Messages

1

Software & Accessories / Re: New Software Development Kit for Aperture

« on: Today at 01:40:42 AM »

The main changes were indeed for better Xcode projects, but it is worth noting that the document is completely new. Joseph is completely right though, there's no reason Apple would touch this after 5 years if they weren't working on something!

For me, I'm hoping 4.0 brings some new APIs. I really want custom adjustment bricks or ways to extend some smart albums or stacks.

...Actually, I'd be content if Apple let me re-write a custom auto-stack plugin.

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Software & Accessories / Re: What fits in a CRJ-700 overhead bin?

« on: Today at 01:37:28 AM »

I have a tenba shootout Small backpack (honestly, not small at all) and the bins could have accommodated a medium one and possibly a large w/o wheels.

What airline? I flew delta with the family and we had good sized wheeled bags. They checked them at the gate for each flight, no charge which was pretty handy, but you obviously need to be aware that things get bumped a bit more that way.

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Lenses / Re: If you could only have three lenses...

« on: June 03, 2013, 01:15:41 AM »

Assuming full frame:

Versatility: The MkII zoom trinity.

I might replace the 24-70 with the 50 1.2, though.

If I'm doing primes:
24 1.4L II, the 50 1.2L and the 200 f2L.
(I could possible swap the 24 for the 14… Tough choice!)

Crop sensor:
Would probably be the same, except I'd use the 10-22, and definitely the 14mm over the 24. (The others would probably be the same. Maybe the Sigma 35mm instead of the 50…).

Fortunately, I don't have to restrict myself to only 3 lenses… (Not that I even own all of these!)

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Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Haven't seen one of these before...

« on: May 25, 2013, 08:01:27 AM »

The main purpose is for focusing in video, similar to using a follow focus device, though I wonder how well this works. Most focus devices are manual, and turn the MF ring on a lens, and even the electronic ones drive a motor to turn the MF ring. Going through the camera is interesting.

The biggest advantage here is cost, as $180 USD is significantly cheaper than most manual follow focus devices.

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Software & Accessories / Re: question for RRS/Acratech (high-end) ballhead users

« on: May 22, 2013, 07:40:02 PM »

I've got an Acratech GP-s and LOVE it!

It's literally one of my favorite pieces of gear! I most regularly use a 70-200 (2.8 IS) + extender + 5D/7D + grip and occasionally a flash. That's in the 8-9lb range (w/o flash) and it preforms flawlessly at every setting. More often than not, I  do NOT lock the head down completely. I get it in that sweet spot where it will stay put, but I can still pretty easily adjust the lens.

I rented a 200mm f2L and a 1D4 (and extender) and used the head and it also performed pretty darn well, even in the gimbal position, but I didn't have much time with it. This is a bit heavier than the 300 mk II. I wouldn't try more than a 400 2.8 on the head, and I'm sure it'd hold steady, but the gimbal would be bit off as others have reported. I haven't had any problems with my head.

Well, I did have one…my panning knob actually got stuck once. Acratech is a short drive from home, and they took a look, replaced the entire panning base and some of the inside rubber all for free! They're an amazing company, and I love their products!

Not many people rent acratech heads, however, they loaned me their long lens head for a couple weeks for simply the cost of shipping. It was great with a 500mm f4.

Side note: The GP series of Acratech heads allow you to mount the clamp on the underside of the ball head, and put it on top of the panning base for panorama work. This is a very handy feature, and while a ball head isn't quite as pleasant to work with upside down (the knobs don't feel right to me), it actually works very well, and saves some extra gear.

If you do get an Acratech head, I strongly recommend paying a little more for the level clamp. It's really handy, gives me a little more confidence, and I think is quicker. (If you don't they usually let you trade in a regular clamp for the difference in price, and that's how I got my lever clamp since it's newer than my head.)

6

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 70D & EOS 7D Mark II

« on: May 16, 2013, 06:50:03 PM »

This makes me feel better… I just bought a 5D3 because I couldn't wait. And i don't really want to buy another new camera. Though, I can't wait to see a new 7D!

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Pricewatch Deals / Re: Deals: EOS-1D X & EOS 6D w/24-105 f/4L IS

« on: May 16, 2013, 04:22:40 AM »

Everything on that eBay has sketchy written all over it. 1 image of a package deal with a cheap camera bag, and photoshopped Sandisk cards…   

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HDR - High Dynamic Range / Re: Canon 5D mark 3 in-camera HDR shots

« on: May 10, 2013, 10:58:35 PM »

I use in-camera HDR quite a bit since I bracket many shots. I usually end up deleting the in-camera version since it's JPEG and for natural style mine usually seem soft and low contrast. HOWEVER, it is really handy to preview shots that way. If they could be TIFF instead of JPEG, that would be incredibly helpful.

I've only had the 5D3 for a little while, but I think I'm tending more towards 5 shot brackets since that's supported now and I like the extra latitude.

Overall, it's not bad for in camera and it's handy to have, especially if I want to try something quickly.

Has anyone else notice significant battery drain with lots of HDR use?

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 7D Rear Dial Cheap?

« on: May 04, 2013, 04:52:33 AM »

I own both a 5D3 and 7D.

The wheels are different, but I don't think my 7D wheel is much worse. I've use it for 2.5 years and love it! It's much nicer than the wheel on the 5D2 (which I've only barely used) and on the 20-50D series, which I used before. It does have a bit of a click to it, but I like it.

I've now had a 5D3 for a little while and the wheel is improved. The texture is better but honestly, sometimes it feels a little soft. 

I've also used a 1DX for a bit, and its wheel and buttons are really really good. I think the 5D3 improvements are a scaled down version from the 1DX.

10

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Sigma Launches the Sigma USB DOCK

« on: January 10, 2013, 03:08:24 AM »

They aren't talking too much about this at CES today...at least not to most normal folk. I did catch a glimpse of one that was out on top of the new 120-300. It looked nice. A little smaller than the 1.4x canon extender I'd say.

They were expecting March for release right now, and no office costs but I heard "it shouldn't be too much" and "about the cost of an extender". I'm really hoping that's sigma prices and not canon!

The main functionality is to really be able to adjust lens parameters, like focus speed and potentially IS/OS settings if the lens has them. I didn't get a chance to ask to what extent you'll be able to customize things, but I imagine there's room for things to change in the next couple months anyway.

The new 120-300 also looks really nice. I didn't get to hold it, but I did play with the previous version and it wasn't bad! Certainly for HALF the cost of the current Canon it should be a good deal.

I've been using the new 35 1.4 and I've got to say I'm impressed with the new sigma stuff. This is my first Sigma lens I've owned as wasn't overly convinced about the earlier stuff, but so far it's great! I'm definitely going to be considering the dock when it's released, assuming the price isn't too much, and I get more than just firmware updates and AF speed.

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EOS Bodies / Re: Patents - EF 600 f/5.6 DO & 800 f/5.6 DO

« on: July 12, 2012, 09:29:08 PM »

46mm?


According to B&H that's almost exactly (45.97mm) he length of the current 800mm f5.6. Am I missing something?

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon EOS 7D Firmware Version 2 Coming Soon

« on: June 09, 2012, 03:28:27 AM »

5 or 7 AEB bracketing would sure be nice.. considering what else they are doing it should be a simple addition. i hope they dont leave that only to the 5dmkIII and above

Amen.   5 and 7 AEB is one of the most useable day-to-day improvements I have enjoyed with the 5D Mark III.  With the 7D, I need to take 3, then go into menu, shift it all, and take 3 more.  With the 5D Mark III, I can lay a -1 to +1 range on thirds.  Should not require any technology changes - just firmware.

Agreed. 1D bodies have done this forever.... It took me all of two minutes from the first time I used a 1D series to  miss this feature in every camera. To me, at least, specifying the step interval is more intuitive than seeing the overall range, but Canon could easily modify the current Q menu to makes things simple and provide good visual feedback.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: My 7D vs 40D test

« on: June 08, 2012, 02:41:04 PM »

I went from a 30D to a 7D a little while ago, and loved it! The 7D is an amazing amazing camera and has followed me around the world and through 60,000 shots in about 20 months. It's held up wonderfully and I love the ergonomics and feature set.

The 30D is a great second camera now, but it does feel a bit antiquated. If you get a 7D, you'll love it!

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon EOS 7D Firmware Version 2 Coming Soon

« on: June 08, 2012, 01:52:11 PM »

Wow! This has been my one major complaint with Canon - that they limit firmware only to when it's shipped -aside from bug fixes.

I'd be really happy to see this because it adds two things I've wanted - Auto ISO limit, and file name changing. However, it also leaves off the other one feature I've really wanted: 5 and 7 shot auto bracketing would be excellent, which the 1D series (and now 5D3) have.

15

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 Pancake

« on: June 07, 2012, 01:39:36 AM »

I looks like a nice lens, but I can't see spending $200 to shave off an inch or less of my 50mm 1.8, and to lose a stop and a half? The 40mm would be a nicer length for a cropped sensor, but personally, I'd take better light gathering. The 50 1.8 is also a good performer especially at f2 - 2.2 (which is still a whole stop advantage...).


The only things that would make me really interested are: sub-$200 is really in the $150 range, and this thing is sharp at 2.8 and focuses quickly. It doesn't need to be 70-200 quick, just a decent bit faster than my 50 1.8. If it had USM, I'd be all over it. As it is, the metal mount is a definite bonus over my nifty fifty. I guess this also depends on the price of the current 50, because I got mine at a low point, for under $100, and now they can be in the $130 range, so difference isn't as big.