Messages

466

Black & White / Re: Your best Architectural & City B&W shots?

« on: February 23, 2012, 05:27:21 PM »

Here are several from my recent trip to NYC...

467

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: February 23, 2012, 10:43:41 AM »

This post has wonderful photos. My contribution is not to be taken seriously.
It was taken with a nifty fifty. The bird had just stolen part of my sandwich

That is an awesome shot!

468

Lenses / Re: What's your favorite Canon lens and why?

« on: February 22, 2012, 05:41:29 PM »

Canon 24-105 f/4L IS.  It was my first lens and it is my go-to general purpose lens.  I love it.  Sharp photos, great color, the AF is fast, and it has IS.  It is fairly light as L lenses go.  My next selection would be the 70-200 f/2.8L II because it is also very versatile.

469

Lenses / Re: How to get / test a good copy of a L lens?

« on: February 20, 2012, 10:46:19 PM »

I don't think you would notice if it was a "soft" lens comparatively to other 70-300L lenses because the widest aperture is f/4, which would not be noticeable like it would at f/1.4 or f/1.2. 

I actually had this problem with my 24mm f/1.4 II, which I swapped out at B&H.  The new copy was much sharper on my camera.  If it matters, it appeared to me that the new lens appeared to have been out of its bag and thus I may not have been its first owner.  I did not care because the lens was sharp on my camera, it looked new, and it performed flawlessly.

470

Black & White / Re: Black & White

« on: February 20, 2012, 08:16:52 AM »

Here are some recent shots.  Although I shoot in color, I sometimes take pictures intending to convert them to black and white (e.g., the building shot posted).

471

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: February 19, 2012, 07:18:30 PM »

Here's a King Vulture.  Shot with a 60D and 70-200 f/2.8L II.

472

Lenses / Re: Is 24-105L really f/4.0?

« on: February 17, 2012, 12:26:43 PM »

By the way, could anyone please provide me with a link to some website where people review lenses, bodies and etc.? I'm reluctant to trust Amazon user reviews since the majority of Am's users are not photo enthusiasts, even if they are trying to review L lenses and such. I'd be extremely grateful

Here are a few good ones:

Photozone: http://photozone.de/
Digital Picture: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Canon-General-Purpose-Lens.aspx
B&H (user reviews): http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
Adorama (user reviews): http://www.adorama.com/

473

EOS Bodies / Re: How far will the 5DMKII drop in price?

« on: February 16, 2012, 06:14:12 PM »

Well I was about to pull the trigger on the 5d mk II kit with the 24-105 and the price just went up $300. I put it in the cart at $2,899.00 about a week ago. Logged in today to buy and the price jumped to $3,199.00. Both prices reflect the current rebates. Hopefully B&H will give me the $2,899.00 going to give them a call tomorrow. The price however with the previous rebates was $2,799.00 so I don't think it will drop very far at all during the next 6-12 months.

J&R has this deal for $2,833.88 right now with free shipping (in the USA).  Link:
http://www.jr.com/canon/pe/CAN_EOS5DMKIIKT/

474

Lenses / Re: Recommendation: Tele lens for 60D

« on: February 15, 2012, 09:34:54 PM »

Thanks for the input! I was hoping to find someone who had been in the same position I am 

I was, sort of.  I have a 60D.  For me, it was the f/4L IS or the f/2.8L II.  I chose the f/4L IS.  I later got the f/2.8L II.  Although both are wonderful, vuilang is right - you will wish you bought it and will later upgrade.  I have not shot with the other variants of the f/2.8, but it is hard to imagine a better lens than the 70-200 f/2.8L II.  Good luck!

475

Landscape / Re: Post your best pictures of fireworks

« on: February 14, 2012, 09:51:05 PM »

Hi, long time lurker first time poster  shot this is Hong Kong Disneyland back in 2010 on T2i and 18-55mm kit lens (my first lens).. 30s, f13 iso100 at 25mm.. hope u all enjoy

Nice shot!  Love the colors.

476

Lenses / Re: Is it worth waiting for an upgrade to 24-105?

« on: February 13, 2012, 05:53:33 PM »

I love the 24-105 f/4L on my cropped camera (60D).  It is my favorite lens.  I probably use it 80-90% of the time.  My only complaints are that it is not faster, and that there is distortion at 24mm.  I have only noticed the distortion on one or two occasions - not enough to complain about.  I highly recommend it.

477

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 60D grainy viewfinder

« on: February 13, 2012, 05:38:05 AM »

I have had this happen with my 60D also.  I am not sure why it happens.  Most recently, I noticed it when I was shooting with my Jupiter 37A, 135mm f/3.5 with an M42-to-EOS adapter.  Shots taken with the Jupiter and my 24-105 f/4L had approximately the same amount of grain in them in 100% crops.

478

Landscape / Re: Post your best pictures of fireworks

« on: February 12, 2012, 05:48:07 PM »

Here are a few.  All shot with 60D and 70-200 f/4L IS.

479

Software & Accessories / Re: Tripod case for airplane carry-on

« on: February 10, 2012, 09:52:01 AM »

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/819123-REG/Kata_KT_PL_TLB_300_TLB_300_PL_Telephoto_Lens.html
I'm thinking that a pack like this will work for my tripod, clothes, supplies, tent?, food, and water bottles(on outside).

Interesting idea.  There isn't enough room inside for a tent, but you could hang one from the bottom of the bag.  The water bottles can be attached to the front loops via carabiners.  The inside would likely need dividers for different lenses that you plan to take.  The center shaft in the large compartment looks large enough to run a smaller travel tripod through it (e.g. Gitzo Traveler), but a 300mm would be out of the question.

480

EOS Bodies / Re: How does Canon respond to the D800?

« on: February 08, 2012, 07:32:05 AM »

Face recognition metering - gimic, nice gimic but that is all

It is not a gimmick.  It could be a useful feature, and not just a "consumer" or "prosumer" one either.  Many wedding photographers will be thrilled to have this.