Topics

1

Landscape / shots feedback

« on: April 21, 2012, 06:56:02 AM »

This isn't necessarily landscape only, but I was wondering if I could get a bit of feedback on my photos. I suppose I mostly do travel related stuff (so that includes architecture, landscapes, portraits, street..)
I'm an amateur and don't get nearly enough time to shoot throughout the years but I do enjoy it a lot.

http://www.flickriver.com/photos/unruled/

if you hate the images, let me know that too. If you have tips on techniques or things that may help me improve, I'd also love to hear that.

2

EOS Bodies - For Stills / DSLR viewfinders

« on: April 03, 2012, 06:45:19 AM »

Ive been wondering this for the longest time, and can't find any info about it. DSLRs seem to have very small viewfinders when compared to film camera's, despite the bulkier nature of dslr's.

When looking at dslr specs, I suppose this is relating to viewfinder magnification. I have yet to see a dslr with a 1.0 magnification though. I found this article which discusses "honest viewfinder magnification", at 0.5x for a 350d
http://www.dansdata.com/20d_conf.htm

now I'm aware that fullframe cams such as the 5d have bigger viewfinders, but as far as Im aware, not anywhere close to 1.0x. Is there a technical issue that limits the magnification? Do manufacturers believe accuracy is more important than magnification?

would love it if anyone could shed some light on this. Though my 40d's viewfinder is quite a bit bigger than the 350ds, still wish it was bigger. When I pick up my olympus om40 its like going from a 27" hdtv to a cinema screen.

3

EOS Bodies - For Stills / wildlife AF advice on a 40d

« on: March 26, 2012, 10:36:01 AM »

Hi all,

I recently bought a tamron 70-300 VC USD and since there is a decent amount of wildlife in my area I thought I'd give it a shot.

I'm somewhat uncertain however what the best strategy is in advice regarding AF on my body. Ive never used anything other than single shot-AF (center point/recompose).

Most stuff Ive shot was moving targets (eg. deer). The 40d has only 9 AF points, and since I'm in thick forests, when Ive tried to use servo-AF it seems to just only use the center point and often focuses on objects infront of the animal, such as a tree or branch. Plus since there is no time to recompose, Im not keen on center point AF anyway.

so Ive now actually kinda given up on AF and just decided to keep the lens on manual AF near infinity, then I can always slightly tune the AF as needed.

Is there a better way for me to use the (relatively limited) AF of the 40d? how do you guys out there do sports or wildlife? all AF points, or center only? AF-servo, single, or auto AI?

4

Lenses / cheap macro: raynox 250

« on: February 15, 2012, 04:43:33 AM »

http://www.amazon.com/Raynox-DCR-250-2-5x-Super-Macro/dp/B000A1SZ2Y

I stumbled upon this the other day. was wondering if anyone has used it before and if its worth considering on a low /no budget.

I've heard some complaints regarding AF but macro I would probably do with live view manual focus anyway. is there any huge drawback regarding IQ or anything else?

5

Lenses / lens purchasing patterns

« on: February 04, 2012, 03:34:10 PM »

I have a theory that photogs go through 2 stages of lens buying.
stage 1: buying lenses to cover the focal range and learn the different lenses, focal lengths and mastering them
stage 2: refactor- you've learned which lenses and focal lengths really work for you, allowing you to sell (or shelve) lenses infrequently used.

what do you guys think?

6

Canon General / off the shelf CMS with photostore integrated (or hosted solution)

« on: January 23, 2012, 03:50:43 PM »

hi guys,

I've been looking for a way to basically let people order prints in an automated way. I know smugmug does it but I wanted to know what other people use and what works best. International shipping (UK/europe) would be great. Could be a CMS with this functionality for an own domain, or a service on a companies domain I suppose.

any ideas? What do others use?

thanks guys.

7

Canon General / affordable but good telezooom advice

« on: January 19, 2012, 04:37:31 AM »

hi guys,

I've done a search and read some reviews on the web but I would appreciate some input.
I have right now a 40d with tamron 17-50 2.8, canon 50 1.8 and canon 85 1.8. Basically I love great iq, bokeh in a light and affordable form.

for telezooms ofcourse the canon L glass of 70-200 or 70-300 is typically the yardstick..but its out of budget by a few years for me, and the cheapest one without IS doesn't seem feasible since I can't pump the ISO much on my 40d.

I would like to have an EF lens just in case I later upgrade. Most affordable teles I have seen are 4-5.6 with IS which hurts because I love fast glass but there doesn't seem to be a way sround it. I think the best lens I have seen so far is the tamron 70-300 VC USD 4-5.6. I understood sigmas offerings are not as good, and same goes for canon.

is there any other option for me that I've missed? Or do you have hands on experience that can help inform my decision?

thanks!

8

EOS Bodies / all 18MP bodies

« on: January 03, 2011, 08:10:25 AM »

Canon in the last few yrs has been bumping up the megapixels

could be for any number of reasons, my view is mostly that its an investment in the future. Ie. up the pixel count now, then work on ISO performance, rather than the other way around.

Aside from that though, I'm just a  little confused as to why the last 3-4 camera's have all been upped to the same 18MP sensor (with maybe slight differences in revisions).

I can understand that it may be more cost effective/easier from an engineering standpoint.
from a strategical standpoint its odd though, in that you remove a big way to differentiate the productline from one another.

I would then also assume that the pro line (5d/1d/7d) will have to increase MP count even further in the next iteration to maintain at least a gap between proline and consumer slr's.


on a seperate note, all entry level stuff has now gone to SDHC/XC, including the 60d. I've been wondering if thats gonna switch over for the 1d/5d range as well then.. or if they stick to CF there.

anybody have some insights?