filters, low cost hoods should not decrade IQ.  Also get a external flash.
 
+1 to Nuro's filter recommendation.

+1, I once picked a friend's 5D2 and 24-70 without its lens hood up off a table by the camera strap. I pulled the camera up, and BAM the front of the lens smashed against the tabletop  My heart stopped for a few seconds when I looked at the broken glass, but very luckily it was only the filter that was destroyed. My opinion: get the lens hood and the nuro's filte recommendation, the Haze might have lower build quality although I haven't had any experience with it. From a protection perspective, the cost of a better filter is negligible to the peace-of-mind of having better protection.