Messages

16

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: need advise on what speedlite?

« on: March 20, 2013, 07:25:36 AM »

The YN's do have an annoying powersaver feature, but it's manageable.

I am thinking about augmenting my two 580exII's with a couple of YN-560 or YN-568ex2 combined with my YN-602 and 622c's and get rid of my old Nikon SB-28's for background.

- What is the issue with the sleep-mode with the YN's?

The issue I have with sleep mode on my YN-568ex is that when it goes to sleep, you have to fire a shot first before it wakes up.  So you miss the first shot.

The wake-up can happen from the camera position though, right? You don't need to physically touch the flash, correct?

17

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: need advise on what speedlite?

« on: March 19, 2013, 09:27:42 AM »

The YN's do have an annoying powersaver feature, but it's manageable.

I am thinking about augmenting my two 580exII's with a couple of YN-560 or YN-568ex2 combined with my YN-602 and 622c's and get rid of my old Nikon SB-28's for background.

- What is the issue with the sleep-mode with the YN's?

18

Software & Accessories / Re: Tripod/Monopod - What a clever idea!

« on: March 14, 2013, 05:39:05 PM »

The 2 series Benro Travel Angels are rated up to 12Kg (26 Lbs).

19

Software & Accessories / Re: Tripod/Monopod - What a clever idea!

« on: March 14, 2013, 12:11:19 PM »

The idea is not original - Benro has a series called Travel Angel.

I have a Benro Travel Angel 1681 four section tripod. They sell them at B+H but I bought mine from eBay - WAY cheaper. $300 verses $485...

I don't use a monopod all that often but it is nice to know you have it in case you need one. The travel series tend to be a tad short though...

That said, I have a Gitzo 2531 and Markins M10 ballhead as my main tripod and the Benro above is really decent for a quarter of the price. I also have buddies with Benro and they are quite happy with them.

20

Software & Accessories / Re: BG-E11 weight

« on: March 13, 2013, 02:07:55 PM »

Sorry for bumping such an old thread, but which hand strap are you guys using with the 5D3/grip? Canon E2, or another?

I bought both and put the first version on and it attaches to my Kirk (non L, no grip) plate which never leaves the camera. Highly recommended. I rarely need the shoulder strap anymore.

21

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

« on: March 11, 2013, 08:12:02 PM »

my guess white top(Duraloop) Duracell made in Japan black top made in China go figure

Exactly correct. The black top Duracells are not Eneloops.

22

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

« on: March 11, 2013, 07:41:31 PM »

Eneloop or Duracell (Duraloop) made in Japan. the Duracells are in fact Eneloops.


There are three generations of Eneloops, although the ones I picked up from B+H a year ago were Gen 2's (without the vent holes at the top) - see link here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?355757-White-top-duracell&p=4147156&viewfull=1#post4147156

My old Energizer and Ultra (TigerDirect) batteries are dropping left and right but I have yet to have an Eneloop fail and I have upwards of a hundred of them.

23

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: need advise on what speedlite?

« on: March 11, 2013, 07:34:16 PM »

Still in the process of testing, but here's what I can tell you so far. The canon st-e3-rt is definitely going back, and i will keep the yn622c's.  I will probably keep the 600ex-rt a because I basically paid for it what a 580ex ii cost.  I am going to add a 430exii to have a basic 2 light setup for portraits with some soft boxes and umbrellas. Another question I have is, will 2 430exii give me the same results as having a 600 and a 430? I can get 2 430exii for less than what I paid for the 600?

Thoughts?

I don't have a 600 but I do have two 580exII's. The 600ex-rt will give you more power than a 430exII. In many situations you won't need it but when you do it is nice to have something up for the task.

As an alternative, you could go off brand and pickup a Yongnuo 568ex from eBay for $180.

24

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: need advise on what speedlite?

« on: March 07, 2013, 01:02:44 PM »

I have two 580EXII's and they are great and I have used Yongnuo RF-602's and most recently 622c's (TTL) triggers and they are great. With the 622c's there are no line of sight issues and you can remotely bump power up and down all from the camera position and they are only $90 for a pair. You can go cheap and pair them with the excellent Yongnuo 568EX for $180 and have radio controlled off camera flash that supports HSS - all for under $300.

25

Software & Accessories / Re: BlackRapid & Kirk clamp hook-up

« on: February 21, 2013, 01:01:36 PM »

On the lighter side, how can my photos not improve after all these added gadgets?

I'm a sucker for "a better way".  The BR with clamp will be a better way.

Your shots will be tack sharp with this new setup I know mine were....

26

Software & Accessories / Re: BlackRapid & Kirk clamp hook-up

« on: February 20, 2013, 10:29:00 PM »

Finally back online...  CarrySpeed plate, with FastenR in place of pin, so Arca plate + BlackRapid FastenR.

There are 2 screws, one on each side of the pivot point. 

Do you have a shot of this from the other angle? From the perspective of looking down on the lens towards the plate?

27

Software & Accessories / Re: BenroStore.com

« on: February 20, 2013, 04:25:21 PM »

I bought my Benro from jonvola88 on eBay and saved at least 40% over buying it local. It came within two weeks from China - no regrets.

28

Technical Support / Re: How do you store and archive your images?

« on: February 18, 2013, 08:39:06 AM »

- Current images on Win7 laptop (SSD)
- All other archived images on NAS
- NAS is backed up daily to 2TB external drive
- NAS is backed up monthly to an encrypted drive for offsites

So with the scheme above I have three to four copies of my data. I have used SyncBackPro for years and highly recommend it for Windows environments.

29

Software & Accessories / Re: BlackRapid & Kirk clamp hook-up

« on: February 17, 2013, 09:40:41 AM »

1) The screw knob on the clamp doesn't loosen on its own. It just doesn't. By positioning it so the knob is under the lens or away from your body, you avoid brushing against it (even that's unlikely to loosen it - when clamped down, it's tight).  It's really not a concern, I tighten it and forget it.  Note that the same cannot be said of the BR lug - that frequently came loose during use (before I switched to the AS plates and Kirk clamp w/ Loctite on the lug). 

2) The 1" clamp provides all the 'holding capacity' needed, even for a 1D X + 600mm f/4L IS II.  The only reason not to use the 1.75" clamp (or the new RRS 1.5" clamp with the flat bottom) is that the 1" clamp is less bulky.

I agree 100%. I have a 5D3 with a Kirk plate and the Kirk 1" screw clamp and have never had an issue. On another note, my old 40D has a RRS L-bracket combined with the RRS lever clamp on a Markins M10 on Gitzo 2531EX legs, so I come from a place of comparing the Kirk setup to RRS and I can say I have been very impressed with the strength of the Kirk system. Highly recommended.

The BR FastenR hold tight to the underside of the Kirk plate provided the rubber gasket is between them.

30

Lighting / Re: YN-622 Reviews?

« on: February 11, 2013, 04:27:12 PM »

Where exactly are you in Canada? I saw ads on Kijiji this weekend in Toronto for the 568EX's for $180 with local pickup.

I have bought all my Yongnuo stuff from Yongnuo's offical eBay store - never an issue. Years ago I even sent something back for warranty replacement the only is is timing for returns. If you need two buy three, etc...

http://stores.ebay.ca/hkyongnuophotoequipment