Messages

1

Lighting / Re: Flash Newbie: Flash Photography Concept

« on: Today at 01:31:38 AM »

+1 to the strobist blog.  You'll learn a lot from it, even go full manual on your flash setup.  I use TTL most of the time when flash is on-camera but if I want to be extra creative, I use full manual off-camera.  You can control the shadows and where would you want to put your light or how strong you want your flash this way.  Just refer to the pics you'll find in the blog to know what I mean.

2

Lenses / Re: $1000 .. what to buy

« on: June 18, 2013, 11:05:05 AM »

If you want to go Macro, 50mm won't cut it since you've got full-frame unless you want a reverse 50mm.  If you really want to start macro photography, I would recommend a 100mm USM non-L can be a good start + tripod and some lighting.  For cheap lighting alternative to mt-24ex, you can start with some DIY rigs consisting of some brackets and flash.  The L version of the lens is a better option but I don't think 1K is enough for your setup.   With tripod and good light, the non-L version can be as sharp if not sharper than the L version.  Good luck with your macros!

3

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 28mm F/2.8 IS USM $399 from Adorama !!

« on: June 17, 2013, 10:18:52 PM »

If only it didn't have the silly IS...

I still want a fast, sturdy, high optical quality 28mm lens at some point.

Here you go. Problem solved. 

Hahahahaha!!!  I've got a good laugh at this one.  Anyway, what's so bad in having it?  Maybe it could have a lower price or bigger aperture?

4

EOS Bodies / Re: SL1 as a "travel" body

« on: June 16, 2013, 08:12:02 PM »

I am somewhat interested in it, but I want AFMA capability, and am holding out.
 
 I suppose I could start buying Sigma lenses with the adjustment dock, but I don't think that they can have different adjustments when mounted to different bodies.  This means they become optimized for one body only, or that you have to somehow save the adjustments and redo them before using the lens on a different body.  I'm not saying its useless, it merely works best for those with a single body, or that are willing to dedicate the lens to one body.

SL1 + 18-35 F1.8? and a cheap Sigma 70-300.

5

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D Mk III with 50mm f/1.8 II - bad images?

« on: June 15, 2013, 10:12:12 AM »

I really envy people who have enough money to afford such nice things.    Sadly, it just doesn't translate to good photography automatically.  It's mostly dependent on your experience and your creativity.  Some people (like me) doesn't possess that much creativity but still I believe one can train the eye.  Just view photographs of those good creative photographer, not just those with the best equipment and surely your photography bit by bit will improve.  Learning some post-processing will also greatly improve your pictures even if you don't have the best equipment.  For me I still value good lens and good light more than the camera body.  Just some samples from my old 500D and 50mm F1.8.  Keep shooting even when they say you're not good at it.  That's the nuisance of "learning".

Shot with directed sunlight...


Shot with single speedlight, off-camera




Ambient sunlight coming from outside the restaurant

6

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 DC Available for Preorder

« on: June 14, 2013, 11:29:03 AM »

I don't recall seeing a f1.8 zoom until now

How about 6-60mm F/1.6 for US$410? Or 8-48mm F/1.2 for US$460?

It's all a question of image circle diameter and back focus length, and it's about time that crop camera users get to take full advantage of their smaller sensor and mirror.

You forgot, for a 1/3".     And that's a F1.6 lens.  I don't think you can compare that F1.6 lens on a 1/3 sensor to a F1.8 lens on a 1/1.6 sensor.  That's F1.8 at almost twice the sensor area.

7

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Sigma 18-35mm 1.8 lens price announced!!!

« on: June 14, 2013, 01:46:41 AM »

Really???  Wow!  I want an FF equivalent (with constant F1.8 aperture, not F2. at sub-1K.  Hopefully it's possible.

8

Lenses / Re: What would you do if you had $2000, a 5DII and no lenses?

« on: June 14, 2013, 01:42:36 AM »

I'm into portraits, landscapes and macro photography.

I'd buy 24-105L + 2-3 speedlights (preferrably Nissin or Canon) + remote for those speedlights + filters (polarizer, gnd, variable ND) + tripod + umbrella + umbrella holder + light-stand.  If anything left, I'll buy a 100mm USM macro or a tamron 90mm macro (2nd hand will do).

9

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: cheap lowlight 30-35mm for APS-C

« on: June 13, 2013, 10:47:26 AM »

That said, the difference between f/1.4 and f/1.8 is 2/3 stops, so, it's a noticeable difference, but, I haven't had issues shooting at f/1.8 indoors at all. If you're in a place where f/1.8 and ISO 1600 don't cut it, you either need a flash or to get out of that cave.

I think either the 28mm f/1.8 or the new Sigma 30mm are your best options. Do you have a kit lens you can set to 30mm to see if that focal length works for you?

I've read some reviews on the Canon 28 1.8. It seems that most complaints are about the softness at 1.8-2.8. I don't want to buy a 450$ lens and use it at f2.8. I have good enough 28 vintages (MF) which shoot great at 2.8.

You can look at a lot of my shots using Canon 28mm F1.8.  Yes there are lots of complaints but I'm certainly very happy with the results I get from it.  F1.8 seems a little bit soft but quite useable especially if AFMA'd.  Mine backfocuses a little.  I sent it to Canon for repair since my cam doesn't have AFMA and they returned it much better.  For most pictures, I'm using 2.0 - 2.8 and 1.8 sometimes.  Here are just some samples:





Don't listen much to hear-says... Try it yourself and draw your own conclusions.

10

EOS Bodies / Re: T2i Upgrade Help Needed

« on: June 12, 2013, 07:30:26 PM »

I just noticed that you still don't have a speedlight.  I think it will be better for you to buy that first for portraits.  Portraits do greatly benefit from external flash even taken at high ISO.  Try setting your ISO at 1600 and use a flash and everything will be a lot less noisier.  I too would want to upgrade to 6D but there are things you should try out first.  Later on, flash is still useable on 6D so nothing is wasted. Heck, even ISO 3200 would look ok if taken with flash and exposed correctly. You can use LR later to take out some of that noise.  For landscape, i believe you almost always use tripod for long exposures so ISO 100-200 might be sufficient already for most of the time. Don't be so hasty in buying camera bodies.  Wait a little bit for the 7d2 and the new high mp bodies and you might get good discount on 6d.

11

EOS Bodies / Re: Moire in the 1DX and 5D3

« on: June 12, 2013, 02:16:57 AM »

I shot a wedding last weekend and the grooms' suits are showing up with a crazy amount of moire that I haven't seen before.  I was shooting a 1DX and 5D3 with a 24-40 f/2.8II and a 70-200 f/2.8II with natural light and flash and saw moire in every combination.  Here is a sample with the 1DX and 24-70 with flash.  Any thoughts on avoiding/correcting it?

Change the color and design of their coats.    Just joking, anyway,  here are some links on how to "reduce" them in LR.

http://photographylife.com/how-to-reduce-moire-in-lightroom-4
http://www.texaschicksblogsandpics.com/lightroom-tutorial-what-is-moire-and-how-to-fix-it/

And Photoshop:

http://photographylife.com/how-to-remove-moire-in-photoshop

12

EOS Bodies / Re: A Big Megapixel Discussion

« on: June 12, 2013, 02:08:34 AM »

Now I'll be happy when I see 6D Mark II with the same sensor technology as this future 1DS albeit at a lower MP, and 7D-like AF coverage with at least 9 cross-type current, 6D center point performance and priced just like 6D during initial intro.  I think for most of us, that's the real deal unless you're rich or you're earning money from photography.

13

EOS-M / Re: Sinful thought: pairing my ancient 5D classic with a EOS M

« on: June 11, 2013, 06:31:32 AM »

Take your 5D come hell and high waters.  It's worth it.  Pair it with a 40mm F2.8 (just get it!) and your 17-40L for landscapes and you're set.  For most of the time, 5D + 40mm would be sufficient and light enough.  Just bring your flash and 17-40 inside a bag and you're set.

14

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM "Pancake"

« on: June 11, 2013, 02:10:39 AM »

This is such a great little vacation lens! And, according to FoCal, the second sharpest lens in my bag ahead of some L glass and my 50mm macro...

Here are some Jeepneys waiting at the ferry landing in Sabang... They always make me smile - like a Pixar film - I can just imagine them talking...

Hey, that's in my province.  Puerto Galera???    Those jeepneys... It's only in the Philippines.

15

Canon General / Re: my landscape kit

« on: June 10, 2013, 11:26:37 PM »

That lens would be awesome!  On the other hand, for limited budget, I'd take a 17-40L, 70-300 and a 50mm F1.4.