Messages

16

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: 5d3 refurb

« on: May 29, 2013, 04:47:30 PM »

I can heartily recommend the Sirui P-326 monopod. My first was the Manfrotto 680B. It is very sturdy. It is also heavy, noisy and I don't care for lever locks that get snagged on stuff. The Sirui is very solid, weighs under a pound, extends to 60" and folds down to 15" (without a head). It is eminently transportable, which means you will actually have it when you need it, and it "only" costs $100. I coupled it with a Sirui L-10 head for a sturdy lightweight combo. Hope this helps.

PS: The monopod even comes with an attached compass

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/822252-REG/Sirui_BSRP326_P_326_6_Section_Carbon_Fiber.html
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sirui-Aluminium-Tilt-Head-L-10-for-Monopods-including-Quick-Release-Plate-/130685434434

17

Software & Accessories / Re: question for RRS/Acratech (high-end) ballhead users

« on: May 22, 2013, 04:17:42 PM »

Seemed like an appropriate thread in which to ask this....

Acratech GP owners - what is the heaviest weight you would be comfortable using in the gimbal position?  I plan to use a C6 telescope on it for views of the the moon and planets during public stargazes.  The scope weighs in at 10-11 lbs and the center of gravity is farther from the ball than a camera/lens combo would be, but the ballhead does not seem to be straining with the weight.  It's a featherweight ballhead but I think that may be deceptive.

I have found the gimbal works fine with the 300 f2.8 IS and 1 series cameras, so up to 10lbs, once I put the TC on the balance goes a bit and it gets sticky, the weight is fine and I have no concerns about breakage, but the smoothness of the panning action, which is the entire point of the gimbal feature, starts to falloff around the 10lb mark.

I must point out to anybody reading this, my combo is well above the weight of the suggested lens used (the 100-400 sized lens) in the gimbal feature. As a regular ballhead it will support substantially more and lock solidly in any orientation.

+1    The GP is quite rugged. Like PBD says, when the weight goes too far off axis, the panning is not so smooth. To counteract this, I picked up a Jobu Micro Gimbal Ball head Adapter. It is essentially the same thing as a Wimberley Sidekick, only for far less money. It will keep the weight better centered, allowing for smoother panning. The needle bearing on the Jobu for vertical movement is smooth as silk and locks. Since I have purchased a larger Gitzo with a Markins Q-10 on top, that is the rig I use the gimbal on now, but it may work well for your situation. If you are going to use that heavy setup very often, you would probably be better off getting a more heavy duty ball head. I would still recommend the Jobu Gimbal though.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/754602-REG/Jobu_Design_BWG_M1_BWG_Micro_Gimbal_Ballhead_Adapter.html

18

Software & Accessories / Re: 5d3+70-200mm: Is there a Sling Bag that can handle this + one other lens?

« on: May 21, 2013, 09:00:38 PM »

Thank you for all the suggestions!!!

After looking at these and others on the sites...I think so far, I'm narrowing down upon:

Lowepro Urban Sling 250

And the Tamrac 5768 Velocity 8x Photo Sling...

So far, I'm leaning towards the Tamrac .....I really think I prefer the sling to the shoulder bag. I"m looking for outdoor concerts/fests (and we have multiples of them pretty much weekly here in New Orleans) as the targets for my carrying needs, and with those I figure a sling bag is best for long day wear, and moving through sometimes thick crowds.

Just curious with one that might still be responding here....what do you do about your monopod if you carry one? Do you strap it onto your sling/shoulder bag? My Manfrotto 561BHDV-1 can get a little heavy carrying around all day, and a bit cumbersome with beer carrying too (remember, this is NOLA I'm talking about hahaha).

How do you manage when you carry a mono pod?

At these concerts I'm liking to monopod my camera, to shoot HD video near the stages, and I usually set my old Zoom H2 down for recording and have gotten some amazing footage with good sound....so, the mono pod is great and without my rode mic on top, they don't really look at you as recording video which is nice if you want to be stealthy a bit....

C

The Velocity 8 has MAS straps on both sides. My monopod is a Sirui P-326 and it will slip into the straps. It's 1.5" wide at the top section and it's a snug fit, so no quick draw. If your Manfrotto is no wider, it should work.

19

Software & Accessories / Re: Screen protector question

« on: May 21, 2013, 08:42:13 PM »

I don't really think they're necessary, but I have a Giottos on mine so I don't feel so reckless as I wipe the screen off with my shirt. 28 bucks for a little piece of mind ain't bad...

20

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 70D Coming in July? [CR2]

« on: May 21, 2013, 08:32:48 PM »

I'm both excited and disappointed. I've waited a long time for 70D announcement, so that's exciting. However, if mass-production issues for the new sensor are what's holding up the 7DII, then it's likely that the 70D will have the same sensor as the SL1 and T5i, so that's kind of disappointing.

Maybe I'll just be really optimistic and hope that not only does the 70D have the new sensor tech, but that the 7DII will therefore also be announced some time this year. Of course, frustration arises out of unmet expectations. I should probably keep my expectations low...

My bet would be that, had new sensor production gone as planned, the 70D would have the new tech (and have been released quite a while ago), but that since it didn't, and they have to release something, they'll do the best they can with all non-sensor improvements and send it out to market.

I'm expecting:

• Metal body (or mostly metal)
• Improved weather sealing
• AFMA
• Slightly improved AF system
• 12,800 ISO (expandable to 25,600)
• A few more creative filters

They might also throw in WiFi and/or GPS, depending on how much they feel they need to compensate for the incremental sensor upgrade.

We'll see...

PS: I really like the swivel screen. First used it on my ever-faithful A80 and currently enjoy it on my G12. Both screens function and articulate as the day they were new (despite some hard use). Knock on wood.  I can't imagine not having it, especially since many of the photos I take are from low(er) positions...

I'm expecting

1) a nob that goes ALL the way round
2) a 7 instead of the 6 in the 60d badge
3) 12800 iso will look like a cat vomit after eating a pack of m&ms

           Oh c'mon. WiFi, AFMA and perhaps higher FPS.
                        Creative filters?

21

Software & Accessories / Re: Which SD-card for Eos 6D?

« on: May 20, 2013, 05:05:13 PM »

Sandisk is an excellent memory card maker. The Ultra line should be fine for normal use. If you expect to be doing a lot of extended rapid fire shooting, you may want the Extreme series. I don't believe the 6D could ever take advantage of the speed of the Extreme Pro series. If money is an issue, Transend is a very good bang for the buck card as well. Happy shooting!

22

Canon General / Re: Beach Vacation in a month... & I'm scared for my gear.

« on: May 19, 2013, 03:25:36 PM »

I live in southern California and bring my camera and lenses, including non weathersealed ones, to the beach all the time and have never had any problems. 

And yes, I do change lenses all the time at the beach, just get into a habit of pointing the lens/camera down and away from the water when changing lenses as the mist/spray from the ocean does tend to get all over your stuff.  To the same point, my front elements tend to be pretty covered in mist by the end of the day so make sure you have something to clean with.

I would also suggest you bring along a rocket blower or similar. Getting sand on your gear is pretty much unavoidable. I would take extra care that there isn't any sand around the mount when you go to change lenses. And NEVER wipe down any lens surfaces, even with liquid cleaners, unless youre sure that you have blown off all sand particles, youll essentially be sanding your lens.

As for being in the water while holding your camera, it really just depends on how comfortable you are with not dropping your gear and how high the tide coming in is.  I have had my 6D and 17-40 on a tripod about a foot above the incoming tide level shooting a slow shutter of the water coming in. Camera came out unscathed but tripod wasn't as lucky, had to that it apart and clean every single piece.

Along with all that...ENJOY YOUR VACATION! Don't worry too much about your gear as everyone else said.

+1    I live in S Florida and frequently bring my gear to the beach, though I do try to use only weather-sealed lenses. I have to go at least once a year for the annual Air & Sea Show which coincides with Fleet Week. Though, sadly, it was greatly reduced to civilian planes & boats this year due to sequestration

23

Software & Accessories / Re: 5d3+70-200mm: Is there a Sling Bag that can handle this + one other lens?

« on: May 19, 2013, 09:06:58 AM »

The Lowepro Fastpack 350 AW will do all you ask and more. I have the "video" version, but both will hold a 5D w/70-200 attached (with tripod collar & battery grip) + plenty of room for other stuff.


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/531365-REG/Lowepro_LP35197_PEU_Fastpack_350_Backpack_Black.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/823536-REG/Lowepro_LP36394_PAM_DSLR_Video_Fastpack_350.html

Edit: The Tamrac Velocity 8 suggested above is also very good and is a bit more streamlined for crowds.

24

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Glasgow scientists create single-pixel camera for 3D images

« on: May 17, 2013, 06:39:02 PM »

thats it!  the big surprise from Canon is a single-pixel camera named the 3D

     Will it also have a single pixel EVF?

25

EOS-M / Re: EOS M Announcement in the Summer? [CR2]

« on: May 17, 2013, 06:34:49 PM »

Just can figure these AF comments out at all.

Folk making them either:

Mindlessly repeat what they've read without thinking

Haven't used the camera

or Haven't used the camera properly set up.

I was shooting at dusk last night with a ND64 and CPL on my 22mm and it was working fine.  Is slow with my Sigma 70mm, but then so are the rest of my cameras.

If you use the camera in moron mode with totally automatic AF select then you have no right to complain that it doesn't work as well as your DSLR in moron mode.

You're making me feel dumb. My camera is set to "M" most of the time...

26

Software & Accessories / Re: question for RRS/Acratech (high-end) ballhead users

« on: May 17, 2013, 06:20:44 PM »

Any (expensive) ball head from Arca Swiss, Markins, or Really Right Stuff will do what you ask. The question then becomes the head's usability. How smooth does it operate, how much does it weigh, do you like the layout of the controls. I will offer another vote for Markins. The Arca Swiss monoball and the BH-55 are as solid as a mountain, but they are large and heavy. I have a Markins Q-10 that is also solid as a rock, but it weighs just slightly over one pound and is smooth as silk. They make a Q-20, but I feel if you need that much clamping strength, you probably should be using a gimbal setup. If size and weight don't matter, all are good choices.

PS: The only negative I can say about the Markins, is that they puzzlingly placed the spirit level on the clamp as opposed to beside it...

27

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 70D & EOS 7D Mark II

« on: May 16, 2013, 08:10:01 PM »

The biggest surprise I've seen from Canon (or anyone else for that matter) in the last several years was the SX50. Everything else from everyone else seems to have been incremental improvements. The surprise is that they could make a 50X superzoom that works reasonably well... I thought that 30X was pushing it... had tried out several, and hated them. The SX50 works quite well in good light and in the right conditions outperforms lens/body combos that cost 20 times as much.

A bit better AF performance, a bit better ISO, a bit better noise, wifi, gps, a few more megapixels.... none of that will be a surprise. We all know that it will eventually happen. A surprise is something unexpected.

Perhaps a "surprise announcement" will come in the form of a mirrorless camera that takes EF lenses....

I think the Sony DSC-RX100 is a remarkable evolution of the point & shoot crowd. Too bad it rarely goes on sail.

28

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 70D & EOS 7D Mark II

« on: May 16, 2013, 06:21:47 PM »

We’re told a “surprise” announcement will be made by Canon in July, what that is we’re unsure. However, the source alluded to it being a camera body. I wouldn’t call the EOS 70D a “surprise”, but we’ll see. Could it be…….. something else?

Lets see...
* Canon announces RAW video in official firmware
* Canon announces 4k video in official firmware for 1DX/5DIII with some special add on device
* Canon announces a m4/3 camera plus lenses
* Canon announces a new EOS-M series camera that is radically different
* Canon announces a DSLR wither either hybrid or pure EVF
* Canon announces a DSLR that is modeled on the Ricoh GX-R with a plugable sensor/CPU module
* Canon announces a 70D with the autofocus from the 5DIII
* Canon announces a new APS-H DSLR (not likely)

... other ideas?

It could only be the Canon PowerShot N mkll...

29

Lenses / Re: When is the New 100-400 Coming?

« on: May 16, 2013, 04:33:54 PM »

I originally did not like the idea of a push-pull design, but have changed my mind after using my 400L for a few years.
Some of the advantages that this design made available when it was designed are:
 
     Short Storage length, shorter than the 70-200mmL
     Close focusing, for filling a frame with small birds which often let you get close.
     Is has worked for me down to 1/20 sec, far better than the IS on my 400mm f/5.6.
 
 
Newer lens technology now allows for shorter lens designs, better IS,  all with close focusing.  I'd certainly welcome a new model that  had those attributes, push pull or not.  I'd prefer the smallest one, whichever it is.
 
My 400mm f/5.6 is too long to easily store, and won't focus closely, plus a lack of IS can be a issue for stills where light in not its best.  Having to use a high shutter speed requires high ISO's unless I have bright light.

+1

+2

+3
I really don't understand all the hate over push/pull. The lens is quite short for a 400. My copy is also quite sharp. I am intrigued by the larger aperture and latest generation of IS. So while I would love to upgrade, price will be the determining factor for me. I don't give a rat's ass whether it's twist or push/pull, only reasonably priced.

30

Lenses / Re: +18 AFMA out of the box....return?

« on: May 14, 2013, 07:21:28 PM »

If you get another that requires that much correction, you should probably send both the lens and the camera to Canon.