Messages

61

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 7D Mark II Spec List [CR2]

« on: February 19, 2013, 08:03:38 AM »

If true, is it me or is the Canon camera lineup getting confused? Used to be that upgrades were real upgrades, and you'd upgrade to get better features for a similar price as you originally paid. Now you're getting more, but paying more, and the difference between the bodies is getting smaller. 

This is why I still have my 5DII at least, I don't see a camera yet that offers a compelling upgrade.

62

Lenses / Re: Are you using a filter on your 40mm

« on: February 16, 2013, 09:06:20 PM »

I've got a UV on it. Cheap, and I don't have to worry about the front element, cheap insurance.

63

Software & Accessories / Re: BlackRapid & Kirk clamp hook-up

« on: February 16, 2013, 06:38:45 PM »

You can also get the Kirk strap where the clamp isn't an addon, but an integral part of the strap assembly. I did a review for it in the Review section. In that case the clamp is a 1", with built in handles on either side for the strap to attach to.

I took it on a killer 12 mile hike today where it performed wonderfully. I never take the strap/clamp off, and in over a month it has't loosened at all.

64

Technical Support / Re: How do you store and archive your images?

« on: February 16, 2013, 08:24:50 AM »

Uh, guys, Cloud storage isn't an option for many of us. I'm well familiar with Glacier/ASUS etc etc. Price out 4TB of data, growing at at least 1TB/Year, factor in how you'll get it to them (Cable modem isn't going to work), data availability (you still need local copies), plus redundancy and it gets expensive. Plus Cloud doesn't mean safe.

Ultimately nobody cares about your data as much as you do. There's no way a professional photographer (certainly not videographer) could make do with Cloud storage. At best it would work for a light shooting amateur.

My attitude is that data storage costs drop exponentially like all other information technologies, so I store everything and then some. In a few years I'll laugh about the day I fretted about a few TB.

Speaking of which I laugh at the folks who call high mega pixel cameras "mega pickles" (as if that's funny), and then go on to say it will never happen because "oh my god all those pixels will kill your computer and hard drive". Yeah, sure grandpa ...

65

Technical Support / Re: How do you store and archive your images?

« on: February 16, 2013, 07:06:29 AM »

Here's how it goes for me, first insert a CF card

• LR4 imports to a working copy disk converting to DNG. Backup is made to a different disk
• To eject card I run a script which does a rsync to a 15TB (5x3TB) on a Synology 1511+ NAS with 2 disk redundancy (up to two disks can crash and recover)
• Then it asks whether to erase and eject card (3 copies of photos at this point) which I say yes
• Once a night everything is backed up to a Synology 'side car' with 1 disk redundancy  12TB (4x3TB)
• Once a week everything is rsync backed up to a Drobo FS 5x2TB with 1 disk redundancy
• Once a month everything is rsync backed up to a briefcase of disks which reside offsite at my workplace
• An extra backup set exists on portable hard drive (3x1TB) which I take with me when traveling
• When traveling all shots are copies to a dual disk redudancy mini RAID enclosure

 

Cloud storage would be nice but its too expensive, and I have about 1.5TB of pictures at this point and growing. This also stores all of my other data, most of my life is on those disks.

66

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon Cinema EOS C50 [CR1]

« on: February 13, 2013, 07:51:32 AM »

Canon also need to get lenses to where the eng or hobby video users can use them, that means servo zooms.

What do you mean by "eng"? And I don't follow why servo zooming is so important - do you mean so they act like the inexpensive camcorders? But then we wouldn't be using our EF lenses since they are manual zoom, correct?

Something that handles like an XL, has the codecs of an XF, the IQ of a C100 and the price of an MV series.

Did you mean "DV"? Say around $1500?

And the all important EF mount.

As a professional video guy what do you think about using EF lenses? I've tried it a few times for my home vids, it wasn't easy to set focus. DOF etc. I haven't really gotten the hang of it.

The idea is interesting. I don't like using my DSLR for video either, if there was a $1500 C line that had the essential features I'd consider getting one for my own amateur efforts.

67

Lenses / Re: Considering the Zeiss 21

« on: February 10, 2013, 07:33:18 AM »

Yeah me too! Been planning on that one for some time.

68

Lenses / Re: I've tried the 200-400 today! :D Very happy

« on: February 08, 2013, 08:58:42 PM »

I'm tempted, and I can "afford" it, meaning if I really want it I can pay cash and not hurt myself financially. Just don't know if I want it that bad.

The neat thing is that in one lens you have a lot of options obviously, 200-800ish if you use the internal and external converters. Seems like an excessive purchase though, I'd need to go on a safari or something to justify it

Maybe I'll just get a new 100-400 II if they do it.

69

EOS Bodies / Re: Big Megapixel Camera in 2014

« on: February 07, 2013, 06:55:41 AM »

I'm looking forward to it, and will certainly buy one. Canon does a careful job of maintaining its product line and leaking out features, so in another year we'll have another round of features and high MP to boot. What's not to like?

I hope its in a 1D body too, I've always wanted one of those. Given its targeted at the Studio/Fashion/Landscape shooters it makes sense.

70

Software & Accessories / Re: Which cloud storage solution?

« on: February 06, 2013, 09:24:33 PM »

There aren't any that are affordable for photographers. Also the upload speed and fees (Amazon charges for bandwidth) is too slow.

One possible exception is Amazon Glacier, which is 1c/1GB/1Month. This is just for data backup, to get access to your data takes several hours. Save it and forget it basically. Anyhow a Terabyte of photos will run you $10/month or $120/year.

You also have to consider your backup strategy. Do you have revision control of your pictures? Meaning if you delete or change a photo by accident, or do a series of them, do you have that history?

I have a 15TB NAS, with a 10TB nightly time based backup (revision control style) on a Synology 1511+ with side car. Once a week that backs up to a Drobo (different technology), and once a month I do an offsite backup to a briefcase of disks. I back up a lot more than just pictures.

71

Reviews / Re: Kirk Security Strap review

« on: February 06, 2013, 08:16:52 AM »

Note; with this and any other strap, if you're concerned about it accidentally coming loose you can use some of these

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010HA6A6/

as backup

72

Reviews / Re: Kirk Security Strap review

« on: February 05, 2013, 08:58:40 PM »

The knob can go either way, forward or backward. If backward then it helps keep the back of the camera off your hip. If forward then it is out of the way.

You can wear the strap and clamp in a total of four positions/orientations and it works fine in them all. And of course you can replace the strap with whatever strap you wish, as long as it is of the correct width. Also you can reverse the strap if you like a opposite orientation. As I said the strap isn't a high end item so feel free to experiment.

You can wear the strap and clamp in a total of four positions/orientations and it works fine in them all. And of course you can replace the strap with whatever strap you wish, as long as it is of the correct width.

The knob doesn't bother me against my side or the other way. I think the 'intended' orientation is with knob forward, strap across the chest. When it is in this orientation the camera is snug and secure at your hip, very comfortable and doesn't bounce.

73

Reviews / Re: Kirk Security Strap review

« on: February 03, 2013, 08:56:12 PM »

Looks interesting... Although makes me a bit nervous the idea of the clamp getting lose and the camera falling... What are your thoughts about that? I've being using arca clamps for a noon time, but never to hang a camera...

Held tight for 3000 ft up and 3000 ft down over rocky trails. I don't see it as an issue.

I think that it comes down to if you have a Swiss-Arca plate arrangement and want a strap, do you want a traditional strap style where it keeps the camera orientated, or do you want a Black Rapid style where the camera swings around more but also comes to the eye a bit easier.

74

Reviews / Re: Kirk Security Strap review

« on: February 03, 2013, 08:32:42 PM »

ok, this is getting annoying. I can reply to this thread with a short sentence, but when I try to paste in my long reponse, I get 'access denied, security block'?

Anyway, long story short, I want one. Anyone know where ships to aus with cheapish postage?

I got it from B&H, I'd be surprised if they didn't ship down under.

75

Lighting / Re: An open letter to Canon regarding the Canon RT system

« on: February 03, 2013, 07:17:30 PM »

On remote zoom, do people really use that? Since the lights are usually statically set up you just set the zoom as you're setting up then forget it. And at that you probably don't need much control. Since I"m using an umbrella or softbox I just put it on a wide setting, if I remember at all.

On 2nd curtain, yeah too bad, but seriously how often do you use that? How often with remote flashes? I haven't used it yet, if I really wanted it for remote I'd use a long cord, and not write an 'open letter' to Canon.