Messages

1

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Olympus OMD EM5 or 6D

« on: May 21, 2013, 10:46:39 PM »

As a college student who uses a camera as photo documentation (and was also in a very similar situation), I would prefer a 6D for the following reasons:

1. I am a believer of bigger sensors. That is basically the entire point of upgrading my T1i to a full frame, rather than downgrading to an even more cropped sensor.

2. You already have a great tele zoom for canon. On a full frame camera it won't reach as far, so you might enjoy the lens with less reach.

3. Like others have said, the EM5 isn't much smaller than the 6D. A 6D with the 40mm pancake is probably more "pocketable" than the EM5. I have a pancake lens myself and I love using it.

4. Optical viewfinder. I can never give up an optical viewfinder for a little screen in the hole. I just can't.

I would also like to recommend older 5D series. 5D classic is a steal if you can get a fairly new one, while the Mark 2 adds video capability. 6D is great if you have a smartphone to control it or want to have a wireless workflow.

2

Lenses / Re: How to shoot jewellery and NOT get reflections of the camera

« on: May 10, 2013, 11:17:18 AM »

Or perhaps with a very dedicated light setup you can eliminate reflecting light that hits the camera (i.e., the camera stays in the dark).

3

Lenses / Re: Which 3 Primes to go for. Your advice will be appreciated

« on: August 13, 2012, 02:49:33 PM »

I'm going to break the rule by saying a 16-35 to cover both 14mm (it's really a bit too wide) and a 35mm prime.

Then for the other 2 lenses you can have a bit more reach without sacrificing the focal lengths in between. I'd recommend 100L for more variety, but 85L has amazing bokeh. This is for you to decide whether you want more background blur or more close up shots. Both are very good portrait lenses. As for tele, I'd recommend 70-200L, but that will overlap with 85 or 100, so if you want something light, 200 2.8 is a great choice. Or else 135L is also fine if you end up choosing the 85.

If I were to make the decision it would be:
16-35
50L
100L
because I don't really need the reach. I'd go for a 7D if I want to shoot far. Also, 16-35 gives you more versatility when you're indoors. You won't be going wide open if you're taking group shots anyway.

4

Canon General / Re: Taking DSLRs into olympic venues

« on: August 06, 2012, 03:03:53 PM »

As I understand it, the logic is based partially on the corporate overlords being concerned that video footage can be shot and put up onto Youtube, meaning that people wouldn't have to use the channel who've paid for exclusive Olympic rights and watch their advertising.

That, and the fact that there are paid professionals who are doing their job. Letting everyone with a huge lens in will not only be a bother to spectators near you (potentially blocking their view if you have something that's long enough), but also risk taking away the official photographers' jobs.

5

Portrait / Re: We, The Photographers......Self Portaits..a Who's Who on CR

« on: July 30, 2012, 10:48:15 AM »

Yup! That's me. Shot with 1D Mark IV and 70-200 2.8 IS.

6

Sports / Re: Climbing, Last light of the day.

« on: July 30, 2012, 09:52:59 AM »

There's a lot of bright color accents there, but the side pose doesn't have any interest (to me).  Now some shots while on the side of the cliff, THAT would be interesting!  Did you get any other shots?

I agree with this pose being slightly dull, but a side of the cliff pose is kind of overdone, imo.

Nonetheless it is worth trying. I take pictures of all the overdone poses as if it were some kind of achievement in games hahaa.

7

Site Information / Re: In Sympathy for CR Guy

« on: July 17, 2012, 01:35:25 PM »

Family first, CR later.

Heartfelt condolences fine sir.

8

Lenses / Re: What the 40mm Pancake looks like on a 5D3

« on: June 17, 2012, 07:41:43 AM »

Does anyone by any chance have used both the Canon and Voigtlander 40 pancakes?

I own the latter, and I'm interested to know if it's worth the money. I still think the 50/1.8 is a better option if I needed something cheap and handy.

9

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 40 f/2.8 Pancake

« on: June 06, 2012, 03:48:28 PM »

It definitely looks interesting and cute, but the fact that it's rather slow, I'd still choose my Voigtlander 40mm f/2.

10

Lenses / Re: Whats a good walk around lens to put on a new 5d Mk iii

« on: April 04, 2012, 03:32:53 AM »

Most likely you will find this suggestion useless but I would suggest a Voigtlander ULTRON 40mm f/2.

It's really small and light. No autofocus but I can live with that. The flare is lovely if you try really hard to make it flare.

Bottom line is it's compact and simple.

11

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D Mk III Owners - are you happy?

« on: March 31, 2012, 09:26:49 AM »

A little added bonus for me was finding out this week that my Tokina 11-16/2.8 works pretty darn good at 15.5-16mm even if it is a crop lens at 2.8!  It's a bit soft around the edges, but so am I!

This is terrific news sir.

12

Lenses / Re: How about Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HS

« on: March 31, 2012, 09:23:59 AM »

I couldn't even afford a Canon version, so I opted for a Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4.

To my surprise it was really good. Unless you really need AF, I think MF lenses are worth trying. The Super Takumar is just half  the price of the Canon one.

13

Canon General / Re: Starting lens upgrade.

« on: March 30, 2012, 07:35:43 PM »

get rid of the 18-135 and buy the 70-200. If you want to play with macro keep the 18-135 and get the macro. 70-200 and macro are crazy good after canon AF calibration (my recent 100L macro had to go back as it was very much out of focus). The 70-200 is heavy so be aware of that.

The lighter f/4 variant will do well if weight is an issue.

14

EOS Bodies / Re: MkIII for Manual Focus Primes?

« on: March 26, 2012, 02:26:43 PM »

I'm in a similar situation with you, where I use MF pancake lenses as walkaround lens.

My experience with a 7D is that these extra focus points can tell me when I am at a certain focus, which part of the frame is on focus, which is helpful and is "eye control focus" to me. I look at the object I want on focus and start focusing until AF assist beep is heard.

In fact the AF is the sole reason why I have been waiting for the 5D3. xD

15

Lenses / Re: Which lens is better suited for street photography, prime or wide angle zoom?

« on: March 24, 2012, 12:54:28 PM »

And most successful street photography isn't done with an SLR. Tbh I would recommend the iPhone 4S. With enough practice people will think you are texting instead of taking pictures.

I can't even tell if you're being sarcastic or not, but either way you have a pretty valid point there.

However, if I were to give an advice, I... honestly have no idea. I use MF lenses too. While they are pretty compact and fun to use, I like doing snapshots with my Tokina 11-16. The thing I like about it is I am used to composing without even looking at the viewfinder. I put the camera at my waist and let the shutter button do the magic.

So if you're aiming for more blur to emphasize on the subject, the Rokinon will serve you better, especially if you one day will step into the world of FF. Otherwise, the Tamron should give you more confidence on "blind shooting".