1051
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1052
EOS Bodies / Re: 7D focusing question??
« on: May 07, 2011, 11:35:42 PM »
My personal opinion is that this is a depth of field issue. One shot in focus, one shot just slightly out of focus. Or more accurately, one shot slightly mis-focused.
I note that you were shooting wide open (2.8 at 1/1000) I'd bet that if you shot it at 1/250th at 5.6 her entire face would be in focus. It's hard to get autofocus perfect since the camera has to pick something to focus on and the camera can't really tell the difference between a nose and an eye. Practicing will help, but under real-world conditions, it's still hard to get it perfect every time.
Good news is that the only person who will notice will be you and only when you pixel-peep. Give them a print and it will look perfect.
One way to feel better about this problem. Go take a look at Robert Frank's "The Americans" and see how many of his pictures were tack sharp. Didn't stop him from producing what may be the most significant photo book of the 20th century.
I note that you were shooting wide open (2.8 at 1/1000) I'd bet that if you shot it at 1/250th at 5.6 her entire face would be in focus. It's hard to get autofocus perfect since the camera has to pick something to focus on and the camera can't really tell the difference between a nose and an eye. Practicing will help, but under real-world conditions, it's still hard to get it perfect every time.
Good news is that the only person who will notice will be you and only when you pixel-peep. Give them a print and it will look perfect.
One way to feel better about this problem. Go take a look at Robert Frank's "The Americans" and see how many of his pictures were tack sharp. Didn't stop him from producing what may be the most significant photo book of the 20th century.
1053
Lenses / Re: Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS or EF 70-200mm f/4L IS
« on: May 06, 2011, 04:51:51 PM »
While we're on the topic, I wonder what people think of the 200mm F2.8 L. I used to have an FD mount version of this lens and absolutely loved it.
No IS and no zoom, but it seems like a real bargain. Anyone out there own one?
No IS and no zoom, but it seems like a real bargain. Anyone out there own one?
1054
Canon General / Re: Delays Abound?
« on: May 04, 2011, 11:17:22 AM »
The person who floated this rumor should have quit before he/she got to the T4i. Somebody please tell me what the specs of a T4i could possibly be?
There is about a micro-millimeter difference between the T3i and the 60D as it is. Why would Canon go through the expense of developing and marketing a camera that would simply cannibalize sales from the other models without expanding the market one bit?
There is about a micro-millimeter difference between the T3i and the 60D as it is. Why would Canon go through the expense of developing and marketing a camera that would simply cannibalize sales from the other models without expanding the market one bit?
1055
Software & Accessories / Re: Need Backpack recommendations
« on: May 02, 2011, 06:57:26 PM »Quote
with access directly behind you, unless you got eyes in the back of your head, it may be easy to ignore vibrations or whatever of someone opening your pack and yanking your bag open and running.
That's really not an issue with this bag. The rear access has two zippers and two buckles on the back. To get access through the rear of the pack you pretty much have to unzip the zippers AND unbuckle the buckles. Could it happen? I suppose anything is possible, but it would take a real pro to do that without someone noticing. I'm guessing you're much more likely to be a victim of a shove, grab and run, which can happen with any bag.
I'm not a bag partisan. I currently own four bags right now and have had several more over the years (including an original Domke bag I bought new in the 70s). The bag thing is sort of like Nikon vs. Canon. Everyone has their own opinion and when it comes right down to it, the differences between the major bag manufacturers are not all that significant.
I was just listing the pros and cons of one bag. I've pretty much resigned myself to a never-ending search for the perfect bag.
1056
Software & Accessories / Re: Need Backpack recommendations
« on: May 02, 2011, 02:40:07 PM »
I have a Kata 3N1 20 bag. Here are the pros and cons:
Pros: Relatively compact: fits under the seat in a plane; comfortable; secure: I can't imagine anyone being able to get into the bag while you have it on unless you are totally clueless or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In my experience the design represents a very good compromise between accessibility and security; very well padded and sturdy, offering good protection for equipment; very flexible configuration with felt lining and Velcro dividers; I have a Kata neckstrap and have found it very handy to slip the neckstrap through the top carrying handle on the pack and let the pack carry the weight of the camera (instead of my neck) on hikes; price: very competitively priced when compared to similar configurations from other manufacturers.
Cons: Very tight fit: 7D with battery grip attached fits, but it's tight; Not very useful as a carry-on (the upper compartment is too small to fit much of anything in; Not designed for carrying anything but camera equipment (no side pockets for a water bottle for example); Tripod holder says it is made for a compact tripod and they mean it: too short for a standard size tripod or monopod.
Capacity: I can carry a 7D with battery grip attached and an attached lens up to 300mm plus three other smaller lenses or two lenses and a strobe. If you use the top compartment, you can get another lens or strobe in the bag, but you won't have room for anything else.
It's definitely not my "everyday" bag (I prefer a traditional shoulder bag for that). I'm still looking for the perfect bag. This isn't it, but when I've looked at competitors, I don't see much difference. For me, the problem is that a bag that is big enough to hold everything I want is too bulky to lug around while hiking. Also, in my experience, no backpack bag is ever going to offer the kind of quick access that a shoulder bag offers.
Still waiting for that TARDIS bag (bigger on the inside than on the outside).
Pros: Relatively compact: fits under the seat in a plane; comfortable; secure: I can't imagine anyone being able to get into the bag while you have it on unless you are totally clueless or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In my experience the design represents a very good compromise between accessibility and security; very well padded and sturdy, offering good protection for equipment; very flexible configuration with felt lining and Velcro dividers; I have a Kata neckstrap and have found it very handy to slip the neckstrap through the top carrying handle on the pack and let the pack carry the weight of the camera (instead of my neck) on hikes; price: very competitively priced when compared to similar configurations from other manufacturers.
Cons: Very tight fit: 7D with battery grip attached fits, but it's tight; Not very useful as a carry-on (the upper compartment is too small to fit much of anything in; Not designed for carrying anything but camera equipment (no side pockets for a water bottle for example); Tripod holder says it is made for a compact tripod and they mean it: too short for a standard size tripod or monopod.
Capacity: I can carry a 7D with battery grip attached and an attached lens up to 300mm plus three other smaller lenses or two lenses and a strobe. If you use the top compartment, you can get another lens or strobe in the bag, but you won't have room for anything else.
It's definitely not my "everyday" bag (I prefer a traditional shoulder bag for that). I'm still looking for the perfect bag. This isn't it, but when I've looked at competitors, I don't see much difference. For me, the problem is that a bag that is big enough to hold everything I want is too bulky to lug around while hiking. Also, in my experience, no backpack bag is ever going to offer the kind of quick access that a shoulder bag offers.
Still waiting for that TARDIS bag (bigger on the inside than on the outside).
1057
Software & Accessories / Re: 270EX II
« on: April 28, 2011, 06:21:01 PM »I've got one on the way. Can't wait to play around with the remote firing feature (where you can engage the shutter from the flash, and they are synced).
I think that you mean that you can control and fire the flash with the camera. If you can fire the shutter from the flash, that would be great, my PW could do that with a special cable.
Actually Hugh is correct, you can fire the camera using the flash (From Canon Press Announcement):
Quote
The Speedlite 320EX also features the Remote Release functionality allowing users to trigger their camera from the flash.
1058
Software & Accessories / Neck strap alternatives
« on: April 25, 2011, 09:25:17 AM »
Anyone out there have any actual experience with some of the newer alternatives to neck straps? I'd love to find something a bit more comfortable when hiking but many of the things I see advertised look more like gimmicks than practical alternatives. Anyone have any experience with these?
1059
EOS Bodies / Re: Question about RAW
« on: April 20, 2011, 07:34:59 PM »Quote
A good habit you can get into now is NEVER changing the white balance setting on your camera, you can change it AFTER you take the photo as long as you are shooting in RAW.
Just to be clear, though, you might want to adjust the white balance setting if you are trying to balance light from more than one source. May not be absolutely necessary, but it can help you judge the colors better and make adjustments, such as adding a gel to the strobe. RAW will let you change the overall color balance of the scene, but it can't do anything about individual light sources.
1060
EOS Bodies / Re: Roadmaps
« on: April 20, 2011, 02:16:40 PM »
I don't think you can compare a product that must integrate into a much larger network with a camera.
I suspect that IT companies provide information prior to release because they know their products have to integrate into a complex network involving an almost infinite variety of brands and components. I strongly suspect that they don't do it because they are nice guys but because they have to.
True, today's cameras have to integrate with third-party software, but other than that, they are pretty much stand-alone products. When it is necessary to integrate with other components they follow long-established industry standards (for example: memory cards, tripod mounts, sync cords, microphone connections, etc.)
The advance notice that you reference in the IT world is an exception that is pretty much unique and results from the peculiar demands of that industry.
I suspect that IT companies provide information prior to release because they know their products have to integrate into a complex network involving an almost infinite variety of brands and components. I strongly suspect that they don't do it because they are nice guys but because they have to.
True, today's cameras have to integrate with third-party software, but other than that, they are pretty much stand-alone products. When it is necessary to integrate with other components they follow long-established industry standards (for example: memory cards, tripod mounts, sync cords, microphone connections, etc.)
The advance notice that you reference in the IT world is an exception that is pretty much unique and results from the peculiar demands of that industry.
1061
Canon General / Re: Fashion event
« on: April 18, 2011, 09:17:21 AM »
Go get yourself a 580 EXII and some sort of a diffuser.
Put your camera on manual at 1/60th of a second at f5.6 to start.
Buy the biggest friggin package of double-A alkalines you can find (I'm talking the really huge packages, like 48 or 60 or 72, because you don't want to run out of juice). Use rubber bands to divide them into sets of four and stuff every available pocket in your camera bag with batteries. Watch the strobe's recycle time, as it slows down, replace the batteries four at a time and ditch the old ones so you don't accidentally put a dead set in the strobe.
Let the flash do the thinking for you while you do the seeing.
Oh, and pray.
Put your camera on manual at 1/60th of a second at f5.6 to start.
Buy the biggest friggin package of double-A alkalines you can find (I'm talking the really huge packages, like 48 or 60 or 72, because you don't want to run out of juice). Use rubber bands to divide them into sets of four and stuff every available pocket in your camera bag with batteries. Watch the strobe's recycle time, as it slows down, replace the batteries four at a time and ditch the old ones so you don't accidentally put a dead set in the strobe.
Let the flash do the thinking for you while you do the seeing.
Oh, and pray.
1062
EOS Bodies / Re: Canon vs Nikon in terms of Lens, Equipement, UI, Support
« on: April 17, 2011, 11:52:37 PM »
I admit I originally picked Canon for cost reasons.
At the time I was a struggling, starving, newspaper photographer in the 1970s and I did the math. I could get more equipment for the money with Canon than Nikon. With a family to feed, it was a no-brainer -- go with Canon.
At the time, Canon was not the dominant brand it is today and most newspaper photographers of the era looked down on the brand. Hard to imagine today when you see the massive lines of white-lenses at major events, but that was the case in the 70s.
Basically, I made my choice and never regretted it. The price differential isn't as great today, but it is still there for many lenses. There wasn't any significant difference in quality in the 1970s and there still isn't today.
At the time I was a struggling, starving, newspaper photographer in the 1970s and I did the math. I could get more equipment for the money with Canon than Nikon. With a family to feed, it was a no-brainer -- go with Canon.
At the time, Canon was not the dominant brand it is today and most newspaper photographers of the era looked down on the brand. Hard to imagine today when you see the massive lines of white-lenses at major events, but that was the case in the 70s.
Basically, I made my choice and never regretted it. The price differential isn't as great today, but it is still there for many lenses. There wasn't any significant difference in quality in the 1970s and there still isn't today.
1063
Software & Accessories / Re: What's the best tripod to get for a $100-$200 USD/AUD range?
« on: April 17, 2011, 11:44:29 PM »
I prefer Manfrotto. Well made and reasonably priced. I have the 190X Pro B, which is an aluminum tripod with center column that can be pulled up and used horizontally. I bought it with a 496 ball head. Only mistake (which I've now corrected) was not getting the quick release plate at the time.
I also use a Manfrotto 61B Monopod and have a 3025 Head which works well also.
I've found Manfrotto products to be very well made and reasonably priced. I opted for aluminum because of the cost.
For What It's Worth, I find the monopod more useful than a tripod most of the time. Provides support for a longer lens, but is much more portable and flexible. Of course, if won't hold the camera up by itself, so for macro or extremely long exposures, you need a tripod.
I also use a Manfrotto 61B Monopod and have a 3025 Head which works well also.
I've found Manfrotto products to be very well made and reasonably priced. I opted for aluminum because of the cost.
For What It's Worth, I find the monopod more useful than a tripod most of the time. Provides support for a longer lens, but is much more portable and flexible. Of course, if won't hold the camera up by itself, so for macro or extremely long exposures, you need a tripod.
1064
Lenses / Re: Lens for 50D?
« on: April 11, 2011, 02:06:19 PM »Quote
I love how this guys set out very specific guidelines to what he needed/wanted and everyone pretty much did not follow them whatsoever...
True...sort of.
In his second post, the OP says he is trying to decide between three lenses:
Canon EF-S 15-85mm
Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
With those three as his choices, I recommended the EF-S 15-85.
Why not the EF-S 17-85?
I don't have any experience with that lens and it's not on his list, but the DP Review of the 15-85 does make me think it's a better choice.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-S-15-85mm-f-3.5-5.6-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx
Quote
While the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens and the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens seem similar in specs and even appearance, the 15-85 is a significant upgrade in image quality.
and
Quote
The 17-85 is still a decent lens. But, I highly recommend the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens over the 17-85.
Yes, it is the most expensive of the three the original poster is picking from, but it's the most versatile and is the best all-around lens.
1065
Lenses / Re: Lens for 50D?
« on: April 11, 2011, 10:31:41 AM »Quote
If you can only get one, I'd get the 15-85.
I agree. This is a great lens and it is the one that is on my 7D about 90% of the time. The extra 2mm at the wide end really is a big deal. It is very solid and extremely sharp. Some people don't like it because it is a little slow and yes, I do wish it were a 2.8 but as a reasonably-priced all-around lens it can't be beat.
If you are in the US, I note that the Canon Store currently has a refurbished one in stock.
One bit of advice though, be sure and pay the extra for the thin filters designed for wide-angle lenses. At the wide end, you can get some vignetting with a standard filter.