Messages

1

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D Mk III with 50mm f/1.8 II - bad images?

« on: June 14, 2013, 06:21:44 AM »

First off, I probably would have suggested the 40mm 2.8 pancake lens.
Although it only costs $50 more, it is much less likely to be a lens you will "grow out of" as it is sharp as a tack and short to boot.

That being said however, the 50mm 1.8 is a perfectly fine lens.
There is a belief that runs rampant in the DSLR / high-end camera community: buying stuff makes you a better.
Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on who you ask) this is not the case.
Your 50mm 1.8 on any DSLR is capable of brilliant results, but it won't do the work for you.
Before I go on, check out these results from your same lens.
http://dinablaszczak.hubpages.com/hub/Canon50mm18RevieworFactsaboutNiftyFifty
In the hands of a skilled photographer, much better results than those exemplified in the link above are well within reach.

The 50mm is by no means the limiting factor in these images.
Subject, composition, lighting, exposure settings, post processing, the list goes on; until you understand some of the basics, there isn't an L lens in production that will breathe life into your photos.
They will only raise the ceiling of what it possible.

If food photography is your thing, read up!
http://fstoppers.com/an-introduction-to-restaurant-food-photography
http://fstoppers.com/when-and-where-to-style-your-food-photography

2

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Fuji x100(s) to Supplement an SLR

« on: May 12, 2013, 11:20:03 PM »

Yeah, you're probably not terribly interested in the X-E1, as it'd require you to invest in lenses, which you're already doing for another system.

At the end of the day, for me, the image quality and leaf shutter makes it worthwhile.
With speedlights and an off camera flash cable, it can get 1/1000 at f2, 1/2000 at f4, and 1/4000 at f8
Considering the higher f stops also cut power on the flash, I usually just stick with 1/1000.
I could see using the the higher speeds if you really need to freeze movement, but I don't.
Just being able to match or overpower the sun with a single flash is important to me.

The camera is a bit quirky, but for using it as a backup camera, the IQ is spot on.

3

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Fuji x100(s) to Supplement an SLR

« on: May 12, 2013, 05:25:03 AM »

Recently unloaded all my Canon gear (except for my 430EX II) for an X100S
I didn't really want to jump into the deep end, but I couldn't afford both.
I was shooting on a 550D that I had outgrown, w/ a 40mm and a 24-105
I like a minimal amount of gear, which was a major + going for the FUJI

There are things that I love, and things that bother me on the regular.
Let's be realistic. So many people want to love this camera, and I feel that its flaws are there and people don't want to talk about them

For me it boils down to this:


The lens is sharp enough, but the barrel distortion is sort of dreadful. I sort of feel crazy, but I feel like the distortion only shows heavily on the right side of the frame. Every time I bring the photos in to edit and render them, they look like a homemade cake.


The autofocus is sort of bogus, even when compared to the 550D. It is just a very different AF. When it locks on, it gets it right, but sometimes it just wants to hunt and hunt, seemingly for no reason.


The wheel on the back is super delicate, and s*** gets changed for no reason.

Not sure if it's helpful for me to go over all the good stuff. There's so much, to be honest.
If you can get over those few pitfalls, and you're cool with having a fixed 23mm lens camera as your walk around camera, then yeah, it's great.
I bought it with the intention of getting a DSLR later, as I currently can't afford both. Having really gotten to know it, however, it fits the bill for everything.
I snap the kiddo with it, shoot the cat, use my flash to blast friends at night (which is amazing with the leaf shutter), and feel it has more than held its weight with serious shoots.

Here are some images I've shot, all out of camera (RAW, but untouched for the sake of showing the IQ)
To see the work graded, you can check out youngbloodphotography.tumblr.com

4

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: SL1 or Fuji X-EX1 or Sony Nex 6?? Would like your thoughts

« on: May 12, 2013, 04:13:47 AM »

And lastly Fujix-rumors is nowhere near as entertaining or informative as canonrumors.

THIS.
I sold my Canon gear and picked up a FUJI X100S, and it suits my needs.
I made the shift assuming I'll get a 5DMKIII in the future, however I've gotten so adjusted that I don't see that happening any more.
Yet, I still read CR almost daily.
It's just a better community, and the layout is much more logical.

5

Canon General / Re: A Camera Walks Into a Bar, Scary Review

« on: March 24, 2013, 04:51:59 AM »

I'd say that Canon and Nikon are more like two successful businessmen comparing accomplishments and material posessions.
These accomplishments and posessions make these two businessmen look pretty damn attractive (if the women in the bar are supposed to represent photographers.)

In any case, I enjoyed his review of the camera.
I've sold off my gear to get the x100s, so it's nice to see it favored the way it is.

6

Sports / Re: Trying to get noticed...

« on: March 16, 2013, 05:52:42 PM »

After seeing your edit on my image it really inspired me to take another stab at it... What do you guys think? Could I do with changing anything?

Looks much better!
I personally like to take a brush and manually sharpen the water.
Keep improving upon photos like this one and you'll get some recognition in your area.

7

Sports / Re: Trying to get noticed...

« on: March 16, 2013, 06:47:52 AM »

By the way, I really like the natural look of your signature on the image.

8

Sports / Re: Trying to get noticed...

« on: March 16, 2013, 06:42:28 AM »

I suggest you start a website and put only your best work on it.
As you improve, get rid of the ones that aren't up to the new standard.
Put only your best photos on social media.
People will refer you to their friends who surf (if they have any).
Offer to shoot promo photos for events at no charge, and make sure they credit/tag you somewhere when promoting the event with the image.
Get some business cards made, and you'll be noticed, and eventually paid.

For fun, I threw one of your pictures into Aperture and cropped off the not so interesting bits and tried to make the day look less dreary.
If you can consistently PP the images in an identifiable way, that helps as well.

9

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Engagement shoot

« on: February 22, 2013, 04:57:52 AM »

I hope Kavi included an iron in the wedding registry.

10

Portrait / Re: Post your best portraits(street, studio, candid etc...).

« on: February 22, 2013, 04:19:03 AM »

There are some incredible photographers on this forum.

11

EOS Bodies / Re: 2013 Predictions for Canon EOS Products

« on: February 21, 2013, 11:34:45 PM »

I'd imagine EOS Me stands for "Mirrorless / electric viewfinder"
If not, then beats Me.

12

Technical Support / Re: Connect DSLR to PC/Projector wireless

« on: February 16, 2013, 02:43:11 AM »

If this is something you want to do once, I can't see it being worth the effort. 
Working within a niche, there is no cheap plug and play setup!
However, I love that you are looking to provide a unique service.
If you can find a way to really package this, I could see events hiring you to shoot live during a show!
The images could also be uploaded live to social media, so that people can see how amazing the event is, and then decide to attend, increasing the turnout of the event.
If the photos are good enough, it could be a huge asset to an event coordinator.
What you are looking to do could be a real service!

To answer your question, I can only speak of the equipment I know that could make this a reality.
Newer Macbook (post spring 2011, I would go for an Air for portability), airplay-ready streaming out to an Apple TV.
I would carry an Airport Express (or whatever alternative) incase the WIFI signal is weak where you are.
Use a 6D or an Eye-Fi to wirelessly transmit the images you take.
This would be a 2 person operation, where all you do is shoot, and all they do is manage the stream.
Hahaha, however, if you are only looking to do this for a birthday as a one-off, then yeah. 

I love entrepreneurial efforts, so I may have gotten a little ahead of myself.

13

EOS Bodies / Re: Bought a 7D, considering exchanging for a 60D. What would you do?

« on: February 09, 2013, 11:38:22 PM »

So you've your glass and equipment mostly sorted out (and I'm also of the mindset of renting high-end equipment vs. buying entry level equipment)!
In that case, I absolutely say stick with what you have, and use every cent from those first few gigs to sport the 5DIII.
Give the local cable company a run for their $$$

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EOS Bodies / Re: Bought a 7D, considering exchanging for a 60D. What would you do?

« on: February 09, 2013, 06:41:36 AM »

If video is really what you're about, I would strongly suggest you first get a handful of paid gigs, sell your 7D, and pony up for a 5DIII + 24-105 and a couple fast primes.
While the swivel screen and ~$400 make the 60D an enticing option, you will be unable to shoot in low light adequately with either APS-C offering.
If you improve the IQ of your videos, you can entice larger clients with deeper pockets.

If you haven't already, start a killer portfolio showcasing what you can really do with the setup you have.
Your clients will hardly be concerned with your equipment if you can assure them the final product will meet a professional-ish standard.

And yeah, if you don't have sound worked out, you'll need to sort that out, pronto.

15

Lenses / Re: I can't stop thinking about A MONSTER!

« on: February 08, 2013, 06:03:03 AM »

Oh please! Don't start another "FF vs APS-C" war! Before giving advice like that, did you read what's said in this thread? (Quote below)

Hahahaha! Then let me adjust my statement!
If reach is this critical to you, I strongly suggest you pick up a 7D or wait for the 7DII.
If they throw in a couple more MP and improve the high ISO noise & AF the way I imagine they will, cropping down a FF to match the FoV won't be as neck and neck.

And heaven forgive me if this turns into another bloodbath of a debate.
I just ❤ APS-C FoV, and do not find cropping every image to be a realistic alternative.
I acknowledge that I may be in a distinct minority here.
What can I say? I'm a Rebel.

... which has a very different connotation here. Hahaha