Messages

526

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

« on: January 16, 2012, 05:42:57 PM »

Just got this lens about a week ago.  Presently using it with a EOS 7D.  Hoping at some point to acquire the 5D MKiii if and when it arrives and exploit this lens further

Taken at F8, 1/60th, ISO 100, 33mm, HDR processed with -2,0,+2 bracketing, Aperture Priority

Rev

527

Lenses / Re: Recommendation For Long Lenses

« on: January 13, 2012, 03:35:38 AM »

OP has stated his main camera will be the 1D IV - however good the 7D is then the 1D4 will always be a couple of steps better.

Correct however I had made reference to the 5D as the 1DIV is better than the 5D as well as the 7D

528

Lenses / Re: Recommendation For Long Lenses

« on: January 12, 2012, 04:04:58 PM »

I'd skip the teleconverters, grab the 7D and you instantly have a 1.6 multiplier without any reduction in lightas the TC's are known for plus other features such as Af that can be affected.  Also, your 500mm just became an 800mm.  You'd also have the faster FPS for BIFS vs. the sluggish FPS on the 5D.  if time permits, I might research the The Blue Crane videos which talk about the best ways to tweak that 7D and keep the noise to a bare minimum.  At ISO 100 and RAW the images are stellar.  I'd also concentrate on eliminating anything without IS on the long end.

529

Lenses / Re: Canon's incredibly short warranty

« on: January 12, 2012, 03:47:05 PM »

As far as the competitive goes, I do agree as well on that statement.  Canon recently eliminated any discounts on repairs at the Silver Membership level as well.  To help combat the lesser warranty however for a mere $20 you can get a Mack Warranty for (as I recall) up to 7 years if the lens is under $1000.  Or if you prefer, here in the U.S. most credit card companies will double the warranty that you purchase or is included.  So for example when I acquired the EOS 7D I had bought an extended 2 year warranty.  I then called my credit card company (American Express) and inquired on this.  I verified I now had 4 years (vs. 2) and was able to also to gather insight on the entire return process from A-Z which was quite easy.

530

Lenses / Re: Canon 400mm L 5.6 .. So what's changed in 19 years?

« on: July 06, 2011, 08:34:36 PM »

Hello Neuro (you wrote):  "The rep you spoke with was incorrect.  The 400mm f/5.6L USM is not a weather-sealed lens.  Sealed lenses are easily identified by the black rubber seal at the lens mount, and the 400/5.6 does not have one of them - therefore, not sealed. "

I wanted to inquire again and gain further specifics on this previous support statement and spoke with another Canon rep (Larry) who read out of the in house tech support lens catalog this lens only offers drip and dust proof sealing when attached to an EOS 1D and no other camera.  it is inherent and directly to a seal only found on the EOS 1D and no other.  Bummer.

531

Lenses / Re: Canon 400mm L 5.6 .. So what's changed in 19 years?

« on: July 05, 2011, 09:18:14 PM »

thanks for the replies and my statements were only examples about the glass or the coating as sort of a reference.  Assumptions welcome but I was seeking more absolute, factual information if at all possible.

532

Lenses / Canon 400mm L 5.6 .. So what's changed in 19 years?

« on: July 05, 2011, 07:48:19 PM »

This great lens first released in 1993 is currently still part of Canon's lineup and tack sharp.  It has USM but lacking IS as most of us know.  I called Canon support (3 different reps) and no one was able to tell me what exactly has changed/updated/upgraded on this lens since 1993.  It would seem logical that some components have been upgraded or possibly the coating but not necessarily a feature accessible by consumers.

Does anyone or can anyone shed any light on the 19 year time line for this lens?

PS one thing Canon support did state is that the lens is "drip and dust proof" which debunked a statement I had found on another web site.
Thanks in advance
Rev

533

Portrait / Re: Let There Be Light!

« on: January 20, 2011, 11:29:35 PM »

"Second shooting" is a common method that wedding photographers employ to make sure nothing is missed on a wedding day. It involves the principal photographer hiring an assistant to photograph with them. Basically two photographers at one wedding.

Lightweight/Starter portrait gear? A good starting point would be:

Lightstand
Umbrella Bracket
Shoot Thru/Reflective Umbrella

You can use your 7D wireless commander to trigger your 580EXII,  but I would consider investing into a wireless trigger system. Once you're comfortable with one light, you can move into two light setups. Most of the Strobist 101 seems out of date, but its very much a good starting point for reading. Speaking of reading, if you want to learn more about light and off camera flash I recommend:

Light: Science and Magic
The HotShoe Diaries

Very familiar with the wireless on the 580EXII - really enjoy that option especially when in manual mode - can get some cool shadowing effects.  I took a look at the books and see there are various versions of Light Science and Magic.  I would presume you mean the 4th edition?  I saw several on amazon  I appreciate the response and tips on items to acquire
Revup67

534

EOS Bodies / Re: white balance issues

« on: January 20, 2011, 11:16:36 PM »

Good post of examples - I need to explore that DxO program again.  I've been using a WhiBal card and don't touch the WB in post at all - it's usually dead on with florescent or tungsten light much like what you've show in your sample images

535

EOS Bodies / Re: Knocked out by 5DmkII with 24-105mm and tripod

« on: January 15, 2011, 02:04:52 AM »

Good thing you got hit with a Canon, I heard Nikons are worse

536

EOS Bodies / Re: white balance issues

« on: January 14, 2011, 04:13:33 PM »

I've been through your trials and tribulations and know first hand an excellent inexpensive solution.  I would skip using the preset WB's in the camera - they are all inefficient except possible the AWB in shaded outdoors or with flash - I had decent success with that .  Don't waste time on the color temp settings unless you have a Kelvin meter for accuracy and they are not cheap. For indoor without flash a White Balance card is essential

Here's what you may wish to consider:
1)get a whibal card - the one I use is by Michael Tapes at:  http://mtapesdesign.com/  the 36.95 one is probably your best bet.  In AWB take your photo, then Set the photo as the Custom WB choice and your done.  If the lighting changes repeat above steps.  Note:  this card offers more capabilities so be sure to read his tutorial.
2)And Shoot RAW, not JPG as JPG pre-bakes all settings into the picture.  Shooting RAW will let you choose the white balance eye dropper in DPP.  So you load your RAW photo with the WhiBal card, place the eye dropper on the WhiBal card in the photo, then apply to all photos from same session.

Hope that helps.

I do this all the time and the colors are dead on.  Also note, if you shoot RAW, there's already a JPG embedded in the RAW file.  The RAW is your Digital negative and the same benefits apply as if it were a film negative.  You always have the unaltered original.  I've played with the camera's color balance settings and that helped a bit but still to get accuracy nothing beats a a good white balance card.

Rev

537

EOS Bodies / Re: Ai Servo in low light

« on: January 14, 2011, 04:00:54 PM »

Though this response is related though I won't touch the AI Servo as Neuro already covered this, in using the MP-E 65 yesterday without the flash at F11 it was complete darkness both in Live View and VF.  As soon as I mounted the MT 24EX macro flash in E-TTL I had light in Live View and was able to focus.  I would imagine the same would be true with the 580 EXII or similar E-TTL flashes so that in fact that may aid your situation especially if in Live View as I was able to at the very least manual focus in low light.

538

EOS Bodies / Re: How long do i have to wait for continous AF on VDSLR?

« on: January 14, 2011, 12:15:36 AM »

Most L lenses have quiet focus.  Besides, you really need a separate mic / input system when filming on DSLR

Indeed I would agree.  The Zoom H4N is an excellent choice with a cold shoe adapter to sit on top of your Canon Camera or it can sit on another tripod or even mic stand to keep away from the USM sound.  In only wish there was a way to have the live mic's of the Zoom H4N override the build in mic vs. doing an audio sync afterward with Premiere or other software.  Although not that hard to do, just extra time

539

Site Information / Re: Canon Rumors & Facebook

« on: January 12, 2011, 11:12:36 AM »

Just make a personal account with a fake name and fake pic. Lots of people are starting to do that!

I agree.  And if you do, call yourself Frank Canon, like the old TV show from the 70's less the 1 N in Cannon of course. 

540

EOS Bodies / Re: Advice on Camera

« on: January 11, 2011, 02:22:13 AM »

Surprising, out of all these posts a 580 EXII flash was omitted.  The built in flash is rather meager on the 7D or others with built in flash) and I use it seldom as it can overwhelming and provides minimal flexibility.  You can really get some well lit photos outdoor or indoor with this flash and it should not be omitted with that size budget.  A lot of folks are fearful about flash but this flash could make or break a potentially good photo.

The 7D is a great choice especially with 5K total budget.

The best she can do is read read read and ask a lot of questions as there is much to learn on what all is being proposed