Messages

3001

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Why the hate for video capable DSLRs?

« on: February 10, 2012, 02:06:51 AM »

I'm a still photographer, And every time i try to make a video it looks like an epileptic with parkinsons got hold of the camera. so I have alot of respect for the skill it take to make good video. Its something i cant do and right now dont have the time to get a handle on. I dont mind either way having the video on DSLRs I think its mostly a software thing, as long as they dont go re-arranging buttons and controls to suit video and cause problems for still shooting its all good.

3002

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Why the hate for video capable DSLRs?

« on: February 09, 2012, 10:22:15 PM »

I have never used the video option on either my 7D or the 5Dmk2. But video is great to have since it broadens the use of the camera so it can sell in larger numbers, thus lower cost camera for me. My beloved "live view", which I consider a must-have for manual focusing from a tripod, is also a side-effect of the video function.

My hope now is that the "4K cinema dslr" that is under development actually is ~40 megapixels that is binned 4:1 for cinema, that way the 4K videographers and high res photographers both get their needs satisfied.

I have no problem with having "too many" software features, I just don't use them. I can't say the video functions have cluttered the interface for normal photography.

got your maths wrong there. assuming 4k will be 4000x3000 just as an example this is 12MP a 4:1 binning will require a 192MP sensor 16000 x 12000

3003

Landscape / Re: Post your best HDR Photographs

« on: February 09, 2012, 10:05:06 PM »

here are a few
done in photomatix,

I'm not really into the photomatix look these days I need to try reprocess using luminosity masks and other techniques

3004

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D Split? 5D X & 5D Mark III [CR1]

« on: February 09, 2012, 09:33:21 PM »

I really dont want the 1D bulk so these rumoured specs look pretty much on the money for me and if they get 61pt AF then it really looks like canon have seen the error of their ways. the waitign list for these bad boys is going to be Lonnnnngg!

I wonder if i can place pre-orders based on Cr rumour specs.... hmmm

3005

Lighting / Re: I Need a Flash

« on: February 09, 2012, 09:17:12 PM »

with the cost of the nissins i just decided that the risk of wasting that much money wasnt worth it so just got 580exii s either new or near new second hand if i can pick them up for a good price. i'm always on the lookout for good condition slightly used ones second hand. but they tend to get bid up to silly prices on ebay. might as well buy new ones from digital rev with the prices used ones go for on ebay. I'm also on the lookout for cheap 430exii but same deal often for a few bucks more you can get new ones from reputable ebay sellers

3006

EOS Bodies / Re: What's wrong with the microadjustment?!

« on: February 09, 2012, 09:06:49 PM »

1m (where my LensCal is)

I micro adjust all my lenses at MFD

This is really not a good idea, unless you'll always be shooting at the MFD.  Canon recommends setting the AFMA at 50x the focal length, LensAlign at 25x the focal length (e.g., 5m/16' or 2.5m/8', respectively, for a 100mm lens).  The reason for that is if you calibrate at the MFD, the optimal adjustment is usually not applicable across the broader focal range, whereas calibrating from a greater distance gives a result that's more applicable across the range of subject distances. The only lenses where you might want to be calibrating at such short distances are UWA lenses.

I dont use any of those systems, I posted the chart I print out and shoot. I usually set it at the MFd and then move the tripod back a little keeping it at approx 45 degrees usually try and have the width of the page fill the width of the frame and check that the camera is square to the page.
this way the shot is as close as possible so easy to see and change in sharpness when zooming in to check
set AF to lock onto the thick black line but check the sharpness againt the numbers down each side.
if you move too far back the angle of the lens to the page flattens significantly and the shot is smaller in the frame making it harder to see changes in clarity.
then once my calibration is set i'll take some ditance sots of the tripod then remove the camera from the tripod and take a variety of variable range shots making sure i am happy with the focus

This method seems to work for all my lenses so far.

soo many different recomendations around for micro adjust calibration though.
I wouldnt mind giveing that calibration software a try though

3007

Lighting / Re: Any suggestions on cheap ebay triggers / poverty wizards?

« on: February 09, 2012, 08:56:49 PM »

i'm curious about the results. could you maybe post somekind of comparison between the Odin and PWs? stuff you do and dont like about the 2 different systems, that would be really great!

Sure, it's going to be a few days before I can get out and do that PW vs Odin test since me and my PW owning buddy seem to be on opposite schedules. So far there isn't anything I don't like about the Odins. They're just super easy to set up and adjust, and have been nothing but reliable in the short range stuff I've been doing with them. The last thing to check out before I pass final judgement on them will be long range. If they do that, then we have a winner.

I'm loving the group controls on the screen on the back of the odins super easy to tweek your ETTL settings

3008

EOS Bodies / Re: Anyone else want a cropped sensor?

« on: February 09, 2012, 08:47:27 PM »

Got my parents a 600D for xmas and my initial take on it
- quite plasticy build (lightweight so my mum is happy)
- flippy screen is great, makes taking low angle shots nice and easy. cant really see my parents diving around on the ground chasing angles
- built in flash control works well, needs line of sight but had it firing my 580s in a few minutes, really quick to set up. pretty cool.
- IQ same as the 60D and 7D takes pretty good shots when i whack some L glass on it. looks quite funny with a 70-200 or 300mm hanging off the front of it
- AF about the same as th 5D2 so nothing to write home about but fine for their uses
- Controls not bad to use I prefer the dials and joystick of higher end models

all up for the cheap price its quite a lot of camera that is'nt too shaby with the 18-55 kit lens perhaps once they get the hang of it all they might move up to the 17-55 f2.8 but for now they are happy with the kit lens.

I would imagine the 650D will improve on a few things. new sensor maybe
for the money though the 600D is pretty decent IMO

3009

Lenses / Re: Canon 85L vs. 135 L in terms of focal length

« on: February 09, 2012, 08:01:54 PM »

i dont own the 135
I do have the sigma 85 f1.4 and the kenko 1.4tc
which combined give 119mm f2

at the moment I have my sigma in having it looked at to try bring its AF back closer to neutral so i dont have to +13 on it

a friend of mine has the 135 i have been planning to see if i can borrow it to do a comparison vs the sigma 85mm f1.4 as the sigma 85 at f2 is exceptionally sharp

I am really happy with the IQ of the 85mm and for weddings it is my favourite lens at the moment I need to allocate some time to these comparisons

3010

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D Split? 5D X & 5D Mark III [CR1]

« on: February 09, 2012, 07:35:01 PM »

The one thing I've been failing to understand with all the 5D replacement spec rumors is why a high MP camera (be it a single model or one of two) would have anything near pro-grade AF. Normally AF is a huge differentiating factor between lines and would pump the cost up quite a bit, but any camera with high MP is clearly being marketed to a studio/landscape/macro crowd in which AF performance is far less important. Yes, I'd love to see something better than the 5D Mark II's AF system, but I think anything even remotely approaching the 1DX's AF is a recipe for a 1Ds Mark III repeat.

If there are two models, I believe it makes the most sense for one to prioritize resolution and low ISO performance while the other prioritizes speed, AF, and high ISO performance. Generally speaking, photographers want one or the other. If they want both, then they should be willing to pay the massive premium for a flagship 1D-series camera.

becasue Nikon AF has been beating the hell out of canon non 1D AF for quite some time now and canon are stepping up to plate with a big bat

3011

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D Split? 5D X & 5D Mark III [CR1]

« on: February 09, 2012, 07:27:54 PM »

hah if thats true I'll take 2 of each

i wonder if that is the case if i can still get $2k each for my 5Dmk2s at 6months old
hmmm

3012

EOS Bodies / Re: What must the Japanese think?

« on: February 09, 2012, 07:00:40 PM »

Honestly, if Canon had put a 15 or 19 point AF system based on the 1Dsmk3 and 5fps in the 5D2 when it was introduced 3+ years ago, how many people here would be complaining about not getting the 5D3 released yet? They could have listed that at $2999 back then and the technology was available to do it.

A camera of that type would be heads and shoulders above todays market for IQ, handling, and ability.  I know I would not trade that for what's on the market today.

So....given that, are we asking for too much?  I don't think so.

+1 ... exactly my opinion!

And now ... as far as I am concerned bothe the 5D III and the 7D II should come not only with the 1 D IV AF-system but with Eye-Tracking AF on top. Of course improved from the EOS 3 days to 2012 state of the art.

That would really benefit most of us every time we peek through the finder to frame a shot and try to get into  focus whatever we want to be in focus. ANd it would benefit Canon big time, as they would have a USP that lasts 3+ years.

hah all they needed to have done was put the 60D AF system in the 5D2 and no one would be complaining...

3013

EOS Bodies / Re: Preview of iso 204,800 on 1dx and d4

« on: February 09, 2012, 06:56:04 PM »

still waiting for high iso raws...

totally not interested in claims of iso gian in jpg mode

3014

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Is it a good idea to buy a Kiss X5 in the UK ?

« on: February 09, 2012, 06:44:43 PM »

wickidwombat in the case of an import from Hong-Kong from one of these Ebay sellers, do you know how much can be the duty tax here in the UK ?

not sure but here in australia up to $1000 is GST (VAT) exempt

3015

EOS Bodies / Re: What's wrong with the microadjustment?!

« on: February 09, 2012, 06:37:41 PM »

http://FocusTestChart.com

i use this chart

you can only calibrate each lens at 1 focal length (i thin the 1Dx you can do 2)
so always calibrate for where you will potentially have the shallowest depth of field

ie longest zoom and MFD

then to test infinity shoot distant targets after calibration to check