Messages

1

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: AF - one shot with 5dmkIII or 1dx

« on: May 22, 2013, 05:02:58 AM »

They're not mutually exclusive.  I think the expanded points were designed to be used for moving subjects (AI Servo).  I choose my expanded AF points (either four or eight) depending on how fast my subject is, how big it is, and how fast I can keep it in the frame.  I always 'Spot AF' or '1 pt AF' for static objects...more so with portraits wherein one needs precise focus (i.e. eye).  Expanding the focus point in that scenario is calling for trouble which might focus on the nose or forehead instead.

2

Lenses / Re: Can the 70-200 2.8L II IS replace my 100L and 135L?

« on: May 22, 2013, 04:44:14 AM »

Just my experience and observation.  Yes on the 100L (although all bets are off if we're talking macro).  Absolutely not on the 135L.

3

Software & Accessories / Re: Screen protector question

« on: May 22, 2013, 04:40:59 AM »

Don't use any on my current bodies (1DX, 5D3, T2i).  Used them on my previous ones (5D2, 40D, T1i).  I think the current bodies are more impervious to oils and fingerprints.  In case of a drop, I don't think these will hold up any better than the naked screen.

4

1D X Sample Images / Re: Any Thing shot with a 1Dx

« on: May 22, 2013, 04:35:39 AM »

Hi EastWind, yes, your quire right, I've pulled it off & will put it up as a separate Post.

1Dx 135f/2, Shot @ f/5.6 & 1/160th ISO800

Nagano Japan

This is just WOW!  I can keep going on with superlatives!  This is the kind of shot I try to evoke when shooting wildlife...showing humanly behavior.  I had to soak the image in for a few mins.  Awesome job, eml58!  Thanks for sharing!

Hi Dwight & Thanks.

It's in the Eyes, when ever possible get the light so it's falling into the Eyes.

Your Gorilla Shots are great, especially the one using the leaf, some are fortunate and are born with an artistic touch (People, not the Gorillas), the rest of us make up for it by making mistakes and learning from them.

Keep posting, I like your work.

I appreciate the tips and nice comments.

5

Animal Kingdom / Re: Evening at the zoo

« on: May 22, 2013, 04:34:12 AM »

Like the second one.  It showcases how well the 70-200 2.8 II / 2xTCIII combo does in situations wherein one is range-limited and don't have / don't wanna carry one of the great big whites.

Really like the timing on the first one.  It's either saying, "Give me food!" or "You look like food!" 

6

Lenses / Re: Canon 200-400mm review

« on: May 22, 2013, 04:32:27 AM »

If I were to be absolutely true to myself, this is a lens I cannot afford at the moment, yet will lust over it for sometime.  Either this or the 300 2.8 II for me.  Huge price difference, yet it's a consideration for me later on...budget-permitting.  Will see how real-world performance pans out.  Thanks for sharing.

7

1D X Sample Images / Re: Weddings

« on: May 22, 2013, 03:56:49 AM »

nightbreath, your captures are stunning!  yours and shutterwideshut's images are some of the photos I can only aspire to create in the future.  Tools are great, but without the vision and inspiration, they're nothing but another gear that makes our lives more efficient.  Your vision and composition are top-notch!

8

Technical Support / Re: CF Card Corrupted

« on: May 22, 2013, 03:48:49 AM »

Been using 4 x 32GB Lexar 1000x and 2 x 16GB Lexar 1000x.  No problems thus far.  I'll keep an eye out.  Thanks for the heads up.  Recovery software, IMO, is a great app to have in your arsenal...better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.  At the end of the day, the photos, not any of our photo gear, are the most important and the climax of why we do what we do...photography.

Having said that, I personally never format my cards on any of my computers.  I just format regularly in cam.  Not saying one is better than the other...just my personal workflow and I have yet to run into any issues.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

9

1D X Sample Images / Re: Any Thing shot with a 1Dx

« on: May 22, 2013, 03:30:47 AM »

Hi EastWind, yes, your quire right, I've pulled it off & will put it up as a separate Post.

1Dx 135f/2, Shot @ f/5.6 & 1/160th ISO800

Nagano Japan

This is just WOW!  I can keep going on with superlatives!  This is the kind of shot I try to evoke when shooting wildlife...showing humanly behavior.  I had to soak the image in for a few mins.  Awesome job, eml58!  Thanks for sharing!

10

1D X Sample Images / Re: Any Thing shot with a 1Dx

« on: May 22, 2013, 03:17:47 AM »

More from the same set.

11

1D X Sample Images / Re: Any Thing shot with a 1Dx

« on: May 22, 2013, 03:15:10 AM »

"Dwight...very nicely done. Makes me want to go to a zoo soon."

Thanks, serendipidy!  Just like I have been with the images everyone is sharing on this thread, I'm glad I have inspired you to go shoot at the zoo. 

"Dwight, beautiful shots of subjects that might be less than "beautiful"...in the eye of the beholder of course!"

Thanks, CarlTN!  I try to put a different twist to zoo animals.  I like to capture them in a decisive moment wherein they're doing humanly behavior.  Still trying to be patient and still learning.

"hi dwight...how's the 1dx treating you?"

Hey Northstar!  The 1DX has been nothing short of superb so far!  Not a single error message on my 'Camera status log' so that's a good thing too.

"i like your second shot of the gorilla with the plant on his face....i like his expression!"

Thanks for the kind comment!  He was relishing his snack!

"remember when we were talking 6 months ago about counting actuations up to 1000, well now i'm somewhere closer to 30k lol...how about you?"

You're right...been over that now...no niggles (apart from the "not so" silent shutter) and no regrets.  Sadly, not as much time as I would like to get...I'm at a little over 15K.

12

1D X Sample Images / Re: Any Thing shot with a 1Dx

« on: May 21, 2013, 04:44:12 AM »

Some of mine.  Went to the local zoo.  Just testing my recently acquired Canon 2x teleconverter III with my EF 70-200 f/2.8L II.  Gotta give you all a heads up that my shots do not come anywhere close to Gary Samples' and eml58's shots...composition and capture...theirs are just brilliant, jaw-dropping, and most importantly to me, inspiring.  Thank you both for sharing your images with everyone here.

Not taking away from everyone else's images...just that these two gents' images are what keeps me coming back to this thread.

13

EOS Bodies / Re: Buy 1DX now or wait for an upgrade?

« on: May 21, 2013, 04:20:01 AM »

I don't think there is anything Canon can improve on this current model to make me switch to another body. Other than a true silent shutter.

Totally agree with you, bro!  On both sentences quoted above.  If the 1DX had a true silent shutter...I'd sell my 5DM3 (at a loss if had to) in a heartbeat and pick up another 1DX.  For all things these two models are similar, the silent shutter is one of those things that sets the 5DM3 apart.

14

EOS Bodies / Re: Buy 1DX now or wait for an upgrade?

« on: May 21, 2013, 04:17:02 AM »

I had been thinking that the OP was new to photography, but I just read through some of the "petal hood" discussion and now I'm not so sure if this isn't a joke.

Anyway...OP...forget about spending $6700 on a 1dx for shooting books, a 1dx is for sports or fast moving wildlife...let me help you upgrade your image IQ dramatically:

Buy a canon 5D3 with kit lens 24-105L .....$3500. (Comes with awesome petal hood)

Invest in two good primes, 50 1.4 and 100 2.8 macro.....$1000

Invest in quality lighting......$1500  People new to photography usually don't understand the importance of light.

Invest in a quality tripod and head ......$600

Invest in Apple Aperture or Lightroom and learn to edit and enhance images.....$100

Invest some time in thoroughly reading a "basics of photography" book.

There...now you have spent your $6700 wisely.  Do these six things and i guarantee you will up your image IQ dramatically..

I realize part of your reply was made in jest (rightfully so due to the nature of this thread), but none are truer than your words, Northstar!  How you been?  Still working the 5DM3 and the 1DX, I assume.  Saw that you picked up a 300 f/2.8 already...I'm so envious.  Looking to get a 300 f/2.8 II as well...sigh...

15

EOS Bodies / Re: Buy 1DX now or wait for an upgrade?

« on: May 21, 2013, 04:14:11 AM »

Upgrade will be announced by late October and will ship by January. I'm also waiting.

I know many will disagree but look up the product cycles and dates of the announcement and shipments of both the 1D and 1Ds.

No disrespect meant, but I think you'll be utterly disappointed, man!