Messages

1

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Outdoor portrait noob help

« on: May 03, 2013, 12:01:52 AM »

I'd consider getting an bounce/shoot through umbrella and a light stand. They're great for working outdoors (if wind isn't an issue...)

For this shot I bounced out of a photoflex 45" umbrella with a 580 ex ii (photoflex umbrellas are wonderful- fiberglass ribs instead of thin metal).  I shot it wide with a 16-35mm 2.8 ii, and adjusted the flash and exposure to make the background darker to isolate the subject.

Second shooter actually happened to get this pic showing the umbrella and stand.  It was back just far enough to be outside the frame and sitting just to my left.  I raised the umbrella a little taller than her and then pointed it down at her.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Outdoor portrait noob help

« on: May 02, 2013, 10:20:21 PM »

I'd consider getting an bounce/shoot through umbrella and a light stand. They're great for working outdoors (if wind isn't an issue...)

For this shot I bounced out of a photoflex 45" umbrella with a 580 ex ii (photoflex umbrellas are wonderful- fiberglass ribs instead of thin metal).  I shot it wide with a 16-35mm 2.8 ii, and adjusted the flash and exposure to make the background darker to isolate the subject.

3

Animal Kingdom / Re: MY dog

« on: April 25, 2013, 12:48:06 PM »

Samson again

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Animal Kingdom / Re: MY dog

« on: April 19, 2013, 05:52:22 PM »

Samson, the always-willing, ever-present subject to test a new lens on. (135 f/2 here)

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Software & Accessories / Re: How do you print your photos for those who still do?

« on: April 19, 2013, 05:47:24 PM »

I became a member of Mpix Pro and they have been great. 

6

Software & Accessories / Re: Wrist or Neck strap

« on: April 19, 2013, 03:50:31 PM »

I bought a BR RS-7, and it changed my life.  Or my shooting at least.  I've carried a 1D Mark III with a 70-200 IS II for hours without it bothering me at all.  Got one for my second wedding shooter for his Bday, he also loves it. 

One thing I worried about before I bought it was the security of the connection between the camera and the connecter, but it feels completely solid and safe and I've had no problems out of it.  If I had to choose between never using a BR or my 135 f2 ever again........ it would be hard.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Just picked up a ligtly used 40D as a back up for my 7D!

« on: April 10, 2013, 12:21:15 AM »

I'm still a faithful 40D user.  Well, I should say my assistant is, as it serves as a backup body for me and he shoots with it when I don't have it on me.  I'll put an L lens or a 50 1.4 on it and it still pumps out beautiful images.

8

Lenses / Re: Moving on from 20D

« on: April 03, 2013, 11:00:22 PM »

Sounds to me like a 135L would fit nicely in your kit.

9

Sports / Re: Basketball

« on: March 01, 2013, 11:15:04 AM »

Here's some I got from a 135 f/2 and 1D Mark III.  I love the combo, but I do find it a bit long for shots when they get up under the goal (but I shoot in a college arena with no room to back up).

10

Lenses / Re: Lens prices..?

« on: February 12, 2013, 09:08:31 PM »

Sounds about right for the price of that lens.  I had one, and loved it when I had it paired with with my xti.  It suited my amateur needs just fine.  However, as I started to get more advanced, I quickly started noticing its limitations (lack of sharpness, saturation, SLOW focus, awful in low light). I upgraded to the 70-200 f4L and I still love and use it today.  The only drawback of the 70-200 was that I caught the "L disease" with it being my first L lens.  I now own all L lenses (save the 50 1.4) and shoot with one-series bodies.

In good light it's fine, and if you don't do paid work or pixel peep and just want a lens that will get you in close, buy and enjoy it.  It's a fun lens to have.

11

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: I love big gear

« on: January 22, 2013, 10:49:34 PM »

I totally agree.  I'm 6'5" and 250 pounds, so it's one-series bodies for me.  I have an old 40d as a backup body, but I never use it if I don't have to because it feels small in my hands, and the rebels just feel awkward because half my hand is hanging free (not bashing rebels though, I started out with an xti).

12

Landscape / Re: Seeking sky advice

« on: December 06, 2012, 10:57:25 AM »

Anytime during daylight hours, even though our eyes "correct" for it, the sky will be much brighter than any subject not in direct sunlight, therefore they sky will be blown out when you expose for shadowed subjects.

Graduated neutral density filters will help if you have more of a definate dividing point of sky and land, but it probably wouldn't have been much help in those pictures.  As already mentioned, HDR would be be an option, and I have had good results shooting in raw and adjusting the shadows and highlights in Lightroom 4. 

Nice pics though, and good luck!

13

Lenses / Re: Canon lens setup for weddings

« on: December 05, 2012, 03:57:55 PM »

Nice shots Chuck Alaimo, the 85 1.8 does appear to be a beastly little lens, but ever since I tried out an 85 one point oh-my-gosh-that's-a-sexy-lens two at a camera store, I've had severe lens acquisition syndrome.  But I'll definitely give the 1.8 a look before I sell a kidney.

The new sigma 35mm 1.4 was also mentioned here.  My first thought when I saw that lens was that it looks like a Zeiss and at $899 it isn't too bad, but I've read reports saying it blows the Canon away in terms of sharpness but it's lacking in the bokeh department.

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Lenses / Re: Canon lens setup for weddings

« on: December 05, 2012, 12:59:03 PM »

Thanks for the replies all, I think I'm going for the 16-35.

There have been a few mentions of getting a full frame camera, and while my ideal setup would be a 24-70 ii on FF, I've become quite addicted to 1-series bodies, and a 1dx or 1ds III isn't in the budget right now.  Although with everyone cranking out amazing shots and loving the AF on the 5d III, I might start considering it...  I want an 85 1.2 first, then when my bank account recovers from its coma, it'll be time for full frame.

Once again, thanks for your input!

15

Lenses / Canon lens setup for weddings

« on: December 02, 2012, 11:20:56 PM »

Hi, long time reader and first time poster here.

My current lens setup for weddings is a 24-105, 50, and a 70-200 on a 1.3x body and 1.6x as a backup/2nd body. I'm considering swapping the 24-105 for a 16-35 ii.  Anybody use a 16-35, 50, and 70-200 setup and are happy with it?

I love my 24-105, and it produces some very nice images, but I have found that it is leaving me wanting more on the wide end (especially with a 1.3x body) and in low light.  Also, while my 70-200 produces very nice, sharp portraits with great bokeh and my 50mm works well indoors with low light and is good for subject isolation, I'm just not getting many images with the "wow" factor out of the 24-105.  And with every bride's mother running around with a rebel and a kit lens, I'm definitely having to produce lots of those "wow" images to make clients happy. Looking back, most of the pictures made with the 24-105 are at the wide or long end too.

So while I know the 16-35 will produce those amazing wide-angle shots, will it be worth it to lose those focal lengths between 35 and 50 as well as 50 and 70?