Messages

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Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Nikon 14-24 or 16-35 for Nikon D600?

« on: May 18, 2013, 04:19:15 PM »

Since you've already ORDERED a D600...
I have the 14-24, use it on D800.  It's a very fun lens to use.
OTOH, it's a bit lacking for me in FL cuz the range I like to use is covered better by the 16-35.

So here's a combo to consider, and it's cost-effective too.

Get the 16-35 VR.  It will cover a LOT of common UWA zoom requirements and the VR is a useful bonus.
If you need to get even wider, get the Excellent and low cost Samyang/Rokinon 14mm f/2.8.  It has a lot of distortion but it's actually sharper and has less CA than the Nikon 14-24 at the 14mm.  There'e enough sharpness to PP the distortion out and still have a good image.  Both of those will likely still cost less than the 14-24.

And, with that Novoflex or other adapter, as mentioned by others, you can use both of these on your Canon too.
Nikon 20mm f/2.8 is another good fast prime to add to the mix, IF needed.

IMO - good on you for exploring the other side.  These things are tools, and, if you can afford it, it's nice to have the best tools for the job, no matter who makes them.  Getting the extra benefit of using Nik glass on Can bodies with an adapter is an extra bonus.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 6D + Samyang 24 Visits Badlands Milky Way Extreme ISOs

« on: May 08, 2013, 02:34:19 PM »

thanks for those
I knew the Sam 14mm was really good in the corners, but I see the 24mm is better than I expected.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: dissapointed 6d 100mm f2 and 24mm 2.8 (non l)

« on: May 08, 2013, 02:07:03 AM »

i suppose it is the focus, i only used the centre point and recomposed, but so many the focus is off..

Just to confirm, did you have the AF option set to single-shot? if so, focus and recompose should work fine on that example shot.

If it was set to AiAF or any other mode then the system may be AF-ing on something else as you re-compose.
Even experienced photogs can sometimes miss that little detail when rushed.

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Software & Accessories / Re: Alternatives to Adobe Software

« on: May 07, 2013, 12:33:41 PM »

Buy a copy of CS6 and only pay for LR thru CC or if they continue to use retail copy's. you can convert your RAWs to DNGs later on to continue editing in CS6 for years.

That's my plan anyway.

Ditto.
if you already have LR3 or 4, and PS as CS 3, 4, 5, or preferably 6, then those of us who only use it occasionally or as a host framework for plugins are just fine for as long as we care to freeze our workflow.
As long as you can export your raw file into DNG or 16b TIFF you can continue to do a lot of work without really changing workflow.  DPP, ViewNX, DxO, C1 and other 3rd party raw converters are there to do that.

I froze my OS and my PP software a couple years ago and despite what cameras I added it still allows me to continue working the way I'm comfortable with for years to come.  I'll be taking one more iterative step with OS, PS and LR4 and then that machine gets locked down, no more major SW updates.

If you gotta have some g-whiz new feature then you're gonna have to keep payin' for it unless some competition steps up to take the place of PS.
I know the tech already exists, it's just not well marketed yet.  Hopefully the authors will take this opportunity to push their software to improve customer awareness.

For some of the plugin suites, like Topaz, they already have a basic framework that allows standalone use.  I think this kind of functionality may become a little more commonplace.

GIMP, and Corel and some other small players will now get some extra attention and hopefully improve feature sets and usability.  Adobe's CC move is going to cause a bit of a shift in the whole ecosystem.

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EOS Bodies / Re: No 7D Mark II in 2013? [CR2]

« on: May 06, 2013, 11:52:48 PM »

and i always thought it´s the photographers job to make interesting characterful images....

certainly
and lens choices matter, many old ones are less clinically accurate in their image rendition, more interesting results can be obtained.  Check out the M42 mount lens fans and the fun they're having.

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EOS Bodies / Re: No 7D Mark II in 2013? [CR2]

« on: May 06, 2013, 11:50:19 PM »

All the 7D really needed was a better sensor. Otherwise, Near-Perfect camera.

and what about the 7D's sensor are YOU thinking should be improved?..

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EOS Bodies / Re: No 7D Mark II in 2013? [CR2]

« on: May 06, 2013, 11:49:11 PM »

OH MY GOSH!  THANK YOU SO MUCH!  I'M ALREADY A BETTER PHOTOGRAPHER BECAUSE OF YOU!!

convinced you to AFMA that new lens then?

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Do you trust your camera?

« on: May 06, 2013, 08:53:20 PM »

Of all the cameras I trusted, my 60D is still one of the best for getting that shot, it's my go-to camera if I'm running out of the house to catch something.  Unless it was fast action or other serious focus challenges in which case the 7D did a better job.  (no 1D for me) 40D and Rebels' AF was adequate for most of what I used them for and rarely let me down.
That said, I've never really had to worry much about AF issues with any of my cameras and the only one that ever gave me exposure grief was my 5D2 which could be all over the place tho usually under by varying amounts.  HATED that camera.  My 40D could miss exposure too sometimes but since I use manual whenever possible, these are not common issues.
Some AF misses with the D800 in challenging conditions but otherwise very solid performer that meets my expectations very well.  The little d5100, considering its sparse AF coverage and only 1 cross type in the center performs well beyond my expectations.
Pentax K52s is a quirky beast I'm still getting used to, AF performance varies greatly from lens to lens.  AE performance is often pretty good but I had some odd metering behavior begin with it the other day that I have to test out.

That said, I RARELY shoot multiples of images.  I only machine-gun the subject when it's living, then you have a better chance of getting a good expression.  I'd now prefer to miss a shot here or there than have to constantly wade thru too many.  A leftover from film-shooting days.

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Software & Accessories / Re: Adobe to Stop Making Packaged Software

« on: May 06, 2013, 08:41:23 PM »

how many PS freaks are NOT gonna want to send Adobe their $ when they see how easy some of the new tricks are to use?..

a few good video examples here:

http://photorumors.com/2013/05/06/adobe-announces-photoshop-cc-available-only-through-monthly-subscription/#more-42668

I don't think I'd mind "renting" the SW if it was on a per-day basis.  I'd readily give them $2 to almost $10 per day for only those days I'm using it.  Heck, $1/hour then would be even better for me!
There are times I may go for months w-o using PS now, or even LR.  Nothing I dislike more than paying for what I'm not using.

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Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Pentax pricing changes, bodies down, lenses UP, WAY up!

« on: May 04, 2013, 03:53:28 AM »

Years ago I hear the adage (which goes something like), give away the razor and make money on the blades.

Same for cameras. Get them hooked on the body, if there are few 3rd party alternatives (or if you lenses have a unique benefit) then you can profit from the lenses

that can work well if you have a great razor and great blades.
In Pentax, we have an outstanding razor and many dull and very expensive blades, IMO.
Many of their lenses, if not technically great, do have an enjoyable personality.  But pricing a good number of them at 2x or more compared to their CaNikon counterparts is a bit much.

I hope they can maintain their high quality camera production and get moving on improving the marketing.  Even die-hard Pentaxians are finding the latest price hikes hard to swallow.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Black blob problem

« on: May 02, 2013, 09:17:51 PM »

lighting technique, not just how much and what kind but from what angles

full manual exposure & lighting control for consistent results

shoot raw files, jpgs are too limited unless you've nailed the settings perfectly (in manual)

in a studio, you are in full control and should not be subject to the vagueries of in-camera metering from shot to shot.

play, learn.  don't get too bogged down by various exposure setting paradigms, the end results are to light and expose properly to not clip whites or crush dark shades to black.

Once you get a handle on what you need to do, you'll likely find full manual is the way to go for consistency.  This is where your custom user settings on your camera come in handy, saving all your studio settings for instant recall with a turn of the dial.  If you have enough custom memories, you can save setups for different configurations and have a good starting pont when you want to adapt something.

the range from dark black tux to shimmery white gown can be covered within almost any camera's dynamic range limitations, even Canon's

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Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Pentax to also use the 24MP Sony FF sensor?

« on: May 01, 2013, 10:06:42 PM »

I also like the Pentax idea of fitting the IS inside the camera rather than having it fitted to every IS lens you might have in your possession! Fewer things to wrong.

it works well, except it doesn't do much to keep the price of lenses down.  But likely a good step for a low volume mfr.

PENTAX LENS PRICES ARE TAKING A LEAP UP TONITE!

some deals to be had on body bundles and the 645D just dropped about $1800 to $7k.

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Third Party Manufacturers / Pentax pricing changes, bodies down, lenses UP, WAY up!

« on: May 01, 2013, 10:02:39 PM »

Geez, I was about to do something constructive tonite when, in typical habit, I had to check the various forums to see if anything happened in the last 6 or so hours.
Good thing I did!

Looks like most Pentax distributors have quietly jacked-up prices on almost all lenses, by huge amounts in many cases!
OTOH, body prices have dropped a bit, and a considerable amount on the 645D.

I managed to find the 2 FA series primes I wanted to get, still available at original prices and quickly dealt another blow to my battered credit card.  Doing so is saving me about $350 or more on 2 lenses.

Is this just Pentax trying to make a better profit for their retail partners or is this something they'd do a little in advance of releasing a FF body that would need to use some of that now very much costlier FF-capable glass?

If you have a Pentax habit you need to feed, tonite's a shopping nite.

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Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Pentax to also use the 24MP Sony FF sensor?

« on: May 01, 2013, 12:01:46 AM »

Pentax touts their in-body IS as a great way to reduce cost of lenses..
but a lot of their lenses are pretty darn pricey and some of them don't test all that well.
OTOH, many of those poor-testing lenses have a really nice character to them and produce terrific images when used properly.
I'm still getting used to the Pentax way of things, being quite new to the brand, but I really like the experience so far and am hoping they will produce a FF within the next couple years.  They're still very tied to the crop body format tho, with a lot of oddball lenses just for that.
That they've kept FF type lenses in production this long is not necessarily an indicator of a FF DSLR but it will certainly help launch one without a lot of extra R&D for glass.

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EOS Bodies / Re: Back to the Future Parts 1/2/3 Canon Strategy

« on: April 30, 2013, 11:48:44 PM »

Pentax seem to be hanging on, and have some very nice design work coming out, I thought the K-01 was excellent and the new MX-1 very nice also.  They've always ploughed their own furrow, Pentax, I reckon if I didn't shoot Canon I'd shoot pentax.  Certainly what you get for the money (that 16MP sensor, weather sealing, massive legacy of inexpensive lenses) lang may the pentax lum reek.  They are an interesting company making capable cameras at sensible prices.  Canon could learn a lot from them.

I agree. I started with a great deal on a Q, liked the interface so much I sprung for a K-01 when it was being dumped at super low prices.  Liked it so much I bough a 2nd one and another Q to use for, well, I'm not sure yet.
I now have K-5 IIs and a pile of K-mount glass, new and old, to play with.
I'm really enjoying shooting with Pentax more than with Nikon or even Canon, despite how familiar I am with the latter and how much I like the clean raw files of the former.  Pentax is like a decent combination of Canon operability with SoNikon raw file quality.  Sensible control layout, lots of customization and good ergonomics. Some poor ergonomics and control layout options too but, overall, I enjoy using my K-5 like I enjoyed the 7D and I feel more comfortable with knowing I can push that raw file pretty hard if I want to.
OTOH, the non-AA-filtered K-5 IIs (k52s from now on) delivers great per-pixel sharpness with a good lens, but is also showing up false color in some shots I didn't expect to have problems with so I may have to opt for a regular K5 for those scenes where I'm dealing with lots of specular hilites.

EDIT:  forgot to add, I wish Ricoh-Pentax would learn a few marketing tricks from CANON.  I don't ever recall ever seeing a Pentax ad.  If it wasn't for the encouragement of ONE Pentax shooting friend, and plenty of solid convincing from my local Pentax rep, I'd likely have never bought into the system.  I'd have been more tempted to go Fuji.
And that's my ABC (Anybody But Canon) story.  I'll likely end up using the weather-sealed Pentax gear more for foul-weather work than my other systems.  Their weather-resistant consumer level lenses are a great idea and they work well enough to use them in inclement conditions where better sharpness and optical performance is not essential.