Messages

1

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 6D Review - Real World

« on: May 15, 2013, 07:42:24 AM »

I have had a 7D for a couple years and bought a 6D a month ago as an addition.  I love the fast frame and reach of the 7D for birds/wildlife.  What's blown me away is the high ISO performance of the 6D.  I never realized how much flexibility it adds.  Even 3 stops higher than the 7D, the 6D's noise is much more attractive.  I'm headed to Yellowstone next month, and look forward to getting the best from both of my cameras.

I use a 50D for birds/wildlife, but my experience with the 6D has been the same. I'm blown away by the IQ and high ISO performance and it is opening up new avenues of photography. I seriously lusted after a 5D mark III for the AF system and ergonomics, but I just couldn't justify $1400 more than the 6D, particularly without the GPS/Wifi (which I do use). I think a 2-format kit is a very practical compromise if you have the lenses to support it.

I'm also pleasantly surprised how much I like the build and handling of the 6D, considering I have large hands and I've used the joystick for 10 years on a 20D and then 50D. Canon did a solid job designing this camera for the intended purpose (travel, landscape and portrait shooting).

2

Software & Accessories / Re: Help me finalize my tripod & ballhead choice

« on: May 10, 2013, 10:52:39 AM »

The Gitzo tripod, what can I say, rock solid, precise, and light weight.

+ 1

I got the same tripod last year and I've really been enjoying it. Huge step up my the Manfrotto 055MF3 I was using before that.

After reading tons of reviews and some technical studies on vibration damping I decided on the Markins Q10 ballhead plus TB-21 base (essentially the Magica tripod without the ugly Nikon swag), but RRS makes great stuff so you can't go wrong there.

Congrats and enjoy!

3

Lenses / Re: How to shoot jewellery and NOT get reflections of the camera

« on: May 10, 2013, 10:44:31 AM »

There was some great advice on this topic in the book "Lighting for Digital Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots" by Syl Arena. He says when shooting highly reflective subjects like glass, jewelry, etc. you should "light what the objects sees" rather than the object itself. For example point your light/flash at a reflector next to, above or behind your subject and let the reflected light hit the jewelry. Combined with some fill this has worked great for me shooting metallic stuff.

Great book for getting started with multi-flash still life and portrait work. Highly recommended. Beats the pants off a $200 class I took at my university.

4

Software & Accessories / Re: XYZ vs Adobe Photoshop: Which one is the best alternate choice?

« on: May 10, 2013, 07:10:35 AM »

i think many people could be living with photoshop elements just fine.

but with the recent stuff going on i can understand that adobe software is no choice. 

+1

Photoshop Elements was actually developed for photographers, removing some of the esoteric graphics arts features not needed for photo editing and adding cataloging. It even includes some widgets not included with the full app. It's a powerful and cheap tool that pairs well with Lightroom.

However I agree that it may be an unpalatable choice to some after this CC debacle.

5

Software & Accessories / Re: Adobe to Stop Making Packaged Software

« on: May 09, 2013, 08:51:48 AM »

I'm an amateur photographer who uses Lightroom (4.4) and Photoshop (CS5 Extended.)  I haven't updated my version of Photoshop because I use the program a couple times a month, for HDR and layers adjustments.  I use Lightroom regularly, but there are many things Lightroom can't do that my version of Photoshop can.  Based on the pricing, I guess Adobe just doesn't care about users like me.

I'm no expert on Photoshop, but have invested 20 hours or so in Linda.com training.  I have purchased Photomatix for HDR, but will need to find another solution for things like layer/mask work,  content aware adjustments, etc.  I have no interest in the other applications Adobe wants to offer me as part of the subscription.

I'm sorry I wasted the time over the past couple years learning how to use Photoshop.

Very well said. I'm in exactly the same situation. I will no longer invest in Photoshop software, books or training and feel the money I've already spent is partially wasted. At least it appears Lightroom will remain a viable tool for a while yet, but I'll need to explore other pixel-editors if Photoshop Elements won't cut it. Frustrating.

6

Software & Accessories / Re: Adobe to Stop Making Packaged Software

« on: May 06, 2013, 05:31:10 PM »

Forgetting the cost for a moment, how would Lightroom service even work? Half the time I use it, I am on my laptop away from the grid.  Are we going to have to load our photos upstream to the cloud in order to work on them?  That doesn't seem practical to me when you are dealing with a couple hundred images in LR.

I don't believe they're talking about cloud-based apps. I think you download and install normally, but activation and ongoing use requires an active subscription. So if you decide to stop paying, you can no longer open your files in the app. That's my big concern with this model. I also use a lot of site-licensed software at work and it can be a problem running such software when you're away from an Internet connection when the software decides to "phone home", depending on implementation. That could be an issue for people like you taking LR to remote locations on a laptop.

Lots of questions, though, particularly because they're planning to charge $10/mo for a single app and $50/mo for the full boat ($30/mo for the first year for upgraders). That's like buying a new copy of LR every 1-1.5 years, which I don't always do, and $360-600/yr is a LOT more than I pay now for all my Adobe software (PSE, Dreamweaver, etc).

Guess I'll be milking LR 4/PSE 10 for a long while, and hoping they still provide free Adobe Raw and/or DNG converters if I ever need a new camera.

Brave new world.

7

Technical Support / Re: Which RAW processing software do you use?

« on: May 04, 2013, 06:53:11 PM »

Lightroom 4 for RAW, then use "Open in Photoshop" for major cloning or dodging/burning (the Lightroom tools are a little limiting for that IMO)

8

Lenses / Re: 24-105L or Sigma 35.1.4 for 6D walk-around

« on: May 04, 2013, 05:29:57 PM »

I shoot with my 24-105  when I don't know what distance I'm going to be at and I have the presumption of good light.  I  take it my 50 mm  when I know it will be indoor or low light.   But the fifty is limited because it gets soft below f2.8  so it isn't a great low light lens.   the sigma 35  is sharp wide open and is on my to do list.   I'd actually suggest getting the 35 mm.

Yes, I think this will be a great lens for outdoor events (which I shoot often) because I need to shoot at varying distances. I'll also bring my 70-200f4 for discrete close-ups. I decided to sell my 10-22, so that will net over $500 towards the 35/1.4 -- after using the 6D and 24-105 + 17-40 I don't think I'll be shooting with my 50D in that range any more. That camera will probably stay "bolted" to my 100-400 for zoo/wildlife trips.

I agree with TommyLee as well about adding specialty lenses as needs evolve.

Thanks.

9

Lenses / Re: 24-105L or Sigma 35.1.4 for 6D walk-around

« on: May 04, 2013, 02:48:23 PM »

Just some followup - I went ahead and bought the 6D + 24-105L kit, and I'm really impressed with both. The distortion at 24mm is pretty extreme but Lightroom's lens profile and the 6D corrections for in-camera Jpegs are quite effective so I can live with that. Background blur isn't as easy to achieve as I'd hoped (not bad at 105/f4 up close, but not awesome), but I have a 85/1.8 and that's wonderful on this camera for blurring the background for portraits. The 24-105L corners are great compared to my 17-40L even on crop so that's a welcome change. (On the other hand the 17-40 corners on FF are really bad at 17mm - nothing like the 10-22 at 10mm on the 50D).

I'll definitely keep the 24-105 for versatility and plan to add a fast 24 or 35 down the road. Thanks for all the advice.

10

Lenses / Re: 24-105L or Sigma 35.1.4 for 6D walk-around

« on: April 28, 2013, 01:24:21 PM »

dont think the that wide zoom will fit on the full frame

No, you're right that it won't fit. It's an EFS so crop-only. That's why I don't think I'll use it.

11

Lenses / Re: 24-105L or Sigma 35.1.4 for 6D walk-around

« on: April 28, 2013, 01:06:21 PM »

One thing you could do while pondering what to buy is attach your 17-40 to your 50D, set it to the equivalent of 35mm on FF (a bit less than 24mm) and spend a day wandering around using only that focal length and see how restricted you feel (if at all).  I would find it too restricting, but that's me (I prefer details to scenes, so unless I expect to be inside my standard walkaround lens is more often than not my 70-200 f4 IS or 70-300L).

Regardless, though, I think buying the 24-105 as part of a kit makes the best sense financially, for all the reasons given so far by others.  On FF you can get very nice background blur with it, by the way (though you'll want to be near 105 for optimal effect).  Note that while the 35mm Sigma will make excellent background blur, you'll have to get pretty close to your subject, far closer than I would ever want to get to people (but again, that's me).  If you do get the 24-105 first, wait and see how restricted you feel by *that*.  You may be surprised at how well it performs, even in very low light (esp. on FF). 

(I wouldn't overlook the new Canon 35mm IS either unless you're trying to minimize depth of focus.)

I had the same thought yesterday about using my 17-40L + 50D set to about 22mm, so I'll definitely do that exercise. Good advice.

But I'm convinced that the 24-105mm will be a good investment no matter which way I go on the 35, so I'll probably end up with both. Once I get a FF I'm not likely to use my 50D + 10-22mm for landscape/interior shots, since I already have the 17-40, so I can sell that for ~$500. Great lens on crop, but from what I've seen the improved micro-contrast and tonality on FF will give me better results for that type of photography.

Thanks to all. Good stuff.

And I love those fair and track shots from Mt. Spokane Photography. Really inspiring work! Definitely the style of photography I admire.

12

Lenses / Re: 24-105L or Sigma 35.1.4 for 6D walk-around

« on: April 27, 2013, 03:47:46 PM »

What do you plan to shoot while walking around with a 'walkaround' lens?  A 35mm prime doesn't offer a lot of flexibility.  FWIW, f/4 on FF is like f/2.5 on APS-C for DoF.  The 24-105L is a great general purpose lens on FF.

RE keeping the 50D, at low ISO the 6D image cropped to the APS-C FoV will give equivalent IQ (but only 7.8 MP); above ISO 800 the cropped 6D's IQ will be better.

Good point about the aperture differences to get the same DOF on FF vs crop. Regarding what I shoot in that range when traveling, it would be cityscapes/architecture, gardens, monuments and such outdoors, plus historic buildings and museums/aquariums indoors (when allowed). I'd also use the 6d for crowd shots and step in closer for some detail on individuals when I shoot events for local non-profits (my only semi-pro activity).

I use a 17-40 on the 50D for events now, often in the 20-40 range, so 35 on FF might be limiting there (wide end of my normal range). But the ability to use f1.4-2 on the 35 to blur backgrounds when moving in is compelling to me. For example, I love the playground shot in Justin VanLeeuwen's recent review of the 35 on his 5d mark iii (http://www.canonrumors.com/reviews/review-sigma-35mm-f1-4-dg-hsm/). I know there's a healthy market for nearly new 24-105L's split from kits on FM, so I probably couldn't lose by trying that lens first.

Regarding the 50D I plan to do comparisons, but I regularly print 13x19 and occasionally larger so I might miss the extra pixels at low-mid ISO. The 50D resale value is pretty low, so even if I can live with 7.8mp without cropping I'll probably keep it as a backup anyway.

I've learned a lot from reading your forum posts here, so thanks for sharing your insights.

13

Lenses / 24-105L or Sigma 35.1.4 for 6D walk-around

« on: April 27, 2013, 01:19:28 PM »

I've been pretty happy with my 50D kit for general travel/nature/event photography, but I've been wanting to pick up a FF camera to achieve shallower DOF more easily for portraits and lower noise when shooting indoor events (e.g. my son's plays in dark theaters). I downloaded RAW samples from DPR for the 50D, 6D and 5D Mark III and played with them all in LR 4, and I was shocked at the difference between either FF and 50D (easily 2 stops in noise and better contrast across the board). I was leaning towards a 5D mark III, but I just can't justify the extra cash (as an amateur) and don't want the extra bulk and weight for travel, so I've settled on a 6D for its smaller size and GPS.

My dilemma, though, is whether to buy the kit with 24-105L or skip it and put the $500 towards a Sigma 35 1.4 HSM. I already have a 17-40L, 70-200 F4is and 85 1.8, so that wouldn't leave too big a gap in FL, and since what I'm really missing with my 50D is DOF control the large aperture 35 seems really appealing (particularly after the reviews I've read here). The 35 at 1.4-2 looks better than 24-105 at 5.6-8 to my eye. I used to shoot fixed FL lenses exclusively in my film days, so I know the pluses/minuses of that from a creativity standpoint and have no problem "zooming with my feet".

Any opinions of 24-105 vs 35 1.4 for a walk-around would be appreciated. Either way I intend to keep the 50D for now (probably bolted to the 100-400L for zoo/wildlife work).

Thanks

-Wade

14

Pricewatch Deals / Re: *UPDATE* Canon USA Rebates Starting April 14, 2013 [CR3]

« on: April 14, 2013, 03:45:59 PM »

This morning B+H had the 6d w/24-105 for $2199, including rebate. This afternoon it is back up to $2399, including rebate.... 

Yeah - this is maddening. I feel like I'm on E-bay trying to time an auction bid. Guess I keep on waiting for this mess to settle down. So much for the weak yen argument.

It is currently $2199 from Best Buy. If that is the camera/lens you were after....

Thanks for the info, but that would mean $150 in local tax so I'm sitting pat (grumpily)

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Pricewatch Deals / Re: *UPDATE* Canon USA Rebates Starting April 14, 2013 [CR3]

« on: April 14, 2013, 01:55:14 PM »

This morning B+H had the 6d w/24-105 for $2199, including rebate. This afternoon it is back up to $2399, including rebate.... 

Yeah - this is maddening. I feel like I'm on E-bay trying to time an auction bid. Guess I keep on waiting for this mess to settle down. So much for the weak yen argument.