Messages

361

HDR - High Dynamic Range / Re: Post your HDR images:

« on: November 20, 2012, 11:30:08 PM »

Hi All,
HDR is like Marmite/Vegamite - you either love it or hate it.
Me - I'm a fan , I like it can do to a scene to make it pop .
I accept though that others don't like. I think it's pretty fair.
It can be overdone and doesn't suit everything.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fergalocallaghan/8204550572/#in/photostream
This is my attempt at one. Would love feedback (postive or negative ).
Kind Regards
Fergal

That's pretty cool...has a Steam Punk kind of look to it....

What tools did you use for that? What kind of exposure bracket?

C

362

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Do that many people use Live View for pics primarily over normal Viewfinder?

« on: November 20, 2012, 11:27:42 PM »

Ok, thanks.

What ya'll have indicated, are the few times I used LV....on tripod, getting zoom in for focus on things at times manually...etc.

I was just getting from some things I read, that many seemed to be saying they were using it for hand held...and using it primarily over the viewfinder...

C

363

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Do that many people use Live View for pics primarily over normal Viewfinder?

« on: November 20, 2012, 05:25:02 PM »

I've been reading some posts here, and a thought occured to me...seems a lot of people, more than I'd have thought...are mentioning regularly using Live View for stills.

Now, I use it  when doing video, it is kinda forced on you...but for stills, I've rarely used it...in fact, I really don't know how to get most of the settings I want on it yet, planning to sit with manual over the holidays and read up on that.

But I primarily use the regular old view finder, to see focus, use metering there, etc.

When shooting stills, I only really take the camera down from eye level to look at the back to maybe play back an image or two when I'm not sure of the exposure...

Anyway, just curious how many use the Live View primarily when shooting stills, and if so...why? What's the advantages?
It seems a little awkward for me...to hold the camera out in front of me, and at that angle to me, not as easy to spin the shutter speed wheel, or dial the aperture on the back...etc.

Why do you like it if you use it?

Thanks in advance,

cayenne

364

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Rokinon 14mm f/2.8

« on: November 20, 2012, 05:18:44 PM »

I just received my Rokinon 14mm today from Amazon and I wondering if someone could help me figure out how to use this lens. I've never had a manual lens and I guess I thought that live view would help me figure out what shutter speed to use while I am in M mode. I guess I was wrong and that makes sense given that my 5d Mark ii doesn't know what aperture the lens is at.

I am wondering if their is a more accurate way to get the exposure right besides trial and error. Also, what is the best way to test this lens and make sure I got a copy that is sharp corner to corner? One last thing, how can I tell when I am at infinity (I have heard that the markings on this lens aren't always the most accurate).

Thanks in advance!

I just ordered mine.

I borrowed one of these at an arcade fest in Houston a few weeks ago...was pretty fun and my first time using a manual lens like this too.

I rarely use live view (I've not actually figured out all the controls on it yet, will do that over xmas holidays)...but I just would set the 14mm to an aperture I wanted...experimented with different ones, but this was dark and no flash so mostly wide open.

I would then look through the view finder and click half way to see the meter, and then adjust my shutter speed till the meter showed a correct exposure, and most all of what I took was just fine.

I've just started looking at them in Aperture 3 to do a little PP..and they look great so far, exposure was pretty spot on, not much adjustments there. I've not tried to get any programs to adjust the distortion, but from what I'm seeing and what I was shooting..not really seeing any bad distortion, not like if you were shooting a brick wall where it is more apparent.

But like I said, I would just set the aperture, and most of my shots with it, I got the focus set to infinity, and then just metered through the viewfinder, adjusted the shutter speed (I set ISO to whatever seemed right)...and clicked away, just using the meter in the viewfinder.

HTH,

cayenne

365

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Shooting in B/W

« on: November 20, 2012, 05:13:35 PM »

Unless you have no way to convert it in post, no it is not worth doing directly.  Shooting in color gives you options when you convert to black and white.

Err...if you're shooting in RAW (isn't everyone these days?)....you should still have all the information if you want, so even if you set the camera for B&W the RAW image if you bring it off..you can turn it back to color if you want....RAW should have all the information no matter what 'format' or style your shooting in...right?

I did not know that 7D shoots RAW VIDEO

D'oh!!!

I was thinking stills...not video.

I ate too much today at the company potluck..sleepy and didn't notice this thread was with regard to VIDEO....

Please ignore...   

366

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Shooting in B/W

« on: November 20, 2012, 04:21:25 PM »

Unless you have no way to convert it in post, no it is not worth doing directly.  Shooting in color gives you options when you convert to black and white.

Err...if you're shooting in RAW (isn't everyone these days?)....you should still have all the information if you want, so even if you set the camera for B&W the RAW image if you bring it off..you can turn it back to color if you want....RAW should have all the information no matter what 'format' or style your shooting in...right?

367

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Rokinon 14mm f/2.8

« on: November 20, 2012, 03:50:35 PM »

Hmm...I was about to order from them...and they're charging me SALES tax for the state of LA?

What's the deal with them charging sales tax?

368

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Black Friday-> Red Thursday? (FS VIP Sale)

« on: November 20, 2012, 03:37:04 PM »

i would not go to best buy since i have to pay tax there.  most best buy sellers lacks of experience on camera technology and there are no variety camera accessories for you to pick.  i would check either of the two following:
1. samys in costa mesa, or
2. samys in fairfax

whichever closes to your location.  in addition, i think that samys offers no tax throughout holiday season (currently going).

best wishes on your hodiday shopping/upgrading

I pretty much ONLY order online for things like this....to avoid the nearly 10% tax. That adds up with $3K cameras and $2K+ lenses....

I would never be caught dead in the black friday sales crowds. I'd rather have some cocktails, watch football on tv or hang with friends. I'll order online....amazon prime and free shipping are my friends, I merely click, and people get their gifts. Easy peasy.

369

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Rokinon 14mm f/2.8

« on: November 20, 2012, 02:30:59 PM »

$299

http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-rokinon-wide-angle-lenses

I"m not familiar with groupon...are they reputable? Trustworthy?

370

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Off-Topic Fun: How are YOU spending your Black Friday (week)

« on: November 19, 2012, 01:24:44 PM »

She has one of those "last few weeks" memories.

I'm still trying to figure out a valid algorithm to get myself another car 

I always go by the "Golden Rule"
He who make the most gold, gets to make the rules....

371

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Off-Topic Fun: How are YOU spending your Black Friday (week)

« on: November 19, 2012, 01:22:06 PM »

For those who shop online, its Cyber Monday when the best deals happen.  Last year, some of the best deals on photography equipment happened the day after Cyber Monday.
You can also play chicken and see if prices will drop further.  They did last year, Canon really dropped prices as December wore on.
 <snip>

Anyone think Canon will extend the current instant rebate on their lenses through December...? Drop the prices any further...?<P>
I'm wanting to pull the trigger on the 70-200 f/2.8....but waffling if I should do it before EOM here in NOV, or wait and see a bit more.....

372

Lighting / Re: So, only the 600EX-RT Flash is compatible with the Canon ST-E3-RT controller?

« on: November 19, 2012, 12:16:31 PM »

Some are getting the inexpensive Canon 90ex flash ($150).  It will act as a master and control other flashes, so you could get it and a 430 EX II for a low cost beginning outfit.
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-6825B002-Speedlite-90EX-Flash/dp/B008NF8998/ref=sr_1_4?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1353259315&sr=1-4&keywords=canon++flash

Wow...just looked at this...looks promising, especially since I could likely pick up some used 430's...
I'm guessing, these work not by radio, but something called 'optical linking'...is this correct?

How does this work? Does everything have to be line of sight? I'm curious how difficult it is to do this if say, you had a couple of 430's on stands higher up than the crowd, say near a DJ stand at a wedding, on either side of you with your camera (with the 90EX) in the middle, slightly forward  of them all pointing at a dance floor...

Would the slave flashes be able to 'see' the master controller? I've not been able to find a good description of how the non-radio controlled flashes worked....?

Thanks for all the great info!!

cayenne

373

Lenses / Re: How long are the current lens instant rebates slated to last?

« on: November 17, 2012, 03:07:27 PM »

The rebates have been going continuously for several months, and continue to get larger.  Don't worry, they will continue until the economy gets better.  Look for some really good deals in December.

Yeah...I'm just kinda startin' to lean towards doing that.

I was debating just getting the 70-200 f/2 L II last day of this month...make it my Xmas present to myself....but with gift buying for others, etc.....I might just risk it and see if they extend it again....

C

374

Video & Movie / Re: Real Estate Video 5D mkIII Bower 14mm, 60D Tokina 11-16mm - Luneta Drive

« on: November 16, 2012, 07:24:00 PM »

I thought this was another nice one you've done.

What did you do for lighting..was it all natural....even for the announcer shots? Any reflectors?

Looks like pretty much all wide angle lenses...what all did you use?

I could see use of slider.....was there some steady cam too...or did you smooth out the 'walking' shots in PP?

Thanx,

cayenne

375

Lenses / Re: How long are the current lens instant rebates slated to last?

« on: November 15, 2012, 06:53:58 PM »

According to Canon, current rebates will end Dec 1st. They might extend it through Dec though.

Darn...was hoping to buy in late Dec...use some possible Xmas money coming in towards it....