Messages

16

Lenses / Re: EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x Announcement Tonight

« on: May 13, 2013, 10:26:02 PM »

I wonder if the flip on/off function can be built into a separate 1.4x TC.  That would be a killer accessory.

I think distances would really screw with it, but if Canon wanted to spend the time and engineer the 70-200 2.8 with a built in 1.4x, it would solve a number of issues folks have.  Just to have a perfectly tuned set is worth an extra $1k.

Wonder how soon LensRentals and BorrowLenses will get their copies.

I wonder if Roger will do a tear down for us.  He might end up being shot at in the process, but lens porn comes at a high cost.

17

Lenses / Re: EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x Announcement Tonight

« on: May 13, 2013, 05:51:30 PM »

Who pukes first, AmEx, Visa or MasterCard?

18

Pricewatch Deals / Prices trending higher?

« on: May 09, 2013, 01:28:41 PM »

I'm itching to click the buy button on the 5d mk3, but the last week or so it's jumped $400.  Is MAP really starting to effect things?  Or does wedding season really lower inventory this much?  I view the body as a solid $3k and the kit a solid $3,500 price point.  Might need to check to see if the loyalty program is valid on the refurb mk3's.

19

Software & Accessories / Re: Adobe to Stop Making Packaged Software

« on: May 07, 2013, 01:27:00 AM »

And no, you won't have any warning they are going away, unless you are an insider.  They DO go poof in the middle of the night.

Outside of the financial industry, it is very rare that a major corporation suddenly and without warning shuts it doors and leaves all customers out in the cold.

To point out a good reference, Adobe took down their activation servers used in CS2.  So they put up new software packages and keys for those who would have been unable to activate their software.

Honestly, anyone afraid of loosing their edits and work in lightroom, when you upgrade, keep that install file around on your hard drive with all your photos.  At any time, you can rent/borrow/upgrade/reinstall/virtualize a PC or Mac computer, install the 'dated' version of Lightroom and get a 30 day trial.  Open your existing library and do a mass export of everything to TIFF.

Still afraid?  I can't help you.  Adobe is in an odd spot right now.  Their tools are the industry standard.  We as the creative public want tools that make things easier and allow us to work quickly when dealing with huge amounts of data.  The technology isn't cheap, programmers aren't cheap, and theirs is a company that didn't have a reoccurring revenue model.  Creative Cloud gives them revenue monthly, to help level out the stock price, and keep income and expenses balanced.

If you make your living with Adobe products, $600 / year is a cost of doing business.  You write it off with everything else.  The catch is those who only dabble in Adobe products, who aren't willing/able to spend the extra money.  I don't see how Adobe is expected to separate those two user types without being abused.

20

Software & Accessories / Re: New (???) Firewire-800 CF card reader (by Gold Flash)

« on: May 06, 2013, 08:36:17 PM »

It's a real pity my current Macbook Pro doesn't have USB 3.0. 

Belkin is finally shipping their Thunderbolt Express Dock, so USB3 is now an option.

http://www.belkin.com/us/F4U055/p/P-F4U055

I prefer FW800 and got a used SanDisk CF reader from LensRentals used side when it pop'ed up for $26.

21

Software & Accessories / Re: Adobe to Stop Making Packaged Software

« on: May 06, 2013, 08:29:45 PM »

I currently have a Creative Cloud subscription.  I got in way back at the $30/month price, which I am quite happy with.  I wouldn't purchase the full product or suite otherwise - I can't justify the cost.  I had LR3 as stand alone software, but for the most part, the whole idea of shelling out $2,500 for the full suite or $900 for an application like Photoshop is too much for me.  $50 is a bit high, but to get literally every Adobe application Adobe makes, it is a better value than the 2-to-3 release upgrade issue that most folks do.

It calls home once a month to verify the subscription was renewed, but other than that, it acts just like boxed software.  There are some creative cloud only plugins currently, and I hope they continue to add features to it.  The license is for 2 computers, 1 user - so if I have a Mac and a PC, I'm covered with current releases on both machines.

To end 'boxed' software is just the evolution of the 'app store' model.  It would be nice to have an 'Essentials Cloud' of the express products plus Lightroom, but this as a whole is a good step forward.

22

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

« on: May 04, 2013, 11:55:03 PM »

Not sure if a belt setup is an option - you let go of the camera, but if you're good with your placement you can feel it slide into the Spider Holster.  I hate their plates (hand size when used with the vertical grip) so I use the CarrySpeed F1 folding plate.  Only thing it isn't is a L bracket.

Upside is the cameras are lower than when on a strap, walking around is easy.  Downside is you can't hike it up high if you're sitting around.

23

Lenses / Re: Canon 85L II AF speed on 5D III???

« on: May 01, 2013, 12:07:07 PM »

My 85L mk2 isn't any faster from what I can tell (7D as a reference).  But damn is it dreamy.



My only wish is that as part of the power off of the attached camera, it should do a focus retract.  The thing does a sensor cleaning, so why not retract and save me the process??

24

EOS Bodies / Re: dual digic 4s vs single digic 5

« on: May 01, 2013, 12:50:34 AM »

Doesn't matter as much since the 70d isn't out, we can't be sure of what it will or won't do.  There will be a space for the 70d and there will be a 7d2 based on rumors.  Depending on what you use it for, it may work out for you - but personally I sold my 7D and my EF-S lens to feed my 5d mk3 fund.

25

Software & Accessories / Re: Manfrotto Repair: I thought I was buying from the best

« on: April 30, 2013, 07:20:03 PM »

you said your fault and fixing for free... and you still moan?

Yep, if "free" is 3 months, I'd gladly purchase the part and get on with my life.

26

Software & Accessories / Re: Screen calibration frustration!

« on: April 28, 2013, 06:54:01 PM »

Zv - have you tried it on an external monitor plugged into your laptop?  I hate to say but you may get better results when using a better LCD.

27

Software & Accessories / Re: Timer Shutters and Remote Shutters...recommend manufacturer

« on: April 22, 2013, 12:25:31 PM »

Personally, I use a hähnel Giga T Pro II - timer release that can work wired or wirelessly.

+1

And it works really well.  It's a bit overkill if you're just using it as a wired cable release, but if you're going to setup and do time lapses, or you want to be in the frame, the hähnel works amazing.  The other option you may want if you use battery/vertical grip (and haven't purchased one yet) is there is 1-2 vendors who do one built into the grip.  These are for programming multiple shots.

28

Software & Accessories / Re: How do you print your photos for those who still do?

« on: April 19, 2013, 12:18:05 PM »

Costco and a number of other places all have ICC profiles you can download, so WYSIWYG.

http://www.drycreekphoto.com/icc/

I picked up a Canon Pixma 9000 mk2 cheap due to rebates, kind of hard to beat immediate.

What do you use for library management?  Half the fun is the software used to kick the printer.
http://www.creativelive.com/courses/lightroom-101-lightroom-professor-jared-platt

29

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Any risk of 1DC overheating on a 1 hour 4K video?

« on: April 16, 2013, 03:01:37 AM »

Given what you're shooting and the environment you're shooting in, I might consider the new Blackmagic 4k option as well.  July isn't that soon, but you get LANC for camera control.

How far down are you diving?

30

Lenses / Re: $1000 budget, need lens recommendation for Canon t1i

« on: April 12, 2013, 11:50:01 PM »

Thanks for all the great recommendations.  The body can't be upgraded and he shoots photos of high level government meetings where you can't be any more distracting than the sound of the shutter, so no flash.  Portraits will be a small percentage of the shots.  I do like the idea of the Tamron f2.8 and the 55-250 canon with the 430ex ii flash.  It is a firm budget, and the office owns whatever we buy plus any order over $1000 will be rejected.  That doesn't leave much $$$ left over, but just these lenses will be a big upgrade.

This leaves a lot more questions.  Neuro's got a good list (as always), but the long and short of it is $1k doesn't give you great light light without flash.  Period, no question.  People move, size of rooms change, light in government buildings really sucks.

What's the end use of the photos?  You may be better getting something from the last six months that's got a wide prime attached to it.