Topics

1

Software & Accessories / NOT happy with Lexar at this time!!!

« on: April 10, 2013, 11:11:03 PM »

Ok, I bought a Lexar 32gb Professional 1000x card from Adorama about 4 months ago (give or take) and I had to send the card back within a month because it crapped out. Lexar replaced it without question with a 'new' card and this also has just crapped out. I aksed Lexar about a refund because at this point I do not trust getting and/or using ANOTHER memory card from them.

Anyone else had this problem? I have several Sandisk cards and not once have I ever had to send one in because it stopped working. I am so frustrated...

D

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Lenses / Aftermarket tripod rings vs OEM

« on: April 08, 2013, 06:21:39 PM »

I was curious how you guys felt about aftermarket tripod rings (like the ones found on eBay) vs the Canon OEM ones. Of course you can get the aftermarket ones cheaper and the couple that I have used seemed decent quality and build. BUT, that is a lot $$$ (equipment) to trust to something that make break easier than the OEM brand. I am not talking about super heavy lenses. My biggest lens is the EF 70-300L and I have an aftermarket ring for it.

Thanks!

Don

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Just picked up a ligtly used 40D as a back up for my 7D!

« on: April 01, 2013, 10:52:10 PM »

I find it amazing how many people dump their equipment when new stuff comes out, believing that the new stuff is just miles ahead of what they had been using, (and had been getting great results with to boot!)

I have been looking for a nice 40D w/ grip as a backup/second body to my current 7D. For the money you cannot beat the 40D. The image quality is fantastic (for 10.1mp) and it is as fast as ever. I truly believe this was one of Canon's most overlooked cameras. It's run only lasted a year and many people passed it over when the 50D came out. I have used/owned the 40D and 50D and I love the 40D for the price and image quality. My first 40D I bought used (for $500 bucks) and I replaced it with the 7D when it was stolen about 2 years ago.

I found a really nice 40D with a Canon bg-e2n grip for about $350 bucks. I can't complain. The older cameras may be scoffed at, but they are far from done.

If you have an older body and think you need to "upgrade", take a look at your glass. Good glass will take you farther than any camera body can.

Like a good friend of mine says, "Learn your equipment and learn it well, you will be miles ahead of someone who solely thinks newer is better but does not know how to use it."

D

4

Software & Accessories / Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4... DOH!!!

« on: February 03, 2013, 10:08:56 PM »

Ugh, I just bought Lightroom 4 and to my horror, it is not comptatible with XP!!!

After the release of Vista, I swore to myself that I would stick with XP (which I really like) for as long as I can. Well after 12 years of faithful XP use, it looks like my travels have come to an end.

Now, mind you I am running a new system (AMD Phenom II X4 965, OC'ed to 3.8Ghz) DDR 3 memory, etc... but I have just resisted upgrading to Windows Vista (Gag! Yuck!), 7 or now even 8 for YEARS. (Call me a rebel...)

Well, that has come to a quick end with the purchase of Lightroom 4. Now, my question is, which is better? Windows 7 or 8? Any thoughts?

D

5

Lenses / Just bought a new Canon EF 70-300L IS USM lens.

« on: December 31, 2012, 07:07:31 PM »

Well, I had been wanting a little more reach than my 70-200 f4L IS USM lens could give so I sold it and my EF-s 60mm macro (I really liked that little lens) and bought a new EF 70-300L lens from Adorama.

I replaced my 60mm macro with the EF 100mm USM (non IS, already had one but the ex wife got that one in the seperation...) I thought about getting the 100-400 but I really wanted a nice walk around zoom so the 70-300L seemed perfect.

I have spoken to people who have one and they love it. What are your experiances? Good? Bad?

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Third Party Manufacturers / RE:Tamron 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD 2x tele converter question...

« on: November 29, 2012, 09:20:37 PM »

Hello everyone. The specs and initial reviews of this lens have me very interested. I currently have the Canon EF 70-200 F4 IS USM and want to upgrade.

I thought about getting the new Tamron 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD. It looks very impressive based on what I have read and I was wondering how the Tamron 2x teleconverter would work (well) with it. I figured that it may save me some $$$ in the long run because it will give me a 2.8 70-200 AND a 140-400 when I needed it.

Thoughts? Thank you in advance for taking the time to consider my question.

D

7

Lighting / Speedlite 550ex for DSLR's?

« on: November 08, 2012, 08:12:06 PM »

I know that the 550ex is one of (if not) the largest flashes that Canon has made. I see several of them on Craigslist for a great price (around $250.00) but are they "compatable" with the 7D, 5D2, etc... I know they will "work" but would I be better off with a 580exII or 600?

Just curious...

D

8

EOS Bodies - For Stills / 5D2 vs 7D

« on: October 03, 2012, 12:22:37 AM »

I know this question has been asked over and over and several reviews on the web have put both cameras through their paces, but after my own use of both cameras, here is my 2 cents.

First off, let it be said that a FF 7D is the 5D3. This is not about comparing the these two bodies. The 5D2 is basically a FF rebel (in terms of speed/raw features), with a far SUPERIOR color processor and sensor! (No offense anyone)

I own both cameras. It comes down to this, if you are shooting mainly stills, weddings and "canned" shots, the 5D2 cannot be beat in areas of image quality and low light handling.

However, for wildlife? The 7D is a workhorse and I love using mine. The more I shoot with it, the more I love it. I have been getting amazing images from it and it is far easier to use than I first gave it credit for. It is very fast and a "NOW" camera. It does what you want exactly when you want it done!

I am simply suggesting that a camera that can cost well over a grand less than the 5D3, and upwards of $600 less than the 5D2 and twice as fast as the 5D2, one has to stand up and take notice. When Canon does decide to make a "7D Mark II" they have their work cut out for them. For an APS-C camera, the 7D is as close to perfect as it can be and I for one cannot wait to see what they consider a "replacement" for the 7D! Yes, crop sensors have limits, just as FF bodies do... but the image quality and advantages (speed) of the 7D outweigh the 5D2 in real world shooting!

If you buy one, you will not be disappointed. I haven't been... (shots taken with the 7D, pics sized down for posting, full size rez photos are much, much nicer!)

EDIT:All of these shots were hand-held, no tripods, no "canned" shots. Ah, one more thing, the first 2 shots (macros) were taken with my beloved EF-s 60mm macro, the horror!!! I own the EF 100mm macro as well and I will not give up my EF-s 60mm macro for ANYTHING! Amazing lens!

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Fastest compactflash card for 7D

« on: August 29, 2012, 11:13:50 PM »

I am wanting to purchase a new card for my 7D. I currently have the Sandisk Extreme (400X) 16GB card and want to upgrade to a 32GB. Should I get another 400X card or upgrade to the Extreme Pro (600X). I don't care so much about upload/download time from the card to my PC, but will my camera benefit from the increased speed? Thanks.

Oh, and I am running the new V2 firmware upgrade with no problems so far.

D

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Firmware update for 7D

« on: August 05, 2012, 08:27:32 PM »

Ok, we know it was August "something" but does anyone know WHEN Canon will release it? I am getting anxious.

D

11

Lighting / Anyone used a LED ring light for macro?

« on: August 02, 2012, 06:01:34 PM »

I have been looking for some decent lighting for my macro work. I have speedlites already but no ring flashes. I have been looking at the "aftermarket" ones for the Canons. Has anyone used either the ring flashes or LED lights? Thoughts?

D

12

EOS Bodies / Prediction of future APS-C bodies after Canon EOS-M announcement.

« on: July 24, 2012, 09:48:47 PM »

Now that we have the EOS-M here is my thoughts on the future of Canon's APS-C line.

The XXXXD line (T3) will be replaced by the EOS-M. (Logical based on the pricing and compatibility with EF lenses)

The XXXD line will take on the features found in the XXD line. (Logical based on the features found on the new Rebel, it's closer to a merge of a 7D and 60D in a smaller body)

Very possible merger of the XXD line and XD line into the 7D mark II. The 70D (if there is one) will not replace or be better than the 7D replacement. The 7D has been and will remain the flagship APS-C camera for Canon. (The 7D is one of the most popular cameras Canon has ever made, they will continue with the namesake for it's replacement)

The replacement of the 7D will not be FF nor APS-H as the marketing for the 7D has been towards EF-s users. Too many current 7D owners own/use EF-s lenses. (I am one) It would not make for a good marketing shift for Canon to change the body into a different crop of sensor from the APS-C. This is about Canon making money and the smartest choices to convince users to upgrade. If Canon is going to introduce another FF body or "bring back" the APS-H, they will simply call it something other than the 7DX (X being whatever)

If there is a 70D (and based on the August release of the version 2 firmware update for the 7D) it will push the 7D2 into 2013 or possibly 2014. I don't see that happening. There would be little reason for Canon to release such an extensive firmware update IF they were going to announce the 70D anytime soon. The 70D would have to exceed the current 7D in features and speed. (And the 70D will not be FF nor APS-H for the same reason, current XXD users who own/use EF-s lenses) My opinion is that they are trying to keep current 7D users happy while they develop a replacement for the 7D later this year or the beginning of 2013.

I think Canon is shifting the playing field from APS-C bodies to more FF bodies. The rumors of an "entry-level" FF is what makes this future interesting. I can't see Canon having too many camera bodies directly competing with each other. From what I have seen in the past, they like to spread out the choices. Canon taking away (merging) the XXD line will slim out the crop sensor field and make room for more FF cameras.

D

13

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Why 18MP???

« on: July 22, 2012, 11:13:57 PM »

OK guys, I am open minded but with the release of the Canon EOS M we now have yet another APS-C 18MP sensor.

Beginning with the 7D in 2009 (with the exception of the 5D3 and T3) each new Canon camera body released has been 18MP! Now unless I have missed something, is 18MP a "magical" number? Now, mind you, I am not worried about Nikon or higher MP cameras, but I just find it very odd that yet another 18MP sensor has been released.

Thoughts as to why? Did Canon over produce 7D sensors and now they have to get rid of them all?

D

14

Lenses / Which to keep? EF 70-300 IS USM or 70-200 4L IS USM

« on: July 19, 2012, 10:08:38 PM »

I may have to downsize some of my zoom lenses and the two that I may have to choose between are the EF 70-300 IS USM lens and the EF 70-200 f4L IS USM lens.

Now of course, the "L" is a better lens in every way, but I like having the little bit of extra reach of the 300mm. What do you guys think? If you could only keep one, which one would it be?

D

15

Lenses / Question...To UV or not to UV...that IS the question!

« on: July 18, 2012, 11:26:00 PM »

I have always used UV filters on all of my lenses. For me, it is cheap insurance against accidental damage to the lens glass. However, this past weekend shooting with a friend is making me reconsider this...

I met a gentleman who was told to me had been shooting for decades. He had some pretty impressive equipment (Canon) with him to boot! He looked at my gear and asked if I always shot with UV filters and I said yes. He then said, "Why? Why would you spend $$$ on a top quality lens and then shoot through a UV filter that can distort the image?" Needless to say, I had nothing to say. He then said that keeping the damage off of your outer lens glass was the hood's job and to not worry about it.

I looked at my friend and he said he agreeded with him and that he never used filters. He told me that you truly can get a better quality image without using UV filters...

Guys? Opinions?

D