Messages

1

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 7D - Worth Buying ???

« on: February 16, 2013, 06:56:17 AM »

As a former 35mm slide shooter eons ago, I knew I'd eventually move to full frame from my 'starter' 30D.  I upgraded to a 60D for more megapixels as I sometimes do rather tight cropping...ie, changed my mind from when I took the shot.  Low light with the 60D at church functions (usually without flash) was a challenge, even with my 16-35 f2.8L ii and the 24-105.  I tried a 24-70 L a year ago, but just too darned heavy for these old hands and no IS, so it was sold.  While I found wide-open with the 135 L gave me enough light for reasonably fast exposures, but with the 24-105 I use mostly, it was either slow exposures or moving to the "uncomfortable ISO" speeds over 1600.  I opted for slow exposures and dumped a lot of pix with subject movement as a result.  As far as 24-105 distortion, Lightroom corrects it with a single click.

So, "feeding the need" for better ISO, I went to the 5D3 just before Christmas.  What a difference!  ISO 5000 and up is no problem!  For me, the 5D3 is the ultimate solution to low light!  Handheld shutter speeds 1/125 and faster are a joy.  And even at f8 or smaller for DOF, the results are still outstanding!  But when I want the ultimate low light, thin DOF, the 135 L wide open wins hands down!   

So, based on my 60D experience with the same sensor as the 7D (and perhaps better firmware?), if the OP has the money, go for the 5D3.  The 6D ain't no slouch, either!

2

Lighting / Re: The Flash Bracket? Do they really matter anymore?

« on: January 31, 2013, 04:35:47 AM »

As a NOOB to flash photography, I first tried an ALZO flash bracket with my gripped 60D and 580 EX II.  First (and only time) I used it, I thought it was a bit 'clutzy' to switch from landscape to portrait, but it worked satisfactorily.  It was also heavier than I liked, and mounting it with the 'post' to my right when shooting, it required the optional shutter release button.  My problem was when I wanted to shoot without the bracket.  Difficult to remove mounting clamp from camera as well as to re-install it and mount to the bracket for additional shooting.

So, I found an older, used RRS 'wedding bracket' on ebay.  The ALZO hasn't been touched since.  The RRS is one-button, 1 second, to switch from landscape to portrait or back.  And although I haven't found a use for it, it can also raise the flash perhaps 8" higher than the 'normal' above the lens position. 

3

Canon General / Re: Why did you choose Canon?

« on: January 29, 2013, 04:29:30 AM »

Having moved to a 35mm Minolta viewfinder camera while I was in the US Air Force in 1970, by 1976, I desparately needed to stop taking pictures with the lens cap on!  So, I went to the local camera store in Milwaukee that I had moved to 1 year earlier and asked what to do.  He showed me a just on the market Canon AE-1, with a 50mm flat-fiield macro lens on it.  He didn't have to 'sell' me much at all.  It was mine a few minutes later!

I went out and ran 2-3 rolls of slides through it, and when I got them back, randomly, some frames were not exposed!  And I did all my shooting in about 2 hrs and never put the lens cap on during that period!  So, he sent the camera to Canon and they fixed it.  Off to my favorite rail yard to take more pictures...same results!  Back to the store again!  He offered me a full-value store credit on a then 'older model' Canon EF, which I instantly bought.  It was the predecessor of the AE-1 and had much the same electronics in a metal body with metal shutter, rather than cloth like the AE-1.  The pictures came out great!  Within a year, I got 'bit good' by the photography bug and ended up with a 2nd EF and 4-5 more lenses.  I think I ran at least 1000 rolls of film through each of those cameras.  Then I got married, and that was the end of my photography in 1988. 

12 years and an ex-wife later, I wanted to sell some stuff on ebay, so I bought a Canon (what else?) point and shoot G-3.  In addition to ebay stuff, I started taking pictures at church as well, and moved up to a G-5 a couple years later.  When I wore that one out (oddball exposures, etc), I figured it was time to move to the SLR mode again...so I bought a used 30D and a couple of kit lenses, Canon 18-135 and 55-250.  6 months later, I wanted sharper pictures and the ability to do more no-flash indoor work.  So it was time for a 60D and some L glass.  This past Thanksgiving, the 60D was replaced with a 5D3 for the drop dead focusing and incredible ISO capabilities.  My no flash work is a breeze with an 80-90% keeper rate these days! 

Needless to say, I'm very brand-loyal when I find good products.  I know I'll be a Canon shooter 'til I die.  Ditto for Chrysler products...I've bought nothing but Chrysler products since 1972.  Goodyear tires, the same.