Messages

16

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D MK 3 and auto ISO

« on: May 16, 2012, 03:22:04 PM »

From what I'm reading above I think I'm having issues with my 5DMK3 and 600EX-RT.

When using Av/Tv modes the camera chooses settings without taking into account the flash (flash is set to ETTL mode). At first I wondered why my shots were blurry then looked at the exif data and the shots were taken @ 1/8th

I need to do some more testing but is anyone else experiencing this?

I think you can stop testing.  There is no 'issue' here, other than user error.  What you state is normal in Av mode - exposure metering ignores the flash because the intent is to expose the ambient (background) properly, then your flash fires a pre-flash which determines the flash power needed to properly illuminate the subject (ETTL).  If you want a faster shutter speed, in the flash control menu you can set the shutter speed in Av mode to 1/200-1/60 s or 1/200 s fixed (instead of the default, which is Auto).  See p. 192 of your manual, or p. 363 where this exact 'problem' is addressed in the troubleshooting guide.  Changing that setting to a faster shutter speed will mean more of the light will be coming from the flash, which means the background will be underexposed, etc.)

Note, you state this occurs in Av/Tv mode - if you're getting 1/8 s exposures in Tv mode without setting that shutter speed yourself (which is the point of Tv mode - you, not the camera, are setting the shutter speed), you do indeed have an issue.

Thanks for the info Neuro. It was one of those moments when I needed to grab a shot real quick so I flipped into Av. I usually shoot all Manual but have been experimenting with Av/Tv lately for times like this where I can't preset the shot up. I'll double check the Tv issue when I get home but it's likely more user error on my part

17

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D MK 3 and auto ISO

« on: May 16, 2012, 02:35:55 PM »

From what I'm reading above I think I'm having issues with my 5DMK3 and 600EX-RT.

When using Av/Tv modes the camera chooses settings without taking into account the flash (flash is set to ETTL mode). At first I wondered why my shots were blurry then looked at the exif data and the shots were taken @ 1/8th

I need to do some more testing but is anyone else experiencing this?

18

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: My first wedding Help!

« on: May 07, 2012, 09:49:16 AM »

I too am in a similar situation. However, I have worked as a second shooter for another wedding so I'm fairly confident in my ability to get shots at the reception. The scariest part for me is the bride walking down the isle. Just one of those shots you can't, can't, can't screw up.

My idea (and please offer advice, feel free to tell me i'm wrong, maybe even stupid.. lol) was to stop down some f4.0 at least, high shutter speed 1/160 at least, and use iso, flash for fill light. I just want to make sure focus sharp, everything is properly in focus, and no motion blur.

FWIW I'll be shooting 5dmk3/7d, 600ex-rt/430ex2, 70-200f2.8, 50 f1.4, 16-35f2.8

19

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Good Wireless trigger for Canon 5D MKIII?

« on: May 03, 2012, 12:39:46 PM »

I'd vote for the Yongnuo RF-603's. I just got a set of 4 in. Works great with my 7D+430EXII and  5DMk3+600EX-RT setup. The remote shutter function is awesome as well. Picked up the set of 4 on Ebay for about $55.

20

Lenses / Re: Lenses: 35L II & 85L III Next Up? [CR1]

« on: April 23, 2012, 06:13:48 PM »

Sigh... still dreaming waiting for a new 50mm without issues. 1.4 with true USM would be awesome or 1.2L without focus shift issues. Please canon... I don't want to have to get the Sigma 

21

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: 430EX II + 600EX-RT possible combo?

« on: April 23, 2012, 03:04:46 PM »

Thanks for the replies. Seems like i have some research to do but at least knowing the 600 could be used sounds like a good place to start. At least for the time being I will have a decent flash for weddings on each body and can play around with a portrait setup on the side.

Thanks again for the help!

22

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / 430EX II + 600EX-RT possible combo?

« on: April 19, 2012, 09:09:59 PM »

So I am enjoying my new 5DMk3 and have been toying with the idea of purchasing a new flash for it, namely the 600EX-RT. I also have a 7D with 430EX II Speedlite. I have been venturing into some lighting setups and am a bit confused (I'm a newbie when it comes to sudio setups).

I'm wondering what my options are for using my 430EX II. Is it possible to build a setup where this can be included? Do I need to dump the 430EX II and grab two 600EX-RTs for a simple setup? I'm interested in being able to use both my 7D and 5D if possible. (7D for backup, but also interested in seeing the quality difference between the two). I'm going to be shooting portraits and infants.

I currently have two reflective umbrellas, one used with my 430 EX II mounted on a Manfrotto stand w/Stroboframe shoe. I was impressed with the Manfrotto stand and was thinking of purchasing another.

Any suggestions on waht to do with what I have? What you would purchase in my situation?

Thanks!

23

Software & Accessories / Re: Where to position a watermark

« on: April 19, 2012, 05:18:20 PM »

Sorry... I don't see the option to vote for no watermark, because people who use watermarks are retarded err umm not bright.

You should scale down to an undesirable print resolution that would look good on screen and use exif data as mentioned previously. Otherwise you might as well go with DEAD CENTER and be crappy like that. Please take note of how many REAL professionals do that (Hint: None). If you are a middle aged photographer/soccer mom I can see how a watermark can be appealing.

Yes... because we are all retarded soccer mom photographers. Nice to be lumped into a category with all the mindless drones.

Anyway, back on topic. The OP asked a question. Maybe he meant signature and not watermark. If he meant watermark then EXIF is almost pointless. That data is stripped easily just by resaving a jpg and clicking an option.

Either dead center as mentioned above (but I would go with a transparent gray/white, etc. something less noticeable at first glance but would show up in print) or basically don't put anything online that you wouldn't want ripped of or stolen.

If you meant watermark, bottom right hand corner works well. I believe someone already mentioned due to how we read (left -> right, top -> bottom).

24

Software & Accessories / Re: Where to position a watermark

« on: April 19, 2012, 02:16:15 PM »

If you are worried about someone stealing your work and not giving you credit the edges are the worst place.

Numerous shots I've taken people have just cropped and used on Facebook (granted most of these are candid/portrait shots that I don't care about). It's more or less audacity of not giving credit to the person who took them. Seems like Facebook/Twitter have just become breading grounds for "steal some cool looking picture and make it your banner".

Just my 2 cents though...

25

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5DMk3 Poll Deleted?

« on: March 27, 2012, 10:28:23 PM »

Why not post a link to the other topic so that others can find it.
 
Good Luck.
 
BTW, mine seems amazingly good so far.

Here's a link to wickidwombat's poll. That's the only one I found searching.

http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php/topic,4910.0.html

26

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: How do you test your new camera body?

« on: March 27, 2012, 10:13:27 PM »

There have been a flurry of posts since the Mk3's hit people's hands of either problems or soft images. Until reading these posts I would have never thought of checking a sensor for dead pixels by shooting images with the lens cap on.

So I wanted to ask, in what ways do you test a new camera body for functionality? Any other checks you routinely perform like the dead pixel test above? Do you always do an AFMA with each lens in a closed environment?

Before concluding there are dead pixels, be sure the sensor is clean, as a speck of dust can look just like a dead pixel.  A brand new camera shouldn't have dirt/dust on the sensor, but it could happen.  Cleaning up a dirty sensor is relatively easy, whereas dealing with a truly dead pixel is a much more serious issue.

I use LensAlign MkII for AFMA, but it is a tedious process that requires careful setup and patience.  Prime lenses are easier to do than zooms, as most cameras host only one AFMA setting.  The new 1DX and 5D3 have separate W (wide) and T (tele) settings that supposedly improve the overall calibration at intermediate focal lengths.  I'm due to get my 5D3 on 4/2 and will be testing out my new 24-105 as well as my EF 70-300 DO lens.   

Thanks for the reply! I'll have to look into LensAlign. I was looking at a program called FoCal which helps automate AFMA. Looked neat and possibly a project worth supporting too. I'll add LensAlign to the list.

27

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5DMk3 Poll Deleted?

« on: March 27, 2012, 10:10:16 PM »

It would be nice if there was a way to make people search.  Perhaps a big hint was dropped and it was missed.

Sure, I dropped the ball on the search, my mistake. And I didn't get the hint till you actually said it. Seems like the forums full of tension lately.

Anyway, Mods, please remove. Sorry for the waste of time.

28

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5DMk3 Poll Deleted?

« on: March 27, 2012, 09:59:04 PM »

No it was not the 500th thread about what people thought.

It was a poll about frequency of issues (if any) that people have been complaining about with their 5Dmk3.  I'm interested in what issues I should be aware of when my preorder arrives and if it was just a select few.

Guess I also assumed I'd at least get a message as to why the post was deleted.

I made a poll for this already maybe thats why? not sure though

Yeah, I commented in yours. I didn't see any others at the time and yours came after mine was already gone so who knows [EDIT : timestamps are all wrong for my time zone, sorry yours was first]. Doesn't matter now though, I'll follow along in your poll as I'm very interested in see the outcome (provided people only post that bought them!)

29

EOS Bodies / Re: Delivered 5Dmk3 Units Awesome vs Has problems

« on: March 27, 2012, 08:28:40 PM »

I'll add my vote in a few days once it's in. Here's to hoping the numbers are low and I get a good one!

30

EOS Bodies - For Stills / How do you test your new camera body?

« on: March 27, 2012, 07:00:46 PM »

There have been a flurry of posts since the Mk3's hit people's hands of either problems or soft images. Until reading these posts I would have never thought of checking a sensor for dead pixels by shooting images with the lens cap on.

So I wanted to ask, in what ways do you test a new camera body for functionality? Any other checks you routinely perform like the dead pixel test above? Do you always do an AFMA with each lens in a closed environment?