Messages

1

Software & Accessories / Re: Should I go with the genuine Battery grip or go for a 3rd Party grip

« on: June 07, 2013, 03:27:48 PM »

My observation is this.....   you have already invested thousands of dollars in high-end bodies and lenses.  From what I see in your signature, probably $10,000 (or more).

Why would you take any risks (I've personally had both good and bad experience with 3rd party grips and batteries) for the sake of saving a couple of hundred dollars.

I just added a 5D Mark III to my bag and did not hesitate to buy the Canon original grip and extra battery.  The grip is built like a tank and the controls are great.

You've been shooting with a 5D Mark II as well so you probably keep your gear a long time.  What you would save would amount to very little amortized over the years ahead.

Peace of mind must be worth something.

2

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D Mark III phenomenon

« on: June 06, 2013, 02:43:00 PM »

Thanks for the feedback, guys.  I appreciate it.

It's good to hear that this is normal behavior and I'm not just being my dumb old self or have something wrong with the camera.  However.... it is still annoying.

I generally pull all my cards out after a shoot to upload to the computer and replace them when that is done.  As such, I usually close the card door.  I'll have to get in the habit of leaving it open until I replace the card.

Happy shooting,
Harv

3

EOS Bodies / 5D Mark III phenomenon

« on: June 06, 2013, 12:37:14 PM »

My newly acquired 5D Mark III does something that I find really odd.

When I have occasion to remove the CF card for any reason and re-insert it, the camera switches to the SD card.  It does this even when the camera has been turned off.  My 1D Mark IV will do this, but only if the camera is left on when the CF card is removed, and never when turned off.  This can be really a pain in the butt if I'm not paying attention or forget to check before I start shooting again.

Both cards are set in the camera to 'Standard' mode, not to switch or record to both.

I've looked through the manual but can find no mention of this.  Am I missing a setting somewhere?  This is really annoying.

4

Lenses / Re: Do you wish your 70-200L were black?

« on: May 22, 2013, 06:44:57 PM »

 

LensCoat to the rescue.....

5

Landscape / Re: Jippieeee! It's spring! Post your first spring pictures here.

« on: May 13, 2013, 02:16:28 PM »

For me, spring means I finally get out to start shooting the motocross races.....

6

Lenses / Re: 17-40 f4 L discontinued???????

« on: May 08, 2013, 03:53:43 PM »

I find that hard to believe.  This lens is a cash cow for Canon.  One of the most popular 'L' series lenses.

Here you go.  This is where you should buy it.  In stock, on sale and free shipping.....

http://www.adencamera.com/product-overviewer.asp?ProdID=121&Category=7

7

Animal Kingdom / Re: MY dog

« on: May 05, 2013, 05:37:39 AM »

This is our girl, Jazz, who turns 10 years old in July.  She is retired from hunting, the dog show circuit and from being a 'mom'.  She is now a St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog.



She is usually quite happy to share a bed with our 10 year old cat, Fannie, who can often be seen grooming Jazz.







 

8

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: April 12, 2013, 05:56:34 AM »

Great Grey Owl

9

EOS Bodies / Re: Question re: real world experience with 5D MkIII AF

« on: April 03, 2013, 02:43:41 PM »

AF4 on the menu.  Manual page 98 under selectable AF point.  The manual says when you manually select all 61 points, all will be used.  It's only when you manually select AF points.  It also says in a foot note that expansion will also still work regardless of this setting.  I assume that the center point will always have to be a cross type point but the expanded points may not be.

AF accuracy on the 5DIII is slightly better than the 1D IV.  AF speed might be on par or a little less but even with BIF shots I didn't notice the difference at all.  The benefit of using the 5DIII is that you will also get closed loop AF with Canon's newer lenses such as MK II models.  Those lenses now report AF position back to the camera.  However, even with the older lenses, the AF accuracy is improved.

For best AF accuracy for action, you also need to set the firmware to use only cross type af points.  If you have it set to use ALL of them, it's possible for the AF to be less accurate...It's fine to use ALL of them if you are shooting static subjects.

Most people using the older bodies are accustomed to using the center point only.  While that is still a very good option for most, the 5DIII offers a few other AF modes that are an improvement over using just the center point....and with most modest lenses, a large block of the center AF points are all cross type.

Lots of benefits to using the 5DIII for action....but a lot more options to tweak based on what you are shooting.  It's a bit overwhelming.  I've been using a 5DIII for about 1 year now shooting almost exclusively wildlife and I'm still finding tweaks that are improving the numbers of keepers in certain situations.  Steep learning curve but glad I have it.

BTW, got rid of the 1D IV and 7D.  Now waiting for the 7DII to come out as my 2nd body.

I apologize if this has been covered in the past but I did a quick search on the subject and could not find what I was looking for.

I'm hoping that someone out there has some real world experience and can answer my question.

How does the 5D MkIII AF compare to the 1D MkIV?  I'm particularly interested in the accuracy and AF lock-on speed.  My primary use is action photography;  motocross and birds in flight.

The lenses I mostly use, in order of time on the camera are:

70-200 f/2.8L IS II
300 f/2.8L IS
400 f/5.6L
135 f/2L

I should mention that I do not intend to replace my 1D MkIV, which I have been using for 3 years.  If I acquired a 5D MkIII, it would be a second body to use primarily at the motocross tracks.  Most likely, I would carry the 300/2.8 mounted on the 1D MkIV and the 70-200/2.8 or 135/2 mounted on the 5D MkIII.

I am also not concerned with the burst rate as 6 fps would be adequate.  I normally keep my 1D MKIV set at 7 fps for motocross and it's been fine.

Any help would be appreciated.

That's great information.  Thanks.

I read the paragraph above with particular interest in your comment regarding the setting in the firmware for using only cross type AF points.  I have downloaded the manual but have been unable to find any reference to where and how that is done.  Do you mean to select a point with expansion or a zone that would only include those?

Are you able to elaborate?

Got it.  I think I must have stopped reading at page 96.  Duh me.  Much appreciated.

10

EOS Bodies / Re: Question re: real world experience with 5D MkIII AF

« on: April 03, 2013, 11:56:49 AM »

AF accuracy on the 5DIII is slightly better than the 1D IV.  AF speed might be on par or a little less but even with BIF shots I didn't notice the difference at all.  The benefit of using the 5DIII is that you will also get closed loop AF with Canon's newer lenses such as MK II models.  Those lenses now report AF position back to the camera.  However, even with the older lenses, the AF accuracy is improved.

For best AF accuracy for action, you also need to set the firmware to use only cross type af points.  If you have it set to use ALL of them, it's possible for the AF to be less accurate...It's fine to use ALL of them if you are shooting static subjects.

Most people using the older bodies are accustomed to using the center point only.  While that is still a very good option for most, the 5DIII offers a few other AF modes that are an improvement over using just the center point....and with most modest lenses, a large block of the center AF points are all cross type.

Lots of benefits to using the 5DIII for action....but a lot more options to tweak based on what you are shooting.  It's a bit overwhelming.  I've been using a 5DIII for about 1 year now shooting almost exclusively wildlife and I'm still finding tweaks that are improving the numbers of keepers in certain situations.  Steep learning curve but glad I have it.

BTW, got rid of the 1D IV and 7D.  Now waiting for the 7DII to come out as my 2nd body.

I apologize if this has been covered in the past but I did a quick search on the subject and could not find what I was looking for.

I'm hoping that someone out there has some real world experience and can answer my question.

How does the 5D MkIII AF compare to the 1D MkIV?  I'm particularly interested in the accuracy and AF lock-on speed.  My primary use is action photography;  motocross and birds in flight.

The lenses I mostly use, in order of time on the camera are:

70-200 f/2.8L IS II
300 f/2.8L IS
400 f/5.6L
135 f/2L

I should mention that I do not intend to replace my 1D MkIV, which I have been using for 3 years.  If I acquired a 5D MkIII, it would be a second body to use primarily at the motocross tracks.  Most likely, I would carry the 300/2.8 mounted on the 1D MkIV and the 70-200/2.8 or 135/2 mounted on the 5D MkIII.

I am also not concerned with the burst rate as 6 fps would be adequate.  I normally keep my 1D MKIV set at 7 fps for motocross and it's been fine.

Any help would be appreciated.

That's great information.  Thanks.

I read the paragraph above with particular interest in your comment regarding the setting in the firmware for using only cross type AF points.  I have downloaded the manual but have been unable to find any reference to where and how that is done.  Do you mean to select a point with expansion or a zone that would only include those?

Are you able to elaborate?

11

EOS Bodies / Question re: real world experience with 5D MkIII AF

« on: April 03, 2013, 07:59:25 AM »

I apologize if this has been covered in the past but I did a quick search on the subject and could not find what I was looking for.

I'm hoping that someone out there has some real world experience and can answer my question.

How does the 5D MkIII AF compare to the 1D MkIV?  I'm particularly interested in the accuracy and AF lock-on speed.  My primary use is action photography;  motocross and birds in flight.

The lenses I mostly use, in order of time on the camera are:

70-200 f/2.8L IS II
300 f/2.8L IS
400 f/5.6L
135 f/2L

I should mention that I do not intend to replace my 1D MkIV, which I have been using for 3 years.  If I acquired a 5D MkIII, it would be a second body to use primarily at the motocross tracks.  Most likely, I would carry the 300/2.8 mounted on the 1D MkIV and the 70-200/2.8 or 135/2 mounted on the 5D MkIII.

I am also not concerned with the burst rate as 6 fps would be adequate.  I normally keep my 1D MKIV set at 7 fps for motocross and it's been fine.

Any help would be appreciated.

12

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: straps

« on: April 03, 2013, 05:45:46 AM »

I use the current version of Black Rapid to carry my 1D Mark IV with either a 70-200/2.8 or 300/2.8 and have had no issues.

When using the 70-200, I fasten the strap to the camera body.  When using the 300/2.8, I fasten the strap to the tripod ring of the lens.

It's definitely much more comfortable than carrying either on a neck strap and I never have to worry about it slipping off my shoulder.

13

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: When you get a new Body (Camera) and Lenses, what do you do to check it out

« on: April 02, 2013, 07:59:29 PM »

Charge the battery and go take pictures.

14

Canon General / Re: Think I need a 12 step program

« on: March 29, 2013, 09:08:13 PM »

Bottom line..... THERE IS NO CURE.

15

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

« on: March 28, 2013, 12:58:33 PM »

It's my favorite lens, next to the 50L, easily suitable for fashion and portrait work. It also shines as a lighter, more discreet lens for street photographers. Creating beautiful crisp images with wonderful bokeh in lowlight, better than the current zooms in my opinion. Here's an image paired with the 5DM3, square cropped (You can see the full image at my Website under Journal > Amara).

I absolutely love this image.  It's outstanding.  Great job.