Messages

61

EOS Bodies / Re: What if the rumored 5Dx is actually a 4D?

« on: February 15, 2013, 01:26:56 PM »

Seems strange to me that Nikon didn't offer a mRAW and/or sRAW on their D800. To me it suggests they're slightly out of touch with what people actually want

I never use small or medium raw, nor do I know why anyone would. The point of raw is non-processed information; down-interpolation is processing.

62

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 7D Walt Disney World Setup Help: New Bag, What Gear?

« on: February 15, 2013, 01:19:03 PM »

So here is the deal ... heading to Walt Disney World sometime in 2013.  We'll fly, we'll drive from hotel to parks daily, we'll spend all day at the parks and we'll drive back to the hotel exhausted. I've been to WDW before ... but not ever felt gear prepared. 

Do we go on water rides ... Yes.  Do we go on roller coasters ... Yes.  Do we bake in the ridiculously hot sun for hours ... Yes.

Here are the big things.  I am pretty sure I need only to take the body and a couple lenses.  But, what bag should I put these in to carry all day long in those conditions?  I have a big bag that wont be going with me.

Looking for advice on what to take (or buy and take) gear wise as well as something fast and friendly but comfortable for the conditions to put it in.  Also, I own no filters.  Is that a biggy?

Stuff I have (open to taking or leaving) 7D, 24-104, 50/1.4, 100/2, 18-135/Depends

Considering this is one of the most photographed places in the world ... I thought it might be nice to get some advice from those who have done it ... or even similar activities.

Cheers

Lowepro toploader for bag. A wterproof camera, as stated before, for  the day you go to the water place. The 24-105 and the 50 1.4. And, that should suit you pretty well...

63

Lenses / Re: Advice for shooting pictures of eagles

« on: February 13, 2013, 05:25:23 PM »

1. Totally bring the 2x TC. I use the tc 2x mk III, and it is sharp and quite good.

2. Up close, to get the entire bird in focus, you will need f18 or more...

3. Shooting wide open will carry the serious risk of getting the wing in focus and the eyes out of focus, or even the eye in focus but much of the body out of focus.

Most of what I shoot is birds, so, this comes from personal experience. For the best bird advice in the world, visit birdsasart-blog.com !

I'm not so sure about the 2x. Of course, if you've got it, bring it, it doesn't take much room but the MTF charts Canon publishes do indicate you lose some sharpness with the 2X. Also, he's bringing the 500 and a 70-200. With the 500 on the 1Dx (a FF) and the 70-200 on the APS-H, (effectively 88-250) he ought to have most of the range he needs covered. Given he's shooting from a blind, I wouldn't think he'd need (or want) the 500 and a 2x.

and a question for you - wouldn't an f18 aperture be diffraction limited?

On full frame? Not terribly. On a 7D, when the bird is close, I usually need to stop down to f11 or great. F11 is f18 on a 1dx. And, he most likely will totally need the TC 2x. A 500 mm lens is not that long, most of the time, especially not on a 1dx.

64

Lenses / Re: Advice for shooting pictures of eagles

« on: February 13, 2013, 02:24:33 PM »

1. Totally bring the 2x TC. I use the tc 2x mk III, and it is sharp and quite good.

2. Up close, to get the entire bird in focus, you will need f18 or more...

3. Shooting wide open will carry the serious risk of getting the wing in focus and the eyes out of focus, or even the eye in focus but much of the body out of focus.

Most of what I shoot is birds, so, this comes from personal experience. For the best bird advice in the world, visit birdsasart-blog.com !

65

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon Cinema EOS C50 [CR1]

« on: February 13, 2013, 10:51:31 AM »

.........not working with morons and getting the blame when it goes tetes up.......

I don't do pro film/photo work, but I do have to contend with morons on a frequent basis.  Most of the ones I have to deal with have zip for common sense and no social skills whatsoever.  On those days that are particularly exasperating, I let my co-workers know they should use my Native American name when talking with me:

"Works With Morons"

Well-said!

66

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon Cinema EOS C50 [CR1]

« on: February 13, 2013, 08:51:35 AM »

I guess it's the month of video. Hopefully, this will soon blow over and they will bet to stuff which actually matters...

67

Canon General / Re: What's your definition of "Pro"?

« on: February 08, 2013, 12:03:55 PM »

I'm curious. What does it mean to be a professional photographer?

I don't exactly consider myself a pro, but I'm not a fan of referring to photography as just my "hobby".
I've invested quite a bit of money (for me) in photography equipment- bodies, lenses, strobes and other studio equipment. But I know the gear I have doesn't make me a professional.

I'm not super technical in my photography, but I consider myself knowing more than just the basics. I spent 5 years working as an assistant at a photography studio. I learned a lot and got some great experience. I also spent those 5 years in the back room retouching and post-producing photos. I consider myself technically intermediate and enjoy learning and trying new techniques from others.

I don't make my living off of my photography, but occasionally I will do small paid jobs.

I consider myself an amateur- not in the sense that I'm new or inexperienced, but in the sense that for now, I do photography because I love it.

So what exactly does it mean to be professional in your opinion? We know it's not the gear alone. Is it the making money off of your skill? Paid jobs? Making a living? Is it simply having skill and experience? What do you all think?

My main job is a nurse, though I sometimes do photography for pay. When in nursing school, there was this one class where they spent hours and hours trying to convince is that nursing is a profession, not just a job. The term professional is a very bantied-about term, and has come to meaning almost nothing in many cases today.

Webster's 1828 :PROFES'SIONAL, a. Pertaining to a profession or to a calling; as professional studies, pursuits, duties,engagements; professional character or skill.

PROFES'SION, n. The business which one professes to understand and to follow for subsistence; calling; vocation; employment; as the learned professions. We speak of the profession of a clergyman, of a lawyer, and of a physician or surgeon; the profession of lecturer on chimistry or mineralogy. But the word is not applied to an occupation merely mechanical.

Maybe that helps?

68

Canon General / Re: Physical Ailments From Heavy Gear

« on: February 05, 2013, 09:24:24 AM »

I carry a 7d BG with a 300 2.8 + 2x TC on one side on a Blackrapid, and another 7D with a 70-200 2.8 IS on the other side in a lowepro toploader with another lens or two. Sometimes, I also have my backpack with several more lenses on. Exercise helps...

But to the OP's problem, just wear the inserts. Find good shoes and wear them. Likely, you have an underlying problem exacerbated by the walking on concrete, which still exists whether or not it is flaring up, and could cause you hip, knee, and back problems. The inserts will help correct your gait to help avoid these problems...

69

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Finally moving to full frame, maybe. Help/advice/criticism needed

« on: February 04, 2013, 05:44:34 PM »

For reference, here is some more info on the 5Dc as an entry level FF camera.

http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=9773.60

As for its High ISO IQ, Its better than any crop camera canon makes. DXO even confirms this and my own usage agrees also.

I have both it and a 7D. My usage says the 7D is much better at high ISO.

70

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon 6D for BIF

« on: February 04, 2013, 01:57:55 PM »

I'd get a 7D before a 6D/5D2/5Dc/20D AF system. The 7D has fantastic AF.

Indeed.

71

EOS Bodies / Re: on the verge of buying, just need some final moral support

« on: February 04, 2013, 12:39:01 PM »

Just do it. Buy that thing!!!

How's that for moral support?

72

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 70D is Coming, The Future of Pro APS-C is Unknown

« on: February 04, 2013, 12:37:28 PM »

This has been somewhat beaten to death on the 2013 roadmap thread:

http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=12606.0

But the story does tickle a few of the major 7D2 potential talking points.

I still am sticking to my guns on the following guesses re: the new 7D2:

• I think it will be APS-C for certain, and a new sensor at that.  There are a mountain of reasons -- strategic and functional -- that back this, at least in my mind.
  
  
• As a best in class crop system for pros, I think it will have the 1DX & 5D3s AF system, obviously implemented a little differently given the crop real estate.
  
  
• Getting back to the original story of this thread... By the time the 7D2 comes out, I think it will cost more than the 6D.  This wound some people up when I last offered this, but I think a stellar APS-C body that prevents you from needing to buy the longest glass (because of crop) is worth its weight in gold to some folks.  A $2K APS-C body, as such, is entirely possible.
  
  
• I know this offends some peoples' sensibilities -- particularly "FF is always more expensive than APS-C" folks -- but consider that 6D guys aren't going to buy as much high-end glass as birders/sports guys/etc. who may favor the 7D2.  i.e. I think -- sensor be damned -- 7D2 owners are likely to be more serious shooters than 6D owners.  I could very well be wrong.
  
  

Just my two bits,
A

Indeed. I agree. There are many pro shooters with small budgets who shoot 7D's. I run into their blogs all over the internet, like dewdrops on a virtual spiderweb. A lot of them use 500f4s or 300 2.8's.

The 7D mk II will indeed hopefully appeal mightily to us bird people who don't want to lug an 800 5.6 around just to get reach...

73

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Using pencil eraser to clean Camera / Lens contacts?

« on: February 04, 2013, 09:37:08 AM »

Hi,

Stumbled across this in one of the Canon DLC articles earlier today - thought I'd share -

"Warning: do not clean lens contacts on either a Canon lens or the camera body with an eraser! It’s incredibly easy to rub off the gold plating on these contacts, and end up with data communication problems, even if that wasn’t the original source of the problem! It’s obviously a good idea to clean the contacts if a lens communication error is reported, but our strong recommendation is to use a soft, clean cloth, perhaps moistened with isopropyl alcohol if you feel the contacts are smudged with fingerprint oil or similar debris and really need a cleaning agent. Again, do not use anything abrasive, and to repeat: do not use an eraser!"

Apologies if this has been covered before ... I've seen this for the first time!

Cheers ... J.R.

Interesting....

74

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: First big job using FF - for all the FF nay-sayers

« on: February 04, 2013, 09:32:36 AM »

So this is kind of in response to the nay-sayers of that canon interview where the dude is basically saying the future of canon is FF and everyones going off their tits about the future of 7Dii (or 70D if you're that way inclined)

I shot my first wedding with the paring of a 5Diii and a 5Dii (stepping up from last seasons 7D & 60D paring) and I coud not have had a more pleasurable time doing it. It was crazy just how nice it all worked out. I was originally a little bit anxious about it as the only other job for someone else I'd done with the 5Diii was a studio model shoot so I was out in the field without anything to fall back on.

I don't know if I'm slightly trolling here but just from what I've found this weekend, FF is the way forward... if you do own a 7D and you don't need the FPS then sell it and get a second hand 5Dii. The IQ and ability to frame is an amazing step up. I think I shot 90% of it with the 50mm 1.4 and just used the 24-105 for the group shots.

The colours, the image quality, the depth, the sharpness... I could go on

I wont put the pics on here as I've still to show the bride, but I have processed a couple of shots for testers and have them on my blog wentdownfighting.tumblr.com

I'm not the greatest photog in the world nor was this the most glamourous of weddings but I'm very pleased with the initial results 

I may even flippantly throw in my doubt that photog > equipment even applies any more...

For bird photography, a 5D mk II is pretty hampered... A 5d Mk III would be ok, with a much longer lens than I own... to make a FF camera work for me, I would have to spend more than 12,000 by the time it would all be said and done... So, I still await the 7D MK II!!!

75

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: future of sigma art line

« on: February 04, 2013, 12:41:34 AM »

I really like sigmas new range coming out, but would love to see a 24 1.4, what is anyone else going for?

Maybe a llittle off but I would like a Sigma 600 f4...