Messages

4816

EOS Bodies / Re: tips on getting started shooting in raw?

« on: January 02, 2012, 09:18:56 PM »

If you are editing the color, contrast, sharpness, etc in jpeg, you are making thw IQ of your images deteriorate.  With raw, they can get better.

I use lightroom.  I adjust a typical image as to color, contrast, NR, sharpening, and set lightroom to always make those adjustments for that camera model at that ISO setting.  That gives me a starting point, and its done as images are imported,so it takes no more work from me.

Since lightroom does not change the original file, I can always undo it and apply different adjustments now or 10 years in the future when some improved lightroom can do a better job.  With jpeg from the camera, your images are cooked and it can't be undone.  Any further adjustments merely tends to decrease the IQ of the image.

However, there are valid reasons to use jpeg too.  If you need to send a image straight to a editor to post on the news where time is mooney, thats the best way.  If you are taking a snapshot to post a item on craigslist or ebay, it will be 1000 times better than most, even if its jpeg.

I use the jpeg or raw mode based on what I intend to do with the image.  Most of the time, I use raw.

4817

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon Super-35mm Cinema Sensor Explained

« on: January 02, 2012, 09:04:13 PM »

So, no one is bothered with Canon movie equipment?

Are you just trolling, or do you have something about the design of the C300 sensor to contribute?

4818

EOS Bodies / Re: Does Autoclean on the 5D2 do anything?

« on: January 02, 2012, 08:59:23 PM »

how do you know?

because you see some dirt you may say.. mhm.. how can you say it would not be much more dirt without auto cleaning?!

That's why I made this thread.

I end up having to clean the sensors on all my cameras at about the same rate, auto-clean or no, but the 5D2 is my only full-frame sensored camera. Today when I was cleaning it, I noticed an option to disable the auto-clean feature, and was wondering why I would ever want to do that, and if I'd notice a difference.

If you want to save your battery, and/or speed up the camera startup, turning it off is a huge help.  That does not mean its off forever, perhaps just while you are away from power and need all the battery you can get.

Missing a money shot while waiting for the self clean could cost you $$$$

4819

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon 1D X High ISO shot preview

« on: January 02, 2012, 08:41:16 PM »

Yes, I agree with that, but I'm still allowed to think it's BS from a customer p.o.v. I hate spending $6800 on a camera every two years, only to know that they COULD have done it better, and that I pay that kind of money from a small upgrade.

Then why spend $6800 on a new camera?  Why not just buy the previous model for a cheaper price when the new one comes out?

That scenario likely fits a lot of people.  However, for some photographers, the ability to get a shot that they could not get before might mean a big payday that makes the cost of the camera body look like chump change.

I'm not going to judge what someone else buys based on my needs for a camera body.  I was, however, ready to buy a 1D MK IV when the actual RAW images were made available, and the high ISO, which is what I need, was inferior to my 5D MK II.

I'll wait and see on this one as well.  If its two stops better than a 5D MK II, that is amazing (I'm in doubt).  It would upgrade all of my lenses by two stops.  For me, thats not even possible, but if it were, it would cost 10X the cost of a 1Dx.

Certainly, the image on the rear LCD is not useful in judging the  high ISO capability.  Its a jpeg image and might have a ton of NR that washes away any fine details.  That was the case with the 1D MK IV, and the RAW images told the real story.

4820

Software & Accessories / Re: AF Micro Adjustment valid in all modes?

« on: January 02, 2012, 02:01:51 PM »

Yes.  Even if you are in manual mode, it will affect the AF indicator that shows attaining focus.  I also believe it will affect at least some of the AF confirm chips, but I'm not sure of that, perhaps someone has info on that.

4821

EOS Bodies / Re: Ebay or Adorama Used?

« on: January 01, 2012, 11:31:04 PM »

I'd be interested in seeing the money back clause you refer to, maybe I could send a copy to all the buyers who were left hanging.

https://cms.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/?cmd=_render-content&content_ID=ua/UserAgreement_full#13.%20Protection%20for%20Buyers.

"PayPal Purchase Protection (also known as PayPal Buyer Protection) helps you if you encounter either of these problems:
   1. You did not receive the item you paid for with PayPal – “Item Not Received” (INR), or
   2. You received an item you paid for with PayPal but it is “Significantly Not as Described” (SNAD) (as described below)
"

"13.4 Coverage Amount. If you are eligible for PayPal Purchase Protection and PayPal finds in your favor on your Claim, PayPal will reimburse you for the full purchase price of the item and original shipping costs – with no cap on coverage."

13.2 Eligibility Requirements.

a.To be eligible for PayPal Purchase Protection you must meet all of the following requirements:

•Pay for the eligible item from your Account.

•Pay for the full amount of the item with one payment. Items purchased with multiple payments – like a deposit followed by a final payment – are not eligible. 

•Send the payment to the Seller through:

•the eBay “Pay Now” button or the eBay invoice; or

•the “Send Money” button of your Account by selecting “eBay Item” and entering your eBay User ID and the eBay item number for purchases on eBay website; or

•the Send Money tab on the PayPal website, by clicking the “Purchase” tab, or by selecting the “Checkout with PayPal” button or otherwise selecting PayPal as part of a Seller’s checkout flow.

•Open a Dispute within 45 Days of the date you sent the payment, then follow the online dispute resolution process described below under Dispute Resolution. For Pay After Delivery transactions you must open your Dispute within 45 Days of the date of your transaction.

•Have an Account in good standing.

b.For items purchased on eBay look for either a PayPal or eBay purchase or buyer protection message in the eBay listing. If you see a message, and you meet the eligibility requirements, then your purchase is covered by PayPal Purchase Protection. The purchase or buyer protection message will vary based on the eBay website. The message must appear on the top part of the listing and not under the “Description” or “Shipping and Payments” tabs. If the listing does not include the purchase or buyer protection message, then it is not eligible for PayPal Purchase Protection.


They basically talk ebay, and are silent on off ebay protection.   I'd use a credit card, that eliminates any concern of fraud.  Many FM sellers will not accept credit cards thru paypal, that eliminates them from any concern for me.

FM does not offer any guarantee or buyer protection, or help with a transaction, even though they are making money by charging sellers.  You are on your own trying to convince paypal that you did not get what was advertised.  Since a seller can edit his listing, it might not say the same thing after you receive the box of dirt.

Here is one of many posts made by FM buyers who got burned.


Total Posts: 562
Country: Canada

  p.1 #22 · Paypal Gift - Please read   



ReneMurea wrote:
molson wrote:
Unfortunately, PayPal will always side with a buyer who wants to defraud a seller, and the seller has no recourse, so the same rules about checking references and only dealing with established members applies to using regular PayPal just as it does to using PayPal Gift.
Not true. Recently I sold a lens on eBay and the buyer claimed that he never received it, though the tracking number showed "delivered". He opened the case and it was closed in my favor the same day. I always pay extra for delivery confirmation not to mention the pictures I take when I pack the goods and seal the box. This way no one can claim I sent out a brick instead of a lens.

Rene:
What applies to Ebay purchases does not necessarily apply to outside Ebay like here.
Last year, I bought a lens on this forum paid withregulat Paypal.Never received the lens ,contacted Paypal , won my case but the guy had emptied his bank account so I got an email saying that
when he replenishes (yeah right) his bank account , then and only then, they will refund.
Thanks to some members,they tracked him down and I eventually got my lens,only due to the
diligence of this community.
Sorry,long but true story.


 As you can see, Paypal may not refund, they try to get the money back out of the sellers account, but if he has emptied it ...

Beware of Paypal's silence on issues outside of ebay.

4822

EOS Bodies / Re: Ebay or Adorama Used?

« on: January 01, 2012, 08:41:56 PM »

Then a reputable seller like KEH, Adorama, B&H, there are lots of them.  last on my list is Ebay then Fred Miranda.  There is absolutely no buyer protection on Fred Miranda, at least ebay will refund most of your purchase price if you get cheated.

Nearly all sellers on fredmiranda accept paypal. This gives you the same protection you would have if you used ebay (provided you use the non-gift option, of course.)

Not true!!  He can send you a box of dirt, and as long as he has the signature confirmation, you are screwed.  If I get a box of dirt using a credit card, my bank will chargeback, but PayPal does not cover you unless you purchase buyer protection.

Ebay will refund you if the item is substantially different from the description, but not PayPal.  You can buy a moneyback guarantee from PayPal, but how many are aware that you have to pay to get a guarantee??

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/warranty-outside

paypal have a "buyer protection" program that by my reading of the description does not require an additional fee (besides the standard paypal charge)  I hadn't seen the "money back guarantee" thing you linked to before, so I can't really comment on it.

So no, you are not screwed if they send you a box of dirt. They do have a process that ends with you getting your money back in that scenario (in addition to the recourse your credit card provider offers)

I'd be interested in seeing the money back clause you refer to, maybe I could send a copy to all the buyers who were left hanging.

Paypal puts out lots of hype about buyer protection, but if you read it closely, there is no substance.

Paypal only refers you to ebay if you get cheated on something unless you have purchased the money back guarantee, which most people are not aware of.  I've used paypal now since it first came out, with well over 10,000 transactions, and have always had them cover the few thieves that hooked me on a purchase or on a sale. 

It was only because I read and understood the rules very well that I was covered.  Ebay once refunded me $25 on a several hundred dollar purchase that was a fraud.  PayPal did nothing.  After that, I made it a point to use a credit card issued thru my credit union for purchases.  I've only had to charge back once when I got a box of junk in the mail, but my credit card company backcharged Paypal immediately after I sent my credit union a signed statement and all the e-mails.

4823

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 3D & 5D Mark III Mentions

« on: January 01, 2012, 08:29:30 PM »

Ok this is sorta on but not on topic.

Does anyone know the reason why these rumours all want to call it the 3D?

I understand that if they called it the 6D it would more than likely spec wise have to fit between the 5D and 7D (if APS-H was/is not dead, this would be the camera i would suspect they stick the sensor into).

But why the 3D?

Why not the 2D or 4D?

I only say this because when you say 3D all i think of is "3D" pictures and movies. *shudder*

Anyone know the actual reason? Just curious.

A camera that sits between the 1D and the 5D might be called a 3D.  As to a 4D, the Japanese consider the number 4 to be unlucky  http://japanese.about.com/blqow7.htm

4824

Lenses / Re: Ultrawide | Prime or zoom?

« on: January 01, 2012, 08:23:26 PM »

You mentioned a crop camera.  Ultra wide primes wider than about 21mm ff equivalent just do not exist for crop cameras.  The Canon 14mm is one of the few that are close, being equivalent to about 22.4mm ff which I consider a wide rather than ultra wide.

4825

EOS Bodies / Re: Ebay or Adorama Used?

« on: January 01, 2012, 07:54:07 PM »

Then a reputable seller like KEH, Adorama, B&H, there are lots of them.  last on my list is Ebay then Fred Miranda.  There is absolutely no buyer protection on Fred Miranda, at least ebay will refund most of your purchase price if you get cheated.

Nearly all sellers on fredmiranda accept paypal. This gives you the same protection you would have if you used ebay (provided you use the non-gift option, of course.)

Not true!!  He can send you a box of dirt, and as long as he has the signature confirmation, you are screwed.  If I get a box of dirt using a credit card, my bank will chargeback, but PayPal does not cover you unless you purchase buyer protection.

Ebay will refund you if the item is substantially different from the description, but not PayPal.  You can buy a moneyback guarantee from PayPal, but how many are aware that you have to pay to get a guarantee??

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/warranty-outside

4826

Lenses / Re: What is your Micro Adjustment procedure?

« on: January 01, 2012, 01:58:03 PM »

Happy New Year, +1 to all as well.

4827

EOS Bodies / Re: Ebay or Adorama Used?

« on: January 01, 2012, 01:56:38 PM »

I have been buying used from the Canon refurb store whenever they have a sale, or thru the Canon customer loyalty program.

My second choice would be Craigslist, where I can see the equipment, question the seller, and take a few test shots with it.

Then a reputable seller like KEH, Adorama, B&H, there are lots of them.  last on my list is Ebay then Fred Miranda.  There is absolutely no buyer protection on Fred Miranda, at least ebay will refund most of your purchase price if you get cheated.

Use a credit card if you can, then you can take the evidence to your bank for a credit card chargeback if the deal goes sour and the seller is cheating you.

4828

Lenses / Re: Is this about Normal for Canon 15-85

« on: January 01, 2012, 01:49:19 PM »

You have confused readers with your terminology "down at least 1 stop some 2 from maximum aperture"  Aperture is not measured in mm in the camera settings, but by f stops.

Just giving the actual settings would be more informative rather than have readers guess if you meant a focal length of 19mm, which is 4mm from the shortest focal length.

4829

Lenses / Re: What is your Micro Adjustment procedure?

« on: December 31, 2011, 08:21:19 PM »

I wasn't convinced that alignment was all that critical either until I found that moving the camera to one side just a tiny amount had a large effect on the MA adjustment and accuracy.  I was not able to accurately determine the difference it made until after I got the lens align this last summer.

I'm sure there is a technical explanation, but for me, I get better results with the accurate alignment.

4830

Lenses / Re: What is your Micro Adjustment procedure?

« on: December 31, 2011, 07:48:05 PM »

I tried the screen pattern method (the Northlight Studios one) and found it impossible to judge.

Right now I'm planning on trying out this one:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=750736  Free version!
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1066028 $14.99 version!

It's essentially a lens align.

It is lacking the essential point of the lens align, and thats to have the target very accurately parallel to the camera sensor.  You will also need some very accurate construction to get the angles perfect.

Let us know how it works out, it should at least improve things.