Topics

1

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Less talking and more shooting

« on: June 10, 2012, 07:16:37 AM »

Without wanting to get flamed, I just want to say that I see too much discussions here about what lens, what camera, what gear etc here on the forum. Its nice talking about the gear but to be honest, if we are talking too much then it means we are not shooting.

The bodies and lenses are there to be used on the field. I just got back from a 6 weeks backpacking to SE Asia. Took all the gear I built up over the past few years, that is, my 5DII, 16-35 II L, 24-70 L, 50 1.4 and 70-200 IS. I used to talk a lot about my gear, thinking what to use to shoot a particular afternoon stroll. But when I was out there, I just had my camera and 1 or 2 lenses with me for the day. The lenses got dirty, camera survived a typhoon, and at the end of the day that is what it is all about. The gear is there to be used on the field, out there. And I shot what ever I saw with what ever gear/lens I had with me at the time. Forget about deciding whether you need the 50 1.4/1.2/1.8 or 24-70 with or without IS, when you are out there, that is the least thing you think about. You just shoot. And you shoot with what ever equipment you have with you. And yes the lenses will get dirty, dust will get inside, UV filters might crack, but afterall that is what shooting is all about. I also had my compact digi cam in my pocket. I got some great shots without my 5DII. You dont need the latest lens with a flat MTF chart with IS and the 5DIII, its not all about the equipment.

So if you find yourself talking about a dust speck on the inside of your 50mm you bought 2nd hand from ebay and thinking if you need a 1.2 or what case/bag you might need just for that one time afternoon garden party next week, I really think you are talking too much, and not shooting enough. So go out there and shoot. Get your hands dirty, get your gear dirty and only then will you get some great photos.

2

Lenses / Carry Canon L lenses out shooting. Which pair would you usually carry?

« on: April 04, 2012, 06:57:11 PM »

Finally I have completed my kit. It is composed of:

5dMKII
16-35mm f/2.8 MKII L
24-70mm f/2.8 L
Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 OS
Sigma 50mm f/1.4

I'm very very happy with what I have. And theres going to be so much to learn. Im taking these travelling. Im planning to take only two lenses maximum when I'm out. Preferably not taking both L lenses ( not putting both eggs in one basket).

Which pair would you take for various situations? The 24-70 + 50? or the 16-35+50?

Does the 16-35 go well with the 70-200 without the middle range? Reading this forum, the 16-35 is more preferred to the 24-70 it seems.

thanks for your advice/experiences.

3

Lenses / Canon 16-35 MKII or Nikon 14-24mm Manual Focus?

« on: March 31, 2012, 09:27:39 AM »

I have recently upgraded to full frame to a 5DMKII. The good news is that I can now shoot with my 24-70, 70-200 and 50 1.4 on the FF body and its been a very pleasant experience.

I have also sold my cropped body and my beloved cropped body wide angle lens. The sigma 8-16mm. Its lovily piece of kit. Sharp to the corners and gives nice colours. The only down side is that it is a bit slow at 4.5 and it is not FF.

Im looking for a full frame wide angle lens and have considered the 16-35 MKI and MKII. The MKII isnt perfect, and at this price, it is comparable to the much better 14-24mm from Nikon. I have heard that you are able to shoot with an adapter. Anyone can give any guidances what this adapter is and how much it costs.

I have been toying with the thought of getting the Nikon lens and shoot with manual focus. Be interesting to hear from anyone who has actually done this. I am buying this lens for a travel lens. So I will be shooting most of the time out and about everywhere, which means the AF would be really handy for fast shots.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / How do you store your gear when not in use?

« on: March 28, 2012, 07:19:26 AM »

My gear has exploded over the past 6 months as Im getting more pro. This means I had to buy a big camera bag to put all my lenses and accessories in.

However, I love to hold my camera once in a while. It is an addiction. I like to take it out and have it seen in my room. Its like a decoration! the 5DMKII + battery grip with a L lens on there. Say the 24-70mm. At the same time, each time its out, I feel it's getting dusty lol.

where and how do you store your gears? And if you put it in a camera bag, do you usually take off the lens and put the body cap on the body and store them seperately?

5

Third Party Manufacturers / Travel tripod help!!

« on: March 20, 2012, 12:37:13 PM »

New to tripods. But its high time i need one. My gear is now complete. 5DMKII, 24-70, 70-200, 50 1.4 and a wide angle zoom coming. So now I need a good tripod.

Been recommended the manfrotto 190proB. This is the one I had in mind. Good tripod, 3 legs, strong, not too expensive.

trouble is I'm going backpacking. So it is quite long and I cant carry it. Ideally Im looking for something that is SHORT. ie it fits into the large side pocket of a backpack. Which might mean I need to compromise for a 4 legged one. And one that is reasonably light as Im carry it the whole time. Backpacking for 6 months means i need to carry as little as possible.

any suggestions?

6

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Backup body for dangerous areas

« on: March 18, 2012, 10:18:01 PM »

Yes, thats right. Going backpacking. Got my 5DII. Sold my 450D for some extra cash. I got some good L glass and sigma 50 1.4. Plenty.

Now, Im going to some dangerous areas, or even safer places but places I dont feel comfortable taking out my 5DII and Sigma 1.4. Hence the idea of taking a muggable-backup body + a lens came about.

Im thinking of taking this body + lens for night walk abouts or just dangerous places during the day when I can possible be mugged lol. The ideal pair would be the 550D + Sigma 30 f/1.4 for a nice walk around. But it is pretty expensive. Esp the lens.

So... Im thinking of a 400D + Canon 50 1.8. The 400D because it is the lowest camera I can go down that has a screen big enough so I can review my photos. The 50mm 1.8 for lowlight/walk around. The whole kit is £200 2nd hand. Quite a bit, but nothing close compared to losing the 5DII and sigma 1.4.

Another idea is just bring a point and shoot as backup. That is possible, my logic is that taking a cropped body could help with telephoto shots with those lenses.

suggestions are welcome.

7

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Third party batteries for the 5DMKII

« on: March 18, 2012, 06:14:43 PM »

I recently just acquired the 5DMKII and currently looking for extra spare batteries. To my shock, the new genuine canon batteries are £45 on amazon. Very expensive for my budget if I wanted a couple. Third party batteries for the 5DII are less than £10 each. Does anyone know if these are just as good? Im going travelling and will carry 2 batteries. one is always a back up. when the genuine one dies, I will put in the back up, use that for the day and then charge up the dead one ready for the next day so I only need a battery that will last me 1 day as a back up.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Finally I pulled the plug and bought a 5DMKII

« on: March 17, 2012, 02:31:15 PM »

I bought a 5DMKII this week after months of waiting. I couldnt take it any longer and I just cant wait any longer for the price to drop. So I bought it. With a battery grip.

WHAT A RELIEF!!!!! WOOOSAAAaaaa! Amazing camera. For people who are waiting for a good price for the 5DMKII I feel for you guys. But Im glad I did it. Everyday was making me unhappy.