Messages

1

Lenses / Re: Cut sized FF alternative to 28-300mm L

« on: June 01, 2013, 08:21:49 PM »

You can check out a Tamron 28-300mm zoom.  Much cheaper.  You get what you pay for and its a lot less expensive than a pro grade lens.  Good luck at finding a competent review, the better reviewers don't have time to waste on bashing a lens.

I believe I shot this whole set with the Tamron 28-300 on my 5DIII  if you want a sampling of what it does:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brand_b/sets/72157632198594770

You can see what he means, it is definitely a few steps down from something like the Canon 70-300L.

It is, however, reallly compact, and for the price, a decently built and performing lens, and the IS is pretty decent.  Has a lock switch so it doesn't droop on you.  I used it happily for a few years before I got my 5D and some better lenses.

2

Abstract / Re: Beautiful bokeh! Let me see yours!

« on: May 29, 2013, 08:09:36 PM »

A couple of attempts at creating custom bokeh for product shots.

Nice.  If you could get her forward knee included with a bit more DOF, I'd call that one great.

3

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: CamRanger, anyone tried it?

« on: May 24, 2013, 05:19:34 PM »

Another "point" I worry is the heat generated by the sensor while on LiveView. 

Since the camera is engineered to shoot video, I don't think live view will stress it to the point of concern.

4

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: CamRanger,anyone tried it?

« on: May 20, 2013, 08:43:53 PM »

Also acts as an intervalometer, a screen you can see when shooting video (makes up for not having an articulated LCD viewer on some of the SLRs), gives you the ability to live view focus using a larger image (helpful as you get older person vision).

Basically wireless tethering with a bunch of bonus features.

5

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: CamRanger,anyone tried it?

« on: May 19, 2013, 09:12:39 PM »

Great, thanks! Oh, and it's the same app for mac.

Did not know about this, thanks for the heads up.

Also, I like this product quite a bit as well.  Not sure why anyone would think it is over-priced.  Given all its functionality and capabilities and the polish on the software and UI, I think it's a total bargain.  And I am only a hobbyist.

6

Canon General / Re: If the Japanese Yen is now low, why are Canon prices staying high?

« on: May 18, 2013, 06:40:32 PM »

Probably because they wanted them higher to begin with but could not raise them and remain competitive.  They can now enjoy higher margins for a while.

Have Nikon's or Sony's prices dropped?

7

Canon General / Re: It annoys me when camera phones try to take credit for professional level gear.

« on: May 16, 2013, 08:57:17 PM »

the photoshopper got the reflection angle in the glass completely wrong on the second image (Sony). That's the kind of stuff that drives me crazy.

Set a product at the same angle on a reflective surface, and you'll find the reflection goes in the opposite direction they show. That's just lazy.

Hmm, I read it as the phone is sitting perpendicular to the surface, and the whole image is just tilted.  Maybe because it didn't make sense any other way.

8

Lenses / Re: Who can clean and repair an old 28-70 2.8?

« on: May 16, 2013, 08:45:39 PM »

That's too bad.  I have a 12 year old copy of this thing and it is one of my most used lenses, nice and sharp at smaller apertures.  Only issue with it is my 5D3 often thinks it is in manual focus mode when it isn't, cleaned contacts notwithstanding.  I am hoping it lasts until a 24-70 2.8IS exists, and I have money to buy one.

9

Lenses / Re: Question regarding 70-300L lens

« on: May 16, 2013, 08:37:44 PM »

My 70-300L is a little looser than most of my other Ls, but not enough that I wanted to return it.

10

Lenses / Re: Best fisheye for canon.

« on: May 16, 2013, 08:25:58 PM »

The Rokinon (a.k.a. Samyang) is a crop sensor lens. It'll fit on a full frame camera but you get a small rectangular image due to the built in lens hood. If you cut off the hood, you get a cropped circle in the middle instead, but still wont cover the whole sensor. Note the lens cap fits onto the hood if you're considering that. All in, I wouldn't recommend this lens for a full frame sensor, unless you have a very particular need for it to fill. It is great value for crop bodies though.

On the other hand, it's on sale for $229 at adorama today.

11

Software & Accessories / Re: Adobe to Stop Making Packaged Software

« on: May 06, 2013, 04:36:32 PM »

This will probably work fine for the professional market. But it will probably kill a lot of their amateur sales.  People who buy creative suite, and then don't upgrade for 2, 3 or 4 years.

12

Canon General / Re: Trip to Japan

« on: April 18, 2013, 08:26:39 PM »

You should also spend 1/2 hour to check out a Yodobashi camera store while you're in Tokyo for kicks.  Photography megastore, although the prices are higher than the US.

13

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

« on: April 06, 2013, 01:50:55 AM »

  There are some decent deals on occasion for a refurb through Canon, though.  I've seen one for a little over a thousand like that towards the end of last year.

They had it in stock for $1018  a week ago or so.  Out of stock now though.

14

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Nik Collection Bundle for $126.65

« on: March 30, 2013, 04:26:00 PM »

So, how much is this stuff normally?

I just found the site and it says the bundle (without the code) is like $149. 

A savings of about $23US.....nice, but nothing spectacular...?

Not sure what I'm missing here?

$149 here:
http://www.niksoftware.com/nikcollection/usa/index.php?view=intro%2Fmain.shtml

It was $299 for the LR/Aperture version and $499 for the PS version when I bought it On Feb 9.     The version you can now get for $125/$149 is the full PS version at that price.

So I am attempting to look at it as having gotten an upgrade to the PS version for free instead of having blown an extra $150 to have it 2 weeks earlier.

15

EOS Bodies / Re: What's the normal battery drain for a 5D3 that's off?

« on: March 30, 2013, 04:17:52 PM »

I don't notice battery drain while my 5D3 is off, I just notice it while I'm shooting.  Mine only gets 300-500 shots per battery, and I'm using genuine batteries.   

Really?  Are you shooting raw + jpg, or are you using a large lens with a big motor?    I have easily gotten over 1000 shots on a single charge using a 28-70L, RAW only.