Messages

1

Lenses / Re: Advice on which lens to upgrade/replace/add

« on: Today at 08:24:21 AM »

I have all three MkI f2.8 zooms and I have no intention of "upgrading" them. I spend glass money on specialty lenses that do something completely different, you never know where you might find interesting subjects. The 15mm fisheye is fantastic as a novelty and an ultra-wide rectilinear, the 17 or 24 TS-E lenses add new dimensions and capabilities to your photography and the 100mm L Macro is a wonderful portrait lens with amazing IS (Canon's only mid tele prime with IS) and, of course, macro capabilities that can open whole new fields of photographic enjoyment.

The best thing about these four lenses, they have very low depreciation, get any of them, try them out and, if you don't like them, sell them and get 90% of your money back.

I am currently in the Caribbean working with the 15 fisheye, the 50 f1.4 and the 100 macro, it gives me a very high quality diverse kit with some extreme capabilities that just are not possible without three zooms, tubes and the accompanying weight.

2

EOS Bodies / Re: A Big Megapixel Discussion

« on: Today at 07:54:32 AM »

No DSLR is a medium format camera killer. I like the images from the H5D-60. If you are in the fashion and fine arts business this camera is the one and only.

But the new big megapixel camera(s) from Canon are really good.

Hint: I don´t know what Canon put on the market, but the 46.1 MP, 5 frame per second, Dual DIGIC 5+,
ISO 50-12800, 1DX AF, 2 CF Card slots works really good.

Are you claiming that you have actually USED a Canon "Big Megapixel" prototype? So far, there have only been rumors about such things, no concrete information whatsoever. Your claim sounds a little far fetched, but if it is true, then it would be pretty major rumor news for CR...

M.ST has been posting stuff for quite a while now that makes it clear that he is one of those who get to test out Canon's cameras before we get to hear about them officially.

He's clearly subject to an NDA.

So (IMO) let's keep listening to what he has to say and let's not push him to reveal more.

I am prepared to believe he has access to the information he shares, so I enjoy reading his "hints".

M.ST is has been shown on many occasions to have no advanced or insider knowledge what so ever. Do not put any thought into anything he posts, he even promised to stop doing it once but obviously he can't help himself M.ST is a charlatan.

3

Lighting / Re: Flash Newbie: Flash Photography Concept

« on: June 17, 2013, 09:39:12 AM »

So in conclusion, if flash is mounted, there is no way to automatically get standard exposure in Av mode.
Also it is undesireable to use Av mode, simply because there is no way I can make my Min shutter speed to 1/90 or 1/125. Also Auto ISO is Clipped to 400.

My intention is, I want the camera to automatically get exposure of ambient light 1 stop below standard exposure exposure (given min shutter speed and auto ISO), in different lighting condition. And be able adjust FEC as necessary.

As conclusion There is No Way to do this.

As I said, Av Mode does exactly that for you. Just dial in -1EV compensation and your background is one stop underexposed, in ETTL your subject is correctly exposed as metered for 18% grey. To change subject exposure move FEC, to change ambient exposure change EC.

4

Lighting / Re: Flash Newbie: Flash Photography Concept

« on: June 17, 2013, 09:28:11 AM »

I know I can use manual, but what I want is the camera is able to meter on the scene automatically, basically use only exposure compensation for ambient and FEC for flash add on. How can I do this.

That is exactly what your 6D does in Av Mode with a flash in ETTL. EC only alters the ambient exposure, FEC only alters the subject exposure.

My concept of having a flash is that. The camera will meter the scene automatically as if it wasn't using flash. According to settings. Then the function of a flash is just an addon light to the scene.

Your concept is wrong. The when you push the shutter button the camera sends out a small low powered pre flash, it meters that and decides what your subject exposure needs, the subject is illuminated by the flash the flash duration normally being very short, around 1/1500 sec depending on power needed, this means your subject is getting an exposure of your set aperture, the cameras set shutter speed and the cameras calculated flash power. But before the exposure the camera also meters the ambient and this is exposed with a combination of your set aperture and the cameras metered shutter speed. There are two completely separate exposures metered and calculated between pushing the shutter button and exposure.

5

Lighting / Re: Radio Triggering-- 600ex-rt + 430exii + ??????

« on: June 14, 2013, 11:13:37 PM »

Be aware that with the 5DMK II using the RT system of the EX600RT + STE3RT, you will not have HSS, and I believe you are reduced one stop to 1/100th max instead of the 1/200th you will get on the 1Dx/5DMK III.

And I agree with jdramirez, Flash can be a PIA.

Pre 2011 bodies do allow HSS, just not in ETTL metering mode, it works fine in Manual flash mode. The sync speed when on camera is as standard, when using wireless I have found the sync speed drops 1/3 rd stop, my 1/250 gets a very small shutter shadow, at 1/200 I am normally clear, even in multiple channel radio mode.

Whilst it would be very nice to be able to spend $800 of the OP's money on another 600 and an ST-E3-RT, I think that is bad advice when a set of RF-603's will give him twin flash radio, all be it in manual power only, for around $50. Sure he might grow into more kit, but most people would be better off getting an Einstein than multiple 600's.

Unfortunately at the moment you will only get full use with the 1Dx & 5DMK III, but the 5DMK II will give you most of the abilities of this pairing.

And the 6D and the EOS-M, they both give 100% RT system functionality too.

6

Lighting / Re: Radio Triggering-- 600ex-rt + 430exii + ??????

« on: June 14, 2013, 07:08:56 PM »

The 600EX-RT has a radio system built-in, but unfortunately it is not compatible with any older Canon flashes.

I highly recommend that you sell your 430EX II and use the money to buy another 600EX-RT -- that way you can control the remote flash (in both manual and ETTL modes, plus with High-speed sync capability) without buying any extra accessories.

You do have some alternatives, but they won't take advantage of your 600EX-RT's built-in radio:
Optical wireless -- Your 600EX-RT can still control the 430EX II optically, but you'll have reliability issues in bright sunlight and any situation where the slave can't see the master flash.
Manual radio -- You'll lose ETTL and HSS but there are now some very cheap reliable radio triggers out there. I recommend the Phottix Stratos II.
ETTL radio -- All the features provided by the 600EX-RT's built in radio... unfortunately, you'll have to pay a lot of money. I recommend the Phottix Odins but the set will run you $330. Yongnuo's YN-622s are $90 and might be better on your wallet.

But then you'll have to buy extra sets of batteries for your new radio triggers, and troubleshooting them on-location is a hassle. The easiest solution is to get another 600EX-RT and use the Canon RT system the way it was meant to be used.

The problem with buying another 600 is it doesn't give you two remote radio flashes, one has to be on camera as a controller.

I'd get a cheap dumb radio trigger, the RF-603 is ideal, and get the 600 and 430 remte and see where I'd want to go from there.

7

Canon General / Re: Miami trip

« on: June 14, 2013, 06:21:50 PM »

Then just don't post. I don't see how posting more irrelevant misinformation is any more constructive than raptors second post.

You can see the irony here, no? 

Taking somebody to task for being unhelpful and rude is not ironic, it is a form of self regulation that seems to keep most posters out of the sights of the mods and this forum the pretty cool place that it is.

Whatever, I was responding to his tantrum. The point was to research it himself. If Google doesn't know then nobody will.


Given his behaviour, I really couldn't give two shits if he finds a camera shop or not.

But hey, if you want to write stuff like that then be my guest, I will just skip over any of your posts even if they are on point.  Is your answer to a screaming child to scream at it? Does that achieve the result you were looking for? Does that create the kind of environment you want to spend time in?

8

Canon General / Re: Miami trip

« on: June 14, 2013, 04:17:20 PM »

Then just don't post. I don't see how posting more irrelevant misinformation is any more constructive than raptors second post.

9

Canon General / Re: Miami trip

« on: June 14, 2013, 04:07:31 PM »

Harry,

You obviously didn't actually read your own sarcastic search, amongst the hits there is only one semi pro store, Electric Avenue, the rest are Walgreen's shops and other irrelevant outlets.

As for Wolf Camera in Orlando, a mere 250 miles from Miami, they closed down years ago. The only decent central Florida pro camera dealer is Colonial Photo And Hobby in Orlando.

I do not know of a dedicated interesting well stocked pro Canon dealer in Southern Florida.

10

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 1DS MKII black lines problem.

« on: June 14, 2013, 11:25:11 AM »

......... why do i need to pay for an estimate? Why do I pay $100 to Canon every year?" Canon in Newport is CR@p!

http://www.cps.usa.canon.com/about_cps/goldMembership.shtml

"New Member Welcome Kit (estimated retail value $100): Welcome Letter, CPS Member Card, CPS Pin, 1 CPS Pro Strap, 2 Free Clean & Check Coupons, EF Lens Workbook III, and 1 Rear/Body Cap Set
    Access to equipment evaluation loan (Try Before You Buy Program)*
    Expedited 3-day service turnaround on Eligible Products
    30% discount on repairs of your Eligible Products
    Service loan backup (based on availability)**
    Free return shipping for supported service items
    2 free service Clean & Check Coupons***
    Onsite event and show support, as listed on event calendar
    24/7 CPS Support Hotline
    Exclusive CPS discounted admission on Canon Live Learning seminars and workshops,
    as listed on events calendar"

Don't see anything about free estimates in there, which is probably why you were charged, I'd hardly call that crap service, but then some people have very strange ideas about contracts with corporations.

If you are brave (I would do it), there is a 1Ds II on eBay now for $750 ($1000 buy it now) with a broken shutter you could steal the sensor from.  Cheaper than a new FF camera.

http://bit.ly/11xZFSB

That has a scratched sensor filter and so has zero value to the OP. Not saying it isn't a smart idea, and even if you didn't want to DIY it you could give them both to a camera repair shop to swap a sensor out, the main problem repair shops have is getting parts, if you can buy them yourself then it makes this still very capable gear repairable.

11

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 1DS MKII black lines problem.

« on: June 13, 2013, 08:00:01 AM »

You pay $100 a year because you think it makes you a pro. The service that you get for that is on your invoice, if you were not CPS you would have been billed $3,145.51, had you chosen to do the repair you would have been billed $2,487.27, CPS membership would have saved you $658.24.

Why do they charge to open your camera? My guess would be because every time anybody ever took an out of focus or incorrectly exposed image they would blame Canon and send their camera in for "free" estimates. I get five free cleans and checks a year, but no free estimates on damaged gear.

Even for non CPS the phone staff have a discretionary 15% they can work with too, it pays to be nice to the telephone staff.

12

EOS Bodies / Re: A Big Megapixel Discussion

« on: June 13, 2013, 07:35:20 AM »

All prototypes with the big megapixel sensors are in big bodys.

I like to see one in an big body and one in an body bigger than the 5D body, but smaller than the 1D body.

Today I send a big mail to the Canon development center with wishes and tests results.

Hey M.ST, you are back to spouting your garbage I see, I thought you had said you were only going to do that directly to the site owners. Maybe you did but they found your imaginary nonsense as laughable as anybody else with half a brain.

13

Software & Accessories / Re: New Macpro teased at Mac Conference

« on: June 11, 2013, 11:17:55 PM »

With regards Apples, the subjects of the thread, a server is easily defined as any Apple computer running the server software.

When they do run the software they show up as servers, not as glorified shared folders on a network.

14

Software & Accessories / Re: Adobe LR5 Released, how are you upgrading/buying?

« on: June 11, 2013, 10:33:42 PM »

There is absolutely no need to create a VM if you are using Apples and are worried about future compatibility, my comment was directed more at heavyweight pro software users (not even most pro photographers) who do manage to see the time cost benefits of the fastest processors when they become available.


For more normal users Apples can boot almost anything post Intel processors, I happily run from USB sticks containing a complete OS and drivers when I want to, you can still run Rosetta and any ancient driver on a brand new Apple, I do for an old scanner I have. Second, photography is important enough to me to have a dedicated computer just for my images, I can keep that computer with CS6, LR4/5 and all the other image related software completely isolated from anything, even the internet. Heck a decent Mac Mini is a few hundred dollars and can keep your current software running indefinitely. Third, I used to run a VM and Parallels and it isn't worth the effort or performance hit, but I told you that in the thread you started about doing it.

I have been waiting for the Mac Pro announcement to see what the future brought, the smart answer, for Apple users like me and most other CC avoiders, is to get a current Mac Pro via refurbished or end of line, upgrade them as needed for pennies and they will run for years. The only "issue", eventually, might be running current versions of LR to keep up with new cameras RAW files if you don't want to do the free DNG thing.

The Chicken Lickin' hysteria that has surrounded the various Adobe announcements really is quite amusing. They can't come into your house and stop you using what you have already, what you have today will, for 90%+ people, work for a few years at least, the scene could well look very different at that time.

15

EOS Bodies / Re: Patents: New 50mm, 85mm & 135mm Lenses

« on: June 11, 2013, 08:36:11 AM »

I still predict we won't see any MkIII lenses until the big megapixel camera is out.


Nice to know they are coming though.

Only one of the four, the 85 f1.2 is for a MkIII lens, the other three would only be MkII's.

The 135 patent is not IS, indeed only the 50 f1.4 contains enough elements and groups to be IS but it is a stretch.