Messages

16

EOS Bodies / Re: Downgrade to crop

« on: December 03, 2012, 03:34:45 PM »

The 5DIII is a camera which is a generation ahead... therefore, the comparison has a significant variable. Also, the 16 being bigger in the 7D shot is a serious deal...

I agree that there is a generation gap between cameras but I somehow suspect that the gap is much bigger between crop & FF than it is between two FF bodies that are only 1 generation apart.

I'll agree with other posters that in good light... it makes little difference. I actually took some photos of a bright giant yellow Nikon logo at the store at ISO 6400 with the 7d and the image wasn't as bad.

My current dilemma... is the $1800 (more or less) difference between the cameras justified for a non-professional?

17

EOS Bodies / Re: Downgrade to crop

« on: December 03, 2012, 10:54:09 AM »

I'm in the middle of making a decision for my next DSLR/Lens combo for wildlife... I was at my local camera store yesterday and I shot one of the pillars with the 400mmf/5.6L lens with the 5D3 and 7d. both shots taken at ISO 3200, f/5.6, 1/500sec shutter. same lens, I was standing at roughly the same spot and these are 100% crops of the images. I'll let you make your own conclusions/decisions

18

Lenses / Re: "Affordable" telephoto lens for wildlife

« on: November 22, 2012, 07:47:14 AM »

for the zoo you would need the zoom, even 100mm might be too long for some spots.

I will be primarily shooting birds in flight, I'll try to test out the 300mmf4 but from the looks of things so far the 400mm is looking like the winner for me. you don't even need the tripod for fast shutter speed shots...

19

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Canon EF 600 f/4L IS II in Stock at B&H Photo

« on: November 21, 2012, 01:45:44 PM »

I got a chance to take a few shots with the lens in the store last night.... I had a hard time giving it back.... may wallet and my kids college fund thanked me for it....

20

Lenses / Re: "Affordable" telephoto lens for wildlife

« on: November 20, 2012, 10:08:45 PM »

I finally got the chance to pass by the local camera store, I tried the 400mm5.6, the 100-400 and the new 600....

at slower shutter speeds the 100-400 produced better results (expected)
at a higher shutter speeds (set my camera to ISO 1600 and shot at 1/500sec handheld) I did notice sharper images with the 400 prime lens, for example the hair on some of the people at the store were better defined when shot with the prime lens.

then for kicks, I took a few handheld shots with the 600 and decided that the previous 2 lenses were just toys.... I could read the sales tags on SD cards from across the store with that lens. make out the fabric in people's hat's half way across the store, etc

but anyway - back to my reality.... I'm still digesting the images from today and will probably make another run to test the 70-300L and any other contenders.

21

Canon General / Re: Photography websites. Where are you posting?

« on: November 17, 2012, 08:26:54 PM »

I'm also of the opinion that Flickr is better for putting up sets of photos (family vacations, photoshoot samples, etc). I have not interacted too much with the Flickr community so I can't comment on how constructive the criticism is.

I recently started posting on 500px (http://500px.com/VasilisArgyropoulos) and although the vast majority of comments/votes/"faves" are made with an anticipation of a reciprocal vote, I have received enough honest feedback that it has helped me improve my skills. I am not crazy about the anonymous "dislikes" since I have seen amazing photos getting flagged with dislikes just so that their scores would lower and bump the photo down the ranks.

22

Lenses / Re: "Affordable" telephoto lens for wildlife

« on: November 02, 2012, 11:45:14 AM »

Thanks for the heads up! right now I can't wait for some of the transportation mess to clear up in the NYC area so that we can begin to resume a "normal" pace

23

Lenses / Re: "Affordable" telephoto lens for wildlife

« on: November 02, 2012, 11:15:03 AM »

...
You can't have a lens that is too long for birds and wildlife unless you are shooting in a zoo.  Light is the big issue.  I use my 580 EX II plus a Better beamer.  It makes a huge difference when in shadows or low light.
...

This is a very interesting accessory... if it works with a 430exII then it will get added to my kit, thanks for the tip and nice bird portrait!

24

Lenses / Re: "Affordable" telephoto lens for wildlife

« on: November 02, 2012, 11:11:36 AM »

There is definitely a big difference between AF systems of cameras.
,,,
Also, there is a big difference between 70-300mm nonL and 70-300mm L
...

hi Paul,

agreed on both points. for the body I am looking at the 5D3 if the "price roller coaster" settles in favorable grounds... this will be my body of choice... if the 5D3 is not in the cards then the 7D will be it.

I have not tried the L version of the 70-300 but based on your images and feedback, I will definitely check it out at my local store.

Thanks,
Vasilis

25

Lenses / Re: "Affordable" telephoto lens for wildlife

« on: November 01, 2012, 01:05:51 PM »

yes, I agree... I currently shoot a rebelXT (8MP from 2005) so anything is an upgrade. I did try the 5D3 with the 24-70 (original) on the same Canon program this past summer and I found the image quality to be excellent at ISO 3200 and minimal noise at 6400.

too bad the 5d3 is on a roller coaster ride with these prices....

26

Lenses / Re: "Affordable" telephoto lens for wildlife

« on: November 01, 2012, 11:23:08 AM »

I'd like to also state that all the images posted on this thread are amazing - thanks to all who shared!

for birds and small animals I end up doing a lot of cropping at 300mm so I suspect that I will be shooting at 400mm more often than not. I do shoot other type of photography (macro being my favorite) so I am covered on shorter focal lengths (my 100L macro is my goto lens lately for portraits of people and insects....).

from what I have seen here, the 400mm5.6 is starting to look like my next lens, but I will not make any purchase until I've had a chance to shoot all of the previously mentioned lenses at my local store... also need to wait for things to get back to normal after Sandy's aftermath here in new york.

of course like most of the folks on this forum, I do hope that one day I end up with a "complete set" of bodies and lenses but other priorities do come first as this is a hobby for me and not a profession.

27

Lenses / Re: "Affordable" telephoto lens for wildlife

« on: October 31, 2012, 10:15:12 PM »

Thanks to everyone for the great feedback on this thread, I will agree with neuroanatomist that to get the "professional" looking tack sharp images you can never have enough reach but I feel that my skill level is not up to that point yet. I want to hone my skills getting closer to the wildlife and I have seen quite a bit of action during my deer hunting days of the past including a hawk swooping in to pickup a chipmunk at less than 100yards from me. Maybe by that time the 600mm version 3 will be out - who knows. for now 400mm should be adequate for me.

I spent a couple of hours looking at photos that I took of the peak of half dome from glacier point between the 100-400L and 70-300 during the Canon photography in the parks - Yosemite program and there is a bit of improvement with the 100-400 but not much difference because I was probably shooting at a stone surface in broad daylight.

I will head into one of the local "big" stores and see if I can try out the different lenses and see if I can notice any differences right away.

28

Lenses / "Affordable" telephoto lens for wildlife

« on: October 31, 2012, 02:17:47 PM »

Hello, I need some advice on an "affordable" telephoto lens which will be used primarily for wildlife. initially I will be shooting birds and other animals within the parks in the New York city area, later on I plan to head upsate to see if I can find raptors (owls, hawks, eagles, etc). I currently have the EF70-300mm and unless I am shooting with very bright light it does not give me the sharpness that I would like.

I tried the 100-400L earlier this summer and it appears to be a decent lens
other lenses that look good on paper (price and features) are the 300F4 and the 400F5.6.
I am also considering the 70-200f2.8 ISII and a 2x converter

Does anyone have any opinion on choosing between the above mentioned lenses, or even to propose another lens/combo at a similar price range? AS far as bodies are concerned... either 5D3 or 7D... still debating on that one....

29

Canon General / Re: It's Halloween, Post your spooky photos!

« on: October 31, 2012, 02:05:26 PM »

Here is our attempt at a Halloween pumpkin this year:

30

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: I need some help my Canon friends!

« on: October 19, 2012, 04:26:15 PM »

to the OP:

personally I use my film camera to help me break "bad habits" or otherwise using the "auto" features of the DSLR as a crutch and I must say it has helped me improve my skill set and continues to do so. However once you're in a professional setting where you have client deliverables, you need to use the tools that you're most comfortable with and this may or may not be the "cool new toy" that you recently got (or will get).

my only complaint against film is that there is no instant feedback (unless you do polaroid tests or stuff like that)... more than once I've picked up prints from the lab only to drop my jaw and say why did I miss that. with digital, you do have the risk of "chimping" every other shot, but then you can alter settings on the spot to help ensure you get the keepers.