Messages

1

Canon General / Re: Desired fantasy gear

« on: May 15, 2013, 09:23:37 AM »

I've been waiting two years for Manfrotto's tripod that dispenses super dry, slightly dirty martinis.

I think it's the Queen Olives that are holding the whole thing up.  When are they going to know their customers?  We'll take it now, with Manzanilla olives instead, just put it out already!

We won't wait forever . . . we'll have to sell all of our Manfrotto and go to Miller 

2

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Do you trust your camera?

« on: May 15, 2013, 09:12:13 AM »

I didn't trust my 5DII - I always took multiple shots so I could pick the the best.

I trust my 1D X - I always take multiple shots because I leave it set to 12 fps, and even a brief press of the shutter fires off 2-3 frames.    I agree that sorting through them is a bit annoying, as I really don't need to delete due to missed focus. But with kids, it helps because I almost always get one with no blinks.

Why didn't you trust the MK2?

The last performance of my wife's I shot (using the 200mm f2., I got lost while post-processing because I had sets that looked like I'd already done them and they were untouched.

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As for trust issues; I'm *very* easily biased by threads like the one on the Tamron 24-70 . . . I haven't had any truly bad shots with it, but I haven't really pushed it yet.

Primes (85 1.8 & 200 2., I trust implicitly and have done some fabulous things with them.  Haven't touched the 50mm 1.4 much since going FF and I don't use my 60D as much (I like the 80-85mm fov).

3

Canon General / Re: It annoys me when camera phones try to take credit for professional level gear.

« on: May 15, 2013, 09:05:08 AM »

It does S___ me blind when people compare camera phones to pro gear stating categorically that they are just as good.

Take a look at the "no 7D2 in 2013" thread..... I posted pictures of the moon from a 60d and from an iPod to end a ridiculous "gear does not matter" debate. Although phones can take great pictures, particularly in the right conditions, once it gets a bit more challenging there is no substitute for a "real" camera.

Which iPod?  From the camera in the iPhone 4S up, the pictures decidedly do NOT suck . . . I digress, it's still not the same, but they're getting less crappy

Why is anyone 'discussing' this?   The only people disagreeing are doing the same thing as the advertisers: distorting the truth.  Why does Mercedes Benz advertise: ranked highest in INITIAL quality?  Because Lexus has lower long-term defect-to-units-sold and saying that doesn't sell cars.

I will, however, advocate better cameras in smartphones as it will . . . hopefully  . . . some day . . . replace the fax.  I have a image-to-PDF application that I use before erasing my whiteboard or for personal things I have to send to someone during work hours.

4

Lenses / Re: Who has pre-ordered or will order 200-400

« on: May 14, 2013, 10:12:25 PM »

Just when I got that 400 mm f/2.8 IS II...

Lol, and I got the 600 II.  But that meets my needs more than the 200-400, since 840mm f/5.6 is better for me than 560mm f/5.6. 

I'd still like an updated 100-400L, though, as a more portable option.

You're going to find a need for one and you know it.

Stop kidding yourself

5

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Color Bombs Kill Cameras

« on: May 10, 2013, 08:56:18 AM »

I represent the lawfirm of Bruckner and Weaselbomb.

Have you or a loved one suffered from the ill-effects of The Color Run (TM)?  Have you lost equipment? Sneezed rainbows? Peed blue?

We can help.  Call us today for your free consultation. 

You may be entitled of a cash settlement for de-pigmenting procedures.

We also handle people who are stupid enough . . . err . . . bullied into eating cinnamon.

6

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Need advice for getting a battery grip for the 60D

« on: May 10, 2013, 08:44:40 AM »

28 lbs for a battery grip? Man those things are heavy!

Get one from the US, they're only like 2 pounds here

 

7

Software & Accessories / Re: What makes a Polarizer worth it's price?

« on: April 30, 2013, 09:46:54 AM »

I use kaesamann B&W filters because I want to get years of use out of them. Plus, I've noticed less cast with them than other tiffen and Hoya filters.

x2 -- I use the kaesamann B&W CP filters as well (have two but need a third now)

As I buy better and better glass, I worry about introducing unnecessary changes to the image.

Some people say that cheap stuff is ok, others say even a clear lens will cause problems . . . I basically got the opinion of a few educated people I know who's work I respect and used that and forget about worrying.

8

Portrait / Re: Need advice, what can I do to improve?

« on: April 25, 2013, 04:30:37 PM »

She's staring at the camera in all of them.  I prefer candids and the fourth wall is very important to me.

If you're going to do that, you're going to need her to convey some emotion . . .

Shoot raw (if you're not already).

Bump the shadows and take down the highlights (especially #7)

9

Canon General / Re: Why do you do Photography?

« on: April 25, 2013, 03:39:25 PM »

Three answers come to mind:
"To Win Friends and Influence People" (or to meet girls ).
To not would be to rob the world of a genius.   
When you have the camera, no one is pointing one at you.

10

Software & Accessories / Re: ColorChecker passport, what's wrong?

« on: April 25, 2013, 10:39:42 AM »

The software never worked right for me.

At this point, I use it only as a grey chart to set the white/black points.

Honestly, unless I'm under severe lighting conditions, I prefer to color-adjust my photos/sets by hand in lightroom.

11

Canon General / Re: the rebate program... what a sham!

« on: April 24, 2013, 04:12:25 PM »

Cyclically, the retailers raise the price when the rebate comes out . . . SO . . . your best time to buy is the day the rebate goes in before the other price goes up.

FWIW, Newegg w/coupon @ $2765 for the mk3 has been the best online price in recent history.

Unfortunately, for me, that is only $8 than the cost of new clutch and transmission that my mazda is currently in need of.

Do your research; today, $2900 is not bad, $2800 is good for authorized dealers with good return policies.  That will change.

12

Canon General / Re: No Announcement Today

« on: April 23, 2013, 09:19:22 AM »

In other news . . . no announcement yesterday as well.

Up next: Tomorrow, what can it hold?

  I kid, we love you CR

13

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Upgrade from 400D with a low budget

« on: April 16, 2013, 09:08:23 PM »

The underlying question is:
What IS your budget?

If you're going low-end . . . anytime is good.  The T4i is a badass with regard to "just all around usability", the features just keep coming out.

The 60D and 7D are fabulous bodies, regardless of time on the market or market competition . . .

If you need it now, prices are good . . . if  you can wait till end of year, plot-and-plan, you'll either get the 7Dmk2, 70D, or the 60D/7D at a discount price . . .

If I were entering the DSLR market today the T4i would definitely distract me from upper-end crop bodies.

Your choice in the end.

14

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Indoor Skydiving: iFly

« on: April 16, 2013, 08:49:29 PM »

Apparently iFly was on NikonRumors and got sick of it and sold all their gear and switched to Canon 

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Seriously though . . .

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I took my boy to iFly (indoor skydiving) and saw the canon camera behind the glass.

They had the benefit of front-lighting, I was fighting that light from the back (won't know until I get home how well I did since I'll have to post-process for the lighting).

Bought a pic as a hedge against my still growing skills with the Tamron 24-70; I was mostly paying for the curiosity of the exif . . .

THAT said, I got what I wanted for $4: 
They're using a 50D w/ 10-22mm. 

Glass/plexiglass is truly my nemesis; I hate seeing my fat arse in the dang image   I had both of my high-end filters, which DID NOT fit my lens (did I mention I'm still learning on the Tamron?) . . .

I'm going to scrutinize the image when I get home, but it was ISO 1600 and I was at 6400 with the 5DmkII, so wish me luck

15

EOS Bodies / Re: A Bit of EOS 70D Info [CR1-CR2]

« on: April 15, 2013, 07:58:45 PM »

Wow, MP count in the first three. Classy.

Honestly, if they do THIS plus re-add MFA (better if it's dual like the current models), then it's perfect, we can wait for a 7Dmk2 for a step up.