Messages

31

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Future of APS-C

« on: October 09, 2012, 03:39:00 AM »

With the canon 6d / nikon d600 being in the $2,000 ballpark, can we expect the entire aps-c size sensors to slowly disappear as the whole idea was to make a DSLR cost effective ?

32

Canon General / Re: How many of us are making money out of photography ?

« on: September 20, 2012, 04:08:34 PM »

Great Topic

As others have already mentioned - in today's reality - with all the PP software and low cost equipment - almost anybody can produce decent images. Most people are very happy with their own p&s results of family events and children.

The primary source of income for still seems to be either wedding photography, or if you become one of the elite chosen few who hit the top of the ladder as celebrity fashion photographers.

I unfortunately do not see myself as either of the above 2.



So, no money, but lots of personal pleasure.

33

Lenses / Re: Wide Angle for Crop and FF?

« on: September 11, 2012, 08:42:28 AM »

Samyang 14mm MF lens. At this FL the MF is not a problem.

The sharpness and IQ resembles zeiss.

Better on crop but FF compatible as well.

34

Lenses / Re: How to complete my lens lineup? Help!

« on: September 04, 2012, 04:13:16 AM »

I understand from your post - that your basic next step is to upgrade the canon 50mm 1.8 by adding additional fast primes, for people pictures.

You seem to have a nice collection of glass - in quality zooms.

The 85mm L is a slow focusing lens, probably not best for shooting kids, who tend to move around and require a more casual style of shooting.

I would recommend the 35L and 50mm 1.4 - both very useful on a crop for portraits and kids shots. I have them both used on a rebel. The 85mm 1.8 is somewhat tight but also an option. On a FF is more usable.

35

Landscape / Re: Sunrise

« on: September 02, 2012, 06:02:47 AM »

Sunset

36

Lenses / Re: All street photographers share your gear here!

« on: August 28, 2012, 03:54:53 AM »

Canon t2i + Voigtlander 20mm
Small, light, stealth.

If I want tighter shots exchange the Voigt for canon 35mm f/2.

37

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Upgrade from 40D or upgrading lenses

« on: August 27, 2012, 05:14:31 AM »

The primary advantage of the 7d is the superior AF. Maybe better for the birds.... but not relevant for the macro + landscapes.

40d is a nice body - I'm not sure the 7d is a "leap" as far as IQ.

FF might be a leap.

I'd start upgrading the glass, as you have mostly consumer zooms.

Suggestions on the wide:

1) Canon 10-22

2) Samyang 14mm MF lens - SUPERB - your whole landscape photography will change. For so wide the MF is not a problem.

3) For the macro - you have the Tammy 90 - which is nice.

4) For the birds - maybe consider canon 135mm L OR Canon 70-200 f/4 IS.

38

EOS Bodies / Re: I love Primes.

« on: August 27, 2012, 04:19:04 AM »

When I shoot for pleasure at my own pace, have the time and quite, and want quality, its always primes. I'll choose a wide, or long, or normal as my "theme" for that shoot, go out, and use my imagination.

When I go to a birthday party and need to grab shots, I'll use a zoom for flexibility. If I'm going on a family trip and never know what I'll need, I'll take along a zoom as well.

For portraits - its always a prime, as the zooms, are not bright enough for natural light, and I do not own a studio.

39

Lenses / Re: Another I need advise on a lens thread......

« on: August 12, 2012, 05:11:14 PM »

Gino: you have a mighty collection indeed. Like previous posts suggested, the 16-35 will give you superb UW you are missing somewhat.

UW is fun, and if money is not an objective, check out the 14mm L .

40

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon 5dc, better than T1i?

« on: August 12, 2012, 05:07:46 PM »

I think your post expresses once again the real truth - that good photos are a first and foremost a function of the skill and imagination of the photographer. Sure it helps to have expensive equipment as well, but its mostly skill and talent you develop slowly over years.

I've seen awesome shots made with cheap cameras (I mean really cheap ! ) and plenty of boring stuff produced with state of the art.

If you view photography as a form of art and personal expression, it will put the importance of the tools into perspective.

41

Canon General / Re: Suggestions needed from the community

« on: August 08, 2012, 04:25:54 AM »

Hi,

I poked around your flicker for a few minutes. Lots of outdoor work - both wide and long.

I would suggest:

1) Sell the 28-135 your well covered by the other lenses and this lens is not wide on your crop.

2) Purchase Canon 10-22. This will give you wide/UW you are lacking.

For the "next step" I would suggest:

1) Purchase canon t2i - its cheap now and has the same sensor as the 7d.

2) Exchange your 70-300 for Canon 70-300 IS L.

42

EOS Bodies / Re: Understanding AF on the new 650d

« on: August 05, 2012, 03:36:28 PM »

Yes, the 650D is a decent step up from the 500D/550D/600D in terms of AF for stills.  The previous recent xxxD bodies have 9 points, only the center is a cross-type, and it's a single 'hybrid' cross, with one f/5.6 line and one f/2.8 line in a '+' shape, while the outer points are f/5.6 lines.  The 650D inherits the 60D's phase AF - still 9 points, but the center point is a dual cross, an f/5.6 '+' with an f/2.8 'x' superimposed, and the outer points are all f/5.6 crosses.  The f/2.8 lines are more accurate, because they have a wider baseline.

However, I should point out that the better AF itself may not solve the problem for your f/1.4 primes, for two reasons.    First, the xxxD bodies don't offer AF microadjustment (neither does the 60D, although the 50D does, else it's 7D and up). AFMA is especially important for fast primes, where the DoF is thin. Without AFMA, the only option for a front- or backfocusing lens is to send lens(es), and possibly body, to Canon.  Second, even with a perfectly calibrated lens, shooting a fast lens wide open using focus-recompose basically guarantees you a backfocused shot, due to geometry. So, if a new 650D plays nice with your lenses (or you're willing to send to Canon), and if you use those outer cross-type points to AF, instead of focus-recompose from the center, then you should see sharp focus (as sharp as possible, at any rate - do keep in mind that lenses aren't at their sharpest wide open).

Hope that helps...

Thanks for elaborating Neuro !

Yes that was I was asking, basically if the 650d inherits the 60d's AF system.

I understand the problem with MF adjustments.



 

43

EOS Bodies / Understanding AF on the new 650d

« on: August 05, 2012, 06:08:29 AM »

Hi,

I currently have the 550d rebel. I'm happy with it, and the IQ is very nice for the price.
My only gripe is the auto focus. I use the center point only and re-compose.
However, even this method, seems to be both somewhat slow, and not tack on accurate. I find my fast primes (50 1.4, 35 1.4) lacking in AF accuracy and speed.

My question is: Would the 650d give me any advantage here, as far as AF accuracy and speed, using its center point only ? I understand that even on the 550d the center point is extra sensitive ? On the other hand, I seem to see on some websites an explanation showing the center point of the 650d even better (like the 60d) ??

Can one of our tech oriented seasoned members clarify this for me?

Is there ANY real advantage for stills - moving from 550d to 650d (another question) ?

44

Lenses / Re: Zeiss 2/25 or 2/35 for everyday use in APS-C?

« on: July 26, 2012, 08:55:04 AM »

I use the 50mm macro planar f/2 on my t2i. I received the lens as a gift. Its very sharp and contrasty. I find the electronic AF confirm quite useful, for all but close up maro work, where I use the LV.

This lens is unique, and can be used as a still life, macro, and portrait lens.

45

Portrait / Re: My photos look so dull

« on: July 18, 2012, 06:37:09 AM »

As other are showing:

1) Improve WB accuracy !

2) Make sure to pay attention to the direction of the light. Shooting with light source above (like your shots) can produce shady shots

3) Exposure and PP