Messages

16

Technical Support / Request for advice: Nightsky Picture Stacking and PS techniques

« on: April 22, 2013, 03:55:53 AM »

Hi,

I do some nightphotography on my 5D3. It is still amateurish because one always can improve.
After having seen this tutoring video

Curves and Levels - Easy 123 - Photoshop Astrophotography Tutorial	Small | Large

I am keen to do this myself. It is about curves and levels in Photoshop to enhance the data. My version is CS 2.

But there arise a few questions:

I downloaded deep sky stacker. stacked seven colour pictures: copies of the same photograph to give it a try.

This guy in the video starts with a greyscaled stacked picture. Others I've seen worked at RGB mode.
How is he getting a greyscale type of stacked photographs as mine turned out to be colour? It never looked like his in the beginning. Here's my slightly enhanced original picture

Z96A3724bMASTER by Peter Hauri, on Flickr
I guess it kinda deals with RGB channels. But I have no clue how to do it, even my curves and levels don't react the same way as his.

Is it a presetting in PS which he applied without mentioning it?
How can I do it in CS 2?

Thanks for any technical help.

Just another question: at what ISOs are you taking nightsky photographs for stacking purposes?

I currently take them applying 600 rule at ISO 6400 to 12800, f/8 with a 16-35 USM II lens.

Cheers and thanks in advance, Peter

17

Lenses / Re: Just got the canon 16-35 ii and having a hard time seeing the value in this uwa

« on: April 20, 2013, 05:34:32 PM »

I purchased my 16-35 II in March this year. Used. CHF 998 instead of CHF 1400 online or 1998 retail. The lens is in excellent shape. As I had a 10-22 on my 30D I wanted to get back to a classic WA on the 5D3! It is almost my walkaround lens. Again!  Here's some first samples

Z96A3724bMASTER by Peter Hauri, on Flickr


Z96A3597bALTTLKLEINDefMASTER by Peter Hauri, on Flickr


Z96A3584b KELIN ALT2TLDEF by Peter Hauri, on Flickr
note: the photograph is upside down, the lake was used as kinda natural polifilter ;-)

18

EOS Bodies / Re: 21mp Sensor in the 7D Mark II? [CR1]

« on: April 19, 2013, 10:03:08 AM »

If we put the pieces of information we have together, then it seems like it is better to wait for the 70D / 7DII, than having it now. Why? It really looks like Canon is planing a bigger step in the sensor design, but it seems they are behind schedule. So especially for the 70D there seem to be two posibilities, the old 18MP or a new 21-24MP sensor. The longer we have to wait, the higher seems the posibility that we get the new sensor (depending on the problems Canon has with the new sensor).

I still have hopes that Canon will introduce the 70D with the new sensor, even though we heard different rumors recently. Why would Canon introduce a new senor in a lower end camera (100D, SL1), and not bring the 70D alongside the 700D, and then bring the SL1 some weeks later. And why didn't they bring the 70D already, since it is overdue after 2 1/2 years, when Canon has all the stuff they need (including sensor) ready. It looks to me (and I hope so), that they are delaying the 70D so they can introduce it with the new sensor.

Breaking news of a new and improved Canon sensor-design approach will be the best news to me! As I am a slow upgrader (30D to 5D3: 5 years) there will be quite some development in the meantime till I possibly buy another (5D) body in about 5 years from now. Looking forward to these news...!

19

EOS Bodies / Re: 21mp Sensor in the 7D Mark II? [CR1]

« on: April 19, 2013, 07:33:46 AM »

I wonder if it will be a new process with modern levels of low ISO DR or not.
If not, then I'd be fearing for even the 5D4 to get such a sensor.

Well, if you passed the 5D3 and stayed with the MKII I can relate to that. I went FF from a 30D. So the 5DIII to me is an awesome step up. I am courious what a 5DIV may hold sensorwise and for ultra high ISO 51k and beyond.
I will wait out a 5DV...just because the 5DIII is plenty of camera for me. Only reason to buy a new one will be improved ultra high ISO IQ...So I just wonder what my 25k ISO will look like by 2017 

20

EOS Bodies / 70 megapixel full frame sensor

« on: April 09, 2013, 05:36:11 PM »

Hope it hasn't been posted before...found it on the web.
http://www.eoshd.com/comments/topic/2484-70-megapixel-full-frame-sensor/

21

EOS Bodies / Re: Will the 70d have a new sensor?

« on: April 03, 2013, 07:12:47 AM »

I'm still wondering what sensor will be in the 70D, and when it will come out. It is 2 1/2 years since the 60D came out, so the time would be okay. But who knows how Canons product-pipeline really looks like.
For the sensor, they are squeezing the last bit out of their 18MP APS-C sensor. It stayed basically the same since it came out in the 7D; this could mean that Canon needed its sensor development recources in other areas (a completly new APS-C sensor in 180nm technology). But the old sensor was "newly designed" for the SL1 with a new AF-System on it; this sensor is rumored to be used in the 70D, what would be a big dissapointment (except the sensor was improved in other ways, which I doubt).
To me it makes absolutly no sense to use this sensor in the new 70D; the IQ is just not up to date (look at the D5200 and D7100), why should Canon debut the redesigned sensor in the entry level SL1, and not the advanced amateur 70D? Why does it take them so long to introduce the 70D, when they use an "old" sensor?. As I said, it does not make sense to use the classic 18MP sensor in the 70D, but who knows what Canon is doing, and if they have some kind of problems with their new sensor, or if they are just taking their time to do it right.
I hope we will find out soon, otherwise I will got for the 7D L....
[/quote

Canon's sensor technology is old, Canon has refined its technology over the years , increased resolution and maintained signal / noise ratio by increasing the permeability of their color filters and improved micro lenses.
Now there's not much more for Canon to refine, they  need a new technique / sensor  where they abandon long analog signal paths ways to ADC.

Text by Pedro
As far as the last rumors mentioned, according to this the 70D might have a new sensor...
http://www.canonrumors.com/page/2/
http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=13686.0

22

EOS Bodies / Re: Question regarding ISO 50 on 5D III

« on: April 02, 2013, 03:59:32 PM »

Just took some ISO 50, F/22 photographs last week. A very useful mode, that allows more than 1 sec of exposure at 5.30 p.m. in spring.


Z96A3597bALTTLKLEINDefMASTER by Peter Hauri, on Flickr

23

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D Mk III Firmware, any news?

« on: April 02, 2013, 03:41:18 PM »

Never need to upgrade.

Until the next one comes along

  yes, and that one hopefully will do ISO 51200 kinda like ISO 12.800 or16.000 on my current 5D3!
No, seriously, no need to upgrade till the overnext new 5D body. Hope my insane high ISO dream comes true.
But having read these threads about sensor tech by the experts here in the forum, I know it takes a while to get there...maybe the wait will be forever. Cheers, Pedro

24

EOS Bodies / Re: $2,800.00 budget

« on: April 01, 2013, 03:44:51 PM »

or go 7D L...LOL

25

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 7D L Announced, Shipping in May

« on: April 01, 2013, 03:39:40 PM »

You really got me!    Now I  I thought: Are they crazy? Digic IV?  Congrats for this one.

26

Lenses / Re: New Canon L-lens: EF 16-600mm f2,8 L USM

« on: April 01, 2013, 06:42:52 AM »

That's a good first of April L-for-LOL-Lens 

27

Lenses / Re: Want to expand my gear?

« on: March 30, 2013, 03:57:00 AM »

Take family portraits, vacation photos and eventially school functions.

16-35 2.8 for landscape

Considering what i have. I am staring to get into wildlife.

16-35 sure is a good and a versatile choice for landscape. Just bought the 16-35 F/2.8 L USM II used, excellent shape, at CHF 998.00 (at my retail shop) instead of CHF 1998.00 list price. So try to get your hands on one 
I am not into wildlife, but I'd suggest an even longer lens at FF. 100-400 plus converters? Or if money is not an issue, one of the primes? 400, 500 or 600? You might also check out Rokinon:

http://www.rokinon.com/product.php?id=20
http://www.rokinon.com/category.php?catId=2

also available via amazon.com

28

Reviews / Re: My full street photography kit and why my 5dmk3 is perfect for street shooting.

« on: March 29, 2013, 07:21:43 AM »

Intresting thread here. I don't know if it was this site who featured Markus Hartel. He does a lot of SP either using a 5D series body and an 28 prime lens attached to it. He also did a project on The Americans 2010. Revisiting Robert Frank's track. In this project he did a lot by using a Leica range finder, the same way Frank worked back in the 50s.

http://www.markushartel.com/blog/
If you scroll this first one quite down a bit you'll find the "learn from Markus" section, which is very helpful and inspiring: http://www.markushartel.com/blog/category/learn-from-markus

http://www.markushartel.com/

http://www.hydeparkphotography.net/interview-with-markus-hartel/

29

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 7D Mark II Test Camera [CR1]

« on: March 28, 2013, 08:14:24 AM »

Well, I wonder how ISO 51k RAW will look like in APS-C. Or even at 102k. If sometimes my 5D3 gets to its limits @ 25k and 51k. Might a thouroughly new sensor tech make that possible...? With these specs a next update of a 5D could see native ISOs 100-51200 (L 50, H1 102400, 204800) and an 1Dx (H1 204800, H2 409600) !!!

But, let's keep in mind what NL also added:
"Not from a well known source, so I'm still looking for confirmation of different aspects."

30

Lenses / Re: How Much do you use your Canon EF 16-35mm L ??

« on: March 27, 2013, 07:27:32 PM »

my new 16-35 in the real world tonight. the photograph was turned upside down as the reflection on the water was far more exciting....Cheers, Pedro.


Z96A3584b KELIN ALT2TLDEF by Peter Hauri, on Flickr