Topics

1

Third Party Manufacturers / High dollar battery chargers, who buys them?

« on: April 15, 2012, 08:43:34 PM »

I was looking at Dolgin Engineering chargers on B&H and couldn't figure out something...

Can anyone tell who buys these $300 to $600+ chargers, and more importantly why?

While I'm sure they can charge quickly and maintain battery health, you can buy a lot of batteries and cheap chargers for the same money. So where do they make sense?

Thanks

2

Lenses / Lens focus tracking data

« on: April 13, 2012, 11:11:51 AM »

Does anyone know if there is a site that looks at focus tracking in lenses in a measured way instead of just "its fast/slow" or "one 1 in 5 shots has usable focus"?

I'm hoping someone is alternating between targets at different distances and recording change time.  Maybe also using something that moves a target in a repeatable way while firing off photo to see how on/off focus they are?

3

Technical Support / Autofocus assist

« on: April 02, 2012, 10:33:21 PM »

Does anyone know if there is a continuous IR light source I can use that will work with Canon bodies to help out focus in low/no light?  I'm thinking either an IR LED panel or an IR flashlight.

Thanks.

EDIT:
Continuing to look into the problem, I found information that states canon doesn't use IR but near IR light and its projected in a pattern that's easier to focus on than just lighting the object with IR.  From that, it seems an IR light wouldn't do any good. But if anyone know different, please let me know.

4

Lenses / If Nikon made Canon mount lenses

« on: April 02, 2012, 10:46:33 AM »

I'd rather ask Nikon people what Canon lenses they would want, but since I'm here, if Canon made Nikon mount lenses what Nikon lenses would you buy?  (if any) Assume that everything else would be the same (price, weight, optical performance, autofocus performance, etc.

I'll start...the only lens that I want from Nikon is the 200-400mm f4, since their's doesn't contain the built in extender and the extra price. I wouldn't mind the extender, but at $11k, I couldn't even consider it.

5

Lenses / Rokinon lens; Are they worth playing with?

« on: March 30, 2012, 01:18:54 PM »

I just noticed bestbuy is carrying this brand of lenses, and they have some interesting sizes at cheap prices. I understand we can't be talking an extremely high quality lens, but for the small dollars, are they worth playing with if you want to try some extremes out..

Of particular curiosity are the 800mm f8 mirror for $200 (I always wanted one when they were more popular and never did get it) and the 8mm f3.5 Aspherical Fisheye for $300.

They also have an 85mm f1.4, but I think I really rather buy a Canon L version of that lens.

Can't decide if its a wast of dollars that could go towards a real lens, or a good way to try out certain focal lenths without a heavy investment.

Thanks!

6

Software & Accessories / Need a camera strap

« on: March 29, 2012, 10:22:36 AM »

I'm looking for something special which I haven't found yet. I wanted to see if anyone could recomend something....

Specs...
1. Quick disconnects (metal prefered) attached to camera strap loops and not the tripod mount
2. Safety/security wire inside strap
3. Wrist strap that can attach to the same quick disconnects

The closest thing I have found so far is OP/Tech.  However they don't have a security wire, and the quick disconnect may not be compatible, plus the ones with the over the neck strap are very long and would probably be unweildy with their wrist strap.


While I'm asking this, why are tripod based mounts so popular? What keeps them from unscrewing themselves?  And, how do you use them when you also frequently use a tripod/monopod?

7

Technical Support / 5dm3 book(manual) & custom functions

« on: March 29, 2012, 09:22:29 AM »

I need verification of two things. On page 322 of the 53md manual (should be the list of assignable functions to camera controls),  the very first icon (between the word "Page" and the AF-ON icon....what is it?

I believe its the regular camera shutter button, but I can't find confirmation of what that symbol is anywhere (extra points for pointing me to the confirmation).

Next, can anyone verify which settings are the factory default? I'm a bit surprised that don't indicate that, but then again they never have before.

Finally, does anyone have access to a non-protected version of that same manual (english version). I don't understand why manufactures block editing & markups of the digitial file. Right now I'm working off a pdf printout of the same file.

Thanks!

8

Software & Accessories / Monopod ball head style

« on: March 27, 2012, 08:09:44 PM »

Can I get a few people to chime in with their preferred head type for their monopods and why?

Right now I just have a cheap head that is locked down...it allows me to tilt and relock depending on the height of the monopod vs the subject. I have been thinking a joystick type would allow me to do the same thing and might be more comfortable to grip...except I almost always keep both hands on the camera.

Thanks!

9

Site Information / Post time

« on: March 25, 2012, 10:32:25 PM »

The time shown on posts are way off, presumably because my "local time" is way off.  How do I adjust local time or time zone?

10

Lighting / 580ex II or 600EX-RT

« on: March 22, 2012, 12:21:16 PM »

I need some external ideas here.

I currently have a 580exII and a 30 foot TTL cord.  I have been desperately wanting to go RF wireless.

So, as I see it, I have two options...

1. Pick up 580exII's for cheap(er) as people switch over or companies dump inventory; Then I have to add an RF wireless system (+$100 per flash as I see it)

2. See off my 580exII and start over with the 600EX-RT and a commander.

So, can anybody offer me some thoughts on this?

11

EOS Bodies - For Stills / 5D Mark III queue at BestBuy

« on: March 22, 2012, 11:57:54 AM »

Anyone else order from BB?  Has anyone heard anything?

Looks like that screen show showing 3/25 as available date may, unfortunately, be right.

12

Software & Accessories / 5Dm3 & BG-E6 Battery grip

« on: March 16, 2012, 11:23:22 PM »

When the 5d was announced, and for a while after, the BG-E6 was listed as compatible with the m3. I was about to order a used one, but noticed that Canon's site no longer lists it as compatible.

Does anyone have information that can verify one way or another?

Thanks!

13

Software & Accessories / WFT-E7A Good enough?

« on: March 06, 2012, 05:11:36 PM »

So the new wireless file transmitter appears to be a general camera to network (via USB) adapter, but currently I haven't heard its supporting any other cameras.  And it lists at $850.

Has anyone heard anything verifiable about supporting other existing or future cameras?

Assuming it does (or will) support all Canon cameras that have a USB connector,  is this product good enough to justify an $850 price (for those who don't explicitly need it and laptop/netbook connection isn't an alternative)?

I'm really on the fence. I have always wanted a wireless file transmitter, but they have usually been a batter/grip design that is inheriently camera specific, and thus too expensive. Now we have one that could, in theory, support all my cameras, however it hasn't stated it. Also, it also has a a major physical limiation...USB2.0 which limits the transfer speeds to about half of a gigabit conneciton. While no cameras have USB3.0 yet, for $850, I'd like a little more future proofing.

14

Canon General / Next thing in Monopods

« on: February 29, 2012, 09:02:10 AM »

I'm looking at upgrading from a great 15 year old aluminum monopod, and I have two questions.

1. A while back, carbon fiber became the next great thing, offering advantages in weight, strength, and/or rigidity.  Does anyone see something on the horizon that would be as major of a leap as carbon fiber or do we have at least another 5/10 years of continuing minor improvements?

2. I saw a device a while back that was basicly a thing that attaches to the bottom of the camera via the tripod mount. It contains a string/wire and that wire has a little paddle on it. The idea was you step on the paddle, pull the camera up to the desired height, lock off the spool of string/wire, and you have something that gives similar stability to a monopod in an even more portable form. Can anyone point me to one of these things? And if you happen to have some experience with one...what was your opinion?

Thanks!

15

United States / Canon's new "2.4mm" lens available at bestbuy

« on: October 24, 2011, 10:56:29 AM »

Sorry, couldn't resist. Bestbuy lists the new 24mm lens twice as a 2.4mm.  Now THATS wide angle.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Canon+-+EF2.40+mm+f/1.4+Wide+Angle+Lens/3900242.p?id=1218441028899&skuId=3900242