Messages

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: RAW vs JPEG debate in the light of 5DIII improvements

« on: May 22, 2012, 07:44:37 PM »

why buy a $3500 camera to shoot jpg files?
I dont quite get it

The camera should cost a whole lot less if it only produced raw.  Perhaps you can convince Canon to produce a Raw-only camera that has no white balance, picture styles, sharpness, contrast, etc.  All you need is exposure control.

Personally, I just look at all those other features as just one more tool towards a possible post-processing path (alliteration!), and then can still use other tools as well, but the in-camera path is a quick one.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: RAW vs JPEG debate in the light of 5DIII improvements

« on: May 22, 2012, 07:01:41 PM »

Here is my $0.02 worth...

I'm not a professional photographer.  I am into photography because I enjoy the challenge of trying to create visually interesting photographs that are of the highest image quality I can.  I'm improving all the time in composing, camera control, and post processing.  I've thought long and hard about Raw vs. Jpeg and here is my view:

Raw files are essentially like negatives from film days.  I can use the same negative to print a bunch of different versions of that captured moment.  A favorite quote of mine, from Ansel Adams: "The negative is comparable to the composer's score and the print to its performance.  Each performance differs in subtle ways."  I believe this still holds true for Raw and Jpeg which are like negative and print.

If all I ever wanted from my new 5D3 was raw files, I wouldn't need all of the camera's features for white balance, picture styles, sharpness, contrast, etc.  However, it does have those features and I want to use them.  I think the 5D3 does an amazing job at it and I really like the results most of the time.

So, based on those things, I like to shoot Raw+Jpeg whenever possible.  The only time I typically shoot Jpeg only is when I need the higher burst rate and longer sustained burst I can get from dropping raw out of the equation.  I look at Raw+Jpeg as a way of getting my "negative" while also producing a quick "print".  In fact, my workflow includes separating the Raw and Jpeg images into two distinct areas ("raw" and "processed") before I even start post processing the Raws.

If I've used the features well on my camera, I'll get some pretty good initial "prints".  In fact, there are many times that I will post process a raw only to find out that I like the jpeg from the camera better.  There is often a certain quality to the OOC jpeg, that I can't quite put my finger on, and I can't reproduce in post.  And, if I can get quality I like without post processing, that's cool for me.  The only thing that sucks is when I see an OOC jpeg that I like a lot but think I can do better, only to find out I've wasted some time trying to improve it but later decide the original jpeg was better.

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EOS Bodies / Re: Brand New 5d3 with 1500 shutter counts.

« on: May 17, 2012, 05:24:13 PM »

Just received my 5D Mk III yesterday.  Before I did anything, I checked it out on eoscount.com and the shutter count showed 0.  I was worried that I was going to get something that had been returned, but luckily it is totally new.  This was purchased from Adorama, and even though I selected free 7-10 day shipping, it arrived in less than 72 hours.  I'm very happy with this purchase experience.

If mine had shown 1500 shutter activations, I believe I would have returned it.  But it would have been difficult to see it come and then go...

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Best way to get your images off the 5D onto your computer?

« on: May 17, 2012, 05:01:40 PM »

I have a laptop with an ExpressCard/54 slot, and use one of these: http://reviews.cnet.com/flash-memory-adapters/siig-expresscard-54-cf/1707-8898_7-32816568.html

I get a consistent 80 MB/sec transfer rate (as measured by HD Tune)

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D Mark III & Lens Combination Issues?

« on: May 15, 2012, 02:41:09 PM »

I've used it with my 70-200mm f/4 IS L lens single and attached with my 1.4x III without the problem mentioned. I've also used it with my Canon 800mm L f/5.6 IS L lens and I haven't experience anything out of the ordinary.

Good luck to those with issues.

My experience with the 70-200 f/4L IS was that it always made excessive noise during IS.  I can't imagine it could be any worse on a 5DIII 

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D3 Custom Settings

« on: May 15, 2012, 02:24:44 PM »

Well, I'm going to try and make the switch to back-button AF with the 5D3 since I'll already be getting used to new changes.  There are lots of good reasons to do it that way but I will have to re-program my hand.

By the way, I chose 7-10 day shipping from Adorama on Sunday night, but UPS says the camera will be delivered on Wednesday.  Can't wait!
 

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Are your 5D Mark III's starting to come in yet?

« on: May 14, 2012, 07:13:52 PM »

I had ordered from Amazon a month ago and it still showed "not in stock", so on Sunday night (5/13) I cancelled it and placed a new order with Adorama for a 5D3 (body-only) and a 17-40/4L combination (to get the $120 Canon discount).  The order shipped Monday afternoon (5/14).
5DIII (soon!) | 7D | 35/1.4L | 10-22 | 17-40/4L (soon!) | 24-105/4L IS | 70-200/2.8L IS II | 50/1.4 | 85/1.8

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / 5D3 Custom Settings

« on: May 14, 2012, 07:04:43 PM »

I canceled my 4 week old Amazon order and pulled the trigger on Adorama and my new 5D3 shipped in less than a day!  So, as I await its arrival, I wanted to see how other folks tend to configure a couple things.  First, for custom shooting modes (C1-C3), how do you set yours up?  I've been a 7D user and always struggled with how best to use these modes.  Do you configure them once and use them that way forever (or a long time), or do you configure them differently every time you go to shoot?  What do you find to be the most useful configurations?

Also, I'm considering disabling AF on a half-shutter press and switching to the back AF button, but wanted to hear from others who might have thoughts on that.  What are the advantages/disadvantages of going that direction.  I've only tried it a bit on my 7D, but not enough to get comfortable with it.

What other customization do you make to your controls, and how does it benefit your ability to get good shots?  I want to get a setup that lets me concentrate more on the shot and less on the controls.

Thanks in advance for your input!
5DIII (soon!) | 7D | 35/1.4L | 10-22 | 17-40/4L (soon!) | 24-105/4L IS | 70-200/2.8L IS II | 50/1.4 | 85/1.8

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Lenses / Re: Lens advice moving to FF

« on: April 30, 2012, 08:53:00 AM »

Thanks for all of this feedback and advice.  I'm contemplating whether I'll keep or sell my 7D.  At first I had planned to sell it and the 10-22, but now I think I'll hold on to it for a while and see.  That will give me time to evaluate how I use the lenses with the 5DIII.  I like all the suggestions and so I'll have some fun evaluating which route to go before (or if) I dump the 7D.

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Lenses / Lens advice moving to FF

« on: April 27, 2012, 05:20:15 PM »

Over the last 8+ years, I've gone from the original Digital Rebel to 20D, 40D and 7D.  I've always dreamed of having a FF body and now have decided to pull the trigger on the 5D Mk III.  I've bought and sold lenses over the years and have what I believe is an excellent kit for my needs right now: 10-22, 24-105L, 70-200/2.8L II, 35/1.4L, 50/1.4, 85/1.8

The only lens that won't work with the new 5D (once it gets here, if it ever does), is the 10-22.  I love that lens, but I'm now pondering what to replace it with, if anything.  The 24mm of the 24-105 on FF will actually be equivalent to the mid-range of the 10-22 on the 7D.  If I do decide to buy something to replace the 10-22, my options would be 16-35/2.8L or the 17-40/4L.  However, I'm not sure if either is worth the price considering the overlap with the 24-105.  I shoot all kinds of material, and don't have a specific niche that I'm looking for, but the wide angle zoom would be used for landscapes, architecture and general walk around lens when I feel the need for the wider side of life (as opposed to the 24-105 which is typically my walk around lens of choice).  On the other hand, perhaps I should not buy a new lens, stick with 24mm on the wide end and instead spend some money on an extender (since I won't have the reach I had with the 7D).

I'm just looking for people's thoughts who may have been through similar decision process.

Thanks!