Messages

1

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Advice on 1st flash

« on: May 14, 2013, 10:22:15 PM »

I have a 600EX-RT, 430 EX II, and Yongnuo YN568EX.  All good, but I mostly do off camera.  If you are going with on camera, and on a budget, the 430 EX II is the best choice to start with.  While I like the Yongnuo, I find the AF assist beam to be hit/miss (with more miss) and not even close to the center AF point.  My two cents on Yongnuo is they are best for off camera work.  But they are workhorses and usable.  It is just the 430 EX II is a better choice for the first speedlite.  Best of luck.

2

Lighting / Re: 270 ex ii or 430 exii for vacation

« on: May 10, 2013, 12:23:27 PM »

If you are looking to leave your expensive gear at home with the 600, a Yongnuo YN568EX might fit the bill.  Read some good reviews on them, have yet to try.  I do have both the 600 and the 430 though.  May try a Yongnuo for some off camera stuff, but what I read is that it is a decent option for on camera as well and does HSS.

3

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: First photo pass to a concert! Lessons learned...

« on: May 09, 2013, 05:58:15 PM »

Awesome photos.  I took my 5dmk3 with me to my first show... no pit pass and restricted to a lens that was smaller than my fist as well to my seat.  Went w/ the EF 85mm F1.8 so I did some cropping @ 8 rows back.  No where near as good as yours but not bad for croppy's.

4

Technical Support / Re: BG-E11 AF Select Button Not Responding

« on: April 27, 2013, 06:26:54 AM »

Best of luck.  At least Amazon provides great service (in my experience) and you should find out soon if all is ok with your camera.  My thoughts are just a defective button on the grip.

5

Technical Support / Re: BG-E11 AF Select Button Not Responding

« on: April 26, 2013, 02:29:36 PM »

Working from home today, just checked mine and it is working fine.  Check your contacts or perhaps you have a defective grip.

6

EOS Bodies / Re: Download Firmware 1.2.1 link for 5DIII

« on: April 26, 2013, 11:39:41 AM »

Personally I am waiting for the official release, but here is the md5sum from the file I pulled from the web

$ gpg --print-md md5 5D300121.FIR
5D300121.FIR: 3C AB 84 0C D3 D4 CF 17  5B 5B 4E 0E A5 14 EB A9

I am going to compare that to what Canon releases next week.

7

Software & Accessories / Re: What site do you use to host your photos?

« on: April 20, 2013, 12:03:48 AM »

I use Farcebook, Google+, Zenfolio, Flickr Pro, and 500px.

500px is unique in the presentation.  I like it; don't yet love it, but it is growing on me (new user to it).  Zenfolio has been great for a while.  I use Flickr for some quick uploads.  Farcebook as I take photos of my daughters travel basketball and post for the kids and parents.  G+, because I like the communities.

8

Technical Support / Re: MacBook Pro : Best RAW Processing Software?

« on: April 16, 2013, 12:31:54 PM »

I use both a Mac and a PC... Lightroom for me.  I do have Aperture, but honestly never gave it a look once I got a copy of LR 3.6 and now on 4.4 and will likely look at the LR v5 beta before too long.  I really like the one-click lens corrections LR give and the "pop" power.  Can make the average image just look "wow" with a couple of sliders adjustments.

9

Software & Accessories / Re: Advice on 3rd party grip for 5D3 and compatible L Bracket

« on: April 12, 2013, 10:59:07 PM »

I ordered a Meike and got bait and switched from an Amazon third party seller.  They sent me some flimsy "Xit" brand.  It felt very cheap compared to the Meike grip I have on my T3i.  Amazon made good on the refund.

The Meike grip on my T3i has been solid for over a year, but the rubber grip material is starting to pulling away from the plastic.  Because of that, I figured I would go with the Canon BG-E11 for the 5Dmk3.  I have been very pleased with it.

10

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: What made you choose Canon in the first place?

« on: April 12, 2013, 10:35:33 PM »

I went Canon after using Olympus 4/3 for years and when I was switching systems I preferred the grip and feel of Canon as well as the menu system.  Seemed like it made more sense to me (perhaps more like the Oly menu's I was used to).  Additionally, I considered that Canon seems to take part in all aspects of it's camera.  Development of the processor, the image sensor, etc.  I wanted the 60D, my wife purchased the Rebel T3i for me.  It served me well for a while and I recently added a 5D mark III and love it.  Most everyone I know shoots Nikon, and it is also a good system.  While one has strengths over the other, in the end, I feel it is a wash and most of my Nikon shooting friends feel the same.  A couple are really impressed with the video.  What I like about Nikon systems is highlights in the shadow areas are just better.  But I am not disappointed in the 5D3 at all and would not dream of switching to Nikon at this point in time.

I considered the 6D but ended up with the 5D Mark III for the focus system.  My daughter plays on a travel basketball team and I missed a lot of shots with the T3i, not so with the 5D.  I felt the focus system on the 6D was too similar to the T3i.

I still have the T3i and use it for non sports stuff with a Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 on it most of the time.

11

Software & Accessories / Re: RECHARGEABLE - POWER-EX - ENLOOP - IMEDION

« on: March 11, 2013, 12:40:08 PM »

Another vote for Eneloops.  All I use and buy for the last 4 or 5 years.  Use them in my speedlites, keyboards and mice, TV remotes... Kids game controllers (XBOX and Wii).  Great batteries.

12

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Sigma 17-50mm 2.8 lens

« on: March 24, 2012, 12:50:36 AM »

Got mine the first of Feb right when it went on sale.  My lens hood is fine, the photos I get are outstanding.  Shooting my daughters indoor basketball and wanted the f2.8 across the range.  Very, very pleased with my copy.