Messages

1

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: cheap lowlight 30-35mm for APS-C

« on: June 12, 2013, 03:04:19 PM »

The 28/1.8 would probably be right up your alley.  I have one and I really enjoy it.  For my baby pictures, though, I pretty much always had the 20mm 2.8 on my t1i, and I never regretted the extra space.  If you have a bigger home, you can always use the 28 and back up, but we have a small condo.  Once they start crawling (sooner than you think), they'll be crawling towards you and the camera, meaning wider is better.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: EOS M Firmware Update Coming Soon

« on: June 06, 2013, 10:47:45 AM »

I'm just hoping that a similar firmware update is in the works for the Powershot G1 X...

(crickets chirping)

3

Canon General / Re: Newspaper Dumps Photographers, Wants Video

« on: June 05, 2013, 10:35:41 AM »

I also don't know where this stuff about iphones has come from.  I know somebody reported on a comment from a laid-off staffer that he expected the Sun Times to go with more reporter-generated stills, and I think that is definitely true.  But I don't know why that automatically translates into iphones.  More likely, they'll hand over something like a 60D plus superzoom and show them how to work it in scene/green box modes. 

This is where it comes from:

http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/mediawire/214954/sun-times-will-train-reporters-on-iphone-photography-basics/

Thanks, that is the first time I've actually seen it sourced.  I still think it is hard to believe.  I know the iphone really transformed phone photography, but I just don't see it working here.

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Canon General / Re: Newspaper Dumps Photographers, Wants Video

« on: June 04, 2013, 11:12:27 AM »

My sympathies are with the laid-off photogs, but I am quite certain that they were preparing for this.  The news industry, both print and television, has been on a steady decline towards this for DECADES.  Everyone who works in the industry knows this. 

Look at the pics from the meeting.  http://petapixel.com/2013/06/03/chicago-sun-times-photographers-react-and-respond-to-being-laid-off/#more-113195  This is a major newspaper in the third-largest city in the USA.  (I do believe that this layoff has affected all the photogs at the other suburban papers owned by the Sun Times, as well.)  It seems pretty clear that they have been using stringers (freelancers) for a while now.  There will be no shortage of stringers arriving at breaking news, just as there was before.  The paper will probably be hiring back its laid-off staffers on a freelance basis to do feature/editorial work as-needed. 

I think the bit about finding video more important than stills is some sort of corporate BS, though.  TV news organizations have been doing the same thing, cutting staff photogs (videographers) in favor of stringer video at breaking news and hiring freelancers on a daily basis.  In the smaller markets, they cut staff photogs and hand the gear over to new reporters, turning them into "one man bands."  So, although there isn't any shortage of news videographers, either, there definitely isn't a huge draw for them into the world of newspapers.  If they are getting video, I expect they'll be getting it from whichever TV news department they've partnered up with in Chicago (I read the Trib and watch WGN, so I don't know who that is.)

I also don't know where this stuff about iphones has come from.  I know somebody reported on a comment from a laid-off staffer that he expected the Sun Times to go with more reporter-generated stills, and I think that is definitely true.  But I don't know why that automatically translates into iphones.  More likely, they'll hand over something like a 60D plus superzoom and show them how to work it in scene/green box modes.  The technical barriers to photography are falling down by the wayside.  Certainly, reporter-generated images are going to lack the emotion and ingenuity of a true photojournalist.  But it won't be gloom and doom, either.  It isn't like the reporters are going to be developing Tri-X in their bathtubs.

The Sun-Times is going to continue to lose money and circle the drain.  This is just going to add to it.  But it is the same thing that has been happening for many, many years.  I hope that the now-self-employed former-Sun-Times staff photographers continue to go out there and generate amazing quality images, and I'm sure they will.  I also hope that they sell them to the highest bidder, and let the Sun-Times pay to get them. 

5

Canon General / Re: Pelican Storm Case Question

« on: May 28, 2013, 06:31:11 PM »

I use the little packets of silica dessicant, with one in each lens compartment.  I don't have Pelican's, though, I am just using a foam lens divider inside a generic watertight storage box from the Container Store (the Pelican would probably cost about as much as the gear, unfortunately).  I haven't been doing this for very long, so I look forward to what others have to say about storage practices.

6

Canon General / Re: Do you carry around a back up? point&shoot/mirrorless/iphone?

« on: April 25, 2013, 03:17:45 PM »

G1X is great for this.  Not a DSLR, no detachable lens, so you can take it to the Kentucky Derby.  Full manual controls and flash integration.  One-handed operation like a point and shoot.  Almost APS-C sized sensor, decent DOF. 

My two biggest complaints are: (1) autofocus hunts sometimes, and (2) it's too big for a belt holster.  But I bought it for just these types of situations and it works great.  I wish more people would buy it, then maybe Canon would take it a bit more seriously and update the firmware, or maybe even release a second version with some new features and what not.

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Lenses / Re: Lightweight lens for backpacking and bicycle touring

« on: April 16, 2013, 11:22:24 AM »

I plan on bringing only one lens for weight reasons.  I'm almost considering just buying a canon point-and -shoot, just for weight reasons (heresy, I know). 

Sometimes you just can't take a DSLR with big or multiple lenses.  You shouldn't have to sacrifice the quality of your photos, though.  That is why I bought a Powershot G1X.  It is smaller than a DSLR, but the sensor is nearly APS-C sized.  You can operate it one-handed like a true point and shoot, and the flip-out LCD is great for composing selfies and other travel shots.  Throw in a gorillapod and get crazy. 

The trade-off with the G1X is autofocus (which is a bit slow and can hunt sometimes in low light) and zoom range (28-112 mm 35 mm equivalent).  It has no GPS.  But if you want pretty landscapes and scenics, plus action shots in good daylight, I think you'll be very happy with it.  The IQ is great.  Get a good chest or hip bag for it, maybe a wrist strap instead of the neck strap, and you'll find yourself reaching for it all the time.

The cameras and lenses are just tools.  Sometimes, the G1X is the right tool.  I think it would work very well for this job.

8

Lenses / Re: Lenses for carpets photography

« on: April 08, 2013, 03:06:08 PM »

I get the sense that you are new to the details of photography, so here are a few basic points.

Your prior camera, the 600D, was a crop-sensor camera using the EF-S mount.  This sensor was smaller than the full-frame sensor in the 5D series cameras (and the 6D and 1D), using the EF mount.  So, the 18mm wide end of your EF-S zoom lens on the 600D is actually equivalent to a 28mm EF lens on a full-frame camera.   

There are a number of EF lenses that cover this range.  For primes, you could look at any of the 28mm lenses.  If you are shooting handheld from a ladder, you might consider the new 28mm f/2.8 IS lens, with image stablization that will help with any blur from handholding.  There is also a 20mm f/2.8 lens with a wider field of view that is inexpensive.  For zooms, there is a 17-40 f/4 and a 16-35 f/2.8 that would probably work as well.  Zooms generally have smaller apertures, so they require more light, but that should not be a problem with a 5d mark 3 or 6D (although the 5d mark 2 it may be).  For wider apertures (1.8, 1.4, 1.2), note that the field of view, or the area in focus, is very narrow.  For more detail, you want smaller apertures (larger numbers, like 5.6, 8, 11, etc). 

The TS-E lenses are manual focus, and would require you use a tripod and spend lots of time with them.  The "stitching" of images is also more time spent on the computer afterwards.  It does not sound like that is what you are looking for. 

However, changing lenses is not hard or time consuming, and you could also get a 100mm f/2.8 macro lens (the version with the IS if you are shooting handheld) to take your detail shots right after you take your wide shots.  Or you could get the EF-S 60mm macro lens and put it on your old 600D for your macro shots, but note that this lens will not work on your new full frame 5D.

Also, you should look into the 6D camera.  Its built-in wifi might be useful in your working environment, and the autofocus will be plenty for photographing stationary carpets.  The images should look just about as good as the 5d Mark 3, and maybe even better than the 5d mark 2.  (This is the kind of thing that people on the internet argue about a lot, though).

I hope this helps.

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Lenses / Re: Thoughts on Canon 20mm f/2.8?

« on: March 21, 2013, 01:00:20 PM »

I have the lens and I really enjoy it on a crop camera.  It was my first purchase and it was basically bolted on to my camera for a long time. 

That said, you are asking about full-frame.  I did use it on a 5dII for a few days and I liked it there, too.  I didn't really push it in terms of usage, but I could sit at the dinner table and snap three people across from me on the other side.  I never had a chance to use it on landscapes. 

If I was considering buying it new for a 5dIII, I think I might just opt for the 17-40.  The slightly higher cost would be worth it to me in terms of build quality and zoom flexibility, and the loss of a stop would not matter given the higher ISO capabilities of the newer full frame cameras for shooting in lower light.  I don't think you can even compare the 20mm to the 16-35, though.  If you are seriously considering the 16-35, i think the prime would pale in comparison.  However, if you are on a budget, love primes, shoot handheld, shoot wide open, or have a potential use on a crop camera, you'll enjoy this lens.  When I update to fullframe, I plan on keeping the 20mm long enough to really push it before I choose to try an upgrade.

I used to tell people that it was a little prone to flair but I may have had a bad experience with a cheap/dirty UV filter.  However, I did opt for the Canon bayonet hood and I think it helps.

10

Canon General / Re: Creative Canon Invite for March 22

« on: March 15, 2013, 10:30:46 AM »

Sales (profits) of "lame P&S" fund R&D that goes into DSLR's.(*)
In general, yes, we need Canon (and Nikon and Sony and...) to have profitable P&S products to drive R&D.

well then the future looks very grim and canon should start making mobile phones.

If they did make a phone with a good lens/sensor combo, a proper flash, and built-in apps to control them with SLR-level controls, I'd buy one.  I think they'd sell like crazy to all sorts of Canon photogs.

11

EOS-M / Re: EOS M Firmware Coming Soon

« on: February 11, 2013, 10:25:08 AM »

What about a similar update for the G1x?  It has the same issue, and everybody talked about how there would be a firmware update to fix it, and I haven't seen or heard anything.  I realize it may not be a big seller, but the fix might give it a bump.  It debuted around the same price point as the EOS M, too.  Anybody else waiting around for this?

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Lenses / Re: What lenses are good enough for the 18mp APS-C sensor? 1000$ limit :)

« on: February 06, 2013, 12:42:09 PM »

And the hilarity ensues.  I think it's a totally valid question.  If L lenses were all $200, everybody would just collect them like stamps and be on their merry way.  They aren't, so those of us on a stricter budget wonder what affordable lens will be worth it and what lens won't.  I wonder what non-L lenses some of our folks have in their bags that they won't list in their signature, or sold and wish they hadn't.

For wide angle on crop, I really like my 20mm f/2.8.  Other full-frame future-proofers go for the 17-40/4L.  Neither has the extra wide angle of the 10-22 that everyone lauds.

For a "normal" prime on crop, I just bought a 28mm f/1.8 and I'm happy, although it doesn't get much love on the internets.  The older 35 f/2, or the 28 f/2.8, are easier on the budget.  I think the 28/1.8 hits the sweet spot of quality full-frame lens, before everyone had to start thinking in terms of two separate lens line-ups.

The 50/1.8, 50/1.4, and 40/2.8 all get excellent reviews (considering their price points).  On crop, they are more like portrait lenses than normal.  For super-cheap macro, add some fully automatic extension tubes.

For proper macro on a budget, the 100mm f/28 USM produces excellent pictures and doubles as a fast telephoto/portrait lens.  No IS, no focus limiter, but full-time manual focus.

I don't know about the higher-level EF-S zooms.  They are probably better than the older full frame primes I'm spouting off about, but I like fast lenses that I won't have to resell when I upgrade. 

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: a digital photography noob has a question about image quality

« on: January 30, 2013, 11:13:15 AM »

I realize that we're getting pretty far off of the original question (relating to image quality), but I would suggest that you keep both cameras.  I took a two week trip to Africa and I was swapping my lenses out more often that I preferred.  If I could afford to, I'd keep both. 

On safari, put that 650D on your 70-200 (to take advantage of the crop factor) and your wildlife photos will have much better reach.  In daylight, unless you are trying to track a moving cheetah or something, I think that combo will do great.  Put the normal or wide angle lens on the 5DIII and get beautiful scenics, and you can swap the 5DIII onto the telephoto if the distance shortens, the light drops, or the action speeds up.  Everywhere else, and for sunrise/sunset/evenings, take the 5DIII.  You can hand off the 650D to your travelling companions (so you can be in some pictures) or just have it on hand as a spare.

You didn't really mention lenses or whether you bought these in kits, but you could also pick up a 650D body or a 600D body used or refurbished to do the same thing.  Don't sacrifice your whole kit just to have the 5DIII, but if you can have good lenses, a tripod, a flash, and two bodies, I would do it. 

Most important, for an 8 week trip, you will need storage space (memory cards, laptop, and/or external hard drive).  On my two week trip, I nearly filled all of my cards shooting JPG only.  If you shoot RAW or RAW+JPG, you will fill them up very fast.  Being gone that long, you will want to keep your files in at least two places.  You can do lots of cards backed up to your laptop and not erased, or a few cards backed up to your laptop and an external hard drive before erasing the cards, or, with the 5DIII having dual card slots, you could backup one card to the other and rotate out your backup cards to the bag where you keep your dirty underwear, and nobody will steal them.  Cards and hard drives are not too expensive any more, but I would rather haul a lot of SD and CF cards rather than a laptop, ipad, or hard drive.

Post more questions as you prepare.  Some of us on here are living vicariously through your travels!

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: What photo/video gear did Santa bring you this year?

« on: December 27, 2012, 02:43:24 PM »

Mrs. Claus got me:
Oben AC-2310L tripod with lateral center column
EZ-Foto arca-swiss ball head
Canon E2 hand strap

I may also have snuck a few stocking stuffers in on my own:
sunwayfoto arca plate
desmond arca clamp
no name 11" magic arm
no name flat bracket

Looking to get creative with a customizable flash bracket/DIY ringflash for portraits and macro.  Trying to keep the gear acquisition syndrome in check by focusing on the pictures rather than the camera/lenses.

15

Software & Accessories / Re: Recommended case for Canon G1X???

« on: December 26, 2012, 03:32:48 PM »

I personally use the Case Logic DCB-303.  You can slide the G1X in sideways, with the filter adapter, filter, and 58mm cap attached.  It is snug but there is very little room for extras.  Two side pockets big enough for a battery, shutter release, SD cards, but not much else.  NO room for the charger.  Has a nice belt loop so you can wear it on your belt (if you don't mind the dorky look) or slide it on another bag strap or waist pack.  Alternatively, it has loops and a shoulder strap, although these are pretty lightweight.