Messages

1

Lenses / Re: What is the next Canon lens you want or covet and why...

« on: May 23, 2013, 02:07:15 PM »

I may get distracted by purchasing the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS II along the way...

It seems to me that with the rave reviews the current model gets (and the fact it was introduced as recently as 2010) this may not be one released very soon.

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Lenses / Re: What is the next Canon lens you want or covet and why...

« on: May 23, 2013, 08:12:23 AM »

I'll jump on board with the 200-400mm f/4 1.4x as the lens I covet the most. It looks to have exquisite IQ and extreme versatility. Will I ever buy it? No. It would be silly for me personally to spend that much for a single lens.

Here's the part where I contradict myself. I can imagine a scenario where I try to discipline myself and over the course of a year: don't buy any other lenses, don't buy any computers, tablets, phones, televisions, etc. I could probably rationalize buying it then. Time will tell...

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Lenses / Re: 50mm.. Upgrade or not?

« on: May 22, 2013, 12:09:51 PM »

For me, the build quality and weather sealing were the dominant factors in adding the 50L (plus I got it during one of Canon's 15% off refurb lens sales). I am really a big fan of the 50 1.4, but jumped at the chance for a "budget" upgrade. After using the 1.2 for a while, I can confidently say the 1.4 will be going bye-bye soon. No regrets.

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Canon General / Re: Seeking advice for corporate sporting event gear

« on: May 21, 2013, 01:22:21 PM »

A few sport specific thoughts-- in cycling a good slow shutter panning shot is often one of the most expressive, but you'll get a lot more misses than hits.  If it's just "get a shot", crank 'er up and freeze the action.  But if you have multiple chances and can afford the misses, go for a panning shot.

Thanks for the advice and thanks for the samples. Those bicycle pics are an awesome illustration of the differences between fast and moderately-slow shutter speeds for cycling. Quite a dramatic effect. I'm glad I'll have the opportunity to practice!

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Canon General / Re: Seeking advice for corporate sporting event gear

« on: May 21, 2013, 10:17:13 AM »

Will you have a car with you, if you do, take a slightly larger selection (not everything you have) with you, when you travel between events swap out the lens for the most suitable for each event, maybe a faster prime if you have one for the indoor events, tele zooms for outdoors, just a thought, but I think that others have summed it up before me, one other point, cooperate with the other person you mention, if they are willing and/or able, and you have a two person team to cover a wider range of shots.

I had considered keeping the 135mm on hand for the swimming competition. The thing about that fast primes that I own probably don't have the reach necessary for these indoor sports - so the 70-200mm f/2.8 is probably about as useful as any other lens I have.

I will definitely coordinate with the other volunteer to make sure we have all the angles covered. It should be pretty cool. Can't beat teamwork.

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Canon General / Re: Seeking advice for corporate sporting event gear

« on: May 21, 2013, 10:03:27 AM »

Paul - fantastic advice all around.

Do a reccie.  Pick the best vantage point for freeezing the action. Learn how to shoot aiservo properly.
Learn how to tweak your ai servo tracking.

I've been testing and tweaking my technique using AI-Servo in the backyard lately. I'll have a group of kids 2-5 years old chasing bubbles and follow one subject while they are criss-crossing, jumping, and swatting. Practice has definitely helped and I'm hoping it will translate over to the faster adult subjects.

No pressure like, but you've set your stall out: i am a photographer. I have good kit. Folk will expect good images.

Think quality not quantity.  Keep it simple and focused.  You might only shsre 10 images.  You might take 10'000.  Print the 10.  On matt.  With white border.  Big.  A3.  Folk will be blown away.

I've tried to keep it as low pressure as possible. Thankfully, I wasn't foolish enough to make a giant proclamation in front of the whole company - but rather I casually mentioned to one of the organizers later that I can "snap some pics" while I'm at the event. You know the drill: under-promise but over-deliver.

I have to say I really appreciate all the great advice I've been hearing. It's exactly the kind of smack upside the head I needed to be ready to make the most of the opportunity. At the end of the day, I am looking forward to having fun doing this and hopefully produce some memorable shots for the participants.

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Canon General / Re: Seeking advice for corporate sporting event gear

« on: May 20, 2013, 09:39:17 PM »

I used a P&S for a backup and fortunately didn't need it.

I will charge up and have a G12 as backup. Good reminder.

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Canon General / Re: Seeking advice for corporate sporting event gear

« on: May 20, 2013, 05:22:18 PM »

I agree, the 70-200 and 24-70 would be exactly what I would bring (I have them both and use both for high school sports, in fact that is what I use for indoor sports with a 5DIII and a 1DX). Along with a flash for dark situations, you should be good to go. If you can, you could add another 5DIII or 7D. I would prefer the 5DIII just for consistency and familiarity. It doesn't sound like you are going to be restricted to the sidelines or behind barricades like you would at competitive sporting events so you won't need the longer reach of the 7D and again not having to learn a new set-up would more than offset the crop factor IMO.

It'll be the first time I've attended these games, but from years past it looks like we have good access to the areas near the competition.

Seems like we're getting some consistency with the recommendations here. I actually do the same with my son's soccer games, just bring one or two lenses and work with those. For me, it is the wide variety of scenarios (indoor events like swimming vs. tug-of-war in the blazing sunlight vs. 5k bike ride) that made me think I might need more variety.

Thanks for the advice, Andy!

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Canon General / Re: Seeking advice for corporate sporting event gear

« on: May 20, 2013, 05:01:53 PM »

Well, you specifically asked about the kit (as opposed to technique, etc.), so here's my two cents:

If you're renting a back-up body, definitely go with the 7d for the reach.  I shoot triathlons, bike races, and running races, and the 70-200 on my 7d is still often not quite where I need want it to be reach-wise.  You've got the 100-400, but if it happens to be a cloudy day you're going to struggle getting fast enough shutter speeds for a fast moving athlete.

That was exactly my thought process for renting the 7D. I might be able to simply borrow a crop body from one of my friends. I love well-isolated telephoto action shots where you can see the exertion/emotion on people's faces, blades of grass kicking up, etc!

And, hey, I thought about asking about technique as well - but I hate to bother everyone too much. I'd imagine for many of you it would be like trying to explain to your dog how to drive the car.  I'm glad I'll have another person doing the wide/group shots and maybe I can focus on the up-close action.

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Canon General / Re: Seeking advice for corporate sporting event gear

« on: May 20, 2013, 04:54:51 PM »

You may be carrying too much equipment to manage for an event of this type. Just how big of an event is this? Are we talking a major corporation with hundreds of employees participating in intense athletic events, or are we talking about a bunch of desk jockeys having a good time and building some camaraderie?

The event will include thousands of participants from the entire metro area. My corporation is 100,000+ employees, but our divisional office is only ~150 people with maybe 50 participating.

Don't forget the first rule of shooting for a client (which is what you will be doing). If the client is happy, you are happy. If the client isn't, then you can't be. If your co-workers are used to and pleased with cell-phone candids, don't assume they want Sports Illustrated-style event photos. Remember, that most of subjects will be more than happy with a grinning, thumbs-up post event victory photo.

I did find out since posting that we will have another volunteer armed with a T3i and 18-55mm for some of the usual shots (she's helped out in the past, so I know what to expect). It would be nice for our office to be able to send some "fun" and more "polished" shots for us to submit to the divisional newsletter, etc.

Thanks for the advice. Great points!

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Canon General / Re: Seeking advice for corporate sporting event gear

« on: May 20, 2013, 04:48:51 PM »

I think in this situation, less is more.

Thank you. Excellent advice. I think you're right about the K.I.S.S. principle.

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Canon General / Seeking advice for corporate sporting event gear

« on: May 20, 2013, 02:28:57 PM »

At my office the other week we had a meeting about one of these 2-day “corporate Olympics”-type events happening in a few weeks. Organizers mentioned that they were looking for somebody to photograph our employees participating in the various competitions. Despite being a humble amateur, I volunteered to take pictures. I figured it would be a good opportunity to improve my photography on something other than my kids… and the pics won’t likely be any worse than those from years past (blurry cell phone pics, flat & lifeless P&S pics, etc.).

The competition will feature a wide variety of competitions: individual and relay running (short, middle, long), cycling, tug of war, swimming, basketball, volleyball, home run derby, etc.

I was hoping to get some advice from the group on what would be a good kit to prepare for such an event – especially when it comes to lens selection. My goal is to balance what equipment would keep me prepared for most scenarios, while not going overboard. I’d appreciate any tips from those who do this type of thing regularly.

I am definitely planning on bringing the following:

• Lowepro Pro Trekker 300 AW
• 5D Mark iii w/ battery grip (and four LP-E6s)
• Joby Ultrafit sling strap
• Manfrotto 695CX monopod w/ quick release head (and mounting plates for my small whites)
• Speedlite 430EX II
• Plenty of SD and CF cards
• OP/TECH rainsleeves
• Water, snacks, hat, sunscreen, batteries, etc.

Then there is the lens list that is more open for debate (I’ve listed them in what I feel might be order of importance):

• 70-200mm f/2.8 IS ii
• 100-400mm
• 135mm
• 24-70mm f/2.8 ii
• TC 1.4x iii

My preference as of late has been shooting with primes, but I can imagine in this situation I would do best having the flexibility of zooms. It especially pains me to be leaving the 300mm f/4 IS at home, as I’ve started to really appreciate what IQ advantage it can have over zooms operating in the same FL. The zooms might be the most useful - but the primes probably have the ability to "wow" more than the zooms.

So, for those who have the experience, what are your suggestions for lenses? Unless I am mingling in the crowd of athletes between events, I can’t imagine I’ll use the 24-70mm much, and I’ve debated just throwing the 50mm in the bag instead for such moments. Along the same lines, I cannot thing of a scenario where I would need an UWA, so I’m planning on leaving the 16-35mm at home.

Secondly, is the need for a backup body. I’m thinking about renting a 7D or a second 5D3 for backup. Although it is not a paid gig, I’d definitely feel bad if something happened and my personal camera crapped out during the event. Is this a must?

Anyway, thanks in advance for any suggestion you all can provide. Thanks!

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Lenses / Re: Poll: Most Wanted New Lenses of 2013.

« on: May 07, 2013, 04:07:56 PM »

I want a lens that does not yet exist. I would like a 24-135 f1.4-f2.8 L with IS. Preferably less than 800 grams; black, not white; and using a 77mm filter.

That would be my perfect walkabout lens (the the perfect kit lens).  The 24-105L is really nice, but I wish it were faster.  I've finally come to appreciate the advantage of the faster lens with the 5D3 AF system.

I also like the idea of a modest-range walkaround lens. Longer reach than 70mm, but not going crazy like the 28-300mm to reduce distortion and keep size/weight reasonable. However, I think this one sabotages its chances in two key areas:

1) I'd be shocked to see a zoom with that kind of range open up to f1.4. Even f2.0 would probably be fantasy. Consider the 28-300mm which has f3.5-5.6, or the 28-135mm which also has f3.5-5.6. I think we'd be lucky to get f2.8-3.5 over a 24-135mm range. Throw in IS and there goes your weight criteria.

2) If they sold a great-quality lens in that range, we'd have no need to buy any other bright primes or even the 24-70mm f2.8 ii! The kings of marketing and product-differentiation would never allow it. That reasoning explains the good-but-not-great IQ of the 24-105mm.

But as long as we're dreaming... count me in for one also! 

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Lenses / Re: 35 & 85 or 50 & 100 for photographing kids

« on: May 05, 2013, 12:33:46 PM »

You mentioned the 135L in your original post. To me, that is a great compliment to your 50L.

With children of a similar age range, I find the 135L to be the perfect lens to capture their more active moments (soccer, walks in the park, festivals, etc.) when you want to focus primarily on them in action. The colors and detail this combo produces are often fantastic straight out of the camera. (With a young two year old and a young four year old, I have little time for twiddling around in LR, DPP, etc.)

When I can find some free time (ha!) I'll try and post a couple of examples.

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Canon General / Re: No Announcement Today

« on: April 23, 2013, 05:51:57 PM »

Beside the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II & 24-70mm f/2.8 II, I can't think of any [non-niche] noteworthy lenses Canon has announced in the last three years.

70-300L

I've seen a lot of people around here (and elsewhere) praise the 40mm f/2.8 STM as a great general-purpose lens.  And it certainly has a noteworthy form-factor!