Topics

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Software & Accessories / What are your lightroom export settings and how big are your jpegs

« on: Today at 04:33:47 PM »

For those of you using lightroom to edit your RAW files, what are your export settings when you export to jpeg?  Lightroom lets you control dpi, size of the long axis of the image, and also has a jpeg "quality" slider.  Somebody once told me to export with dpi set to 300 so I have done that because I didn't really know what to set it at.  I have just found that when I export my images as jpegs they are still very large (sometimes over 12mbs for a jpeg).  I shoot with a 5DIII and I know there are a lot of megapixels so I expect the files sizes to be large but I was wondering if this was normal.  I used to shoot on RAW and then edit and export to jpeg, but I have started shooting with mRAW mainly so the file sizes when I export are more reasonable.  I have blown up some 20x30 pics and they seem pretty good.  I didn't know if it was better to shoot on RAW and adjust the quailty jpeg slider to say 90% or to shoot on mRAW and export with the quality slider set to 100% as both methods would give me roughly the same file size.  Thanks in advane.

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Lenses / Question about 200-400

« on: June 08, 2013, 11:17:01 PM »

So I was daydreaming about the 200-400 lens today and something occurred to me.  Without the built in 1.4 extender "activated" the focal length is 200-400 and with the extender activated the focal length is 280- 560.  So does that mean that since there is an overlap from 280-400 that you can get to that range of focal length two ways: one way with the extender activated and the other way without?  If this is true is there any difference in the image depending on how you get to that overlapping focal length?  For example I know that with regular (not built in) extenders like you 2x, you lose a stop of light when you attach it to your lens.  Does activating the built in extender affect your maximum aperture?  Although the answers to these questions will never affect me in real life (as my wife would kill me if I spent this much on a lens), I was curious to know. 
Thanks

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Lenses / Canon 40mm pancake firmware update

« on: May 10, 2013, 07:58:14 PM »

So I just received me new 40mm pancake from Adorama. I remember seeing that there was a firmware update for this lens but now I can't find the thread about this. Is there any way to know if my lens has the updated or old firmware?  What problems do the new firmware address and how do I update firmware for a lens? I have updated firmware for my camera before, but never for a lens. Thanks in advance.

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Lenses / Fair price for a used 85mm 1.2L II

« on: April 29, 2013, 11:23:50 AM »

First off I know these "what's a fair price for a ..." are kind of annoying threads because there are so many variables and so I apologize in advance.  That being said, I am curious what you all think is a fair price for a used 85mm 1.2L II.  I am currently negotiating with someone on craigslist and the seller reports that the lens is in "mint" condition.  The seller has posted pics of the lens, but I haven't had a chance to see the actual lens yet. Assuming it is in mint or very good condition and works well/is sharp... what do you think is a fair price?  The model number shows that it was manufactured in Dec of 2010 and the seller bought it brand new.  I've never bought an L lens used so I am a bit nervous but figure if I could get a good deal it might be worth it.  Thanks in advance.

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Software & Accessories / For those using Lightroom... what are your settings

« on: December 20, 2012, 10:59:54 AM »

First off, I realize this question is very general and there are many variables to it, but I was just looking for some general information.  I currently shoot with a 5DIII and shoot in RAW then do all my post processing in Lightroom 4.  My basic question is what parameters are you usually changing on your photos in lightroom.  Specifically what are you usually doing with saturation and vibrance?  I know this will vary tremendously depending on lighting and the subject shot, but I was just curious what most of you do for the average picture.  I almost always have to mess with whitebalance and then usually up the saturation and vibrance about +5-+10.  Sometimes I find myself oversaturating my pictures if I'm not careful and then I make a good shot look bad.  Also what are you guys usually doing for contrast settings?  Thanks

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Lenses / "Native" ISO... is it real and does it make a difference

« on: November 22, 2012, 10:04:45 AM »

So my friend told me that it is better to use ISOs that are multiples of 160 since that is the camera's native ISO levels and the ISOs between those are just "pushed or pulled" digitally. Is this true?  Is there any real world difference in the native vs non native ISOs.  I've tried doing some research on it and have found conflicting information. I'm just trying to figure out if there are certain ISOs that I should use or avoid. -Thanks

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EOS Bodies / 85mm 1.2 version I or II

« on: November 19, 2012, 11:38:44 PM »

So I've been drooling over the idea of owning an 85mm 1.2 for a long time but I don't know if I can justify spending $2,000 on a mark II version.   Used Mark I versions go for about half the price.  My question is, have any of you actually shot with a mark I and and mark II?  I know the AF is faster on the mark II and I've read that it controls flare better because of lens coating, but as far as other aspects of image quality is it worth twice the price?  I've seen lots of posts with images from the mark II version, but does anybody have images taken with the mark I?- Thanks

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EOS Bodies / Canon 5DmIII for $2,199

« on: November 16, 2012, 11:04:27 PM »

So I signed up to receive notifications from canonpricewatch.com for when there are price drops on the Canon 5D mark III.  Twice now I have received notifications for the 5DmIII for sale for $2199 from Dell, but by the time I check my email and go to the link the price has risen again. If you go to the "recent price change" page here: http://www.canonpricewatch.com/price-changes/p=03868 you can see the price drop listed.  I was just curious if anyone has been able to actually get the body for this price?