Messages

1

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Worth getting an SD card for 5D3?

« on: June 17, 2013, 02:05:50 AM »

I use a CF Card and write at the same time to the SD card, gives me two copies of everything I shoot (on the 5DMK III).

To cover the speed issue on the Canon Buffer/write issue, I use a 128GB CF Card @ 100Mbs + 64GB SD card @ 95Mbs, so slowest write speed should be the SD Card @ 95Mbs, which I can live with.

I do this as I have twice now had CF Cards corrupted, fortunately with Software I've rescued the Images, so now I cover my Bases by writing to both Cards, I do the same on my 1Dx, but both CF Cards are 128GB 100Mbs, so not an issue like the 5DMK III.

Try to find a situation where the write speed on your SD Card is as close as the Write speed on your CF Card, then the issue is no longer an issue and you have the convenience of a set of "Back Up" Images.

 
You will never see close to a 95 MB/sec SD card write speed on a 5D MK III.  You can put a 95 MB/sec card in a 5D MK III, but you will eventually get about 10 mb/sec due to the type of SD controller in the camera.
 
The card speed is limited by the camera.
 
 
Speed advertisements for SD cards are misleading, since they only apply to a new and blank card, and they are for Cameras with UHS-1 controllers which have a internal bus speed and thus write about 2X faster.
 
 
Initially, you might get 20 MB/sec or even more in your 5D MK III, but ... once you have filled up that SD card, and do a in camera normal format, the write speed drops to 10 MB/sec or less.  This is because the controller must first go thru the slow process of erasing a memory block before writing to it  To regain the lost speed, you must do a low level format which erases the card.  It can take hours to do that for a large card.
 
 
 
All the reviews for SD cards are for a card that has had a low level format first. 
 
http://www.canonrumors.com/2012/06/the-5d-mark-iii-sd-memory-cards/

Quoted for truth....

SD cards are THE worst option for doing photography with the 5D.

I did a write test on a transcend 16gb class card (one which I normally use to shoot with my Sony FS100, and was getting around 11 mb/s in the SD slot. That is f****** useless and a joke that it's even there.

Don't save... just get the CF card. If you use an SD card at the same time, the SD card slot will make the CF card slower. Lowest denominator rules in Canon apparently. What a waste.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Worth getting an SD card for 5D3?

« on: June 13, 2013, 09:32:01 AM »

I wouldn't use an SD card for anything but proxy files to choose the correct from. The slot is ridiculously slow... I mean, it's absurd.

But it's nice to have it to run the ML firmware from and use the CF slot as a dedicated recording card.

If you are doing shoots where you need to keep the shutter running and max out of FPS, then don't worry about the SD card. Just get nice big and fast CF cards.

3

Software & Accessories / Re: What are the Hardware Specs for the machine you run Photoshop on?

« on: June 12, 2013, 01:48:43 AM »

Macbook Pro early 2011
2.2 i7
16gb 1600mhz ram
256gb SSD in main bay
750gb 7200 rpm with build-in antischock in optibay

Hooked up to an 21" Eizo monitor which in my opinion is too small now. (Only 1050 in highest vertical res)

Runs CS6 smoothly on all accounts with multi layered 16bit tiffs.

4

Reviews / Re: Why I Chose a Canon EOS 6D over a 5D MKIII

« on: June 10, 2013, 01:34:22 PM »

Many of you know that I recently acquired a Canon 6D, and I have been asked by multiple posters both in the forum and by email to give my reasons why I made the decision I did.  I have wasted far too much time doing just that today 

Here is the link to my website where I shared my findings:  http://www.dustinabbott.net/2013/02/why-i-chose-a-canon-eos-6d-over-a-5d-mkiii/

Also, if any of you are interested in adapting old M42 lens to the new 6D, here are my findings with my little kit of vintage glass:  http://www.dustinabbott.net/2013/02/the-new-canon-eos-6d-and-classic-m42-lens/

Disclaimer:  I have no intention of starting a flame war.  I believe that the 5D MK3 is overall the better camera and I intend to upgrade my MK2 to a MK3 down the road.  I came to the conclusions that I share for myself and felt those conclusions and hands on experiences might help others making a similar type decision.

Who are you?

5

Portrait / Re: Wedding pics. need critique

« on: June 10, 2013, 01:34:37 AM »

I only have a moment to reply, but I feel that I should because I think it could help you further.

Your next aim of evolving should be framing; either during the shot or afterwards in Photoshop.

Remember: what you acquire is not necessarily what you need to deliver. Cropping is entirely allowed any time!

So if you have shots that are not "perfect" in the shot itself, then crop off till it works.
For me that shot with the couple facing eachother and the girl standing on the left side of the photo doesn't work because she doesn't add anything to the shot... in fact she almost takes away from the shot.

Kill your darlings, and if you can't kill the darling entirely, then cut her down to size till she fits your need.

6

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Need help with video lighting!!!

« on: June 09, 2013, 12:21:24 AM »

Can anyone recommend a good book on the topic (video lighting)?  Clearly there's a bit more of a learning curve that I anticipated.   

Read the bible.... "Set Lighting Technicians Handbook". Until you understand all types of light, you cannot sit down and talk about experience with one type of light, because you have NO reference.

LEDs were never meant to have punch. They are designed for headshot type videos where your crop is so tight that you can move the light in close. Most of the newer LED panel types these days carry the diffusion plates that will soften the light up and make it more pleasant to look at.

In regards to matching up lights... there is absolutely no rule about that. In regards to post, well... if you chose to mix lights in the first place, you probably have a reason and wont need to match them up in post.
I kinda like a 3400K/4000K indoor setting, light with 3200K lights and have the daylight do color contrast in the background.

Each light serves a diferent purpose.

Oh and gelling... gelling LEDs is a lot different from gelling tungsten, flour or HMIs. The color spectrum is still not perfect and gelling could create problems with the already present spikes in the spectrum.

But I would just test the lights rigth away, make sure they match up. If not, then return the crap and get a new set.

Regarding power.... yeah, proper batteries for LEDs are expensive. They will, including charger, set you back as much as the K4000 ligths. But only needed if you are doing shoots where you can't draw power.

7

Software & Accessories / Re: Maximal possible speed Eos 7D CF-Card

« on: June 08, 2013, 06:45:09 AM »

Komputerbay cards have the same chip and controller as the 1000x lexars. They are binned as not passing QA for 1000x so they are hit or miss. I have three, all manifest different issues such as difficulty formatting in camera, stalling during ML raw recording, incorrect size reporting. That said, they are cheap compared to the other offerings and mine write 95MBps and read 150MBps. Supposedly Komputerbay will swap your card if you get a clinker but I haven't tried that yet. I wouldn't trust them for critical work.

And they will.... So first thing to do when you get a Komputerbay card is do the benchmark test and if you dont get 80+ mb/s send it back and get a new one. No biggie.... The 64gb card I have doesnt go beyond one star in ML

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Software & Accessories / Re: Maximal possible speed Eos 7D CF-Card

« on: June 07, 2013, 09:57:36 AM »

Bought an refurbished 7D again, the 60D has an sensor damage.
What is the maximal -senseful- CF card speed I can use on the 7D?

My old CF card (233x) might be topped.

Tell me your experience and your used product. I wan to buy 2 16GB cards.

Thanks

1000X is currently the  CF fastest card.  The 7D will work with UDMA 7.

1066x is the current fastest card (from Toshiba)... but alas since it's new it's way overpriced.

Another thing that ML and EOSHD has taught us is that even you though you buy into a "1000x" speed card, there's a HUGE difference in actual read / write speed.

Several tests including Sandisk and Lexar have by now shown that the fastest 1000x cards are the 64gb Komputerbay CF cards.

For some reason read and write speeds seem to drop on both the 32gb and the 128gb. Usually flash memory gets faster the more there is. Apparently that was a myth.

So there you have it.

Another bonus: Komputerbay cards are cheaper than both Lexar and Sandisk.

I just bought one card which does Canon 5D mk III raw without a hitch, and have another card coming this money. Best money spent.

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Software & Accessories / Re: Suggestions on where I can post an image for feedback

« on: June 02, 2013, 05:40:19 AM »

Hey...

First a few tips how to handle that shot next time:

1. Like others have mentioned, take your subject out into the sun. Let them be lit from the side or traditional 45 degree sun.
If you let them be lit from behind, have them stand close to something that could maybe bounce the light back at them.
Or simply choose to let the background white out a bit by exposing a stop above "proper" exposure.

2. Flash, no matter what size or kind, does not belong on a camera... The light is not very flattering and flattens out the face. You'll sometimes see fashion guys do it though.... I attribute that to lazyness.

3. Use the surroundings. Have a quick look around and see what might be near by that you can use to your advantage. Sometimes trees can provide nice diffusion or scattered light that can soften the harsh light of the sun.


Photoshopping is a matter of taste, what I like might not be what others like. Anyways here's what I would consider a small quick fix:

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EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Need help with video lighting!!!

« on: May 15, 2013, 04:01:06 AM »

3-400 dollars for lighting? You wont even get 1 decent light for that... well, maybe a couple of used open face Arri or Mole lights.

With lights you still get what you pay for.

Tungsten lights like Arri, Mole etc. is top of the line. They have the best color spectrum around.

As soon as you move to Kino Flos and the like you start getting small spikes in the spectrum. Even HMIs are not perfect.

When you then move down to CFL, and if we head straight to the cheap ones, the color is visibly worse than any tungsten light and a camera set to 3200K.

LED is another ball park again, since even the decent brands like LitePanels don't render color good enough. The best LEDs I've seen is the Arri L7 which has a pretty nice color rendition.

In what I would consider the budget end, the K3200 LEDs would be the best bang for the buck.

In the tradional light end, you'll get better results buying a tungsten worklight and either bounce and control it or diffuse it that wasting your money on CFL / cheap LED lights.

The worlds best cinematographer Roger Deakins still uses good old tungsten lights bounced on muslin etc for his interior shots. That says a lot....

11

Portrait / Re: The official: Portrait Humor Thread....

« on: May 09, 2013, 02:21:31 PM »

Heh... I haven't got anything as funny as those, but this situation made me chuckle anyways

12

Canon General / Re: new canon lens caps

« on: May 03, 2013, 07:15:17 AM »

Just got a set for myself as well... all 82 mm caps.
Cost me about 8 dollars in total (including shipping which actually was free). They are the same as the ones the OP have, but without the Canon brand.....

8 dollars vs 100 dollars.... Not a hard judgement to make, and yes, they are every bit as good, and who the hell gives a F about the Canon brand on them.

Just take note, they will take some time to get to you, but if  you're not in a massive hurry, then what's the rush? They are freaking lens caps.

13

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: EOS 5D Mark III Firmware 1.2.1 Available for Download

« on: April 30, 2013, 05:45:23 PM »

Wauw... they really dropped the ball on this firmware upgrade. What a complete waste of time and hype.

I know it's mainly a still camera, but hey, those so-called video upgrades are worthless.

Magic Lantern is doing better things for the 5D than Canon themselves.
I guess that is just what Canon is about.

14

Animal Kingdom / Re: Zoo Pics 2

« on: April 04, 2013, 03:22:41 PM »

My little Z

15

EOS Bodies / Re: Shooting video with the Mark II?

« on: October 30, 2012, 03:52:30 PM »

Lots of limitations.... it's a DSLR, it wasn't made for filming.

Anyhoo, here's the worst:

- Lack of XLR audio inputs
- Lack of XLR audio inputs.......
- Terrible sound quality beyond the lack of XLR inputs (compared to proper video and sound gear)
- Rolling shutter
- Aliasing
- Morie
- DSLR lenses are terrible at racking focus.

Again, Canon is like Apple; full of fanbois who swear it's amazing.

But hey, you can still get some amazing shots out of it that somewhat resemble what people think is cinematic.

If you are getting this for the video part... don't get it. Look around. Sony are better at making sensors and they are crushing Canon on EVERY area right now.

For still photography in the DSLR class, Canon is still ok, but they really have to shape up.

Remember, the number 1 reason so many people adore Canon is because they are tied up in Canon lenses they don't want to part with.
Fortunately in the video area, the market for adapters is large and therefore you don't NEED a Canon body to use their pretty good lenses. But again.... they are still only DSLR lenses.