Messages

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Lenses / Re: What would you do if you had $2000, a 5DII and no lenses?

« on: June 14, 2013, 05:16:01 AM »

I'd ask everyone else what 2 do because I just went out and dropped a dime on something and don't know what I'm doing.

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EOS Bodies / Re: 6D Autofocus not impressive

« on: June 12, 2013, 07:32:22 AM »

thanks 4 posting the brochure. And for those who repeated the already well worn wisdom of what a 6D is for.

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Lenses / Re: Tele for backpacking

« on: June 03, 2013, 07:42:51 AM »

As an owner of the 300 f4 IS L and having recently seen some gorgeous shots with the 2.8 version I would rent the latter if u don't want to run out and spend dough for one trip. The f4 is a fine lens. Never used the 2.8 and the shots I saw may be off the charts because of the photographer which always carry the most weight subjectively speaking but for the time and money and memories go for the best. BTW, the 300 on a crop is not as long as u may imagine.  For small birds it won't due unless you're camped in a blind which to me isn't worth it on a backpacking trip. So my only suggestion is to go long or not at all. While some will say they have very good results with a 2x tele I've never read at least from any knowledgeable source it is even close to the 1.4. Pop it on the 2.8 and you've got a decent distance. Luck.

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Canon General / Re: Seabird colony - change lens or not?

« on: June 02, 2013, 07:27:43 AM »

I'd take one lens each time I go out knowing in advance what I'm looking to do. Of course depending on the area where one stands is unknown to me I would choose the 2.8 and not bother with the 70-200. I would prefer a wide angle prime instead but the 17-40 is compatible with what u want. I wouldn't bother with your issue of changing lenses because it implies u don't know what you're doing. In any event I'd long or not at all in which case I'd have a 500 and leave the driving to someone else.

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EOS Bodies / Re: 7DII and D400 Specs

« on: May 30, 2013, 05:08:33 AM »

Sharpness comparisons r interesting up to a point. Looking at a National Geo book of "Simply Beautiful Pictures" are hundreds of fantastic shots and not one of them is nearly as encumbered as the shots of the back yard birds with the notion that pixels are more important than the context as described by the author which includes light, moment, subject etc. In fact the first few pages are literally filled with what beginners and neophytes and those captivated by the cost of a lens believe are completely dull shots because there is no sharpness involved. None of the pictures of sharp shots can be found at the Smithsonian. Now they may appear after much digital editing in a magazine for emphasis. But to buy a lens based on its apparent sharpness is to lose the efforts of photography and make no use of ones skills and talents. If it were than merely spending money would encapsulate the total equation of "superior" shots. It ain't that at all.

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Lenses / Re: Help with Long Lens + Backup Body choice for Iceland

« on: May 27, 2013, 07:57:39 AM »

You should buy the 500 or 800. They'll go well w/ your equipment. In fact get both so u never run short.

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Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Olympus OMD EM5 or 6D

« on: May 22, 2013, 07:59:09 AM »

Someone recommended a BlackRapid shoulder strap to replace the OEM strap from Canon to make carrying the DSLR and lens combo around on a trip. It is easily the best suggestion I've gotten from forums. Now I can let it rest near my waist and off one shoulder and across my chest for a substantial reduction in neck strain and improvement in comfort. Is it the perfect solution? No but it sure helps when u need to carry one dslr with a heavy-ish lens and u can live w/ just one lens for practical purposes.

As for the OM-D EM-5 it seems to be more than adequate and has lots of legacy lenses to go with it. I personally am holding off on switching brands because I doubt one can get real value out of the sale of used lenses in which case I prefer to wait for a quality adapter. The prices I've seen for refurbed are already much lower than original retail. It just doesn't pay for me to buy and sell because ultimately it's a losing proposition. Take care in your purchases and use your equipment wisely.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: SL1 or Fuji X-EX1 or Sony Nex 6?? Would like your thoughts

« on: May 21, 2013, 05:50:48 AM »

These r the kind of questions which start arguments and make divorce lawyers wealthy. Dump the old gal for the young spirited model who just fascinates u with her sleek lines and taste in lenses. If u really like the Canon u have I agree with others: stay the course and buy another Canon to find a second home 4 your lenses. But if u want to experiment w/o getting rid of your soul mate than pick up a new one at the corner store and take her for a spin. There is no answer. Only u can decide. Is the IQ good enough? How's that DR. What's the ISO capacity? That's all old school. You want the latest. You know what. Open the wallet and get yourself the one u've been eyeing. That's the only way u'll ever know.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Am I crazy to sell my Canon gear?

« on: May 21, 2013, 05:35:25 AM »

Have u gone bonkers? No just kidding. People ask themselves from time 2 time if they're going in the right direction. Fortunately 4 u it's not a career. With a little perspective and insight u'll discover or re-discover why u went into photography 2 begin w/. Is it the semi-pro fatigue that u weren't discovered so 2 speak by Nat. Geo. or Glamour or SI or some modeling agency or creative director at JWT? Or just got bored. Didn't find the stimulation and intrigue captivating anymore? Or did time just catch up and you feel different or some other psychological event of nature took place? Obviously I can't pin it down 4 u and I suspect u don't want to "share 2 much" on a forum in the blog-o-sphere.
Is it simply u fell in love w/ the wrong equipment or the new idea has taken root and now that's what u really wanted all along. I think u have shared a thought that's all 2 common for hobbyists. Personally I like to point the finger at the marketing departments. For as little as - fill in the blank- u can become the next brilliant whatever. Make your friends admire u even more. I'm just kidding.
It maybe that u don't like taking pictures which r supposed to be ready 4 prime time, and u simply prefer a fun camera. U don't want to enter the PopPhoto contest anymore. U don't need a $12K lens so u can get a close up of a kestrel. Whatever it is you're not alone. If it weren't for u and thousands like u and I share your consternatin from time 2 time, Canon would be forgotton. Why do u think they continue to add fairly useless features every year and spend zillions on announcing the new item will blow u away? Of course u know why. But I wouldn't sell the equipment just yet. The 5Dc ought to last u into the next decade despite all the promises of each succeeding iteration. Think of all the truly serious amateurs and pros alike who dive deep into ebay to locate a legacy lens. There's still value in your purchase to swap out and try something else just 4 the sake of it. Sorry I can't be much help but it's really up to u to decide.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Unimpressed with 6D + 24-105. Am I doing something wrong?

« on: May 20, 2013, 03:10:15 PM »

If u want to test cameras u'd do well to check out the results on dpreview under different ISO ranges. The 6D is an entry level camera useful for some things but really not a bargain unless u feel u must have a full frame. I would hope its DR is far superior and more important than ISO numbers up into the 5 and 6 digits. Their tests are very useful and u might find that for your circumstances you don't need an ISO over 1600-3200. Most cameras regardless of marketing departments really shouldn't surprise one that they're absolutely useful at low numbers but rather not as u reach the heights of their speculative and questionable tests. Now if a camera was passing its limits below 800 I'd be concerned especially if you need to take shots of bands in clubs as a living. Lighting is the most important thing perhaps to good results and while u are testing specifically high ISO one might find it more useful to compare them under your average shooting conditions because that's when u'll be most often using it. Just because a truck has a speedometer that goes up to 140 doesn't mean to suggest that's a good idea under any circumstances.

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EOS Bodies / Re: The Future of EOS M [CR1]

« on: May 06, 2013, 08:03:45 AM »

The mirrorless offers from other manufacturers opens up the field for some photographers. While I have never seen a Leica at an NFL game or a MLB game I imagine there are a lot of retail shops in LaJolla that sell their products. When all is said and done the mirrorless don't offer much compared to a dslr for still shots. It's more a gimmick at this point. But I have seen the best results with the EM-5 and I attribute that to the photographer. If u go Canon u want to be able to buy lightweight lenses. Of course u can use your already owned but lightweight black is the idea for being unobtrusive. The RX1 is something only Sony could dream up and find someone to buy. U can get a D800 for the price. The 4/3's offer the largest number of legacy lenses from assorted sources, but when u start adding it up you're back up to a FF if u go picking among the possibilities. However, for hand held lightweight travel w/o the use for a big tele I think they hit the spot. Right now the 5D3 is by far the best out of the box camera offered which almost anyone can use to get good results.

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Lenses / Re: A Walk Around Lens for a Trip

« on: May 01, 2013, 01:34:10 PM »

My adult children visited Israel last year as part of the Israeli Birth Right visit. It's a two week tour staying in various locations being escorted by guides who are largely made up of IDF soldiers who have chosen to make this there gift back to the State of Israel once they complete their compulsory tour of duty. They used a phone camera. What they learned and what they took back with them in their hearts will be remembered long after the pictures figuratively fade. Sleeping in the desert and witnessing a falling star; speaking to Israeli farmers and towns people who are daily the target of missiles from Gaza not to mention the Holocaust Museum and the photos of nearly every person who died there being remembered with a picture as a view to the future. That the past led us thru this misery and the future of Israel is what is truly Zionism- that being a strong Jewish nation not a diaspora of Jews led to their graves. Never Again. I wish u well but what you and your congregation live and learn and memorialize in your tradition is the best "picture" you'll have.

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Lenses / Re: Anyone upgraded from their 24-70L to 24-70L MKII?

« on: May 01, 2013, 06:16:24 AM »

I don't know which is "better" aesthetically or under a microscope. But if you perennially return any brand lens maybe there's another problem.

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Canon General / Re: That's my money you are profiting from Canon!!!

« on: April 24, 2013, 11:50:52 AM »

to think a multi-national has "your" money is a joke. They wouldn't know if u were dead or alive unless u owned at least 5% of the common. So much for your L list.

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EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Upgrading...Canon 60D to...GH3

« on: April 23, 2013, 07:32:42 AM »

Pros for Panasonic are weight, and numerous lenses. Cons: selling your Canon will leave a dent. That's the marketing skill of admen. Addressing the 60d low light and ISO: they r fine. If anything the only difference in that sensor and a full frame Canon is more often than not the 6D/5D3 will give u the uumph that the 60d can't. As for low light the 6D may only depend on the user because samples from amateurs online are mediocre at best to very good and you're not spending much less than the big one. The 6D is an entry level camera and that is sheer nonsense. It's going to make a lot of buyers have remorse than didn't pull the trigger on the D800 or 5d3. That's a financial decision and that's not the best way to choose. So I'd look at the OMD-EM5 and NEX 7 or the XPro1. it's very hard to get objective about these unless u've rented them and used them for a considerable time. For this much of an investment in time and energy and mostly satisfaction and enjoyment it may pay to rent it for a weeks vacation and shoot a thousand or more shots in different conditions. Once u take it off the lot that car is worth a lot less. But if you're serious about the 5D2 I'd look at the 7D also. It's easily as good if not better and resolution for size is not the equalizer. It's the quality of the sensor. Look over the list of lenses u can buy with whatever choice u make. Unless u shoot in bars or a cave all the LL talk is foreign to me. It's a delicate subject that some users brag about when there is nothing else for them to say.