Messages

1

Software & Accessories / Re: who uses Focal or similar?

« on: September 29, 2012, 11:03:12 AM »

purchased the Focal software and just did it on my kit 24-105 @105 and my 50 1.4.

results:
50mm 1.4 needed +9 adjust
24-105 needed +5 adjust at 105mm

is that usual?

2

Software & Accessories / who uses Focal or similar?

« on: September 23, 2012, 01:49:24 AM »

How many beginner/amateur/hobby photographers use some kind of adjustment method to fine-tune their lens?

I've read so many good reviews on Focal AND a few other AF adjustments but wonder how many of those are from professionals or people who earn their living from photography.

Reason I ask is, I still consider myself as a beginner and if it wasn't for someone commenting on one of my photos as "it looks as though it maybe back-focus, that's why x is not clear"  I would never have even noticed. I would have thought, camera shake, I used the wrong setting, I focused at the wrong spot, not enough light, subject moved.....

how many would:
1) buy lens
2) check lens in detail
3) fine tune AF microadjustment
finally 4) go shooting.....

3

Street & City / Re: Italy 2012

« on: September 22, 2012, 12:15:20 PM »

mind if I ask what lens you used or took with you? what was your widest lens?

brilliant landscape and night shots..........wish my Italy shots came out that way

4

Lenses / how to test a lens in the shop!

« on: September 21, 2012, 10:58:40 PM »

beside using this at home (http://www.canonrumors.com/tech-articles/how-to-test-a-lens/)
what are your basic testing method in the store for a new lens?

5

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: For those whose paid full price on 5d III, how do you feel about the price drop?

« on: September 19, 2012, 11:30:38 AM »

I brought mine when it first came out in Hong Kong, 5d3 with 24-105 kit for around US$4400.

No regrets, I took it on our honeymoon a week later.

It replaced my 40D kit set.

the only pain now is I'm spending $$$$ buying more lens and accessories.

so far:
5d3
24-105 f4
50mm 1.4
70-200 f4 IS    (amazed)
remote transceivers for shutter and remote flash
430EX flash (from friend)
ND filters and attachments
1.4x extender Kenko
Q strap
3 camera bags (1 for travelling, 1 sling bag everyday use, 1 shoulder bag for 5d3&50mm 1.4)

6

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF70-200mm f/4L USM

« on: September 19, 2012, 07:30:27 AM »

just cropped and len adjusted on LR4..........comments?

7

EOS Bodies / Re: Need advices, white line across photos...5D3

« on: September 07, 2012, 02:44:14 AM »

that isn't right.
I'm no expert in cameras but I would think if you paid US$4000+ for a 5d3 and lens, it should take perfect photos (minus your skill and maybe micro-af corrections.)

clearly there's either something wrong with the camera or the lens.

can you not take it back to shop? just get the sales guy to take a photo and show him.

8

Software & Accessories / Re: another Gitzo question

« on: August 31, 2012, 12:09:46 PM »

They tend to be quite overpriced but sturdy tripods.

yea I know. There was a Benro 1690 carbon fiber Travel Angel version kit very similar weight for about 1/3 of Gitzo price.

9

Street & City / Re: Night Skyline

« on: August 31, 2012, 12:05:37 PM »

Millennium Eye London by tom_scott88, on Flickr

what lens and setting did you use? very nice

10

Landscape / Re: Hong Kong Island nightshot

« on: August 31, 2012, 10:28:26 AM »

it was just a straight forward photo, no HDR, but as you can see, its blurry.......again.
ISO set at 100.
manual focus at close to infinite
bulb, 29secs, F9, 28mm using 24-105 f4

It was pretty difficult to see the blur clearly using the LCD, I actually thought it was an ok shot until I had in up on PC.

11

Software & Accessories / another Gitzo question

« on: August 31, 2012, 09:06:33 AM »

any comment on this kit for travelling and lightweight?
apparently its on promotion here with a Gitzo bag for around US$790

http://www.gitzo.hk/ser1-6x-traveler-kit-GK1580TQR4
http://www.gitzo.hk/series-1-traveler-tripod-bag

12

Landscape / Hong Kong Island nightshot

« on: August 30, 2012, 11:52:59 PM »

my poor attempt at nightshot using 24-105, 5d3.

13

Landscape / Re: 17-40 f4 for lower light vs 16-35 f2.8

« on: August 28, 2012, 11:42:39 PM »

thanks for all the information and suggestions!

you guys are quick on replies...........well nice

14

Lenses / Re: Considering the 70-200 f4 is for my next lens

« on: August 28, 2012, 11:37:01 PM »

I have exactly the same as you.
24-105
50 1.4
70-200 f4 IS

I just brought the 70-200 a few days ago and its nice. I spent a day with it on my 5d3 with canon strap and it was fine, not too heavy.

If you need more reach, you could consider the kenko 1.4x extender, but it will stop it down to f5.6 though, autofocus is fine, at least to my beginner level.

Also your question about the 24-70 mkII, you already have that focus range from the 24-105, so would buying the 70-200 benefit you more now? or at least the period from now till the release of the 24-70 mk II
I know the new upcoming mkII is a completely different lens and you cant compare it to the 24-105, it should have better components, f2.8, better everything, but its release date has been delay.

15

Landscape / 17-40 f4 for lower light vs 16-35 f2.8

« on: August 28, 2012, 08:50:02 AM »

Another totally beginner question (it would be nice to have a Beginner's section)

 I understand that 16-35 is much more $$$ and the 2.8 lets in twice as much light, also the components used are better and you get 1mm more

Question: would the IQ be so much different if you took the same photo (something like an early evening sunset) with both lens, say at a setting of f5.6, ISO 100, 20mm length, using a tripod and remote release?

Can I assume that the shutter speed of the f2.8 would be half that of the f4? and with a tripod would the IQ be so different?

thanks, still learning