Messages

151

Canon General / Re: After-market Focusing Screens

« on: September 17, 2011, 11:01:16 PM »

Interesting and very helpful.  I hadn't thought about the flipside -- too much light washing out the features of the transmissive LCD. 

My fastest lens is f/1.2, I have a couple f/2.8's, and the slowest is an f/4.  I don't intend to purchase anything else slower than f/2.8 (with the possible exception of a 24-105mm f/4 IS L if I find a deal on one), so it still sort of makes me want to try out an alternate focusing screen provided I could be confident about the install...

152

Canon General / Re: After-market Focusing Screens

« on: September 17, 2011, 06:15:00 PM »

...meant to say "more snap and shallower depth of field..."

153

Canon General / Re: After-market Focusing Screens

« on: September 17, 2011, 06:13:41 PM »

That's helpful information.  I really didn't know much about focusing screens prior to today and have been doing some online reading to educate myself...

So, theoretically, as long as I'm using fast lenses (currently my slowest is an f/4) an alternate focusing screen could provide more snap and depth of field without negatively affecting the viewfinder performance.  Assuming you can get it installed properly on the 7D in the first place.

When I was a kid I used to play around with my mom's Canon AE-1 -- that's where my interest in photography began.  Last week, I had the pleasure of playing around with a Canon F-1 and was reminded how nice it was to have a viewfinder with a good manual focusing screen.  I haven't felt an image "snap" into focus like that in years!  That's what started me down this road and when I discovered that you could replace the focusing screen in a DSLR, I wanted to know more . . . and hopefully benefit from others' experience. 

154

Canon General / Re: After-market Focusing Screens

« on: September 17, 2011, 04:23:59 PM »

If you go to the link above, the last item in the list is for the 7D.  This is a direct replacement for the internal focusing screen.  It's recommended that the installation is performed by a camera tech.  It has nothing to do with and doesn't affect the LCD viewscreen.

155

Canon General / After-market Focusing Screens

« on: September 17, 2011, 03:36:23 PM »

Has anyone had any experience with after-market split-prism focusing screens for their DSLR?  I have a 7D and a converted FL-series manual focus lens.  Although I can get autofocus confirmation through the AF, I think, at least for me, it would be helpful (and enjoyable) to have a split-prism / microprism focusing ring in my viewfinder. 

I see that there are some products available like KatzEye Optics:

http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/cat--Canon-DSLRs--cat_canon.html

I would appreciate any feedback that the forum members would have to offer.  Thanks!

156

Lenses / Re: New Article: Adapting your FD or FL lenses to EF/EOS

« on: September 03, 2011, 11:04:51 PM »

I enjoyed the article and love the idea of repurposing an old piece of glass, so I decided to give this a shot myself.  I was on the verge of purchasing a "nifty fifty" but thought I would see if I could find an FL 55mm f/1.2 and adapt it for the same cost or less.  Well, the adapter was $135 (including shipping) and I found a one-owner FL lens in excellent condition for $75.  I'm calling it my "thrifty fifty-five."

The lens came with eight Hoya filters that were originally purchased with the lens: skylight, circ polarizer, and six colored filters.  I'm still waiting for the adapter to arrive.  I can hardly wait -- the acreage of glass in this lens is incredible.  Since I'm using it on a crop sensor (7D), I found a T-60 telephoto hood to try out on it in addition to the standard S-60 that came with the lens.  We'll see how that helps out the flare...

157

United States / Re: My new DSLR

« on: August 17, 2011, 04:25:37 PM »

I agree with Rocky.  I just got the 17-40mm L (my first L lens) and a 7D and it's incredible.  But I shot for years with my Digital Rebel XT and it's been very good to me.  Regardless, bornshooter and steven63 are right -- get out and shoot with what you've got until you hit its limits, then make a move toward the next lens or accessory.

158

Software & Accessories / Re: Neck strap alternatives

« on: August 12, 2011, 07:44:27 PM »

Take a look at the Split Strap at the Photojojo store...

http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/split-strap/

They also have another version of the tripod-mount fastener called the Strapbuddy:
http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/camera-strap-buddy/

159

Canon General / Re: Straight Photos with SLR camera

« on: August 02, 2011, 03:47:45 PM »

One other option is the clip from a Gorillapod Ballhead that screws into your tripod mount under the body of the camera.  It has a level bubble and you can easily look down from the eyepiece just before snapping to make a final adjustment to level.  But this won't help for your portrait orientation.

160

Site Information / Re: Problems uploading images.

« on: July 29, 2011, 05:00:55 PM »

I've experienced this, too, but don't have a solution to offer...

161

Site Information / Re: Signature Creation

« on: July 29, 2011, 05:00:08 PM »

Me, too.  Thanks!

162

United States / Re: Who inspires you?

« on: July 26, 2011, 04:55:24 PM »

Pete Souza, Jim Richardson, Blue Mitchell...

163

Contests / Re: Holga Giveaway

« on: July 19, 2011, 12:03:56 PM »

Looking forward to winning this and trying it out!