Messages

1

Lenses / Re: 17-40mm advice please!

« on: March 01, 2013, 06:41:44 AM »

I had the Tamron 17-50 but sold it for the 17-40 a couple months before i moved to full frame. The tamron is faster (obviously) and sharper; but Cannot be used on full frame. The 17-40 proved a nice walkround lens on my 60d, but i seem to rarely reach for it with my 5Diii. It is VERY wide on full frame; my 24-105 is plenty wide for me, but i have not really been a landscape shooter up to this point.

Granted you may not have alot of options comparable to the 17-40 in the $600 range. Id say its a nice choice; but only if you plan to go full frame sooner than later. If full frame is a couple years away still, id go with the Tamron. It takes great sharp pictures and is a bit more versatile; the 17-40 only beats it in build quality and of course full frame compatibilty.

2

Software & Accessories / Re: Topaz DeNoise or other plugin

« on: February 11, 2013, 08:54:49 AM »

I have been using light room 4 for a awhile now and find it works quite well, and has a simple interface for noise reduction. I happened to try a trial of Topaz DeNoise last week as I had heard good things, and had recently taken some photos at 20,000 ISO with my Mark iii that I wanted to clean up.

Long story short, maybe I didn't spend enough time learning the program but I found lightroom better & easier to use. If Topaz did do a better job it wasn't noticeable, at least not to me. If you are working off Elements, Topaz might be useful to you, but since I already have lightroom I saw no reason for me to spend the extra money for an additional noise reduction program.

3

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Anyone use Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM?

« on: February 05, 2013, 03:07:36 PM »

Yea, I'm pretty sure my wife would kill me if I bought yet ANOTHER camera. I don't mind carrying the 60D with me on family trips either. In fact, since getting the 5Diii, it seems rather light!

I am not sure I would be willing to sacrifice the picture quality & speed of the 60D to get the SX50, even though I am sure it is a fine camera.

4

Third Party Manufacturers / Anyone use Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM?

« on: February 05, 2013, 09:33:25 AM »

Hello
Anyone have any experience/sample images with this lens? I know it is probably not great; but B&H has it on for $399 on sale. Thought it might be ok to stick on my 60D for when the family goes to amusement parks, zoo, etc, for when I don't want to change lenses or carry a large kit.

Thanks for your two cents!

5

Software & Accessories / Re: Any value in using DPP along side Lightroom?

« on: January 28, 2013, 07:51:53 AM »

First off, thank you all for taking the time for writing such long & thorough replies, appreciate it! This site has helped me learn more than the couple of part time camera courses I took at a local college for fun

I already own lightroom 4.... but after reading all of your advice, I think I will leave DDP installed. At the very least to help decide my keepers vs. deletes faster, and perhaps if I want to "edit" RAW a little faster using picture styles so my wife doesn't keep bugging me to finish editing her niece's 2nd bday pics I did notice the noise adjustment to be VERY slow...

And I can't seem to show the autofocus points... I can in ImageBrowser... don't seem to find that option in DPP. That is one thing I find useful... that way I can see if the camera/lens missed focus, or if I aimed in the wrong spot

cheers! 

6

Software & Accessories / Any value in using DPP along side Lightroom?

« on: January 27, 2013, 10:39:32 AM »

Hello,

I have been using Lightroom since long before I had an EOS camera, so I have to admit when I got my 60d two years ago I never bothered at all with the Canon software and have always used lightroom and elements for my workflow.

Having recently gotten a 5D iii, I thougt I would install the software (mostly for the EOS utility). DPP seems pretty neat; but is there anything it does that lightroom cant? Is anyone using both in conjunction, or any of the other canon supplied software?

Wondering if DPP handles noise reduction better... Or maybe makes workflow faster for processing simple RAW changes, using picture styles perhaps.

Thanks!

7

Lenses / Re: 200mm F2 IS OR 135mm F2

« on: January 24, 2013, 02:44:24 PM »

The 200 2.8L II is an extremely affordable lens when compared to the 200L or even the 85L, which many consider as the "king of portrait" lenses. It's a stellar lens in my opinion, very much underrated.


The Girl Who Catches Snowflakes by Standard Deluxe, on Flickr

That is a fantastic photo!
May I ask what you settings were? Or if this was processed alot in post? I would love for my portraits to look like this...

8

Reviews / Re: Review - Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD with Pictures

« on: January 23, 2013, 09:32:26 AM »

So more goodness from this lens.  It's nice sharpness, relatively low vignetting, and far less distortion than the 24-105L make it a very nice landscape lens - better than I originally thought.


What Comes Next? (Thanks for 200,000 views) by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

I have really enjoyed your review of this lens, Dustin. As a fellow Canuck, I hope that you have been using it indoors rather than outside these past couple days! I had a Tamron 17-50 non VC I was happy with until I started concentrating on collecting full frame compatible lenses... I think you have convinced me to put this newest Tamron on my list of "Wants". Guess I will have to get used to the reverse zoom ring again!

Not sure if anyone has asked this already, but are you planning on trying the new Tamron 70-200 2.8 VC, since you are so pleased with this one? Hopefully it is just as good.

cheers,

Scarpz

9

Lenses / Re: 24mm 35mm 70mm FoV

« on: January 22, 2013, 09:40:38 AM »

I don't think this is considered "field of view", but I have a similar inquiry.
I am finding my 50mm is too close to my 40mm & 85mm... plus it is the hardest to use wide open (lowest keeper rate) so I may get rid of it.
What are the "zoom ratios" if that makes sense of these primes? IE, to get the same framing on my 40mm do I basically have to be 1/2 as close to the subject as with the 85mm?
I am trying to figure out what 3 or 4 fast primes might be of use to start collecting, to complement my F4 zooms (probably getting used 70-200mm F4 soon as well)
I was thinking 35-85-135 or something to that extent... no sure how much foot room/running back and forth that would require.

cheers,

10

Lenses / Re: 70-200 F4 IS + 135L or 70-200 F2.8 IS

« on: January 20, 2013, 11:30:36 AM »

Thanks Ray...
To be honest that is what I was thinking. I know the 70-200 F2.8 IS on a fantastic lens, but if I don't carry it around with me it's kind of an expensive paper weight. Plus I'm no pro; never "missed" a shot because I didn't have time to swap out lenses.

I think I am leaning heavily towards F4 IS + 135L... at least for my needs!

thanks!

11

Lenses / 70-200 F4 IS + 135L or 70-200 F2.8 IS

« on: January 19, 2013, 06:10:43 PM »

Hi Everyone
Sorry if this has been beaten to death already- I am planning on expanding my range beyond 24-105 and have considered a couple options.

I have the chance to pick up a 3 yr old mint but used 70-200 F4 IS from a work colleague. I can then add a 135L and get both lenses for under 2K combined.

OR I can spend around the same $$ on the superb 70-200 F2.8 IS. however I fear the size and weight might make me not want to use it that much. It is after all double the F4 version.

Anyone had a similar debate? I do like fast primes; shoot mostly family etc.

Look forward to ready your opinions!

12

Software & Accessories / Re: Black Rapid and dropped camera?

« on: January 17, 2013, 11:21:00 AM »

Hi Neuro

I have a Giottos ballhead/QR plate
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/847619-REG/Giottos_VGR8255_S2N_VGR8255_S2N_Carbon_Fiber_Tripod_Monopod.html

Upon further inspection, perhaps I have it on sideways.... it seemed to fit the shape of the camera better that what, but judging by their other, longer QR plates and L-brackes the grooves are supposed to be on the front&back of camera...

thanks again!

13

Software & Accessories / Re: Black Rapid and dropped camera?

« on: January 17, 2013, 08:55:34 AM »

Well I took your advice Neuro...  got an area-compatible tripod, kirk clamp, and some loctite...
you mentioned the knob for the kirk clamp should go under the lens I believe... wouldnt that mean my QR plate would have to go sideways?
Please see my set up attached... have I done something wrong?

thanks!

14

Lenses / Re: already have the 50mm f/1.4 - does the 40mm f/2.8 make any sense?

« on: January 12, 2013, 06:58:28 AM »

I have both as well.
While i was generally happy with my 50mm 1.4 I had a very low keeper rate below f2. It seems kind of mushy so really I was mostly using it at f2.8 anyway unless it was very dark.
The pancake is super sharp wide open and I find I'm taking it with me instead of the 50mm 9 times out of 10. And at the price you cant go wrong. After all It's cheaper than the 77mm circular polarizer I just bought for my 24-105!

15

Software & Accessories / Re: Black Rapid and dropped camera?

« on: January 10, 2013, 08:06:00 PM »

I have a local camera store brand tripod made by Velbon. It is a copy of a "Sherpa" model tripod. B&H has the plate sold under QB-157. Not sure if that helps I can try and send photos. I am not sure if I should wait until I upgrade to A better tripod either ...

That does not appear to be Arca-Swiss compatible.  It might be compatible with Blackrapid's FastenR-T1, which replaces the D-ring in the Manfrotto RC2 plate with a lug capable of supporting the weight.  Might be worth calling BR to ask if they know.

Else, you'll need to unscrew the plate and attach the BR lug, or as you state, get a better tripod (which isn't a bad idea...a cheap tripod can be hard to use and not very stable, meaning it's not used much...).

Thanks Neuro. I guess I'll pick up the black rapid for now then start researching tripods; looks like there are a lot of choices there too, in a wide range of price points.