Messages

1

Lenses / Re: Stuck on whether to return sigma 35mm for 35mm 1.4L or 35f2 is

« on: May 07, 2013, 05:54:24 PM »

If you don't mind carrying two lenses, consider getting the 35mm and the canon 70-200mm f/4 IS. Its not too heavy to carry both and you wont miss the coverage from 35mm-70mm. However, with both lenses in your pack, you're good to go for almost anything unless you need a really wide angle.

Those two lenses are basically my default kit and I love it. Excellent image quality from both and a much better pairing then relying on the 24-105 by itself.

Interesting, I actually shot a couple weddings recently with this setup except instead of the f/4 version it was the 2.8 IS L. I'm going to rent the 24-70 II for my next wedding to see if I like it but if it's not much better I'll probably end up buying the sigma.

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Lenses / Re: Stuck on whether to return sigma 35mm for 35mm 1.4L or 35f2 is

« on: May 04, 2013, 05:16:58 PM »

One other huge improvement over the 35L I forgot to mention is the color fringing. MUCH lower.

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Lenses / Re: Stuck on whether to return sigma 35mm for 35mm 1.4L or 35f2 is

« on: May 04, 2013, 05:09:17 PM »

Update on Sigma 35mm. I took it in locally and they saw I was AFMA to +10 and they actually put it at about +15 internally so my camera is spot on and I am at 0 in camera. That makes this lens that much sweeter. Glad I took it in. If you buy a Sigma and it seems off send it in is my advise.

Sounds about right. I rented both a 5D mark III and the Sigma 35 and Focal had me set it to either +13 or +17 (can't remember). I was surprised how big a number it was but I did some shots to confirm both at 0 and the setting it recommended and sure enough it was right. I'm leaning towards buying one of these when I've got the money. I rented the 35L last September and would say this lens is at least the same level IQ wise in shots (probably a lot better I'm just not doing test charts or such). Focus seemed slower but I'm attributing that to the 5D Mark III flash assist issue.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D Markiii Auto Lighting Optimizer vs Highlight Tone Priority

« on: March 25, 2013, 09:50:02 PM »

HTP increases the DR if you shoot in JPG.  It underexposes by 1 stop of ISO, then lies about it in the metadata (that's why ISO 200 becomes the lowest setting - if you shoot at ISO 200 with HTP, the camera actually exposes at ISO 100). That 1-stop underexposure preserves a stop of highlights, the camera then applies a tone curve to boost everything but the highlights by 1 stop (meaning a stop more noise in the shadows).

If you shoot RAW, leave HTP off.  You then have latitude to preserve >1-stop of highlights, and can apply your own tone curve.

Thanks neuro. I honestly never mess with curves. I've tried messing with it a few times or with the auto settings in DPP but never really liked the results. I normally just use contrast, highlight or blacks to adjust. Anyone have any suggestions on a tutorial for editing curves in DPP?

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D Markiii Auto Lighting Optimizer vs Highlight Tone Priority

« on: March 25, 2013, 08:32:53 PM »

It can be useful but does have an impact on drive mode frame rates.  I can see where it might be more useful with video than with stills.  If you do try it for a wedding, be mindful of blowing out highlights.  especially if you are used to shooting with it on all the time.    It may/will increase your dynamic range.

Wow! I've always shot with HTP on. I guess I just assumed it was better for weddings to have it since the bride is (almost) always wearing white. Very interesting. I might have to try shooting next week's wedding with it off for a change.

What HTP increasing dynamic range? Yeah, I normally don't go over on exposure. I'm normally upping levels even when I'm shooting +2/3-1 stop of compensation. You think it'd be wise to leave one camera with it on and one with off?

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D Markiii Auto Lighting Optimizer vs Highlight Tone Priority

« on: March 25, 2013, 02:34:55 PM »

Wow! I've always shot with HTP on. I guess I just assumed it was better for weddings to have it since the bride is (almost) always wearing white. Very interesting. I might have to try shooting next week's wedding with it off for a change.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Warning on low card space

« on: March 25, 2013, 11:01:05 AM »

How large is your card?  On a 32GB card I have shoot around 1,000 raw images.  Is that enough for a single event.  Costs are around $150.  Consider that 1,000 images is the equivalent of ~30 rolls of film.  Back in the day (ancient history) slides plus processing cost between $10-15/roll.  Digital equivalent of a roll of film (36 exposure) is only $5.

Double the card size, you will double the number of images.  Are you using the vertical grip?  If not, the battery will die before a 64GB card is filled.  A 128 GB card will outlast both batteries in the vertical grip.

If you are still worried about filling the card try setting the camera to use automatically switch to the second card once the first is filled.

Yup, using 32GB cards. I switched my first card with about 100 pics left on it and I filled up the second one. We tend to shoot quite a lot (in the 3500-5000 shot range). Not using a vertical grip although I'm curious if it might help me with the 70-200. I tend to use it a lot in portrait orientation and my arm was pretty sore by the end of the ceremony.

I have the vertical grip, and aside from the extra weight and bulk in the bag, I really like it.  The vertical shutterbug is a really plus and I like the larger size.

If you shoot 3500-5000 shots, how often do you need to switch batteries?  I tend to get 1500 shots / single battery (straight shooting, no viewing, no tracking with a supertelephoto lens).

It's 3500-5000 between 2 cameras not just one. My wife and I do it together. 3 batteries normally covers me.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Warning on low card space

« on: March 25, 2013, 10:43:04 AM »

Before somebody says it, I do realize that the 5D mark iii has 2 slots and that I could of selected the option to have it start recording to the other card but being that it was a wedding, I decided to have it record JPGs in case there was an issue with one of the cards I was recording on. I had extra cards in my pocket but in moments like that you don't have time to switch cards. Sigh... live and you learn I guess. Just frustrating that a $3000 camera can't give a simple warning for something so important as card space.

I have my camera set to switch from Card 1 to Card 2 automatically. I have two 32GB CF cards which can hold roughly 1,396 RAW pictures each. From past experience, I know roughly how many pictures I will take at each event and so I make sure I have enough. The same goes for the battery. They are the two things you must never run out of on a shoot, especially a paid shoot, or anything that is important to you.

I think the idea of getting a notice from the camera saying that you have only X number of shots left on a card is a good one in theory, though I am not sure how effective it would be in real life. Still sounds like a simple issue to implement and Canon could give users the option at what point to deliver the notice and how.

You mentioned you were shooting JPGs, how big is the card you were working with?

My backup was JPEG as I don't use SD cards much so I only had a single 16 GB card which wouldn't be enough for recording RAW as a backup.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Warning on low card space

« on: March 24, 2013, 01:40:19 PM »

That seems like a nice feature.  I'd go to the Canon forum and suggest it.
 
I finally just got a big enough card to hold twice the expected shooting volume, and the same sized card for backup.  That way I don't have to worry, and I always have a backup copy if there is a failure.
 
Since I do not use the high speed shooting very often, its not a big deal If the SD card is slow.  If I were going to do video, I'd do a low level format on the SD card first though.

Do they actually listen to customer request there? Yeah, switching to 64 GB cards would probably help avoid this as well. I guess I just hate having everything on just one card. I guess with a camera with 2 slots though, that's where the backup slot comes in handy in case something did happen to your main card.

Suprisingly, they do!  Some of the announced updates like the ability to autofocus at f/8 , and the fix for slow autofocus  with AF assist lights came about thru user input.
 
They should be able to do it in firmware.  However, it might show in the viewfinder or the top LCD, and just looking at either place lets you see shots remaining, so I suspect that's their logic.
 
Perhaps if the shots remaining number flashed on and off, that might catch a persons attention.  A user could set the number remaining before it started flashing, as well as disable the feature if it bothered him.
 
 
Its just a question as to how important it is and how many users badly wanted it.  That's where a post on the Canon forum allows others to speak up.

Not true, the viewfinder only gives you your burst rate which since I shoot in raw is only like 7-12 depending on settings. I rarely check the top LCD except for if I'm just pulling the camera out of the bag. I mainly look at it on the back LCD but since there's no face detection on all the cameras I work with I usually leave it off unless I'm changing a setting. What you said regarding flashing in the viewfinder is exactly what I was thinking. Or even better if the back lcd could come on have the number of pics remaining flash there as well. I'll post on the Canon forum but I'm not holding my breath.

Yeah, 128 would definitely solve it . I got my 32 GB cards for around $40 from a sale on B&H and I'm sure if I looked I could 64 or 128 cards at a decent price so it's not an issue of cost. It's more I just don't want to take chances on just one card. Risk management. I just have to get better about checking I guess.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Warning on low card space

« on: March 24, 2013, 12:39:41 PM »

How large is your card?  On a 32GB card I have shoot around 1,000 raw images.  Is that enough for a single event.  Costs are around $150.  Consider that 1,000 images is the equivalent of ~30 rolls of film.  Back in the day (ancient history) slides plus processing cost between $10-15/roll.  Digital equivalent of a roll of film (36 exposure) is only $5.

Double the card size, you will double the number of images.  Are you using the vertical grip?  If not, the battery will die before a 64GB card is filled.  A 128 GB card will outlast both batteries in the vertical grip.

If you are still worried about filling the card try setting the camera to use automatically switch to the second card once the first is filled.

Yup, using 32GB cards. I switched my first card with about 100 pics left on it and I filled up the second one. We tend to shoot quite a lot (in the 3500-5000 shot range). Not using a vertical grip although I'm curious if it might help me with the 70-200. I tend to use it a lot in portrait orientation and my arm was pretty sore by the end of the ceremony.

11

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Warning on low card space

« on: March 24, 2013, 11:39:23 AM »

That seems like a nice feature.  I'd go to the Canon forum and suggest it.
 
I finally just got a big enough card to hold twice the expected shooting volume, and the same sized card for backup.  That way I don't have to worry, and I always have a backup copy if there is a failure.
 
Since I do not use the high speed shooting very often, its not a big deal If the SD card is slow.  If I were going to do video, I'd do a low level format on the SD card first though.

Do they actually listen to customer request there? Yeah, switching to 64 GB cards would probably help avoid this as well. I guess I just hate having everything on just one card. I guess with a camera with 2 slots though, that's where the backup slot comes in handy in case something did happen to your main card.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Warning on low card space

« on: March 24, 2013, 11:18:34 AM »

i always check my card space a minute or two before i know an important moment is happening. just have to get into the habit of doing so.

Yup, definitely agree it's something I have to get better about no question about that. It's just frustrating this can't be built into the camera's software for those times when you forget because you're focused on getting your settings right.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Warning on low card space

« on: March 24, 2013, 10:10:07 AM »

So I just shot a wedding last night. I got to try out the Sigma 35 1.4 and a 5D Mark iii. Great lens BTW. We were all setup for the exiting shot with sparklers. Right as they came out the doors my card reads full. Luckily my wife got the shot but is it just me or does anybody else find it frustrating there's no warning when you're running low on card space? I come from the video world and pretty much every camera I've ever shot with has had a warning message when you get to around a couple minutes of space left on the tape/card. It seems like such a simple thing and especially with the 5D mark iii now having a section for warning messages, this seems like an obvious thing to put in there. I took a look at magic lantern again today but didn't see anything like this in there. It'd be great if at least it supported it. Before somebody says it, I do realize that the 5D mark iii has 2 slots and that I could of selected the option to have it start recording to the other card but being that it was a wedding, I decided to have it record JPGs in case there was an issue with one of the cards I was recording on. I had extra cards in my pocket but in moments like that you don't have time to switch cards. Sigh... live and you learn I guess. Just frustrating that a $3000 camera can't give a simple warning for something so important as card space.

14

Pricewatch Deals / Canon Direct 20%-30% off February 24-27

« on: February 20, 2013, 09:12:40 PM »

Just found out Canon Direct will be having a sale February 24-27. It reads "20% or 30% Off Refurbished Lenses"
and
20% Off Select Refurbished EOS Digital Cameras (Excludes 5D Mark III Refurbished)

Most likely the 30% off is on the entry level 55-250 or 70-300 but even with the 20% there's some good deals and stock appears to be good at the moment. Remember this doesn't start until February 24th.

15

Software & Accessories / Re: Which iMac

« on: January 31, 2013, 04:57:42 PM »

Sure videos a full different ball game though. You look at intel with their quicksync dedicated on the CPU itself. It's much simpler and more standardized than RAW formats that are company specific. GPU only helps if the software can be coded to use it which as I said most RAW programs don't seem to be doing due to the complexity. I think another part is the quality also can suffer using these things so they're good for previewing but don't help with the final rendering or if they do, it's of lower quality than when rendered with the CPU.