Messages

46

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D3 at one week: a few surprises

« on: April 04, 2012, 01:30:01 PM »

t.linn  NICE REPORT!...   I have a question? When using  AEB...can you have exposures that are longer than 30sec. ...or do you have to put the camera on Bulb for any shutter speeds longer than 30 sec?, (like the 5D Mark II).
 
I do a LOT of HDR shooting and I have a Promote Unit (which is like hauling around a colostomy bag with my camera with 2 tubes, manual set-up. etc.. ....NOT a fluid way to work to say the least....but the only way I can shoot over 3 AEB shots without touching the camera... even with the Promote Unit I HAVE to touch the camera to get any exposures over 30secs.).  The expanded AEB feature alone on the MkIII may get me to sell my II and purchase the upgrade...but being able to go longer than 30sec. in a bracket will be icing on the cake.
I don't understand why this is such a "slow-to-come-about" feature.  There is a computer under the hood here...it should be pretty straight-forward to satisfy what I would call a basic photographic need. Timed long shutter releases.  Right?

Canon DSLR cameras are limited to a maximum shutter speed of 30 sec, period.  All shooting conditions, including AEB or HDR options have to live within that constraint.  To automatically achieve exposures longer than 30 sec requires a fundamental camera design change - extending the 30 sec maximum to something larger.  But what would you pick?   Right now it's controlled by BULB!

47

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D Mark III AEB/HDR Question????

« on: April 04, 2012, 12:51:20 PM »

Well, the in-camera HDR is really a gimmick for casual users. It's JPEG only, and the HDR options are limited. For the in-camera HDR, it can only burst 3 exposures +/- 3EV. For normal AEB, it allows up to 7 exposures, also +/- 3EV.

So the HDR function is just a subset of AEB, since it still saves the 3 raw files (if you keep the default options). You could just as easily do a 3 exposure AEB instead of using HDR.

Since you shoot HDR so much, you really shouldn't consider the built-in HDR on the 5D3. I'm sure that you'd be disappointed by it. It's interesting, but not a serious attempt at good, professional HDR. As you suspected, the AEB is really what you need, but since it's limited to +/- 3EV, you'll probably still end up doing manual bracketing, so that you can go well beyond 3EV.

I'm not sure why they limit it, since theoretically the camera should be able to automatically go up and down with the exposure as much as you want.

+1   

I shoot HDR using the Promote Control unit you mention, and I find it very effective.  I find HDR is best done shooting manually via the camera mini-USB port, varying only shutter speed and taking all the images without touching the camera.  As you mention it is possible to bracket a very large range of exposures - but not exceeding 30 sec.

The AEB on the 5D3 allows up to 7 images, and this usually covers needed range for most HDR situations.  I process these in post using Photomatix.

I too wish that the HDR option built into the 5D3 had more options, mostly more than a 3-image bracket range.

48

Software & Accessories / Re: Quick release camera strap for Canon 7D and/or 5D MkIII

« on: March 29, 2012, 01:44:34 PM »

I have the RS-4, which does have a pocket, but it's a small one (two CF cards at most).  The RS-5 seems too bulky to me, as well.  The RS-7 looks ok, as does the RS-Sport-2.

I decided on the RS-7 with the curved strap and the Kirk QRC-1 clamp.   This is an excellent way to go to/from the tripod - with one strap and multiple camera bodies.   Thanks for your very helpful input!

49

Software & Accessories / Re: Quick release camera strap for Canon 7D and/or 5D MkIII

« on: March 29, 2012, 01:21:23 PM »

Couldn't find the Kirk 1" clamp on the Kirk website.  Can you provide link and clamp model number.  I'd like to consider this for comparison with another option I'm looking at - described below.

It's the Kirk QRC-1, and here are Kirk and B&H links.

Is the Kirk 1" clamp about the same size as the B2-FAB?  I want to minimize size and weight of the solution.

The Kirk clamp (on the left in the images below) is smaller than the RRS B2-FAB (on the right), and doesn't have the little nubs on the bottom which you can see in the lower image. 

RRS suggested I either file off the nubs to connect the FastenR-3 (which it looks like was done for the photo on the RRS page), or just mash the rubber washer down on them.  Instead, I returned the RRS clamp, and kept the Kirk.

Most excellent!   The Kirk QRC-1 seems like the better choice (and costs less too). 

I've looked at the Black Rapid straps - the RS-4, RS-5 and RS-7.  Which one do you have - recommend.  I'm not too keen on the straps that have pockets for CF cards and cell phones - again, too much bulk.

50

Software & Accessories / Re: Quick release camera strap for Canon 7D and/or 5D MkIII

« on: March 29, 2012, 12:33:39 PM »

I want to use a camera strap when not working on a tripod.  When I'm on the tripod I don't want the camera strap to be in the way.

I'm very happy with the Blackrapid system.  I use Arca-Swiss type plates on camera and lenses.  Although the BR system uses a lug that threads into the tripod socket, I converted that to 'quick release' by connecting that lug to a Kirk 1" clamp (semi-permanently with Loctite Blue 242) - that way, I can connect the strap to the camera plate, a lens plate, or remove it for tripod/monopod use.

This is a smart solution.  Couldn't find the Kirk 1" clamp on the Kirk website.  Can you provide link and clamp model number.  I'd like to consider this for comparison with another option I'm looking at - described below.

I use a RRS L-bracket for 7D (soon I'll add one for new 5D3) that uses Arca-Swiss interface.  RRS has a B2-FAB clamp that attaches to the L-bracket and has a threaded tripod socket to attach to camera strap.  See http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=B2-FAB&type=0&eq=&desc=B2-FAB-38mm-clamp-with-threaded-socket  Example shows Black Rapid strap attached. 

Is the Kirk 1" clamp about the same size as the B2-FAB?  I want to minimize size and weight of the solution.

 

51

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: How do you store your gear when not in use?

« on: March 28, 2012, 11:43:40 AM »

I store my gear in Pelican Storm hard cases with a desiccant pack, which protects them from leaks, toddlers, dust, etc.  I do keep the lens mounted, and I have a small case (Storm im2075) that just fits the gripped 5DII with 24-105mm mounted, and a 430EX II along side - that's ready to go for shots around the house.  My next most-used lenses are kept in a medium-sized case (Storm im2300) - 70-200 II, 100mm L Macro and the 'holy trinity' of primes (35L, 85L II, 135L).    All the rest (7D, remaining lenses, accessories) goes in a big Pelican 1600.

Hope that helps...

Thanks for this. The bag I bought isnt big enough to hold a 5DII+battery grip. It is designed to be a small rucksack so its not deep enough. What is the best way to store your battery grip when travelling? It looks quite delicate with the extension. I dont want to snap it.

Also, my bag only bits the lenses without the lens hoods. With the lens hoods on, they are too wide and the bag cant accommodate for them all. Whats a good idea to carry these hood seperately?

Do you store your hood backwards along the lens barrel?   

52

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Canon 5D mark III Seascape (Fort Lauderdale) with 24mm F1.4L II

« on: March 28, 2012, 12:48:26 AM »

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/castillophotodesign/


Fishing Pier - Dawn by CastilloPhotoDesign, on Flickr

Beautiful!  What were your camera and lens settings?

53

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Light Optimizer, iso adjustments, etc...

« on: March 27, 2012, 08:24:39 PM »

Anything you turn off/on day one of receiving your new 5dmk3?  I turned off the light optimizer but noticed a few others i was not familiar with.  I think iso related?

I hate how you have a few options, usually low, med, high.  I find myself turning them all off, otherwise im obsessed with how it may or may not affect my shots.

Any recommended on or off settings suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

It's a good idea to determine what settings affect RAW files versus JPGs.   Many settings are applied to the JPG in the camera, whereas RAW files are not affected.  Example is white balance.

54

EOS Bodies - For Stills / What version of Firmware does your new 5D3 have?

« on: March 27, 2012, 08:11:42 PM »

For those of you that have already received your new 5D3, what version of the firmware does it have?  Expecting my 5D3 on 4/2.

55

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D Mk III - No Problems (official thread)

« on: March 27, 2012, 08:04:40 PM »

To be honest, the IQ is negligible over my 5D2.  Although all I ever really wanted out of my 5D2 was better AF, Slightly faster frame rate, and a dual card slot.  So I cant complain.  More testing still needs to be done. And a good side by side with the D800.  Ill give a more complete review when I put it through the paces at my wedding.  Ive found wedding photography to be a good testing ground

Isn't "testing" at a wedding a bit risky?

56

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: How do you test your new camera body?

« on: March 27, 2012, 07:15:45 PM »

There have been a flurry of posts since the Mk3's hit people's hands of either problems or soft images. Until reading these posts I would have never thought of checking a sensor for dead pixels by shooting images with the lens cap on.

So I wanted to ask, in what ways do you test a new camera body for functionality? Any other checks you routinely perform like the dead pixel test above? Do you always do an AFMA with each lens in a closed environment?

Before concluding there are dead pixels, be sure the sensor is clean, as a speck of dust can look just like a dead pixel.  A brand new camera shouldn't have dirt/dust on the sensor, but it could happen.  Cleaning up a dirty sensor is relatively easy, whereas dealing with a truly dead pixel is a much more serious issue.

I use LensAlign MkII for AFMA, but it is a tedious process that requires careful setup and patience.  Prime lenses are easier to do than zooms, as most cameras host only one AFMA setting.  The new 1DX and 5D3 have separate W (wide) and T (tele) settings that supposedly improve the overall calibration at intermediate focal lengths.  I'm due to get my 5D3 on 4/2 and will be testing out my new 24-105 as well as my EF 70-300 DO lens.   

57

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Amazon 5D Mark III Pre Order Shipping & Order Status

« on: March 27, 2012, 02:59:00 PM »

Just thought I'd share that I tried to cancel my order and received an email from Amazon stating: "We're contacting you about your cancellation request for order # XXXXXXXX. We weren't able to cancel the following items from your order:   Canon EOS 5 D Mark III. When you receive your order, you're welcome to refuse the package. You can also return an unwanted items b visiting amazon.com/returns"

Sounds like it ma be processing fo shipment. BTW ordered at 7:45 AM EST.

Had you received any "shipping soon" messages on your open orders history?

I pre-ordered 5D3 w/24-105 kit on 3/2 at 9:30 AM PST.  Today (3/27) the Amazon website says "Shipping Soon" with estimated shipping date 4/2.   

I think the number of body-only orders is likely to be much greater than for the kit, and perhaps the supply greater as well.   There may be fewer kit orders and maybe also a shorter supply.   Who knows?  I will start to worry when 4/2 rolls around and I don't get a notice of "Shipped".

Just got notice on 3/27 from Amazon at 11:30 AM PDT that my order has SHIPPED with expected delivery on 4/2.   Sooner than earlier projected as reported above, so I'm a happy cat!

58

Software & Accessories / Re: Quick release camera strap for Canon 7D and/or 5D MkIII

« on: March 27, 2012, 01:10:28 PM »

i dont know what you mean by "quick release" camera strap. do you mean the camera neck strap? but as someone mentioned above maybe try the black rapid strap, i read heaps of reviews on that and it seemspretty popular. personally i got a crumpler strap.

I want to use a camera strap when not working on a tripod.  When I'm on the tripod I don't want the camera strap to be in the way.   The Canon stock strap, while very well made, cannot be taken on and off the camera "quickly". 

I know there are many model straps offered that allow for quickly taking the strap on and off the camera.  I was seeking opinion on which ones people had good/bad experiences with and maybe why.

59

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Amazon 5D Mark III Pre Order Shipping & Order Status

« on: March 27, 2012, 12:47:49 PM »

Just thought I'd share that I tried to cancel my order and received an email from Amazon stating: "We're contacting you about your cancellation request for order # XXXXXXXX. We weren't able to cancel the following items from your order:   Canon EOS 5 D Mark III. When you receive your order, you're welcome to refuse the package. You can also return an unwanted items b visiting amazon.com/returns"

Sounds like it ma be processing fo shipment. BTW ordered at 7:45 AM EST.

Had you received any "shipping soon" messages on your open orders history?

I pre-ordered 5D3 w/24-105 kit on 3/2 at 9:30 AM PST.  Today (3/27) the Amazon website says "Shipping Soon" with estimated shipping date 4/2.   

I think the number of body-only orders is likely to be much greater than for the kit, and perhaps the supply greater as well.   There may be fewer kit orders and maybe also a shorter supply.   Who knows?  I will start to worry when 4/2 rolls around and I don't get a notice of "Shipped".

60

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Question about micro focus adjustments (5D mkIII)

« on: March 27, 2012, 12:19:23 AM »

With an f/5.6 or f/4 lens, a 1-unit difference is likely not detectable, but with an f/2.8 and faster lens, yes...but I think NOT with the moire pattern.  I find that method to be less precise than a LensAlign (which I used to use) or SpyderLensCal.  Actually, I'm currently using the excellent Reikan FoCal software.

I use the LensAlign MkII with good results.  I find it a tedious process, but you (hopefully) only have to do it once.