Messages

346

EOS Bodies / Re: The (un)official I'm switching to Nikon thread

« on: March 01, 2012, 07:51:16 PM »

D800 has more or less it all that I wanted for a 5D2 replacement. Will I switch? I don't think so. Its to expensive to switch system and in next generation it maybe Canon who has the most interesting Camera.
Also we havent seen the performance of 5D3 yet. Maybe it will beat our expectations?

Probably I stay with 5D2 untill Canon releases a medium resolution FF hopefully >50MP.

Why would you call >50mp "medium resolution"?? That would be the highest resolution ever seen in a DSLR. That would pretty much qualify hands down as high resolution FF in my book... 

Cool.  Maybe he's logging in from the future, and it's hard to avoid slipping with a few telltale historical anachronisms.

347

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Next Canon Flashes With Exposure Based on Color Temperature?

« on: February 26, 2012, 07:03:14 PM »

Hey, just duct tape a magical flash like this onto a Lytro "light field" camera, when they arrive, and you could throw all your other gear away.

348

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: White (collapsable) reflectors; subtle, or TOO subtle to be useful?

« on: February 26, 2012, 06:49:24 PM »

I use this one  5 in 1 for just 22$ and good quality to

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/5-in-1-43-multi-photo-light-collapsible-reflector-81581?r=63856756

Interesting reflector,and interesting site.  I particularly noticed Canon-compatible lens hoods for between 5 and 10 bucks, which is nice considering Canon for some reason treats lens hoods as expensive upgrade items.  Also some very inexpensive filters.

349

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: White (collapsable) reflectors; subtle, or TOO subtle to be useful?

« on: February 26, 2012, 01:31:42 PM »

Now I need to find a DIY method for securing my 5 and 6 year-olds' rear ends to the seats.  Two-sided tape?  Velcro? 

350

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: White (collapsable) reflectors; subtle, or TOO subtle to be useful?

« on: February 26, 2012, 01:28:16 PM »

http://www.diyphotography.net/files/images/yossi_reflector.jpg shows a simple demo.

Ah, thanks, TT.  That set of photos does show them all in perspective.  The white actually does work (although maybe it needs to be positioned a little close for comfort), and at least in that setting, the gold looks a little strong.

And thanks Policar for pointing out the ubiquitous, low-cost alternatives to a white reflector such as bedsheets, beadboard, and per TT's illustration, white foamboard.

351

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / White (collapsable) reflectors; subtle, or TOO subtle to be useful?

« on: February 26, 2012, 11:35:43 AM »

I was about to order a 2-sided collapsable reflector (Lastolite or one of the cheaper knock-offs), and I notice there are basically 2 ways to go.  Silver and Gold, or else White + either silver or gold.  Sometimes they combine silver and gold on the same panel, and call it "sunlight" or "sunshine" or whatever.

1.)  Anyway, I was thinking silver might be a little hard for the models (my unpaid little kindergarteners) to stare into, so they might be less willing to sit and behave w/o squinting.  That made me think about the white panels.

Does the white really reflect enough light to be worth the effort?  And if so, would you have to hold the white panel really close to the subject?

2.)  The Gold seems a little brassy, and thus potentially too weird in some normal portraits.  Would the silver/gold mixes be better?  The "sunlight" or "sunflare" or whatever they call them?

A basic question, but I'd appreciate any and all insights.  Thanks!

352

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: 320 EX Speedlite

« on: February 25, 2012, 06:07:18 PM »

I just got the 320 about a month ago.  Works fine as a flash for stills. 

I actually like that the controls are just simple analog switches.  Nice to have something on the camera that does not have a menu to hunt through.

The light for video is awfully harsh.  And I mean "hey -ouch- :'(you're blinding me-get that dang thing out of my eyes " harsh.

It might be just a little underpowered for bouncing off of high vaulted ceilings too.  I may eventually get a bigger flash and use this one as secondary fill.

353

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Lightfield Cameras - The Next Big Thing?

« on: February 25, 2012, 01:49:31 AM »

The thing I was most curious about was its potential as a macro lens.  I don't really need a camera that can pick out a focal point; regular cameras do that.  I thought the biggest thing it could do would be if it could shoot macro and then let you pick out the focal point. 

I have reviewed all the sample shots on their website, and looks like a no-go for ladybugs, fly eyes, or flower stamens.  Not, apparently, an idiot-proof macro camera, alas.  We idiots must continue waiting.

354

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: New Nikon lens for the D800

« on: February 24, 2012, 02:12:18 PM »

Good for unobtrusive candid shots, provided you are shooting from at least 2 time zones away.

355

EOS Bodies / Re: Not a Canon vs. Nikon Thread

« on: February 24, 2012, 12:19:09 PM »

But, I got thinking: why is it that the two top of the line cameras announced by Canon and Nikon recently are basically clones of each other, while apparently the two second-tier (or whatever you want to call them) bodies are so divergent?

Are the "two second-tier bodies" you refer to Sony and Sigma, or what?  If so, then yes, both of them are way out in left field on their tech compared to the more traditional "big two", and it will be interesting to see to what extent if any they end up leading Canon and/or Nikon down new paths.

Personally I find my photos take up too much room already.  I can't see where I'd need the storage-hogging 12 fps of the Sony mirrorless or the massive magapixel 3-level sensors in the Sigma, or how they are necessary "improvements" to most photo hobbyists.

356

Site Information / Re: How to update our profile

« on: February 24, 2012, 12:04:38 PM »

AH-HA!  I get it.  It is a rating.  Like you start out "Volkswagon" and you progress to "Rolls Royce" or something. 

Never mind.  Thanks.

357

Site Information / Re: How to update our profile

« on: February 24, 2012, 11:46:21 AM »

Yes, BUT.......

I have successfully added a "signature" that makes it list my equipment at the bottom of the post.  That is all well and good. 

What I CAN'T figure out is how the site has added "Power Shot 100" right under my name out in the left margins.  Did it access Canon's records and pick up the first camera I ever registered with Canon or something? 

I can't figure out how to modify it.

358

Canon General / Re: What should be my first dslr?

« on: February 24, 2012, 02:38:49 AM »

No to Best Buy.  They are expensive and have very poor selection.
Yes to B&H and Adorama.  Cheaper, unlimited selection, no sales tax, and free or nearly free delivery.

Buying the 7D for a first DSLR would be an unusual move under any circumstances unless you were a wealthy person.

Especially odd if  you were thinking of going with the kit lenses in the package.  Defeats the purpose entirely.

You could go T3i instead of T2i and then get the nifty swivel screen.  Same sensor as the 60D.  (and also same as 7D too if I recall correctly?) In a couple weeks they will drop a bit more when T4i is released.

Buy body only.  Spend the big savings on good glass.  EF-S 17-55 f2.8 would do great, but it does cost $1,000.00.  On the other hand, it is decent for basic portraits zoomed to 55mm, which is equivalent to 88mm on a crop body.  Ditto for kids, basic kid sports (where you can get up close to the field as opposed to college/pro games).  And you can see that used ones still sell for about $900.00, so you can shoot with it as long as you want, then sell it and recoup almost all the money.

359

Canon General / Re: Should photographers hibernate?

« on: February 24, 2012, 02:13:30 AM »

Cardinals don't fly south for winter like most photogenic birds do.  I am up here in PA and I have been stalking the pair of cardinals we sometimes see at our bird feeder out on the deck.  Terribly elusive, though.  I only managed to get the camera out once while they were in a good position, but I cropped his tail off.  The few bad photos were so close to good, though, that I keep waiting for another chance.  There were snowflakes in the shot and everything.

360

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 60D or wait?

« on: February 24, 2012, 01:46:00 AM »

I think Eugene just has the "itch" to buy a new body.  The logic behind rentals, waiting and lens upgrades aren't cooling the itch.  Hey, that's ok too.   

Pull...the...trigger.....  You...know...you...want...to...