Messages

1

Software & Accessories / Re: Cheap tripod

« on: June 14, 2013, 04:54:01 AM »

I agree with the others that a cheap tripod is what you get for less than $100. I went a more creative route:
Transit tripod (I got a closeout for $15, basically the same thing from another good brand, these are ment to be solid and house a laser level that will not move all day)
adapter (only game here, check out the user picture on amazon of someone using this with a gimbal head on a transit tripod)
decent low cost ballhead (got a "used" one of these off ebay for 1/3 price, a scratch in the plate was the only thing wrong, the actual head looked and felt new and Swiss-Arca like plate too!)
about $120 ($55 for me)

In the end I have a solid tripod that is not the most portable but is much better than the sub $100 tripods that I tried. My ballhead is the weak link but my lenses do not weigh too much and I use a tripod a couple dozen days a year so I did not want to spend that much. Food for thought for you

2

Lenses / Re: Telezoom lens (70-300L vs 70-200 vs 100-400)- Advice

« on: May 19, 2013, 04:57:19 AM »

I got the 70-300L (not using the others and a good Canon direct refurb deal) because of: 1)in my price rage, 2)more reach than the 70-200IS, 3)awesome user reports from those who have it. I moved form the EF-S 55-250mm so it was awesome, but along side my 15-85 it is so much better. 100% still look useable for my anal-retentive amateur style. If you dont care about constant apature in telephoto try it. Im happy and my old man with his Nikon 70-200/2.8 was kind of jealous (my opinion through PP review, not his) that it was so sharp. Rent it and see I say.

3

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS USM

« on: May 09, 2013, 04:49:27 AM »

I am not sure what you are moving on from. If you are like me, this is night and day compared to the 55-250mm (expected). I avoided telling my better half how much it was, she finally used it and was blow away. She assumed it was over a thousand (double what she would ever spend) and was alright with that after using it and finding the range to be awesome and the AF fast and accurate. I am also stoked that a 100% crop is now useable.

If you are worried about the lack of mentioning the warranty, you have 2 weeks to return after delivery and I am pretty sure that all refurbs have a 90 day warranty. If you are coming from a non-red ring (like me) you will be happy.

4

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS USM

« on: May 06, 2013, 04:19:08 AM »

Although I dont have any images that I feel are worthy to post yet, I must say that I am so glad I bought this lens. I was originally going to get he 70-200IS but noticed this lens. A little more money but a lot more reach (got it on a Canon refurb sale). I brought it out to a family gathering for the first use and my father (Nikon user for life) just upgraded to a D600 and wanted to know what I had im my bag. I showed him my first red ring. He played with it for a while and set the rig back in my bag. If he has a complaint it will be heard so his silence was kind of a shock to me. Once I got home and looked at the pictures I took of seal pups I was amazed that 100% still looked nice rather than 50% looking ok (prior tele-zoom was 55-250mm). Damn fine lens

5

Site Information / Re: Love or Hate Canon Rumors Forum

« on: April 05, 2013, 06:43:06 AM »

I have to agree with you. Myself as a self taught picture taker has learened a lot from here. There was one point that you listed in the negative column that has bugged me for a while:

2) A handful of obsessive individuals who hijack nearly every thread and repeat the same points over and over again, arguing over obscure issues that have nothing to do with the original subject.

Dylyan777, if you read this, I get it, you have an awesome setup but quit hijacking every thread to say that people should have what you have. Your setup is what I want but we are not all prepared to drop $10k+ for family pictures like you (you admitted this on a thread once). Some of us just have fun and this is a hobby, without the need to drop $2k+ on every piece in our stable.

I like it here and have learned a lot. I just avoid all of the new camera threads for a few months, I'll wait until people calm down about not getting at 1DX for the price/body of a 6D.

6

Lighting / Re: First external flash? Lots of beginner's questions!

« on: March 25, 2013, 02:41:49 AM »

If you want to spend less, Canon is having a refurb sale and the 430exII is $203 right now. It will work as a slave to your on camera flash. If you are worried about the quality of Canon refurbs, myself and many other people will attest to the quality (I have a refurb 430exII, lens and camera, all are both are great, no problems). I'm glad I got mine, it was a way for me to experiment and start learning about real flashes.

http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_204273_-1

7

EOS Bodies / Re: Recommend Cheap Second Body

« on: February 08, 2013, 04:40:56 AM »

Whatever rebel tickles your fancy when Canon has the next refurb sale.  I picked up a T3i for ~350 after tax

8

Software & Accessories / Re: Oddest kit purchase?

« on: January 05, 2013, 05:31:20 AM »

going to hell for this but a page out of the bible as an on camera flash modifier.  it started when I was at a friends house and he was hollowing out a bible for a flask and the flash (before I had a real flash) was just too harsh.  the extremely thin page was just what was needed

9

Canon General / Re: Record Spending Into Camera Gear - HIGHEST

« on: December 31, 2012, 05:01:39 AM »

Im on the low side from what Ive seen:
T3i (refurb)
15-85mm (refurb)
55-250mm (craigslist)
∑30mm
∑50mm
430exII (refurb)
2 camera bags and a lens case
a few filters
a ball head
a transit level tripod adapter

The only thing Im still waiting on is 70-300L, ∑85mm, a 6d and maybe the 7d/60d replacement but that will be in 2013 or beyond.  This is a hobby for me but I do get the some cash/perks every now and again.  Quick math says $2300 + tax, a year ago I would have thought that was crazy (still surprised it is that much) but I have had a lot of fun with it

10

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Newcomer looking for budget wildlife equipment

« on: December 28, 2012, 03:32:00 PM »

Get a SX40 or SX50: 12mp, 10+ fps, wicked huge zoom, IQ will be on par with kit lens and a lot less money for a beginner.  My buddy keeps upgrading his SX and he really only uses it for wildlife (he is an animal keeper at a wildlife preserve).  He gets some awesome shots and even though he is jealous of my DSLR in many respects, he keeps pointing out that he spends $350 a year on photography and has such a stupid large zoom that I could not afford to get the equivalent focal length for anything less than 10x what he pays.  Dont bash me too much for recommending a non-DSLR camera

11

Pricewatch Deals / Re: amazon - 5d3 -- $2999/3299 wo/w 24-105L...

« on: December 01, 2012, 05:44:04 PM »

but since they added the kalif tax deal... sigh...

just pay the sales tax and support your nearly bankrupt home's education and road system

12

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 6D manual is ready to download

« on: November 28, 2012, 07:13:50 AM »

I'm pretty sure that they will have 2 versions on the camera in countries that the wireless spectrums used are not a) available or b) legal for consumer product use.  I think the same has been talked about already for the rt-600 flash.

This is what we think in Europe too, especial the others not me! I hope the 6Dn will come to us and you too, because i don´t ned gps and wlan and dont want to pay for that. 

I don't care about GPS but after hearing of the use of Android/iPhone as a remote trigger/viewer I have changed my mind about wifi.  I could live without it but I am happy to see that Canon is accepting established versatile technology as an accessory

13

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Lomo camera hits the news

« on: November 28, 2012, 04:57:30 AM »

I just shudder every time I see yet another person posting an instagrammed cameraphone shot on facespace, now I've started asking them what film they used, or replying with links to holgas or film processing labs, just to annoy them.

+1
I'm no photographer (just a guy with a camera) but this whole instagram/fake film craze drives me nuts.  Take a crappy picture on your phone?  Just add a instagram filer and make it awesome!

14

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 6D manual is ready to download

« on: November 28, 2012, 04:50:32 AM »

I'm pretty sure that they will have 2 versions on the camera in countries that the wireless spectrums used are not a) available or b) legal for consumer product use.  I think the same has been talked about already for the rt-600 flash.

15

Landscape / Re: Visiting Napa Valley. Need tips

« on: November 24, 2012, 11:40:54 AM »

Keep your eyes open and be prepared to pull the car to the side of the road - there are lots of scenic vistas from there. 

although neuro usually has really good advise, use common sense and dont pull over unless it is actually okay to.  I cannot tell you how many times I have seen people pull over to get the picture but they 1) forget that many people are drinking and driving, 2) pretty much all roads are single lane and 3) dont pull off correctly and end up hampering traffic.

Have fun and dont drink too much unless you pay for a driver/wine tour.  Most wineries are very picturesque and the whole industry is built around curb appeal and the image.  Dont just go to the big wineries, the smaller one make better wine and are not as crowded.  We have over 200 wineries in just Napa valley.  I used to work in the industry but have since gotten out and dont want to give a biased opinion on wineries.  Just have fun