Messages

16

Lenses / Re: Any news about the 200-400

« on: March 17, 2013, 05:13:53 AM »

When I was in the CPS stand getting some free coffee at Focus on Imaging earlier this month, I had a chance to play with a 200-400 attached to a 1D X. That made it difficult to judge teh weight compared to my 300 f/2.8 L IS. Last year when I tried it on a 1D MkIV, it felt in the same weight range but it could have been down to better balance on the 1D X compared to my 7D. This time it felt significantly heavier, but I was still able to handhold it for short periods. Size-wise, I would say it is a little smaller than the 500 MkI, but without having them side by side it was difficult to be sure, as there was little in it.
In terms of release, I was talking to a young woman from marketing at the same time. her response to my question about availability, was that she hadn't heard anything, but she was confident it would be soon. Of course, the definition of soon could be tomorrow or it could be within 6 months. I also asked her about price and her response was that it hadn't yet been set, but she wouldn't be surprised if it was over £10,000.

17

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

« on: March 16, 2013, 05:32:40 PM »

I was going to do this last night, but here are some more landscapes with the 135.

... and they are really nice ones   
btw, so are the ones you posted in the Canon around the world thread
thanks for doing so

Thanks Stig.

18

Landscape / Re: Landscape photography from around the world, shot on Canon

« on: March 16, 2013, 02:00:38 PM »

Graham can you tell us about the grad ND filters you are using.  Are they screw on, size, made by  purchased from  and how used if not screw on. 

Your photos are ... outstanding in the field.   Really good.

Thank you very much! I'm very much a beginner, however I am more than happy to share with you the equipment specifics. Filters used include:

Singh-Ray 2-stop soft "Galen Rowell" ND grad
Singh-Ray 3-stop soft "Galen Rowell" ND grad
Singh-Ray 2-stop hard reverse ND grad
Singh-Ray 3-stop hard reverse ND grad
B+W 77mm 6-stop ND filter
B+W 77mm Circular Polarizer

I have two sets of filters, one is "P" and the other ix 4x6. I use a Cokin "P" filter holder and a Lee Foundation 4x6 filter for the larger ones. For long exposures I stack the filters and push the ISO down near 50 to increase shutter speeds.

If you're interested, here are some example images with the above mentioned equipment:

My reverse grad is the one filter I miss after switching to the Lee system.

19

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

« on: March 16, 2013, 01:44:22 PM »

I was going to do this last night, but here are some more landscapes with the 135.


Bonscale Pike by Kernuak (avalonlightphotoart.co.uk), on Flickr

Mist over Loch Leven by Kernuak (avalonlightphotoart.co.uk), on Flickr

River Glass and Beauly Firth by Kernuak (avalonlightphotoart.co.uk), on Flickr

Loch in Glen Strathfarrar by Kernuak (avalonlightphotoart.co.uk), on Flickr

20

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

« on: March 15, 2013, 03:51:38 PM »

I don't suppose the 135L is used for landscapes but in this instance I had to because this was the only lens I had longer than 105mm.

There's no reason not to use the 135 for landscapes and it makes a nice change to see others using it.

21

Landscape / Re: Landscape photography from around the world, shot on Canon

« on: March 14, 2013, 05:32:29 PM »

Thanks Graham and Rienz. Graham, I'm not normally a fan of coloured filters, but I really like the shot in the mist with the tobacco filter.

22

Canon General / Re: Which eye do you shoot with?

« on: March 13, 2013, 05:08:01 PM »

I naturally use my right eye, probably because of the camera ergonomics, although noone has told me that's how it should be. Ironically, I'm right-handed, but left eye dominant and hadn't thought about that either. I'm naturally curious as a scientist, but it seems that curiosity doesn't extend to eyes, as I also hadb't thought about the lack of colour perception in the dark affecting the colours seen in Aurora .

23

Black & White / Re: Black & White

« on: March 13, 2013, 04:54:21 PM »

Eilean Munde by Kernuak (avalonlightphotoart.co.uk), on Flickr

24

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: DxOMark trashes the Leica M9 sensor

« on: March 12, 2013, 03:10:12 PM »

I've never even cared for DxO marks tbh, and dont get why anyone does, photographys an art, not a game of top trumps

You are certainly free to treat photography as an art-form only. Why are you then spending time on a forum about gear?

I see photography as a marriage between art and science. You can't have one without the other.

-h

Even Ansel Adams spent tons of time in the old-fashioned  camera lab working on how to improve tech and get the most out of what he had.

And not the best out of what someone else had or he dreamed about

25

Landscape / Re: Landscape photography from around the world, shot on Canon

« on: March 12, 2013, 03:05:17 PM »

Thanks for showing some landscapes around the world. Here's to continuing the theme.


Tromsdalen in Winter by Kernuak (avalonlightphotoart.co.uk), on Flickr

Lake Inari by Kernuak (avalonlightphotoart.co.uk), on Flickr

Ullswater Flooding by Kernuak (avalonlightphotoart.co.uk), on Flickr

Eilean Munde by Kernuak (avalonlightphotoart.co.uk), on Flickr

Mountain Glow by Kernuak (avalonlightphotoart.co.uk), on Flickr

Porlock Groyne Sunset by Kernuak (avalonlightphotoart.co.uk), on Flickr

Kilve Pill under a Mackerel Sky by Kernuak (avalonlightphotoart.co.uk), on Flickr

26

Software & Accessories / Re: 1d X "silent" mode.

« on: March 12, 2013, 02:58:23 PM »

The silent mode on the 5D MkIII is probably the biggest advantage it has over the 1D X for wildlife shooting. In fact, I was using it last year in a hide and the mammals were reacting to the IS and not the shutter. You solve one problem and find another .

27

Video & Movie / Re: Timelapse of the Aurora in Finland

« on: March 09, 2013, 09:41:02 AM »

Other issues are with cracked LCD screens.
Just note that it's extremely dangerous to Canon equipment to expose to temps below 0C.  It also voids the warranty. 

About the LCD screens. My experience is that the cold only makes them work "slower" especially those which are touchscreens. I've used outdoors at winter time different kind and sizes of LCD's over 15 years and never had any screen cracked from cold. Same about LCD's in my pocket or DSLR cameras over the years, no problems from cold weather.

And about the warranty issues if you use the Canon lenses in cold weather conditions. Here in Scandinavia it's expected that you use your equipment in very cold weather too. I haven't had any problems about the warranty when using my lenses in cold weather conditions.
Just week ago I got back my EF 70-200mm f/4 IS from Canon's service. The USM-motor was broken. And when I pick up the lens from the dealer I check all the functions of the lens in out side of the shop (it was -15'C then) before I accept the warranty repair of the lens. No problem with the dealer about my tests or warranty issues by the dealer nor Canon service. Even they know that I had used the lens in weather conditions from -30'C to +45'C. I get the normal 6 month warranty for the service work. So it extend my warranty because the original 2 year warranty was going to expire just after two weeks from the day I bring the lens for repair.
Of course I can tell only my experience's and maybe some countries it voids warranty.


If you take pictures in very cold weather it's a good idea to take a plastic bag with you. And before you go back inside the house put the gear in the plastic bag, close the bag and don't take the gear out of the bag until it's warmed up to room temperature. This is to prevent the formation of condensation on glass surfaces etc.

PS. Nice Aurora, thank's for sharing

Thanks, I did leave it in my bag for several hours when I got back, so that it could warm up gradually. There is also nothing in the manual about low temperatures voiding the warranty, although it does mention that high temperatures could cause damage. I would therefore say, that even if they could find a way of determine what temperatures it was used in, they would have difficulty justifying not repairing under the warranty legally.

28

Video & Movie / Re: Timelapse of the Aurora in Finland

« on: March 08, 2013, 05:06:31 PM »

Most notable damages that occur at those temps are with the lenses.  The cold temps shrink the casings and bend the metal causing them to be out of spec at normal temps.  Not always but it happens.  Other issues are with cracked LCD screens.  However if the camera is in use the entire time it can generate enough internal heat to keep it at or above 0C.

Just note that it's extremely dangerous to Canon equipment to expose to temps below 0C.  It also voids the warranty. 

Sometimes though it's worth the risk for shots like this, especially if you have an old rebel that you can afford to replace.

Thanks all. Settings were 24mm f/1.4, ISO 1600, 4 secs, in continuous. Some had Rebel-type cameras which coped without problems, despite -28.5 C. I think the shooting star type trails are probably satellites.

The first night out when it was only around -8, ice formed around the lens casing and tripod legs and touching any metal parts on the tripod was painful on all the nights. The owner of the company used a 5D MkIII, the same as me, but with a Zeiss 21mm, while I had the EF 24mm f/1.4 MkII, so I was pretty confident I shouldn't have any issues, but there can never be any guarantees.

29

Video & Movie / Re: Timelapse of the Aurora in Finland

« on: March 08, 2013, 02:09:55 PM »

Is there somebody flashing the trees into his long exposure shot at 0:34?

It's actually car headlights.

30

Landscape / Re: How Would You Edit This Landscape Photo?

« on: March 07, 2013, 04:36:31 PM »

Lightroom 4.3, added a gradient to the sky, reduced the exposure by 0.75, added a medium contrast curve in LR and increased the highlight saturation +6, with +15 vibrance. Exported to CS4 added a medium contrast curve layer before reducing in size. The sky is still lacking though.