Messages

31

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon FL 55mm f/1.2 (Ed Mika Conversion)

« on: February 18, 2012, 03:44:59 AM »

Long exposure night shots at f/16...

32

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Looking for tripod advice...

« on: February 05, 2012, 08:09:32 PM »

Finally tried out the Benro C2691T Travel Angel and B1 ballhead with my FD 300mm f/2.8 L and it worked perfectly!  I was worried the ballhead would be undersized, but it held firmly, panned smoothly, and the traction control was easy to fine adjust.  The tripod was rock-solid.  Really happy with the combo and since it's so easy to travel with I will be bringing it along everywhere.

33

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

« on: January 30, 2012, 03:07:28 PM »

@Eye-Broccoli, @dr croubie, @Harley, @Narcolepsy, @Canon-F-1, @7enderbender:
Perhaps some traditionalists don't realize that the Vari-angle screen can remain flush against the body without ever even once being swung out.  Canon has recessed it into the camera's back, surrounded by a slightly raised, rounded frame.  There's no way I can think of, that it can be accidentally dislodged from this position, even rolling round loose in a sack: only a somewhat forceful action of fingertip/nail can pry it open.  To this extent it doesn't resemble the clam-shell design of many small camcorders.  In appearance it's very little different from Canon's fixed-screen models.  It is more vulnerable once swung out, obviously and of course.  One must take care.  The hinge seems to be very solid.

Yeah, I'm perfectly aware how it works and that it can remain flush.  I'm not a traditionalist, I just actually want a fixed screen on my camera.  Simplicity is important.  For me personally, an articulated screen is going the wrong direction and I'm not going to buy a dSLR with one. 
No animosity towards anyone who finds them useful.  No judgment about who is a real photographer and who isn't -- your photos should indicate that well enough and there are certainly plenty of you here who can outshoot me any day of the week regardless of your hardware.  Courses for horses, as they say.

34

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

« on: January 29, 2012, 10:56:34 PM »

It's an interesting question.

I'm one of those who has absolutely no interest in owning a camera with an articulated screen.  I saved up for a 7D rather than buy a 60D mostly because of that articulated screen.  But why the resentment?  I'm not entirely sure...

I get all the arguments for the screen.  I understand it's usefulness.  I also like the video features that my dSLR has despite my primary use being for stills. 

Fragility is definitely an issue for me -- I go places where my camera gets abused and I don't want the extra risk of that articulated screen.  Maybe it's because it seems rather gimmicky to me, too -- it's not a camcorder, it's a dSLR.  Maybe I just haven't used one and I would change my mind if I did but I just don't want one on my camera.  I don't like using live view anyway and I cannot see myself ever buying an SLR with articulated LCD. 

However, for those that do want one, well, to each their own and long live the 60D!

35

Lenses / Re: Revolutionizing the kit zoom

« on: January 29, 2012, 08:42:06 PM »

I for one would love to see a fast prime as a kit offering.  There's an assumption that the general consumer wants a zoom, and I'm sure that is largely the case, but I think there is certainly a market of photographers who understand the value of a fast prime and would opt for, say, a 50mm f/1.8 over the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 (or a better prime in place of a better standard kit zoom).  It would be nice to have the choice.

36

Software & Accessories / Re: EdMika relaunch of FL 55mm 1.2 EOS brass conversion kit

« on: January 29, 2012, 12:56:41 PM »

Any differences between this kit and the previous version you made? 

37

Software & Accessories / Re: Starting out: Flickr? Picasa? PBase? Other?

« on: January 27, 2012, 02:49:36 PM »

Doing a 14-day trial with SmugMug at the moment and I really love it so far.  Very good rendering of the photos.  Excellent at adapting to the viewer's screen or device.  The iPhone interface is quite impressive.  Their technical assistance has been quick and responsive, too.

38

Landscape / Re: Bridge.

« on: January 21, 2012, 05:12:26 PM »

@ Leopard Lupus: I'll join with you representing Portland: Fremont Bridge. 

39

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon FL 55mm f/1.2 (Ed Mika Conversion)

« on: January 20, 2012, 02:34:03 AM »

Fremont Bridge, 1/2 sec exposure, hand-held.

40

Software & Accessories / Re: EdMika adapter launch - 0.5mm FD-EOS dual-orientation adapter for super-teles

« on: January 19, 2012, 10:34:48 PM »

also If anyone else gets FD lenses with old perished lens caps I found these guys and ordered one to replace the original for daily use

http://www.lenscoat.com/hoodie-lens-caps-c-5.html

they are reasonably priced the genuine canon lens caps are expensive so i'll see how it is but cant really go wrong with neoprene covers

Thanks for the Lenscoat info!

41

Street & City / Re: Etiquette of Street Photography

« on: January 19, 2012, 12:54:19 PM »

Thanks for posting the question and for the great responses.  This is a subject that has bugged me for a long time. 

I have done street photography for years and in several different countries including places like Russia and Nigeria where it's more taboo.  I have never been terribly comfortable about photographing people regardless of the location and I have missed out on a number of great shots because of self-consciousness.  But it's a rare occassion that someone has taken me to task for taking a photo.  When it has happened, smiling and being polite seems the best thing to do.  Showing the picture to the person (as long as the shot isn't likely to be embarassing) can be a good way to help diffuse a problem. 

I'm now shooting with a 7D for the last six months or so.  This isn't a huge SLR, but it is significantly bigger than my old Rebel XT.  It feels a lot more intrusive to pull this camera out and snap away.  Sort of makes me want to have a Sony NEX...!

42

Software & Accessories / Re: Starting out: Flickr? Picasa? PBase? Other?

« on: January 15, 2012, 06:01:18 PM »

Thanks again!  Great info!

43

Software & Accessories / Re: EdMika adapter launch - 0.5mm FD-EOS dual-orientation adapter for super-teles

« on: January 14, 2012, 05:29:10 PM »

Ed, I got the FD 300mm f/2.8 modified for infinity focus.  Wasn't very hard at all once I managed to get the front element unscrewed.  Getting the adapter on was a snap! (no pun)

This is an incredible piece of glass!  I'll probably never be able to afford the EF equivalent superteles so thanks for making this possible. 

As a sidenote, I'm still using the FL 55mm f/1.2 and the TS 35mm f/2.8 all the time.  My autofocus lenses are getting jealous.

Is there a focus screen which works better with these adapters? Thanks.

Jamriman:  I put the KatzEye focusing screen (w/ OptiBrite treatment) in my 7D.  It's invaluable to me when shooting manual focus.  I'm really pleased with it.

44

Software & Accessories / Re: Starting out: Flickr? Picasa? PBase? Other?

« on: January 13, 2012, 12:35:31 PM »

Thanks everyone!  This is great info prior to diving in.  I have Lightroom, so that will play a factor.  I appreciate the help.  More +1's for y'all...

45

Software & Accessories / Re: Starting out: Flickr? Picasa? PBase? Other?

« on: January 12, 2012, 11:41:28 PM »

Thanks for the insights into the options and their value! 
+1 everybody...

Any more thoughts?