Messages

1

EOS Bodies / Re: Your thoughts on M-RAW vs RAW in 1DX vs 5D3

« on: December 07, 2012, 12:49:20 PM »

I am not sure what MRAW and SRAM are intended for, maybe special applications where it's important to keep the 12 bits at smaller resolution and be able to store thousands of shots.  I do not know - I am most curious as of why one wants to use MRAW?

I shoot a 5d3, and always shoot mRAW during getting ready photos and receptions at weddings - the only times that couples are really going to blow their pics up is during the portraits, so that's when I shoot full RAW. While many gripe about the 5d3 being "only" 22 mp, that is still far too big for me to want to deal with for an entire wedding. Managing that much data for 30+ weddings throughout the season is especially difficult when you factor in backups and archives, so, imho, that is precisely what the smaller raw files are for - people who shoot massive amounts of pics but still need/want the extra flexibility of raw.

And on the IQ front - I honestly haven't noticed any difference between when I shoot full or m raw, but I am by no means a pixel peeper. They both seem to have similar flexibility in LR, but I've never really done a true test. I'd say that even if the IQ was, say, 5-10% worse, it would still be worth it with the size savings.

2

Lenses / Re: EF 800 f/5.6L IS II & Other Big Lenses

« on: December 06, 2012, 06:00:53 PM »

I would be so intrigued by an L series 120-300 2.8 competitor! I've been tempted quite a few times over the past few months to pull the trigger on the Sigma, but haven't because of it's AF problems (which are even worse w/a tele converter).

3

Contests / Re: Gura Gear Giveaway!

« on: December 06, 2012, 05:58:49 PM »

I too want to win!!!! 

4

Lenses / Re: 50mm 1.2

« on: November 28, 2012, 01:07:38 PM »

I had the 1.4, but the AF totally fell apart after one wedding season (to be fair, it was like 30k shots on it, so I got my money out of it!). A few years back, I ponied up for the 1.2, and have not been disappointed! I honestly don't think that either are super sharp wide open, but that's not really the point (at least for me, anyways) of shooting at 1.2 or 1.4. I have found the 1.2 to be far superior in other image properties, especially contrast - I can't tell you how many images came out waaay flat when shooting wide open on the 1.4. If you have the money, and like the 50 style (it's my favorite! and the 5d3 handles it so much better than the 5d2 did!), than you won't be disappointed by 1.2!

Also, if money is a concern, I'm not sure if anybody mentioned it or not, but the Sigma 50 1.4 seems to be a pretty legit option. I've not used one, but form what I've seen from other photogs, it's a lot better than the Canon 1.4 version.

-Scott

5

Landscape / Re: Help Me Get Better - Crashing Waves - Round 2

« on: November 28, 2012, 01:00:06 PM »

I totally agree with the foreground - IMHO it adds a great deal to an ocean/wave image. I think the context added from that plus the tripod you mentioned will help your already nice images. I started using a full tripod, cable release and filter landscape setup about a year ago, and found that while it does take a bit to set up shots, the extra time and effort has made me think through the composition and settings of my shots much more and has resulted in images I am much happier with than before. These two were from a trip to Big Sur last week, and I think start to show a little of the context that foreground can add

They look good! If you want to improve them, I think your best bet is to wait for better light. It looks duskish, or very cloudy in these photos, but if you get a low sun shining through, it'll add contrast and clarity to the waves and splashes, and possibly nice colours as well. Keep trying the location in different light to get a feel for what works best.

Also, it may help to add something to the foreground (ie, a person in the frame - don't let them get too close to the waves though!) to give a sense of scale. Waves and rocks can greatly vary in size, and without something in your frame for size reference, it's sometimes hard to tell whether the wave is big or small.

Just some thoughts from my years shooting beaches and ocean in Newfoundland.