Messages

1

Lenses / Re: Andy Rouse Reviews the EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x

« on: May 15, 2013, 11:47:11 AM »

I'm waiting for one of the lens rental companies to offer the lens for rent, after which I'll rent it for a week and shoot as much as possible. I'll then evaluate the images and determine if the lens is right for me. I prefer to spend say $250-$300 for renting the lens before I spend $11,000 and find out that I don't like it. 

2

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Which camera brand you actively use, other than Canon?

« on: March 20, 2013, 12:33:05 PM »

I've been shooting a Phase One medium format camera lately. The more I shoot the camera for landscapes and architecture, the more I like the results. I'm going to try doing some Maplethorpe style images of a single flower or plant bud with a black felt background and see what happens. The difference in image quality between the Canon 1D-X and the Phase One is amazing.

3

Lighting / Re: My first Studio!! Einsteins or Bowens??

« on: January 23, 2013, 12:26:36 AM »

Einsteins, plain and simple! They are amazing heads and the Paul Buff light modifiers are excellent. Inexpensive too! I use the Buff light triggers. They could not be easier to use. Why spend more money and not gain much if anything. You will be very pleased with the Einsteins. Good luck!

4

Lenses / Re: Tips needed for shooting in the cold

« on: January 16, 2013, 12:46:02 PM »

Like several others who posted here, I shot Yosemite a month ago where the low temp was +24. I shot my 1D-X and used a Gitzo tripod. There was no battery problem during one session that lasted 6 hours. I changed lenses frequently while outdoors. I placed all of my gear inside a Kiboko backpack and waited for 2 hours after I brought the backpack inside my hotel room before opening the backpack. I never had a problem with any of my gear.

Clothing layers were very helpful as the temperature changed throughout the day and into the night; long underwear, fleece, then a lined shell were sufficient yet allowed me ample flexibility for movement in the snow. I wore Merrell boots with waterproof socks; my feet were never cold. The Aqua Mesh gloves with the finger tips that open were a miserable failure once they became wet.

Good luck with your shoot!

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Contests / Re: Gura Gear Giveaway!

« on: December 06, 2012, 06:41:40 PM »

I want to win. Please send me a Gura Gear bag! Thanks!

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Birds in flight, advice wanted

« on: November 29, 2012, 11:27:36 AM »

For birds in flight, on my 1D-X, on bright days I start at f8, ISO 800, and shutter at 1/3200, sometimes use shady white balance, then adjust up and down to shoot to the right one setting on the exposure meter. I center meter and center focus. On less than full sun days, I switch to Tv of anywhere from 1/3200 down to the 1/2000 range, auto ISO, and shady white balance. I like capturing birds taking off or landing in water and find the fast shutter speed captures the splash of the water that adds so much to the dramatic effect of the capture. About the only time I will shoot a bird in flight with pure sky in the background is when I see an Osprey with a fish in its talons. Otherwise I find the images to not be very interesting. I say that because we rarely have migratory birds flying in a vee formation where I live. Good luck, and shoot as often as you can!

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EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: The First Canon EOS 6D Video Footage

« on: November 28, 2012, 12:46:41 PM »

I'd rather eat some of the chocolates that were shown in the sample video than own the 6D.

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Canon General / Re: How do you store your gear?

« on: November 13, 2012, 12:15:03 PM »

I keep my camera bodies and lenses in a safe. The rest of the gear is on shelves or in cabinets.

9

EOS Bodies / Re: Why are flash sync shutter speeds getting worse?

« on: October 11, 2012, 11:36:39 AM »

Leaf shutters make all the difference in shutter speeds, but then you need to be careful that the lights will synch at speeds faster than 1/250. Surprisingly many lights won't synch at faster speeds including some models of the most popular pro level lights. Oddly enough, the Paul Buff brand Einstein model light packs do synch at very fast shutter speeds and they cost a fraction of the higher end pro level lights.

Having been lucky enough to shoot with a camera and lights that synch at 1/1600, the image captures of a model in motion in the studio are wonderful. 

10

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon 1dx Color

« on: September 14, 2012, 05:31:12 PM »

I notice when shooting in the sunny/daylight setting using ""L" series lenses that there is a lot of blue in the images captured. The blueness is significantly reduced when shooting with the cloudy setting in bright sunlight conditions. I have not turned up the saturation setting or reduced the contrast setting on my camera. Otherwise, as neuroanatomist says, when using ColorChecker Passport the colors are darn accurate.

11

1D X Sample Images / Re: Any Thing shot with a 1Dx

« on: September 12, 2012, 11:26:51 AM »

Having fun with my 1D-X

12

Lenses / Re: 400 2.8L, 500 4L or 600 4L for wildlife

« on: September 11, 2012, 02:11:05 PM »

Exactly the point regarding birds in flight. I had the lenses on a Wimberley mount too. Ducks on landing were great and relatively easy to find using the 400mm lens. Forget about birds in flight using the 400mm f2.8 or 600mm lenses, at least at my skills level. The 400mm f5.6L USM is a dream to use for birds in flight.

13

Lenses / Re: 400 2.8L, 500 4L or 600 4L for wildlife

« on: September 11, 2012, 12:21:00 PM »

I rented the 400mm f2.8 L and the 600 mm f4.0 L, and shot with them on my 1D-X without using extender tubes. I liked the 400mm much better for shooting birds. Having said that though, when light conditions warrant using f2.8 the depth of field becomes quite short and the bird is typically not well illuminated. The bottom line for me is to continue using my 400mm f5.6 L and not shoot in super dimly lit situations.

14

Canon General / Re: Do you feel your photos have improved proportionally to the cost of your gear?

« on: August 30, 2012, 05:24:47 PM »

I'm an amateur/hobby shooter who enjoys the challenges of shooting birds in flight, nature, and landscaping. In my case, absolutely my photos are hugely improved by the cost of my gear. My 1D-X with "L" series lenses produces amazing results that even my former 1D Mark IV could not do. I'm not so much into spending big bucks as I am enjoying using the features and technology (particularly the upgrades in continuous focusing) that continue to evolve. 

15

Canon General / Re: Insurance for Camera gear

« on: August 13, 2012, 06:00:08 PM »

I have a policy written in the USA through Great American specifically for photographers; owned equipment, rental equipment, liability, and office equipment. The coverage is world-wide and includes travel insurance on equipment. I'm much more comfortable with this policy than with an endorsement on my homeowner's policy. I'm not a pro but have some gear that is expensive.