Messages

16

Lenses / Re: Selling 70-300 IS - Suggest Replacement?

« on: December 21, 2012, 12:33:35 AM »

I sold my 70-300 two weeks after using the 70-200 f/2.8 ii. It is quite possible that I ended up with a bad copy, but the 70-200 f/2.8 ii was everything I was looking for in a lens (though I ended up using a monopod after about two hours). I have not used the 70-300L but my needs are geared more towards 2.8 and faster glass.

-Tabor

17

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5Dii auto iso stuck on 400.

« on: November 18, 2012, 02:25:44 PM »

Man that stinks,

Thank you all for your imput. I knew you all would know something about what I was referring to. It's not enough to push me over to the 5Diii just yet, but man I wish there was a firmware update for this. Well, I better keep shooting to afford an upgrade!

Thank you all again,
-Tabor

18

EOS Bodies - For Stills / 5Dii auto iso stuck on 400.

« on: November 18, 2012, 11:41:10 AM »

Well, I think the title says it all. The auto iso on my 5Dii is stuck on 400, however, this is only on manual mode and thus my custom settings as well.

Has anyone had this experience or know of a fix, or should I send it in to Canon?

Thank you all greatly,
-Tabor

19

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: DUST!!!!!!! WHAT TO DO!?!?!?

« on: November 14, 2012, 11:23:55 PM »

Thank you Ryan,

I had actually yet to take a deep breath. Very relaxing. I am in Stillwater, OK but two of my shoots are in Tulsa this weekend so I'll take it in then. Good call on the consistant cleanings!

Neuro,

I have not yet bought a rocket blower, as Ryan mentioned, I assumed I would just get mine cleaned from time to time. Now is the time to invest a little in the rocket. (by the way, I saw some of your pics on flickr, great work!)

-Tabor

Right before NATO hit Chicago I had what looked like a spaghetti noodle (it was an eyelash) inside my body that put me through a few extra hours of grief in post processing.

Neuro is spot on. I carry a little puffer everywhere just in case. But it can be hard to see the specs on your back screen. Also, I'm just so, so lazy. I don't trust myself to not blow dust onto my sensor and would rather just leave it up to someone else.

I have had the same reservations with the rocket, but I think I'll learn from this one. I'll get it cleaned for this weekend, but I'll go ahead and purchase the pretty puffer.

20

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: DUST!!!!!!! WHAT TO DO!?!?!?

« on: November 14, 2012, 10:57:14 PM »

Thank you Ryan,

I had actually yet to take a deep breath. Very relaxing. I am in Stillwater, OK but two of my shoots are in Tulsa this weekend so I'll take it in then. Good call on the consistant cleanings!

Neuro,

I have not yet bought a rocket blower, as Ryan mentioned, I assumed I would just get mine cleaned from time to time. Now is the time to invest a little in the rocket. (by the way, I saw some of your pics on flickr, great work!)

-Tabor

21

EOS Bodies - For Stills / DUST!!!!!!! WHAT TO DO!?!?!? (resolved)

« on: November 14, 2012, 10:44:24 PM »

I am doing my best to keep my cool. I have dust in the viewfinder, at least I think that is where the beast lay. I didn't notice it until I was wiping down my camera with a lens cloth and decided to wipe the dust off of the viewfinder glass. Now everytime I look into the viewfinder I can see two spots, one; a j-looking object next to the center focus point, and two; a spot just a bit lower and to the right. The dust doesn't seem to affect the pictures what-so-ever, but I am super OCD about these things and besides that, the specks are simply annoying. I have three shoots in the next four days so I would LOVE it if you all had some advice.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

-Tabor

It is on/in my 5DII with a 17-40L that has a filter, (if that makes any difference). Also, I've been shooting all day and this has not come up until the moment I wiped off the viewfinder... 

22

Lenses / Re: How often do you use 35L @1.4

« on: November 13, 2012, 08:40:16 PM »

What do you think this lens is most useful for and what styles should be avoided when using this lens?

Now I'm even considering selling it and getting 24-70 II, but I might miss the bokeh of 35L.

I shoot indoor portraits with ambient light at whatever f/ is needed to keep iso down. I absolutely love the versatility/availability of going to f/1.4 when needed and would never trade this one in for the 24-70 II. It might as well be glued to the 60D since it rarely comes off, though my wife and I took only our 35L and 5Dii on vacation and had no regrets. With that, I can't think of any "styles" that are outside of the reach of this lens apart from its physical limitations (i.e. fixed at 35mm) I hope that helps, but personally, I think this lens is pretty awesome.

-Tabor

23

Lenses / Re: Canon Announces New Lens Caps!

« on: November 06, 2012, 10:56:12 AM »

It's a gift from the gods! *opera sings*

This should be in a Canon commercial. (Introducing the Canon 24-70 f/4 IS and 35 f/2 IS... WITH A NEW LENS CAP! *aaaaahhhhhh!!!!*)

24

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Big Canon EOS 5D Mark II Price Drop Coming

« on: September 29, 2012, 04:01:35 PM »

Things that make you go, hmm......

25

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 60D actually doesn't need AFMA?

« on: September 25, 2012, 11:09:34 PM »

I have not had any issues with my 60D but thought I should +1 Audio's statement;

The only issue I had a real problem with on my 60D was with a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 front focusing.  I returned the lens and purchased a 35mm f/1.4L. Sure it was about a $1000 difference but the colors and contrast i get from it are SOOOOOOOO much better AND I didn't have to get the lens adjusted.

This is one the my favorite combination on the 60D for when you are considering a new lens (and have an extra piggy bank nearby for smashing).

-Tabor

26

Lenses / Re: Any Wedding Lens Advice?

« on: September 12, 2012, 03:59:54 PM »

 :DWow, you all are amazing!:D

You don't have a 70-200 f2.8 mk.ii yet? 

lol No, not yet. I have been on the fence regarding the 70-200 f/2.8 mk. ii for a while now. It seems that there is a general consenses that this lens should set me up rather nicely for my work.

Thank you all again for your support. I definitely still have the others in mind, but I will likely be jumping on board with this little monster.

Also, LightboxPhotos -- I checked out your site and you are quite exceptional at what you do. Keep up the great work!

-Tabor

27

Lenses / Re: Any Wedding Lens Advice?

« on: September 10, 2012, 05:28:45 PM »

Man I would love to get a hold of all of the lenses and test run them. Like so many of you have polled and commented the 70-200 2.8 ii or a close varient should probably be the winner. I like the 24-70 range as well and a close buddy of mine actually owns it. I think I'll check with him about renting it from him and I'll probably rent or buy the 70-200 2.8 ii for this event (I just checked and it's $110 for 5 days, not bad really. I'll put some more thought into it but greatly appreciate and value your advice.

-Tabor

28

Lenses / Any Wedding Lens Advice?

« on: September 09, 2012, 10:35:18 PM »

So, my wife and I have three weddings right at the start of 2013, but here's the kicker; I think we're lacking a little glass.

We have the following
5DII, 60D, 17-40L, 35L, 50 1.4, and a 430ex ii. We also have a 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 which I am not the biggest fan of and will be selling soon. We would like to keep our purchase at a max of ~2K and don't mind buying new, refurbed, or used (from a quality seller).

What do you all think? I strongly believe that this forum is an invaluable resource for photographers who are beginning their business and thank you all in advance for your support.

-Tabor

29

Animal Kingdom / Re: Need help - photographs on dull days

« on: September 09, 2012, 08:52:58 PM »

I really like how many different views there are on how the end image could look. This is definitely one of my favorite posts.

-Tabor

30

Animal Kingdom / Re: Need help - photographs on dull days

« on: September 09, 2012, 05:05:50 PM »

I was a big fan of fotofool's version, but here is my own.


In Camera Raw 6.6 via PS CS5

Temp: 5000 Tint +10
Dropped the exposure a touch
Increased the blacks and brightness
Dropped the contrast
Increased the clarity (+25)
Dropped the vibrance a tad (-2)

Cranked the highlights (+100)
Adjusted the  remainig sliders a tiny bit

Dropped green saturation to -30

Applied a vignette -18 amount with a midpoint at 75 and roundness at -35

Other than that I didn't do anything! lol

Really it only took ~7 minutes which is about 5 minutes over what I typically do, however, I really enjoyed playing with this one.

Shout out to fotofool for inspiration to dropped the greens, I really like that effect for this type of photo.

Hope this helps,
-Tabor