Messages

61

Software & Accessories / Re: Which iMac

« on: February 01, 2013, 01:38:18 PM »

@Cayenne   http://sonnettech.com/ Thunderbolt to PCIe break out box - looks like we can't do video cards there yet.

The reason for an upgraded video card is if you're going to be driving multiple displays.  Mac + TB Display + Displayport for IPS screen means that 1gb of RAM may not have enough room to run everything.

Doing an iMac with a second display (matte) would actually be your best option - look at things under both conditions, remembering that lots of content consumption is done on glossy displays.  And when she's away, plug in a MBP and run all 3 screens.

62

Lighting / Re: Request advice for quality home portrait lighting in tight space...

« on: January 31, 2013, 05:36:30 PM »

Look at the strobist kits and think about what Rick wrote.  Depending on your intent, doing studio strobes can be a happy ending, but what if you want to take your show in the road?  What is your current strobe situation - as in do you have any?  A few Nissin Di622 mk2 with stands and umbrellas is a good start - cheap wireless triggers or eTTL if your body can do the ir control.  Keep in mind there's lots of things you can do for cheap that work amazing.

For fun, check out http://diyphotography.net/the-diy-strip-light

63

Software & Accessories / Re: Which iMac

« on: January 28, 2013, 12:59:21 PM »

Didn't read the whole thread- just the OP. Take that into account.

For what it's worth, I have a 2010 27" iMac, i7 quad-core 2.93 GHz. Upgraded to 12 GB RAM but contemplating getting more from OWC (www.macsales.com). It cost about $2k when I got it, but I'm sure you could now get one for substantially less. I thought about upgrading when I heard they were going to do a refresh, but I immediately decided I didn't want anything to do with the new one, for the following reasons:

1) Optical drive. If you're ever going to want to burn CDs or DVDs, I'd much rather have that built in than have to buy and deal with an external drive.

2) FW. Yeah, I know, you can get a TB-FW adapter. But I already have a FW800 RAID setup for data storage and backup, which is significantly cheaper than a comparable TB RAID device.

3) What I have, works great. I have CS6, so I'm using LR4, Photoshop Extended, and Premier Pro for video. And I can run them all at the same time, with no lag. If I do something really intensive I might have to free up a bit of RAM, but I've been amazed at how smoothly this system tackles hard work. I can't imagine that the performance upgrade would be particularly noticeable, for my usage, and therefore not worth the cost for me.

My recommendation? Keep an eye on the Refurb section of the Apple store, and save some money on the lastest version of the old generation. And regardless of the specs, get the 27" screen. Having that kind of real estate is awesome. :-)

Need to bump this one more - the refurb section on the Apple store is going to give much fruit soon.  The previous gen iMac 27" is a great workhorse, and since it's a known quantity, getting the stock model or the upgraded video card is all you want.  Take it to a retailer that works on them - or use the iFixit tools to crack it open and upgrade the internal hard drive bays to SSDs and max out the ram.  FW800 is great, though the newer models have USB3.

The best part is using the 27" iMac as an LCD for another thunderbolt mac or mac laptop.

64

Lenses / Re: Have 5D3, will shoot... but which lens?

« on: January 25, 2013, 06:00:38 PM »

Grab the 5d3 kit with the 24-105 - worst case you can sell the lens for a profit if it doesn't work for your style of photography.  There is nothing to lose.

65

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: What Photo Web Host do you use?

« on: January 25, 2013, 05:58:33 PM »

Does anyone know if flckr preserves the original owners' rights?  I notice a lot of folks on this forum use flickr as well as the "official" White House photostream.

Um, the Instagram flare up caused Flickr to point it out heavily.

http://blog.flickr.net/en/2011/05/13/at-flickr-your-photos-are-always-yours/

66

PowerShot / Re: A camera for backpacking into the wilderness...

« on: January 24, 2013, 05:14:32 PM »

You may be overlooking a major idea.  Since you're carrying everything in a traditional backpack, utilize your kid as the camera carrier.  That way the camera is in front of you with easy access (easier to get into his pack than into yours).  Age, weight and height all matter so this idea may not work.  Camera, water bottle and a few snacks and all your precious cargo is in one place.

67

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Potential upgrade from 7D

« on: January 21, 2013, 02:51:06 PM »

Civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King Jr's birthday is celebrated today - thus a lot of the USA is shutdown for holiday.

You really should try out some fast glass before making the jump to the 5dIII - thankfully all the fun stuff shy of the EFs 17-55 2.8IS & EFs 10-22 will work.  The Tamron 24-70 will make a huge difference compared to the long end of the 15-85.

68

Software & Accessories / Re: Snowboarding with a DSLR

« on: January 20, 2013, 01:20:45 AM »

Keep the lens on the body - snow in the mirror chamber is worse than the risk to leverage damage.

Most bags are good, but keeping it wrapped in something that's nice and soft.

69

Landscape / Re: Shooting locations in O'ahu.

« on: January 16, 2013, 11:47:16 PM »

Make sure you book a time slot to see the memorial http://www.nps.gov/valr/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm

A tripod and such will be helpful, and rain covers (seems to rain just after sunset the nights I was there).

Diamond Head is a popular shot from Waikiki as is Ko Olina Beach Park for that sunset shooting west.  I didn't stop in Hanauma Bay, but really, it'll be amazing anywhere you go.  The north shore area isn't that far away, so many options.

Make sure you plan things with where the sun will be at that time using http://photoephemeris.com/ .

Also know that any rental car there has been rented by a local to make a copy of the key - never leave your gear in the car, even in the trunk.

70

Lenses / Re: My greatest wish: the cheap-fast glass!

« on: January 13, 2013, 03:20:14 PM »

With DoF not being controllable, how 'fast' can you expect?  Yes, folks shoot f1.2 lenses wide open, but to limit it like that just doesn't work for sales.  Besides, unless you're looking for pressed glass elements, not the ground to perfection elements, you're never going to get the quality image.  Third party folks are getting better, but in the end the actual cost of r&d, materials and licensed technology - forget making a profit - makes this impossible.

Speed, length, quality and price - pick 2, and the others will give you options.

71

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II travel bag for Alaska

« on: January 08, 2013, 02:10:20 PM »

The OP might need to clarify if they're looking to travel with the 500 more often or if this is a one time deal.  You may want to rent instead of purchase.  Other bits to take, both 1.4xIII and 2xIII tele's, a long zoom (100-400 or 70-200 with 1.4x mounted) that'll be out and available at any time.  I take it you're going with 2-3 bodies,

http://alaskaair.com is your best travel resource, and make sure to book an extra day or two in Seattle headed either direction - but I'm biased.

72

Software & Accessories / Re: Black Rapid and dropped camera?

« on: January 07, 2013, 09:28:21 PM »

Take a look at CarrySpeed, I have one and it allows for two point connection (camera and lens collar) for larger lenses as well as an
arca swiss mounting plate with a folding connection which allows my camera to sit flat. I have a gripped 7D with a 70-200 2.8 IS and
have 100% confidence in the entire system. I use the FS-PRO system and find it to be incredibly comfortable especially over long periods.
They claim to be the most advanced sling system in the world and I'm inclined to agree! Too many great features to list, check them out
at carryspeed.com. I've never used a BlackRapid but I did a ton of research on straps and even got in touch with Tim Xu at CarrySpeed
who sent me one before the FS-Pro was available to the public!

You're ignoring the best part of the CarrySpeed F1 plate - the built in Arca Swiss plate!

Then again I cheat - I use the F1 plate with the SpiderHolster system, not their SpiderPro Plate.

73

Lenses / Re: 28-400 2.8

« on: January 06, 2013, 11:08:56 PM »

So I don't understand the physics of lenses but if they can why couldn't they make a 28-400 2.8 lens. Even at 15,000 it would be worth it at the same price of All three combined.

At $150k is more likely...  Understanding how trade offs are made would help.  The 30-300mm lens is a good example - remember, to go wide means you need to squish all your glass into a really short length, and all those pieces of glass moving really far apart in sync to give optical perfection at every point along the way.

74

Lenses / Re: Glacier National Park - New lens?

« on: January 03, 2013, 05:31:40 PM »

The 10-22 is a given, just do it either way, purchase or rent.  Also don't forget the tripod and remote trigger - carbon fiber if you're going to carry it a long ways.

If you purchase a tele convertor, make it the 1.4x III, but if you rent, no reason not to play with them both.

75

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: my new hero3 black, why is it better then my 7D?

« on: December 28, 2012, 07:43:14 PM »

so for Christmas i received a hero 3 black.
it does 240FPS at 820x480
120FPS in 720P
60FPS in 1080P

why is it so much faster then my 7D?
can the 7D be hacked to do more then 240FPS?

Scoobert, you do realize the differences involved here right?  You would be better to compare an iPhone 5 to the GoPro.