Messages

16

Lenses / Re: New Tilt-Shift Lenses in 2013 [CR2]

« on: April 09, 2013, 09:38:32 PM »

OK, my hope for a fifth lens would be a 20-40 varifocal f4. Not a zoom but something that would keep me from swapping back and forth while on location. Yeah, I know I'm lazy.

17

Software & Accessories / Re: Ballhead for a RRS TVC33

« on: April 08, 2013, 09:45:17 AM »

While the BH-55 is a superb head I chose the Arca Swiss P-0. I like the inverted ballhead type that basically makes it a panning ballhead out of the box. I shoot portraits and architecture and my longest lens is the 70-200 which it handles with ease.
I do not have any experience with the AS Cube but IMO it is really optimized for architectural and technical/macro use while the other ballheads are aimed at much faster operation. The Cube can be used fairly quickly but one is paying a lot for the precision it affords. I get all I need for architecture with my P-0.

18

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: What does Vincent Laforet Think is a Game Changer?

« on: April 05, 2013, 01:31:36 AM »

While I am interested in this "game changer" of which he speaks I feel his role these days is that of a Canon sales person. Sales people often toss around the phrase "game changer" when trying to hype a new widget.
I truly cannot think of anything particularly radical that would merit the phrase but then again I am not particularly visionary.

19

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Heading to Scottsdale, AZ..anyone with suggestions for landscape photography?

« on: March 30, 2013, 01:04:11 PM »

Lake Saguaro in the Tonto National Forest.
Dramatic red cliffs along the water's edge. Lots of birds. Plus you can take a tour of the lake on a boat that moves slowly enough for amazing photo views.
There is a restaurant that serves decent food at the marina with spectacular views of the lake.

You can spend all day there and not run out of "oh my" photo opps. You can also explore Apache Trail for more wonderful landscape in Tonto Forest.

For old west charm with a number of Anasazi sites along the way visit Jerome, an old copper mining town.
You can visit Montezuma's castle and Montezuma's well on the way up.
Sedona does have its charm and undeniable beauty of the rocks but I really hate the way they have let cheap nasty development sprawl all over the place.

20

Lenses / Re: What is your favorite lens and why?

« on: March 28, 2013, 12:14:32 PM »

I have to say the lowly 24-105 is my favorite.
I do have the 70-200 2.8L IS, 85 1.8, Sigma 50 1.4, 17 TS-E, and 100 macro.
I like it because it allows me to stand in the right spot for the perspective I want and zoom for the FL I need. All my other lenses exceed it raw IQ but I cannot carry a bagful of lenses (or worse yet, three cameras) and switch while my subject wanders off.
Second place is my 100 macro. Perfect portrait FL and razor sharp.

21

EOS Bodies / Re: Big Megapixel Development Announcement in the Fall? [CR2]

« on: March 24, 2013, 07:15:12 PM »

WOW, Canon still at least 2 years shy of the Nikon D800 sensor ... 
Confirms what I thought all along.

Geriatric ward really missed the boat big time.

The pendulum swings back and forth in technology. I doubt that Canon will be in the backseat forever.
More importantly, are we losing money from the lack of MP or is this just a hobbyist's lament?

22

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Studio shoot, 5D MarkII or MarkIII

« on: March 24, 2013, 02:01:45 AM »

I have both and the difference is studio shooting is invisible. The greatest difference is in the subjective feel and handling.
The great advantage of the studio is being able to control conditions so the image will look its best despite the limitations of the camera.

23

EOS Bodies / Re: just got a 5Diii, and wow!!

« on: March 17, 2013, 04:00:21 PM »

I also love my 5DmkIII but I have to agree the IQ is the same as the mkII.
What makes me love using the mkIII more than the mkII are the subjective things like the more robust feel of the body, the better rear LCD, the revised controls and most of all....the silent shooting mode. I also like the electronic level; a must for my architectural shooting. Oh yeah, the AF is waaay better and raises my keeper rate on my 70-200 f2.8 tremendously.

I had the optional focusing screen for the mkII that was supposed to aid in manual focus and found it entirely useless.
Live view is THE way to go but then you really need to be on a tripod. Of course when I use my TS-E lenses that's where I am. 

24

Lenses / Re: Need to test my lens for sharpness

« on: March 16, 2013, 01:47:47 PM »

I am a pixel peeper for a very good reason. Stock sites are pixel peepers so i need to be.

They may be, but our company  sure gets a lot of stuff with a lack of critical focus. Good images, not perfectly sharp.

25

Lenses / Re: TS-E 45mm & TS-E 90mm Finally Getting Replaced? [CR1]

« on: March 16, 2013, 01:43:15 PM »

Supposedly, teleconverters are compatible with the TS-E lenses, so would a 1.4x on the 24mm give you a solution?

True, I use a 1.4TC with my 17 to get 24. There are those who say the 17 lacks the sharpness of the 24 but for me it serves very well.
I think TCs can be a very good tool but I think the total IQ purists are put off with the potential loss of IQ.

35 is my favorite FL but as an architectural photographer I almost never want anything longer than 24 and often need the 17.
I feel Canon is trying to hedge bets with a 45. Kinda normal-ish, kinda wide-ish.0

26

Lenses / Re: TS-E 45mm & TS-E 90mm Finally Getting Replaced? [CR1]

« on: March 15, 2013, 04:20:59 PM »

Why not make the 45mm ts-e faster? If you can make a 90mm ts-e f/2.8 you can make a 45mm ts-e f/2 or 1.8

The reason for the smaller aperture is the need for a design that creates the image circle necessary to adequately cover the sensor when shifted. The 90 has a natively larger image circle and thus can be a bit faster.

While it may possibly made faster there is scant practical purpose as the quality when shifted at large apertures would be poor  and the cost would be very much higher.

TS lenses are almost always used on a tripod and one can still reduce the DOF be tilting the lens to get a narrow DOF at relatively small apertures. The idea that one might use it as an all-purpose lens is a bit of a stretch as MF in dim light is a pain. Macro ability might be useful though as long as infinity focus quality is not impacted.

27

Software & Accessories / Re: Tri Pods!!!!!

« on: March 13, 2013, 01:21:23 AM »

RRS or Gitzo.

I got the Gitzo 5531 with the center column. It is enormously robust yet quite lightweight.
I saved about $400  buying used. I believe the Gitzo saves few bucks over the RRS new but at this level it comes down to what you prefer. If you have a chance to try both, do it.

I use an Arca Swiss P-0 head. Light and solid I use RRS plates on all my bodies.

28

Animal Kingdom / Re: Breakfast is Served

« on: March 11, 2013, 05:16:52 PM »

Great shot. Looks like a beautiful morning.

29

Portrait / Re: Fashion Girl picture test with Dynalite Ringflash 3200w

« on: March 11, 2013, 05:01:50 PM »

My experience between AB, Einstein, Hensel, Bowens, Norman and assorted Chinese strobes was that the color was virtually identical at medium to full power with color shifting on all (except Einstein) as the power went below about 1/4 or 1/8.
For almost all my work I need higher outputs so the color shift is not really an issue.
The differences for me lay in size, modifier mount and maximum output.

The ABs are great value but I note inconsistent output at low settings. I also do not like the mounts but otherwise a great tool.
I have friends with Dynalite and have admired the compactness and quality of the units. They are very happy with the quality of light.

A note that I would make is that the ringlight is rated at 3200Ws maximum INPUT. The images above were powered by the 2000 Ws power pack. It is no slouch but it does not deliver 3200Ws.

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EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Help deciding between BMCC and C100 for RE Listing Videos

« on: March 08, 2013, 01:59:39 AM »

Addressing only the DR issue I would think that you may be expecting a bit much from the BMCC. While I am sure the file quality is excellent you may find that the DR is still insufficient to hold detail in windows.
We usually gelled windows with ND and lit the interiors to get that naturalistic look with film and that is still done with video today in productions that will pay for it.
We do still HDR because we want a fast and inexpensive solution to the problem of DR challenged scenes but a few good lights and some time and testing will get better results. However I know that time is money and our clients are not to lavish with either.