Messages

1

EOS Bodies / Re: A Big Megapixel Discussion

« on: June 17, 2013, 11:32:14 PM »

After attending a Pele Leung presentation last night, it is very interesting to see how some professionals have countered the limitations of a 16mp sensor through stitching techniques.  Many of his images end up being more than 100mp in size with exceptional detail and sharpness.  Bit of an eye opener to see what's possible, but just makes me want a high MP camera!

2

Software & Accessories / Re: What are the Hardware Specs for the machine you run Photoshop on?

« on: June 12, 2013, 12:18:38 AM »

We're running photoshop on four computers:-

Intel i5 / 4gb ram / Win 8
Intel i5 / 4gb ram / Win 7
AMD x4 945 / 4gb ram / Win 7
AMD 3800 / 4gb ram / Vista (Still using Vista to retain compatability with a film scanner)

We don't do any video work (or stitching of 40+ frames!).  Instead, we use photoshop almost exclusively for poster / brochure / document design and negative scanning.  The AMD 3800 is the oldest and slowest computer.  Its about 6 years old and even when new, it was a lower end computer.  But it works fine for our limited, low processing power needs.

3

Software & Accessories / Re: Is there a better bang for the buck wired shutter release than...

« on: June 08, 2013, 12:58:32 AM »

I splurged on mine and went with the $35 JJC timer from Gadget Infinity.  This one allows you to use different cables, so it is compatible with virtually all cameras.  I see the $12 one you're looking at does this too.

Yongnuo also get a lot of positive reviews.  (Just note that their TC80N3 is actually for Nikon Cameras.  Who'd have thunk? So if you wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, significant other is buying it for you as a gift you need to be really specific with the model number....)

4

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Update or add a second body...what to do?

« on: June 07, 2013, 04:54:40 AM »

I'm liking my X-E1, too.  But for the same money, you could pick up a faster and more feature packed Canon DSLR.  If you're into camping (and I assume wildlife photography?), a weather sealed 7D2 would be a smart choice.  It must be coming some time soon.

5

Reviews / Re: Horrible experience with Adorama camera

« on: June 06, 2013, 05:22:01 AM »

Sorry for going OT, but holy crap!
Is it that complicated to wire money in the US? Here in Germany the banks are legally required to wire the money within no less than 1 working day. And if you wire money within the bank from one account to another one it's usually there within minutes. Sometimes even if you wire money across banks. (Seen this happening when I wire some money to my dad or he wires money to me)
No wonder you guys pay everything with plastic.

Getting of topic too, but I don't quite get it either.  And I'm curious about banking systems.  Are you people saying that you have to physically go to a bank if you want to transfer money to someone?  And then your bank has to add a lot of details about the sender.  And if the recipient bank doesn't like the details entered, they refuse it?  Seriously?  If so, I'm less worried about Adorama not returning phone calls instantly than I am about the antiquated banking system.  No wonder problems like this arise and everyone gets frustrated. 

6

Lenses / Re: Leaf Shutter Lenses For Canon Dslr

« on: June 05, 2013, 10:41:40 PM »

Canon should just work on their focal plane shutters to achieve a 1/500 sync speed on their higher specc'd bodies.  Along with high speed sync, there wouldn't be much reason for a leaf shutter.

7

Reviews / Re: what utter crap this is.... samyang 24mm TS

« on: June 04, 2013, 09:15:16 AM »

And I've heard it doesn't even autofocus!

8

United Kingdom & Ireland / Re: Advice for photographic venues near Whitby, UK

« on: June 04, 2013, 06:05:22 AM »

Went for a quick drive through while staying in York a few years ago.  The Abbey is very photogenic and has a good view of the harbour and town.  The beach to the North isn't too bad.  We passed the "Hole of Horcum" on the way through - which was interesting, but tough to photograph well.  There were some good walks around the North Moors National Park.

York isn't that far away.  If you get a chance, its definitely worth a vist.

Some Whitby photos...

9

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Microphones

« on: May 28, 2013, 09:17:57 AM »

Thanks paul13walnut5.  Appreciate the tips.  I'm just helping a mate rehearse a couple of short speeches and we've hit on the idea of recording them and putting them on his website.  Its my first time trying to make a "decent" video and I'm keen to do it at least semi-competently.

I can't see making video ever being a major thing for me.  Far too much to worry about and too much creativity involved.  Therefore, I wasn't planning on spending more than necessary.

But you've piqued my curiosity.  If I did have a budget of a few hundred dollars, would there be anything you'd suggest?  My subject will be stationery, so there's no need for wireless capabilities.  Also, there's no need for the microphone to be hidden - a lavalier microphone would be fine.

10

EOS Bodies - For Video / Microphones

« on: May 28, 2013, 04:59:12 AM »

Hi, my video knowledge is...ummm...very limited.

I'm going to make some videos.  They will be of someone talking.  They will be made indoors with no other distracting sounds that need to be blocked out.

I know sound quality is very subjective, but I want "good" sound quality.  Doesn't have to be "super awesome".  We're not talking Hollywood.  I just want it good enough, so that it captures the spoken word sufficiently well that nobody gives it a second thought. 

But I don't want to spend a lot of money.

Am I wasting my time looking at $30 microphones on eBay - eg an "SG-108"?

If so, what is the lowest cost microphone that you'd consider reasonable?

On some older topics, I've seen "Zoom" recorders being highly praised.  Should I just go with a "H1" and place this near my subject?  (I understand that I'd then have to synch the sound with the video, but that doesn't worry me.  I've used Microsoft Movie Maker to do similar things in the past with music so I assume this would be similar?)

Anyway, if someone has some advice, I'd love to hear it before I start a microphone buying spree trying to find one that's right.

11

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Making your expensive gear look like crap while traveling

« on: May 27, 2013, 04:20:25 AM »

Buy some cheap metal hoods off ebay.  Bash, ding, scrape, sandpaper them until they look like crap.  Install on camera.  Job done with no cameras being harmed.

12

EOS Bodies / Re: New AF Technology Coming in July? [CR1]

« on: May 26, 2013, 03:26:38 AM »

Deep Space Light
Dark Matter Illumination
Dark Night Luminosity

Whatever name they use, it is just more convergence between traditional AF points and on-sensor points.  The benefits will be most noticeable during low light, as the camera will be able to amplify the signal from the sensor to achieve accurate autofocus, but you won't need to be in live view mode. 

Canon's decison to go with pellicle mirrors going forward, is going to allow for a lot of cool things like this.  But, then, if you think a small thing like that is cool, wait until you see the 7Dii's hybrid viewfinder.

13

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Am I crazy to sell my Canon gear?

« on: May 21, 2013, 02:11:22 AM »

Tell me...what lens do I use on my APS-C body to get the DoF of an f/1.2 lens on FF?  I don't have ready access to the late Stanley Kubrick's Zeiss f/0.7 lenses...

Out of the 100+ lenses in the Canon arsenal, aren't there only 2 with an f/1.2 aperture?  This suggests that its a pretty rare specification and, unfortunately, those who need it don't have a lot of options for systems to use.  The same could be said for people that need class leading autofocus capabilities.  Or thse that need the best 500mm lenses. Or people that need confidence that their camera will still keep working in the dust or rain.  The more specialised your requirements, the less choice you have.

But what if you don't need f/1.2, but just want a narrow DOF with nice bokeh?  You have many options.  (And don't forget you could always use your f/1.2 lens on a crop body.)  Sony, Zeiss, Fuji, Sigma etc produce a number of very nice f/1.4 lenses.   

Re your question - The SLR Magic Hyperprime LM CINE 50mm T/0.95 must come close.

14

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Am I crazy to sell my Canon gear?

« on: May 20, 2013, 10:50:51 PM »

I've assumeed a 5Dc is the original 5D, which is occassionally referred to as the 5D "classic" (hence 5Dc). 

Re DOF, you can still get really nice DOF effects with a crop sensor with appropriate lenses.  Ok, backgrounds might not be as blurred as medium format or even FF, but still quite nice.  In addition, most recent crop sensor lenses are reasonably sharp wide open, whereas many FF lenses require stopping down a bit to reach a high level of sharpness.  Reducing your aperture by one stop offsets much of the DOF benefits. 

I've reassessed my whole FF vs crop sensor view in recent months.  At lower ISOs, some of the better crop sensors are comparable with FF sensors.  And with some high quality lenses being released by Sony, Zeiss, Fuji and others, the IQ differences between a FF camera and a crop sensored camera are rapidly diminishing. Unless very high ISOs are your thing, the only real benefit of a FF sensor is that it generally comes packaged in a much more capable, durable, faster camera body.  You're essentially paying for the features, not necessarily significantly improved image quality over other brand's crop sensored cameras.

15

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Am I crazy to sell my Canon gear?

« on: May 20, 2013, 10:12:22 AM »

...and buying a smaller set up that is unobtrusive...

Anyways, am I crazy for going this route?

If that's a primary objective, I can't knock your thinking.  Plus, I think you'd gain a few extra capabilities and IQ benefits over the 5Dc.  But there are a lot of downsides with going mirrorless and I'd suggest taking baby steps.  Did you know there are some really good EF to NEX adapters that might allow you to retain aperture control and (admittedly very slow) AF when using your lenses on the Sony? Why not just pick up the NEX C3 and one lens and keep your Canon gear for the time being?  Best of both worlds.