Messages

16

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Moving to FF Canon vs Nikon - I'm Confused...

« on: January 02, 2013, 05:26:40 AM »

I have a canon 550d rebel and was considering the "jump" to FF.

The Canon 6d is in my budget. However the Nikon D800 is available (refurb) for $2,300.

I ask myself - why spend almost the same on the inferior 6d ? Why does canon seem to give less and charge more ?

17

Canon General / Re: some money left. what should I buy?

« on: December 19, 2012, 05:41:05 AM »

Very original question for this forum "I've got extra cash in my pocket - ichin' to get out - please help !".

You don't specify what kind of photography you do, however based on your gear, your obviously a pro.

In an attempt to address your actual question, your long list of gear includes only one prime the 100mm L

Why not add some primes ? 24L, 35L, 85L, 135L ?

18

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon 7D: 'I need a Must Have's List'

« on: December 18, 2012, 05:21:05 AM »

I used the 15-85 extensively on my 550d for a few weeks daily.

Very nice "do it all" lens. Great IS. For indoor shots - requires flash as its slow on the long end.

15mm wide is very nice on a crop. Lens has great vibrant colors. Nice skin color / overall IQ for people shots.

a little costly.

19

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Only 1 lens

« on: December 18, 2012, 04:26:32 AM »

The street value of your used equipment should be something like:

5d2 = 1,200

24-70 mark1 = 1,000

70-200 = no IS = 800 yes IS mark1 = 1,200

speedlight = 200 ?

Total = $3,600 on a good day.

Get a t3i + kit + save your 50mm 1.8 = $600

http://www.adorama.com/ICAT3IK.html

Savings opx $3,000

20

EOS Bodies - For Video / Do you miss APS-C?

« on: December 18, 2012, 03:26:58 AM »

I have a rebel APS-C body 550d. I added a grip. It is light, inexpensive, easy to use, and fits my needs as a hobby photographer as well.

For me and my hobby, the experience of getting the shot is the priority. I use primes, and get to use the sweet spot of the lens. I have a 35L, 50 1.4, and samyang 85 1.4 MF. The MF is a challenge to use, but fun and rewarding. For WA I use the samyang 14mm 2.8 MF (excellent lens).

I have spent much time comparing FF images with crop images online. True, for professional work, especially high end photography, you would need a FF, however you would also need, lighting, studio, props, and all the other equipment a pro works with to take advantage of the FF abilities. For what I do, the heavy/expensive FF, would not make my hobby more pleasant. I am also not sure my general street shots / home portraits would be substantially better.

So for me, the question "is it worth it" - is totally subjective, depending on my needs, and financial abilities. For me the answer right now is no.

 

21

Lenses / Re: Help me choose: EF lens for 60D

« on: December 13, 2012, 04:39:38 AM »

Consider Tamron 17-50 2.8 non VC - much cheaper/lighter then the expensive/heavy canon 17-55.

22

Video & Movie / Re: Israel with my Canon 5D Mark III

« on: December 06, 2012, 03:29:03 AM »

I live in Israel - and know the places you shot.

Being a very bright - sunny - blown out country - it is hard to get good stills.

Nice work.

23

Canon General / Re: Is it worth it...for me?

« on: December 02, 2012, 06:07:10 AM »

Heh Fonts

I'm not sure why you feel the need to spend so much $$$ so quickly - your shots are very nice with existing equipment. You seem to have good natural skill for someone shooting only a few short months.

As I see you like portraits with blurred backgrounds, maybe consider a longer lens. Id'e skip the 50mm options and go to 85mm options. Either:

1) Canon 85mm 1.8 = classic lens not expensive.

2) Samyang 85mm 1.4 MF lens - in the right hands this can produce stellar results.

24

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: T3i vs T4i for first dslr

« on: November 27, 2012, 05:46:19 AM »

I started with my first DSLR 2 years ago the t2i and I am very happy that I did not jump to an expensive body.

1) You can get stellar results with a t2i - quality that a few short years ago earlier in the "digital" camera world, where only available with very expensive equipment.

2) All the basics of photography are available on the t2i - full control over WB, TV/AV, EV, etc.

3) if you are a hobbiest - I'm not sure you need a bigger heavier more expensive body - made for fast moving pros who as part of work are forced to work under all kinds of conditions, requiring FF and very high ISO + AF.

4) I wholly agree with the other members of the forum - who advised getting your feet wet with higher end primes before investing in more expensive bodies.

25

PowerShot Cameras / Re: Im looking into getting a new camera

« on: November 18, 2012, 04:25:38 AM »

I'm sure you are lost in a sea of all the suggestions:

My 2 cents - to you as a first time DSLR user:

Get a t2i (should be cheaper then t3i) kit (18-55) + canon 50mm 1.8

Should all be well under 1,000. Stop there. As you develop a style and get experience you will build up.

26

Lenses / Re: Advice needed aps-c long prime

« on: November 13, 2012, 11:04:25 AM »

Well it seems that the 135mm L scores quite high with everyone. Especially since I have the 85 samyang.

I have a friends 18-135 and I'll see if the 135 is too looooooooooooong

27

Lenses / Advice needed aps-c long prime

« on: November 13, 2012, 08:24:04 AM »

Hi,

I am a rebel user and love indoor soft light style portraits, using window light etc.

I use a 50mm 1.4 + Samyang 85mm 1.4 MF. Both are superb.

I wanted to purchase something longer with AF (using the samyang MF requires a tripod) than can be used for candid head shoulder shots, both indoors and out no flash.

I was looking at:

canon 85mm 1.8
canon 100 2
Canon 100mm macro L IS 2.8
Canon 135mm f/2

Obviously the price range of the first 2 options is opx 1/3 then the second two.

Any of our seasoned users can give me some input ?

thanks

28

Lenses / Re: EF-S 15-85mm

« on: October 25, 2012, 05:38:25 AM »

I own the 15-85 I got it together with my rebel 550d 3 years ago.

It mostly sits in the draw... I developed an aversion to the lens as it has VERY ANNOYING lens creep, is quite heavy, is a slow 5.6, and I found not particularly sharp unless stopped down to f/8.

I walk around with 2 primes, a 20mm voigtlander for outside, and a 50mm 1.4 for people shots / something longer.

The IQ of the 15-85 is nice - and it has the WIDE 15mm side which is special for a crop.

I compared it to the 18-135 of a friend - the 15-85 is a step up, the 18-135 is very entry level.

29

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Need your Samyang/Rokinon/Bower/Walimex 35mm 1.4 experiences!

« on: October 21, 2012, 09:14:26 AM »

Hi,

I own the Samyang 85mm MF,and the 14mm MF

I use the 85mm as a portrait lens. The canon version does not have focus confirmation = you need LV.

The only real way to get a sharp shot, is to use a tripod, and have a subject who can sit still for a few seconds = not suited for most children, or in a casual setting where people are moving around.

For quick portrait shots, I would not recommend MF lens.

Having said all the above, the IQ of the 85mm is awesome, and I understand the 35mm is just as good.

30

Canon General / Re: Rockwell knocks one out of the park (no kidding)!

« on: October 17, 2012, 04:32:15 AM »

It seems like photography means different things to different people.

To some, it is an expression of serious art, like painting or sculpting.

However for many of us, it is a much more casual. We walk around and snap interesting pictures. As we get more experience we get better results.

What Rockwell and many others of this following mean by "your camera doesn't matter" translates to "you can express your imagination and creativity with any camera".

It also emulates the reality of today's camera's - where even the entry level of p&s can produce very nice results.

I was in a photo store the other day watching a woman choose photos for development on a photo kiosk. The pictures struck me as very well done. Nice, colors, light, composition, and overall IQ.

I couldn't help but ask what she shot them with.

She showed me a p&s nikon from about 3 years ago!!