Messages

16

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

« on: January 10, 2013, 06:12:24 PM »

does it matter what my tripod connector plate at home is like (granted it's a non-prop $100 type one) that I barely use... or are the clamps usuable with many tripod mounts?

You need a clamp that's compatible with your tripod quick release plate(s).  If that plate is an Arca-Swiss type (which are used with ballheads from Acratech, Arca-Swiss, Kirk, Markins, Really Right Stuff, and Wimberley, among others), then any Arca-Swiss type clamp would work.  In that case, I'd go with the Kirk QRC-1 or the RRS B2-FAB-F.  RRS gear is only available directly through them, Kirk distributes through B&H, Adorama, etc.

What sort of head do you have on your tripod?
[/quote

I have a local camera store brand tripod made by Velbon. It is a copy of a "Sherpa" model tripod. B&H has the plate sold under QB-157. Not sure if that helps I can try and send photos. I am not sure if I should wait until I upgrade to A better tripod either ...

17

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

« on: January 10, 2013, 03:37:25 PM »

Ok Newbie question here-
So I am about to order a blackrapid sport, and was wondering if I should also be ordering a kirk clamp/plate etc to use the lock tite method discussed here.
My question I guess is, how do I know which clamp and/or plate to order? B&H seems to have so many options... does it matter what my tripod connector plate at home is like (granted it's a non-prop $100 type one) that I barely use... or are the clamps usuable with many tripod mounts?

SOrry if this has been covered, haven't seen it here...

18

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Inexpensive lens for Video

« on: January 08, 2013, 08:30:16 AM »

They aren't going to replace a consumer handycam.

The fast aperture primes really require you to be on the ball, or you'll end up with a lot of soft footage, and as discussed, the 50 f1.8 isn't mechanically all that friendly for MF in video.

I have a sigma 18-50 f28 DC Macro, which was reasonably cheap, bright in low light, and nice enough to use, nice wide zoom and focus rings, nice amount of throw.

I would think zone focusing...  Keep the lens wide, aperture small, hyperfocus and you shouldn't need to refocus that much for most run and gun type stuff.

DSLRs are great for video if you are prepared to do the work, they are not really replacements for automated family camcorders.

+1
Yes I have learned this in the few weeks since my post... bit the bullet and got my wife a new "handycam" after playing around with my DSLR and realizing it wasnt going to be her bag. That being said, I am having fun taking more videos with it now, as it was something I had never bothered to learn or experiment with before!

19

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: To keep or not to keep (60D)... that is the question

« on: January 08, 2013, 08:27:56 AM »

convert it to infra red....

I have to be honest I never considered converting to infrared, as I thought this was mainly for astronomy photography. After a tiny bit of web searching I see it has other creative uses as well.. Have many people done this on this forum?
I can't seem to find an infrared sample gallery. If so, is there a company anyone can recommend (I am in Canada) that does this conversion? I am seeing for the few hundred dollars I can only seem to get for a used 60D I might as well keep it!

thanks

20

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: 5D mark iii & off-camera flash

« on: January 06, 2013, 11:29:45 AM »

[/quote]

I've just realised that my previous post didn't properly address your question.

My previous suggestions were made on the premise that, for family (group) portraiture, two off-camera flashes would give you much more flexibility and control than one, hence the suggestion to add:

• an ST-E2 and one more flash, or
• two more flashes. In this scenario, the two new flashes would be off-camera, controlled by the 580EX II on the camera - usually in non-flashing mode so that it doesn't contribute to the exposure. Or
• three YN-622s and one more flash

The 90EX is indeed another option that I overlooked. I believe it would give you the same functionality as the ST-E2, albeit without the ST-E2's external controls so you would need to use the camera's flash control menu.

For what it's worth, for family portraits I use two Yongnuo 565EXs, a YN-468 II and four YN-622s. The third flash enables background lighting or a hair light, etc.
[/quote]

Thanks for clarifying... I plan on getting some radio triggers down the line (probably yongnuos for the price), but was considering the 90EX only because it was cheap, could fire my 580EXii for now, and I thought maybe it would do as a "carry around pop up replacement". But does anyone know if you can control ETTL settings, etc, of the 580 from the camera with a 90EX as the master? I thought you could but again have no idea really

21

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: 5D mark iii & off-camera flash

« on: January 06, 2013, 11:26:46 AM »

Aloha e Scarpz13,

I am a hobby photographer who basically shoots pictures of my daughter.  I basically do a lot of run and gun shooting...kids move fast so I try to capture the moment.  Recently I wanted to get more into creative photography stuff with my daughter being the core theme so I purchased  a CANON 600 EX-RT and an ST E3 RT.  I have been loving it so far.  Having the ability to shoot flash using radio expands the creativity aspect, which you may not need. But I have been able to shoot using creative flash, of course vary basic techniques, with ease.  Attached is a picture I took of my daughter holding the flash hidden behind her ballon to create an ambient soft light to light her face.  Pretty basic but cool at the same point, I think.  I've just started to expand my experimentation in this area but the ability to do RT has made it exciting.  Don't know if this helps but good luck on your endeavors.  Capturing the 'moment' in our families lives are the reason to do photography, for me anyway.  Malama pono and good luck.

Great picture, Kamakalele! I cannot wait until my daughter is old enough to try something like that- right now she would probably just run and throw my 580ex in the toilet But I will try a few set ups and get creative.

thanks!

22

EOS Bodies - For Stills / To keep or not to keep (60D)... that is the question

« on: January 06, 2013, 08:36:59 AM »

Hello everyone

Like some of you I have been fortunate enough to move up to full frame very recently (5D Mkiii), and have not even touched my 60D for a couple of weeks. Originally I had thought of keeping it as a "back up" since it does take nice pictures... but really loving the 5Diii so much I can't imagine any scenario where I would use the 60D really.

I guess it's kind of like having a Corvette in the garage AND then getting a Ferrari... not sure I'd be jumping in the 'vette any time soon even though it's a nice car. (I dont have either of these though lol)

I guess my question is, what are most of you finding when you make such a jump? I could understand if I had a 5Dc or 5Dii, or even a 7D for the autofocus... but I don't need the "reach" of APS-C, my main reason for upgrading was DOF/ISO performance/Low Light etc...

So are many of you selling your old camera's while they may still have value? or do you think you will use them again down the road? I am not a pro... my kids are too small to use cameras for ohhhhhh 12 or 13 more years... and my wife refuses to learn DSLR

thanks!

23

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: 5D mark iii & off-camera flash

« on: January 04, 2013, 03:06:41 PM »

Thanks for your replies!

AdamJ- by that token, if I stick with my 580EX and get a 430, i would use the 430 for "fill" correct?
And instead of the ST-E2, would it not be cheaper for me to get the 90EX flash to trigger the other flashes? or will i lose some control there?
I figure that way i can have a small carry around "pop-up" flash for my Mkiii for emergencies (i know there is very little light from these)

Cheers.

24

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / 5D mark iii & off-camera flash

« on: January 04, 2013, 10:19:16 AM »

Hello Everyone
I have been searching the forums for answers to these questions, and have found variations but not really what I was looking for, so I am hoping some one can help me out.
I recently got a 5d Mkiii. Previously was using my 60D to fire my 580 ex II remotely off camera (I don't really like having flash on camera if I can help it). Obviously with the Mkiii I can't do this, so I was weighing a few options... esp since I would like to start doing multiple flash set-ups... so this are the options I have been weighing...

A) grab an ST-E2, or decent equivalent (help), us that, and then add either another 580 or 430 down the line
B) sell my 580 and get two Yongnuo 565s for the same price, and prob even the 622s to control
C) some sort of mixture of the above... but I am not sure how that would work.

If I am not mistaken, each Yongnuo requires its own 622 to be controlled, correct? But with the canon line I get one ST-E2 and it will fire flashes off camera without receivers? And if I have a 580, should my second flash also be 580, or will a 430 suffice for fill if the 580 is the main flash?

Mostly family portraits, etc... should have mentioned that!

thanks very much!

25

Software & Accessories / Best way to "downsize" images in LR4

« on: December 28, 2012, 07:28:20 PM »

Hi Everyone
I use Lightroom 4 for my basic workflow & editing... and when exporting to Jpeg I typically use 100% quality and leave it at that, great for viewing on PC or printing.
However if I want to email photos to relatives, or upload them, these files are WAY too big.
Can anyone tell me what is the best way to "shrink" the file size while minimizing image quality loss?
should I
A) reduce pics to say 2 MP and still save at 100% quality?
B) leave the MP (in this case 22), but save at say 20% quality?
C) some better way I havent figured out!

I am trying to get files around 500k or so... at the very least under a megabyte.

thanks!

26

Software & Accessories / Re: Are "slim" filters needed on 17-40 or 24-105 for full frame?

« on: December 26, 2012, 08:33:19 AM »

Thank you both! I should have known you would have conducted a sophisticated test like that, Neuro. Appreciate you sharing your results...

If I may ask a follow up question; I noticed you tested two filters stacked together; why would you do that? Do you happen to stack your CP filters on top of your UV filters? I like to keep my UV filters on at all times, but also thought putting a CP over a UV had negative effects on picture quality as well.

Cheers!

27

Software & Accessories / Are "slim" filters needed on 17-40 or 24-105 for full frame?

« on: December 25, 2012, 07:36:07 AM »

First off, Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to you and yours

I was fortunate to move up to full frame this holiday season; and I thought I had read somewhere that regular UV filters can cause vignetting on the wide end for the 17-40 & 24-105 on full frames.
I have always had B+W 77mm UV Haze MRC 010M Filter on these two lenses... I have been testing them out on my new 5Diii (hooray), but can't seem to notice any significant vignetting at all... just a few indoor test shots, but nothing that I can notice.

Should I be changing these for the "slim" versions? I'd rather not due to additional expense, and lens-cap attachment issues with slim filters...

thanks, as always for your help.

28

PowerShot Cameras / Re: G15 or G1X for my mom???

« on: December 10, 2012, 10:32:58 AM »

Can Anyone commment on how the video is for the G15? especially in low(er) light.. ie: indoors with standard light fixtures?

Tried slapping my 40mm on the 60D and letting my wife use it to take videos of the kids; still too big/too many controls for her, does NOT like the manual focus.

Just want something a little nicer than her old ELPH for pics and videos; I fear the G15 will be pushing it for size as it is, so I probably have to rule out the G1X even though I would probably find it hand for family trips when I dont want to lug around my dSLR. And the G15 seem like a decent compromise; I already tried to push her in mirrorless directions (whether canon or nikon J2) and she seems to want none of that!

thanks for you help...

29

EOS Bodies / Re: 6D hands-on reviews by many websites..

« on: December 10, 2012, 07:22:56 AM »

Enough of these "amateur" categories.  A lot of professionals were shooting and still are shooting with 5D2 which we can say is beaten/on par on almost all camera features by 6D.

+1 ... esp. since a pro starting off with a business is completely different from a seasoned pro with a big budget and lots of assistants - if you're starting off €1000 can buy a (better) lens that make more sense for the business.

But as all marketing divisions know, people have an inherent need to sort things in a linear fashion with as little overlap as possible, but I wouldn't let that cloud the fact that a 5d3+Tamon24/70 will have worse iq than 6d+Canon24/70ii if you're not shooting sports and the af cannot keep up or have to rely on the non-center points.

I have to agree here. I think what is getting overlooked by some is that "professional" simply means one gets paid to take pictures. There is a little shop near where I live that takes children & baby pics- the owner there uses a T1i and 28-135 lens (plus alot of fancy studio lighting). Imagine my horror when we showed up & my wife shelled out $500 for all sorts of prints and frames. BUT I have to admit; photos came out pretty good actually, an in the end I was impressed with the quality of product she provided despite having "non-professional" equipment.

The gentleman that shot my wedding 4 years ago had a 5d classic; I'm sure he would have been thrilled with a 6D and still done a wonderful job. But put a 1Dx in the hands of my father in law, and you'd probably get a lot of nice photos of the back of your lens cap...

I am just a hobbyist myself, and plan on picking up a 6D anyway- but if I WAS starting a business as Marsu42 said, I agree 100%... I'd save the $1000 and use it towards glass/marketing/etc. Then when my company got huge of course I'd let my assistant use it

Long story short, to classify a 6D as only for amateur potraits or landscape I personally think is unfair. While many amateurs/hobbyists (myself included) will be the purchasers of 6Ds, I don't see why event photographers needing to replace a 5Dc or 5Dii wouldn't think this camera would work for them.

30

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM "Pancake"

« on: December 09, 2012, 04:51:22 PM »

Has anyone here found the need for the hood? it seems kind of useless... is there a hood from another lens that might work/function here?

And how about a carrying/protective case? Do most of you just stick this in your bag, or is there a need for some kind of pearstone/case etc?

No point in the hood, at all.  I worked out the geometry some time back, and the dedicated hood for the 40/2.8 doesn't actually provide any optical benefit, from what I can tell.  It's too shallow to protect even a 14mm prime from flare.  Since it screws onto the extending front element, 'protection' is questionable, too.

The ES-62 hood (for the 50/1. with it's 52mm threaded adapter will fit on the 40/2.8.  It's much deeper, and reportedly doesn't vignette, but would likely provide some flare protection.

The 40/2.8 fits nicely in a Lowepro 8x6 case, but I just put it in my bag or more often, my pocket.

Thx for the advice, as always, Neuro.
I ordered my shorty 40 with ES-62 hood; skipped the case for now.

Appreciate it!