Messages

106

Lenses / Re: First dSLR, lens recommendations

« on: April 14, 2012, 04:15:23 AM »

You may also think about this combination (since you need both an walk-around lens and a tele zoom for wildlife during your trip)

Canon EOS 60D
Tamron 17-50 non-stabilized (at this zoom range stabilization may not be that essential)
EF 100-400mm L

If you want an even wider angle than 17mm, Tokina 12-24 is there or Sigma 8-16.

(Since you are going to rainforest, take lots of Silica Gel packs, and seal-able plastic bags)

107

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 350D/Rebel XT Upgrade Thoughts

« on: April 12, 2012, 09:37:16 AM »

Even a 600D sounds good

Thanks but this is not an option. I prefer to stay with my 350d instead...

From your two posts these are the points that i discerned:
1. You have a budget of around 4000US$
2. You shoot landscape and frame fitting object photos (headshot, macro etc all come in this group).
3. Not tied to EF-S due to investment in lenses.
4. No more rebels.

So, you do not need the AF of 7D/1DX/5DIII.


Go for 5DII and get EF 16-35mm 2.8. Then,

1. you have IQ of FF.
2. Wide angle of 16-35.
3. Macro and Portrait ability of 100mm L.
4. walk around 24-105.
5. you can take the FULL benefit of 50mm with FF.

my 2 cents.

108

EOS Bodies / Re: is the 40D still a good one for 400$

« on: April 12, 2012, 09:21:57 AM »

This applies to the Series 1 only

I have never even seen a series 1 camera, so had no idea about this feature. I was only talking about EOS 40D. But good to know. Thanks for sharing the info.

109

EOS Bodies / Re: is the 40D still a good one for 400$

« on: April 11, 2012, 05:20:12 PM »

However, if you are in Manual mode, then you cannot dial in EV compensation. Take the above scene again. ISO=100, you choose aperture f/4.0, shutter speed 1/500th sec. Since that was exposure level chosen at either AV or TV mode with 0 EV compensation, therefore, the meter indicator will be in blinking at the middle of the scale. You want to overexpose the scene by +2/3 stops, then you need to either go for f/3.2 (you are on manual mode) or 1/320th sec (or 1/3rd stop larger aperture and 1/3 stop slower shutter speed or any such combination)

Bottom line is in AV/TV mode you can dial in the Exposure Compensation and camera changes the shutter speed/aperture; in Manual mode to get a higher exposure you need to choose the shutter speed or  aperture or both yourself.

Yes, I shoot M and was thinking that maybe Exposure Compensation would shift what the light meter displays.

thanks for the info

No, in the M mode there is no way to use Exposure Compensation (EC), this feature does not remain active (as far as I know) anymore in M. Using EC in AV/TV is basically letting the "Camera Computer" do "something" automatically, but in M as the name suggests everything is Manual and so this "auto" feature is deactivated.

110

EOS Bodies / Re: is the 40D still a good one for 400$

« on: April 11, 2012, 04:09:25 PM »

Thanks for the tips. Is there any difference between using EV comp and simply metering slightly left or right?

I'm assuming it merely shifts what the meter displays and doesn't adjust shutter/aperture or ISO.

What do you mean by metering slightly left or right? Are you talking about manual or AV/TV mode?

Say you are in AV mode, ISO is set at 100 and aperture f/4.0 and you are using 0 EV compensation. The camera meters the scene at 1/500th of a second.

Now, if you want to overexpose the scene by +2/3 stops you dial in +2/3 EV compensation, then the camera will give you a shutter speed 2/3rd stop slower than 1/500 i.e. 1/320th sec.

If you were in TV mode (ISO=100) and shutter speed 1/500th sec then for exactly the same scene the camera will give you f/4.0 aperture. If you again dial in +2/3 EV comp, then the camera will choose f/3.2 which is 2/3 stops larger aperture than f/4.0.

However, if you are in Manual mode, then you cannot dial in EV compensation. Take the above scene again. ISO=100, you choose aperture f/4.0, shutter speed 1/500th sec. Since that was exposure level chosen at either AV or TV mode with 0 EV compensation, therefore, the meter indicator will be in blinking at the middle of the scale. You want to overexpose the scene by +2/3 stops, then you need to either go for f/3.2 (you are on manual mode) or 1/320th sec (or 1/3rd stop larger aperture and 1/3 stop slower shutter speed or any such combination)

Bottom line is in AV/TV mode you can dial in the Exposure Compensation and camera changes the shutter speed/aperture; in Manual mode to get a higher exposure you need to choose the shutter speed or  aperture or both yourself.

111

EOS Bodies / Re: How many actuations on your Canons?

« on: April 11, 2012, 06:22:15 AM »

The naming convention made me think:

............

You're almost correct. The reason .............

Ok. Just a check: so if I name my files: [shooting date][prefix][number (6 digits)].CR2 is that too long with risk of filecorruption or damage to the memorycard? Especially shooting AI-servo 8fps?

Do not worry, you are not changing the file naming within the camera. Camera will still name is as _MG_XXXX.CR2 or IMG_XXXX.CR2. It is only when you are transferring the pictures to your computer that they get renames. Moreover, why use 6 digits? if you are adding [shooting date] to the then 6 digits are superfluous. Are you a professional who might capture more than 10,000 pictures on a single day, ever? If your answer is no to both then 4 digits are enough, if your answer is yes to the second part (more than 10,000 picture on a single day) then 5 digits will be enough (even if you are a professional you cannot possibly take more than or equal to 100,000 photographs a day).

112

EOS Bodies / Re: How many actuations on your Canons?

« on: April 09, 2012, 10:57:43 AM »

I am over 10,000 actuations with my 7D. I use the EOScount.com utility


Btw After I reached 9999.CR2 the filenaming started all over from 0001. I really HATE that.
Is there a way to change that or not?

If you're using Aperture or LR, have the masters renamed to your preferred naming convention (including date, time and original file name/#)

I do not have LR or Aperture.


The naming convention made me think:


Currently files are named "Img_xxxx.CR2"
  That is 8 positions - dot - 3 positions. This exist from the Microsoft DOS period.
I assume that if I skip on the "Img_" there will be 4 additional character spaces that can be filled with a number. Theoratically it should allow 10001.CR2 and later 100001.CR2 and later 1000001.CR and if the camera would allow it even 10000001.CR2
Or....am I wrong in this assumption?

Even if you do not use LR or Aperture the naming convention should not be a problem. But if you use EOS utility then the following method should help.

Open EOS utility
Click on "Preferences" button at the bottom of the dialogue window.
Select "File Name" Tab
Click on the button which probably has "Do not Modify (Download Images)" a drop down list will appear.
You have four options to choose from.
I prefer the last "Shooting Date+Prefix+Number". But it depends on your preference.
Now you can play with the "Customize" button, number of digits, start etc. You are no longer limited by the camera's numbering system.
See what options suits your needs and what you like.
Save these preferences and then when you download your images they will be names according to your choices.
You can also change the destination folder to download the images in the first tab.

Hope this helps.

113

EOS Bodies / Re: How many actuations on your Canons?

« on: April 09, 2012, 05:52:13 AM »

16957 on my 40D. When I bought it, it had around 5900.  11000 photographs in eight months.

114

EOS Bodies / Re: Comparing my 60d with my new 5d3 not seeing much of a difference.

« on: April 01, 2012, 04:26:03 AM »

[/quote]

Thanks for the advice. I plan on learning more and more about light, flash, composition, etc. i have made great strides in the short two years I have had a dslr. I do realize that phtography lessons are needed but i figured they woukd be better practiced on this than having to learn methods and apply them to a different body later. I will still play with this a week or so longer and decide if the investment is worth it now or in a year or so when I have gained more skill. Did you think the photo's turned out ok?
[/quote]

From your statement it appears that you are not a professional photographer (I mean only that you probably do not earn anything substantial from photography yet) and you are learning and enjoying your photography technique. My understanding is that your 60D is a good enough camera (probably more than good enough) to do that. You have stated that you think it does not make sense to learn techniques on one camera body and then apply them with another camera body. Well it is not as if you are changing from Canon to Nikon to Sony where the lay out of buttons and menus makes the cross application of techniques time consuming. You are learning (or going to learn) techniques on a 60D which is more or less functionally similar (definitely not identical) to all other DSLRS of Canon lineup. Moreover, there is another issue to consider. Do you think you shall be satisfied with your 5DIII in 3 years/4 years down the line when 5DIV or something like that comes up? Then you will change to 5DIV and that will be a new body. You WILL have to "apply to a different body later" one way or the other. That is probably not a very sound rationale for buying 5DIII (you definitely may have other reasons to buy 5DIII, I am just saying this particular logic is not sound).

Ask yourself, if you do not see the difference between 60D photos and 5DIII photos then why buy 5DIII? Just because it is a "better" camera? But how would you enjoy its "betterness" if you yourself are not sure in what way it is better? Instead of buying 5DIII today you can invest in better lens/glass and two years from now when your 60D grow long in the tooth, you will definitely have developed so much as a photographer that you will probably buy 5DIV (may be or something even better) and enjoy it better. Because you WILL know "how" that is better than your old 60D or even the current 5DIII.

My 2 cents. 

115

Lighting / Wireless Flash Trigger+Wireless Shutter Release

« on: March 25, 2012, 03:12:09 PM »

Dear CRians, I have a question regarding wireless flash trigger and wireless shutter release. I have not yet ventured into the usage of a "proper" flash (used only the on camera one till now). However, I am planning to buy one speedlite in near future. Along with the flash I want to buy one wireless (radio!) flash trigger (which I think comes in two pieces. One piece attaches to the shoe of the flash and the other to the hotshoe on top of the camera). The other thing that I want to buy is a wireless (radio!) shutter release. Now those of you who have used such a set up, could you please tell me which brad do you use and share your experience. Thank you for your time.


__________________________________________________
_{EOS 40D, EF 50mm f/1.8 II, 85mm f/1.8, EF 22-55mm, some extension tubes}

116

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon 7D vs Canon 60D - Can't decide which to upgrade to.

« on: March 19, 2012, 01:27:43 AM »

Dear Synomis, let me tell you about my recent experience, it might help. I myself is on a very tight budget and I do not earn a single cent from my photography. My interest in photography is very recent (just one year or so old). First I bought a canon G12 and started learning about photography. Soon I discovered that I needed "something more" to satisfy my growing expectations and ideas. But being on a tight budget I could only afford a second hand EOS 40D with a 50mm 1.8II (the lens was new of course). Yes it was a four year old camera, "only" 9 AF points, just 6.9 FPS, powered with a Digic III (I think), no video and no swivel screen. But 40D was the best I could do. I could have gone for EF-S 18-55 but I chose not to after reading about the image quality (in relative terms) vis-a-vis 50mm 1.8II. So I was happily snapping along and learning. Then a few months down the line I bought the EF 85mm 1.8. And now I had two, but both prime lenses. So I planned and started renting lenses from a local lens rental place. Coming to that later. Meanwhile, I went back home and met a friend of mine who had bought a EOS 50D with your exact lenses (18-55mm and 55-250mm). I was excited about EOS 50D and when I was buying my 40D I spent many hours drooling over 50D (microadjustment being one plus for it). I grabbed my friend's camera and started shooting photos. But I was not very happy with the images somehow. So I took out his 55-250mm lens and put it on my camera. I figured that I must not be able to handle his "better" camera because it was new to me. But when I snapped some more photos with his glasses on my camera (which I know how to handle) I was still not happy. Soon I understood it was not the camera but the lens (No disrespect to your or my friend's glasses). After being accustomed with my 50mm and 85mm I was, for something in the photos with those other lenses, not satisfied. Let's comeback to my lens rental story. Till now I have rented these lenses, EF-S 10-22mm, EF 100mm L2.8 macro, EF-S 17-55, EF 24-105. On my same 40D, I think (personal opinion) the EF 100mm L2.8 macro (used as a short/medium telephoto) gave me even sharper images than my EF 85mm. So what is the point of such a long story to reply to your question? My point I personally believe to make the investment in a camera body really worth it one needs to spend a lot on the glasses as well. Otherwise, as many have said, you can get better pictures with the same "mediocre" camera but with vastly superior lense. So my 2 cents will be with buying better glasses. At least if you have the opportunity, then rent out some very good glasses, mount them on you "old" camera and see if you see the difference or not. You can do the same thing with camera body as well, if you have that opportunity and can afford to spend that money for renting alone. See for yourself, but at least you will have your own judgement to back your decision. Last word, why buy 7D in 2012 if you want a "great" camera just for the sake of it? 7DII will probably come out soon. May be 70D. The body upgrade circle always goes on. Good and wonderful glasses not so much.
_______________________________________________________________
_{EOS 40D, EF 50mm 1.8II, EF 85mm 1.8, EF 22-55mm, some extension tubes}

117

Lenses / Are EF-S lenses compatible with FF bodies

« on: March 14, 2012, 01:14:57 AM »

I thought EF-S lenses are not compatible with FF bodies. But then I saw this bundle being sold by adorama

http://www.adorama.com/ICA5DM2L51.html

What is the reasoning here? EF-S 15-85 is compatible with 5DII or just a marketing ploy or mistake or what?

118

Canon General / Re: Should I move up to FF or get more lens

« on: March 13, 2012, 11:34:13 AM »

Looking at your lens inventory, the first thing that comes to my mind is if you move up to FF right now, then three of your lenses will be useless (on a second reading of your post it appears that you know that). Definitely, 5D markIII is a fantastic camera and going from 550D to 5DIII will be a great update. But, my photography philosophy says that the quality of our photograph depends to a large extent on the quality of the glass that we use. If I was in your position I would sell of 18-55 and 18-200 EF-S. First, they are EF-S and second they are slow and third as much as I have read they are optically quite poor performer. 10-22 apparently is a better glass and since it suits 550D, I would keep it. So now you have a 10-22 to cover the Wide Angle side. A 35mm (I think your 30mm 1.4L is a typo) to cover the normal angle of view and a 50mm for the short telephoto angle of view. Then I would look at the photographs that I have taken and see which focal length have I been using most for my landscapes most? If I have been using my 18-200 more for my landscapes and that also the longer side of it, then I would buy 70-200mm 2.8L IS II. I could have gone for f4 but then for night photography it would be pretty limited. On the other hand, if I have been using 18-55 more for my landscapes then I am in a bit of dilemma. The best wide-normal zoom for 550D would be 17-55 2.8 IS, but that is EF-S. Then I will use the logic that photography is my hobby and I do not earn much from it (may be nothing at all) and so will go with the 17-55 2.8IS. Therefore, although I will not have the "grand" 5DIII, but I will have five of the fantastic quality lenses that canon has to offer -
10-22 EF-S
17-55 EF-S 2.8
35mm 1.4L
50mm 1.4
70-200 2.8L IS II
Then towards the beginning of next year (or end of this year) I will check again and see (reevaluate) where my photography stands. If I have money I would upgrade to a better cropped sensor (still all my lenses remain good for it) - may be 70D, may be 7DII if it comes out. Gradually I would gather funds/save for the 5DmkIII and the 16-35EF (which you will have to buy for wide angle on FF) - it will come, but not just right now.

my 2cents.

119

EOS Bodies / Re: Is this a picture of the new 70D

« on: March 13, 2012, 10:46:02 AM »

I think the picture is fake. Look very closely at the speaker/microphone that is on the left (on the viewer's left, camera's right - the one that is relatively closer to the shutter release). Just below it, there is a small arc/part of a circle which is definitely the remnant of the small philips screw after photoshopping.

my 2cents.

120

Lighting / Re: My new tripod

« on: March 08, 2012, 10:00:01 AM »

one photo of the ball head...