136
Contests / Re: Blue Crane Digital Giveaway!
« on: May 28, 2011, 08:38:09 PM »
"Shoot Great Video with your Canon DSLR" - Thanks.
May 20, 2013, 09:56:29 AM
Show Posts
This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
137
Lenses / Re: Lens for bicycle race?
« on: May 15, 2011, 09:30:19 PM »
Ironically, I just shot a Triathlon this morning. I used a 70-200 2.8 II and think it was perfect with my 7D. It focuses fast using AI Servo - the IS isn't really a factor for action like that. The aperture (2.
is what allows for a fast shutter (I used 1/500 - 1/750 and got ISO ranging from 200-400 on the 7D, it was overcast . . .).
If you have to use one of the lenses you have I would definitely not discount the 50 - you will need to position yourself appropriately - try an outside corner where you can get them in the turn starting with a head on and then maybe a profile shot as they ride by. Set the aperture to 2.8 to give yourself a decent depth of field and experiment with shutters between 125-500. The lower speeds will allow for some wheel blur if you pan and shoot as they pass which could give you a cool shot - takes practice though. If you want everything static use at least 1/500. If the ride is big enough, try all of your lenses - you will find the right one for you.
is what allows for a fast shutter (I used 1/500 - 1/750 and got ISO ranging from 200-400 on the 7D, it was overcast . . .).If you have to use one of the lenses you have I would definitely not discount the 50 - you will need to position yourself appropriately - try an outside corner where you can get them in the turn starting with a head on and then maybe a profile shot as they ride by. Set the aperture to 2.8 to give yourself a decent depth of field and experiment with shutters between 125-500. The lower speeds will allow for some wheel blur if you pan and shoot as they pass which could give you a cool shot - takes practice though. If you want everything static use at least 1/500. If the ride is big enough, try all of your lenses - you will find the right one for you.
138
Sports / Re: 60D Sports Photography Help
« on: May 03, 2011, 02:27:21 PM »
I agree with Neuro - shutter of 1/500 is minimum for almost all action sports. At night on auto, your camera will probably max out your ISO (3200 I think for the 60D) so you will see some grain in the shots, but that will be better than blurry shots. . . You might try positioning yourself and waiting for the action in the brightest lit areas of the field.
Using AI Servo will take practice to keep the focus point on the players as they move around. I only use a single focus point (usually the center point) when I shoot sports with my 7D. You might also try using one-shot mode - just remember you need to manually re-acquire focus quite often. This might help if you find your lens is "hunting" for a focus point and your shots are focused beyond the subject you intended.
If you shoot a game during the day, try 1/1,000 shutter and maybe overexpose by 1/2 stop - since the players wear masks, their faces will be somewhat shadowed and the overexposure will help with that.
Using AI Servo will take practice to keep the focus point on the players as they move around. I only use a single focus point (usually the center point) when I shoot sports with my 7D. You might also try using one-shot mode - just remember you need to manually re-acquire focus quite often. This might help if you find your lens is "hunting" for a focus point and your shots are focused beyond the subject you intended.
If you shoot a game during the day, try 1/1,000 shutter and maybe overexpose by 1/2 stop - since the players wear masks, their faces will be somewhat shadowed and the overexposure will help with that.
139
EOS Bodies / Re: If you definately wanted a 5dMK2...
« on: April 08, 2011, 01:52:22 PM »
I bought a 5D2 a few weeks ago after hoping for a 5D3 announcement since last fall. I feel stupid for WAITING, as I use it almost every day. I will probably get a 5D3 WHEN it comes out and either trade in my 7D or my 5D2. I am sure I will only regain part of my initial investment but the cost will be minor compared to the cost of not getting some of the great shots I have gotten and will get with the 5D2 until then.
140
EOS Bodies / Re: The Truth about Microadjust
« on: March 23, 2011, 10:52:47 PM »
I micro-adjusted all of my lenses on my two bodies (5d mk II and 7D). I didn't make any adjustments at all to the longer lenses (70-200/2.8, 85/1.2 and 24-105/4.0) but did make adjustments to the short lenses (50/1.2 and 16-35/2.. Is this just a coincidence or is it normal for the shorter lenses to need more adjustment? I have not yet taken any sample images with the adjusted lenses - maybe tomorrow - to see if there is a noticeable difference.
I used the Moire interference patterns method found at NorthlightImages:
http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/cameras/1ds3_af_micoadjustment.html
. Is this just a coincidence or is it normal for the shorter lenses to need more adjustment? I have not yet taken any sample images with the adjusted lenses - maybe tomorrow - to see if there is a noticeable difference.I used the Moire interference patterns method found at NorthlightImages:
http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/cameras/1ds3_af_micoadjustment.html
141
Lenses / Re: Canon Extender EF 2x III review - at the bronx zoo
« on: March 22, 2011, 11:32:21 AM »
Nice shots. I have the 70-200 2.8 L II and love using it on both the 5D II and the 7D. I was considering getting an extender but was worried about a drop in IQ but your photos look pretty good . . .
142
Canon General / Re: Canon 7D noise observations
« on: March 21, 2011, 03:10:20 PM »It could be a loose shim on the image sensor's trans-nebulizer - probably caused by the higher than normal gravity we have recently experienced from the "super moon". It should settle back into place in a few days.
Is that a single exposure?
Yes, with a 7D . . . It was late-afternoon a few days ago. I did use Aperture to increase the contrast and saturation. Shot with a 300/2.8 on a monopod. Aperture was f/3.0, shutter was 350, ISO was 160. I just got lucky with the timing . . . we've had some great sunsets recently in this area.
143
Canon General / Re: Canon 7D noise observations
« on: March 21, 2011, 02:52:46 PM »
It could be a loose shim on the image sensor's trans-nebulizer - probably caused by the higher than normal gravity we have recently experienced from the "super moon". It should settle back into place in a few days. 
144
Lenses / Re: 24 f1.4L II or 16-35 f2.8L II
« on: March 18, 2011, 09:52:04 AM »One of the 85 mm prime lenses would be great for both the 7D and a FF. I have the 1.2 and can get some stunning shots - see this candle light photo at a birthday party. I know - the noise is significant, i probably need to work on it a little more . . .
Nice shot (although the axial CA of a fast prime results in the candles showing as purple). Personally, I don't like the noise on the 7D above ISO 800. You can see some big improvements by shooting RAW (if you aren't already) and using something like DxO (which handles noise much better than DPP, I think).
The 85L is a great portrait lens - in fact, I liked the focal length so much for that purpose that when I added a 5DII to my kit, I also added the 135mm f/2L to provide the same focal length and aperture (DoF-wise) of the 85L on a 1.6x crop body. But I still use the 85L a lot on FF.
Thanks - I agree about the noise - my 5DII is supposed to be arriving today! After the trouble in Japan, I finally decided not to wait for the 5DIII any longer. I already shoot RAW and use Aperture for all post processing but maybe I will check out DxO.
145
Lenses / Re: 24 f1.4L II or 16-35 f2.8L II
« on: March 17, 2011, 09:56:27 PM »
I have a 7D and the 16-35 f2.8L II. I find the 16-35 is a great walk-around lens and is particularly good for Landscapes. I occasionally use it for full-body portraits and group shots. It would be an ultra-wide on a full-frame though. I also have the 24-105 f4.0 L and think it is my most flexible lens I have used it for landscapes, candids and portraits. It is almost too slow for any action photos indoor - the IS is great non-action shots indoor. One of the 85 mm prime lenses would be great for both the 7D and a FF. I have the 1.2 and can get some stunning shots - see this candle light photo at a birthday party. I know - the noise is significant, i probably need to work on it a little more . . .
146
Lenses / Re: Help with My Next Lens
« on: February 03, 2011, 09:56:52 PM »
I also have a 7D and the 70-200 2.8 L II and think it is great for portraits but is kind of tight on the 7D. If you got the 24-70 you would have a lot more versatility for wider modeling shots and a good (if not the best) walk-around lens for a crop sensor camera. I have heard the 50 1.8 is pretty good and only $100 USD or so - maybe you could get both. If you have been on this forum for a while you would know that there are always rumors about a new 24-70 and it seems like there may be some eminent announcements about cameras and possibly lenses. It might be worthwhile to wait a few weeks or even longer. You might also kill two birds with one stone and get to the spring rebates . . .
I use an 85 1.2L for portraits which is my favorite lens. Fantastic IQ and unparalleled bokeh when it is wide open. I imagine the 50 1.2 or even the 1.4 would be comparable but I would read the reviews first - it seems like someone has issues with all of the 50s . . .
I use an 85 1.2L for portraits which is my favorite lens. Fantastic IQ and unparalleled bokeh when it is wide open. I imagine the 50 1.2 or even the 1.4 would be comparable but I would read the reviews first - it seems like someone has issues with all of the 50s . . .
147
Sports / Re: A night at the gym
« on: February 03, 2011, 09:34:59 AM »
So, what did you use to get that shot? What were the settings you used? I have been shooting some basketball lately as well and am interested in how other people get good shots.
Thanks
Thanks
148
EOS Bodies / Re: Best CF Card for the 7D
« on: January 08, 2011, 11:45:45 AM »
I have a 7D and use it to shoot my kids basketball and baseball games. I use the high speed setting (8 FPS) and will regularly shoot 4-8 frames in sequence (shooting RAW) and have never had the camera slow to write to the card. I use the SanDisk 16GB 60MB/s UDMA Extreme Compact Flash Card. The RAW files are larger than the JPG files so I assume if I don't have problems shooting RAW it is less likely to slow down shooting JPG. I have had the card for about 6 months and use it almost every day for at least a few shots (I post a "photo-of-the-day" every day on Facebook).
You might do some more research but I remember reading that the camera can only write so fast so at some point the speed of the card will exceed the speed of the camera to write to it and you will lose the benefit of a faster card. However as someone else mentioned in the future, faster cameras may be able to take advantage of the faster cards.
You might do some more research but I remember reading that the camera can only write so fast so at some point the speed of the card will exceed the speed of the camera to write to it and you will lose the benefit of a faster card. However as someone else mentioned in the future, faster cameras may be able to take advantage of the faster cards.
149
Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF 180mm f/3.5 L Macro USM
« on: January 03, 2011, 10:59:14 AM »Although one of the slowest focusing lenses I've owned, it is also the sharpest. For macro at a distance, there is none better than the 180mm macro.
I was thinking about getting a macro lens and have been reading about the new 100 / 2.8 with IS. Have you used that one? Thoughts about the difference between the two lenses? I don't have any particular use for macro - just a new area of interest for me.
150
Lenses / Re: Best Lense for shooting video with Canon T2i
« on: December 22, 2010, 12:10:24 PM »
I agree with SCALESUSA. I sold my HD video camera about 3 months ago and got a 7D thinking I could do both stills and video. I was really disappointed with the focusing for video - tried getting video of my kids playing basketball - nearly impossible unless they were standing still. Baseball was OK when my son was batting. The best success was video of a Christmas play last weekend - the kids were sitting on stage singing, I used a 300/2.8; got some great video and I didn't have to fight the other parents crowding the stage.
I would also like to add that the fantastic stills I am getting from the 7D outweigh the lacking video focusing capabilities for me.
I think you are heading in the right direction by choosing a fixed focal length lens - trying to zoom AND focus really would be impossible. Maybe the 5D MKIII will have a focus system better than the current contrast based system...
I would also like to add that the fantastic stills I am getting from the 7D outweigh the lacking video focusing capabilities for me.
I think you are heading in the right direction by choosing a fixed focal length lens - trying to zoom AND focus really would be impossible. Maybe the 5D MKIII will have a focus system better than the current contrast based system...