Messages

31

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

« on: May 10, 2013, 09:34:36 AM »

So, seems to be a lot of mis-conceptions here.

The powder is cornstarch with food coloring. Unless you have a food coloring allergy, respiratory issues or are allergic to corn there isn't much to worry about. I have shot 3-4 of these for my local paper and two for the company that runs them and feel just fine afterwards. A painters mask reduces the amount you inhale by quite a large margin. If you want to filter it all out you will need a good respirator.

It's cornstarch, it dissolves quickly. It'd be a different thing if it was silicone based powder as that would sit in the lungs forever.

I wouldn't go leaping to conclusions that just because it's corn, it's safe...

http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/21/4/646.full

32

Lenses / Re: Lens Not Focusing

« on: May 10, 2013, 08:43:16 AM »

Is it not locking focus, or are the actual lens elements not moving?

When it tries to focus, you should be able to tell if the physical focus is at least changing. If you can hear things moving and the actual focus of the lens is not changing at all, my guess would be that somehow the motor has become disconnected from the focus group, and you'll have to send it back to Canon.

If it's trying to focus, and just not confirming or locking focus, I'd be curious what you're shooting. Can you add more light, or focus on something higher-contrast? What focusing mode on the camera are you using? Is there another camera you can borrow from someone to test it? If you throw on a speedlite, does the AF assist beam help at all?

Just my initial thoughts on how to better diagnose the matter...

33

Lighting / Re: 270 ex ii or 430 exii for vacation

« on: May 10, 2013, 08:24:20 AM »

I will say that I've not used anything below the 430, but I think for $203 right now on the refurb store a 430 is a steal. Great value. And I've never had any issue carrying it, and I do find it noticeably smaller and lighter than my 580, and especially if you're already bringing a 5d sized camera with a 24-70, I don't think the 430 would be the straw that breaks your back...

Have fun! I've been wanting to get back to disney for a while now...

34

Lenses / Re: Taking the next step

« on: May 08, 2013, 09:24:43 AM »

I know you're asking about lenses, but how are you doing about lighting? You mentioned your 580exii, but portraiture is one that usually calls for more complex set-ups. We all know pictures are made or break by their light.

TL;DR summary: Lots of options, depends on your style and what you want to prioritize.

I agree with this. I'd say at least one more speedlite to be used off-camera would be huge. That probably also means getting a light stand, umbrella, some flash gels... the works. At least for formals.

As far as lenses go, a 100L is good for ring shots and other details. Other than that, while it does make a very nice portrait lens, it won't do anything your 70-200 won't (although it will be a bit sharper). The 135 is bokehlicious for portraits, and some other fast primes (even without spending on L lenses, like 50 1.4 or the sigma 30 1.4) could be useful for low-light situations.

35

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

« on: May 07, 2013, 08:04:04 AM »

From time to time i bump into this pearl of wisdom.
Since this is CR and not Instagram's "#look what i ate today!" lets see some examples of how difficult it really is to  exceeded the capabilities of the 7d in question:

• Do you still get random OOFs when tracking even though you played with the settings and your technique is adequate?
  
• Have you ever hit buffer limit?
• Ever disappointed by WB under artificial lighting?
• You tried to lift shadows only to find the surprise underneath?
• You get sky noise even though you're shooting below 400?
• You dont get useful 1600s+?
• Did you ever tried autoiso only to find its a slopy implementation?
• Weak AF under low light?
• Meter goes bananas in challenging situations?

Have you ever bumped into any of the situations above? Well congrats you  are one of the "two (maybe three) people on the planet who have actually exceeded the capabilities of the equipment they already own" according to SiliconVoiD

Yesss I knew I was something special and despite the random OOF shots, I love the beautifully sharp in-focus shot I got when the AF decided to wake up, and I am learning to rely less on the meter and pick my own exposures, and by nailing exposures don't have to lift shadows. I would wholeheartedly reccomend the 7d to anyone who wants more out of a camera, but doesn't have the money to go FF: hell, they're available on the refurb store for $1019. Anyway, the light's nice this morning, I'm going outside now.

36

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: First photos with the EOS Kiss X7 (aka Rebel SL1 / 100D)

« on: May 06, 2013, 03:34:42 PM »

Well if you slapped a $2000 70-200 IS II or 24-70 2.8 II on the X7/SL1/100D, I'm sure you'd be a lot closer to those D3200 pics, which I'm sure were taken with the best lenses that Nikon corporate could use to maximize the camera...

37

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: New Real Estate Photography - What do you think?

« on: May 01, 2013, 07:43:46 PM »

Not much to comment on- I generally like them, especially keeping in mind who these pictures are really intended for (buyers looking for a house.)

For me, the outdoor colors are too vivid and saturated. I like the indoor ones- but the exterior shots I just find a little overwhelming. Particularly the blues, but they don't feel "cool", like the white balance is off. I think there's just a lot of blue, and the overall saturation makes it feel overwhelming. I'd dial that back a bit. Otherwise, the composition looks interesting, helps to visualize the house, etc.

38

Canon General / Re: Just Why

« on: May 01, 2013, 04:53:13 PM »

Just why do you think it needs one? 

dSLR sensors are insensitive to UV light. If you really want one (maybe you're shooting film?), there's a drop-in holder for gelatin filters that comes with the lens, and a different one sold separately for screw-in 52mm filters.

If you mean a front filter for protection, the old superteles had a protective meniscus lens (thin, non-refracting, relatively cheap to replace).  They removed it from the new MkII versions to save weight. The hoods for those lenses are very deep and offer substantial protection.

A screw-on filter of that size would be incredibly difficult to produce. Compare 82mm filter costs to 58mm filters - the difference in materials cost is minimal, you're paying for the precision to make the two surfaces perfectly flat (which is harder than making curves surfaces) and parallel - that need for precision goes up exponentially with diameter, and a 600/4 would need a >150mm front filter.

Come on, Neuro, you don't want to throw B+W a $750 bone after paying $13k for that 600? ;-)

39

Lenses / Re: A Walk Around Lens for a Trip

« on: April 30, 2013, 10:16:40 AM »

Is there a reason you think you need a focal length beyond 85mm or 105mm?  I've never been to that part of the world, but imagine that most of the photo opportunities will be on the wide to normal focal lengths.  Remember that the 7D is a crop body and will provide an effective 1.6x zoom on the lenses you decide to take on the trip.   If you are set on taking your Tokina 11-16mm, I'd recommend a 24-105mm f/4L IS zoom.  They can be had at very good prices for a lens that was sold as part of a kit; maybe better priced if you don't mind a slightly used lens.  I think you will find that 105mm on a 7D long enough and if not, you have 18MP to work with and crop.

If you wanted a one lens solution know that there are IQ compromises with any of the super zooms that you mention.  If again, you can live with 85mm on the long end, I would recommend the Canon 15-85mm EFS USM IS lens.  It is wide enough that you might just leave the Tokina at home and travel ultra light.  Maybe throw in a 40mm f/2.8 USM (cheap at $150) for the times you need a wider aperture. 

Good luck with whatever you choose and have a fun time in Israel!

Kind regards,
Jason S.

+1. Great, well-thought post.

40

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Canon refurb sale...what happened?

« on: April 29, 2013, 04:38:27 PM »

The sale still shows up.  Sometimes, a product is sold out by multiple buyers processing orders at the same time, Canon sells maybe hundreds or thousands of some lenses.  They cancel the orders they can't fill if this happens.
 
This happened to me with the super popular 70-200mm f/2.8L MK II.  The next time it was on sale, I bought it in time.

I called and the rep didn't have any idea what happened.  Then she said it was out of stock so she couldn't put in my order.  She offered to honor the sale once it comes back in stock.  I'm curious, did you get an email from Canon letting you know what happened?  Or did they just cancel your order?  That seems like pretty poor customer service.  At the least I should have gotten an email that says, "Sorry we weren't able to fill your order".  Plus they charged me, which is also strange.  Just frustrating.  I thought I was getting a 600ex this week, I guess not!

This happened to me around Christmas time... bought a refurb 7D and 70-200 2.8 non-is. They cancelled the whole thing, I called, the 70-200 was out of stock and the 7d was no longer on sale, but they wouldn't honor the sale price even though they cancelled the 7d because the 70-200 was out of stock.

Long story short, I got the 7D for refurb sale price (which had expired), and a new 70-200 for less than refurb price. So, might as well call and ask for a manager...

41

Lenses / Re: EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x Release Date [CR1]

« on: April 27, 2013, 12:13:10 PM »

some say we could pre order it in a few weeks...

May 14th is only a few weeks... 

42

Software & Accessories / Re: Screw-on ND filter for 16-35 II

« on: April 25, 2013, 11:32:00 AM »

Related question for those using ND filters, since I've never used one but am starting to get inspired: is it worth getting MRC? On UV and CPL filters, it doesn't seem to affect the price as much- but for some reason, the MRC version of B+W's 10-stop is twice as expensive as the single-coated version... would love to hear thoughts on the matter!

Thanks,
Brian

43

EOS Bodies / Re: The sound of silence

« on: April 24, 2013, 01:46:28 PM »

Speaking of silence, check out this hilarious review from the camera store on the "new" T5i:

Canon Rebel T5i (700d) Hands-On

hahah, that's great. I needed a laugh this afternoon...

44

Technical Support / Re: Urgent Help Requested:Photos for my website

« on: April 23, 2013, 08:56:09 PM »

Here I am, drunk on a tuesday night ... don't tell my boss.

Amen to that. Except it's not that late here...

45

Reviews / Re: Sigma 30mm F/1.4 for Canon Review with the 7D

« on: April 23, 2013, 10:39:54 AM »

Do you have sample images from this lens somewhere that aren't in video form? I'd love to see some 100% crops, particularly in high-CA situations, if you have any...