Messages

61

Lenses / Re: Which extender is best

« on: November 13, 2012, 02:06:26 PM »

I've got a Canon extender and only added advantage I'd add is that it reports accurate focal length information in the EXIF.

That's the older dg version, the newer dgx version reports correct exif. There's always a lot of confusion about the different Kenko genrations, just get the latest one :-p

Strangely, my 3 year old DG version gives me correct EXIF info. l just checked an image and it reports the lens as " EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM +2.0x", focal length as 380mm and max aperture as 5.7.

Is this only because it's a version II lens?

Hmmm, I'm quite sure my 70-200 f4 IS reports the correct EXIF with either Kenko TC. Certainly my 300mm does. Only with the two stacked do things go off tangent - EXIF only reported for lens plus TC directly attached to it and ignores the one at the body end.

62

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Euro 2012 Cashback - anyone got their money yet?

« on: November 13, 2012, 02:01:56 PM »

Really disappointed with canon applied for the offer within the time specified then they sent back a letter asking for our receipt sent this back outside of the time limit (our fault) but then told they wouldn't honour the deal.

The frustrating thing is they've started running another offer for the same cashback so what's the problem? Feel a bit ripped off even considering taking the camera back.

Anyone else exoerienced the same?

Steve,

Ah, from what you say you didn't submit the receipt along with the claim in the first place - I recall the small print made it quite clear about sending in the original receipt. Mind you, I'd be a bit upset too with Canon for not honouring the claim. Looks like you shot yourself in the foot with that one.

Best wishes,

Guy.

63

Lenses / Re: Which extender is best

« on: November 13, 2012, 01:47:38 PM »

I use both the Kenko DG300 1.4x and 2x convertors (not the DGX versions). Kenko does point out that they are designed to be used on fixed focal length lenses above 100mm.

The 1.4x makes no noticeable difference to the sharpness of my 300mm f2.8 IS mk1 although you do see light fall-off in the corners but only if it's a uniformly coloured background i.e. a blue cloudless sky.

The 2x is softer but still quite acceptable (at least to me).

I haven't used the Canon ones but have read there can be compatibility issues with some non-Canon lenses.

I'd suggest the Kenko 1.4x and Canon 2x would be the way to go.

Or you could always walk closer to the subject!

64

Lenses / Re: Canon 5D mark III + 300 2.8 L IS I

« on: November 12, 2012, 05:19:25 AM »

The gear should work in any area where a human can work so I wouldn't worry. Just make sure you dry up any moisture around the lens mount before changing lens. I've also got the 5D3 and 300mm IS and it is a great combination. I sometimes use it with the Kenko DG300 1.4x and 2x convertors - they do slow the focusing but if your subjects aren' t moving quickly there shouldn't be a problem.

I haven't used my equipment in any tough locations but don't see why it would cause problems - use common sense to keep things as dry/clean as possible. Remember, the 5D3 is not a 1DX!!

65

Sports / Re: motorsport photos

« on: November 11, 2012, 10:18:32 AM »

Shots of Lorenzo and Stoner are excellent ( so are the others!).

Just watched the last MotoGP race at Valencia were you there?

Post more pictures please!

66

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D3 focus for birds in flight

« on: November 04, 2012, 10:49:51 AM »

Went out yesterday with 5D3 and 300mm f2.8 IS plus Kenko DG300 2x convertor. Used AF case 4 with tracking set to -2 ("full" locked on) and got the attached shots. I was just a bit too far away to get decent shots of ducks in flight but I'm quite pleased with the one below (luck more than skill). I really will have to get FoCal and tweak the focusing of the 300mm when I've got convertors attached.

67

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Amazon.co.uk's D800 price is killing me!!!

« on: November 03, 2012, 03:27:58 PM »

Just cough up and buy the Canon. I bought mine with the 24-105mm at full price from Jacobs the day after they went into administration and you don't hear me complain (mostly 'cos no one will listen  ).

Remember some U.S. states have their own sales tax that isn't shown in the sticker price - it gets added at the checkout.

Either you need the Canon or you need the Nikon. Remember, buyer's remorse never comes cheap!



 

68

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Hurricane Sandy in New York City. Almost like a ghost town

« on: October 30, 2012, 12:54:56 PM »

Yup, looks like the wind is picking up....

69

Animal Kingdom / Re: Red Squirrels and other Scottish Wildlife

« on: October 28, 2012, 10:46:51 AM »

Really like the shots especially the 3rd one. Where were they taken? There's a big estate near me but you mostly only see grey squirrels 

70

Canon General / Re: Would you rather . . .

« on: October 28, 2012, 10:39:57 AM »

Yeah, but does that one good image have decent DR?  That's all that REALLY matters.

Remember, we're Canon shooters.  Our cameras suck at DR because they aren't the Nikon D800.  That is the only camera capable of taking good pictures.  The rest of us can just start crying into our camera bags now.

(Hope the sarcasm is pretty clear...)

I tried to join the National Sarcasm Society but they just wrote back saying, "Pfff, like we need your help." 

71

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D3 focus for birds in flight

« on: October 27, 2012, 06:15:52 AM »

Good point Keith. I did consider "full machine gun" mode but didn't want to spook the birds with the noise. I also covered the big white with the cut-off sleeve of an old sweatshirt to give me full "stealth capabilities"  . I've mentioned before on this site that without the lens covered, people flock to you asking questions but with it covered, it's like you don't exist!

72

Canon General / Re: Would you rather . . .

« on: October 27, 2012, 06:09:45 AM »

Distant.Star - you said it! I take shots just for my own pleasure. If someone sees something I took and likes it, yeah, okay, that's nice but I don't really care too much. If someone here on the forum compliments my stuff then, yes, it's nice to hear I'm doing something right so I'll thank them. However, there's a world of difference between someone liking/loving your shot and being willing to buy it.

A colleague is always on at me to have my own website but I couldn't care less about such a thing. I've seen too many websites of technically/artistically mediocre junk that I don't want to add to the pile! Seems like too much effort to shout "look at me! look at me!" on something as vast as the internet - fine if you want to try to make money but for most of us, it's just a hobby.

Geez, I'm more cranky than normal today 

73

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: October 27, 2012, 05:50:30 AM »

Very nice shots, I really like the coot.

Thanks Corey! I'm no expert in this type of stuff but I hate how nature likes to mess with us by having birds requiring greater dynamic range than the 5D3 can handle! The attached shot of the coot below would either have had correctly exposed head and no detail (or "lifted" noisy detail) in the body or detail in the body but blown whites. I now expect someone to suggest getting a 1DX or Nikon thingma'bob to cope. Meh.

There isn't a great variety of birds where I live - I actually think the coolest thing about the shots is the reflected autumn colours in the water!

74

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D3 focus for birds in flight

« on: October 26, 2012, 02:58:13 PM »

That's a good question - last week I tried some birds in flight (not really my main interest but thought I'd try something slightly different) and was using the 5D3 with 300mm f2.8 IS and Kenko DG 300 1.4x TC, 9-point expansion, silent shutter continuous drive and AF tracking mode 5. I didn't take too many shots but didn't get any keepers. I put this down to:

1. Need more practice - I normally do portraits/city/landscape type stuff so flying things are harder for me.
2. Using the 1.4x TC maybe slows the communication to the lens meaning it isn't responding quickly enough using AF mode 5. I used the same body/lens/TC at an airshow and AF mode 2 after reading about airshow photography on another site. Whilst I did get some very good shots, overall I wasn't impressed by that tracking mode for aircraft (prop and jet).
3. Uh....something less obvious. 

Hopefully our friends on this site will share their wisdom soon!

75

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: October 26, 2012, 02:40:40 PM »

nice shots Guy....have you tried the 300 2.8 w/ 2x extender?

Northstar,

Last week I used the Kenko 1.4x Pro DG 300 with the 300mm and got the attached shots (heavily cropped). Also have the Kenko DG 300 2x but rarely use it as you do lose a bit of sharpness with it. I might try it tomorrow if the light is good. I mainly got the 2x TC just for shots of the moon but you really need more than 600mm to do it properly! Now that's where I need 46mp+  .
I'll need to get FoCal soon to calibrate all my gear as the shots I was getting with the 1.4x TC aren't quite as sharp as I'd like - most other lenses are acceptable without AFMA but FoCal should only improve things. Then again it may be down to the fairly extreme cropping in these shots so I'm losing a bit of definition that way. I was using a 5D3 set to quiet continuous shutter realease (a benefit over the 1DX ) 9-point AF expansion and AF servo mode 5 for these shots so I'm assuming AFMA is required.