Messages

256

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D Mark II price

« on: December 21, 2011, 07:49:59 AM »

@Kingstonwhites - I think there will still be a market.  After all, who would by the 5D after the release of the 5D MKII and even through this year I would still see those selling at $1000+

I think especially for those entering into the market, which there always will be, the MKII will settle into the $1700 - $1900 range when the MKIII is finally announced, and there will still be a $1000 - $1300 gap between models.  For many of those new people... That will boil down to I can get the 5D MKIII body and well maybe one lens, or I can get the 5D MKII, a 24-105 and a 70-200 F/4 for the same price of a body alone, and then they can upgrade to the MKIII a year or so down the line when they have saved up a little more. 

The nice thing about "buying at the bottom" is you often can get a few years out of something and almost get out what you put in. 

I also expect the MK II price to go back up over $2K once the holidays are over.   Regardless I paid $1800 for mine with 2500 shutter clicks, so not too concerned about the hundred or so I would lose if I sold today, tomorrow or in the near future.  I also think there is a chance the 5D MKIII could also be priced above $3K and don't see $3200 as unrealistic, especially if they add a 30MP sensor, better AF and improved ISO.  They need to protect the 1Dx as well, so I expect the MKIII to have lesser FPS, ISO and AF points in comparison, but higher MP.    Would also not surprise me if we only see 24 - 27 MP as well. 

257

Lighting / Re: PocketWizard FlexTT5 and 580exII RF Issues?

« on: December 20, 2011, 07:05:37 PM »

I am glad they are available in the Asian Market, but I have not seen a single retailer in North America and many of the other markets. 

As for the cables, doesn't bother me in the least.  I have seen many different jacks on strobes, so makes it easier to allow the end consumer to buy what they need.

PC Terminal.  1/4" Phono.   1/8" mono.  Elinchrom?  Metz?  There are a few others. 

Bluetooth in general is a short distance connection.  It does avoid some interference with its handshake protocol, but I also have found varying results with my connection and reliability of say my cell in my car alone, compared to in a crowded room. 

The 2.4gHZ band is very crowded.  My old phone and wi-fi router both were at one time 2.4 and I used to lose my connection on my laptop during calls.  And again.  It all depends on the scenario and set up but long and short, you are more likely to get interference from a phone, laptop, router or other device on the 2.4 ghz band.  It is also one of the reason phones and other longer distance devices started to promote the 5.8 ghz and DECT bands as having "less interference"  because there are less devices using them. 

As far as people go and "complaints"... How many people are using Pocket Wizards vs how many people are complaining?  Using Hard Drives for example... If you go out to most techincal/computer websites and look at reviews, you will see that a great many HDs seem like pretty much crap with people reporting half of the purchased ones DOA.   I am fairly confident if Phottix had as large of an installation base as Pocket Wizard, you would see just as many "issues" posted on their page, maybe even more so, because to me, especially over the 2.4 gHZ band, any distance firing is likely to run into issues.  Also one of the reasons why Pocket Wizard will publish up to 500m+ where Odin is 100m+  I trust the Pocket Wizard Band over the 2.4 over distance.

And a correction on the original poster.  They had NO ISSUES.  They were tire-kicking and and looking for feedback because they had "read some things" about interference.

"Does anyone here have experience with PWs FlexTT5 and the 580exII?  I'm looking at moving into remote ETTL, but have seen some reviews where range was severely limited due to high RF interference from the 580. "
 
I for one am always welcome to competition.  The end result are better products at cheaper prices.  If the Odin ever makes its way into North America, I will be happy to test or watch the feedback... but I also expect to see threads like - "Does anyone else have problems with Odin and XBox Connect? - My neighobors XBox keeps interfering with my studio"

258

United States / Re: B&H Warranty

« on: December 20, 2011, 03:45:02 PM »

My question:
The 3/5 year warranty seems like a good peace of mind (it's transferable, it handles accidental damage etc.).  Would any of you with experience with this have any reason to talk me out of it?  If it wasn't B&H (or comparable reputable dealer) I wouldn't even consider it, so what do you think?

Thanks.

+1 on the comments above.  Extended warrantee are there to make money for the companies.  I work in telecom industry and it is the same thing, extended warranty are one of the product with the most profit on it!

Not sure it is worthed...

Depends on the company and the product.  I bought my Infiniti G35x used and picked up the 4yr / 100,000K mile extension.  Still have around 20,000 left on the warranty, but I am already right around break even, to even have saved a little.  It is worth piece of mind.  It is also nice where it comes DIRECT from Infiniti, so pretty much no issues. 

Most other things... nah.  Like everytime I buy a printer of something on sale and I get offered a two year warranty... I sort of laugh and tell them my old printer was fine, but basically buying a new one because it is sometimes cheaper than buying replacement ink. 

Know what you are buying, what are the costs, the quirks, the exceptions, as well as the coverage.  what is wear and tear can be subjective.  My rule of thumb is around 5%.  With my Infiniti, my extended coverage cost me around 3% of my purchase price when I see $189 on an 1900 item... I tend to roll the dice, especially if I have SOME coverage out the door from the manufacturer.

259

United States / Re: B&H Warranty

« on: December 20, 2011, 02:36:17 PM »

Cool, thanks again guys.  In a little over 1 year, my 60D has ZERO sign of use after 4400 photos; I'm neurotic about keeping my stuff in pristine shape. 

I've already got personal articles for some other things; I have to update that too.

Not to be nit picky, but wouldn't a shutter count about 4000 be a sign of use?

 

Just saying.

260

Canon General / Re: Missing lenses on Canon Refurb Site

« on: December 20, 2011, 02:25:17 PM »

Considering the two 70-200 F/4s still are on the main site, I would not read much into it.  I would read more in that they are not getting as many of them in compared to the 2.8s etc.

261

Site Information / Re: Can I called myself photographer? plz, you need to help me..

« on: December 20, 2011, 10:26:21 AM »

Do you just shoot, or do you review your work and see what you can do better?
Do you study, read, solicit opinions?

Do you tag your photos with your name/watermark.

I shoot, and improve and learn to get it better. I just getting serious with my photoblog and of course I put watermark on every picture. I used DPP as well.

Here my photoblog http://musedmoments.blogspot.com/

and this is my photo portfolio http://musedmoments.snapixel.com/

Not too many photos as I still in progress uploading most of them.

I was being rhetorical.

In short if you are passionate and are working at getting better, you are a photographer.  If you just shoot, then you take pictures. 

262

Lighting / Re: PocketWizard FlexTT5 and 580exII RF Issues?

« on: December 20, 2011, 08:46:48 AM »

I have never personally used an Odin, so I can't really comment on their abilities.  I can say that there is noone locally to me or with 2000 miles that carries them that I can find.  I see no authorized dealers or stores that stock them in the Eastern US or Canada.

As for Pocket Wizard and cables, mine cost me $4.99 so not really a big deal

Availability is a large point for me.  I may do a lot of buying online, but I also buy brands that I can also get locally or same day if I need a replacement. 

Now if Odin starts getting dealerships in the US or Canada, then maybe I will consider them.  So far Pocket Wizards have served me well.  They are plentiful, I get them cheaper than I can buy Odins, and if I am traveling and have an issue, loss, etc., I can easily purchase a replacement or borrow one.

The only issue that some are getting with the 580 EX IIs is do to Canon and their frequencies, not the Pocket Wizards.  I have had no issues with either of my 580s or 430s and working with them and my Photogenics. 

The other thing to note about not needing shielding with Odin's, that is because the frequencies that are used.  In fact, while you may not have run into problems do to the frequency spread, since the US uses different ranges for other devices, it can be likely that the Odins may suffer from interference from other devices.

Pocket Wizard will have specific frequency ranges based upon location for this exact reason, and from what I have seen, Odin is only a one size fits all.  This also may be a reason, why after 4 years, they seem to only be available in Europe, and not carried by North American or Canadian markets. 

263

Site Information / Re: Can I called myself photographer? plz, you need to help me..

« on: December 20, 2011, 08:19:21 AM »

I think photographer is fine and agree with the poster above, that when your quality and skills rise and perhaps you are making money, then "professional photographer" applies.

The only sort of hesitation I have with that, is I have been shooting models now for a while, is I also see "professional" as the way I conduct myself.  Especially when shooting models/fashion, there are a lot of GWCs (Guys with Cameras) who are far from professional, even though for some, that is their "business"

Do you just shoot, or do you review your work and see what you can do better?
Do you study, read, solicit opinions?

Do you tag your photos with your name/watermark.

Photography, like anything other art form will always be a hierarchy of talent, skill and experience.  As long as you are conscious at trying to improve in these areas, then you belong.  There will always be someone better, but be hungry and enjoy when you get the shots you want

264

EOS Bodies / Re: Whortwhile to go for 5D Mark II?

« on: December 19, 2011, 12:28:10 PM »

Not sure I can agree with the 7D being more expensive to make than the 5DMK II. 

Yeah, a larger FF sensor with better ISO has to be cheaper? 

How does that 7D do shooting above 6400 vs the 5D MK II?  Care to step above 12800? 

Hmmmm... Are the EF-S lenses weather-sealed?  So if you want to shoot wide-angle on a 7D and be weather sealed, how do you plan to do that?  The 10-22 is a great lens.  I have enjoyed it on my 550D, sealed lens like the 17-40 or 16-35 aren't exactly wide on the 7D.

Depth of Field?

Will the 5D MK III be a better camera.  Yup.  Will it be more expensive.  You bet.  It is funny.  I can go back and sell discussion of the 5D MK III pretty much 6 months ago plus... and yet... still no announcement.  I do expect one on 2012, but thinking more later than earlier.

265

EOS Bodies / Re: Whortwhile to go for 5D Mark II?

« on: December 19, 2011, 09:51:35 AM »

[sarcasm on]

I would wait for the 5D MK IV.  Yes it is 3 years off, but with 45MP, 10 FPS burst, and extremely high ISO, and dual DIGIC-6 processors and 75 AF points, it is hard to beat.  You get the 5D MKIII and you will be disappointed when this super-body is released and you have the MKIII... Not to mention the price drop once the 5D MKIV is announced. 

[sarcasm off]

If you need to shoot, it is hard to go wrong with the 5D MK II, especially if their are delays in production, availability, as well as the price may be up there as well for the first few months.

266

EOS Bodies / Re: Earthshatteringly Disappointed With 7D

« on: December 19, 2011, 09:24:58 AM »

I still dont think we have established whether it is the operator or the camera that is at fault.


Lets have some solid facts

Agreed.

 â€œData! Data! Data!...I can’t make bricks without clay.”  (Sherlock Holmes)

 

Since when did Star Trek the Next Generation encounter Sherlock Holmes??? 

And wasn't it Bones McCoy "I'm a Doctor... Not a brick layer"

All this confusing and mis-matching sci-fi has me befuddled!

267

Lenses / Re: Why no fixed Super-Tele-Lenses for APS-C?

« on: December 19, 2011, 08:15:02 AM »

I just can't see it.  Pretty much the only "Pro" APS-C is the 7D. 

Most of the EF-S lenses I see tend to be towards the Ultra-Wide side of things and more of a necessity because of the way a FF on a crop loses its wideness.  Yes I know there are a bunch of Standard and Tele-Zooms, but I look at the EF-S 10-22 as a specific example of Canon needing a lens to give Wide-Angle on the Crop Body.  Similarly a lot of the standard and Tele-Zooms are needed because when you look at the EF like 24-105, that is already almost at 40 with the crop factor.

I think between all the R&D, an EF lens offers a greater audience than an EF-S lens which has a smaller demand, especially if you start producing more expensive and specialized lenses that start eclipsing the $1000 price point. 

268

EOS Bodies / Re: Shooting on a higher shutter over buying an ND filter?

« on: December 19, 2011, 08:01:00 AM »

Not sure why you need to spend $300 on an ND especially at your level.

You can easily find decent ones for half that or much less.  I have added a .6 ND and a .9 ND (B+W 77mm) to my bag in the last month and MAYBE spent $170 total and they are decent glass.  You go Hoya or Tiffen and you should be able to get 3 or so ND filters in a variety of stops for under 200.

yes you can always change the shutter, but it does affect your shot and affect what you can and can't do.  I would rather be able to keep a shutter and ISO and be able to open the aperture up.  As folks have mentioned, it will reduce sharpness ever so slightly, but I also find I get less noise and better highlight and shadows with a slower shutter, higher aperture and an ND filter vs pushing the shutter extremely fast. 

You are just doing video, so won't make as much as a difference, but if you start to shoot flash, the curtain and sync speed come into play and being able to keep the shutter 250 is a necessity

269

Lenses / Re: All round lenses

« on: December 19, 2011, 07:44:48 AM »

I disagree on selling the Kit Lens.  Probably better to not use it if you don't need it, but selling a lower-end camera will a lens when it comes times is easier than without. 

When it comes time to sell your 60D, you will be listed up against a lot of 60D body only who sold their lens, so for people moving into their first DSLR, yours will have a slightly higher appeal.  May not net you a ton more, but as a whole, the higher prices I see are kits that have original box, CDs, accessories and even the kit lens. 

Being a lower lens, it is also not like say the 5D MKII where people are looking to move up into the 24-105 F4L

270

Site Information / Re: Applaud or smite?

« on: December 17, 2011, 03:58:22 PM »

I am more of a positive person, so will more likely applaud rather than smite. 

The only posts/people I have smited, and there have only been a few, have been those that seemed, bitter, disrespectful or abusive. 

I like the fact that people will have differing opinions, as their should be, because as technical as photography is, it is also an art.  I remember when I was first learning and hearing about "correct exposure" one of the next comment was about personal preference and whether it over or under exposing made the image "better"

I am just happy to discuss with passionate people so that I can not only learn but share.