Messages

1

Lenses / Re: I have a weight limit....what would you bring?

« on: May 17, 2013, 11:59:07 AM »

Interesting statement about the 40mm vs high ISO. I personally would never go on a trip like that without a fast lens. To me that's strictly a DOF issue and has nothing to do with low light capabilities.

If my goal was to capture mostly people and their places I'd take the 50 and the 24-105. If it's more about landscapes and interesting interiors I'd take the 50 and the 17-40.

From my set when I want to go small I usually bring a 50 and my 135.

2

Software & Accessories / Re: Adobe to Stop Making Packaged Software

« on: May 10, 2013, 10:30:28 AM »

Here's a question for Mac users out there:

I'm still on my old Windows machines and long overdue for an update on both my main desktop and laptop. I've postponed this and it's not going to happen before the Fall now anyway and there may be some new machines out until then. But I've pretty much decided to move to the Apple world given how much I dislike Win 8 (and Win 7 is not really great either in my experience).

Problem for the photo stuff (and this is why it's in this thread) is my Windows Photoshop license (CS5) that I (according to Adobe) can't transfer to Mac unless I go and buy CS6. Given what Adobe is doing here I'm now even less inclined to do this and would rather stick to CS5 and LR3 which I'm perfectly happy with until a new camera purchase forces me to something newer.

LR3 will run under Mac OS and that now has become (still surprised by that) my go-to tool for 90% of what I do. For the occasional open heart surgery I'd like to run CS5 on a Mac (probably will be a tricked out Mac Mini first) in either Parallels (preferred) or dual boot (if I have to) in Win 7. Is anyone using it this way here? How bad is it? I'd expect it to be still better than what my current old desktop has to offer but thought I might check first. I won't have a gazillion files open or anything like that.

3

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Need advice for getting a battery grip for the 60D

« on: May 10, 2013, 10:19:16 AM »

I've recently invested in buying a 60D
I need to get a battery grip

I was going to buy one from eBay for £25
My friend suggested I wouldn't be happy if the cheap grip became faulty and damaged the camera!

So... what should I go for?
There's only one branded (non Canon) that I have seen
Not a brand that I know, but sold in well known retailers

Thanks


Omar

I'd suggest going with the original Canon. From all I've seen so far what's available for my 5DII the Canon grip is still better than aftermarket. Not that it's a 100% perfect fit but at least the electronics are exact specs and the materials used are the same as on the camera (including buttons etc).

Yes, I understand they are a bit overpriced perhaps but then again this may otherwise be saving money in the wrong place.

4

Software & Accessories / Re: Alternatives to Adobe Software

« on: May 08, 2013, 03:26:23 PM »

Good post. I will follow this thread closely.

+1

5

Software & Accessories / Re: Adobe to Stop Making Packaged Software

« on: May 08, 2013, 03:25:33 PM »

Alright then. This is the final straw with the morons that have already a bunch of other products that were really good before Adobe got their hands on them.

I'll keep using LR3 and CS5 until I make a switch to Apple products by the end of the year and then that's it for Adobe products. They can shove it. And please nobody tell me what an excellent deal I'm missing out on or how this "pays for itself" for a professional/semi-professional. It's too expensive and it's stupid. I don't want a new and "improved" version all the time anyway. I've yet to see a reason to "upgrade" to CS6 or LR4 let alone sign up for a subscription or cloud service. Screw this.

Let's hope this gives a boost to competitors.

6

Lenses / Re: Canon 50 1.2 L

« on: May 06, 2013, 09:38:29 AM »

I just bought a canon 50 L lens and was checking it over this evening; I shook it lightly, and it rattled a little bit.  I also have to  micro adjust the focus on it on my 5D Mk III   15 points!!  Never had to do it that much with any of my other lenses!  On my 1dx I have to adjust it the same direction 5 points.   Should I return the lens? Or send it to Canon?  Or just live with it?  I need some advice from someone with a little more experience.

Mine doesn't rattle and I was fine leaving it at +/-0. I'd have it replaced. The latter doesn't matter much - the rattle does.

7

Lenses / Re: 35 & 85 or 50 & 100 for photographing kids

« on: May 06, 2013, 09:34:55 AM »

For kids in my opinion and experience 50L + 135L on full-frame. Hands down.

8

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

« on: April 29, 2013, 02:20:29 PM »

Can't they just make it a M9 equivalent for a quarter of the price of the Leica? I still want a "full frame" range finder with manual focus, optical viewfinder and two or three small, fast standard lenses (28, 55, 90). Shouldn't be too hard and would sell like hotcakes I assume.

And they could indeed recycle their FD mount with that.

9

Lenses / Re: 50mm 1.2L vs 35mm 1.4L for events photography...

« on: April 25, 2013, 05:06:01 PM »

I have to second what others have said about the focal length. The 35L is probably the slightly "better" lens in many ways from a technical perspective. But I bought the 50L simply because I wouldn't know exactly what to do with a 35mm lens. I always got the most boring and insignificant results with that focal length. Not really wide enough for "drama" (I'd go for 28 on that) but too wide for portraits (adding big noses and things when too close).

Carefully try them out though. There are probably plenty of reasons to love or hate either one.

10

Lenses / Re: Do you still love 24-105L?

« on: April 25, 2013, 04:59:46 PM »

It's good for what it is. I never loved it and always regretted not buying the original 24-70 instead when it was still available and only very little extra money. The results are certainly more than "good enough" but I never liked the f/4 limitation which makes it actually not a versatile lens for my preferences. I rarely ever leave the house with just the 24-105. It's good for studio style portraits though or anything else where you'd stop down anyway.

11

Canon General / Re: Boston

« on: April 16, 2013, 05:37:44 PM »

Hey guys! I'm sure you're all aware of the terrible explosions in Boston. Just another sign of how street photography can be dangerous sometimes, especially when we don't think about it and don't expect anything like that. I hope none of those who live in Boston or visited it yesterday got injured. Take care!

As a Bostonian I certainly appreciate this. Let's be careful though not to take the real and perceived dangers out of perspective. Despite the discomfort that we sure all feel at this point at the sight of trash cans let alone the 24-h "news" coverage of it we should not stop doing what we're all doing. The likelihood of falling victim to whatever insane kind of person responsible for this is pretty small compared to our everyday risks. You're very likely more at risk of being hit by a car or falling off a ladder still.

And I say this as someone who only wasn't right there at that time due to a scheduling conflict...

12

Canon General / Re: How do you buy equipment?

« on: April 16, 2013, 05:30:36 PM »

Good morning everyone, I would like to know how most of you acquire your photo gear, do you pay cash for everything or is there a way to finace some gear at a lower rate than credit cards? I save money as much as I can but things come up and you have to pay for stuff, and so I put my photography purchases on hold and it seems like it stays there forever. I have a full time job and I make money here and there from photography but its annoying borrowing equipment or renting all the time and missing opportunities for great shots or business.

Photo and music gear is non essential for me and at this point (for the most part) just a "hobby" (with the occasional paid gig but nothing major). So I save up for it or use "extra" money (if there ever really is such a thing) and literally buy with cash at local stores (at least the main pieces such as cameras, lenses, guitars, amps, etc). Some specialty items of course you can only get online but otherwise I like supporting the local stores and hand pick my stuff. The price difference is usually marginal.

What is it that you are renting (a lot)?

13

Lenses / Re: Which one to get?

« on: April 10, 2013, 04:11:38 PM »

Ever considered one of the wide-angle Zeiss lenses for that? Like the 21mm Distagon?

14

Canon General / Re: Resources on bottle photography

« on: March 30, 2013, 08:28:45 AM »

Very helpful: "Light Science & Magic" by Focal Press. Bought it by amazon.

+1. That book is a requirement.

15

Canon General / Re: 24-70Mk2 fell off my 5DMk3 and smashed

« on: March 30, 2013, 08:27:31 AM »

This reminds me - I need to have my new 24-70 II added to my list of insured gear (so I don't have to worry about 'financially how I can replace the lens and how soon'). 

Insure your gear, people!

Neuro,
If I remember it correctly you are located in MA as well, right? Who do you use for insurance?

For non-MA residents: things here are a little complicated when it comes to insurance since a lot of the affordable big companies such as State Farm don't do business here. And tagging anything to my home insurance is not an option either do to the proximity to the ocean. So I'm still going uninsured for my camera gear since everything I've seen as an option here so far came in very expensive (unlike my musical instrument insurance which is really surprising).