Topics

1

Lenses / Anyone upgraded from their 24-70L to 24-70L MKII?

« on: April 29, 2013, 09:41:33 AM »

I was looking at my photo library and wanted to get an idea what focal length I mostly shoot at. Having various lenses at different point in time, the library indicates over 50% of my photos are taken using the original 24-70L alone. I have used it at weddings, family events, and for walk around. It has been a workhorse of a lens for me, and while one had to be lucky to get a good copy of it, I feel mine was not bad and am mostly happy with the images it gave me.

I am not looking to buy the MKII just yet, but if the contrast and sharpness (I dont care about corner sharpness but center to mid/outer frame should be sharp) is significantly improved over the original 24-70L at f2.8 then I might consider upgrading to the MKII (somewhere down the line).

I was wondering if others out there made the jump from the original 24-70L to the MKII, and noticed the improvements in real world situations, especially in terms of sharpness wide open at both ends.

2

Software & Accessories / Screw-on ND filter for 16-35 II

« on: April 25, 2013, 10:10:28 AM »

Anyone used this B+W 10-Stop ND filter on their 16-35 II? I am wondering how bad the vignetting will be if this filter is used (could not find a slim version from B+W) on the lens at 16mm focal length, stopped down to f8, f11, etc. The lens will be paired with a 5D3.

I would get the Lee's Big Stopper but the wait time is ridiculous. Saw some on eBay, and people there are selling the Big Stopper for $250 (2filter, BnH sells them for around $140).

3

Software & Accessories / Ballhead, clamp and release plate for panos/portrait

« on: April 18, 2013, 08:47:48 AM »

Looking for suggestion on a ballhead with clamp and release plate setup for Canon 5D3. Thinking of a setup suited for portrait shooting and as well as landscape panoramas. I remember neuro and many others suggested the RRS BH-40. For the purposes mentioned (portraits, panorama), will the following gear suffice?

1.RRS BH-40 Ballhead with LR

2. RRS PCL-1 & MPR-CL II Panning clamp & nodal slide for eliminating parallax

3. RRS-L Plate for 5D3

If there are other alternate systems, would love to hear them. For tripod, any recommendations from RRS, Gitzo? I had the Manfrotto 055XPROB in mind. Max load will be a 5D3+70-200 f2.8, minimum 5D3+16-35 II.

4

Software & Accessories / Advice on 3rd party grip for 5D3 and compatible L Bracket

« on: April 12, 2013, 09:58:28 PM »

Looking for a good 3rd party grip for the 5D3 that's close to Canon's offering in terms of build and handling.

5

Software & Accessories / Wonderpana System from Fotodiox

« on: April 12, 2013, 08:42:32 AM »

Anyone have any experience with the filter system from Fotodiox. I am looking for a system that can fit the Samyang (Rokinon) 14mm f2.8 or the T3.1 lens and this is the only product that fits this lens. Other option is the Hitech system from Lucroit. I have no idea if their (Fotodiox or Hitech's) ND and GND filters have any color cast issues. Any insight on this matter would be very helpful. Unfortunately, Lee filters dont work with this system yet (I think).

6

Canon General / Firmware update 1.1.3 for Canon 6D Released.

« on: April 09, 2013, 01:07:14 AM »

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4583

Gosh, any hint of 5D3 firmware update releasing sooner than later would be nice too. >_>

7

Lenses / Advice on a telephoto lens for street photography

« on: March 05, 2013, 10:14:09 PM »

If you were to use a telephoto lens (zoom/prime) that's not white in color for both day/night street photography which one would you go for and why?

I usually use the 24-70 for street photography now, but looking for a longer glass. These lenses come to mind, and I would love to hear your thought/opinion/suggestion.

1) 100mm f2.8L IS
2) 135mm f2L
3) 200mm f2.8L II

Edit: Will be used on the 5D3. And mainly for street/outdoor portrait, candid shots of people, street activities like parades, festivals, etc. I like to shoot wide open in most cases to get the background to melt away. Also, like to shoot at night as well.

8

Lenses / Samyang 14mm T3.1 for still photography?

« on: March 01, 2013, 10:45:54 AM »

Can you use the Samyang 14mm T.3.1 Cine lens for still photography? I understand this is designed for video and it's aperture ring is declicked for smoother transition of aperture size. Not sure if that should be a problem when taking photographs though. Anyone used this particular lens to for still photography (if that is even possible with this lens) ? If it works, how does it compare to its younger brother cousin Samyang 14mm f2.8.? I am using a 5D3. Thanks.

9

Software & Accessories / Image Upload/Export Workflow for Facebook

« on: February 24, 2013, 08:21:27 PM »

How do you save/export images for uploading into facebook. I am asking because lightroom exported jpegs are compressed by facebook's image upload engine and as such the final uploaded photos look degraded or nowhere near as clean as the original file. The images are 1280px on the long end. I have seem some folks have clean images in their facebook stream and I am lost as to how they do it. Do you use 'Save for Web' save option in Photoshop?

What settings should one use to export the images from Lightroom? I use sRGB colorspace as the colorspace, jpeg format, quality set to 100%, resolution is set to 300dpi (i dont know if I set it to 300 or was it there by default).

Edit: Or maybe I am just seeing things >_<

10

Lens Gallery / Samyang 14mm f2.8

« on: February 16, 2013, 07:47:50 PM »

Was looking for shots taken using this glass but could not find any in this forum. Thought I'd start a thread with photos taken with this great little lens.

11

Lenses / Filter holder/adapter for Samyang 14mm f2.8

« on: February 16, 2013, 07:08:49 PM »

Considering buying the Samyang 14mm f2.8 for landscape photography. I was wondering if anyone out there knows if I can attach a filter holder/adapter with this lens. I found this site offering the holder and the adapter for the Samyang but I am not sure about the quality of this product. Anyone used this product from Lucroit (Hitech Filter Systems) or know any other brands that make filter holders/adapters for this lens? Also, was wondering if system will take Lee's square ND/GND filters?

12

Lenses / Fast lens for indoor use

« on: January 17, 2013, 08:42:27 AM »

Looking for a fast lens, mainly for indoor(with low light) use. It will be used in family events, indoor parties at night and its usage will range from single to group portraits. Most of the time I will have external flash attached. Right now I take my 24-70 f2.8L in such events but I am looking for something lightweight and fast. It will be paired with a 5d3 and at times 60d. Oh, I use the 50mm 1.8 II at times and it often hunts for focus in dim lighting conditions where the 24-70 snaps on to the target almost instantly. I am on the verge of selling the 50mm 1.8 II.

Thanks in advance.

13

Lenses / Canon 80-200 f2.8L Image Quality

« on: December 10, 2012, 02:58:21 AM »

Remember this lens? I was wondering how it fares against the current 70-200 f2.8L. Just curious about the image quality of this lens. Anyone had experience with this lens please chime in. I wish Canon made their teles black >_<

14

Canon General / Remote Shutter Release for Canon 5D3

« on: December 09, 2012, 04:44:44 PM »

Looking for a good wireless shutter release remote that works with 5D3 and if possible with other EOS Bodies as well. Any advice is appreciated.

15

Canon General / 5D3 or 5D2 + an L Lens

« on: December 02, 2012, 12:20:34 PM »

I recently got a deal on 5D3 and bought one. Coming from a 60D this is has been a huge jump for me. I am no professional and consider myself a hobbyist. The only paid work I can think of is that from time to time some photos I have in flickr get noticed by Getty Images and are offered for sale on their site.

Anyways, I love the 5D3 and it is just freakin fun to shoot with. Coming from a 60D, i was used to the focus recompose method but loving the 61 points on the 5D3 to play with. Having said that, at times I felt the 5D3 is probably an overkill for someone like me. Perhaps a 5D2 made sense cost wise. That way I could get myself a 70-200 f2.8 IS (version 1 or 2) from Canon or the new one from Tamron (after some reviews are out).

I still have the 60D as my wife uses that body, and we share lenses. Right now I have a 24-70L, 50mm 1.8, (selling the Tokina 11-16). If I keep the 5D3, I plan to eventually get the 16-35 II or one of the 70-200 but that may take sometime to save up. Question is, should i stick with 5d3 or go with the 5d+another L lens route? Its a question probably I will know the answer to but I guess I am looking to find out how others would have dealt with the situation.

Note: Do I need the second L lens right now? Well, if 60D has the 24-70 on it and is used by my wife, I will be using and needing a body for myself and a 2nd lens. I dont use 50mm at all, but we swap lenses when required.