Messages

1

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Fuji x100(s) to Supplement an SLR

« on: May 16, 2013, 04:40:42 PM »

I always loved my Canon gear but there is a looming shadow on the horizon with the name Fuji x-pro2 on it.

+1 & I wonder how many others from Nikon as well as Canon?

2

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS not good for NASA?

« on: May 16, 2013, 04:37:02 PM »

and hear comes another reason - you're not gonna like it - but it's a fact...

just over a year ago, we were given a talk by one of the UK MOD photographers, with a demonstration of his kit, and what he actually does etc.

Any way, his kit was all Nikon - why?  some one asked.
"Simple" came the answer - "we done a side by side test in Afghanistan and found the Nikon's to be more robust, and more capable of withstanding the wide range of conditions in weather, temperature and humidity that Afghanistan offers"
"What about the white lenses? Aren't they supposed to overcome that?"
"It overcomes Nikon's marketing quite nicely  "

And so, on that basis, all of the UK MOD's togs are equipped with a kit that would require its own 'white van' to transport around.

As i said, you may not like it - but if the UK Military have done side by side tests and found the Canon stuff wanting in a host of situations, then why wouldn't NASA.

Space is like a war scenario - it's hardly appropriate to expect a courier to pop over/ up and pick up your kit to get repaired and returned... Once Virgin Galactic is up and running, that might be possible... 

3

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Fuji x100(s) to Supplement an SLR

« on: May 15, 2013, 10:05:44 AM »

So, you've made your choice - but I'm going to hit this from a slightly different angle...

Last June, I opted for the Pro1-X instead of a 5D3. I wanted the ability to change lenses whilst having something smaller than a 5D2 with BG & 24-105 slung over everyone's shoulder 

I bought the Fuji with 35mm f1.4 lens, and as most comments agree, it is vastly different from a Canon system in many ways. I rarely take the 5D2 out anymore - such are the benefits of the Pro1-X. I keep meaning to buy another lens, bought can't get past going out with a camera that almost fits in my pocket and happily shoots at ISO 6400 with out any qualms.

I'm accepting of the fact that this is not an 'action' camera. But then I'm not really an 'action' photographer! However - that does not mean you can't shoot some motion based shoots - they're just harder to get than a 5D3 or1D* series or 7D.

For any one thinking of getting a Fuji as a walk around camera that's smaller and more portable than a DSLR - I would say 'go for it'. But be prepared to take a little bit learning the differing technology used in this camera to that usually found in a Canon. 

4

Software & Accessories / Re: Adobe to Stop Making Packaged Software

« on: May 07, 2013, 04:23:01 PM »

OK, i've sat and watched this discussion on various forums and have reached the following conclusion...

Adobe Cloud is without doubt a means of extorting money out of people because they think they now have control of industry standard software which people will have to keep subscribing to such as MS Office.

How many people still actually use MS Office, as opposed to a 'compatible' package. I do a reasonable amount of stuff on an iPad, and rest assured there is no MS Office app for that - and yet the docs still work with the official MS Office apps!

Then we come to 'industry standard' - has no one learned? Who here remembers the days when you would most likely 'build' your own PC - and you couldn't do it unless it came with a 'genuine Creative Labs Soundblaster Sound Card'? If you had sound issues - all you ever got off BBS was - 'hmmm - only designed to work with Soundblaster, change your card!' 

Last time i looked on the web, or visited a place that sells computers and components to build one with - i see nothing about Creative Labs or Soundblaster - do they still exist? 

I'm afraid i won't be signing up to any 'cloud computing agreement'. These are not main frames we are using - and we are not beholden to IBM to supply the required software. There are too many other versions of software out there for managing images - it might require some relearning and adjusting to different software ideology, but it will be mine and 'lesser' companies will be happy to take my money to provide such software.

Worse still for Adobe- Canon does a damn good job of providing some extremely respectable alternative software for free  If Canon were to suddenly withdraw the provision of said free software - then I'd get suspicious and ditch Canon - sometimes principles are more important than kit! 

5

EOS Bodies / Re: Buy 1DX now or wait for an upgrade?

« on: May 04, 2013, 03:40:24 PM »

Want to comment, but recent post by OP seem to lend to a not so genuine thread - sorry if that is not the case.

But i'm puzzled by some one who has followed this forum and not realised that:

IQ is as much (more some would say) than body
Top End Canon bodies require top end (usually expensive) glass
Opted for a 1DX because it is 'the best' - but that is such a subjective statement. I would argue that Medium Format will take a lot of beating for IQ - and Hassalblad prices are not that much more for body and lens than the 1DX with an L lens. The MF cameras just don't do moving subjects like a 1DX - so which is 'the best'?

6

EOS Bodies / Re: Bye Canon?

« on: April 23, 2013, 06:20:08 PM »

Is this another troll? 

Really - you sign up to to post that you are saying goodbye?

Think you need to get a life or a perspective - oh and good luck with the Nikon crowd. I followed that forum for a while out of interest - damn they're savage, if their lenses were as sharp as some of the comments i've read on that forum - well, Canon would be out of business 

And just to revise your thoughts on shooting video - a media college in the UK uses 60D's to teach students with, because they're considerably less expensive than 'pro' gear but still functional for teaching how to shoot video correctly.

7

Lenses / Re: ok so i did it and bought into FF... now i need a good standard zoom

« on: April 08, 2013, 08:23:34 AM »

with my 5D2's - i would choose between the 24-105 or the 17-40 - both F4 but with IS on the 24-105.

The differences, so far as i can tell - are pretty much about focal length. I've heard pluses and minuses for both lenses. The 17-40 is a more compact lens, and if honest, the 'sharper' of the 2 lenses.

For what you want, i suppose i would recommend the 17-40 (given your budget), and put the rest towards the savings towards your TSE lens.

Of course, you could always go mad and opt for a prime :-)

8

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Does Canon really have a Flagship Stills Camera?

« on: March 31, 2013, 09:13:02 AM »

surely - a 'flagship camera' is the model almost every one aspires to own?

Having tried the 1DsIII - i was glad i opted for 2x 5D2. Twice the kit for the bucks (and the 5D2 did not lose much to the 1DsIII except maybe build quality and robustness). In fact that very argument is the reason the 1DsIII died an early death for most wedding and landscape photographers!

The same would apply to the 1DX - having tried, i make no apologies in saying i would love to own one - soooo many benefits over a 5D3, but the simple fact is, were i to get out today with £5k for a new body, i would come home with 2x 5D3's & a battery grip for one of the bodies.

What i find really interesting is how ALL manufacturers seem to be creating blurred lines between 'flagship model' and what most people consider more than acceptable - Nikon D4 and Nikon D800? Which would you call the 'flagship model'?

9

Software & Accessories / Re: Nice Folks at Flickr

« on: February 14, 2013, 04:46:36 PM »

Thanks for sharing - good to see that not every thing is about profit and ego in the Flickr world 

10

Lenses / Re: I can't stop thinking about A MONSTER!

« on: February 14, 2013, 04:38:06 PM »

Having given this thread a good read, and some thought, my 2 penneth worth is as follows:

Carrying that weight around all day - don't see an issue. Used to walk around with a 5D2 with BG + 70-300 L on for 8-10 hours without an issue. Some times even had a 580 EXII attached  A lot of people were unable to handle that combination due to weight, yet i never once felt it to be heavy. So don't let weight put you off.

As said in a previous reply - when ever you look at the pics of birds that jump out, then check the kit used - you always see something in the region of 500mm being used, and just as often with a 1Dxx body - and these are just hobbyists.

Price - yes, it is a lot. But it's your money - and if your GF is just as interested in you getting the lens - then get it. This is your hobby, your interest and you have to work to live, not live to work. Photographing birds generally seems to involve a beast of a lens, and as much as i loved the 70-300 L, i can happily accept that it struggled with reach on occasions - but i don't shoot birds, nor do i do much shooting that requires 300mm let alone 500mm!

Theft, accident, fire and all those other things - you live in Austria not the 'States'. Sorry guys, but things are just a little bit more relaxed in many parts of Europe - especially Austria (along with a few others).

Travelling around on a bike - surely the real question here is 'why can't you get a bike panier to carry photographic kit safely?'  Again, in Europe we don't all have pick ups or 4x4's as a standard mode of motorised transport. A bike is not only quieter, but can often get you places where a car won't! You can also park it up very quickly for the 'chance shot' you see when travelling at 10-15mph as opposed to 30-70mph! 

So, with all the above in mind, my only caveat would be to rent it if possible, if not - then heck, it's your money and your life... 

11

Site Information / Re: Moderators: You are Too Sensitive

« on: February 03, 2013, 02:07:26 PM »

I thought the only thing that upset Americans was gun control! 

Seriously though, as daft as the post was, it provided a talking point over values and morals etc. I didn't see the racist comment - but sadly, i have to agree that such comments have to be deleted and the Member banned.

Disagreeing with some one is one thing, even sarcasm is tolerable, but offensive hatred in any form is just not acceptable. There always has to be a line - and once crossed - should not be surprised to see action taken to remedy the infringement.

For those demanding Free Speech - remember that free speech carries with it the duty of respect. If you can't treat people with respect, you forego the right to free speech

12

Software & Accessories / Re: Which iMac

« on: January 28, 2013, 12:30:03 PM »

Felt a need to have an input. Why not - they asked...

I'm writing this on a 24" 3.06ghz iMac from Jan 2009. It has its max 4gb Ram and 512mb graphics card with 1Tb H/D.

Interestingly, it has spent its whole life processing 5D2 21mp RAW files using variations of LR (of which only V3 affected its performance). My trip to Vegas brought home some 1000+ images and the only issue i had was downloading onto the computer - took an hour or so  Processing though, didn't even bat an eyelid 

Were i still in the upgrade market, i'd def go for the cheapest RAM option and swap it out myself after purchase. I'd also go for an SSD option - i tend to keep most of my files off system except for when being processed or kept in catalogue with LR. I'd definitely get the 2gb Graphics set but not overly fussed about getting an i7.

As for the cost benefits of Apple - yes it's expensive and without doubt 'too expensive', but every one i've shown mine to say the same thing - much simpler to work with, back up and recover than anything they've seen with Windows. These are Freelance Pros in the Music Industry & Marketing and they have saved so much time with the Apple OS that the cost has been recovered in time saved.

At the end of the day, it's a horses for courses. My wife and i just love the simplicity and integrating nature of the Apple OSX and IOS that allows seemless working between MacBook Pro, iMac, iPads and iPhones.

So, that's my two penneth worth 

13

Software & Accessories / Re: RAW Processing and what the hell is a DNG

« on: January 24, 2013, 04:15:34 PM »

I've seen people converting to DNG rather than process the raw files but I don't know why?

The videos are explanatory.  The advantages of DNG are minuscule, the disadvantages are huge (to me).  I don't recommend it.  Reasons: 1) Backups.  Lightroom saves metadata in the DNG file.  So with any change in LR, you actually change the file.  There is no option to save xmp sidecars next to DNGs as you can do with raw files.  This creates a back up nightmare.  2) Data.  Adobe says it's a lossless conversion.  Do you believe it?  I'd rather always have the raw data and not risk any adobe conversion artefacts to save a few megabytes.

In respect of the above - you are failing to remember one thing. When you import your files and let LR convert them to DNG, you can also tick a box that allows you to save a copy of the unconverted RAW file in .CR2 format to another location. So, at no time cost to myself - i get to keep a copy of the unconverted RAW file in case, whilst also letting LR convert to DNG which gives me all the power of processing a file in a lossless format without touching the original.

When you export the processed file you have the options to export it in multiple formats for posterity (low res jpg, hi res jpg, tiff etc).

As said, you're really not using LR to its fullest - i can't imagine my workflow without LR.

14

Canon General / Re: Photography magazines

« on: January 06, 2013, 10:54:47 AM »

OK, so i'm in the UK - but my reply would still be the same.

When i made the switch to digital way back when (2002 i think), i bought most magazines and initially found them interesting.

But what i found most interesting and even cheaper, was photography forums & clubs.

This is very much a Canon based forum, but i've been a member of several over the past and they can be extremely informative, educational and fun. It also introduces you to other photographers who you can meet up with and enjoy a 'joint' shoot without some one saying "are you done yet - i'm getting bored now"

I've spent days out shooting with first timers through to professional togs and i've always learned more and had more fun than reading a mag. What's really interesting about a joint shoot is seeing the shots another tog got that you didn't see - or a scene captured in a way/ or processed in a way that you hadn't considered or thought would work. I'm busy trying to arrange a shoot now for 3 or 4 of us in London's Canary Wharf...

15

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D2 for a day after 5D3 for 6 months

« on: December 19, 2012, 04:37:26 PM »

As much as people pick apart the AF of the 5d2, I noticed that wasn't on your list.

You mean the 5D2 actually had A/F? 
Now i know where I kept going wrong