Messages

1816

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Daytime Event Shooting

« on: July 01, 2012, 08:10:37 PM »

pretty much essential to have an assistant with an off camera flash setup maybe 2 or 3 flashes in a ganglight setup through an umbrella. depends on how much power you need really

I agree.  But I only do 2-3 events/year, most of my other stuff is sports and portraits.  So far this year I've covered a parade and then this festival.  Next weekend I'm covering a fireworks event.  And that'll be it until football and volleyball season.  I don't even do weddings anymore, so I have no assistant.  It was tough.

1817

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: FF advise (mainly stills)

« on: July 01, 2012, 08:07:06 PM »

I'd choose the 1Ds MkII, even over the 5D MkII, but it all boils down to what you shoot. In fact I did choose the 1Ds MkII, but I rarely go over ISO400, so the worse ISO performance isn't a problem for me.

That said, if you would be satisfied with the 5Dc, the 1Ds MkII is better than it in pretty much all areas.

The issue with going 1-series is that you don't want to go back to "prosumer" cameras anymore...

The problem is, the 1Ds Mark II is going to run about $1500 on ebay give or take.  He can get a refurbished 5D Mark II for $1800ish.  The IQ of the 1Ds Mark II is not better than the 5D Mark II.  I agree it is close in IQ up to ISO 400, but beyond that, the 5D Mark II is better.  Same with 1Ds III vs. 5D Mark II.  The 1Ds III is much better ISO 50-200, but beyond, it's not better, perhaps just as good but not better.

That aside, if you get a 1Ds Mark II, you'll be fine.  But you can get a newer camera.

1818

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Daytime Event Shooting

« on: July 01, 2012, 07:36:07 PM »

I missed so many potentially great shots, taken otherwise in proper lighting (morning or evening).

... highlight recovery +100, shadows +100 :-) .. and you can have a couple of assistants swarm around you with flashes and reflectors - I'm always amazed by the big effort if I see film crews setting up the light for daytime shooting.

100's not high enough   If only I were good enough to have those assistants following me around. 

1819

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Constant AI Servo on 5d3?

« on: July 01, 2012, 07:32:21 PM »

With static subjects, I use One Shot. With my 5DII, I almost always use One Shot because of the disappointing results I get with AI Servo, regardless of lens.  On my 7D, if there's movement or expected movement, I use AI Servo.  Shooting with my 85mm f/1.2L II on the 7D in AI Servo, several times with young daughter running diagonally toward me, I got about 8 of 10 shots in crisp, eyelash-counting focus despite the 'ponderous' AF of the 85L.

I haven't used the 5DIII, but given that it bests the 7D on AF, I'd not hesitate to use AI Servo with fast primes wide open - I certainly will be doing a lot of that when my 5DII replacement - a 1D X - arrives.

what focus mode ddo you use? zone? spot? i havent had such great results using spot and trying to maintain tracking of a persons eye walking towards me

On a 5D Mark III, it is a completely different ballgame than on a 1D body, such as the 1D Mark IV.  Since metering is always done through the center point regardless of chosen AF point, I use center-weighted average metering.  I set in Av mode, decide my aperture, which is usually 6.3 for indoor sports, set my shutter speed to 1/500, then set ISO to auto.  I shoot a few shots in real life situation then read the ISO reading.  Switch to Manual and program that ISO setting in.  If I begin missing, I set ISO back to A and maybe do an EC of +1/3 or +2/3 or simply raise or lower my ISO value with the click of button and the thumb-roll of a dial.  On the 1D 4 this isn't necessary, you can set it to Av, min shutter speed, and auto ISO.  5D Mark III takes a bit more work, but it can be done.

1820

EOS Bodies / Re: Good price for a used Canon 1V-HS?

« on: July 01, 2012, 06:55:03 PM »

I think I'm going to go for an EOS 3 instead.  I will only be shooting indoor portraits, and don't need the fast AF and weatherbuild extras.  Shutter durability for the 3 is 100K and the 1V is 200K I believe, but I suppose I won't be taking 100K shots with this

 
There is one for sale locally that sounds nice, i'd be happy to pay for it and  pick it up for you if you work out a deal with the seller.  You can then pay me the cost plus shipping.
 
http://spokane.craigslist.org/pho/3105260383.html

I've bid on one on ebay already but it's mint condition as well.  If I don't win, I will gladly take you up on your offer.  I guess I should have posted this before I bid.  By the way, THANK YOU.

1821

EOS Bodies / Re: Good price for a used Canon 1V-HS?

« on: July 01, 2012, 06:32:42 PM »

I think I'm going to go for an EOS 3 instead.  I will only be shooting indoor portraits, and don't need the fast AF and weatherbuild extras.  Shutter durability for the 3 is 100K and the 1V is 200K I believe, but I suppose I won't be taking 100K shots with this

1822

Lenses / Re: 400 mm f/2.8 L Mk I

« on: July 01, 2012, 06:30:51 PM »

I don't know the IQ between version I and version II, but if you played it right, you could actually buy the 300 v1 and 400 v1 together for about $9k, vs. both newest versions for $20k.  Somehow that has to be worth it, if you can afford it.  Saving $11k for possibly marginal savings of IQ?

1823

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Custom Settings - How do you configure your custom settings?

« on: July 01, 2012, 06:21:37 PM »

1D Mark IV:

Av Mode (set Aperture like normal), ISO Safety Shift Enable, Minimum Shutter speed = 1/500, Max Shutter speed = 1/8000, ISO = Auto

1824

Lenses / Re: 400 mm f/2.8 L Mk I

« on: July 01, 2012, 06:07:50 PM »

I'd have to think that it's worth it.  That is still a very, very good lens if in excellent condition. 

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-400mm-f-2.8-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

1825

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Daytime Event Shooting

« on: July 01, 2012, 06:03:20 PM »

Thank you very much guys.  Yes I can also post some photos.  I am really not an event photographer; that is something I've just recently gotten into.  Heck even weddings were more controlled than an outdoor balloon festival all day.  I like your suggestions a lot distant.star.  I will read through your post many times.  Fill flash is a good option, but limited where I was.  Outdoor still shots/controlled shots, sure, but this was rapid movement rapid fire from 12-2pm mostly!  Ouch!  Again, thanks.

1826

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: FF advise (mainly stills)

« on: July 01, 2012, 04:43:41 PM »

5D Mark II is a great choice over the 5D for ISO performance.  Whether you need it or not, the 21 mp's will help you over the 5D.  Since the 5D was released in 2005/early 2006, you'd have to be careful of shutter count because it's not as durable as the 1D or 1Ds lines.  Actually, the 1Ds Mark II has higher IQ than the 5D and better ISO performance than the 5D, especially over 1600. 

Doubting the 5D Mark III price is going to drop soon, I'd probably go with a new 5D Mark II, if I were you.  Or get a refurbished one.  It's a great camera and it'll last you 4 years.  That's just what I would do.

1827

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / 600EX-RT and 5D Mark III trouble

« on: July 01, 2012, 03:59:35 PM »

Well I set up for radio transmission with two 600EX-RT's and put one on camera as master, and one off camera as slave.  I am firing in automatic ETTL mode.  I set them up, they are linked, same channel and frequency, but the master unit will not fire, only the slave unit fires.  In fact, I cannot even set the master unit to fire, because the ON or OFF button just doesn't work.  Where that icon goes in the LCD screen, right next to it is an exclamation point.  Does anybody know what I'm doing wrong?  I've read and reread the manual and followed all the steps and it's not working. Thanks.

1828

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 1DX new all-time low-light king?

« on: July 01, 2012, 02:24:22 PM »

Sure thing Brian. TBH, I'm thinking of pulling someone in from Model Mayhem and doing comparison shots between the 5d2, 5d3, 1ds3 and h3dII-39.

If it's one thing that annoys me it's the lack of shots with people in. It's what these cameras are geared up to shoot in the mainstream. I intend to do some nice big ass portrait shots like on my site www.booheads.co.uk

I too would like to see that comparison.  Since I have two 5D Mark III's I would be especially interested.  Also maybe down the road there will be a good 1D X vs. 1D Mark IV comparions, seperate from this comparison (different needs test) for sports shots. 

1829

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Daytime Event Shooting

« on: July 01, 2012, 02:21:48 PM »

Does anybody here ever have to shoot events during the day, such as between 10am and 3pm?  I did yesterday and due to the sun, I missed so many potentially great shots, taken otherwise in proper lighting (morning or evening).  Does this frustrate anyone?  Sorry I'm just venting

1830

EOS Bodies / Re: The 7D for half price

« on: July 01, 2012, 02:11:05 PM »

I guess I'm confused.  Can you guys list or do you know the settings that CANNOT be accessed on a 64-bit system?  Thanks!