Messages

46

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: BLOWN away.

« on: January 05, 2013, 10:21:44 AM »

That guru of all things photographic, Ken Rockwell  , has this to say on the RX1:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/sony/rx1.htm

Seems a bit over-priced to me but that never stopped me running out and buying the latest gizmo that I felt I needed to make life (momentarily) better.

47

Technical Support / Re: Repairing Scratches - 5D MKIII

« on: January 05, 2013, 09:10:47 AM »

"Hell, this '59 Fender Stratocaster must sound terrible. Should be repaired immediately.

-PW"

Hey PW,

Is that a real '59 or a Custom Shop relic? (For non-guitar geeks; real or factory fake?)

Ta,

Guy.

48

Canon General / Re: Capture, Connect and Share With the Latest Canon Products at CES 2013

« on: January 04, 2013, 01:46:25 PM »

I was told there would be pizza.

49

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Newcomer looking for budget wildlife equipment

« on: December 29, 2012, 05:16:51 AM »

All,

Thank you so much for the quick replies and good advice.

I don't know any of the specifics at the moment other than the lad wants to try wildlife photography - his father said "birds and butterflies". It'll just be local Scottish wildlife (fields, reservoir, shoreline) rather than cheetahs running flat-out on the African plains. He also stays quite near a butterfly farm.

The SX50 just hadn't occurred to me. This is why this forum is invaluable! I've just had a quick look at the specs and it might be ideal.

Thanks again!

50

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Newcomer looking for budget wildlife equipment

« on: December 28, 2012, 02:20:10 PM »

A colleague tells me his son (late-teens rather than small child) is interested in getting a camera for shooting wildlife. Since he doesn't have much cash (budget to be decided) he'll be looking at the cheap end of things. As it's been a long time since I've looked at the entry-level stuff I need your help to show the lad what's on offer. A quick look around the web suggests it may be:

1. EOS 1100D (there's a £30 cashback deal on until 24th Jan.). Can get this for £278 (body) or £339 (with 18-55 IS).
2. EF 70-300 f4-5.6 IS. Can get this for £279 (US import) from same place I got my 300mm 2.8 IS so I know the guy is trustworthy.

The only drawbacks I can see are the 1100D doesn't have sensor cleaning and is only 3fps. Of course you can't expect 1DX performance for that money but I do have standards  .

Any advice would be welcomed. All options are possible though maybe not second-hand (who knows how high the body was dropped from?  )

Let the arguments begin!

51

Pricewatch Deals / Re: EOS 5D Mark III w/24-105 Kit Deal on eBay UK for £2499

« on: December 17, 2012, 01:37:37 PM »

Just had a look at the ad on eBay. Hmmm, seems really cheap. Let's look at the bad feedback....aha! Imported from Hong Kong, who'da guessed it?!? I know you can't judge a whole business by just looking at the bad feedback but there is enough to make me go elsewhere.

Just grit your teeth and pay more - support your local camera shop!

52

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: December 07, 2012, 02:37:28 PM »

Sporgon,

Nice shot but I'd be tempted to airbrush out the one at the back and the one on the far right - I think that would "tighten-up" the compositon. Ah, it's easy to critique after the image is taken 

Guy.

53

Canon General / Re: Recommended photography books

« on: December 07, 2012, 02:33:04 PM »

If you are mostly interested in portrait photography (as I am), the following list of books might prove to be very educational.
Sometimes you don't need to read about the technicalities of an image to gain a vast amount. Simply absorbing the image itself will educate you immensely - the pose, the composition, the props used etc. As I look through the many books I own I sometimes wonder if the image is fantastic because it depicts a famous person I like or whether it would still be a great photograph if it were of the man next door. Mostly it would be a great image no matter who it was of - the great photographers can make anyone look remarkable. That's the trick.

Two pieces of advice I'd give anyone doing portraiture:
1. Rarely have the subject smile: it can sometimes look too much like a snapshot.
2. Have them do something with their hands: we are so graphic with our hands when talking that it can change a portrait into a story - "I wonder what was being said?".

Anyway, I highly recommend all of these (get 'em off Amazon or wherever):

1. Vanity Fair Portraits
2. Patrick Demarchelier (self-titled and currently out of print - second-hand on Amazon currently for £300!! Glad I bought my copy a few years ago!)
3. Planton's Republic
4. Taking Aim by Graham Nash
5. Star Trak by Anton Corbijn
6. Degrees by Andy Gotts
7. Portraits by Uli Weber
8. UFO by Albert Watson
9. Jeanloup Seiff (self-titled and published by Taschen)
10. Les Indescretes by Jeanloup Sieff

Assuming all except 2. are still in print and easily available, they offer a lot to the aspiring photographer. Considering what we spend on equipment, a few bucks spent on books will provide years of pleasure. Plus think how much nicer your living room will look with quality books on its shelves.

54

Abstract / Re: Goofing around could lead to $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

« on: December 04, 2012, 02:24:17 PM »

So now for the big reveal....

First shot is cropped image from 5D3 and Sigma 85mm at f1.4 very de-focused looking at Christmas tree lights. No Photoshop nonsense going on.

Other shot is 5D3 and Tamron 90mm macro looking at the business-end of a hammer. Some points go to those who thought it was a nail. Good guess. No major Photoshopping going on - just convert to B&W and tinted (hardly a quantum leap from what many have done in the darkroom but I did it without spilling chemicals all over the place  ).

Since this is the abstract forum I expected to see more truly abstract works. Come on people, give us more than an apple core (how abstract was the first post in this forum??) and shots with nothing more than a wonky horizon.

55

Abstract / Re: Goofing around could lead to $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

« on: December 02, 2012, 02:07:41 PM »

Whilst we're debating the pros and cons of what makes "art", I can't help noticing that in the 7hrs or so since I posted the images, the thread has been read almost 1000 times and the images opened almost 900 times each and yet no one has asked what the images are of. I'd have thought abstract images would have caused at least one person to ask, "what is it?". Maybe they're too obvious. Maybe I'm over-analysing the minds of the people who view this site. Maybe I should get out more. 

56

Abstract / Re: Goofing around could lead to $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

« on: December 02, 2012, 09:57:45 AM »

Goofing around could lead to $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

What, $16? 

Sold! Just send me the money and wait 28 days!

57

Abstract / Goofing around could lead to $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

« on: December 02, 2012, 07:14:43 AM »

For some reason the older I get, the more tolerant I am of abstract works. Must be mellowing in old age 

Anyway, I was just messing about and thought there must be a market for giant "exclusive" prints of this stuff. Either go mass-market and sell zillions via Ikea or print out a couple of 8ft square whoppers to sell to Russian oligarchs for a few million a piece.

Just for fun, what do you think?

58

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Lomo camera hits the news

« on: November 28, 2012, 07:41:22 AM »

Croubie, you mad fool, you'll start an internet sensation with that sort of anarchy!

I used to use Agfachrome 200 all the time for motorsport but the thought of going back to waiting for the results would drive me nuts. I want to be disappointed by my results straight away!

59

Third Party Manufacturers / Lomo camera hits the news

« on: November 22, 2012, 01:53:04 PM »

Whilst the Lomo isn't news to many of us, it appears worthy of a short BBC news article.

Though most of us would run screaming from its "charming rustic virtues", I must admit to rather liking some if the results you can get - hands up all those who have applied cross-processing or vignetting to some of our own images in post?

However I suppose it's a double-edged sword in that, if it gets more people interested in photography, then good, but if it makes every idiot think they are a photographer, then oh dear... Rather like the advent of cheap home recording gear making talentless morons think they are the next Rolling Zeppelin or Elton Wonder.

Still wouldn't buy one though - what? wait a week or two to see the results? That's crazy!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20434270

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-20442725

60

EOS Bodies / Re: February & March are Announcement Months for Canon [CR2]

« on: November 17, 2012, 11:33:30 AM »

A studio camera does not need an integrated grip.

A vertical grip isn't needed in the studio because portraits are never shot with camera held vertically.  The term 'portrait orientation' (vs. landscape orientation) came into common usage for no reason, whatsoever.  Right.

And this week's sarcasm prize goes to.......(drum roll) Neuro!! Congrats Neuro, you win a coconut, what are you going to do with it? What's that? Fit a vertical grip to it? That's insane baby, you need a check-up from the neck up! Unless the original post was meant to be sarcastic in which case you lose the coconut but get membership of the National Sarcasm Society (like they need your help).

Sigh, it's been a quiet day....