Messages

121

Lenses / Re: 6D & new lenses

« on: January 16, 2013, 12:40:27 AM »

Sounds good MWL!  You are the one using and shooting with this stuff so by all means get what works best for you and have a blast!!  SmugMug is great too.  My concern has always been keeping ownership of the images and keeping pictures of the scouts off of billboards, wheaties boxes, etc.  Always ready/glad to help when I'm available and not on campouts, etc.   

122

Lenses / Re: 6D & new lenses

« on: January 16, 2013, 12:37:17 AM »

Get a SunPak RD2000 Flash for walk around fill flash and a bunch of eneloops.

I'd recommend the Canon 90EX (from the EOS M) over the Sunpak, a little bit more cash, but down the track you can use it as an optical off-camera flash trigger for the EX series - works brilliantly on my 6D for that purpose

The 90EX is larger, twice the price and doesn't pivot which is critical to me.  I also have the StoFen diffuser on it all the time.  I have some very detailed reviews up on Adorama, B&H, etc.  You can get a small RD2000 with the diffuser for less than $100.

123

Lenses / Re: 6D & new lenses

« on: January 15, 2013, 09:05:18 PM »

I shoot what you shoot.  Scouts, school stuff, etc in photoJ style.  Get the 6D + 24-105 kit.  Get a 16-35 f/2.8 v1 or the 17-40 to save money and (both) have the same filter size as the 24-105.  And the 15mm Fish-Eye has been a blast in close quarters at scout events and indoor stuff!!  (I have a 40mm pancake but I still use the 16-35 more than anything.)  Get a SunPak RD2000 Flash for walk around fill flash and a bunch of eneloops.  Get the 430EX-2 or 580EX for scout ceremonies, etc.  Get a good strap like the BlkRpd 4 or a BosStrap.  Let the rest fall in place as you progress.  It's a great time for you!  I've been doing all this with a 5D classic and crop cameras for the past 3 years.  You have the luxury of using a 6D.  (I just got a 6D in early Dec and you'll love it.)  Enjoy!!  Check out my pictures if you like.  If you plan on hiking a lot, get a waterproof rugged camera like the Canon D20.  Organize and tweak your images with Lightroom and host them for the troop, friends, etc on Zenfolio.  Let me know if you have any questions!  Have fun!!

124

Site Information / Re: Off Limits??

« on: January 15, 2013, 12:48:39 PM »

Thanks for the super quick reply neuro!  Good to know.   

125

Canon General / Re: Hey Canon, I've got cash to burn, but...

« on: January 15, 2013, 12:46:31 PM »

Wow.  $500 + shipping to remove the AA filter.  What level of improvement could be expected after that investment?  And how would it affect the resale value I wonder?

126

Site Information / Off Limits??

« on: January 15, 2013, 12:34:21 PM »

I clicked on the link on the homepage ("Canon 24-70 f/4 IS vs Canon 24-105 f/4 IS - Not what I expected") I got a strange error.  Missing or it's Off Limits??  Weird...

127

Canon General / Re: Jessops [UK camera retailer] closes

« on: January 15, 2013, 11:17:21 AM »

I was half joking with the iOS line.  Maybe it could be the Canon iOS!

And consumption was what I was getting at.  I create video content on a macpro macbook pro and imac. Most users of apple products consume content, and as you say, only in ways that suit apple, so no flash etc.

My next mac will either be a windows PC or a hackintosh (motherboard with flashed bios, makes it worth $500 more)

I really hate to mac bash, really want to resist it, as I've done a lot of good work on a mac.

I just hope canon keep on the aspirational curve rather than dumbing down for mass market appeal.

I totally agree with all your points.  And just to be clear, I think Apple products are great.  They are just expensive and you're stuck with Apple the company.  Apple's whole business/product model is unique to them and when other companies try to copy that, it never works.  So please Canon, don't.  It may just be about the money to Canon but it's about the camera and support to us.  And as you say, these camera products are for creation by the user, not consumption.  Totally opposite of what Apple provides.

128

Canon General / Re: Jessops [UK camera retailer] closes

« on: January 15, 2013, 10:44:07 AM »

You'll never see an iOS Canon product.  That's not how Apple works.  It's religion.  Apple will have to release its own DSLR.  They will never allow iOS to be used on anything else that's not an Apple product.  And if they did, it would be a disaster because they would want too much control.  Whatever the product, Apple would insist that it would cease to be anything less than an Apple product regardless of the name on the front.

129

Canon General / Re: Jessops [UK camera retailer] closes

« on: January 15, 2013, 10:40:51 AM »

I agree that Apple products are different than Canon products.  Which is why I don't agree with Canon trying to emulate the Apple method which is unfortunately what they appear to be doing, at some level anyway.

It's a common misconception that Apple makes products for consumers to use.  That is incorrect.  Apple products have less features and are less functional.  They are NOT created for consumer productivity, at least not as a primary function.  They are very pretty eye candy created for one purpose - to drive Apple users to Apple content.  iTunes, Apple Store, App Store, Apple accessories, whatever Apple points the user to in order to generate more revenue.  This is why Apple products don't support multiple formats and Apple makes it difficult to use anything outside of the Apple ecosystem.  It's also why Apple products can't be customized.  The user is not permitted to dilute or change the Apple brand or style or look.  It's a work of art that you are permitted to use, show off and display.  But don't change it.  Making it unique or attempting to use it for anything Apple hasn't already deemed permissible won't be allowed and will be a punishable offense.  Anyone remember when the iPhone came out and after some jailbreaks to get more features or skins, Apple bricked those phones with updates.  Really?  And those folks went out and bought another.... iPhone.  Wow.  They call it jailbreak for a reason.

130

Canon General / Re: Jessops [UK camera retailer] closes

« on: January 15, 2013, 09:51:44 AM »

I don't live in the UK, I live in Arlington, Texas.  Arlington is part of the DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth) metroplex of cities.  Some companies have tried to build stores and failed.   Gateway computers was a good example.  However, DELL had a much better idea - small kiosks in the mall corridors.  I'm an IT computer guy so I see computers differently than some folks I guess but IMHO, following the Apple model is suicide.  Apple has a strange attraction that no one else seems to be able to match.  When you buy Apple, you buy a whole ecosystem.  You drink the Kook-Aid.  It's hypnotic.  Before you know it, you've spent $3k when all you really needed was (maybe) a $1000 PC after buying MS Office.  (And you can keep a PC running just as long as a mac.)  What's also amazing is that you'll probably buy another $2K of Apple stuff in the next 6 months without even realizing it.  I've had a couple clients that did that just for their home music and entertainment use.  They still have PCs at home and the office to actually get something done.  Don't get the wrong idea.  I don't dislike Apple products.  I'm just amazed at the prices they can get for what is essentially identical systems with a matte aluminum shell but without much software or driver support.  People are buying the whole Apple experience, not just the hardware itself.  That's something none of the competitors can match.

So back to the Canon dedicated store topic.  I think Canon has been looking at the Apple model for quite a while.  That's why the Canon prices have suddenly jumped in the last year and they are beginning to emulate the Apple method of being a little hush hush sometimes about releases or keeping everyone waiting for an unknown amount of time before the product is actually released for a premium price.  And then after it finally does release and anyone finds a flaw, they are totally silent in response until they decide to address it.  And before Christmas, Canon attempted to lock the retail prices with the announcement about the MAP agreements.  Yep, pretty Apple-like if you ask me.

The problem with any company wanting to emulate Apple is that Apple doesn't go after market share.  They go after the consumer and they sell at a high margin and make their money up front.  Most other companies just can't do that.  Apple essentially has their own market that they enjoy with buyers willing to cast off all others and buy/pay more no matter what.  It's like a religion.  This is why no one else has been able to duplicate it.  Apple's buyers don't seem to care about anything other than the brand.  Features, price, nothing matters.  They may complain but they buy it anyway.  It's the damnedest thing I've ever seen.  They might not even use what they buy but they still think it's great.  It's hypnotic.  This means in the long run that the Apple store isn't just a store, it's a shrine to the Apple.  It's a cultural icon.  And it possibly appeals to a larger audience than Canon.  Perhaps this is why the stores are starting in other countries.  Canon doesn't see them working yet in the US.  Should be interesting to see how they go.

If you want a chuckle, watch the Futurama episode about the eyePhone (Attack of the Killer App - 2009).  It was hilarious and pretty accurate about how people buy Apple products.

131

Lenses / Re: How many times did you return (L) lenses to get a good copy?

« on: January 11, 2013, 01:04:17 AM »

I got a 35/1.4L used (eBay) that was pristine in box and at first I thought was perfect.  Then I shot with it and noticed front focusing.  It was bad enough to notice in normal photos being soft that I knew something was wrong.  At the time, all I had was a 30D, 40D and 5D so no way to do AFMA either.  Ended up eventually selling it off.  The buyer thought it was fine, didn't know what I was talking about.  Weird but fine with me.

I'll eventually get another 35L lens, I really liked that lens.  Having loads of fun with my 24L-ii for now though.  I'm burned out on spending money on this stuff for a while.  I need to sell some stuff!

Wish CR would start a buy&sell area.  eBay is too risky to sell on anymore for the seller.

132

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: *EDITED* USB Cable for 5D Mark III

« on: January 09, 2013, 10:37:03 AM »

Look mama, no cables:

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/58-14255

Yeah, except it's REALLY buggy. I have one...and I'd rather use my WFT-E2A than it if I didn't need the quick down speed (< 3 sec on 21MP RAW with wireless vs ~1 sec wired with active repeater).

Did you notice that it's discontinued? There's a reason for that...

IT Geek Guy here... I've seem a lot of buggy problems with the wireless USB stuff.  Don't bother.  Stick with the other wired USB suggestions, cable length limits, active extensions, CAT5 baluns, etc if you're going to use the USB method.

Keep in mind that some USB cables with the small mini connector do exist that are only meant for phone charging etc and might be missing the data connection.  I doubt this is the case for long cables but in case you are ever looking around real quick for a short cable in a drawer or something, just know that ALL cables of this type are not created equal.

133

Portrait / Re: How to take INCREDIBLE photos of your friends

« on: January 07, 2013, 07:13:58 PM »

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/incredible_photos

Sorry if inappropriate but this got me laughing out loud and thought a few here may also enjoy the humor.

Yep, pretty funny.  But not as funny as THIS ONE!  (The Dog Paradox is monster funny, esp if you've ever had a dog before.)  It's really pretty accurate!
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/dog_paradox

134

PowerShot / Re: Boy Scout Photography Class - Thoughts?

« on: January 07, 2013, 07:24:08 AM »

Thanks Jeff.  Good Points!  Now I'll just have to have someone teach me all those things and I'll be set!  (LOL!) 

Seriously, I agree to keep it simple.  However, I need to cover what's in the merit badge book and I'm trying to keep it to a day class for scheduling reasons, etc.  (Hard to get these guys together for these things consistently.)

I'm thinking something like teaching the composition and basics first like you're suggesting, break out and everyone take pictures, regroup, examine pictures, discuss more technical topics, break out and take more pictures, regroup, examine and then wrap up with summary and the rest of the topics like careers, etc.  Then they have to take pictures on their own and create a poster board story or slideshow for the last requirement.

135

PowerShot / Re: Boy Scout Photography Class - Thoughts?

« on: January 07, 2013, 03:06:00 AM »

Great Ideas so far.  Thanks!

I've decided to get THREE Bikini Models.  One to teach with the pinhole camera and take pictures of the second one as she runs and jumps while the third one takes pictures of the other two making it look like night time and seeing how the headlights streak.

The instructor has decided to let the Bikini Modles teach the class.  Why should the scouts have all the fun?