Topics

31

Lenses / A small walkabout lens - lay it on me!

« on: June 03, 2012, 11:07:32 PM »

OK I'm sick of trying to find a walkabout camera. None of them work for me, tried the Fuji X100 (want to buy one?), the Canon S100, a G12, etc. I just end up wishing I had my 5DMKII. Now there are situations where for weight and threatening considerations a smaller rig is preferred. So ... I need a small lens for my DSLR, ideally a wide angle.

I have a 50/1.4, which isn't that great. Slow to focus, IQ ... maybe my version has problems, it got touchy after some sand grains got in it, probably not worth trying to fix. Plus it's 50mm and too tight for me.

My dream focal length is 20mm but Canon seemingly has no good primes in that range. I don't like to rent, I prefer buying and deciding as it takes me months to figure out a new lens. So ... recommendations?

• Lens ideali around the size of the 50/1.4
• Prime
• Ideally wide, at least 24mm

Maybe the new 24IS? Dunno ...

32

PowerShot / S100 GPS problems

« on: June 01, 2012, 08:01:04 PM »

My S100 GPS used to reliably reacquire the satellites after a few minutes from startup. Then after owning (and loving) it for a month the GPS refuses to acquire, even after restarting the GPS service. Now I turned on GPS logging, and it reliably acquires GPS again (but is using power while off).

I use this camera so much I think I'll just leave the logging feature on, so the GPS stays locked, but has anybody else noticed this behavior?

33

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Do the 1D bodies historically drop in price after release?

« on: May 28, 2012, 12:57:58 PM »

Or do they have sticky prices?

Kicking around getting a 1DX and wondering if it would be better to wait for a possible price drop. I mean after the camera is finally available to us mortals (say early next year)

34

Lenses / Recommendation for a sidekick wildlife lens

« on: May 26, 2012, 11:26:45 PM »

Hello,
    I like to do landscape photography, and while out I'd enjoy doing some wildlife photography (primarily birds I expect). I have an old Rebel I'd dedicate to the task and just need a lens (when I upgrade my next body the 5DmkII will probably become the wildlife body).
    So ... what lens to pair with it? I want something that I keep with me but will get the critters, so light and long is what I'm thinking about. Good candidates seem like ...

• 70-300IS (relatively light, relatively cheap, flexible (zoom), enough reach?)
• 400 (relatively light, relatively cheap, inflexible prime, no IS, more reach)
• ?
  

Don't know if the old Rebel might suck too much, maybe I'll upgrade to a newer Rebel or even a 7DII when it comes out.

35

EOS Bodies / When will the release date be for the 1DXI and 5DmkIV?

« on: May 21, 2012, 10:58:12 PM »

Serious question here. I have a 5DMKII and while I'd like to move up to a 1D body the 1DX, while amazing doesn't do it for me on pixels. On both it and the 5DMKIII they've gone for frames and focus which I'm less in need of (though a better focus system then the 5D would be nice)

At any rate, how long will I probably have to wait for the next generation bodies?

36

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Make my own 600-RT gels or wait?

« on: May 20, 2012, 12:52:44 AM »

I've been waiting to learn gelling (is that a word?) until a sane gel solution came out, and I've been waiting for an in Flash Canon RF solution. Thankfully the 600-RT gives me both which is why I popped for three the day they released. Now I want to expand this wonderful gel system. The manual indicates that a 3x3 3rd party gel will work fine, but for some reason the flash won't report it correctly so you have to set a C.fn to turn off gel notification (not sure if this is a problem with a pre-2012 body).

Anyhow, should I roll my own gels or wait for somebody to come out with a 600-RT gel kit? If roll my own, any suggestions for a kit to buy? I'd like the CTB's, CTO's, Green, and a handful of Cines maybe. Would rather buy a pre done kit but I don't want to wait too long!

37

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Any news on ST-E3-RT availability?

« on: May 16, 2012, 10:06:57 PM »

I've heard some reports of people getting them, and some scattered outlets have gotten a few, but I'm still waiting for mine. An order in at Amazon and B&H since they were announced and still nuthin.

38

Street & City / When did photography become a crime?

« on: April 24, 2012, 08:09:49 PM »

In the vein of the thread here on brits and cameras ... I was walking along my street the other day, and somebody stopped and pointedly asked "why was I taking pictures of their houses". Recently I've been taking pictures of my kids school. We're not going to be there much longer and I want pictures of it (and am always trying to practice), and a policeman came by my door because the school is freaked that some guy is taking pictures.

What are these people trying to accomplish? Somehow harassing photographers will make them safer? In an age when cameras are on every bodies phone (ironically at the school somebody took a picture of me - taking pictures), the govt. has cameras everywhere including the sky, along with corporations and businesses. Suppose I'm a criminal - what will walking around obviously taking pictures do for me? I'll photoshop them, ignoring the billions of free photos of people available on the web? Seems rather stupid, and takes focus away from the real crimes that you never see.

I think we should put a stop to this right now, and all of us go out and take photos in public, at schools, in churches and in safe neighborhoods. Time to desensitize people from thinking that photography is a crime.

39

Lenses / 70-300mm L f/4-5.6 colors washed out?

« on: April 07, 2012, 10:42:39 AM »

Hi,
   A buddy got a 70-300mm and I've it on my 5DMKII and shot with it. I can't keep seeing the shots as washed out with pale colors, especially compared to the 70-200/2.8 II that I have. I've got camera color calibration and have used a ColorChecker to correct the shots (WB not full colors yet) and I'm still seeing pale. Finally, on at least a few shots online I've seen it seems the like they're washed too.

   My imagination? Not sure what to make of it.

40

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / 600-RT compatibility information

« on: April 03, 2012, 07:42:41 PM »

Got my three flashes and the manual. Seems to be working fine (very basic testing) with a 5DmkII

In the manual it states that E-TTL is not possible with the older cameras, such as the 1D, 1Ds, 1V, Elan, 50, Rebel 2000, etc.

It also says that with a pre 2012 camera you have to use a flash sync speed 1 increment slower and high speed sync is not available. Again minimal testing, but I'm using HSS successfully, and am not compensating by a stop. Even though I'm getting the !Tv warning (occasionally) they said I would get.

FYI

41

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / 600EX-RT preorders at B&H are fulfilling

« on: March 28, 2012, 04:19:23 PM »

I've got a "New Order Processing" and a check with customer service said that they've got them in, and they will be shipping out today or tomorrow at the latest The ST-E3-RT is on backorder, and I've got three 600's coming for my 5DMKII.

42

Lenses / What lens are you patiently waiting for?

« on: March 28, 2012, 08:47:05 AM »

Me - a new 100-400L II.

I have the 16-35, 24-105 and 70-300/2.8 - a nice lineup, and most used in that order. I shoot wide mostly, but some reach would be very useful for exploring wildlife photography obviously, but it's no rush. Whenever Canon decides to come out with a new one I'll buy it, maybe this year?

43

Lenses / New lens vs 3x600ex-RT

« on: March 26, 2012, 11:01:33 PM »

I have three 600ex-rt on preorder and the st-e3-rt. I've been thinking, for the money I could instead get the 24mm TSE, the fishy zoom, or the Zeiss 18mm.

I have the 16-35II, 24-105 and 70-200/2.8, and two older flashes, plus the 5dmkii. I like shooting wide most of the time, and tight family portraits. I hate using the optical wireless, and need more flashes anyhow (have been holding out for RT). The three lenses are also on my list, but no immediate need with the 16-35.

I could use some advice, since I'm not buying a 2012 body (so have budget), which purchase do you think will give the most chance to develop and explore? It seems like the flashes are the logical step, but a new lens might be a good direction, (especially a prime) and yes I don't want third party wireless.

44

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Thoughts on Lowepro Inverse 100 AW

« on: March 26, 2012, 11:39:28 AM »

I've tried backpacks, big and small, and they don't work for me. I like the Lowepro holster mini packs such as the Toploader 65, which is my go-to bag. The Toploader is just a tad too small, I'd really like to have room for a flash and an extra lens (which I could get with a side attached slip lock case), but I'm looking at the Inverse as maybe a good candidate.

Any thoughts on this bag?

45

EOS Bodies / Post your C1, C2, C3 settings

« on: March 24, 2012, 09:22:49 PM »

Hi Folks,
    I'm looking for some good ideas for C1-C3. Presently I have C1 as the "Oh the kid is doing something - I have to get a shot quick!" setting. On another thread I read some good posts about using the C3 for that.

Could you please post your C1-C3, with the exact settings that are saved there? That would be at least



 

• f/stop
• shutter speed
• ISO
• Focus mode
• AF Points

Thanks!