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Canon General / Re: Desired fantasy gear
« on: May 15, 2013, 10:43:01 AM »
I would love a 35-85mm 1.4 for wedding work.
May 25, 2013, 07:21:10 AM
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Software & Accessories / Re: GoPro Video and Helicopters
« on: May 12, 2013, 12:04:57 PM »
Graupner is no longer manufacturing props. They were good props but expensive. DJI (they make the frame, motors and flight computer) has a history of making cheap props that fail in flight resulting in many crashes. DJI recently released a new, 1038 prop that is both flexible and strong. You can bend them and they don't snap. They are also easy to balance. They only cost $3 each and I have been really happy with them. In flight failure seems to have been resolved with this prop. They are working every bit as good as the Graupners were.
Another thing DJI has done is provide new software for the Naza motor controller. With the new 3.01 software loaded if a single motor or prop fails (6 and 8 rotor configurations only), the controller will still allow for a controlled landing. With intelligent orientation turned on it is also possible to bring the helicopter back to home before landing.
Another thing DJI has done is provide new software for the Naza motor controller. With the new 3.01 software loaded if a single motor or prop fails (6 and 8 rotor configurations only), the controller will still allow for a controlled landing. With intelligent orientation turned on it is also possible to bring the helicopter back to home before landing.
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Software & Accessories / Re: GoPro Video and Helicopters
« on: May 11, 2013, 09:42:24 PM »
For kite video and photos, I would use an 808 Keychain camera. Quality is a bit lower than the gopro but hey are only $40 and weigh just 18 grams.
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Software & Accessories / Re: GoPro Video and Helicopters
« on: May 11, 2013, 05:11:37 PM »
For aerial video the Hero 3 is a good starting point. The video quality is ok especially for just playing around. The Hero 3 is not a good choice for aerial photos. I don't have a way to switch the camera from taking video to taking stills. With the Sony NEX 5N I can switch between photos and video from the ground with the flip of a switch on my transmitter, through an LED remote sitting in front of the camera. With the Hero I can grab stills from the video, but I can get a much higher quality photos from the APS C sensor in the Sony in both still and video modes. There is also a lot of fisheye with the hero that becomes distracting.
I believe putting a good quality camera in the air has some interesting possibilities such as real estate work, I've also does a few large group photos from the air. There is some question as to how legal it currently is in the US, but Obama has given a directive to the FAA to formally allow drones for commercial use in the USA by 2015. Currently most other countries around the world allow for drone use on commercial work. Many of the tv and movie shots are now being done using these types of small RC helicopters.
Here is a photo of helicopter I am using now...
I believe putting a good quality camera in the air has some interesting possibilities such as real estate work, I've also does a few large group photos from the air. There is some question as to how legal it currently is in the US, but Obama has given a directive to the FAA to formally allow drones for commercial use in the USA by 2015. Currently most other countries around the world allow for drone use on commercial work. Many of the tv and movie shots are now being done using these types of small RC helicopters.
Here is a photo of helicopter I am using now...
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Software & Accessories / Re: GoPro Video and Helicopters
« on: May 10, 2013, 01:47:23 PM »
I currently use a Hero 3 on my helicopter. It's fun and works for some projects but I am wanting higher quality results. I recently purchased a Sony NEX 5n. It has an APC sensor and is less than 300 grams with a 16mm lens so it is light enough to fly.
Here is a wedding proposal I shot a few weeks ago with the GoPro and Keychain camera on my helicopter.
Here is a wedding proposal I shot a few weeks ago with the GoPro and Keychain camera on my helicopter.
| Alamo Square- Wedding Proposal | Small | Large |
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Software & Accessories / Re: If buying last standalone CS6: Mac or Windows version for longevity?
« on: May 10, 2013, 01:42:35 PM »
Over the years I have used both mac and pc systems. I settled on the pc because I like building my own systems and deciding what to put into it. I also like that I can choose from many vendors if and when I want to replace or upgrade part of my system. Microsoft supports its OS for far longer than Apple. After a system is just a few years old Apple stops supporting it and stops parts and software updates for it. Apple tends to follow a similar mind set as Adobe and I don't really agree with it. Yes we need tools to do our job but these tools are making the tool vendors for more rich than those doing the actual work. Yes I need a hammer to build a house, and I understand that I have to pay for the hammer but it should not cost me $50 to rent my hammer each month.
I don't support the idea of renting software and I can see Adobe taking advantage of the situation by raising rates when they discontinue the purchase option. Personally I think that Photoshop has gone about as far as it can so Adobe is switching to renting as a way to continue the revenue stream. That last big update that photoshop has is the new blur filter. I believe that other vendors will develop similar filters that can be used as a plug in or standalone.
I purchased a legitimate copy CS6 and it is my plan to use it as long as I possibly can. I hope to find a pirate version of my CS6 as I know that sooner or later I have will have activation issues as Adobe tries to push us all into the cloud offering one way or another. I will continue to purchase updates to Lightoom for my RAW intake/processing.
I don't support the idea of renting software and I can see Adobe taking advantage of the situation by raising rates when they discontinue the purchase option. Personally I think that Photoshop has gone about as far as it can so Adobe is switching to renting as a way to continue the revenue stream. That last big update that photoshop has is the new blur filter. I believe that other vendors will develop similar filters that can be used as a plug in or standalone.
I purchased a legitimate copy CS6 and it is my plan to use it as long as I possibly can. I hope to find a pirate version of my CS6 as I know that sooner or later I have will have activation issues as Adobe tries to push us all into the cloud offering one way or another. I will continue to purchase updates to Lightoom for my RAW intake/processing.
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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Warning on low card space
« on: March 24, 2013, 05:12:16 PM »
I shoot with 2 64gig cards in each 5d3 body. I can shoot a full 9 hour wedding day without changing batteries or cards.
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Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Which camera brand you actively use, other than Canon?
« on: March 15, 2013, 02:30:47 AM »
I own three camera's, 2 5DII's and a Gopro Hero 3. Here is what I can do with the Hero 3...
| woodward-park | Small | Large |
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Canon General / Re: What's your definition of "Pro"?
« on: February 07, 2013, 12:22:13 PM »
"You Might Be A Professional Photographer If your main source of light comes from somewhere other than the camera flash"
I consider myself a pro. Photography is my only source of income. I have insurance, pay taxes and recently achieved my Certified Professional Photographer certificate. I average 30+ weddings a year along with other shoots.
I consider myself a pro. Photography is my only source of income. I have insurance, pay taxes and recently achieved my Certified Professional Photographer certificate. I average 30+ weddings a year along with other shoots.
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Lenses / Re: Please explain the need for f2.8 zooms
« on: January 30, 2013, 07:22:27 PM »
I normally shoot rings at around f11 and group shots at f4-f5.6 but the rest of the time I am normally at f2.8. I also have a couple primes that I use from time to time but most of my work is with the 24-70 and 70-200 f2.8 lenses. With the 5DIII I have plenty of ISO to shot at f4 most of the time, but I prefer the look at 2.8. I really wish I could get a 35-85 1.4 zoom. I'd pay some really big bucks for a lens like that.
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Canon General / Re: Why did you choose Canon?
« on: January 26, 2013, 07:18:26 PM »
For more than 10 years I shot event, product and wedding photography with Nikon equipment. I now specialize in wedding photography and like doing off camera flash when I can. When I saw that Canon announced the 600EX-RT flash with built in radios, I was very interested. After seeing some online previews, I ordered a pair of 600EX-RT and 5DIII. After a week of testing I loved how the flash system worked. The camera body seemed overall very similar to the D3s Nikon I was using as my primary camera in terms of image quality. I decided to shoot my next wedding with all Canon equipment. I took this image in the rain at my first (with Canon) wedding in early 2012. I sold all Nikon equipment when I got home.
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Technical Support / Re: Unusual rapid battery drain with 5D III
« on: January 09, 2013, 08:10:54 PM »
When you plug it into the computer the camera can't sleep so it uses a lot of battery. I see the same thing with my 5DIII's. When I unplug them, I can shot all day with them. At weddings I don't every turn them off, I leave them on all day and get well over 1000 photos per battery.
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Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Is it hard not to buy 3rd party lenses now?
« on: December 22, 2012, 07:51:07 PM »
I normally shoot with 24-70 and 70-200 2.8 lenses but wanted to mix in more limited depth of field images with my wedding work. I purchased the 50L 1.2 and did get some good photos from it but most images were soft even when I was sure I nailed the focus. I purchased a Sigma 85 1.4 and am getting better results with that (more in focus shots). I tried both the Canon and the Sigma 85's and I just could not see spending twice the money. Yes the Canon 85L goes to 1.2 but it also takes twice as long to focus. I sold the 50L and plan to get the Sigma 35 1.4 before the start of the wedding season in 2013.
I've not found any Tamron lenses that match the quality of Canon and Nikon Lenses but some of the newer Sigma primes are really good quality. I think Sigma is really putting in some effort to improve their products.
I've not found any Tamron lenses that match the quality of Canon and Nikon Lenses but some of the newer Sigma primes are really good quality. I think Sigma is really putting in some effort to improve their products.
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Lenses / Re: Canon 85L 1.2 vs Sigma 85 1.4... Has anyone tried both?
« on: November 08, 2012, 12:45:52 PM »
Wedding photographer here. I normally do coverage with zooms (24-105, 24-70, 17-40 and 70-200) but am trying to work more with primes for the look. I've tried both the Canon and Sigma 85's and settled on the Sigma. I like the results and mine is just as sharp at f/1.4 as the Canon version I tried with my 5D3's. It's the only non Canon lens I own right now. I am so happy with it, I am considering the 35 1.4 that will be out in November.
In the past I have owned the Canon 50L, 50 f/1.4 and 50 f/1.8. I was not happy with any of those lenses for sharpness reasons. I borrowed a 50 1.4 Sigma and liked the results. I almost purchased one but have decided I want to use a 35mm/85mm combo for shooting weddings.
One thing I don't like is the filter size. I really wish all my pro lenses would use the same filter size. I like to use ND and Pol filters and it is PITA to deal with the different sizes while shooting.
In the past I have owned the Canon 50L, 50 f/1.4 and 50 f/1.8. I was not happy with any of those lenses for sharpness reasons. I borrowed a 50 1.4 Sigma and liked the results. I almost purchased one but have decided I want to use a 35mm/85mm combo for shooting weddings.
One thing I don't like is the filter size. I really wish all my pro lenses would use the same filter size. I like to use ND and Pol filters and it is PITA to deal with the different sizes while shooting.
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Lenses / Re: 24-70 F/4L IS - Why I will Buy/Not Buy this lens.
« on: November 08, 2012, 12:30:49 PM »
Wedding photographer here, I have both the 24-105 f/4 and the 24-70 2.8 Ver II, both are great lenses. I don't understand why they decided to make a 24-70 f/4 at the same price point as the 24-105 f/4. I won't be buying one.