Messages

1

Lenses / Re: Canon lens setup for weddings

« on: December 04, 2012, 12:07:52 AM »

It really depends on what range you like to shoot in.  If you want to be up in someone's business,  sure a 16-35 will be great.  If you like to give people their space while still being close, then a 24-70 would be perfect.  Prior to me switching to full frame I shot a 28-70mm on a crop sensor 97% of the time.  It worked perfect in weddings for me. Yes,  I lacked in the wide end of things, but I was able to adapt.  I also used my boss' 16-35 on my crop sensor,  and I felt way to limited and constrained.  (one reason I won't personally by a prime shooter)

I do bring out my 16-35 at receptions to get creative dance pictures, but during a ceremony not really. I'd rather have the flexibility of a slight zoom.  The great part is the 24-70 starts at the mid point of the 16-35 so with that overlap you can get some good womp in your pictures. 

My boss has his 16-35v1 glued to his camera almost always, however,  after he used my 24-70 II during a ceremony he only hopes I won't use it so he can steal It from me.  He has always stated how he loves his 16-35, but he now wishes he had the money to contemplate getting a 24-70 II.

Personally I'd go with the 24 - 70 II. I have no doubt you would be happy with it, and if you ever upgrade to a ff body it would only make you that much happier with your decision.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Upgrading from a canon30D cant decide between a5mkII or a 7D

« on: October 01, 2012, 06:08:36 PM »

Everyone has said it best,  5DmkII. It is best for what you are looking to use it for.  From a user friendly standpoint, after shooting both for months, one still occasionally, the 5dmkii is much nicer to navigate.  The 7d has the goofy viewfinder af point illumination where it doesn't always blink red when the focus is locked. 

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Lenses / Re: If you can have ONLY 3 lenses, what would they...???

« on: September 17, 2012, 11:55:19 PM »

16-35 2.8 II
24-70 2.8 II
70-200 2.8 II

Covers the focal range for me.  If I can't get what I need with those lenses, I need to move myself not get a longer lens.

May I ask how often do you shoot (let's say) at 91mm or 194mm focal length? Why do you need to cover the whole range? Just curious .
My experience with zooms was that I tend to find the sweet spot or two and use it like a prime lens (to minimize the distortion, aberrations, softness etc.).


Well it is funny that you ask that question. This weekend during a wedding ceremony I was confined to the balcony and ended up having to shoot my 70-200. Yes i did shoot quite a few at either 70 or 200, but i shot almost as much at the in between spots as well. From the 141 shots i had with that lens: 59 were shot at in-between 70 and 200mm, 72 were shot at 70 or 200mm. So to answer your question i was shooting quite a bit in -between.

I feel there is a need to be able to cover a wide range of focal range in order to adapt to where you are shooting. In a church you cant always shoot from up front. A prime lens limits your abilities in my opinion on where you are able to shoot from. Yes, i have a 50 1.4 which i will bust out to have some fun with and experiment, but it ends up limiting me. I dont see the strong need for lenses faster than 2.8. I havent had an issue with a 2.8 lens in any situation, if it becomes too dark, thats when the flash comes out-typically only the dancing portion of the reception.

And now with the sharpness and quality from the 24-70 II it makes the 2.8 that much better. After using the lens this weekend, i realize why it is worth its money. Sharp, excellent colors, great IQ its a great lens in my opinion. I was very happy using it on my 5dmkIII.

4

Lenses / Re: If you can have ONLY 3 lenses, what would they...???

« on: September 16, 2012, 01:24:26 PM »

16-35 2.8 II
24-70 2.8 II
70-200 2.8 II

Covers the focal range for me.  If I can't get what I need with those lenses, I need to move myself not get a longer lens.

5

Lenses / Re: Anyone heard when BH, Adorama or Amazon will ship 24-70 II?

« on: September 13, 2012, 06:08:41 PM »

I received mine yesterday from my local camera dealer Horn Photo in Fresno. I have had much better luck getting new releases from the local dealer than I have BH or Amazon. I no longer preorder from the big stores as the local dealers get their shipments first. I have my 5D3's a week before most folks.

+1

I fully believe on ordering from a local store. I could have had my 5dmkiii the night before it was. To be released, and I could have picked up my 24-70 yesterday. Sadly my schedule hasn't allowed me to get them on that first day.  Both times mine were the only ones the store received on initial shipment. You can guarantee I will order from them again in the future.

6

Software & Accessories / BG-E11 weight

« on: September 12, 2012, 09:55:20 PM »

I have been shooting with my 5DmkIII now since the day it was available at the dealer. I shot it for a while without the BG-E11 grip because it was not available. The weight wasn't bad without the grip, then the grip came along. I screwed on the grip to the camera and holy heck did the weight increase! My boss shoots the 5DMKii with the grip and i can shoot that all day long no problems. My Rebel XT (yeah my first digital) and my 40D both had grips on them, i love the counterbalance that they provide; however, the BG-E11 is unbelievably heavy. I shot a wedding this last weekend, and after holding the camera in my hand all day (i dont trust a camera to be dangling at my side, i like the security of having complete control over where it goes and what it may come in contact with) my wrist was killing me. It still is a little sore, especially after shooting multiple weddings in a month.

I guess my thing is what was Canon thinking about making such a heavy grip??? It makes the camera uncomfortable to handle for a 16 hour wedding day.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: what to recommend a newbie

« on: September 12, 2012, 09:20:28 PM »

Not sure what the conversion from GBP to USD is exactly, but i think this combination would come in under budget for your colleague.

Find a used 40D, I have found them around here in the USA for around $400-500 USD. Then i would locate a third party lens, i recommend the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 Di for $500 USD. That lens can be used with both crop and FF cameras, so if your colleague decides to upgrade to Full Frame they can keep using that lens. I have used that setup for over 5 years. It worked for me, especially for someone who is looking to get their feet wet in the DSLR realm. When i shoot weddings this was the lens on my camera, including my 5DmkIII up until i had an issue with the lens. I actually bought another one to get me by until my 24-70 II came in.

 I realize it is a third party lens, and some will want you to buy a canon lens, but this is an affordable lens that will get you a perfect range for normal shooting. I shoot weddings with this focal range and it works very good for me! Now it will be between the 24-70 II and my 16-35 II.

Hope this provides you something to look into.

Andy

8

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II Has Made its Way To Retailers

« on: September 12, 2012, 08:44:54 PM »

Mine is in the store, has been since this morning, just haven't been able to go pick it up. Tomorrow shall be the day! Some guy wanted to give me money to defer this lens to him and then I would get the next one. But at the earliest it would be a couple weeks. Needless to say I am still picking up my lens tomorrow since I have a wedding this weekend and more the next 2 weekends.

9

Lenses / Re: Any Wedding Lens Advice?

« on: September 11, 2012, 10:10:19 AM »

You really need to get that 40-70mm range at least. I know I was recently contemplating the 24 - 105 f/4 to get me by while I was waiting for my 24-70 2.8 II to finally be released.  I have not shot that lens but figured it could get me by since my Tamron 28-75 went down on me right before a busy wedding month for us. I loved that lens, it worked great for me on a tight budget,  but. My replacement now. Sits in my bag capped while I rock the 16-35 2.8 II.  In my experience I can't ever remember shooting. Long lens in a reception, it's always been my 28-75 or now my 16-35.

10

Lenses / Re: Wide Angle for Crop and FF?

« on: September 11, 2012, 09:52:05 AM »

Have you considered saving your money and just renting the lens as you need it? Instead of spending money only to have to resell it soon. It may be a little annoying not having it on you 24/7 but if you are thinking of upgrading soon anyways it may save you money.

11

EOS Bodies / Re: 5d Mk III dilemma

« on: August 29, 2012, 09:55:19 PM »

I'd be amazed if the 24-70 II will be sold as a manufacturer kit. I'd also be amazed if buying it as a kit from a reseller like B&H or Adorama would save you more than a hundred bucks or so.

And I have a hard time believing that saving a hundred bucks is really worth the wait for somebody wanting to spend several thousand on a new camera, especially somebody who already has invested thousands in equipment.

The 24-105 is slow, yes, but it's optically excellent, has IS, and has a significantly longer reach than the 24-70. And the 24-70 is only one stop faster, which isn't all that much in the real world.

My advice? Get the 5DIII with the 24-105 kit. If you really need that additional stop, get the Tamron 24-70. The Tamron is better optically than the Canon 24-70 I (which is rightfully a legendary lens), costs half as much as the 24-70 II, and has IS.

Either option gets you the camera in your hands today, which is worth a lot more than a hundred bucks. And, either option will save you a grand over the 24-70 II -- almost enough to get the 35 f/1.4.

Should you regret your decision when the 24-70 II finally hits the streets, no worries. If you went with the 24-105, you'll be able to sell that for at least as much as it cost you to buy it in the kit. If you went with the Tamron, the depreciation will be far less than it would have cost you to rent the lens. Either way, you'll have had the full use of the camera and lens for the period and you'll come out ahead financially.

Cheers,

b&

Be careful with the Tamron lens on the 5dmk3. I thought about using the same lens to try and save money as well, however that was easily brought to a stop when I put it on my camera in the store.  The lens locked up my camera and I had to pull out the battery to reset the error.  The lens was brand new and saw the sales guy unwrap it out of the box. He was surprised and shocked when it happened.  Needless the say the lens is a no go for me now.  I know others have had the issue as well.  It may just be a firmware issue, but right now I can't risk missing any moments at a wedding or shoot because the camera has locked up.