Messages

946

Software & Accessories / Re: Sling Straps: Black Rapid, Sun Sniper

« on: February 01, 2012, 04:37:29 AM »

Just a little heads up on the security of any of these systems.

It's a natural instinct to tighten these up very firmly. I was stunned how easy it was to dislodge the thread on a 5D grip. The small metal insert actually broke away from the body. And I'm definitely not Mr Muscles. It was a $110 fix. Could be that these threads were never intended for the stresses that a BR or similar system will impose.

Not clear. Did the grip get damaged, or the body?

Sorry for not making this clear...it was the thread on the base of the grip.

Paul Wright

947

Software & Accessories / Re: Sling Straps: Black Rapid, Sun Sniper

« on: January 31, 2012, 07:22:02 PM »

Just a little heads up on the security of any of these systems.

I've been using this system from Spiderholster http://www.spiderholster.com/ and been very happy with it, though I may get BR as well, it looks a lot simpler. They may work well in conjunction with each other when using more than two bodies. The Spider Pro plate screws into the tripod thread on the camera body or lens collar like all the strap systems.

It's a natural instinct to tighten these up very firmly. I was stunned how easy it was to dislodge the thread on a 5D grip. The small metal insert actually broke away from the body. And I'm definitely not Mr Muscles. It was a $110 fix. Could be that these threads were never intended for the stresses that a BR or similar system will impose.

Just thought you'd like to know.

Paul Wright

948

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Flip out displays -- why the resentment?

« on: January 30, 2012, 12:43:05 AM »

You won't find it on high end cameras because it's a cheap, gimmicky consumer crutch. Real photographers don't want it.  Real photographers don't need it.  Real photographers can compose shots perfectly with their eyes closed.  If you want a lazy crutch, get a cheap point and shoot. Or stop whining and be a real photographer - take that wide Canon-branded strap off your high-end camera, tie it around your eyes, and just shoot away. 

Far from triggering any feelings any resentfulness, this thread has made me genuinely consider getting a 60D body as an occasional use spare third body precisely because it does have the articulating screen.

To suggest real photographers don't want or need an articulating screen is a little bit of a stretch. The 60D just provides us with more choice and creative options.  As a 25+ years very busy professional I think I'd probably qualify as real. Most work is done on 1-Series bodies, and a 60D certainly wouldn't cut it as a primary body in my situation, but I think we're all fortunate to have the choice of an inexpensive articulating screen body that will shoot RAW and take our good Canon glass.

In any real photographers life there will be times when an articulating screen may provide a highly viable  solution to a creative conundrum. And of course there is also the never to be underestimated fun factor.

Paul Wright

949

EOS Bodies / Re: 5d Mark iii sync speed

« on: January 25, 2012, 01:37:46 AM »

Strange the 1d4 is 1/300 - usefull for the 70-200 on a 1.3

Smaller sensor, which means a smaller shutter, and thus a shorter distance for the curtains to traverse. Thus, a faster sync speed.

One of the very nice things about the original 1D was the 500th shutter sync speed. I was a bit miffed when I got my 1D Mk2n with 300th sync. Yes, I'd be surprised if the 5D3 was anything faster than 200th sync.

Paul Wright

950

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D Mark III Sighting?

« on: January 23, 2012, 06:41:19 PM »

Oh dear god, no.  Not that stupid mode dial unlock button.  To me, that's one of the most useless additions that Canon can put on a semi-pro body.  I can see the reason for putting it on the 60D, but come on.  Anyone using a 7D or higher should have some idea of what they're doing and in all my years of photography I've never heard of anyone accidentally switching the mode dial unintentionally.  If the new 5D is in fact coming standard with the unlock button, I hope that one can "downgrade" and remove it.  Even for a fee, I'd do it.

It depends entirely how you work. My experience with 5D and 5D2 has been constant, highly irritating, professionally embarrassing bumping of the mode dial. This primarily happens when working with two or more bodies. When I know I'm working in certain conditions, I routinely  lock the mode dial with gaffer tape.

The lock is an essential and welcome upgrade.

Paul Wright

951

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 1dx is it all hype or the camera we have been waiting for?

« on: January 22, 2012, 09:33:26 PM »

When both you guys get your 1DX will you really be reaching for your 7D when shooting action?
If the AF and tracking of the 1DX works as advertised, this will be the action body of choice.
The 7D will of course have it's days when you need f/8 AF.

BTW, the 7D doesn't AF at f/8 either - only pre-1D X 1-series bodies have that capability.

Gasp! This may be the trigger for wildlife shooters to rush the remaining 1D4 bodies.

Paul Wright

952

Lenses / Re: What about a new 50/1.4 ??

« on: January 22, 2012, 09:24:56 PM »

If the perfectly respectable, compact, though long in the tooth EF 50 f/1.4 doesn't do it for you the Sigma 50 f/1.4 is class glass. It's much bigger and heavier than the EF 50mm but does have the side benefit of taking 77mm filters which is in line with plenty of other Canon L glass.

The venerable EF 50 f/1.4 still sells in large numbers, and it's been suggested on other threads in this forum that Canon would be unlikely to release a new 50 that would eat into sales of the halo EF 50 f/1.2L.

FWIW I replaced my EF 50 f/1.4 with the Sigma and though it is a perfectly fine lens, I think the only real gain has been extra weight in my bag.

Paul Wright

953

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 1dx is it all hype or the camera we have been waiting for?

« on: January 22, 2012, 07:23:29 PM »

Is it missing anything?  For me, the big missing feature is enough MP for an APS-C 'crop mode' with 12 MP or more.  Accordingly, I'll be keeping my 7D for birds/wildlife.

Neuro - I think you and I are looking for the same thing. I have a 7D for sports and wildlife and a 5DII for everything else.

When both you guys get your 1DX will you really be reaching for your 7D when shooting action?
If the AF and tracking of the 1DX works as advertised, this will be the action body of choice.
The 7D will of course have it's days when you need f/8 AF.

Paul Wright

954

Canon General / Re: Never delete images 'in camera'

« on: January 22, 2012, 07:05:33 PM »

Everyone has their own way of doing things. I can edit/sort/rank/delete files way faster back in the studio on a 30 inch monitor than making those assessments while out on a shoot. On a shoot I'm more interested in locking into the project rather than doing "on the fly" edits.

Memory cards have been so inexpensive for years now; I just take more than I figure I'll ever need, a couple of 32 Gb and a few older 16Gb cards.

My workflow moved to this "no deletes" approach  a few years ago when I did a couple of accidental deletes, regretted mistakes made while under pressure. Also, occasionally a blurry out-take may make the perfect background for one of your hero shots.

An important part of your post production workflow is to become a ruthless editor. With practice it's not hard to pull a 1000 file shoot down to the sweet top 20, depending of course on your project and client requirements, but you get my point.

Deleting in camera is totally valid and important if you are shooting news or sports for a wire service and use the opportunity for editing-down during lulls or shorts breaks. This can mean vitally quicker image delivery of your most relevant images.

Paul Wright

955

Lenses / Re: How to solve the problem of LOOSE lens hoods?

« on: January 21, 2012, 03:42:58 AM »

Something I have used for years to firm up lens back caps that get loose with wear is to apply heat/flame to the lugs inside the cap to gently expand them. I use a cheap gas cigarette lighter. It works.

Recently I bought an eBay hood for a 24-105 f/4is and it was irritatingly sloppy. I looked at how the mechanism in the hood made it's lock onto the lens, targeted that area and hit it with the heat.

Outcome? A perfectly firm hood.

Paul Wright

956

Lighting / Re: Any suggestions on cheap ebay triggers / poverty wizards?

« on: January 20, 2012, 11:21:34 PM »

After nearly dropping the Visa card on Pocket Wizards, I lucked out when a friend aimed me towards the Cybersync http://www.paulcbuff.com/cybersync.php from Paul C Buff .

Super impressed with these, and with PCB stuff generally. Went ahead and bought four Einsteins http://www.paulcbuff.com/e640.php and lots of modifiers.

Definitely check out Cybersync. You'll want the transmitter http://www.paulcbuff.com/cst.php and receiver CRSB http://www.paulcbuff.com/csr.php

Paul Wright

957

Software & Accessories / Re: Breeze Browser vs. Lightroom

« on: January 19, 2012, 11:46:52 PM »

I don't see them in any way as competitors, I rate them as highly compatible.

I use both and have done for years. BB Downloader Pro is a powerful and simple tool for the download stage of your workflow. Sorting, tagging, ranking, renaming etc is done in BB Pro. BB Pro is still the fastest loading image browser I have ever seen, easily outperforming the highly regarded Photo Mechanic.

Selected files are converted to DNG and then brought into Lightroom. In my studio BB Pro and LR are the perfect companions.

Sorting, tagging and ranking etc  in Bridge or LR is an exercise in frustration in comparison to BB Pro or Photo Mechanic.
PM is up to V 4.6.8 and users can look forward to a comprehensively improved V 5.0 some time this year.

FWIW, BB Pro is PC only.

Paul Wright

958

Canon General / Re: Patents: Canon 55-110 f/2 Optical Formula

« on: January 19, 2012, 11:34:57 PM »

im not sure if you read through the note: it is an EF-S lens... wouldnt it kill what you're thinking?

Yikes! I missed that bit.
Umm Canon, if you're listening just make this lens an EF will you please? No, make that an EF L

Thank you.

Paul Wright

959

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: George Eastman's Kodak dream is over

« on: January 19, 2012, 11:29:03 PM »

Yes, back in the day, it was almost worth Kodak giving the camera away because it drives film and paper sales.  Digital turned that upside down and they weren't able to adjust enough.

The Gillette business model doesn't work anymore.  That favoured the likes of Canon and Nikon who never played in the film/paper business.  Of course, I would like to see how Canon and Nikon deal with the fact that smartphones are eating their lunch in the compact camera business.

Yep the Gillette model was a goldmine while it was still broadly relevant. The remaining exception would be in the inkjet & laser printer market.

Paul Wright

960

Canon General / Re: Patents: Canon 55-110 f/2 Optical Formula

« on: January 19, 2012, 10:52:31 PM »

Wow, if the f/2 IQ is there, for me this neatly takes three primes out of my bag...the 50mm, the 85mm and the 100mm.

As an f/2 zoom, it will probably be big & heavy with a price tage to match. If this lens gets out of R&D and we see a release version, it should sell it's socks off.

Another Canon game changer.

Paul Wright