Topics

1

Third Party Manufacturers / SenScore.org

« on: November 02, 2012, 05:59:24 PM »

I went to the Forum main page just now and the banner ad at the top was for a site called SenScore.org, which is some kind of DxO 'lite', i.e. a single table of scores for sensor performance. I was amused that this site emphasises its independence by stating that all cameras are bought retail, while at the same time the site is selling 50% of its advertising space to Nikon. 

2

Software & Accessories / Camera bag for two bodies with attached lenses?

« on: November 01, 2012, 02:50:27 PM »

I've been looking for a shoulder bag that will accommodate two bodies upright with lenses attached (70-200 f/2.8 and 24-105mm). Really big bags that will also hold six more lenses, two flashes, accessories and presumably an assistant are easy to find but I'm looking for something as compact as possible - basically a bag that is just big enough to hold the two bodies with attached lenses and not much else.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks.

3

Third Party Manufacturers / Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Pricing

« on: October 21, 2012, 06:41:42 PM »

One UK online retailer has come out early with a price on the Sigma 35mm, of £599. For comparison, that is slightly less than the Sigma 85mm f/1.4.

http://www.microglobe.co.uk/sigma-35mm-f14-dg-hsm-lens-for-canon-p-9455.html

4

Technical Support / 6D wi-fi live view

« on: September 18, 2012, 07:17:15 PM »

I'm a complete newb when it comes to wi-fi in cameras so forgive me if this is a daft question.

Could I expect the 6D's wi-fi, using ad-hoc transmission directly to an android tablet, to deliver a smooth and non-jerky live view (assuming no performance limitation with the tablet)?

I've always liked the idea of viewing a wireless tablet in my hand while I adjust the position of continuous lights, so that I can see the change instantly without going back and forth to the camera or a wired monitor.

5

Technical Support / 24-105 / 7D slow burst rate

« on: September 12, 2012, 12:20:39 AM »

I've noticed that, in "Hi" mode, my 7D often won't fire at 8 fps with my 24-105 L attached. Other times it will. When it won't, it fires at about 3-4 fps. I've already established that it has nothing to do with the shutter speed being too slow. Also, none of my other lenses causes this behaviour.

I'm guessing that the diaphragm blades in the lens might somehow be "sticky" but it's only a guess. The lens is six years old so I suppose it has had plenty of time to develop some kind of problem like this. Does anyone else have any ideas?

6

Software & Accessories / Digital recorder recommendations?

« on: August 14, 2012, 09:34:12 PM »

Can anyone offer recommendations for a portable digital recorder in the sub-$200 range? My main uses would be for close-miked and/or voice over work and I'd like a low noise floor and a high quality, rich voice sound.

I'm aware of the Tascam DR07 MkII, Zoom H1/H2 and Sony ICD-SX712 - any thoughts from users of these would be welcome, plus pointers to any other devices I'm not aware of. I'm leaning towards the Sony for its small size and good price but I'm not sure how it compares with the others for sound quality.

Thanks.

7

Third Party Manufacturers / Question for Kirk L-Plate users

« on: July 24, 2012, 05:35:06 AM »

I'm after a bit of advice about getting a new QR bracket that will properly fit the Kirk L-plate I got recently. I've illustrated the problem below but in simple terms, the base of the L-plate has a thicker (1.5mm) vertical rise than either of my current (Giotto's) Arca-Swiss-style QR brackets can properly accommodate, causing an offset that leaves the L-plate (and my camera) less securely attached than it should be. I have to say that it feels solid when locked down but I have doubts about how much of an accidental knock would dislodge it.



What I'm not clear about is whether it is the L-plate or my Giotto's QR brackets that are deviating from the Arca-Swiss standard. Must I get Kirk QR brackets or will I find that other makers' Arca-Swiss brackets are more generous in their accommodation than my Giotto's items? I don't think Kirk QR brackets are sold in the UK so I'd prefer a more widely available brand if possible.

Thanks for any advice.

Edit: I just re-read my post and in case of confusion, the 1.5mm height refers to the lowermost part of the L-bracket's base, below the 45 degree slope. That dimension is only 0.5mm on my Giotto's QR plates so they obviously fit with the Giotto's QR brackets perfectly.

8

Site Information / Request to Admin

« on: July 19, 2012, 04:20:46 AM »

I recently received a message from admin but I wasn't able to reply directly because the user name "Canon Rumors Forum" appears to be a no-reply address. I did reply to "Canon Rumors" but I don't know if that recipient is the same person who messaged me. If the admin person who messaged me didn't receive my reply, please could he message me from a user account that will permit me to reply directly to him. I requested some clarification which may help resolve my very genuine puzzlement about the issue at hand.

Thanks.

9

Lighting / Chinese knock-off TTL radio flash

« on: July 07, 2012, 05:34:57 PM »

Sorry if this is old news but fans of cheap Chinese gear might like to know that they're already in the market with a radio TTL flash system.

http://www.yongnuo.eu/catalog.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=69&category_id=13

10

Third Party Manufacturers / US Travel - Check-in / Carry-on

« on: July 02, 2012, 10:54:36 PM »

I'll be travelling from UK to New York in a few months time and I'd appreciate some advice re transporting camera gear to the US.

I have a hard case (Vanguard 46F) which is a bit too big to be carry-on luggage. Would it be a) a little risky or b) downright stupid to check it in? If downright stupid, does anyone know which is the biggest Peli case permissible as hand luggage?

I have two very secure padlocks (Abloy Protec) but would they definitely be clipped because they're not TSA? Are only TSA padlocks allowed (in which case, the answer to my first question would definitely be "downright stupid")?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

11

Third Party Manufacturers / What's on your monopod?

« on: July 02, 2012, 05:19:43 PM »

I'm just curious as to whether most of us use a monopod with or without a head.

I use a ball head. I had one spare. It suits my purposes, although the head weighs as much as the monopod. I'd probably be just as happy with a tilt head, rather less content with no head. Maybe that's just me.

EDIT: I didn't include a voting opinion for a gimbal head as I suspect it would be statistically insignificant!

12

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Isn't a new standard tripod mount long overdue?

« on: June 01, 2012, 02:40:49 PM »

If there is one mechanical feature of a camera that annoys me more than any other, it's the tripod mount. The quarter-inch screwthread has been with us far too long. It's too fiddly, not secure enough and without specially designed quick release plates, the camera is at risk of rotating (drooping) when in portrait orientation.

It can't be beyond the wit of camera and tripod makers to get together to agree a new, better and simpler industry standard. I'm thinking of some kind of bayonet mount which would slide and lock the camera to a compatible tripod head or quick-release plate. It would prevent the camera drooping when in portrait orientation, eliminate reliance on screw tightness (and associated worries of over- or under-tightening) and eliminate any need for screwdrivers, coins or scraped knuckles. Properly designed, it could allow the attachment point to be as long as required by the feet of tripod collars. It could even replace quick release systems and plates altogether. Most good tripod heads could be easily updated with a new top plate.

What's not to like?

13

Lighting / 7D master functionality with Sigma flashes?

« on: May 11, 2012, 02:45:45 AM »

I'm thinking of getting a 7D. One thing that appeals to me is its built-in E-TTL wireless master functionality via the pop-up flash. This would allow me to use all three of my Sigma EF500 DG Super flashes as off-camera wireless slaves instead of using one as an on-camera master, as I do with the 5DII.

If anyone is using a 7D with Sigma DG Super flash(es), I'd appreciate feedback as to whether they work together ok in a wireless master / slave set-up. There's no reason why they shouldn't but you can never be quite sure with third party gear.

Thanks.

14

EOS Bodies / Shutter Life - non-serious post :-)

« on: January 07, 2012, 04:24:57 AM »

It's nice to see that the 1D-X's shutter life of 400,000 actuations takes a full 9 hours 16 minutes to be exceeded, when used at 12fps.

This is better than the 1DIV shutter's lifespan of 300,000 actuations which, at 10fps, takes a measly 8 hours 20 minutes to be exceeded.

 

(Both times are obviously theoretical and ignore all other factors).

15

PowerShot Cameras / Making sense of compact camera sensor sizes

« on: January 05, 2012, 11:50:04 PM »

I've never really been interested in compact cameras but now that the good ones are getting bigger sensors, I'd like to be a bit more informed about them.

Please would someone explain to me what 1/1.5" means. I know that it doesn't mean the sensor is 1" x 1.5" because that would make it fractionally larger than full-frame.

I think I'm right in believing that it indicates the ratio of height and width, but how does it tell me what actual size the sensor is. Why don't the manufacturers simply state the sensor's height and width in mm so that simpletons like me can understand?