Messages

151

Canon General / Re: your scariest photography moment?

« on: March 11, 2013, 03:04:46 AM »

47 is distinctly bigger than a 74

I have no idea, it was quite a few years ago (maybe 12 or more), but my guess would be an AK 47 knowing the country I was in. I believe the 47 is the cheaper, older model? Not that it mattered. I wasn't really too concerned about the model of the gun at the time.  Tensions were already high, buildings on fire etc.

152

Canon General / Re: your scariest photography moment?

« on: March 11, 2013, 01:45:36 AM »

Major riots had just broken out in a very poor, and relatively lawless country. I was covering some of it from the back of a motorbike when an angry looking guy in army fatigues clutching an AK 47 (or 74 - not entirely sure) ran towards the bike screaming and pointing. Quite a moment, as I was the only white face around, and the only guy with a camera as well. Thankfully it turns out that it was not me he was pointing at, but a bike over my left shoulder heading in the same direction as me. 

153

Canon General / Re: crap portraits of me

« on: March 09, 2013, 09:27:07 PM »

I dunno.  When I looked in the mirror this morning I looked crappy, blurred and OOF.  Kinda feel that way today also.

+1 

The best is to stick your camera on a tripod and shoot with the timer. Seriously.

I have given my camera to pros (when we are covering the same event) in order to get a nice picture of yours truly, and have been shocked at some of the results. I even asked one if he was joking when I looked at the two shots he had taken, they were that bad! Now I rarely bother.

154

Lenses / Re: Are recently made lenses better?

« on: March 09, 2013, 04:36:47 PM »

Newer is always going to be better when it comes to lenses. the-digital-picture.com has some great reviews of lenses and he often makes comparisons with the previous model.

Generally you will benefit from improved weight, weather coating, durability, performance etc.

155

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: CF Cards - Where do you buy yours?

« on: March 09, 2013, 03:41:38 PM »

Is there some reason why Google won't answer this question for you?

Google does have the answer to most questions, doesn't it.

However, I had never even considered buying my CF cards from the US before, and only discovered they were almost half the price of the UK by mistake. That's why I wondered whether other CR members in Asia and elsewhere outside the US, buy their cards there. Google probably couldn't answer that question, though it might be able to once it finds this thread. I also wondered whether the US was the cheapest, or whether I had missed somewhere else.

In fact this little discovery (for me at least) means I might be buying a bit more than just CF cards from the US in future.

156

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: CF Cards - Where do you buy yours?

« on: March 08, 2013, 09:05:10 PM »

I think CF cards are very solidly built. Lexar just has the upper hand with regards to speed at the moment.

Still the difference in price is very large. US is about half as cheap as UK which is half as cheap as here in many parts of Asia. That is an enormous difference.

I found the SanDisk 1 GB CF cards on sale. They were $250.00

Your story reminded me of the other day when I was clearing out my desk. I found a SanDisk 48 MB (yes MB not GB) CF card!! So funny. I will keep it just for sentimental reasons of what once was....

157

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: CF Cards - Where do you buy yours?

« on: March 08, 2013, 06:18:11 PM »

Thanks everyone. Never bought CF cards from the US before but as they are so cheap compared to elsewhere will give it a go. Unfortunately do not have someone to carry them over with them but will see how the old delivery system works.

i can't believe people use Lexar....I've had 3 fail...and any other pro's i talk to have had same experience and lost stuff...everyone (in ireland) using sandisk for a while now...

I have never had a SanDisk or a Lexar fail yet (touch wood), but the difference in read write speeds between SanDisk's Extreme Pro and Lexar's 1000X is quite substantial.

When I was reading about the 1D X I think I saw it can write at something like 167MBps, which is still faster then the 150/142 MBps (read/write) of the Lexar.

I was mainly using the 400X before, but after making the 1D X investment figured I should upgrade.

158

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: CF Cards - Where do you buy yours?

« on: March 08, 2013, 08:36:05 AM »

Thanks TexasBadger, but I should have been a little clearer with my question. For those not in the US or Canada, do you buy yours online and get them shipped over? The price difference is quite big.

159

EOS Bodies - For Stills / CF Cards - Where do you buy yours?

« on: March 08, 2013, 07:20:16 AM »

Now I have gone and bought the 1D X, I thought it would be wise to upgrade my CF cards and am now shopping around comparing prices.

According to my calculations, it seems the US is the cheapest place to buy them. The Lexar Pro 1000X for example costs US$ 133 / £ 135 for the 32 GB (US/UK respectively) US$ 289 / £ 280 for the 64GB.

That is quite a difference, and here in Asia CF cards are a lot more expensive than the UK price even.

In the past I have always purchased them in the UK, but am now looking a little further afield.

For those not in the US or Canada, do you buy yours online and get them shipped over? The price difference is quite big.

And is there anywhere cheaper than the US?

Edited: To make the question clearer, as it was too vague.

160

Lenses / Re: EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM or EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM

« on: March 07, 2013, 10:18:40 PM »

GM5561T if you want the most compact and light weight monopod that has the highest load capacity.

Thanks. I already have a monopod that can hold up to 15kgs so won't be buying a new one.

This was more about the lens choice for renting, and I am glad I asked as I had a feeling I should have gone for the 400 2.8 II which is what most here have confirmed.

161

Lenses / Re: EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM or EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM

« on: March 05, 2013, 09:19:52 PM »

Cool!  I have the 1.4X III and have to say my 400 seems as sharp with it as it does without.

Are you going to use a monopod or tripod?  For sideline sports like football you generally can't use a tripod.  Players could be injured by it.  A monopod is far less dangerous.

I would only use a monopod for sports. A tripod is fine for portraits or landscapes, where your subjects do not move, but for sports - when space is also often limited due to the number of other media - then a monopod is the only option.

162

Lenses / Re: EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM or EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM

« on: March 05, 2013, 07:07:12 PM »

Thank you everyone.

I have decided to go with the 400 ii f/2.8L, and as someone mentioned I could always stick my 1.4x iii on that if I do need the extra reach.

I must say I am very excited about finally trying one of the big whites. The 70-200 f/2.8 ii is a great lens, but I have worked next to those big lenses for years, and have seen the outstanding results they produce when the guys are working on the images post-match.

The IS Mode 3 is also something I am really looking forward to experiencing.

I am sure it will be hard to give back once I am done, but then I just have to look at the price tag to realise it just is not a viable option right now. Time to start saving me thinks. ;-)

163

Lenses / Re: EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM or EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM

« on: March 05, 2013, 07:46:28 AM »

Thanks Menace and neuroanatomist.

That is what I was thinking. I had already ordered the 600 but the more I thought about it the more the 400 started to make sense. I will change the order following your suggestions.

Have a second body with the 70-200 f/2.8 so not to worry there.

Cheers.

164

Lenses / EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM or EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM

« on: March 05, 2013, 04:35:18 AM »

A very nice problem to have I know, but I have an important sporting event to shoot in April and have decided to rent a EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM or EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM.

As it is a fast moving sport (think soccer/football/rugby) in an open air stadium, I am very tempted to couple my 1D X with the 400 f/2.8L IS II USM especially as a Group A lens it makes the most of the 1D X's AF system, and will perform better in low light (thought the entire pitch will be very well flood lit. But (always a but isn't there!), the extra reach of the EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM could be great to have. Both are version II.

I am not new to sports, but have never owned or used one of the very big whites so I do appreciate any input from those that do/have.

Thanks.

165

1D X Sample Images / Re: Any Thing shot with a 1Dx

« on: March 04, 2013, 10:29:16 PM »

I set it by hand I don't want to look down and see some crazy# on a important shot   I don't give any more then I need the 1Dx has put me in to f/ stop's  I never have  seen before shooting wild life all happens late and early so I was always shooting wide open or near it . but now I see f/7's 9s 10s  I'm watching the speed   if I have some to spare I close the Len a little bit or back down the iso  hope this helps
it is important to learn to watch the dash board on the camera thats hard to do in combat shooting.

I have only had my 1D X a few days now but covered a major event just a few hours after getting it and was surprised by the movement of the auto ISO. I think I will definitely be setting it manually in future to see what happens. Amazing camera though, and your shots of those eagles are stunning, Gary.