Messages

1

EOS-M / Re: Eos M my first impressions!

« on: May 31, 2013, 08:44:43 PM »

+1on question re being able to turn display off?!?

Alos, how do you deal with POV change with different lenses??

I've been enjoying the M mostly due to the ML firmware.  And for me it turns out.. if I just have it with me in the bag... it stays there... with the 5D3 - its never just "in the bag" - I'm shooting...

2

Street & City / saigon...

« on: May 16, 2013, 01:44:11 AM »

Partially in follow up to the "how not to get beat up during street photography", and partially, because I have never been to Vietnam...

This is a work trip (in studio from early morning till night - and no, not a photo studio) in early June for about 10 days...

It is unlikely that I will have a chance to venture outside the city as the schedule is very tight.. so I am thinking just limiting myself to 5D3, Sig 35 1.4, and the 135L.

Overkill? Will I miss 70-200? Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?

Thank you in advance!

3

Lenses / Re: Recommendations for a 180mm macro?

« on: May 09, 2013, 09:54:59 PM »

I've been using a 135L +1.4xII for stage performances lately with great success... not to hijack the thread, but would adding an extension tube to it allow for a usable macro combo?

4

Lenses / Re: Best shop & sharp prices in California (Van Nuys)?

« on: April 25, 2013, 05:11:59 AM »

Try CanogaCamera - very reliable local shop.

5

EOS-M / Re: To buy M or not to buy M?

« on: March 27, 2013, 08:09:57 PM »

Slightly annoying is the constant AF - feels as if it is thrashing any lens attached. Need to find out how to turn that off.

Looking forward to running ML for focus peaking.. this would be a great quick MF solution.

Need to do some tests with different SD cards - initial runs only showed a 4 frame burst sequence shooting raw.  Jpg keeps going ang going however.

Weekend is planned (after kids are in bed) - MagicLantern and intervelometer workflows.

6

EOS-M / Re: To buy M or not to buy M?

« on: March 24, 2013, 11:11:17 PM »

Just picked up an M w/ 22mm + EF adapter.

I was surpized at how un-inspiring the 22 is. But the EF adapter works great - although there is a little play beyween is and the body. (Tried 3 copes - all same).

Tried the 135/2 and SY8mm before the initial charge died.

I've also forgotten how much noise there is compared to a 5D3. 

While I may completely wrong, I'm looking at this as a manual focus / b-roll body.
I'll see how it goes and will update.  Please so far.

7

Lenses / Re: Sigma 35 or 135L??

« on: February 16, 2013, 11:38:23 AM »

This question is almost a hint of big brother watching - thing is - I've been using the Sig35/1.4 and the 135L almost exclusively for the last two months.

No weddings, but some events, production location shots, and the typical family w kids at home.

I've mixed the 135L w an x1.4 TC with ok results... and there have been the few occasions at a construction site where the 35 was just not wide enough.

Both really have me working to get the shot, and I am greatful for that.

In short - go for both if you can, then decide what to sell off to compensate.

8

Third Party Manufacturers / D7000 replacement in April...

« on: February 04, 2013, 01:57:18 PM »

Nikon rumors puts the d7000 replacement for April...
I'm betting that canon will play catchup as we've been seeing of late, and they will be forced to push out whatever pre-prod version of the 7d replacement by May.

What I'm really hoping for though is that Canon doesn't bite, and starts to lead with their own timeline...

9

Lenses / Re: EF 24-70 f/4L IS Resolution Tests

« on: February 03, 2013, 03:23:51 PM »

The more I think about it, the more the 24-70 f4 seems like a replacement for someone moving from a crop+17-40 to FF ... with a bit more range.... but the price kills the deal.

10

PowerShot Cameras / Re: The love for AA size batteries

« on: January 29, 2013, 09:23:39 PM »

+1 on AA for battery grip as backup power.

I used this little adapter to save myself a few times.

Yes it was more cumbersome but worked great. Also helped a great deal when filming all day (casting tests) - 4× batts for 5D2 & 7D - the recharge was not keeping up with the usage by the 2nd half of the day. Swapped to the AA for thw grip on the 7D - and we were able tto finish off th3 day without issues.

11

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Should I go with a 6D or a Mkii while they're cheap

« on: January 28, 2013, 01:31:23 PM »

Power went out during my son's birthday tonight and so I had to crank the ISO to 5000 and shoot with ambient light.  This shot is straight out of camera, ISO 5000, 1/50th second shutter speed at 70mm (Tamron 24-70mm VC):

(Even at 100% the grain looks like about ISO 800 a generation ago)

Nice pic. Im still trying to save for 6d. Your 24-70 seems a very nice lens.

6D is a great camera.  It is popular with some to bash it without trying it, but other than a couple minor quirks I find it to be a great camera - it is my favorite that I have used so far.  By all accounts it is capable of as good of image quality as just about any Canon ever.

I have been really happy with the Tamron.  I have no problem recommending it.  I would recommend buying it from a reputable retailer that will let you exchange copies if necessary.  There seems to be some sample variation, particularly with early copies.  I felt my first copy was not entirely on spec, so I exchanged it for a second that I have exceptionally pleased with.

Has anyone kept track of the serial number (ranges) of the returned / NG Tamron 24-70 VC ??
I'm wondering if we can get some sort of guideline of the range yo avoid.

12

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 6D + 24-105 vs T4i + 24-70 II

« on: January 14, 2013, 05:57:46 PM »

Consider the 6D with a Tamron 28-75 2.8

Bought it originally for my 7D when I could not justify the cost of the 24-70, but enjoyed it a great deal. Fell in love with it again when I added the 5D2 to the mix. Sold it only because I had to provide a good general lens when I sold the 7D.

Its a great lens for 1/2 the price of a 24-105. Nice center, but you need to work with the vignette in post upto 4.0 if you're not into those types of images.

Tried the 24-105 a few times, and while a nice lens that gets results, it never really inspired me. I always felt that its a bit laking in character - almost brilliantly sterile. Great for a 1 lens setup.

As stated above, the 6D will give you much more joy than a rebel series body. No sence in spending $£€¥ on a compromise now if you're planning on going FF - it seems that your decision has been made. While I still really like my 600D, the 5D3 gets a 30:1 usage ratio based on meta data stats.

13

Lenses / Re: Prime Lens for 6D

« on: January 10, 2013, 01:02:21 PM »

I've both the 40 and the 50 1.4.

I find that for me, they are different animals.

I'm not sure if its the size or the optics, but with the 50 1.4 I tend to be very hands on, opening wide, adding NDs to stay open in full light, turning the manual focus, lots of futzing, lots of joy.

 With the 40 its more of a photo journalistic.  I'll set it and go - 5d3 in M, ss=100, ap=3.2, auto iso 100~12800 and forget about it. Feeling free to hand the camera to almost anyone to take a shot once I've set the AF to a simpler mode. The 40 fly by wire mf is kida sloppy, so I'm never there.

I enjoy both, and as previously stated in this forum (multiple times) - you can't go wrong with the 40's price point.

14

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Sigma Launches the 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM

« on: January 08, 2013, 04:41:17 PM »

Would this lens work with a canon 1.4 extender??

15

Lenses / Re: which one

« on: January 08, 2013, 04:38:24 PM »

Don't mean to hijack this thread...

I love the 17-40 on 5d3, and strongly recommebd it. I've tried the 16-35, but the benefit was negligible for me.

I have been searchin for a 15mm 2.8 fish for over 6 months though, and have started to think about the 8-15  though.
In the mean time cropping away at the Samyang 8mm T3.8 due to its massive vignette on ff.