Messages

16

Software & Accessories / Re: Help me finalize my tripod & ballhead choice

« on: April 15, 2013, 06:33:42 AM »

I have owned the Manfrotto 055CXPRO3, Gitzo GT1542T, and Gitzo GT2542T.  All are good quality.  The sturdiest is the GT2542T.  The smallest are the GT1542T and GT2542T (about 17" with the legs flipped backward), although the GT2542T is a lot beefier.  The design of the Gitzos are much better IMO than the Manfrotto (e.g., can get the camera down low, center column is removable).  The Gitzo hardware is better, too.  If I only had one tripod to get, and if I would not shoot with more than the 70-200/2.8, I would probably get the GT1542T because I value the design, compact size, and weight.

Re: heads, I have the Markins Q3T, which is a very good quality head at a fairly reasonable price ($290 USD).  It is super light and very sturdy.  I also have the RRS BH-55, but it is big, heavy, and expensive.  The Q3T is a better deal and has most of the features of my RRS.

17

EOS Bodies / Re: just got a 5Diii, and wow!!

« on: March 17, 2013, 03:32:18 PM »

Let's not disparage all crop sensors...Along with the extra reach of a the 1.6 conversion factor and you have yourself some great quality images.  Where they suffer in comparison is low light because of the amount of grain.

I have gotten good quality shots from my 60D.  However, I just shot a long exposure, no flash, with my 60D at ISO 100 on a tripod and it was noisy.  My 5D2 is leagues better.  Sorry, but Canon can do better with a crop sensor.

18

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: mirror lock up

« on: March 16, 2013, 08:48:41 PM »

I found that the tripod weight was more important than mirror lockup. I have a pair of tripods.... the old heavy one moves a lot less than the new lightweight one.... but hang a weight off of the lightweight tripod and it gets very steady. I have a eyelet in the bottom of the central collumn that I attach to the camera bag with a length of light rope.... makes the setup much more stable.

surely if it was a bit windy your bag would be swaying all over the place?   my tripods pretty sturdy and there was no hint of wind in my room or shake on my floor!

This just happened to me recently with my travel tripod and a long exposure (at night) on my 100-400.  I got better results taking the bag off the hook.  All of a sudden, my heavy Manfrotto tripod was looking awfully good.

19

Video & Movie / Re: Clouds, my first serious time-lapse!

« on: March 16, 2013, 10:21:05 AM »

Good job!  I enjoyed it.  Thanks for posting.

20

Street & City / Re: Pictures in DC

« on: March 15, 2013, 10:31:17 PM »

Every time I see that shot of great falls (I've definitely seen you post it before- either here or POTN?) I want to hop in my kayak... stop tempting me!

You do bring up another interesting point that I never think of, though, which is stitching a panorama... seems like a less expensive way to get a little more of a view...

I may have posted that shot here, but not on POTN.  Even if you don't go in the water, it's worth visiting Great Falls.  The Maryland side has more options for good shots than the Virginia side.

The 24-105 with a tripod and head with a panning base can help make up for the lack of a UWA lens.  An L-bracket would be helpful.

Shooting at night can be fun.  Bring warm clothes, as DC is fairly cold right now (it was 28 degrees this morning).  If you are shooting at night, a flashlight would be helpful. 

Check out my Washington DC set on Flickr for some ideas of what to shoot and possible angles.  Also, here is a link to a DC-based photographer whose photos may be able to give you some ideas:  http://www.abpan.com/

21

Street & City / Re: Pictures in DC

« on: March 14, 2013, 10:14:31 PM »

For anyone who's been to DC, did you find it was worth having a UWA lens?

Brian, yes the UWA can be helpful with some shots.  For example, wide panoramas and narrow interiors.  Below are a few shots to give you some ideas.

The interior of the Lincoln Memorial on full frame at 17mm x 3 (shift pano):

Washington Monument (HDR panorama) by scrappydoggy, on Flickr

Panorama of the Capital Building on full frame at 24mm x 5:

U.S. Capital by scrappydoggy, on Flickr

Panorama of Great Falls (on the Maryland side):

Great Falls by scrappydoggy, on Flickr

The World War II Memorial Fountain on full frame at 17mm:

National World War II Memorial by scrappydoggy, on Flickr

22

Lenses / Re: New wide angle lens for FF

« on: March 14, 2013, 09:32:48 PM »

I would have to rent a 17mm TS-E before I ever bought it. The filter problem would make me think long and hard about buying it.

The TS-E 17 can be used with ND grads and circular filters, with limitations.  ND grads can be used by gluing a Lee 82mm wide-angle adapter to a hacked TS-E 17 cap, and then attaching a Lee filter holder to the rig.  Tilting and shifting is limited, but it works fine for straight shots.  I saw a video of a guy who did a similar hack in order to use 82mm circular filters with the TS-E 17.  It's not perfect, but it works fairly well.  There are several threads on the Fred Miranda forum discussing this hack.  If you want more info, PM me.

23

Lenses / Re: New wide angle lens for FF

« on: March 14, 2013, 12:10:52 PM »

I'm tilting towards the 24 1.4 because I can see the extra 2 stops being useful. Does anyone have any example shots of the 24mm @ 1.4?

I don't have any at f/1.4.  It is a little soft, even with AFMA, at f/1.4.  This is not suprising.  If you'd like to see some shots taken with mine, here is my 24/1.4 set on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/68498746@N08/sets/72157629087628057/

24

Lenses / Re: New wide angle lens for FF

« on: March 14, 2013, 05:59:53 AM »

I have the 24/1.4 II and it is sharp.  It's a versatile lens at f/1.4.  I haven't shot with the 16-35, so I cannot comment on it. 

Outside of the two options you presented, the TS-E 24 II is my absolute favorite landscape lens.  It is manual only and not as fast as the 24/1.4, but it is very sharp with virtually no CA or barrel distortion.  I have taken plenty of good landscape shots without tilting or shifting, but those options exist too.

25

Street & City / Re: New York - New York

« on: March 13, 2013, 10:10:25 PM »

Nice shots, Ben!

26

Software & Accessories / Re: Tri Pods!!!!!

« on: March 12, 2013, 10:15:35 PM »

Gitzo GT1542T traveler tripod.  It's super light, very compact, and stable enough for my 70-200 f/2.8L II with extender.  As someone mentioned, quality matters with tripods.  Save your money and get a good one.  It's worth it in the long run.

27

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: f/22 and diffraction

« on: March 11, 2013, 01:40:50 PM »

Another option not yet mentioned is shooting panos with telephotos.  Here is one I shot at 135mm with my 70-200 f/2.8L II (54 images stitched):


Great Falls by scrappydoggy, on Flickr

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: f/22 and diffraction

« on: March 11, 2013, 10:58:22 AM »

I hate diffraction more than a loss of DOF, so I disagree with his approach.  I understand the mentality, but its not one that I share.  If this tradeoff matters to you, try to set up your composition so that you do not need to make this tradeoff.  Use tilt-shifts if you can.

29

EOS Bodies / Re: refurbished 5d III, what do you think?

« on: March 11, 2013, 06:01:20 AM »

I bought my 5D2 refurbished from Canon and it was a great deal.  The camera has served me well.  No issues.

30

Lenses / Re: EF70-200 f/2.8L IS ll refurbished @ Canon for $1699.20 & I'm screwed

« on: March 10, 2013, 08:20:01 PM »

The MkII is a wonderful lens, I doubt you'll regret it.  If anything, you'll be selling the f/4 version...

This happened to me.  I ended up selling my f/4 IS.  I miss it sometimes, but the f/2.8 II is a such a great lens that I tend to forget about it.