Messages

1

Canon General / Re: Do you carry around a back up? point&shoot/mirrorless/iphone?

« on: April 25, 2013, 03:17:45 PM »

G1X is great for this.  Not a DSLR, no detachable lens, so you can take it to the Kentucky Derby.  Full manual controls and flash integration.  One-handed operation like a point and shoot.  Almost APS-C sized sensor, decent DOF. 

My two biggest complaints are: (1) autofocus hunts sometimes, and (2) it's too big for a belt holster.  But I bought it for just these types of situations and it works great.  I wish more people would buy it, then maybe Canon would take it a bit more seriously and update the firmware, or maybe even release a second version with some new features and what not.

2

Lenses / Re: Lightweight lens for backpacking and bicycle touring

« on: April 16, 2013, 11:22:24 AM »

I plan on bringing only one lens for weight reasons.  I'm almost considering just buying a canon point-and -shoot, just for weight reasons (heresy, I know). 

Sometimes you just can't take a DSLR with big or multiple lenses.  You shouldn't have to sacrifice the quality of your photos, though.  That is why I bought a Powershot G1X.  It is smaller than a DSLR, but the sensor is nearly APS-C sized.  You can operate it one-handed like a true point and shoot, and the flip-out LCD is great for composing selfies and other travel shots.  Throw in a gorillapod and get crazy. 

The trade-off with the G1X is autofocus (which is a bit slow and can hunt sometimes in low light) and zoom range (28-112 mm 35 mm equivalent).  It has no GPS.  But if you want pretty landscapes and scenics, plus action shots in good daylight, I think you'll be very happy with it.  The IQ is great.  Get a good chest or hip bag for it, maybe a wrist strap instead of the neck strap, and you'll find yourself reaching for it all the time.

The cameras and lenses are just tools.  Sometimes, the G1X is the right tool.  I think it would work very well for this job.

3

Lenses / Re: Lenses for carpets photography

« on: April 08, 2013, 03:06:08 PM »

I get the sense that you are new to the details of photography, so here are a few basic points.

Your prior camera, the 600D, was a crop-sensor camera using the EF-S mount.  This sensor was smaller than the full-frame sensor in the 5D series cameras (and the 6D and 1D), using the EF mount.  So, the 18mm wide end of your EF-S zoom lens on the 600D is actually equivalent to a 28mm EF lens on a full-frame camera.   

There are a number of EF lenses that cover this range.  For primes, you could look at any of the 28mm lenses.  If you are shooting handheld from a ladder, you might consider the new 28mm f/2.8 IS lens, with image stablization that will help with any blur from handholding.  There is also a 20mm f/2.8 lens with a wider field of view that is inexpensive.  For zooms, there is a 17-40 f/4 and a 16-35 f/2.8 that would probably work as well.  Zooms generally have smaller apertures, so they require more light, but that should not be a problem with a 5d mark 3 or 6D (although the 5d mark 2 it may be).  For wider apertures (1.8, 1.4, 1.2), note that the field of view, or the area in focus, is very narrow.  For more detail, you want smaller apertures (larger numbers, like 5.6, 8, 11, etc). 

The TS-E lenses are manual focus, and would require you use a tripod and spend lots of time with them.  The "stitching" of images is also more time spent on the computer afterwards.  It does not sound like that is what you are looking for. 

However, changing lenses is not hard or time consuming, and you could also get a 100mm f/2.8 macro lens (the version with the IS if you are shooting handheld) to take your detail shots right after you take your wide shots.  Or you could get the EF-S 60mm macro lens and put it on your old 600D for your macro shots, but note that this lens will not work on your new full frame 5D.

Also, you should look into the 6D camera.  Its built-in wifi might be useful in your working environment, and the autofocus will be plenty for photographing stationary carpets.  The images should look just about as good as the 5d Mark 3, and maybe even better than the 5d mark 2.  (This is the kind of thing that people on the internet argue about a lot, though).

I hope this helps.

4

Lenses / Re: Thoughts on Canon 20mm f/2.8?

« on: March 21, 2013, 01:00:20 PM »

I have the lens and I really enjoy it on a crop camera.  It was my first purchase and it was basically bolted on to my camera for a long time. 

That said, you are asking about full-frame.  I did use it on a 5dII for a few days and I liked it there, too.  I didn't really push it in terms of usage, but I could sit at the dinner table and snap three people across from me on the other side.  I never had a chance to use it on landscapes. 

If I was considering buying it new for a 5dIII, I think I might just opt for the 17-40.  The slightly higher cost would be worth it to me in terms of build quality and zoom flexibility, and the loss of a stop would not matter given the higher ISO capabilities of the newer full frame cameras for shooting in lower light.  I don't think you can even compare the 20mm to the 16-35, though.  If you are seriously considering the 16-35, i think the prime would pale in comparison.  However, if you are on a budget, love primes, shoot handheld, shoot wide open, or have a potential use on a crop camera, you'll enjoy this lens.  When I update to fullframe, I plan on keeping the 20mm long enough to really push it before I choose to try an upgrade.

I used to tell people that it was a little prone to flair but I may have had a bad experience with a cheap/dirty UV filter.  However, I did opt for the Canon bayonet hood and I think it helps.

5

Canon General / Re: Creative Canon Invite for March 22

« on: March 15, 2013, 10:30:46 AM »

Sales (profits) of "lame P&S" fund R&D that goes into DSLR's.(*)
In general, yes, we need Canon (and Nikon and Sony and...) to have profitable P&S products to drive R&D.

well then the future looks very grim and canon should start making mobile phones.

If they did make a phone with a good lens/sensor combo, a proper flash, and built-in apps to control them with SLR-level controls, I'd buy one.  I think they'd sell like crazy to all sorts of Canon photogs.

6

EOS-M / Re: EOS M Firmware Coming Soon

« on: February 11, 2013, 10:25:08 AM »

What about a similar update for the G1x?  It has the same issue, and everybody talked about how there would be a firmware update to fix it, and I haven't seen or heard anything.  I realize it may not be a big seller, but the fix might give it a bump.  It debuted around the same price point as the EOS M, too.  Anybody else waiting around for this?

7

Lenses / Re: What lenses are good enough for the 18mp APS-C sensor? 1000$ limit :)

« on: February 06, 2013, 12:42:09 PM »

And the hilarity ensues.  I think it's a totally valid question.  If L lenses were all $200, everybody would just collect them like stamps and be on their merry way.  They aren't, so those of us on a stricter budget wonder what affordable lens will be worth it and what lens won't.  I wonder what non-L lenses some of our folks have in their bags that they won't list in their signature, or sold and wish they hadn't.

For wide angle on crop, I really like my 20mm f/2.8.  Other full-frame future-proofers go for the 17-40/4L.  Neither has the extra wide angle of the 10-22 that everyone lauds.

For a "normal" prime on crop, I just bought a 28mm f/1.8 and I'm happy, although it doesn't get much love on the internets.  The older 35 f/2, or the 28 f/2.8, are easier on the budget.  I think the 28/1.8 hits the sweet spot of quality full-frame lens, before everyone had to start thinking in terms of two separate lens line-ups.

The 50/1.8, 50/1.4, and 40/2.8 all get excellent reviews (considering their price points).  On crop, they are more like portrait lenses than normal.  For super-cheap macro, add some fully automatic extension tubes.

For proper macro on a budget, the 100mm f/28 USM produces excellent pictures and doubles as a fast telephoto/portrait lens.  No IS, no focus limiter, but full-time manual focus.

I don't know about the higher-level EF-S zooms.  They are probably better than the older full frame primes I'm spouting off about, but I like fast lenses that I won't have to resell when I upgrade. 

8

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: a digital photography noob has a question about image quality

« on: January 30, 2013, 11:13:15 AM »

I realize that we're getting pretty far off of the original question (relating to image quality), but I would suggest that you keep both cameras.  I took a two week trip to Africa and I was swapping my lenses out more often that I preferred.  If I could afford to, I'd keep both. 

On safari, put that 650D on your 70-200 (to take advantage of the crop factor) and your wildlife photos will have much better reach.  In daylight, unless you are trying to track a moving cheetah or something, I think that combo will do great.  Put the normal or wide angle lens on the 5DIII and get beautiful scenics, and you can swap the 5DIII onto the telephoto if the distance shortens, the light drops, or the action speeds up.  Everywhere else, and for sunrise/sunset/evenings, take the 5DIII.  You can hand off the 650D to your travelling companions (so you can be in some pictures) or just have it on hand as a spare.

You didn't really mention lenses or whether you bought these in kits, but you could also pick up a 650D body or a 600D body used or refurbished to do the same thing.  Don't sacrifice your whole kit just to have the 5DIII, but if you can have good lenses, a tripod, a flash, and two bodies, I would do it. 

Most important, for an 8 week trip, you will need storage space (memory cards, laptop, and/or external hard drive).  On my two week trip, I nearly filled all of my cards shooting JPG only.  If you shoot RAW or RAW+JPG, you will fill them up very fast.  Being gone that long, you will want to keep your files in at least two places.  You can do lots of cards backed up to your laptop and not erased, or a few cards backed up to your laptop and an external hard drive before erasing the cards, or, with the 5DIII having dual card slots, you could backup one card to the other and rotate out your backup cards to the bag where you keep your dirty underwear, and nobody will steal them.  Cards and hard drives are not too expensive any more, but I would rather haul a lot of SD and CF cards rather than a laptop, ipad, or hard drive.

Post more questions as you prepare.  Some of us on here are living vicariously through your travels!

9

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: What photo/video gear did Santa bring you this year?

« on: December 27, 2012, 02:43:24 PM »

Mrs. Claus got me:
Oben AC-2310L tripod with lateral center column
EZ-Foto arca-swiss ball head
Canon E2 hand strap

I may also have snuck a few stocking stuffers in on my own:
sunwayfoto arca plate
desmond arca clamp
no name 11" magic arm
no name flat bracket

Looking to get creative with a customizable flash bracket/DIY ringflash for portraits and macro.  Trying to keep the gear acquisition syndrome in check by focusing on the pictures rather than the camera/lenses.

10

Software & Accessories / Re: Recommended case for Canon G1X???

« on: December 26, 2012, 03:32:48 PM »

I personally use the Case Logic DCB-303.  You can slide the G1X in sideways, with the filter adapter, filter, and 58mm cap attached.  It is snug but there is very little room for extras.  Two side pockets big enough for a battery, shutter release, SD cards, but not much else.  NO room for the charger.  Has a nice belt loop so you can wear it on your belt (if you don't mind the dorky look) or slide it on another bag strap or waist pack.  Alternatively, it has loops and a shoulder strap, although these are pretty lightweight.

11

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Only 1 lens

« on: December 14, 2012, 12:58:19 PM »

I know this is a few days old, but I wanted to weigh in with my thoughts as a new parent.  Obviously nobody knows your financial situation, and you can't choose photography over diapers, but I wouldn't unload my gear just yet.  If you love taking pictures, you're going to love taking pictures of your baby.  In months three through six, I downloaded about 1,000 frames off all of our cameras.  If I had unloaded my gear or downgraded before the baby came, it would be the single biggest regret of my parenting career.

If you've been shooting top of the line gear, you're just going to be frustrated.  I shoot an older T1i and I'm saving my pennies for a 6D.  I can't imagine downgrading now.  As for you downgrading to a rebel, about the only argument in favor of this in my eyes would be to get a T4i with the 18-135 STM, because you'll want good video.  However, dedicated video cameras are cheap and having a second camera also lets mom or grandparents get involved.

To me, this is more of a question of lens selection.  I would keep your standard zoom and your fifty, for sure.  The only one I question is the 70-200, because you'll never be far enough away to use it.  I might unload it and pick up a 100L for portraits and quasi-macro (hands, feet, etc) or maybe a 135 (everybody says it's great) with some tubes for the close focus.  The other thing I suggest is more wide-angle of some sort.  I won't weigh in on selection, but once the baby can move, he's going to be crawling towards the camera, and fast.  I have the 20mm (on crop about 32mm) and I'm always backing up with it.  A 17-40 or even a 20-35 might get a lot of use, even on full frame, and help conserve your budget.

A point and shoot is a good idea, although if you have decent smartphones and don't keep your DSLR in a lockbox, you might not use it.  I got the g1x, and the image quality is great, although it's a little sluggish.  However, with a compact case, we take it all over (Wrigley field, pumpkin patch, weekend trips to Grandma's) and it is great to not lug a DSLR bag with all the rest of the baby gear.  We also have Elphs but the iphones take far more pictures than those.

Most important thing is just using them.  Our cameras sit out on shelves, ready to go, because you can't dig through a bag when he's having a "first".  Because the iphones take P&S quality snaps, I haven't stuffed an Elph in the diaper bag permanently, but my wife usually carries hers in her purse.  Read Ken Rockwell's article on why your wife wants you to buy better camera gear.  It's a bit sexist and nauseating, but the principle is pretty close.  I was never into portraiture, but I bought a flash, I'm trying to build a DIY ringflash, and looking at all sorts of umbrellas and stuff, too.  I wouldn't bother selling your 580, in fact, I'd start looking at lighting for your DIY baby portraits.  We took all sorts of home-made newborn photos, and, although they are nowhere near the quality that we got from the pro baby portrait studio, they are great, they're mine, and they are great memories to have from a time when all your baby does is sleep and poop.

If none of this helps you, then just take neuroanatomist's advice.  He's pretty much always right and never full of BS, from what I've read.

12

EOS Bodies / Re: Starter Gear (newbie here)

« on: June 12, 2012, 11:30:41 AM »

A couple points.  A lot of the advice you got upthread here is geared towards photography, and I noticed that you said you're going to school for video production.  I'm an amateur photographer and former news videographer, so I thought I could help a bit.

I think the Rebel T4i w/ 18-135 STM is a great choice for video production, and it's probably what I would have chosen when I was in college if there was such a thing.  Although the 50/1.8 is a great lens for photography, if I was you, I would get the 40mm/2.8 STM that was just announced instead.  It's only $200.  If you can't afford it now, wait on the second lens and get it later.  I think the STM will be much better for your video usage, and you will not miss the extra 10mm or the extra stop of light.  Although thin depth of field is great, it is difficult to shoot at and keep focus, especially if you are talking about video.

Preorder those now, because they won't ship right away.  I wouldn't bother ordering anything else until you know that stuff is coming.  You might decide to cancel your T4i and go for something else before it ships.  Order from someplace like B&H or Adorama.  I think they get more stock of the new stuff and they deal with it better than Amazon (at least in my experience).

Get a clear or UV filter sized for both of your lenses to protect the front lens element.  Worry about effects filters and step up rings later.

Next, check out what kind of gear is available from your school.  Fluid-head tripods, microphones, mixing boards, lighting, etc.  Only buy what you can't borrow.  However, depending on what kind of video production you are doing (documentary/ENG, music videos, short films, etc) I would consider buying an external mic for audio because the on-board mics will not be stellar.

Also, make sure to figure out how you are going to edit your video.  The nonlinear editing at my school was so far behind that I had to edit my own video on my own PC, which is tough because there is no tech support and no forgiveness if you blow a project deadline because you chose to use your own gear.  Make sure their system can handle the files/formats and that you can get them into their system.

Beyond that, check into some more video-oriented sites like http://blog.planet5d.com and http://www.eoshd.com/.