Messages

16

Site Information / Re: Membership Approval Now Required

« on: May 10, 2013, 08:02:51 PM »

Those who think captcha is fool proof are out of date, 10 years out.

I doubt a single person here thinks CAPTCHA is fool proof, and I certainly didn't read such a post. Also it is a system which may be around 10 years old, but has only been in common use for the past 5 year or so, and until someone comes up with something better it remains one option.

Anyway, I join others in thanking you for the work you do. I have worked on high volume forums in the past and it can be a nightmare.

Of course most of these bots - whether they be human bots, clever code, or a combination - nearly all want one thing - links. I would suggest you remove a member's ability to add a link to his/her signature, and manage how (or which) users can add links posts. Once you do that all the bots will (slowly) realise that it isn't worth their time trying to push through the system.

Good luck.

17

Site Information / Re: Membership Approval Now Required

« on: May 10, 2013, 05:03:04 AM »

It is definitely better if a account name has some recognizable link to photography.

Not sure I agree with that last little bit at all. 

I know how hard it is to deal with the bots which are getting smarter and smarter everyday. But it is a fine balance, between stopping the bots and trying to make enrolling as easy, simple and fast as possible for those that are real and want to join.

As forceflow suggested, using a form of CAPTCHA of some kind would help reduce this. Even if it means showing a picture with a maths puzzle and asking the person to calculate the total, or something else.

Approvals usually take as day or less to complete.

Not good. I probably would have joined another forum during that time, and would have no interest in returning here. And that is the danger. Anything other than pretty immediate membership could have dire consequences on the future growth of the forum.

Anyway, I wish you luck.

18

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Color Bombs Kill Cameras

« on: May 09, 2013, 12:41:07 AM »

That video ad shows a famous festival in India. Have Americans (guess lensrentals is US?) started doing the same thing at runs? Amazed the local councils have not banned it. Must make an awful mess, and it is not exactly a tradition.

19

Lenses / Re: Poll: Most Wanted New Lenses of 2013.

« on: May 08, 2013, 09:17:33 PM »

I voted for the 24-70mm F/2.8L IS USM but would a 24-105mm F/2.8L IS USM be possible? That would be a very handy lens.

20

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Color Bombs Kill Cameras

« on: May 08, 2013, 06:22:56 PM »

A colour bomb? Shame the article does not bother to explain what they are. I have never heard of such a thing. Off to google.......

21

Software & Accessories / Re: GoPro Video and Helicopters

« on: May 08, 2013, 11:55:28 AM »

Thanks tolusina, Rienzphotoz and Mt Spokane Photography.

Google for quadcopter.
The learning curve to fly a quad is reported to be  very short, unlike a helo.

I almost wish I had not started this thread as now I have googled "quadcopter" and I am hooked, totally hooked!

For the money these seem to provide excellent quality, and while I am sure laws in Europe and the US are very strict (or getting stricter) here in Asia (especially some countries) it may take a while to catch up.

Of course, as Paul warned in an earlier post, there is always the danger of flying into someone, but I am sure with a bit of practice that this will become less and less likely.

The videos on YouTube etc are great.

This is from DJI:

NAB - DJI GoPro Gimbal footage on Vimeo	Small | Large

22

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Tripod and multiple camera straps

« on: May 08, 2013, 02:14:51 AM »

Hi all. I know this sounds odd, but I am frustrated with the time/effort required to swap lenses back and forth from my sling bag to the camera body.  As a possible solution, I  am thinking about a strap system that permits carrying two bodies with different lenses, e.g., cotton carrier. Unfortunately, I almost always shoot from a tripod. 

A tripod would indicate that you are pretty stationary. What are you shooting, if you do not mind me asking?

I am curious because I understand a strap system for hand holding or sports (where a monopod is common) where you have to quickly switch between one body and another, but using a tripod would suggest you are a little more stationary, can you not just carry the second body with lens attached in one of the lowepro bags (or similar) and whip it out when you need? That's what I do when I cover a sports event where I need two bodies, I just leave it on the floor or in the open bag, if I move around one is in the bag, the other around my neck.

23

EOS Bodies / Re: No 7D Mark II in 2013? [CR2]

« on: May 08, 2013, 01:19:38 AM »

Quote from: SiliconVoid on May 06, 2013, 09:00:28 PM

I will offer two pieces of wisdom to the 'photographers' out there in the form of advice and a bit of reality:
1) It does not matter who you are or who you think you are, you are not even a fraction as capable as the camera you already hold in your hand..

Strange but unless my camera is being held in my hands, it's totally incapable.. it's worthless...  It is at least as incapable without my hands and my eye as I am without it... Except of course I could pick up a paint brush or a pencil or a crayon and make a rendition of what I'm looking at, my camera can't do anything at all without me... Or without my HOP... It can't even wake itself up in the morning...

So indeed, it doesn't really matter who I am or who I think I am, my camera isn't even a fraction of as capable as I am unless it's in my hands and pressed closely to my Human Optical Processor ready to do my bidding at my beck and call... with the criteria I determine is needed or required... 

Sounds an awful lot like those people that say to many of us quite often, "That's a great picture, you must have a good camera"   I respond yes, I do indeed, however I took good pictures before I had a good camera as well!  It's useless without me behind it.  It just sits there motionless waiting for me to tell it what to do... Without my constant looking and adjusting and pressing of buttons, it just sits there like a lazy dog in my bag...

It has it all indeed, it's not however capable of doing anything other than collecting dust without me...

All the best! 

Well said, Krob78.

24

EOS Bodies / Re: AF "Cases" for use with Dance Photography

« on: May 07, 2013, 08:46:50 PM »

I do not have a 5D Mark III but the AF cases are similar to the 1D X I believe. My apologies if they are not.

I have found that with the different sports I do, that case 1 is pretty good, I sometimes switch the case if it is an all day event but they all seem to work well.

Best thing to do is go to some dance classes and practice to see what you are comfortable with, but make note (take a picture of your foot) what time you switch cases, and to which case, so you can remember and analyse the results.

I shoot M mode, sometimes auto ISO sometimes not, always with 19 cross type and with either the 61 AF mode so it can use iTR, or with the single point AF or AF point expansion.

It is also worth setting your orientation point for portrait and landscape as that can save a little time, making the difference between nailing the shot and not.

25

Software & Accessories / Re: GoPro Video and Helicopters

« on: May 07, 2013, 07:46:27 PM »

Thank you Paul, Don and ranger Rob. You have given me some ideas and I will be looking into your suggestions. Thanks. 

26

Software & Accessories / GoPro Video and Helicopters

« on: May 07, 2013, 08:31:43 AM »

There are times when I would like to take a bird's eye view of something. Perhaps it is a building by a beach, or a gathering/event out in the open.

Of course scaffolding is one answer, but I was looking at remote controlled helicopters the other day and started wondering just how good they are at getting such video. I could attach a GoPro at the angle I desire and if I can learn to fly the thing, I should be able to get a few seconds of decent shots. At least that is the idea.

Has anyone tried this? Am I being delusional, or can it work?

27

Lenses / Re: Poll: Most Wanted New Lenses of 2013.

« on: May 06, 2013, 09:01:20 PM »

I voted for 24-70mm F/2.8L IS USM, though not sure I would buy it if they did launch one. Definitely not at the top of the shopping list.

What is interesting is how all our interests and needs differ, and that is shown by there being no true breakaway lens that we all want.

28

EOS Bodies / Re: The Future of EOS M [CR1]

« on: May 06, 2013, 08:21:45 AM »

As Paul says, it's unlikely the EOS M wasn't really designed for the 400mm although it can be fitted to it with the adaptor. There has to be a reason the 1Dx has the extra power compared to even the 5D3. What I understand, it doesn't only help increase the fps it also helps focusing faster. So, the EOS M isn't likely to have that extra power to drive its motor very quickly. I have used a (borrowed) M now a couple of days with the 22mm and that touch screen focus and obviously it isn't fast, but not as bad as I expected. It's all about having a balanced system and have the right expectations.

True. I must admit I am interested by these small cameras, and often find myself at a Sony area of the shopping mall messing around with the RX 1 and RX 100. It will be interesting to see what the new M is like, but for now, if I were purchasing such an item I would get the RX 100.

29

EOS Bodies / Re: The Future of EOS M [CR1]

« on: May 06, 2013, 07:12:36 AM »

Did he have the manual to hand?

I can't remember whether he had the manual, I just remember the hunting (which was why he kept changing the settings to try and get it to stay locked). I also asked him about it recently, but can't remember what he said either (must be getting old, that's an awful lot I can't remember! Worrying really! :-) ).

And not to knock your professional friend with his 400mm f2.8, but I don't think it's the kind of lens Canon designed the M for.

I agree, and I do not think I was the only one that told him it looked stupid.

But what one person experiences does not mean that you will have the same concerns, so I wish you well with your M.

30

EOS Bodies / Re: The Future of EOS M [CR1]

« on: May 06, 2013, 05:47:57 AM »

I think most folk knocking the m af are using it in granny mode right out the box.

I stood behind a professional photographer friend at a sporting event not that long ago, and in a break he got out the M and started messing with it (and all its settings) for about 20 minutes, trying to get it to focus on people walking, and on some static objects. He was using a 400 f/2.8 ii with it and is no spring chicken, so he knows what he is doing, and I see him quite often as some of the things we cover seem to overlap.

The AF was laughably slow, it hunted and hunted. You almost have sufficient time to go and make a cup of tea, and by the time you get back it will hopefully have locked. There were times when you thought it had a lock, and then the camera suddenly changed its mind and went off hunting again.

Not saying this to knock your purchase, but when there are so many people talking about the AF system on reviews, and in other places, then you there really has to be an issue somewhere. You know what they say about no smoke without fire.