Topics

1

Lenses / 70-200mm f/4L IS USM for $629 at RitzCamera -mistake or fake?

« on: May 06, 2013, 01:29:49 AM »

Likeacoupon.com on facebook posted a link to the 70-200mm f/4L IS USM for $629 at RitzCamera. I thought at first perhaps the link was rigged so I googled RitzCamera and saw that, still, the f/4L IS is even cheaper than their 4L non is listed! I've been to RitzCamera brick and mortar stores but still this seems fishy.

Thoughts?
http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/541161824.htm

2

EOS Bodies / diy ideas on how to protect camera from rain?

« on: April 06, 2013, 12:59:49 PM »

Hey y'all! So next week I'll be shooting a tournament outdoors. It is likely it will rain but I still need to shoot. I'd be using my rebel XSi and 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II lens. The latter is weatherproof -so I don't need to worry about covering my lens right? but I can't say the same for my rebel.

Any ideas on making a makeshift dslr rain cover?

3

EOS Bodies - For Stills / upgrading from rebel xsi: T4i or used 7D

« on: October 20, 2012, 04:05:15 PM »

Last night, I was shooting sprint football in awful lighting. Unfortunately, my rebel XSi could only go to 1600 ISO and even with the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II, the photos were very underexposed. The itch to upgrade is getting stronger!

But I do not want to spend over $1000 for a new body.

At this point, both will be amazing improvements over what I have now. But I need your help in deciding between the two of them. The 7D has great AF but the T4i has a newer processor -and if that means less noise, then that's going to sway my decision.

4

Canon General / when/how to start a photography business?

« on: October 08, 2012, 02:37:30 PM »

Hi! Haven't been on this forum for a while!  now that I'm in college and always strapped for cash, I'm hoping to make some money with this beloved hobby.

I've been shooting since sophomore year of high school(portraits, sports, wildlife). Shot homecoming/prom portraits for dirt cheap(Free to $10) for friends and friends of friends. But here, now I have a fresh start to set prices and not worry about friendships getting in the way.

Any tips on starting out?

5

EOS Bodies - For Video / upgrading from XSi.. what to choose?

« on: July 25, 2012, 01:50:08 PM »

Hi! It's been a while since I've been on canon rumors and didn't keep up with all the new models and stuff. So I need help! =)

I've had my XSi for 3yrs now(first and only DSLR) and while I love everything about it.. I'm having the video itch. A while ago, I planned to upgrade to the 7D once it gets off market so its cheap but then I watched a video of the new mirrorless camera and like how easy it is to focus during video mode and how i just need an adapter to fit all my lenses. It's smaller and cheaper.

I mainly do portraits, wildlife and sports if that helps. I'll still use the XSi for photos if I do get the eos m since i want a viewfinder but then wouldn't the money be better spent for something like the 7d?

ahh can't decide! help!

6

Lenses / 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II chromatic aberration

« on: May 26, 2012, 01:15:50 PM »

Since getting the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II last winter, this lens has been the most used lens. It's my first L and I love everything about it... except the chromatic aberration. One of the specs on the lens was that it was improved to minimize chromatic aberration. I guess 'minimize' is the key word because to me I feel like there is a good deal of chromatic fringing -equal to the amount I get from photos using the 55-250mm based off my experience.

But maybe I expected too much and maybe if I used the 55-250mm the color fringing would be even worse. At first I ignored it but lately when I edit photos, those purple fringes are really annoying. But I could be overreacting.

I'm not sure exactly how to do a 100% crop so I'm print screening what I see at 100%. This is unedited:
http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/7417/cafringing1.png

7

United States / High school Prom Photo shoot ideas/advice

« on: April 23, 2012, 12:10:10 AM »

I haven't been on the forum for ages but I'm still active with photography. Next month I'll be doing prom pics for my friends!

I've improved since the homecoming shoot(a former post)... but my pricing hasn't got a chance to and I think it should change for prom. $5 for non friends and free for friends was the rate for homecoming. Here are a couple of my favorite shots:
http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/981/img5054editcr.jpg
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/4876/img5085editcr.jpg


How much should I be charging? We are high schoolers though. Middle class area. I've also gotten a request for a prom shoot for $5-$10 per person at our rival high school (one girl who came to my homecoming shoot moved and her friends saw her profile pic)

And any tips on group poses? I have ideas for couples but I'm still going to have to look through more on image portfolio sites for group guy/group girl shots to keep things different.

Any other words of wisdom?

8

EOS Bodies - For Stills / What makes a photographer, a photographer?

« on: January 18, 2012, 03:05:12 PM »

Just outta curiosity.. I've always wondered..

Let's say you have a person who just set his camera for a shoot. He fiddled with the settings and walked off to blow his nose. Then his kid/cat/dog/friend pushes the shutter button.

The person later post processes all the pictures including the one he didn't "take".

Who is the photographer of that photo?

Just had a curious thought. heh heh

9

Lenses / got first L lens from B&H, now what to do with kit lens? and first impressions..

« on: January 04, 2012, 02:14:38 PM »

I'm sitting next to the 70-200mm f/2.8 l is ii box that the UPS people delivered from B&H! First time ordering anything from B&h. bah, is it normal for the box to have punctures? but that would be ups' fault.

upon opening, the box is HUGE!(up to this point i have the canon rebel xsi with the 55-250mm, kit lens and the 50 f/1. I never have seen a lens box that big, but its lighter than i expected. and luckily the lens box didn't get punctured.

First impression of the lens: it is ICE COLD. I don't have the heater on (FL here) but hopefully no condensation forms. Fudge, condensation is appearing on the outside.  its been 30 mins since it was delivered. i think i'll keep it wrapped in plastic and in the bag. i don't know much about lens condensation except that it is bad. but the lens itself is a beauty! can't wait to try it out!

now I am thinking of selling the ef-s 55-250mm IS mk i. but i have no idea how to go about it like pricing, shipping (im thinking of craiglisting it to avoid shipping but that would mean smaller audience) and stuff. Tips?!

10

EOS Bodies / tips on getting started shooting in raw?

« on: January 02, 2012, 03:09:03 PM »

I've always shot in JPEG. I've considered shooting in raw many times but based on things I've read like it will slow down continuous shooting mode and the hassle of of needing special software to edit/view and stuff made me avoid it.

But since I spend so much time editing anyways and reading all the pros about RAW is making me reconsider it.

Does it really slow down continuous shooting?

I haven't installed DPP yet but will processing raw images be better in DPP or Photoshop Elements 7.0?

any tips/resources on getting started in shooting in raw?

11

EOS Bodies / HD video on a non-HDSLR?

« on: December 04, 2011, 09:41:02 PM »

This is probably old news to y'all but I just happened upon this article:
http://lifehacker.com/5595455/turn-your-non+video-canon-dslr-into-an-hd-video-camera?tag=camerahacks&autoplay

and was really excited at the possibility of shooting video on my XSi.. yet as i read in the comments too, is it risky for the camera's sensor since it must be done with Live View?

Has anyone tried this?

12

Lenses / How do you prevent lens fungus if you live in a tropical, humid state?

« on: December 02, 2011, 09:09:09 PM »

Hi! I saw the term lens fungus for the first time on this forum and wondered what it was. Well after googling and reading many threads on other sites, I'm feeling slightly paranoid! xD
 I checked my lens using a flashlight method I read about and didn't see any telltale spores.. although a bunch of random dust particles..

Currently I just keep everything in rebel gadget back that came with my xsi and I keep a couple desiccants in there. (today i just checked on the desiccants, saw how inflated they were and dried them)

How long does it take for a lens to start catching The Fungus? I've had my stuff for 2 years.

and

How do you prevent lens fungus if you live in a tropical, humid, rainy state?

also

Are L lenses fungus proof and they are sealed and stuff? (I don't have any yet, just curious)

Thanks for reading! =D

13

United States / Homecoming pics, tips?

« on: October 16, 2011, 05:52:16 PM »

Given, that my friends weren't going to hire a pro photographer anyways, I offered to take photos for them. It'll be good practice for me for portrait photography and since it will be free -they can't complain!

But I'm looking for tips. I've been looking at flickr and stuff and what I really love in some photos is how, even in the evening, in a dark background, their subjects just pop! and the subjects aren't flooded with yellow light either.

I'm pretty sure they are using flash.. Is it fill flash? what exactly is fill flash vs regular flash and do I do anything different with my camera? I hardly ever use flash.. but i think it is time to learn!

How can I get my subjects to pop so perfectly? do I need to go out and get a better flash? all i have is the pop up flash on my xsi. If thats the case what can I do without flash? Maybe I'll get one in time for prom pics.

Thanks for reading!

14

United States / Upgrading lenses

« on: September 19, 2011, 09:11:26 PM »

Hi! I am an amateur photographer that mostly focused on flying birds when they come into the area. But now, I'm thinking of shooting some high school night football games (time while I spend waiting for the birds to come back).

However, given the lack of light, and the uncertainty of being on the sidelines(although I'm going to try!) I am not sure if my ef-s 55-250mm mk 1 will be able to serve me well. The fastest lens I have is just the nifty fifty f/1.8 but I will need the zoom. and then I have the kit lens....

What lens should I look to be saving up for first, keeping in mind that I mainly to birds and now trying to get into night sports?

I'm looking for a light lens(to handhold) that will allow me to take photos with little noise/blur. Which lens do you recommend?

Meanwhile, any tips on using the 55-250 for football?

Currently I am using the Canon Rebel XSi -my first dslr, acquired 2 years ago.

Thanks to all who read! =D