Messages

16

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Behind the scenes at DxO

« on: April 19, 2012, 10:06:09 AM »

I was just about to post the same link.  It's interesting to see the actual patterns that they use for the test shots.  Has anybody seen the grey splotches pattern before?

17

EOS Bodies / Re: *UPDATE* 5D Mark III Sighting?

« on: January 23, 2012, 09:24:26 PM »

Any guesses as to the price of the new 200-400?  It looks like a nature photographer's sweet spot tool.

18

EOS Bodies / Re: *UPDATE* 5D Mark III Sighting?

« on: January 23, 2012, 09:22:50 PM »

A small jumpstick on the battery grip makes sense - it will replicate functions for use in portrait mode.  I guess I need to save a few more dollars now that we have some better idea of what this is going to be like.  How come nobody has suggested that their new patented BSI full frame sensor won't make it into the new 5D?

19

Lenses / Re: So what kinda gear did Santa bring you this year?

« on: December 25, 2011, 09:03:11 PM »

A Manfrotto backpack and a new softbox.  Plus, got a 24-70L when it was on sale a while ago

20

EOS Bodies / Re: Happy Holidays!

« on: December 25, 2011, 01:40:08 PM »

Merry Christmas from Littleton, CO.  I hope your Christmas is joyful, happy and full of great pictures.

Eric

21

Software & Accessories / Re: PC or MAC

« on: December 21, 2011, 03:20:11 PM »

Zuuyi.  I'm not talking about that.  That is a concern for every system type and I NEVER suggested otherwise contrary to your insinuation.

What I am talking about, is that YOU HAVE NO IDEA IF THERE IS MALICIOUS CODE BUILT INTO YOUR OPERATING SYSTEM AND SOFTWARE when it is closed source and you and the collective community of tech experts can't look at it....

Jettatore,

Can you provide a single instance of either Microsoft or Apple building malicious code in their operating systems.  Note that a bug is not malicious code.  I am sure you are aware that both Apple and Microsoft are subject to approval by the Feds for security standards.  As part of that, their code is reviewed by others.  Also, if there were malicious software as you put it, the legal field would be lunching on that forever.  Offer some proof to this slanderous statement you made.

22

Software & Accessories / Re: PC or MAC

« on: December 21, 2011, 03:16:02 PM »

Long time viewer, short time member, first time topic poster.
I'm about to start a new job that will require me to travel & fly a fair bit. I am wanting to purchase a laptop to process my images on the run. I was wondering what would be your recommendations?
To date I really only post to the web. However I would like a screen that gives as true a colour representation as is possible in a laptop. (Can they be calibrated?). I would like to keep the cost under 1.5K, run PS and or LR. Hard drive space is not a major issue as removable drives are cheap enough these days. Do any of you process solely on a laptop or do you keep your image processing completely too your desktop?

You will want to find a laptop with an IPS display rather than the cheaper TFT type of LCD.  This will give you a wider and more accurate color gamut.  Plan on doing regular calibration with a Spyder or XRite device.

Rather than get into the religious war of Mac vs. PC vs. Open Source, focus on RAM, the IPS display and USB 3.0 connectivity if you can find all 3.  I would also recommend a 3-2-1 storage approach - 3 copies of your picture, 2 on hard disks and 1 in the cloud - here you have a lot of choices.  All hard disks can and eventually will fail.  So, having multiple copies of hd backed up images will reduce the risk of loss. I work with very large, enterprise databases and we use redundancy to reduce the impact of disk loss.  At home, I have a 4 drive OWC Raid 10 array as my primary storage for pictures and 3 additional copies.  One person here mentioned fire damage and that should be taken into account.  If you can keep a copy that is updated on a regular basis off premesis, then you further reduce that risk.  Bear in mind there is no 100% safe solution, but you can make the risk very low for a reasonable cost.

Best of luck to you and let us know what you decide on.

23

Software & Accessories / Re: PC or MAC

« on: December 21, 2011, 03:04:42 PM »

I used PCs for years and switched over at my then girlfriend (present wife's) urging. She had a 17" PowerBook for over 5 years. Any laptop that can stay usable over that length of time shows that it's a well built machine.

We now own a 2008 Macbook Pro (what this is being typed on), and 2009 Macbook, and a 2011 27" iMac quad i7.

I push for Apple for 2 reasons:

I need to use Windows-only software for geology modeling from time to time, and the stability of OS X vs Windows is night and day. That's both on a burly 5-gig dual core Dell running XP SP3 (which many consider to be the most stable Windows OS), and my Macbook Pro in bootcamp. Crashes? Weekly. Quirks? Constant.

The second, most recent reason I choose Apple is their customer service. Just last week I had the NVIDIA graphics card in my Macbook Pro die. This computer is just about 4 years old, but Apple replaced the logic board containing the card ($650 price tag) for free in a day. I don't have AppleCare or anything, but the card was a known issue.

I'm sure that exact same card is in millions of PCs doing the exact same thing. If a 4 year old Dell or HP or Samsung showed up dead do you think they'd replace the graphics card for free even if they knew it was a problem? I'd be surprised.

Basically, you can find identical components from PC to Mac. The choice is whether you can stand Windows OS (I'll never be able to go back!) and the build quality. Once you get into the higher-end PCs, the price difference can be negligible. The only real difference is in the really cheap ones.

24

Lenses / Re: New Lens on December 6, 2011? [CR1]

« on: December 02, 2011, 05:17:09 PM »

ecka,

If it is the fast efs lens, I'll buy you the first round.  We just need to find a bar close by one of us!

25

Lenses / Re: I wish I'd never sold my.....?

« on: November 30, 2011, 03:57:21 PM »

Sadly, for me it would be my 68 Chevelle SS 396.....sigh

26

Lenses / Re: Is the cost for canons teleconverters too high?

« on: November 30, 2011, 03:54:48 PM »

Be careful about the comparisions to housing.  If the market decides that your neighborhood is overvalued, you are going to have an interesting time refinancing if you are underwater or near to that. 

We live in the golden age as far as cameras go.  If you think the Canon gear is overpriced, you can always get a very, very good 3rd party product.  Compare what IQ you get from Sigma for example to what we had 15 or 20 years ago.  Plus the sensor technology gets better and better as well as the software to post process the images. 

If Canon is not moving enough of the 2x TC's they will be forced to lower the price or cut back on production.  Most Japanese companies opt for the lower price to keep cash flow going which finances the R&D, production costs, their own salaries, etc.  Much like the rush for electronics when they first come out and people pay a premium where the later apdopters get it cheaper - except for Apple products.

I would recommend that you look at renting a TC for a few days or a week to see if it's worth the cost.  Also, is it needed for business or just to add to your collection and give you new capabilities - as is my situation. 

27

Software & Accessories / Re: NIK Software

« on: November 30, 2011, 03:44:23 PM »

I'm pretty sure you will get a 15 or 20 percent discount anytime by attending one of their online seminars or checking Ron Martinson's site.  Their software is excellent, uses a pretty consistent interface and methods for the control points and saves me a ton of time.  I'm really happy with the capability and stability of their various modules.  The online seminars have some excellent examples of how to use their tools.  Highly recommended.  I think I took about 15 of them when I was rehabbing a knee.

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Software & Accessories / Re: Need a Good Card Reader

« on: November 30, 2011, 03:40:53 PM »

I'll second others recommendation of the Lexar USB 3.0 card reader.  Rock solid, closed small and the usb cord can be removed for easy packing and travel if you take it with you.  I've had zero problems with mine and it replaced the previous USB 2.0 model which sprouted legs and walked away about the same time my son left for school.....

29

Lenses / Re: Is the cost for canons teleconverters too high?

« on: November 29, 2011, 06:42:24 PM »

I don't think they're too expensive.  For example, they have approximately the same number of elements as similarly priced prime lenses (85/1.8, 100/2), and while they don't need AF motors or iris diaphragms, they are constructed to L-series lens standards, including metal barrels and weather-sealing.

The cost of the glass must be a significant portion of the cost using your model.  I'm not arguing, just working through the logic.  Which brings to mind the thought that the teleconverter is dirt cheap based on components, construction and glass compared to the cost of filters now adays.

30

Lenses / Re: New Lens on December 6, 2011? [CR1]

« on: November 29, 2011, 06:38:59 PM »

I just ordered one and it should arrive on Wednesday.  I wonder if I should leave it in the box and see if anything is announced on Dec. 6th - just in case I need to return it. 

Ah, the question:  do I use it or sit on it.  I'm guessing that you, like I did, ordered one from B&H when it was $200 off.  You can bet that the new one, if that is it, will be more expensive.  So, use what you bought and be happy or spend to upgrade a lens you didn't even use.  I guess this beats the old days when there weren't these significant updates in short order - yes I know the design on the 24-70 is old - but honestly, we live in the golden age of photography.

Personally, mine arrives Friday.  I'll double check it's physical condition of the box and wait a few days until the 6th when this announcement may or may not happen, then make the call.    Grrr.