Messages

526

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Solution for 5D Mark III Changing Default Write-to Card

« on: June 10, 2012, 06:16:58 PM »

Cool but more chance for dust and dirt to enter the camera.  It's a good short term solution until it gets properly fixed.

What makes you think it's 'broken'?  AFAIK, it's been that way on all the 1-series bodies which have dual slots - I rather think it's that way by intentional design, not error.

True, but with the 1-series, aren't BOTH cards the same type...CF?

I was hoping for an option...to be able to direct video to one card, still to the other..but I've not found how to do that...   

C

527

Lenses / Re: What to look for when buying a used lens in person...?

« on: June 10, 2012, 02:58:27 PM »

Its absolutely impossible to test a lens mounted to a camera for subtle issues like sharpness or decentering, you can verify te AF works, Iris stops down, manual focus and zoom rings work smoothly, and that the glass is clean and clear, and general condition.
 
I also evaluate the seller.  Does the seller appear to be knowledgable about the lens, why is he selling it.  If the seller does nor know anything about it, thats a red flag.  You can often, but not always tell if a seller is lying.  Do they have the original receipt, etc.

Thank you one and all for the great primer on evaluating the lens.

It is VERY rainy out here in the New Orleans area today...met in a coffee shop to evaluate the lens.

Nice young kid, seemed to be interested in photography...big hobby of his. He's wanting to sell some zooms like this one and move into primes.

Seemed a nice kid.

Front and rear elements on the lens looked nice....motor seemed to move from infinity and back quickly...no discernible noise. Body of lens was in good shape...no scratches or anything. ONly thing really that showed any dings or wear, was the hood itself, and I'm ok with that.

He didn't have the pouch that goes with it....and he forgot to bring the UV filter he had for it...said when he gets back on this side of the lake again, he'd try to remember to bring it and holler at me to meet him for it.

Anyway, I think I'm very happy with my purchase.

As per the other thread, this is the 17-40mm f/4 L. I got it for $500 even.

I had been wanting to save a bit more and get the faster 16-35....but I think I got a good deal on this one, and this will give me wide angle to play with for awhile.  I might even look into keeping this  one, and saving for the 14mm to get something faster and even wider.

Anyway, from my research and feedback on this forum (thanks guys!!) this looks like a good deal, and likely as not, if I find I want to...I should be at least able to get my money out of the lens if I wish to resell it.

LOL...I'm guessing some of the tables of girls in the coffee shop were getting a little self conscious with me shooting all kinds of pics of them with my big camera, etc....gotta go back through and look at the images to see if any keepers...

Thanks to all!

C

528

Lenses / Re: What to look for when buying a used lens in person...?

« on: June 10, 2012, 11:16:37 AM »

Are you looking at the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM?  The 70-40 doesnt exist so I assume that is a typo.

Yes...typo....17-40mm

C

529

Lenses / Re: What to look for when buying a used lens in person...?

« on: June 09, 2012, 11:16:34 PM »

Meet outdoors in daytime - better conditions especially for a slower lens.  Test AF, shoot sky and see that vignetting looks symmetrical, shoot something flat with detail across the frame and check that the corners are similar (equally sharp or less sharp). Check the zoom and focus rings move smoothly.

Thank you one and all...making notes for when I meet tomorrow afternoon.....

Please, if anyone has further suggestions...keep posting them!

C

530

Software & Accessories / Re: 5dmIII RAW processing - LR4.1 vs Aperture 3 vs DPP

« on: June 09, 2012, 07:47:40 PM »

I get stuff turned around really quickly in Aperture and it is what I'm comfortable with (I've used it since it first came out), but for NR and lens correction and PS integration LR wins. I strive to get things right optically so I don't need LR, and my images have a different look to them from your typical because I don't use LR's features and most do.

I was about to buy Apeture...but wondering if I should hold off at least till Monday for Apple WWDC, to see if they are putting out Apeture 4.

I'd hate to buy #3...and have #4 come out in a couple days....and me have to spend MORE money...to get whatever improvements come out of it?

Also, question to those that use apeture.  Do you edit your RAW in Apeture...and then export to TIFF. It almost sounds from others' posts here...they export to TIFF then do post processing. I thought you did your post in RAW...and then exported to TIFF or jpeg for printing...etc?

TIA,

cayenne

531

Lenses / What to look for when buying a used lens in person...?

« on: June 09, 2012, 07:41:22 PM »

Ok, I've decided to go try maybe the 70-40MM f/4 lens I posted about earlier.

I'm supposed to meet him and examine the lens tomorrow (Sunday) and if it looks good....buy it for $500.

As you might guess...I'm a 100% noob. I got my first DSLR (5D3) last month.

I've never bought a used lens before...so, what should I look for when examining the lens? What kinds of questions should I ask?  As I understand it..this person bought the lens from someone else, so it is at least a 3rd party buy here.

I'm guessing to look carefully at the rear element for scratches? How much is too much? Front lens?

I'm bringing my camera to hook it up..and see how it works, but as a noob, aside from taking some shots to see if AF works....what else should I look for? I'm meeting in a public place....I figure smart for a high dollar item and cash transaction....etc.

Anyway...thoughts on buying a used lens from someone in person?

Thanks in advance, I truly appreciate all the input and advice I've gotten here so far...

cayenne

532

Lenses / Re: Canon 17-40L lens for $500...good deal?

« on: June 09, 2012, 01:30:54 AM »

One other variable.

I bought my camera from crutchfield and got in on their double rewards points.

I have just less than $500 worth off next purchase from them...that would knock down the 16-35 quite a bit.

I am about to look at the 70-40 tomorrow.....I'd almost settled to get it...and then, maybe save for the 14mm wide angle later...but crutchfield doesn't carry that one, so, I'm reconsidering.

Maybe I should wait one more month..put another $500 or so with my current $500...and get the 16-35 for about $1100....


Decisions, decisions....

C

533

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Bought a 5D Mark iii Today (YAY)

« on: June 09, 2012, 12:08:41 AM »

Hope you enjoy it.  Is this your first 'serious' camera, or are you upgrading from another DSLR? [I'm not going to criticize anyone's decisions, I'm just curious because of old arguments on the forum before the 5D MkIII was released]

I hear what you're saying, but I've seen this question before, I just wonder where/why it comes up!?!

Why would it possibly matter to anyone why the 5D3 or higher would be anyone 'first' camera?

Everyone out there, has different levels of disposable income. To some people, buying a Porsche is the same thing as someone buying their first Toyota.  Usually, at least to my observance.....people usually jump into anything they buy, at the highest level they can comfortably afford.

I've posted here about my first ever DSLR camera ever...I got the 5D3...and just could not understand people that seemed to actually deride me for not buying something much cheaper or of lessor capability.

If one can afford one, whether easily or has saved (I'm honestly about half way in this one) for a $$$$ camera like this.....why is there any question whatsoever?

I wanted to start with the absolute best I could afford...and learn and enjoy it for years and years to come.

I guess I just don't' understand the mentality of why someone (and again, with your disclaimer, not pointing the finger at you on this) would even think to come up with the question of asking why they started with a high level toy/tool?

Do you walk up to everyone person with a Ferrari, and ask them if they started with a Kia?

Sorry...I love this forum, but this is the ONE thing that has just caught my attention, and made me very curious where this type of mindset comes from...I've honestly not encountered it before on any interest or forum I've ever been on..and I'm not a spring chicken.


C

PS....Congrats on your new camera, and WOW...what a cool first set of pics to take with it!!!  I know you'll enjoy it...I'm just overwhelmed and having a blast learning about the camera...both for video and stills and how to edit both stills and video.
If you're anything like me...this is going to open up many years of pleasure of learning for the future....I love learning new things....that are fun!

534

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon 5D MkIII difficult assignment. REALLY low light show coverage issues.

« on: June 08, 2012, 10:04:27 PM »

I enjoyed all the photos too.

I LOVE hi-fi, me!

It was my money-drain before photography.

I noticed the pair of Spendor speakers; I used to have SP1 speakers before I got burgled and some **** stole them.

Those ones look kinda like the size of SP1s, but with only 2 drivers like SP2s.

Now I use Dynaudio Audience 52SE, which are smaller and have less bass, but awesome mid and treble.

I'd use electrostatics if I had a bigger room.

Once I've finished buying photo gear (heh, yeah... ), I wanna go back and put more dosh into the hi-fi and get a nice valve amp. Used to have QUAD IIs when I was 18-21 but sold them as I was a poor student. TDP has reworked the QUAD II into a new version, or I might just think about getting one of his own EAR amps.

But I still have at least 3 lenses to buy! Extender 2x, 85Lf/1.2, 24-70LII.

With me...photography looks like an additional money drain.


I have 50th anniversary Klipshorns....running off a couple of Decware (budget when I bought them) SET amplifiers....
Some day..will find some good classic McIntosh tube amps....and I'll be complete...


And now, I'll be able to take quality pictures for insurance purposes...next time a Katrina comes close!!


C

535

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: 5D MK III Pano work

« on: June 08, 2012, 10:02:04 PM »

last night !!!

Wow...what all did you do with that shot?!?!

Very cool!

536

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon 5D MkIII difficult assignment. REALLY low light show coverage issues.

« on: June 07, 2012, 01:30:45 PM »

The main problem seems to be that you didn't match ambient and flash in color.
Tripod and HDR would have been another solution.

I don't see this assignment as so difficult.

about matching colors - thats something that is really simple to do.  just buy a set of rosco gels for like 10 bucks.  it comes with 100 or so in varying colors.  then, match the flash with the color temp of the lights in the building.  make sure you shoot in raw, because you will probably have to seriously adjust the white balance afterwards unless you set a good custom white balance.  that way the light from the flash doesn't stand out as a white light against yellow, blue, or green (depending on the light source).  if there are fluorescent, tungsten, halogen, and sun while you're using your flash then good luck.

Sorry for the extreme noob questions...but how does one go in 'matching' the color of the room lights with a gel? Is there a meter you use to find the room light color temperature...and use a chart to match it to a gel?

Thanks in advance,

C

537

Lenses / Re: Canon 17-40L lens for $500...good deal?

« on: June 07, 2012, 01:28:52 PM »

I found this lens for sale local near a friend of mine that I can get it for me....

From pics..appears to be in good shape?  But this is a f/4 lens..right..so, much slower than the 16-35, right?


I had been saving for a new 16-35mm L.....maybe I should pass on this and save my pennies a bit longer?

I'm just so anxious to get something wide angle....I've started off with the kit 24-105mm....and got the 85mm 1.8 too...but need something for more wide angle now....and I'll be good to go for awhile...

Cayenne

Well f/4 is only one f/stop narrower than f/2.8, so really if you don't need to shoot below 4, then I'd go 17-40L for a good lens and much cheaper.  You have to decide why you would need, for yourself, below f/4.  I have the 16-35L II and as luck would have it, I've never shot the thing below f/11!!!  I've only been shooting wide landscapes with it.  This is where I could be using the 17-40L and have saved $1k.  Who knew?

Well, in addition to landscapes..I was also thinking of needs for some lower light indoor shooting that I need...for stills AND video...my kitchen is small, and I thought the wide angle zoom, would help me in some of my cooking show video shots....so, maybe I do need to wait for that 16-35mm, as that extra stop might prove to be important for that...

Decisions decisions....

As a noob, I've never sold a lens before obviously....how hard is it to sell? Is it better to see yourself (like this person is), or to one of the online places like KEH, etc?

Thanks for all the input!!!

C

538

Lenses / Re: Wide Angle Lens Recommendations

« on: June 07, 2012, 01:24:34 PM »

For best IQ, 24mm Prime, otherwise the 16-35, which is really an excellent lens. I use both, and love them!

Thanks for all the feedback!!

I think for my immediate needs, will start with the 16-35mm.....after that, likely going mostly all primes...like the 24mm or maybe save and get the 14mm, or one of the tilt wide angle primes.

cayenne

539

Lenses / Canon 17-40L lens for $500...good deal?

« on: June 06, 2012, 11:32:25 PM »

I found this lens for sale local near a friend of mine that I can get it for me....

From pics..appears to be in good shape?  But this is a f/4 lens..right..so, much slower than the 16-35, right?


I had been saving for a new 16-35mm L.....maybe I should pass on this and save my pennies a bit longer?

I'm just so anxious to get something wide angle....I've started off with the kit 24-105mm....and got the 85mm 1.8 too...but need something for more wide angle now....and I'll be good to go for awhile...

Cayenne

540

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Recommendations for first budget tripod/fluid head kit....?

« on: June 06, 2012, 06:59:34 PM »

The issue with low cost tripod heads is jerky pans.  Unfortunately, the good ones are very! expensive, so get the Manfroto, its low cost and will not win any awards, but its at least competent.
 
Then, someday, you can get a Oconnor.  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Brand_OConnor&Ntt=video+head&N=4291309161
 
And the legs  are cheap by comparison  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=oconnor+tripod+legs&srtclk=sort&Ns=p_PRICE_2%7c1&N=0

I think I may go for the manfroto...just looked, on amazon.com is about $204 from them (if it gives another seller, look at the other offers). The one from amazon also has a mail in rebate off THAT for $35 additional dollars off.

Sounds like  a perfect start for a noob!!!

C