Messages

16

Canon General / Re: Gear / shooting recomendations for first wedding tomorrow!!

« on: April 13, 2012, 02:43:57 PM »

You are going to love the 35 1.4!  That's a great wedding lens! The 24-105 works pretty well too so long as it has a little assistance from a flash.  Don't be afraid to push the 5D2 to 3200ISO. Its better to get a crisp wedding photo with some noise rather than motion blur.  Most the noise can be mitigated in LR during post processing.  If space is an issue mRAW will produce a high enough quality image for 99% of wedding uses.

Let us know how it goes!

Thanks for the reply! I do love the 35!! I almost look for poorly lit environments for an excuse to shoot with it.

Agreed on the 3200 ISO. Between LR and DxO most of the noise can be eliminated, where as adobe has yet figured out how to fix motion blur

17

Canon General / Re: Gear / shooting recomendations for first wedding tomorrow!!

« on: April 13, 2012, 02:39:01 PM »

I had some thoughts.

5D II - Perfect
35 1.4 L - Again perfect. For everything but the actual ceremony (assuming you can't get close) I'd use this. I've used a 35L for 90% of a wedding before.
24-105 L - I'd still take it but you probably won't use it
70-200 2.8 II L - Perfect for the ceremony if you get stuck in the back.
430exII - Not sure I'd use a flash.
Tripod - Shouldn't need it.

Also, I'd take another camera that you can mount EF lenses on. Even if it's just a Rebel it'd help. You could put a second lens on it, or use it incase your 5D fails for some reason.

Thanks for positive feedback on the gear. 6 months ago I was shooting with a 350D and a nifty fifty. Then I fell down a rabbit hole!!! Amazed my wife hasn't left me!

I am going to try and convince a buddy who also shoots a 5d2 to let me borrow it in case of disaster!  Hopefully won't need it;)

18

Canon General / Re: Gear / shooting recomendations for first wedding tomorrow!!

« on: April 13, 2012, 02:34:19 PM »

I am a wedding photographer and I have a similar setup. I would shoot mRAW, so that you do not have to worry about filing up cards too quickly. You can print a 20x30 with great quality out of mRAW. Shoot as much outside as possible, if the weather permits. For your portraits, use the 70-200mm 90% of the time. You cannot beat the look of the 70-200mm on a full-frame camera.

Agreed about the 70-200 / 5d combo! It rocks and I will use it for almost all my portraits and ceremony shots. Hopefully the 32gb card will be ok for standard raw but thanks for the idea.

19

Canon General / Re: Gear / shooting recomendations for first wedding tomorrow!!

« on: April 13, 2012, 02:30:33 PM »

I recently shot my first wedding as well and found the following:

-Lenses that are f/4 or slower are all but useless indoors without flash
- Having a "shot list" is very helpful and keeps things on track
- Wide angle shots of the reception are great and really capture the feel of the room
- You can never have enough CF cards, i went through 25+ gigs for mine

thoughts on your gear:

- the 5DII should be good, you may have some issues focusing in low light depending on the venue
- 35 1.4 will be a god send:)
- the 24-105 will need flash as will the 70-200
- tripod might just weigh you down, might want to consider leaving it behind unless you have an assistant or something to help carry stuff

best of luck!

Thanks for sharing! I think the list is a great idea.

I bought a 32gb 400x card to go with the 2 16gb 600x CF cards I already had so hopefully no storage issues.  The 24-105 will only be for outside wide angle shots of the couple and ceremony.  I think the 35 will be glued on after dark!

20

Canon General / Gear / shooting recomendations for first wedding tomorrow!!

« on: April 13, 2012, 01:35:22 PM »

Hey everyone!

Any advice on gear or general pointers for shooting my first wedding tomorow?  Luckily, the bride was on a super low budget so she is not expecting much from me as I am working pro bono (it's her wedding gift). I am an enthusiastic amateur photographer (not my main line of work), but I have started to get a couple of of jobs in the last month.

I have listed my gear below and I won't be buying anything new since the event is tomorrow.

5D II
35 1.4 L
24-105 L
70-200 2.8 II L
430exII
Tripod


I use LR4, Photoshop 6 beta, and DxO 7 for post work. I plan on using blurb to put a book together for the couple at the end.

... A couple more gear items and details

I also will have my Lowepro fastpack 250 and a CustomSLR sling strap
I will have 3 CF cards and a battery grip on the 5D with extra batteries.

My wife will also be shooting with a Sony NEX 5n ( I know it's blasphemy! But actually a pretty neat little camera)

I really appreciate and value any advice from the CR community and thank everyone in advance! I really take pride in my pictures and hope to capture the day well for my

Sorry for double post, I was not sure which category to post under.
Thanks!!

21

Canon General / Re: HELP! Shooting my first wedding tomorrow!!!

« on: April 13, 2012, 12:10:35 PM »

... A couple more gear items and details

I also will have my Lowepro fastpack 250 and a CustomSLR strap
I will have 3 CF cards and a battery grip on the 5D with extra batteries.

My wife will also be shooting with a Sony NEX 5n ( I know it's blasphemy! But actually a pretty neat little camera)

22

Canon General / HELP! Shooting my first wedding tomorrow!!!

« on: April 13, 2012, 12:03:25 PM »

Hey everyone!

Any advice on gear or general pointers for shooting my first wedding tomorow?  Luckily, the bride was on a super low budget so she is not expecting much from me as I am working pro bono (it's her wedding gift). I am an enthusiastic amateur photographer (not my main line of work), but I have started to get a couple of of jobs in the last month.

I have listed my gear below and I won't be buying anything new since the event is tomorrow.

5D II
35 1.4 L
24-105 L
70-200 2.8 II L
430exII
Tripod


I use LR4, Photoshop 6 beta, and DxO 7 for post work. I plan on using blurb to put a book together for the couple at the end.

I really appreciate and calue any advice from the CR community and thank everyone in advance! I really take pride in my pictures and hope to capture the day well for my friend.

Cheers!

23

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM

« on: April 09, 2012, 01:38:39 PM »

On a 1D4 on an overcast day

Coming from Greek heritage, I surely can appreciate a sexy goat.

+1!!!
We goat loving Greeks need to represent!

Although I prefer my goat on a spit over fire with some lemon and oregano!

24

Lenses / Re: 70-200 f/2.8 IS L II -VS- 135 f/2 L + 70-200 f/4 IS L

« on: March 02, 2012, 04:41:11 PM »

Ok so I bit the bullet and bought the 70-200 f2.8 IS II!!!

I think it will hold it's value well given how new it is an how strong IQ is.

More importantly I love the lens and will really enjoy shooting with.

+1 Thanks to all that posted.

Does anyone have experience with the Kenko dgx tele converters? I will probably go with canon but was curious about the kenko as it can be used with non tele lenses.

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Lenses / Re: 70-200 f/2.8 IS L II -VS- 135 f/2 L + 70-200 f/4 IS L

« on: February 28, 2012, 02:29:46 PM »

Thanks for all the post so far. Please keep the opinions coming.

I really appreciate hearing how different people shoot and use their gear. Very helpful when making a purchase of this size!

26

Lenses / 70-200 f/2.8 IS L II -VS- 135 f/2 L + 70-200 f/4 IS L

« on: February 28, 2012, 11:54:17 AM »

Hey everybody!

So hear is the the choice I have to make before the rebates end on 3/2. I have all but decided on the widely loved 70-200 f2.8 IS II. I appreciate the cost and weight as an issue, but after shooting with it for a couple of weeks on loan from a very generous friend , I have learned to love it despite these issues.

I will be using this on a 5d II as a candid portrait lens (both indoors and outdoor) and as a general outdoor zoom lens.  I like it for its wide aperture and great bokeh when zoomed to 200mm. 

My only concern is that sometimes the f/2.8 is not quite fast enough for indoor available light shots. (I use the 35 L f/1.4 right now but it is to wide for certain portraits)

My last argument against /alternative to the 2.8 II would be that for the same cost $$, I could buy the 135 f2 L + the 70-200 f/4 IS L. This would give me a smaller more portable general outdoor zoom, (albeit with less background blur and less capable when combined with TCs), and I would gain a faster f/2 135 mm lens for indoor / available light portraits. 

I realize all three lens are great and I have read the numerous posts on them. I am more curious to know your thought on the one option vs the other and any pros and cons.

As always, I love this community and thank everyone for your responses in advance!

Cheers!

27

Lenses / Re: Yet another "what lens?" question

« on: February 15, 2012, 10:04:14 PM »

I own a 7D & a 17-55. I am very pleased with the 17-55! Image quality is VERY good!! I would say that it is L quality optics. Even at f/2.8 I still find myself bumping the ISO up to an undesirably high range fairly often. I also own a 35 L & that lens is just an AMAZING lens!!! Attached to a APS-C crop-body it is equivalent to a 56mm on a FF. So, it is a good normal focal length lens, it just lacks the versatility of the zoom.

+1 35L

I had the 60D and 17-55, and I returned it and bought the 5DII kit with the 24-105 kit + 35L.  The cost difference was about $1800 but it was the best choice I ever made.

The 35 L is a low light machine and it is sharp at 1.4,  tack sharp at f/2.0 and alien sharp at 2.8. 

I have the 17-55mm, and it's an excellent lens.  But, f/2.8 indoors with ambient home lighting usually means ISO 3200 or even higher.  While ISO 3200 is fine on my 5DII, I prefer not to go that high on my 7D. 

Definitely get a 430EX II if you don't have an external flash - you can bounce that off the ceiling for nice lighting.

As for lenses, I'd consider a fast prime.  The new 24/28 primes aren't fast, I'd absolutely take the 17-55mm over either of those.  The 24mm f/1.4L II would be ideal, but it's expensive.  You might consider the Sigma 30mm f/1.4, but since the 60D lacks AF Microadjustment, I'd recommend buying the Sigma (or any fast prime) from somewhere you can easily return it, and test the AF performance right when you get the lens.

I too had the 17-55 and as neuro mentioned I had to jack the ISO up on my 60D too high to really stop my kid's action.  The 35l is great on my FF but it is a little tighter on the 1.6 crop.  you might also consider the 24 1.4 L II.  not quite as sharp as the 35 L, but would give you a similar angle on the crop body

28

Lenses / Re: Recommendation 70-200/2.8+2x vs 100-400 f/4-5.6L ?

« on: February 15, 2012, 12:59:09 PM »

According to the review and the ISO charts on TDP, the 1.4III see very limited IQ loss when mated with the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II vs. the 70-300L

http://the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=687&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=6&API=1&LensComp=738&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=4&APIComp=0

I don't know Pix, the 70-300 looks pretty significantly sharper to me.

smirkypants- you are right
I agree, the 70-300 is at it's sharpest at 300 f/5.6. 

The original link had the 70-200 + 1.4 @ f4. When they are both at f5.6 it is a bit more even:

http://the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=687&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=6&API=3&LensComp=738&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=4&APIComp=1

The zoom+extender shows less CA and distortion. However it is softer, particularly in the midframe.

I recently poured over these sample crops when deciding whether to buy the 2x extender for my 70-200 f2.8 or to buy the 400mm f5.6 for extra reach when birding. I decided on the 400mm f5.6 prime as a dedicated birding lens. However I do already have the zoom so this is less relevant to the OP.

I think that as Neuro demonstrated with his images either option will be able to deliver good images. The images will be far worse than the difference between them with slight mistakes during your image capture and workflow. I'd probably choose the 100-400 for its great versatility. Having to switch in and out an extender would get tedious. Get the lens, hone your technique and enjoy your photos.

Good catch Herbert. At f/5.6 the center sharpness delta is pretty negligible. Also good point about using the lens with the desired native focal length/aperature . For me, that's 70-200 @ f/2.8 with only occasional 400mm f/5.6 use.

By the way. I will be getting the 2xIII TC from lensrentals on thursday to test with the 70-200 F/2.8 IS II. I will try and post some 400mm samples over the weekend.

29

Software & Accessories / Re: Photo editing software for a new user...

« on: February 15, 2012, 11:07:33 AM »

Unless I missed it, I am surprised no one mentioned DxO. I recently downloaded the trial for both DxO and LR4 beta. They are both very powerful.

IMHO for photos that only need "darkroom" adjustments I find DxO to be quicker and more efficient/effective. LR is more robust when you need to adjust more than just color, exposure, curves etc. also the adjustment brush is a huge LR feature missing from DxO and DxO has very little DAM.  But DxO has great NR and highlight recovery. Plus the geometric adjustment I think are more robust in DxO.

My 2 cents anyway. I am definitely not a pro using this stuff all day every day

30

Lenses / Re: Recommendation 70-200/2.8+2x vs 100-400 f/4-5.6L ?

« on: February 15, 2012, 10:35:05 AM »

You know, there's always the Sigma 120-300/2.8 + 1.4. I've no personal experience, but I've heard that relative to the 100-400 it's pretty good and the price is fairly reasonable. It gives you around 170mm-420mm focal range at f4.

Maybe I'll rent it and see.

After you mentioned this lens I checked it out at LR's. Downside is its a beast compared to other zooms and even some of the tele primes. 6lbs!!!

Also Rogers take was that it is not sharp enough for prints over 8-10". He was comparing against the canon 300 f/2.8.