Messages

256

EOS Bodies / Re: Is video raising cost of bodies? Is it wasted for many shooters?

« on: May 12, 2012, 12:13:54 AM »

Well, the price increases must be due to something.  The "yen to dollars" thing so often quoted is no excuse either, because Nikon is equally (or if anything more) purely Japanese as Canon, and they seem just a bit cheaper as I see it.  But of course they don't really compete directly in the ordinary sense of the word, because their lenses are not interchangable.  You must pick one system and you buy into it with lenses.  Heavily.  Once you are in, it is very difficult and expensive to change trains.  Perhaps then it is the lack of robust competition. 

257

EOS Bodies / Re: Is video raising cost of bodies? Is it wasted for many shooters?

« on: May 11, 2012, 09:51:47 PM »

I suspect that adding video to dslrs adds very little to the overall cost of the unit other than adding a mic/headphone jack and what it costs to develope the internal software to process the video. Capturing video off the sensor is basically a matter of software with almost no additional hardware costs.

Maybe, I don't know.  If so, Canon, Nikon, Sony, et al certainly don't point that out in their promotional materials.  Kind of the opposite, actually.....

258

EOS Bodies / Is video raising cost of bodies? Is it wasted for many shooters?

« on: May 11, 2012, 09:28:39 PM »

Opinions?
Is all the expensive, ever-more sophisticated video capability jacking up the price of DSLR's?  Is super-serious video/audio capability wasted on most purchasers of DSLR's? 
Should they come out with at least a couple models of stills-only DLSR's that would cost less for people who don't shoot any "serious" video?  If I buy a pair of snow skis, they don't force me to buy a set of golf clubs at the same time.  If the camera body I'd like costs $3,500, but $1,200 of it is just the video capability I won't use, I'd just as soon pass on that munti-functionality.

259

Site Information / Re: Seeing if my "camera" changes at 100 posts.........

« on: May 10, 2012, 01:42:16 AM »

Well, now I hesitate to mention the party I threw to commemorate the event, but I will reconsider in a few days when the strippers finally go home.

260

Software & Accessories / Re: Issues with Black Rapid?

« on: May 08, 2012, 10:06:56 PM »

Luma Labs Cinch - LOLOMFG, this thing is sweet

Pure genius the way you can pull a tab and hug the camera and lens into your kindney area, so it's really tight to the body and doesn't wobble and then pull the same tab the other direction and you have enough slack to pull it up and shoot BR style.

This strap is the Mercedes of straps I've tried so far, way WAY WAY higher quality materials than the BR RS-7 or the C-Loop guys split strap.

Buy the one for sale above, you will not be disappointed

Excellent product...

ET

I agree.  I got my Luma Loop Cinch Strap a few weeks ago and I love it.  The lens cannot twirl around because it mounts on 2 points instead of 1.  And the Cinch-up and Cinch-out feature is genius.  I tighten it up short under my arm/kind of around my back to carry it so it does not swing around at all.  Not only is the strap too short to swing, but the 2 attachment points make it lie flat on you, not twirling around on 1 attachment point.  Then you can loosen it instantly to shoot.  It works especially great for heavier longer lenses like my 70-200 2.8.

Now, I don't sprint or leap too much while also shooting, nor do I do a great deal of quick-draws from a holster, but then I am maybe a bit too old now I have kids for that kind of thing anyway!  I do keep up with my kids at soccer and in museums/aviaries/parks/b-day parties, which is all i was needing.

261

Software & Accessories / Re: Manfrotto Monopod

« on: May 08, 2012, 09:54:38 PM »

It is the heads that have the relatively wimpy max weight loads.  Getting a monopod that can handle 17 or 26 or more pounds is really no big deal.  Getting a head to do more than 5.5 pounds or so is a fairly expensive upgrade.

One could always buy the flat monopod only and rotate the camera inside the tripod foot on the lens, as long as you don't switch between portrait and landscape orientation constantly. 

262

Lenses / Short, fun, mandatory reading for all "Newbie; What Lenses?" posters!

« on: May 08, 2012, 08:36:22 PM »

This is a fantastically helpful and informative post from the funny (in a photography-sort-of-way) guys at Lens Rentals.  It is pretty short but surprisingly comprehensive advice on lens and equipment selections for the new photographer.


http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2010/07/lenses-dont-collect-the-whole-set

263

Site Information / Re: Seeing if my "camera" changes at 100 posts.........

« on: May 08, 2012, 12:57:09 PM »

I hear that when you work your way all the way to the top over on Nikon Rumors, after you pass their top camera, it just changes to "any Canon."   

264

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Does anyone here use a c-loop?

« on: May 07, 2012, 09:27:12 PM »

I bought a shoulder strap from Luma Loop.  It is their "Cinch Strap".  It too hangs the camera upside-down but it connects at 2 points so the camera cannot "twirl" around like it does hanging from just 1 point.  It is forced to lie flat against your side or back.  The other part I like about it is the "Cinch" feature; you tug the little leather grasp and the strap gets short for snug carrying with no swinging.  Tug it again and it lengthens for shooting. 

I really like it.  http://luma-labs.com/products/cinch

265

Site Information / Re: Seeing if my "camera" changes at 100 posts.........

« on: May 07, 2012, 09:18:39 PM »

I currently have 98 posts and this is my 99th.  I want to see if my rating of PowerShot G12 changes when I hit 100.

So this reply is my 100th post....

Re-SULT!  I see that I am now a "T3i". 

I'd like to thank my wife for putting up with my constant posting, and also the moderators who make all this possible.  And also all the "dreamers" out there.  You keep on dreaming and someday perhaps you too can soar at these heights.  Thank you.    Thank you.

266

Site Information / Re: Seeing if my "camera" changes at 100 posts.........

« on: May 07, 2012, 09:13:36 PM »

I currently have 98 posts and this is my 99th.  I want to see if my rating of PowerShot G12 changes when I hit 100.

So this reply is my 100th post....

267

Site Information / Seeing if my "camera" changes at 100 posts.........

« on: May 07, 2012, 09:13:06 PM »

I currently have 98 posts and this is my 99th.  I want to see if my rating of PowerShot G12 changes when I hit 100.

268

EOS Bodies / Re: Up the game

« on: May 07, 2012, 09:03:49 PM »

I just need the best "film". And by best I mean the sensor with the highest resolution, widest DR, widest color gamut and lowest noise in my primary shooting range - 100-800. More DR means I have more zones to work with before I clip. That's vital.

Oh, really..?

Care to let us see an example of your work? It must be extraordinarily demanding, if you can only accomplish it when all of those criteria are met - in fact I can hardly believe that you've been able to make a single image so far.

So let's see what it is that you simply couldn't do with a lowly 5D Mk III then - we obviously have much to learn here.

For the avoidance of any doubt, yes, I'm "calling" you on this.

So can we get an official ruling here?  Is he "served" at this point, and if so, per CR protocol, is "it on"?

269

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Gear Choice - suggestions appreciated

« on: May 07, 2012, 05:19:32 PM »

Another possibility is the 5DII. Just browsing around on the websites of the local electrical shops, the 5DII with the 24-105mm kit lens fits in with my budget (just), but doesn't leave any overhead for extra glass. Is this a good option to consider?

Yes. Yes. Yes. Although I would personally go with body only, and get a 50 1.8 or 1.4, and, if you can afford it, the 70-200 2.8 or if you can only afford the F4 get that. Then if you want a landscape lens, maybe look into the cheap manual rokinon lenses for a wide angle. MF is fine for landscape.

BUT remember:  If you go from the crop-sensor (7D) to the full-frame (5DmkII) you instantly lose a LOT of length.  That is fine if you have the long glass to compensate, but you would have to buy that also.  If you intend to shoot persons or birds farther away than comfortable shouting distance, you should add into your budget the price of the long lens (300mm) you will need just to compensate for the loss of the 1.6x crop factor.  The good Canon offerings at that length are not cheap, and neither are the good off-brand lenses, really.  You can always crop your photos in post to get closer, but that is more damaging to IQ than getting there naturally with your camera and glass.  Not to mention it seems a little unsatisfying to have nothing big and beautiful in the viewfinder when you shoot.
 
On the other hand if you shoot mostly close-range sports (basketball, checkers, tennis, but not so much baseball outfields) and your birds are on feeders, but you do shoot lots and lots of landscapes and portraits, then the FF body is great, and even an advantage on wide-angle shots.

270

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: What's the deal with B&H being closed on weekends?

« on: May 06, 2012, 12:33:49 AM »

I have bought stuff from Amazon and Adorama, but I mostly buy from B&H.  The prices are usually exactly the same as their competitors, but it is their site that is the real gem. 
Compare all the others and then look at the superior search interface on the B&H site.  You can enter search parameters that will progressively narrow your search logically (usually) and help you drill down on what you are looking for. 

Compare that to Abe's of Maine (sorry guys) who really need to upgrade their site's search system.  They have overlapping search criteria, many of which were irrelevant to begin with. Just one example:  When searching for a LENS, who does so based on whether they are a "photo enthusiast, an enthusiast, a semi-pro photographer, a semi-professional, a pro photographer, or a professional"? Talk about splitting hairs.  Who knows what you'd be eliminating if you clicked any one or any combination of those?

I think B&H has it running so smoothly that they can take a day off every week and their automated system will still do a superior job with no one steering the wheel.