Messages

121

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Trigger voltages of old flashguns - will they damage my 600D?

« on: December 07, 2012, 09:15:33 AM »

I recommend you play it safe and pick up a new flash at a local shop.  Adorama / B&H carry the Wein Safe-sync for ~50$.  You don't want to risk damaging your camera while taking family portraits.

122

Lenses / Re: APS-C lens mm are correct

« on: December 06, 2012, 10:30:43 AM »

Ol' Paint is dead

123

Lenses / Re: 300MM lens advice

« on: December 06, 2012, 10:23:47 AM »

I know I'll sound like a d!ck, but here goes.....

From your equipment list and your post, it looks like you're pretty well set for gear and don't have to worry about where your next meal is coming from.  Find a group home for foster kids in your area and take some of them out for a nature shoot sometime.  It'll mean the world to a bunch of kids whom the fat man won't be dropping in on.

Back on point - 300/2.8L.  The lens, the myth, the legend; best there is.  Period.  No matter how good the Sigma is (and by all accounts, it IS good), you will always hear that small voice telling you "Should have got the Canon".... and it will be correct.   Worth every penny.

124

Landscape / Re: Seeking sky advice

« on: December 06, 2012, 09:51:26 AM »

I could not view your photos, but can offer a bit of advice.

f/20.0 - don't use it.  Small apertures begin to cause diffraction effects/loss of detail.  If you want the longer exposure times it provides try a(n) ND filter or doubled polarizers.

If you want the sky, you can underexpose.  Play around with your camera and take a series of exposures with varying degrees of underexposure.  F'rinstance, shoot aperture priority, set ISO to 100 or 200 and aperture to f/8 and use the 40D thumbwheel to shoot at faster shutter speeds.  Page 94 of your owner's manual discusses exposure bracketing also.

If you want both sky and people/subjects in the foreground to be properly exposed there are a few methods.  The manual discusses 'Night Portrait' mode on page 53.

You can blend a series of bracketed exposures in Lightroom or other software to handle the high dynamic range.

The 40D is a fine camera, mine has many miles on it, is modified for and relegated to astronomy and has had the shutter release (a known weak point for 40D) and USB board replaced.  Eventually the shutter will fail and I'll have that replaced also.

125

Video & Movie / On second thought....

« on: December 05, 2012, 01:16:47 PM »

.....this could do the trick

http://startrails.de/html/software.html

126

Video & Movie / Re: timelapse. how they do this

« on: December 05, 2012, 09:47:14 AM »

A way for Windows users to maybe do it with, f'rinstance, Lightroom....

Say we're using 130 total images, each one a 1-5 minute exposure.

Stack images 1-5 and process.  Unstack those, stack 2-6 and process.  Unstack those, stack 3-7 and process.  Rinse and repeat to the end.

Run the processed frames through a video editor.

Would be nice to automate this tedious process, though.  There's probably some Windows compatible software out there that can be adapted.

127

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Inexpensive lens for Video

« on: November 30, 2012, 01:46:26 PM »

1)  The 28-135 zoom is horribly stiff.

2)  If I was in your shoes, frankly I'd buy the wife a decent digital or hard drive camcorder.   There are a lot of varieties available for reasonable prices.  Like you say, it's for family memories.  As an added bonus, while your children are still young you can show them how to operate the camcorder and just let them do whatever.  Did that with my son when he was about 10, it's our favorite family video of all time, he had quite the conversation with a garden gnome.

128

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Alternative (to weddings) revenue stream

« on: November 30, 2012, 01:34:25 PM »

I used to try to run.  Never could get that 'runner's high' or whatever it it.  I'll run when horses do calculus.  Tell you what, though, any of you are welcome to photograph me as I attempt to run a half marathon.  I'll be the guy vomiting in the bushes.

129

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Free and Inexpensive Video Editors

« on: November 13, 2012, 01:38:40 PM »

Not the first time I've seen Vegas recommended, I may have to try it out.  I'm interested in rendering timelapses in HD in addition to video editing, I'm not happy with what I get from my older version of Pinnacle Studio.  I've read that the newest version of Pinnacle Studio is quite a disappointment. 

130

Canon General / Re: Canon Can't Even Make a Billion Dollars Anymore

« on: November 02, 2012, 09:40:11 AM »

Doesn't affect this amateur a whit; as for pros, I'll defer opinions on that to you pros.  If I can afford it and the Director of Acquisitions (my wife) is okay with it, I'll buy it.  I'll shop around and then find a way to pay over time for no interest if it's a big slug of bucks.  Dealers will find a way to add value to the deal to make for an attractive package at Canon's MAP.   I don't mind using 'last year's technology' if it works for me.  In a year the 5dIII won't suddenly stop taking nice photos, anymore than my 40D did after getting a 60D.   Improved lenses are a different animal, the best is really worth ponying up for.  I can see that MAP may help smaller and more local retailers who find it difficult to compete with the big boys.

131

Lenses / Re: Visible Dust inside Canon EF135mm f/2L - please is there any Help? Disassemble?

« on: October 30, 2012, 01:39:55 PM »

In a previous I made a living working on optics.  A little internal dust is not worth worrying about.  A small chip or scratch is not worth worrying about (a dab of flat black paint on a chip is an acceptable treatment).  A lot of internal dust is not really worth worrying about, you'd be surprised how much dust it takes to have any effect on images.  A fingerprint IS worth worrying about, never allow a fingerprint to remain on a lens.  I keep a bottle of ROR and some cotton swabs on hand at all times for just that reason.  Dust on the sensor IS worth worrying about - have it cleaned, better yet, get comfortable doing it yourself.  Internal fungus is worth worrying about - have it cleaned.  Go out and use your lens.

132

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS Bodies - The ultimate duo & why

« on: October 19, 2012, 12:12:42 PM »

PS: I always believe that there's a reason why Canon make these two models use the same battery With the exception of the 1D/D's, I don't think there's a shared battery for two seperate lines of product.

60D also uses the same battery, and the 20D-50D used the same battery that the 300D and 5D (mark 1) used as well...

Sorry, my mistake. I should have checked the batteries for those cameras.
Didn't realize that the older XXD series, 5D and other models use the BP-511 series battery.

Canon used the BP-511 in a number of cameras.  In my own case, I had at one time a G2, 300D, 40D and DV20 all using the same batteries!  I still have and use the G2 and 40D, gave the 300D to my brother years ago and the DV20 is destined for trade in with CLS.

133

Lenses / Re: What 3 lenses do you dream of and long to own?

« on: October 05, 2012, 05:51:27 PM »

TS-E 10-500mm/f2.8 IS   
17-40
24-70

134

EOS Bodies / Re: Shutter count request to Canon.

« on: October 04, 2012, 12:44:51 PM »

The only time I've ever given thought to shutter count is for time lapse on my 40D.  I'll have the shutter replaced if it fails because it's worth it to ME - this camera's been modified for astrophotography and has already been serviced for shutter release button and USB board replacement.  My 60D is not modified - if I wear out the shutter it won't be for many years and may not be worth repairing.  With Magic Lantern and FPS override, I'm not likely to wear out the shutter anytime soon.  Shutter count is (to me) analagous to odometer reading and physical appearance of a used car bought from an individual.  High mileage and a neglected interior tell me something.  High mileage, maintenance records and a well cared for interior tell me another.  Very low mileage tells me something else.  So far, all my cameras have been bought new, if I buy used I will ask for a shutter count.  Superfluous info for some, but it's my money and nothing personal.

135

Lenses / Re: DPReview and DxOMark to partner for lens testing

« on: October 02, 2012, 08:58:08 PM »

It's been quite a while since I visited DPReview, I didn't know about all the changes.  Years ago I bought a Canon G2 when it came out based on their review.  A shame it's gone downhill.