Messages

1

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Cave shooting & curse of the green box

« on: August 08, 2012, 03:40:57 PM »

The local cave wardens would string up anyone using a flash.  They supposedly do a lot of damage.

Depending on the cave, you will often be told not to use a flash in the first room or two of the cave to protect the bats which are sleeping during the day while you invade their territory.  Once you are deep enough into the cave where the bats don't visit/sleep, you can flash away.  Ask the guide when it's OK if they don't automatically tell you.

As for photo techniques, I agree with bringing and using a small flash light.  I prefer the 2-3" multi LED lights that are so popular right now.  Using the other suggestions provided to take advantage of the lights in the cave you will get reasonable shots.  But they're the same shots everyone gets because the lights only highlight the major features and holes.  With a little light of your own you can find and shoot the rarely photographed features.

Use aperature priority with a large aperature and let the camera select the shutter speed.  You'll mess up a few shots if you are too hurried, but generally with the flash light (held by another person) and a moment to stabilize yourself, you can get a good shot.  The flashlight generally isn't good for whole room shots, but then neither is wide open aperature because your depth of field is too short and the whole room won't be in focus.

The biggest problem with flashes, is that the interior of a cave is mostly limestone/travertine, which is really quite colorless and harsh when lit by a flash.  The warm colors we traditionally see in cave photographs are from the tungsten lighting used, but a flash makes the white pop out and you end up wondering where all the pretty colors went.  If you really have to use a flash, then experiment with the flash compensation controls for your flash, or put the flash in manual mode and use the low end of the power scale.

Because of the tour speed or other "hold back to shoot" photographers, you'll rarely have the time to setup a prize winning photo.  So, mostly just enjoy the cave and let the photos enhance the memories. 

2

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon's Next Full Frame Camera [CR2]

« on: July 16, 2012, 05:48:12 PM »

Oh, and as for terminating posts and posters, a word to the you know who. There's a strong Judeo-Christian bias in that neighborhood; something as innocuous as the "F" word will get you terminated here in the gentleman's club.

One of the elements I have appreciated about canonrumors forums is the generally cordial attitude and posts.  If the Moderator has to pull a few comments to keep it that way then so be it.  Censorship only occurs when people can't censor nor control themselves.  I really can't stand to spend much time on NikonRumors because of the frequent F bombs, name calling and general uncivil attitude.  Thanks CanonRumors for a better environment.

3

EOS Bodies / Re: Odds & Ends: 70D, 7D2, New Full Frame, D600 & Photoshop CS6

« on: June 18, 2012, 12:09:44 PM »

So long as we're all speculating (whether you can justify it technically, or with market segmentation, or with competition, let's all agree it's simply fun to speculate), here's some I haven't seen suggested, or haven't seen in this thread.

• Mirrorless becomes the new entry level multi-lens camera
• 4Ti/650D is the continuation of the xxD APS-C series (continuing the 60D body form factor step down from 50D)
• 70D is the entry level FF at $1500 (MP properly sized for proper video downsizing, but smaller MP than 5Diii)
• 7Dii remains the premier APS-C with new 22.1MP for improved video downsizing and the rumored 2.0 firmware features.
• A 5Diii variant (4D anyone or how about 5Diiix?) with FF big MP in a density/ratio that retains the 5Diii video downsizing benefits.

So there would be 2 mid level segments with APS-C and FF cameras for each:  the mostly affordable entry level enthusiast and the more expensive advanced enthusiast/pro.

My 2 cents (or at least my current speculation whether I beleive it or not).

4

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 70D & 3D Prediction from Japan

« on: June 04, 2012, 04:13:43 PM »

Interesting rumour. It's hard to believe that canon will come out with a 70d before a 7dmk2 as the 7d is older than the 60d...

Thats the nature of consumer v pro level cameras. The Ti cameras get updated yearly. The xxD cameras get updated about every 2 years. Anything in the xD level usually takes more like 3 years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Canon_DSLR_cameras

Also, if releasing a new 7D at $2000+ has the same effect as the 5DIII did on the 5DII (lowering the price 20%), than nobody would buy a 60D. They'd end up with the 7D costing the same as a 60D, and nobody in their right mind would turn down AFMA, 8fps v 5fps, weather sealing, etc for a swivel screen. Also, the T4i is getting the 60D's autofocus, so again, fewer reasons to buy the 60D. It's why it will probably get upgraded first.

I agree that the 60D will be replaced first.  Have you noticed the 60D showing up in non-photo centric resellers, like Sams Club?  When I saw that about 6 weeks ago, I realized that it was only a matter of a few months before the 70D was announced.  The timing is getting close.

I also firmly believe that the 60Da was introduced to use up excess 60D inventory with a reasonably minor modification.

I really hope the 70D is more like the 7D than the 60D.  The 60D IMO was a big step backward toward the XXXD line and not a step up from the 50D.

5

EOS Bodies / Re: New Crop/APS-C Prosumer Camera Body in the Fall? [CR1]

« on: May 09, 2012, 11:54:13 AM »

Just give me a 7D with Full Frame sensor and crop mode setting.  I'd love to have the current 7D, but am torn with my desire for the extra image quality of a full frame sensor.

40D owner with L and regular lenses