Messages

46

Lenses / Re: Canon 70-200 f2.8 II or Sigma's 70-200mm f2.8?

« on: April 23, 2012, 08:34:53 PM »

I own the Sigma 70-200 OS APO HSM EX...whatever, haha. I can't say much about performance on FF, but on my crop 50D the image quality is quite nice. I've shot quite a bit with it for indoor basketball games, and the auto-focus is generally about the same performance level as what I get with a 100mm USM F/2 in the same situation.
I do think you will get what you pay for, but as the Canon is generally twice the $950 I paid for the Sigma, I'm willing to settle for the Sigma. If you want a nice 70-200 2.8 with IS, then the Sigma is great. If you want the sharpest image and best focus capabilities, then better start saving up for the Canon.

47

Software & Accessories / Re: Issues with Black Rapid?

« on: April 21, 2012, 04:27:26 PM »

Despite the poor grammar across the site, this strap system looks interesting to me as a Black Rapid alternative

http://www.carryspeed.com/products/cs-pro-camera-sling-system

48

Software & Accessories / Re: NAB 2012: Singular Software PluralEyes

« on: April 19, 2012, 02:40:43 AM »

Just downloaded the demo because Final Cut Pro X was having issues syncing about 50 shots I had from a 60d with distorted audio to my other rolling cams. Pluraleyes worked quite well, and only missed on a couple of the shots. No way was I going to try and manually sync 50 one minute clips shot over the course of a two hour concert.

49

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Entry-level video production

« on: April 17, 2012, 03:08:56 PM »

Thank you for the great advice!!

I do have a question, about using the ipod/iphone....that adapter from kvconnection...looks like it would plug into the iPhone where the earphones go, I don't think that plug also adapts to a microphone..??

I was wondering if you meant to put some kind of link on there for a iPod/Iphone dock connector to mic adapter? Is there such a thing? I've not come across it yet with my searches.

I saw the Blue Fire app. and they appear to want you to pair it with their iPhone/iPod mic, which is just a normal style mike and I didn't see a lavalier option on the "mikey" they sell....

But these are great ideas and wondered if you had a little more info on that lavalier to iPhone/iPod adapter...which looks to require some type of dock to mic adapter...

Thank you,

cayenne 

The pinout on the iPhone headphone jack has an extra connection for the microphone; that is one of the reasons you need an adapter. That is why you see iPhone headsets that have a built in mic for talking on the phone with the earbuds in. The adapter from KVConnection uses only the microphone input on the headphone jack. They also make adapters that add a headphone jack, so you don't have to unplug the adapter to listen to the recording, as well as adapters with a standard professional microphone input (XLR)

http://www.kvconnection.com/product-p/km-iphone-43f35f.htm
http://www.kvconnection.com/product-p/km-iphone-xtrs.htm

There are options that use the dock connector, but they are generally more expensive and bulky, with most being in the $100-$200 range. I've never used any of them, but here is an example

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DNAB12/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0064RMV9G&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1JRCQQZT5TV1ZWMS5X4A

Blue fire works fine with any microphone. It can even use the built in microphone of the iPhone. There are other apps as well, but I found Blue FiRe to be the best free option.

I have made several videos using this method. It's especially useful when I make videos with my 50D, as that camera doesn't have any audio capabilities. I just grab the lav, my iPhone, and the adapter and I'm set.

50

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Entry-level video production

« on: April 14, 2012, 05:23:28 PM »

I agree that audio quality is more important than video quality, especially these days. A quick and cheap way to get decent dialogue is to use a smartphone as a primary recording device.

• Get a smartphone/ipod touch for each person who needs dialogue in a scene
• Download a free app that supports mic in (I use Blue FiRe on iOS)
• Get the appropriate adapter from this site http://www.kvconnection.com/product-p/km-iphone-mic.htm
• Get a wired lavaliere with an 1/8"(3.5mm) male plug go into the KV adapter http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATR-3350-Omnidirectional-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B002HJ9PTO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334437752&sr=8-1

With this setup, you can use the audio from the camera to sync each separate dialogue track in your NLE on the computer. This alone will get good enough audio to compete with most corporate video setups while spending only $50/person in a shot

But, if people are moving around a lot, as in a film, rather than stationary people talking, then this setup would not be ideal, as the mics make noise when moved against clothing. For that, a good boom mic, with an operator, is better. That means

• A Shotgun mic with XLR output ($280) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/400812-REG/Rode_NTG_1_Condenser_Shotgun_Microphone.html
• A boom pole and operator ($100)
• A recording device or adapter to run into the cam with phantom power ($300) http://www.juicedlink.com/audio-preamps-mixers-etc-c-66/jl-cx231
• A set of decent headphones ($100)

51

Software & Accessories / Re: Sling Straps: Black Rapid, Sun Sniper

« on: March 20, 2012, 02:10:58 AM »

hahaha I just tried to order 10 of those redoxx things

they want $45 to ship to australia   
for 10 tiny $1 items

Hahahahahaha
well thats a sale they won't get

I use those things instead of split rings for my keys. I got mine from Amazon. They're sold under the name "Manta Ring" or "Lucky Line"

http://www.amazon.com/MantaRing-Cable-Ring-Waterproof-Blue/dp/B004ZSVE4E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332223762&sr=8-1

52

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: little complain about the dual card system on 5D III

« on: March 20, 2012, 02:00:54 AM »

Don't ever, ever, ever delete files in camera. That is the number one cause of corrupt unreadable memory cards.

Where's the study on that? I've always heard that not formatting regularly was one of the root causes of memory card corruption

53

Lenses / Re: Full-time manual focus differences

« on: February 22, 2012, 12:38:19 PM »

That's why many people (me included) use back-button AF, where a shutter half-press activates metering only, and you press teh AF-ON button to AF.

I've seen that option. Was looking for the opposite, something to stop the AF while in AI servo mode to change the framing without losing focus. I did find that...

I guess that if you use back-button AF instead, you can just stop it servo-focussing by releasing the button? Personally I've not tried it yet, but I did find that back button a bit fiddly to find (for AF stop) for something as important as focussing.

And you're correct, it might have been the 85L. But it was either that or the 135L, it was an 'odd number'. But it was an f/2 prime for sure. The person who had it didn't know much about it either (she had just got her new body for a week and borrowed the lens from a friend or something).

Thanks for yet another explanation.

I use the AF-ON button to stop my AF, which it sounds like you've tried? I'm used to the shutter button metering and auto focusing, so whenever I want to manual focus, or lock focus for a series of pictures, I hold the AF-ON (made to be AF-OFF with a custom function) until I want to use auto focus again. I will switch the lens to manual focus if I want to keep it locked for more than a few pictures.

54

Software & Accessories / Re: EdMika relaunch of FL 55mm 1.2 EOS brass conversion kit

« on: February 20, 2012, 02:38:59 PM »

I take it back, I have the T-60-2.  It slips over the end of the lens (whether or not it has a filter on it).  The screw pushes the hood's inner ring tight against the lens to keep it from slipping.  It's easy to fix and to remove.

I believe there is also a T-60-1 hood and the difference is that one is slightly deeper than the other.  The T-60-2 is about an inch and a half deep.  The S-60 is about an inch.  Both are all metal and have black felt on the inside of the hood.

Thanks for the info, I found a T-60-2 on KEH and it's on the way to me as we speak (type?)

This thing does like to flare. It may be a nice effect sometimes, but I'd rather lessen it in most circumstances with a hood.

55

Software & Accessories / Re: EdMika relaunch of FL 55mm 1.2 EOS brass conversion kit

« on: February 20, 2012, 02:28:16 AM »

Anyone have any good solutions for a hood on this lens? I am looking at a generic 58mm screw in hood now, but was wondering if there are any good aftermarket replacements for the original S-60 hood

If you like the original hood, you can find them often at KEH.com.  Since you're shooting APS-C, you can also use the T-60-1 hood without it showing in the frame.  It's a little deeper, so it helps eliminate flare even better.

Did you mean T-60-2 or is the -1 correct? I can't find any info on the -1.

From the pictures, it looks like the chrome part of the hood slips over the black lip at the front of the lens, and there is a screw to clamp it on? I think I like that type of design over one that screws into the filter threads, as long as it's not going to slip off. The s-60/t-60 look pretty snazzy

56

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon FL 55mm f/1.2 (Ed Mika Conversion)

« on: February 20, 2012, 02:17:35 AM »

Enjoying my 55 1.2, still waiting on a Katzeye split focusing screen so I don't have to use Live View on my 50D; that thing eats batteries like they're popcorn

Nice shots.  That Katzeye screen and the FL 55mm are a fun combination, aren't they?

Thanks. I'm sure the Katzeye will be great; I'm starting week two of the 2-3 weeks they are backordered in manufacturing right now. That stock screen is just not meant for manual focus

57

Software & Accessories / Re: EdMika relaunch of FL 55mm 1.2 EOS brass conversion kit

« on: February 19, 2012, 08:35:03 PM »

Anyone have any good solutions for a hood on this lens? I am looking at a generic 58mm screw in hood now, but was wondering if there are any good aftermarket replacements for the original S-60 hood

58

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon FL 55mm f/1.2 (Ed Mika Conversion)

« on: February 19, 2012, 08:16:49 PM »

Enjoying my 55 1.2, still waiting on a Katzeye split focusing screen so I don't have to use Live View on my 50D; that thing eats batteries like they're popcorn





Taken while watching a movie on a projector. The light from the movie and his phone are the only light sources


Hand held at night

59

Software & Accessories / Re: EdMika relaunch of FL 55mm 1.2 EOS brass conversion kit

« on: February 19, 2012, 08:09:19 PM »

Loving my 55 1.2

60

Software & Accessories / Re: Aperture users - Did you make the switch to Lightroom 3?

« on: February 19, 2012, 08:07:25 PM »

I used Lightroom a bit back in my PC days, switched over to Aperture 2 when I went to OS X. I'd consider giving Lightroom another look, but I don't really feel like having separate libraries. Aperture does what I need it to do, and I'm used to it. Same reason I'm still with Canon; it's what I've always used and I don't feel like switching glass