Messages

226

EOS Bodies / After DPREVIEW of D800 would you still get the Canon 5d mark iii?

« on: May 09, 2012, 08:57:07 AM »

I purchased the 5d3 a month ago and love it but sometimes the images can be soft and the focus system tricky. I was curious how dpreview can still say that the noise is even better controlled than the 5d3. Basically they do not say in anyway the 5d3 is better except the focus system and fps but really thats not much. Any thoughts?

227

Lenses / Re: Going to Disneyland and San Diego and need lens help

« on: April 27, 2012, 12:02:35 AM »

Within the past three years I have been to WDW twice, DL once, HK Disney once, and all of the parks in SD.  In terms of Disney, to be honest I would not take a DSLR there.  I took my 5D2 with me in the past and found it more cumbersome than usual.

There were admittedly times I was glad I had it.  The 5D2 + 50/1.4 were very useful for photographing + videoing the night show at California Adventure.  The 5D2 + 16-35 were also very useful in HK Disney - where we were chosen as Grand Marshalls for the day and were paraded across the park.

On our last trip, though, I only took my Fuji X10 and it was by far the best choice I ever made.  It is small enough to fit in a pocket and takes great pictures.  Here is a set of shots I took with it there - http://www.flickr.com/photos/calevphoto/sets/72157628607245971/.  I really felt sorry for the poor souls lugging around DSLRs while trying to hold their kids hands and go on rides.  I have done that myself and it just isn't worth it.

For San Diego, that is a bit different question.  For SeaWorld and LegoLand I would only take my X10.  For the zoo and animal park, you'll really need a DSLR + decent lens.  I used my 70-200/2.8 II quite often for photographing the animals and even added my 2x III extender a number of times.  Of the lenses you list the 70-200/4 IS would probably be the best bet.  You should also consider adding a 1.4 extender.  You could just take a 24-105 if all you're really interested in is family shots and not so much the animals.

Thanks I think I may bring it for some of the trip and get a g1x or s100 for the rest. I may even rent the 70-200 for San Diego. Still really want the 50mm but waiting to see if any new lenses surface.

228

Lenses / Re: Going to Disneyland and San Diego and need lens help

« on: April 25, 2012, 07:24:38 PM »

I think you are going to find that the 24-105 is going to provide a good range for your trip.
I shot my trip to Disney with the 16-35mm on a 40D (24-55mm effective focal length). This allowed for the best "in the moment" photos as we were very close to the kids all the time; the wide angle provided a good opportunity to include the various venues in the background. We did have two other cameras with us, point and shoot, and got some good candid photos from them.
If you want to get closer, rent the 70-200mm f2.8 for the week. Just note that there are really not a lot of good opportunities to stand back and take a long shot at the park (without passerby interference).
Curious to know what lens you used with the 60D.

I went to WDW last year twice. I first went with the 18-200mm and that was nice. I later went with the 15-85mm usm and brought the 18-200 and only used the 18-200 for the lights action stunt show. otherwise the 15-85 covered everything. I used the 270 ex ii speedlite since it was the perfect travel flash. I would have loved to try the 17-55 but I did not own it then.

Now that I have the 5d3 I want to make my decisions that will help for the trip and all the other family shots. I just may get the 50mm 1.4 or the 28mm 2.8 coming out and rent the 70-200 f4 is for the trip and see how it does. Some of me is considering just bringing my current setup for the important pictures and getting something like the Canon sx40, g1x or sx260 for my zoom needs. This way I will not have to bring out the dslr for every shot but the money spent on that could go toward another lens. What would be a good travel companion when the dslr is just too much or you want a  pic but fast and then go back to the family.

229

Lenses / Going to Disneyland and San Diego and need lens help

« on: April 25, 2012, 08:41:41 AM »

I just bought the canon 5d3 with 24-105 and came from a 60d. I am having a hard time looking thru old pictures finding affordable lens choices for my upcoming trip. I have twins and will be taking shots of about 4-6 people during group shots and then the scenery shots.

I only have a $1500 budget.
I considered the following but can only afford one option
24mm mkii
35mm 1.4
70-200mm f4is

230

EOS Bodies / Re: Photography Course

« on: April 19, 2012, 11:45:47 PM »

Thanks for the suggestions.

231

Software & Accessories / Re: Laptops for photo editing and other use

« on: April 19, 2012, 11:22:16 PM »

I do it. I was down that same path recently. There are not many choices under $2k. I ended up with the HP envy 17 3d model. It has a 17.3" led radiance tn panel. It has can display 72% of the rgb color gamut which is really good for a laptop. It is well built and comes with all the goodies like backlit keyboard and blu-ray. It also has a msata ssd for your os and apps. There are still 2 bays for standard hard drives so you could essentially have 2tb of portable workspace. I found editing in LR was way better with the larger screen than the 14 or 15.6" panels. Either way you can calibrate it with a Spyder pro and really have a great machine for well under $2k depending on your configuration. It also has a bright 120hz panel and it's is better than any other laptop display out there except your HP dream color ips notebooks running in the $3k + range. There are many more features. I have the hp17-3090nr model. Apple is not the only way.

232

PowerShot Cameras / Re: Anyone have the g1x and are happy with when your dslr is not around?

« on: April 13, 2012, 11:39:48 PM »

Would it be better for a vacations vs my 60d or would I regret it.

233

EOS Bodies / Re: Not sure if I should upgrade from Canon 60d to 5dmkiii. Please Help !!)

« on: April 13, 2012, 11:36:26 PM »

As has already been posted, if you want it buy it...(if you can afford it).
You state that you have had the 60D for three weeks, which is about the time the 5Diii was released (22/04/12), maybe you should question why you didn't buy it then, you state you love the 5Diii, but you haven't been using it...are you sure it's not gear envy?
The 5Diii is a great camera, but for what and how much you shoot I think the 60D will fill your needs.
I use a 7D as well as a 5Diii, high ISO noise on the 7D can sometimes be annoying, but if technique is correct (exposure) with some PP in LR/PS/DPP etc the noise can be dealt with.

Sorry I have had  the 60d since intro. I have had the 5d3 for three weeks. I just think the noise is hard to deal with and the images can be soft at higher iso's. I do have to be realistic too.

234

EOS Bodies / Re: Not sure if I should upgrade from Canon 60d to 5dmkiii. Please Help !!)

« on: April 13, 2012, 10:44:30 PM »

Before you take the plunge, let me give you a tip.
Spend a few bucks on a 6ft Vello Flash cord
If you don't have a flash, get one (you would need it for the 5DIII anyways, no pop up)
You don't need the latest and greatest flash, any ETTL will do.
Use the flash OFF CAMERA with your left hand....keep shutter speed slow (play with it...maybe 1/20 or 1/30)
The OFF CAMERA FLASH will freeze your subject and the slow shutter speed will expose the background.

What most people don't understand....natural light isn't what makes a picture look better, it's having a light source that is anywhere but ON CAMERA.

Thanks I have a 430ex ii. I will try that.

Welcome....then you are one step ahead....your flash is better than mine 

Just curious what were your settings for that shot?

235

EOS Bodies / Re: Not sure if I should upgrade from Canon 60d to 5dmkiii. Please Help !!)

« on: April 13, 2012, 10:27:49 PM »

Before you take the plunge, let me give you a tip.
Spend a few bucks on a 6ft Vello Flash cord
If you don't have a flash, get one (you would need it for the 5DIII anyways, no pop up)
You don't need the latest and greatest flash, any ETTL will do.
Use the flash OFF CAMERA with your left hand....keep shutter speed slow (play with it...maybe 1/20 or 1/30)
The OFF CAMERA FLASH will freeze your subject and the slow shutter speed will expose the background.

What most people don't understand....natural light isn't what makes a picture look better, it's having a light source that is anywhere but ON CAMERA.

Thanks I have a 430ex ii. I will try that.

236

EOS Bodies / Re: Not sure if I should upgrade from Canon 60d to 5dmkiii. Please Help !!)

« on: April 13, 2012, 09:37:27 PM »

Would probably help if you told us:
1. How often you use it
2. What subjects you most often shoot
3. The conditions you shoot in
4. What focal length(s) you most often shoot

Gladly.
Shoot at least 3-4 times of month for experience and exploring my creativity. Also about 20-30 times of normal family events like birthdays, easter, christmas, vacations etc.

My wife and 4yr old twins 95% of the time the rest nature and landscape

based on my crop lengths 17-55 mostly. I definetly could see getting closer to the kids and the cats if I had a zoom like something 55-200 (crop lengths) since I do a fair amount of cropping.

I shoot outdoors fine but haloween, christmas, disney night time parades and indoors both day and night prove to require iso above 800 in order to get my family in natural light with a low shutter speed.

Finally the awb is terrible indoors. I am constantly adjusting in post but that's another topic altogether.

237

EOS Bodies / Not sure if I should upgrade from Canon 60d to 5dmkiii. Please Help !!)

« on: April 13, 2012, 09:16:04 PM »

I have placed a few posts talking about which lenses I wanted to get with my new Canon 5d mk iii. I just found out that in order to get it I would have to sell my current Canon 60d with 17-55 2.8, 15-85mm variable aperature. I would also have to put in $500 more out of pocket than I can afford right now. I have had it for three weeks with a 30 day return option and I love it. It is the kit. I am just not sure if its worth the extra $500 beyond the already sizeable investment. I have an upcoming trip to San Diego, CA and I really wanted to learn this camera so I could be comfortable with it buy August.

My first question is should I just go for it with the added expense?

Keep my setup and sell the 15-85 and buy the 70-200 f4IS & maybe the 50mm 1.4?

Or a third suggestion?

I am just trying not to make an emotional decision since I love the 5d3. I know a lot of you suggested invest in glass so now is the time I am seriously considering that over the full frame option.

My main gripe is the iso performance above 800 on the 60d which is why I was looking at it.

238

Lenses / Re: Your Most Used Lens!

« on: April 05, 2012, 11:48:50 PM »

Ef-s17-55
Its fast and tack sharp. I love the low light performance on my 60d. I do wish they made a 55-150 to pair with it at 2.8 aswell.

239

Technical Support / Digital Media Backup

« on: April 05, 2012, 11:12:00 PM »

I current use an on site server and SOS online backup but I find my collection growing to large for what they want to charge for the next tier. What are you using out there to backup your digital collection of stills and video?

240

Technical Support / Where do you print your picture's?

« on: April 05, 2012, 11:10:37 PM »

I have for the longest time used 6 ink Canon printers on good glossy stock or used walgreens but the pictures look like they where taken with a $100 p&s. I was curious what you guys are using for printing? Who has the best high resolution prints?