Messages

1

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Insurance

« on: June 11, 2013, 05:18:24 PM »

I did mention on the other post about PPA.  They also list a place where you can get liability for I believe a little over $300... maybe a little more.  I did some searching myself for Liability and couldn't find it for less than $500... even through my own Mortgage company.  I have yet to purchase Liability... but will do so before my first wedding.  Let us know if you find anything reasonable.

2

EOS Bodies / Re: A Big Megapixel Discussion

« on: June 11, 2013, 02:40:32 PM »

How about a 45+ mp camera with the ability to do a lossy compression RAW file... similar to Adobe's dng format with lossy compression.  I am sure that the Digic 5+ (or 6 when it is incorporated) can more than handle the workload of compressing the files.  And you should be able to get a filesize comparable to the current RAW files on the 21/22mp sensors.

3

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Insurance for your camera gears...

« on: June 11, 2013, 08:29:20 AM »

Have you looked at PPA.com (Professional Photographers of America). In the US I believe that give you up to $15,000.00 of equipment coverage with your membership... plus an Indemnification benefit (If someone tries to sue you  because they don't like your pictures or your camera/memory card dies... etc).  This is not the same as liability.  Of course the yearly membership runs a little over $300, however there are a bunch of other benefits also (i.e. free online training, monthly magazine, Online community/resources... etc).  Personally I think it's a good deal.

Good Luck!

4

Landscape / Re: Jippieeee! It's spring! Post your first spring pictures here.

« on: May 16, 2013, 04:58:54 PM »

 

5

Canon General / Re: Canon is Number 1 for 10 Straight Years

« on: April 23, 2013, 07:35:44 AM »

+1

Congratulations Canon! .. how about giving us some huge discounts on all the Canon gear to celebrate 10 straight years of being number 1

After all... without us consumers they would not have that distinction... 

6

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Dynamic range, high lights information D800 vs 5dmk2

« on: April 03, 2013, 01:13:31 PM »

I don't think that there is any question that the D800/D600 etc sensors have much improved DR and are much better than canon (in that sense).  But looking at the images you provided there are a couple of notes that I have.

- In the first image I notice that the D800 is at 200% where as the Canon is a 100% (not sure why you did that).  I tried downloading the D800 image and shrinking it so that the colorbox was the same size as in the Canon image.  It does look to me that the Canon does have a slight edge... though maybe not that significant... but perhaps a partial stop as some of the color dots not showing up on the D800 image do show up on the 5D image.  Also... even when shrunk down... the D800 does show some CA and also it is not nearly as sharp as the 5D.  Perhaps that is a focusing or lens issue?  Couldn't be camera shake at 1/800th.

- In the other images... I do still see better sharpness on the 5D

I haven't seen the banding issues in any practical applications that I have shot, however as you point out it does exist. In my personal experience I have been able to bring back shots nearly 2 stops overexposed (5D Mk II), beyond that it gets difficult.  I have not shot with a Nikon so I cannot comment on that.

But that does make me think a second time about the DR issue that you have brought up.  I did once see a comparison between the D800 and the Canon... it was a mostly dark scene with buildings and the windows lit up.  This is where the D800 shined as the Windows appeared more natural rather than blown out.  But in your example, except for the banding in the shaded area's I don't see any additional headroom on the upper end... and actually slightly less.

Regardless... most photographers won't even care about these issues.  If you shoot in a studio or and any situation where you can control the light, then most photographers wouldn't even consider this.

Lets face it... Nikon, Sony and even Pentax have better DR than the $50,000 Phase One with the IQ180 Digital back. So while these topics are important and necessary in the improvement of the technology.  For everyday usage... I don't think they should be deal breakers for anyone (unless of course you are shooting in these rare conditions all the time).

7

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Framing for 2.35:1 aspect ratio using a 5D3: Best methods?

« on: March 01, 2013, 02:23:55 PM »

If you are considering an Anamorphic lens... Filmriot has a quick primer on this here:

http://videos.revision3.com/revision3/web/filmriot/0249/filmriot--0249--anamorphic-lenses-cinemorph--hd720p30.h264.mp4

I believe that Ryan does most of his stuff with a 5D Mark II

Good Luck!

8

Canon General / Re: Since 7D MkII isn't coming soon.....

« on: February 11, 2013, 09:33:18 AM »

I guess the bigger questions is... what do you need it for?  Do you need the extra fps or the extra weather proofing or heavy duty frame?  Or are you just looking primarily at IQ?

Personally... I started with the T2i.  I really can see any reason to upgrade it to T3i or T4i... I later bought the 5D Mark II.  I use the 5D II 90% of the time... but the T2i is great when I need a smaller camera to carry around...  and I wouldn't get rid of it until I find something to replace it.  The T2i is also a great backup for my uses.

So... if you don't need the faster FPS or the heavy duty alloy frame or superior weather sealing... and... if you don't need the articulating screen (t3i and t4i)... then save a little extra and go with the T2i.  If you do want all that stuff... the definitly go with the 7D... and hunt for a good sale.  I personally wouldn't buy used... but that's where you'd find your best bargains.

Good Luck!

9

Pricewatch Deals / Re: EOS 5D Mark III w/24-105 Kit Deal on eBay UK for £2499

« on: December 17, 2012, 09:35:11 AM »

So what is the conversion rate between the dollar and the pound?

Check Here ----

               http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=GBPUSD=X

 

10

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Free and Inexpensive Video Editors

« on: November 04, 2012, 08:39:16 PM »

I also have been using Adobe Premiere Elements for the past 4 or 5 years.  My biggest compliant with it is that at times... working with it can be slow.  I believe that the latest version is supposed to alleviate that somewhat.  It also accepts some nice plugins like the NEAT video reduce noise plugin which really works nice (though $80 by itself).  But... I cannot afford Adobe Premiere...   If i could catch it for $200 or under I would buy it.  But for my needs Elements works great!

I had used Roxio in the past also.   I liked it because it was very quick and also it would render very quickly.  But I found with the 2011 Pro version it no longer seemed to work right with my Canon t2i files.  Perhaps the latest version (NXT) works better.  But after spending a lot of time going in circles with their support I won't buy it again.  Roxio was good for basic editing... most of the other stuff provided with Roxio are just gimmicks... and not very professional looking... though it may be ok just for family stuff. 

Premiere Elements has a lot more that you can do with it for a entry level editor.. and I definitely recommend it...

I have never used any of the Sony products and can't give a recommendation either way.

Good Luck!

11

Portrait / Re: First time at wedding - feedback please

« on: August 16, 2012, 08:39:32 AM »

Thank you so much! It's very usefull advice, just one question, if I may: you said i should use flash gels. I not shure, do i need to use warm gel or something cooler?
Thanks again very much!

You want to use gels that will match the ambient light in the room... so that way you have a more natural look rather than that "Flash" look.  1/2 CTO usually works pretty good but usually depends on the lighting.

12

Technical Support / Re: Gray Card Vs AW - Your thoughts?

« on: June 09, 2012, 01:33:33 PM »

I use an Expodisc whenever practical. Otherwise I color correct in post.

13

EOS Bodies / Re: T2i vs. 60D vs. 5dMKII

« on: November 30, 2011, 07:26:19 AM »

I wasn't advocating the T2i over any other camera... really just responding to the 12 minute limit issue.  And really ... you are actually not loading the Magic Latern software on to the camera... sure it is loaded in memory when you have the camera turned on... however as soon as you remove the SD Card... it is Gone.  It loads on top of the Canon OS... and not in place of it.  Regardless... I haven't had a need to use it... just tested it once and say... "Hey... Nice!"...LOL

In regards to the 60D.. I probably would have purchased it when instead of the T2i, however it wasn't out yet.  But I think that you will find from all reviews that the image quality between the T2i, 60D and 7D are all essentially the same (Same sensor, same digic processor... etc).  The big advantage for the 60D is the swivel screen for doing video.  Not sure how much of an advantage that is though if you are doing everything on Tripod.  There are other advantages if you are shooting photo's however.

Anyway... Good Luck to the original poster!

14

EOS Bodies / Re: T2i vs. 60D vs. 5dMKII

« on: November 29, 2011, 10:29:25 AM »

I realize that this post is a little old... but if you are still looking... there is a way around the 12 minute limit.  Install Magic Latern on the Camera.  It is really fairly simple... you just copy the Magic Lantern files to your SD Card... then setup your camera to accept it.  All the details are on the Magic Latern site. They claim you could get 200 minutes + on a 16GB card.

I have also shot interviews with my T2i.  I bought one of the Bescor LED Lights and mounted right on the camera.  Shot with a 24-70L 2.8 Canon lens... great Bokeh on the background as this was at a company event while interviewing customers.  Worked Great!

Lastly... if you could just pause for a few seconds while restarting the video every 12 minutes... then you wouldn't have to do anything to the camera.

Good Luck!