Messages

1

PowerShot / Re: Two New PowerShot Cameras Leaked

« on: May 12, 2013, 08:07:11 PM »

So the thing Canon needed to upgrade, the lens, is no different then the S100.  The camera also looks much more slippery then my S100.  I'm guessing the sensor is the same and the only upgrade will be the digic 6 processor which will be of no help because you'll shot in raw.

2

Lenses / Re: Best lens for capturing the Milky Way?

« on: May 11, 2013, 09:10:02 PM »

So, I've narrowed it down to the Rokinon 35mm 1.4 and the Rokinon 14mm 2.8, I believe that I would be able to get more use out of the 35mm for full body portraits, some landscape and the Milky Way.  I've found both for the same price of $350 and the 35mm just seems like it would be better for me.  If anyone has anything to add about the 35mm I would love to know.

3

Lenses / Re: Best lens for capturing the Milky Way?

« on: May 09, 2013, 11:44:32 AM »

What does everyone think about the Rokinon 35mm 1.4?  I'm considering it because I saw on Gizmodo that you can get one for about $350.  I'm thinking that a fast 35 might come in handy for a lot more compared to a 14mm.  My only concern is it being to tight.  The Rokinon 24 seems great but spending $600 on a third party manual focus lens just seems like a lot.

4

Lenses / Re: 35 & 85 or 50 & 100 for photographing kids

« on: May 05, 2013, 01:32:33 PM »

I have a Sigma 105mm macro, I've used it for some portrait work with kids, When you're shooting at that length of lens, really fast apature isn't as important as it is with say a 35 or 50, you can still get great dof even when shooting partially stopped down. 

This was shot with my 105 on my T1i crop a while ago, shooting full frame the dof will be even shallower as you can stand closer to your subject.




Exposure   0.001 sec (1/800)
Aperture   f/3.5
Focal Length   105 mm
ISO Speed   400

5

Lenses / Re: Macro lens or attachments to make my current lenses go macro?

« on: April 29, 2013, 10:33:17 AM »

I have the non OS version.  I got mine used on eBay in mint condition for only around $300.  Here's one on eBay http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?index=0&sbk=1&nav=SEARCH&itemId=200919107100

I would go for a dedicated macro lens, they can be used for a lot more then just macro, here are some shots I got with my Sigma 105mm F/2.8 EX DG Macro.

Love the images!!!!  It made me go see what the cost of sigma is...and uggg...it's $969, $769 with rebate...If I was in ---I am gonna start doing a lot more macro mode then I'd have no problem dropping that kind of $$$  (in fact...I'd be asking to see more images from this sigma, and more from the canon 100L...and 180L because I'd want the very best tool for the job).  But as of now, my resources have to go to places that give more of an impact to my overall needs.  I'd like to solve this without spending much...hence why tubes or close-ups seem to be winning in my mind.

Question re: tubes...  Realizing that of course - " extension tubes stretch lenses beyond their specification," how does the modest 12mm stack up?  I fully realize this is a move which requires compromising... So how much of a falloff in IQ would I see with a 12mm tube vs the 250 close-up vs just sticking with what I have and cropping?

6

Lenses / Re: Best lens for capturing the Milky Way?

« on: April 28, 2013, 09:06:54 PM »

i think you want the samyang 14mm. I have one that i use for the sort of silly stuff you can do with 14mm, and astro shots. I've yet to aim it at the stars because i've been so busy, but i'm pretty pleased with it for the more earthly shots i've taken with it.

I took some shots of a wedding couple last night with it. i had to convince them to step closer, closer, closer still. "i swear, i'm not just taking a photo of your belt buckle!"

I think you're right, I just have two questions, does the lens have a hard stop at infinity and is it sharp enough wide open?

7

Lenses / Best lens for capturing the Milky Way?

« on: April 28, 2013, 06:53:09 PM »

Over the summer I am going to move to Montana, this is great because it means I am only a couple miles away for beautiful locations with almost no light pollution.  I have gotten pretty interested in star photography and I really want to capture the Milky Way.  I shoot with a Canon 5D MKII and I have a 17-40mm f/4 and 50mm 1.8 that I use when I do photograph the night sky.  I have been wondering what would be a good lens to use for capturing the Milky Way, my 50mm seems a bit to long and my 17-40mm seems to slow.  I've been thinking about getting a Rokinon 14mm 2.8 because it is wider so I can use a longer shutter speed without getting star trails and faster so I can use a lower ISO.   Having it be manual focus wouldn't seem to be that much of a problem if the infinity is well marked.  I'm just looking for other peoples inputs on what they think would be a good alterative to my two lens or if one of the lenses I already have would be well suited for this.
Here are some shots I've gotten why in Hawaii and in Montana, unluckily, it was cloudy every night for 2-5 so I never got a chance to get any Milky Way shots.

8

Lenses / Re: Macro lens or attachments to make my current lenses go macro?

« on: April 28, 2013, 06:32:32 PM »

I would go for a dedicated macro lens, they can be used for a lot more then just macro, here are some shots I got with my Sigma 105mm F/2.8 EX DG Macro.

9

Lenses / Re: Macro Lens for Carpets

« on: April 21, 2013, 07:50:21 PM »

Just my two cents, I would go for the Sigma 105mm F/2.8 EX DG Macro lens.  I picked up mine for $300 used in mint condition.  I use it a lot for both macro photography and video, it is one of my sharpest lenses.  When you're photographing stuff like rugs, do you really need the fastest and best autofocus.  The Sigma doesn't have the greatest autofocus but I'm shooting using live view and manually focusing most of the time.  Just today I got some great shots with the lens.







Here are some other photos I've taken with it













Here's a movie I shot with it

Star Magnolia	Small | Large

10

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: The Blackmagic Production Camera 4K

« on: April 09, 2013, 10:56:34 PM »

Let me just get this straight, so it has the same sensor size as the 5D Mkiii and only costs $500 more at there releases and it shoots 4K raw...

Close, with one very important correction: Super 35mm is a film format that is approximately APS-C size.

I was thinking that but then I saw the part about it sharing stuff with the new Leica

11

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: The Blackmagic Production Camera 4K

« on: April 09, 2013, 10:44:25 PM »

Let me just get this straight, so it has the same sensor size as the 5D Mkiii and only costs $500 more at there releases and it shoots 4K raw...

12

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: March 27, 2013, 11:07:53 PM »

Hawaiian Nene Goose
Canon 5D MKii
Canon 200mm F/2.8 L ii

13

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: March 21, 2013, 10:52:52 PM »

Just got a 200mm F/2.8 L, here are some shots I got with it on my first day.

14

Lenses / Re: Need help with choosing a telephoto for $800 and under

« on: March 21, 2013, 10:40:20 PM »

Thank you to everyone who gave me advise, I ended up going for the 200mm F/2.8 USM II L.  I'm a big prime shooter and this lens fit my budget and is so sharp.  Here are some shots I got with it on my 5D MKII on my first day with it.

This was shot through a tinted window, I am so impressed how sharp it was







Another shot through a window

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Pricewatch Deals / Re: 5D Mark 2 Refurbished from Canon - $1,495 !

« on: March 21, 2013, 10:29:18 PM »

I'm happy I went for my MKII for $30 more new on Amazon.  Can promise you that you will not be disappointed by purchasing it again.  I've only had mine for a couple of month and haven't had much time to shoot, but when I do, I am so impressed.