Messages

1

Lenses / Re: need help consolidating my lens collection

« on: April 23, 2013, 07:36:27 PM »

Odds are that you're taking the 5D Mark III with you for travel.  I'd jetison the 10-22 and pick up the 24-70mm f/2.8L II, which is incredibly sharp.  I'd also recommend either the 14mm f/2.8L II or the 17mm f/4L TS-E for wide angle coverage -- for landscapes and/or architecture shots.  Or, instead the 17-40mm f/4L, which is light.....  You could also jetison the 35mm f/1.4L if you need to do so as that range is covered by the new zoom.

2

Lenses / Re: 50mm 1.2L vs 35mm 1.4L for events photography...

« on: April 23, 2013, 07:22:58 PM »

You might also want to check out the new Sigma 35mm f/1.4 "Art" lens....  rivals the 35mm f/1.4L....

3

Lenses / Re: A 4000$ budget for Lenses on 5D3... need suggestions

« on: April 16, 2013, 04:35:19 AM »

Given your budget, I'd recommend:

1) 24-70mm f/2.8L II -- tack sharp, rivals primes, also good in low light with high iso 5D Mark III
2) 135mm f/2.0L -- great bokeh, fast, light
3) 85mm f/1.8 -- cheap, light, fast, unobtrusive, decent lens
3) good tripod and ballhead





Hello CR folks,

I recently bought a 5D3 and 50mm 1.8.This is my first investment and I am based out of India. 
I mostly shoot Low Light , Landscape , Street Photography and Slow Shutter captures.

Before taking up 5D3 I had an experience of working with my colleague's Canon60D , 18-135(kits lens) ,70-200mm f4 and NikonD7000 50mm f1.4,70-200mm f4. 
I had some severe limitations while shooting Landscapes and didn't get enough experience on wide-angle shots 
I will be travelling to Ladakh,a landscape,rich cultured,wildlife Himalayan Range in the month of July and I am looking for suggestions to get some 'real' gear.
All I can  say that this will be my starting point to get into some real action 

I can spend up to 4000$ on the Lenses.
Please share the gear details based on your own experience.

Regards
Hari
[/quote]

4

Software & Accessories / Re: Nik Software worth it?

« on: March 27, 2013, 11:17:45 PM »

It's a great software suite....  a steal at this price.  I paid about $500 three years ago.  Very useful.

5

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D2 refurb or new 7D as backup to 5D3?

« on: March 21, 2013, 10:36:01 PM »

You could possibly return the refurb, and either they replace it, or credit you.  If the latter, you can pick up a niced used 5D Mark II with relatively low actuations on ebay or craigslist.  That's the route that I took to help a friend get set up...   You should be able to find a used 5D Mark II in the $1000 - $1300 range....

6

Lenses / Re: 24-70 IS ii v 70-200 IS ii

« on: March 20, 2013, 02:51:13 AM »

Seems to be a general consensus here... another option though would be sell the 24-70L, get the version II, and pick up a 135L f/2...  Though the 135L is not as versatile as the zoom....

7

Canon General / Re: Gear upgrade: 2 primes vs new body + 1 prime??

« on: March 19, 2013, 08:05:50 PM »

My interests and gear coincides with yours....    First, I'd highly recommend getting the 5D Mark III.  The low light performance is amazing for churches and concerts, etc....  Also it has an amazing silent shutter setting for ceremonies, and dual cards for simultaneous writes/peace of mind.    For your needs I think the feature set blows the 5D Mark II away (though it's still an excellent camera).  Next, recommend selling the 24-70L, netting somewhere around $1,200 give or take, and getting version II.... it's that good.  Then, consider the Sigma 85mm f/1.4, which is $1K less than the 85mm f/1.2L II....   

8

Canon General / Re: 5d mark iii vs 1dx when you are 50% wedding 50% sports

« on: February 05, 2013, 11:48:18 PM »

The 1Dx also has an advantage when it comes to metering and low light performance.  The main advantage of the 5D Mark III would be silent shutter for weddings.  But overall, having used both, I rec'd the 1Dx.

9

Software & Accessories / Re: new 13" MacBook Pro

« on: February 04, 2013, 08:52:41 PM »

For serious editing, I'd never use a laptop. too expensive, outdated too quickly, Run too hot, screens too small, too slow.

Desktops are far more powerful for less $$$ and could be built to any spec needed, upgraded, run cool, and can have large screens.

I hear you...  I have a dual setup with a 17" HP workstation laptop, plus an HP desktop with i7, 24GB RAM, 2x2TB hard drives, blue ray DVD writers, that I picked up from HP refurbished for about $1100....  Plus a 30" NEC monitor....   But I think she wants the portability.  I've also suggested looking for used 17" MacBook Pros, which may be an option....  Or a nice external monitor like a 24" NEC or Dell.....

10

Software & Accessories / Re: new 13" MacBook Pro

« on: February 04, 2013, 03:33:29 PM »

I've also recommended that they consider a 17" HP laptop, similarly speced, with dedicated 2GB video card, for $250 less... and buy an ipad -- instead of purchasing the 13" MacBook Pro.

11

Software & Accessories / new 13" MacBook Pro

« on: February 04, 2013, 03:12:35 PM »

Aloha!  I'd welcome some advice....   I'm advising a friend, an amateur photographer with talent and potential, on what kind of computer setup that would be sufficient for photo editing.  Budget is a factor.  They are considering a new 13" MacBook Pro for about $1425 with these specs:  2.9GHz dual-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz, 8GB 1600MHz memory, 750GB 5400-rpm hard drive, Intel HD Graphics 4000. 

Given the limited screen real estate of a 13" MacBook, I've advised them that they will need an external monitor if they go that route. 

My question is:  Is the video graphics capacity in this MacBook Pro sufficient for LR and PS photo editing?

Thanks!

12

Lenses / Re: Your "precious" lord of the red rings is?

« on: January 07, 2013, 04:17:20 AM »

200mm f/2L and now, the 24-70mm f/2.8L II....

13

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Thinking of downgrading my 5d3 system

« on: January 06, 2013, 02:13:12 AM »

And, check out the new Sigma 35mm.....

14

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Thinking of downgrading my 5d3 system

« on: January 06, 2013, 02:11:47 AM »

I don't think that you should make radical changes.  I think that you get the most bang for the buck by selling the 70-200mm f/2.8L II, which has held it's value pretty well, and pick up the MUCH lighter and cheaper, and still sharp-as-a-tack 70-200mm f/4L (non-IS) -- which can be had used for about $450 and new for around $550.  You'd take about $1300 -$1400 out of the deal.  It's a fine lens.  You'd still have one very versatile, fast lens (24-70mm f/2.8 II) for portraits, people, and lower light; I think that's worth keeping.  You don't gain much by moving down to the 6D, I'd keep the 5D Mark III..... 

15

PowerShot Cameras / Re: Anyone have the g1x and are happy with when your dslr is not around?

« on: January 05, 2013, 04:22:53 AM »

I recently picked up a used G1X, very pleased with it.  Keep it handy and get shots that I would otherwise miss by not having my dslr.  Great for it's purpose.