Messages

16

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D3 & 600ex-rt + AF assist beam = slower focus

« on: November 22, 2012, 01:33:42 PM »

Not that I noticed, but I wasn't looking for that.  Will check again when I have both bodies on Sunday.

The 600EX does send out a different pattern depending on which focus setting. FWIW.

17

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D3 & 600ex-rt + AF assist beam = slower focus

« on: November 22, 2012, 10:28:21 AM »

I did a quick test with 600EX and 430EX II on both T1i and 5D3 in dark room. Both flashes on T1i are responsive on center point (never used others).  Switching to 5D3, I get inconsistent results with both flashes.  I tried every focus mode, and aside from being laggy overall, the best mode for both flashes seemed to be area zone (perhaps because you limit the area it has to try to find focus and you are not picky about what in that zone you want vs. spot or spot with assists.). Disappointed and going to try and properly document to raise the issue with Canon.

Happy Thanksgiving. 

18

Lighting / Re: Entering the world of needing a flash at darker weddings

« on: November 13, 2012, 07:29:17 PM »

Check out http://flashzebra.com/

Short or long... much cheaper.

Good luck with your shoot.

19

Lighting / Re: Entering the world of needing a flash at darker weddings

« on: November 12, 2012, 09:40:20 PM »

The 430EX II is a great flash and it swivels both ways, just not all the way on one-side only.  I've never found that to be a problem.  I started out with the Stofen but found it to give less pleasing results with better glass (not sure why that is) and only useful for straight up "bare bulb"-type shots. It has been collecting dust since I got the radio triggers,  an umbrella, and a small soft box.

I used the flash mainly with my T1i (same sensor as your 50D) and the flash really made it come alive.  I liked that it was smaller than 580EX and didn't feel like I was missing power.  I gave me great shots but I realized how much more flexibility I now have with the 600EX.  Now I'm selling the 430EX II, plus Stofen, plus Phottix Strato to go toward another 600EX. (PM me if interested.)

In short, 430EX is really good. 600 is better.  Never used the 580 but it has the same output as the 600 for what it's worth.

20

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Can we all send a complaint to Canon to fix the AF-Assist focusing on the 5D3?

« on: November 12, 2012, 12:21:00 AM »

I've found that if you half press the shutter button and wait for the AF  light to and point to flash, it takes 3 sec or more.  However, if I just press the shutter button down all the way, it focuses in about 1 second or less and fires with perfectly sharp focus.
It does this regardless of AF-Assist or not.  So, if you are waiting for the AF- Assist to stop flashing to take the image, just press and hold the shutter button.  It fires as soon as focus is reached rather than delaying another 2-3 seconds before the focus points light up.

Good to know.  Thanks!

21

Lighting / Re: Off-camera flash for 5D3

« on: November 10, 2012, 11:34:21 AM »

Heck if you just want a cheap reliable trigger (only ETTL pass through for shoe), I have a Phottix Strato set that I don't use anymore since I got the Odin and was going to put on CL or EvilBay later this weekend, but PM me if you are interested. $40?

22

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Convince me to shoot in RAW

« on: November 10, 2012, 11:30:01 AM »

2008 MacBook Pro + Aperture and RAW files take 2 - 7 seconds each to "develop."  On 2011 MacBook Pro with SSD, no more than 2 seconds.  As I said before, I don't do heavy processing so YMMV. 

23

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Convince me to shoot in RAW

« on: November 09, 2012, 05:02:36 PM »

@awinphoto = Agreed on your reframing of my post.

As for getting it right vs. time in post...  I started out loving RAW not only because I saw more information to work with but also because it rescued shots that I "missed."  This made me look better than I was at the time, but it got old pretty quick spending hours in post with a shot that could have been done right (or closer to right) in the camera. So I learned more, practiced, and--now that I shoot better (still learning and improving but much better)--I have more keepers from less shots (no more spray and pray) and I don't spend a lot of time in post. I correct for WB, minor exposure and contrast tweaks, and blemish removal where necessary.  That's it.  Clean, fast, and consistent results.

24

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Convince me to shoot in RAW

« on: November 09, 2012, 01:20:28 PM »

Shoot the same picture in JPEG and RAW.  After properly processing the RAW (or even before), compare the two.  If you don't see a meaningful difference to you, then shoot JPEG.  If you see the same meaningful difference that I did the first time I tried this, you will not need anyone to convince you.

25

Lighting / Re: Off-camera flash for 5D3

« on: November 09, 2012, 10:23:25 AM »

+1 for the Phottix Odin.

26

Lenses / Re: Canon Makes the EF 24-70 f/4L IS & EF 35 f/2 IS Official

« on: November 06, 2012, 03:43:40 PM »

When the rumor piped up for the 24-70mm f/4L at $899, I was definitely interested . . . excited even!  At $1500, I'll continue to save up for the 2.8L.  If kit rejects [white boxes] hit the market at around $900, then I'll take another look, especially if the performance is a good as the MTF charts suggest.

(This used to be a cheaper occupation/hobby, no? )

27

Lenses / Re: Next lens, round 2

« on: November 06, 2012, 03:20:10 PM »

As I mentioned from your very 1st post(before you buy 5D III) - sell your crop gear and get another FF, 6D or 5D II

1. 24-70 II on one body and 70-200 f2.8 IS II on another body. Your client(s) won't be able to tell the different f2.8 and 1.8 bokeh. Unless he/she is a photographer.

2. Keep your macro lens & flashes for special shootings

3. Put everything else on Craiglist. Unless you want to show off your gear to your client(s), otherwise why carry too many "Fken" lenses in your bag. I just don't get it.

+1.   Except I'd keep the 35mm L for those times when you need another two stops indoors and no flash allowed. 

28

Lenses / Re: Canon Announces New Lens Caps!

« on: November 05, 2012, 11:38:58 PM »

I wish the pinch was horizontal and not vertical with the lettering.  [ducking]

29

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

« on: November 02, 2012, 04:32:02 PM »

This is getting me excited for next week.  Come to Papa, 100mm f/2.8L!!!

30

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Natural Progression of Camera Bodies. Type Your story below.

« on: November 02, 2012, 04:30:15 PM »

The digital-only story...
------------------------------------------------------------
2000 = Olympus C-3030 (still have it!)
2005 = Olympus Stylus 500 (broken within 1 year)
2006 = Olympus Stylus 1000 (donated it)
------------------------------------------------------------
2009 = Canon T1i (EF-S 18-135mm)
2010 = EF 50 f/1.4
2011 = EF-S 15-85mm (sold EF-S 18-135mm)
------------------------------------------------------------
2012 = Canon 5D3 + EF 40mm f/2.8
2012 = EF 100mm L f/2.8 (coming next week)