Messages

241

Software & Accessories / Re: FoCal Pro version 1.5 and the 5D Mark III

« on: July 21, 2012, 11:26:48 AM »

I tended to use 25-30X due to space limitations.  When good weather came, I went outdoors and needed the larger target for 50X and FF.  As you noted, the 50mm f/1.4 is difficult to adjust, I also had difficulty with my 100mmL. The best was my older 300mm f/4L, it was almost flawless very consistent and "0" AFMA on all my bodies. 
Same issues or worse for my Nikon D800 and 24-70mmg.  Some lenses are not as good as others, but I do not know if its a individual lens thing or a lens model thing, except that I recall hearing that the 50mm is far from the best to calibrate.
I have a couple new bodies now, and have not yet decided about keeping them, so I need to do it all over again.  I'm waiting on the mirrorless to decide if it is a fit for my use.  I have a 7D, 5D 2, and 1D MK IV and only want to keep two bodies.  I do not plan to buy another 5D MK III or 1D X unless there is a significant price reduction, or at least a fix for the black AF points.

Thanks for the heads up on the 50mm..I have that lens but have not had time to calibrate that one just yet.  Good to see you are using multiples of 25x-30x as 50x can be a stretch especially with a 400mm prime or higher and space limitations.  That one would more than likely have to be done outside.  Speaking of the black AF points, I've not had that hinder my photo shoots as of yet though I did express concern via Canon support awhile back and as we know, no news on that as of yet or at least that I am aware.

242

Software & Accessories / Re: FoCal Pro version 1.5 and the 5D Mark III

« on: July 20, 2012, 08:04:55 PM »

Usually, if there is a issue getting it to calibrate, vibration is causing it to fail.  Bright lighting is a absolute must, because it otherwise sets a slow enough shutter speed that images are too motion blurred to calibrate.  Do not walk around or move during the process unless you are on concrete.  I've had that happen to me on wooden floors even with very bright light.
You can use the larger target, or move the camera a little closer if that helps.
If any of the above tips apply, see if you get better results by being careful to use bright lights and see how long you can hold your breath

Ok may change the lighting and go full on bright vs. two bulb lights faced at the target fairly evenly.  camera was on a tripod and set on a concrete/porcelain floor in live view (mirror lock up).  Tried moving camera up to 1 foot on 16-35 but no such luck so suspect it is a)lighting or b)will try alt. FoCal target.

When you calibrated with FoCal, did you use the Canon 50x multiplier theory x the focal length of the lens or just sort of approximate beyond the lens' MFD to a reasonable distance that you might shoot with that lens? 

243

Software & Accessories / Re: FoCal Pro version 1.5 and the 5D Mark III

« on: July 20, 2012, 07:44:26 PM »

Crash and Mt Spokane thank you for the tips advice.

If you change lenses while its running on your PC, it will sometimes crash and fail to reset the camera to its original settings, sometimes it crashes for unknown reasons too.
This is covered in the documentation, and has not been a big issue for me, its happened twice over several months.  As far as setup goes, its basically the same process as for doing a manual AFMA, but the software guides you to do it right.

Though the software did crash, I was extra careful in fact not to change lenses without first a)powering down the 5D MK3 and b) shutting down FoCal and disconnecting the USB.  The disruption of specific settings was a bit troublesome but after I realized this was happening I would simply glance through the menus and be certain that the settings were the way the were.  Has anyone had any luck with the 16-35 getting calibrated?  for some reason the camera won't focus on the target.  Though two target pages were printed I have not used the other (without FoCal logo).  Still weeding through the instructions and it is good to see / hear that it does make a difference.  open to any other suggestions or comments on this app being the newbie that I am especially interested if you have lens aligned a macro or UWA lens ( I do realize no support for manual lenses i.e MP-E 65 as of yet) - thanks again

244

Software & Accessories / FoCal Pro version 1.5 and the 5D Mark III

« on: July 20, 2012, 02:54:18 AM »

I opted to pull the trigger and acquire this much anticipated software.  At first glance, it can be a bit overwhelming in printing targets, lining up the camera so the targets are precise, installing software on a laptop (not a desktop) as you will more than likely need space to roam especially with Tele's zooms .  There are many things to keep in mind when setting up for this calibration though the software does a good job of pointing most of those out.

I noted however the software did a few unusual things to at least my 5D that weren't there before.  For one, the shutter release was reprogrammed to perform a different function other than to focus.  I found this out when I tried to focus on the printed chart and lost all AF capabilities.  I swapped out the 24-105 lens with a 100mm 2.8 L and nothing (still no focus).  I put the 24-105 on my 7D and it was fine so I had isolated it was in fact the 5D.  I then checked Custom Controls and found the 5D M3 was reprogrammed.  I also noted Spot Metering kept getting turned on as well as the Exposure was up by a +1.  On a few occasions I also found Custom White Balance toggled on and not AWB.  The printed 8.5 x 11 FoCal chart did not work with the 16-35mm 2.8 MK II lens.  It just simply wouldn't focus at 1 foot (MFD is .92 feet) or 5 feet which is perhaps due to the target being too small?  Not sure.  I ran the Aperture sharpness tests on the same lens (the 100mm 2.8 L) consecutively twice and got different results.  The camera nor the light did not change.  The first time is showed the 7.1 was the sharpest aperture then it showed on a second run that 4.5 was the sharpest aperture.  One would think it would be consistent - same test same camera, same lens.

Any one else have any comments on this or own this software with the 5D Mark III?  PS I found the Martin Bailey site had it on a promo for £45 British pounds or $73 US vs  £69.95 or $112.21 USD.

PS I did see the blurb on the web site:  "Does FoCal change my camera settings?"

"FoCal changes a number of settings on the camera while running the test (e.g. aperture, ISO, metering etc.).  Before each test is run, the current settings of the camera are stored on the computer.  When the test completes, the settings are restored so your camera is back exactly as you had it before running the test.

Should anything go wrong (e.g. a power cut, the camera battery running out, the cable being unplugged etc.), the next time FoCal is run with the camera connected it will offer to restore the settings exactly as they were."

The camera was not reset hence the documenting of the above issues. Perhaps this is specific to the 5D MK 3

245

1D X Sample Images / Re: Concert shot with 1D X and EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II

« on: July 19, 2012, 01:26:55 PM »

Thanks for the eloquent response..all well stated.

I'm confused...     CoC is based on sensor size (independent of MP count), and is what underlies the DoF calculators out there.  After a time, you develop an intuitive feel for the aperture you need at a given distance/focal length to capture the DoF you want.  There was a suggestion in another thread of using f/number = number of people in the group shot, up to f/8 or so, which was a nice way to put it.

I guess I need to reread the Circle Of Confusion again..may have misstated here/above.  The F/number=number of people failed for me.  I had 3 in a photo at F5 one in focus, one slightly out of focus and one certainly out of focus. 

   Lastly, I wonder if the 61 point or Zone Af would have helped any (open for comment on this) with the 2.8 aperture making it any sharper..do you recall which AF selection you had on?


All of the shots posted here were in AI Servo mode with 61-pt auto selection (which also enables the iTR face tracking).    Keep in mind when using auto selection in servo mode, you can pick the starting AF point, but when using auto selection in One Shot, the camera will lock into the closest subject, which may not be what you want.

  Right .. thanks for this reminder.

246

1D X Sample Images / Re: Concert shot with 1D X and EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II

« on: July 19, 2012, 02:39:02 AM »

Neuro - first a big congrats on acquiring that camera of which so few of us will ever get to own let alone touch .  I recall you were waiting patiently as well.  I think the shots are pretty good though especially #3.  I wanted to ask if you noticed some overexposure in the first and second shots did you have a chance to use this histogram?  I know with that 70-200 2.8 lens we're all tempted in low light to keep the ISO as low as possible and the aperture wide open to get the best resolution but did you happen to notice a bit of blurriness in the hand of the first musician (1st pic)?  I wonder if a narrower aperture with higher ISO would have helped or possibly Zone AF or the 61 Point AF?  I had a similar instance where I was using a 70-300 L IS USM at 5.0 @ 221mm. I neglected to realize that 5.0 aperture still wasn't small enough as the focal range must be added in that equation as well to determine at what F stop would be the lowest I could go without sacrificing sharpness.  There's something you may have heard of called Circle Of Confusion within each SLR that helps to determine the best aperture based on distance and your focal length.  I did some reading on this yesterday..quite interesting.  Lastly, I wonder if the 61 point or Zone Af would have helped any (open for comment on this) with the 2.8 aperture making it any sharper..do you recall which AF selection you had on?   Looking forward to more of your posts and any responses.  Best wishes...Rev

247

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Post Your Summer Beach Shots here

« on: July 16, 2012, 12:43:08 AM »

Hey @!ex which cliff / beach was the photo with fusion at (#46-#50)..very nice processing

248

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Concert Photos - 5D mkIII with 70-200 2.8 non-is and tokina 11-16 2.8

« on: July 13, 2012, 07:49:11 PM »

Hello all - been out of the loop the past few days with posts and such.  The 80s band Modern English (hit smash I Melt With You) were in town and are personal friends of mine.  Here's a few photos from last nights concert at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA on 7-12-12.  Note:  I have not spent much time using a flash prior though own the 580 EXII.  This was attached via the hot shoe on the Canon 5D Mark III along with the 70-300 IS USM L Lens.  Photo shot in Manual mode, 1/100, F 5.0, ISO 400, One Shot AF, 1st Curtain.

I did not have seats.  I was merely running around the club, standing on chairs, taking shos from the sound booth upstairs, squatting between isles, etc to obtain as much versatility in these pics as possible.  I believe that all made a difference.  Light post processing in ACDSee Pro 5 and/or Lightroom 4.1 and/or DPP.

Note for some reason when comparing my local copy of the 3rd image below to what I see locally on my PC, it appears faded with less contrast here online.

249

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Post Your 4th of July Photos

« on: July 10, 2012, 04:19:07 AM »

Tammy..very nice work!

250

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Post Your 4th of July Photos

« on: July 10, 2012, 04:13:47 AM »

So, the stadium shot really shouldn't have any tell tale HDR artifacts, because it isn't HDR.  I actually just blended 3 shots, and then did a star trail stack of the 3 where the fireworks were (basically using the LIGHTEN blend mode on different layers).  I do agree though that the exposure was a too high, so I lowered it a bit, thanks for the critique (attached version).

Second, very cool shot of the clouds and the bench.  Much more story to the shot, which not only adds to the composition but also adds a human element to it.  I am not usually a hug he fan of selective color (although I am guilty of using it once or twice).  I'd like to see the un selectively colored version, too if you still have it around.

Wasn't sure as indicated about your stadium shot but the cleaned up version above is def. better.  The cloud shot was HDR though?  I might have that non selective color version somewhere..but you and I should PM from here forward..we've seriously diverted off the 4th topic..and I posted a 7D shot!  Uggh..Ok will clean this up now to keep in line with the thread.

251

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Post Your Summer Beach Shots here

« on: July 10, 2012, 04:06:35 AM »

This one's entitled "A Stare Case"...

Canon 5D MKIII and 24-105 L with GP-E2 encoded. RAW to JPG.  F9, 1/250, 47mm, ISO 100,


A Stare Case by Revup67, on Flickr

252

5D MK III Sample Images / Post Your Summer Beach Shots here

« on: July 10, 2012, 03:53:16 AM »

Spent the latter part of the day in San Clemente at the beach here in southern Cal.  It was bright and sunny and everyone was happy.  I opted to change this mood as we photographers can do on the fly to a more gloomy kind of thing and came up with a stark, predator-type "I'm watching you" kind of shot


Predator At The Beach by Revup67, on Flickr

253

Software & Accessories / Re: GP-E2 gps receiver: first impressions

« on: July 10, 2012, 03:41:40 AM »

In the Library Loupe view, the right hand bar (the thingie that you can hide, whatever they call it) near the bottom as a Meta-Data view. Does it show the information in there?

Ahh..thanks indeed it does - one needs to scroll this to the bottom .. if you click the associated arrow it brings you to MAPS..  But for some strange reason it does not show at all in Develop Mode and not configurable as well.  Oddly, in DPP it shows one other slice of GPS data called "Geographic Coordinate System" this is encoded with a further mapping info.  One image shows as WGS-84..Light Room is missing this metadata

254

Software & Accessories / Re: Canon RAW Codec 1.10.0 available for download

« on: July 10, 2012, 03:32:26 AM »

thanks  squarebox.

Mt Spokane - they did reply with: 

Thank you for contacting Canon product support regarding the RAW codec for your Canon product.  We value you as a Canon customer and appreciate the opportunity to assist you.  Consumer demand, technological limitations, and customer feedback are all taken in to consideration with new product and software development.  Your comments have been noted and will be passed on to the appropriate party.  Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance with your Canon Products. Thank you for choosing Canon.

Sounds cookie cutter but perhaps it will make headway.  Maybe if everyone in this thread could do the same and add more wood to the single flame in hopes it will spreads like wildfire.  Here's the email address:  CareCenter@cits.canon.com

255

Software & Accessories / Re: GP-E2 gps receiver: first impressions

« on: July 09, 2012, 12:39:18 PM »

Doesn't LR4 have a Maps module? Have you tried that? I'm surprised you can't see the Lat/Long in the normal Library meta-data viewer.

Correct in clicking map mode I was able to see the data just that it is on another tab.  However in Develop mode when doing a CTRL + I that info is not available.  Furthermore, when you click View while in Loupe mode, there's an option called View Options.  From the lengthy drop down list, map coordinates (GPS) are not available.  Whereas in the two programs mentioned above CTRL + I does offer those details.  Metadata is metadata, display it all please Adobe.  Also, no visual indicator in Library mode as which photos are encoded with GPS.  When you click on Metadata at the top, the coordinates do not appear.  Lastly, I find this strange, say I wish to delete an image file from another photo app such as DPP or ACDSee.  Both programs show the updated thumbnails.  The deleted image is gone and so is the thumbnail.  Adobe hangs on to a useless thumbnail of the deleted image.  I'm not sure what good does that serve and why it doesn't auto populate the directory's thumbnail database.   I guess it is just another awkward non conventional way of doing things in the Adobe world.