Messages

31

Lenses / Re: 100mm 2.8L Macro IS as a portrait lens

« on: January 25, 2013, 03:36:44 PM »

The 100mm macro has harsh bokeh past macro distance. It should never be chosen as a portrait lens.
[/quote]

I have extensively used the 100mmL IS 2.8 for portrait work and have never experienced harsh bokeh. I have recently loaned it to my daughter who is using it in her capacity as a professional portrait and fashion photographer (Pandora'sThoughts.com), to compare with what she already has and she loves it. It would absolutely be my choice at the price it is.

32

Lenses / Re: Advice..what lens

« on: January 25, 2013, 12:24:19 PM »

Absolutely the 24-105 as a kit with the mkiii. I did it this way and have not looked back an excellent lens with great versatility. The price will fall well within your range on todays prices.

33

Animal Kingdom / Re: Zoo Pics 2

« on: January 12, 2013, 02:39:41 PM »

LA zoo

34

Software & Accessories / Re: Black Rapid and dropped camera?

« on: January 07, 2013, 02:41:19 PM »

I have had the R Sport version for some time now and used it with 5d 111 and 70-200 2.8 without a problem. I find it comfortable to use.

35

Portrait / Re: Post your best portraits(street, studio, candid etc...).

« on: January 01, 2013, 12:46:46 PM »

The square in le Jiang China

36

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Monopod & Head recommendations

« on: November 12, 2012, 07:34:39 PM »

If you are looking for price with quality take a look at Benro. I use their carbon mono and tripods and have found them all well built and great value for money. I use the monopod with a 5diii 300 2.8L without problem. I would only say that I prefer the clip lock rather than the twist lock.

37

Canon General / Re: Why you should take your camera to family Weddings

« on: October 25, 2012, 03:04:04 PM »

DCM, had you been at my first wedding it may have been my only one.

I had a personal friend take the photo's, he was quite talented and very excited about being asked. Some two weeks after the wedding I asked how long the photo's would take, he sheepishly backed away whilst telling me that he hadn't had enough money to buy any film ( 1980) so there were none. I asked the obvious questions, he explained he was too embarrassed to ask for money for the film and yes we did all the shots you would have expected. I then spent days calling everyone who was there trying to scrounge up some pictures and we ended up with around 10 or so. Needless to say the marriage ended as it started in disappointment and upset, so my advice would always be, if you have a camera, take it as you just never know what might happen.   

38

Lenses / Re: Portrait Lens

« on: October 01, 2012, 07:03:44 PM »

I have both and prefer the 100L for Portrait although the 24 to 105 is a very good lens indeed, either will serve you well. Consider the 135L which is one of the best lens out there at a very good price. As your intending to go full frame any would be great

39

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Any update on 1DX / 5D3 AF point display?

« on: September 25, 2012, 07:30:53 PM »

Just a question... I have a 5D3 and two 1DX's... I back button focus (which really makes no difference other than I'm VERY conscious of focus...)

I've "roughly" followed this "problem" (I had two 7D's prior which had the same set up... so I really don't understand...) and I can kinda see people's concern... I am normally shooting at night, under horrible lighting at baseball and football stadiums (thus why the 1DX's...)... is there a focusing problem that you're experiencing because the focus points are dark or is there something else that I'm missing?  I routinely shoot a school who's colors are black and orange... I use a single focus point that changes if I'm landscape vs. portrait... I know where the spot is, I know I have to get it on the player... I know the spot will grab focus where I need when I have the subject framed how I want... if there's nothing there for the camera to focus on it won't matter if the point is neon pink the camera won't grab focus... if there IS something, my three bodies are grabbing focus (albeit the 1DX's grab it far quicker than the 5D3...)....

Am I missing something? Are you moving the focus point around that much under that poor of lighting conditions that you can't find the point?  If the lighting is that poor, are you getting it to focus?  Or are you concerned if it's focusing?  I'm just not getting it... I've been with the black focus points for two weeks shy of three years... I'm really not quite understanding the problem.  Help?

I agree, I have been using the mkiii for around 5 months and to be honest i have got used to it now and don't find it a problem

40

Software & Accessories / Re: Recommendations needed for Compact Flash cards for 5D Mk III

« on: September 20, 2012, 11:32:01 AM »

I use the SanDisk Extreme Pro 16gb @ 90MB/S I have never had a problem with the buffer on the 5d mkiii. I can say I have used the 60gb and they are fine but at 90 you do notice a difference. If you can afford it spend the extra.

41

Canon General / Re: Buy canon gear from the States (for Europe)

« on: September 13, 2012, 12:19:33 PM »

Just two things about the prices that are being mentioned and customs.
In the UK the price includes VAT and in the US the price doesn't include sales tax that would be added at the point of sale, this varies by State, in California its 8.75% . You can try and claim it back but good luck with that, its likely you will have died of old age by the time you receive it.
I travel frequently between Los Angeles and Heathrow and can't recall the last time I saw a customs officer in the customs zone   

42

Lenses / Re: Renting a Wedding Lens

« on: August 30, 2012, 01:59:35 PM »

A 70 - 200L 2.8 is ii is my go to lens and will give you great all round result especially at the set shots

43

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: EOS 5D3 - shooting first wedding on Saturday

« on: August 29, 2012, 12:22:24 AM »

Set your shutter to silent mode. I usually set an upper limit on the ISO dependent upon the light. Have plenty of batteries for the flash and keep the flash on the camera. If the lighting is poor inside the reception see the organizer and see if their is a chance to raise the lighting. Don't be afraid of getting in the way of guests to get the shot as the bride won't thank you later. Absolutely check out the church and reception area and a place for shots of the couple. My last wedding with the help of the hotel we found a garden which was both empty and beautiful which made for some really nice shots of the couple. As its your first do a list of the important events during the wedding and reception and don't be conservative with the number of shots you take, you can always delete it but never retake. Take more than enough high speed memory cards. I hope thats enough to be getting on with.

44

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 1DX vs. EOS 5D MARK III for Weddings,

« on: August 23, 2012, 02:31:02 PM »

Do not underestimate the silent shutter. I recently shot a wedding as second shooter with a 5d mk3, the primary shooter was using a 1d mk3. After the ceremony I was asked by the bride why I hadn't taken any photo's in the church, I explained and showed her some shots on the LCD, she was amazed as she had heard nothing. 

45

Portrait / Re: Quality of Portraits

« on: August 16, 2012, 02:18:26 PM »

I have found this question being asked often and its always about work done that is not a primary source of income. If you are selling photographs full time or part time you should quote
An hourly/daily rate
Travel expenses
Re-touching by image cost.
Additional expense- printing, books, CD's ect.

Don't forget when you work out your hourly rate to consider - Equipment Depreciation, Insurance in particular. But all or any costs associated with your work.

If you are happy just to do it for fun, thats fine, but if you are going to charge then cost it properly otherwise it could be tears at bedtime if someone drops beer over your camera, "oops sorry" and thats $3,000 lost on a $5 job.