Messages

1

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Moving from Canon 40D to Full Frame. Lens questions?

« on: June 14, 2013, 04:05:31 AM »

I moved from 40D to 5D3, and I find myself use the 17-40L less and less. 17-40 is good on APS-C sensor because the smaller sensor hides the outer frames. With full frame, you will notice pictures are not sharp on edges. It can be a fun lens to use if you don't care much about sharpness when shooting below f/8-f/11.

Full frame demands high quality lenses. New lenses like 24-70 II and 70-200 II will give you best results. I still use 35/1.4, 24-70/2.8 I and 24-105 on my 5D3 and still happy with the results.

2

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: dissapointed 6d 100mm f2 and 24mm 2.8 (non l)

« on: May 08, 2013, 07:22:22 PM »

i just thought the investment , though no way in making me a better photographer, would improve the quality of images overall by a degree or two. being full frame , new tech, better glass etc but in fact my photos seem to be worse!  less sharp focus, lots of off focus shots, i thought that centre point was meant to be good! i need to take lots more shots i guess.  any way im disheartened and confused.  i seriously miss my 400d and the nifty fifty!

This is exactly what happened to me when I switched from my reliable 40D to 5D3. I got so used to the images captured with the 40D and its editing styles that quite a number of the pics taken with the brand new 5D3 seem awkward. I was complaining about the colors, contrasts, this and that, and finally, I realized it was me. The high expectations from all the $ spent on a more updated and sophisticated body is the reason why - at least to me. I expected too much but soon learned the proper way to work around it.

Take some time to properly edit images takes with your new 6D, and after a while, go back to the photos captured with your 400D. Look at pictures taken at night and day, and I can bet you, you will like the pics from the 6D more.

OTOH, I find that HDR does have its advantages. I have taken a lot of dull landscape pics that were turned interesting with punches using HDR technique. Properly edit the stacked images using Photomatix or some sort, and finalize with Photoshop or Lightroom will definitely give you the images you like.

3

Lenses / Re: 70-200mm f/4L IS USM for $629 at RitzCamera -mistake or fake?

« on: May 06, 2013, 03:30:13 AM »

Saw it and did the same thing. Went to Ritz camera website and saw it listed at $629. Ordered 1.
Hope this is a real deal. If not, do they have the obligations to honor even if its their mistake?

4

Lighting / Re: Speedlite Remote Trigger Question

« on: April 25, 2013, 07:38:28 PM »

The Yongnuo 622c allows you to put the 580 and 430 off camera. It also supports ETTL and all flash settings can be changed from the camera menu. However, the units that I just purchased a few weeks ago default zoom at 24mm. All I have to do is get into the camera menu and change the zoom to "AUTO" and it will meter/output the light accordingly. So in your case scenario, you will need a 622C on your camera hot shoe, 1 for 580 and 1 for 430.

The Yongnuo is a very affordable starter kit, and even the only set you will ever need if you are doing this as a hobbyist. Before I buy my set, I was actually looking at Pocket Wizard offerings and there are many reviews online that dictate incompatibility and bugs with 5D3. Not sure if there are any updates/fixes to the affected models, but like I said, if you want something inexpensive to start with, you can't go wrong with the YN622C.

5

Lenses / Questions for 5D3 and 70-300L

« on: April 17, 2013, 06:25:07 PM »

Hello,

I am not meaning to start another redundant thread discussing 5D3 and 70-300L, but I wanted to get some real experiences and advices from users that actually own them.

I know the 70-300L is a really versatile lens considering its weight, reach and price compared to the 70-200 2.8II. But how good is it when paired with 5D3 indoor and under shades and on gloomy days? Can the high ISO capability on 5D3 make this lens as good and versatile under such conditions?

I have been debating between 70-300L and 70-200 2.8II, mainly due to weight and the ability to walk around and take it to vacations. If the 70-300L is as good, and still usable when light become dim, I might consider it over the 70-200 2.8II

Any thoughts/real world experience guys? Thanks for all your input!

6

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Canon EOS M w/22mm f/2 STM $399 New

« on: April 12, 2013, 03:44:01 PM »

If I can end this day without buying this I will be shocked. This is extremely tempting at that price.

Remember guys, this is non USA model. It doesn't come with a US warranty card. Warranty is through the seller only.

7

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Canon EOS M w/22mm f/2 STM $399 New

« on: April 12, 2013, 03:00:48 PM »

Very good price for an interchangeable lens camera. I really like the photo quality. But the slow focus, especially used with EF lenses made me returned it.

I really hope Canon can fix the AF issue in version 2. If they do, I am sure this is a stellar camera that everyone would buy.

8

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: So ready for a move up from 450D - But how big? To 5DMIII / 6D or ...?

« on: April 11, 2013, 12:59:41 PM »

Another important thing to consider, at least to me, is the ergonomic.

For some reasons, I have been having a hard time getting used to the dial on the EOS 6D. It has a "set" and multi-directions dial button within its main dial at the back. It is very frustrating to me as I will be hitting random keys and navigate off menus most of the time. Also, it doesn't have a joystick.

The 5D3 has a more simple rotary dial, best for bigger thumb and a joystick for easy navigation. This is very important to many people who are used to XXD dials before they upgrade.

Good luck with your purchase :-)

9

Canon General / Re: European travel?

« on: April 03, 2013, 01:28:12 PM »

Going to be traveling in Switzerland (Zurich, Geneva, and Berne), Germany (Munich), Czech Republic(Prague), France(Paris), and I am wondering if anyone can suggest any destinations that I must see, experience, and/or photograph  . Museums, streets, shops, landscape, events, etc.... I have never been to Europe so anything would be helpful.

any gear suggestions also? although I will likely travel heavy (have done this before and the weight is not a major concern)
I am thinking of bringing 5D, 16-35, 24-70, 70-200, 50, 40, extension tubes, GND ND CPL filters, cable release,  tripod, possibly my Fuji XE-1.... (I know I am on CR...  ) More looking for cautionary warnings and such, but any advice will be GREATLY appreciated.

Will be traveling this May if that changes anything.

Thanks!

That sounds like a lot to bring! Don't let the weight bog you down as you will have to do a lot of walking/sight seeing.

My 2 trips to Asia that lasted 3 weeks each taught me well to pack light on gears. Even 5D3 + 24-70 + 17-40 + 35L was giving me too much weight. I ended up leaving my flash and 17-40 in the hotel all the time, bringing only 24-70 + 35L.

If you look at your gear list, you have a lot of redundancies. Pack light and have fun!

10

Lenses / Re: 24-70 f2.8L II or.....

« on: March 29, 2013, 02:46:42 AM »

Since everyone is saying how amazing the 24-70L II, can someone please post some samples straight from the camera? I have version I, been wanting to upgrade but has been feeling hard to spill the extra $ to upgrade.

Thanks!

11

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: 5D MK III Images

« on: February 25, 2013, 02:57:21 AM »

Here are some of mine

Monterey and Santa Cruz?

***Nope, those pics were taken at Balboa Island, New Port Beach :-)

12

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: 5D MK III Images

« on: February 24, 2013, 04:49:56 AM »

Here are some of mine

13

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: [crop + 35L] versus [FF + 50 f/1.4]

« on: December 14, 2012, 02:03:23 AM »

I was in a similar situation until a few months ago. I upgraded to 5D3 from a 40D, and I also own a 50/1.4 and 35L at that time.

When paired with 35L on the 5D3, sometimes, it gets a little short for street photography. But at a same time, you gain more information on the wide side. Packing more information into frames is more appealing to me. I guess it is a matter of personal preference. I ended up selling my 50/1.4 and keeping the 35L, because with 35L, I use it to shoot wide open. The 35L beats the 50/1.4 hands down at aperture 2.2 and below.

Even though the 35L urgently need an update, I still don't understand why people are bashing it so greatly. After all, it is still a very good lens, at least to me and my shooting style. If you love doing fancy dining and taking food pictures, it is very hard to do that with the 50/1.4 due to the 1.5' MFD. I initially bought the 50/1.4 for this purpose, but noticed focusing is hard when you are sitting at the table, and you have to stretch far away from the table to get shots. The 35L is the answer for this, works perfectly on the 40D and now the 5D3 with only 0.98' MFD.

For wide open, you will love the 35L. It is an old lens, but why look at the age of your tool if it is able to give you results that you love?

14

Lenses / Re: 50 1.4 on 5d3 anyone?

« on: December 11, 2012, 03:33:26 PM »

The 50 1.4 is definitely a great lens and it takes sharp pictures at f/2.0 and above. However, I sold my copy a few months ago after knowing Canon might release a new version.

It is a good combo for 5D3, but since you are investing money on a new lens that I am sure you will enjoy, it is always smart to consider the longevity of the lens. The main reason I sold the lens is because of its micro USM, which is prone to go bad if you are not careful or if you are not lucky.

15

Animal Kingdom / Re: MY dog

« on: November 21, 2012, 02:49:57 AM »

My 4 years old maltese