Messages

1

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Advice on 1st flash

« on: Today at 09:39:15 AM »

The odd thing is that my inexpensive Yongnuo flash has all of those things on your list... obviously there's no guarantee it'll work on future bodies, but I doubt Canon would completely change their flash system to deliberately trip up 3rd party manufacturers.  They'd have to release firmware upgrades for their entire back catalogue of digital camera bodies to support the new system too, which would be costly.

That is really odd.  Thats it! I'm going to burn my 430EX!

Good luck with your yongnuo, health to use it mate.  It's not like E-TTL-II rendered a lot of third party lenses dead or anything is it?  Canon would change the firmware, or activate extra features in a heartbeat without a thought for yongnuo.

Good luck also if you ever come to sell your yongnuo too.

I've never used them, never will, and so cannot recommend them.

Haha don't burn your 430EX!  As I said in the rest of my post, my choice was financial.  If I bought a 430EX for $400 and sold it for 60% of what I paid for it, I still would have lost $160.  My Yongnuo was $180 new, so I think we can consider it disposable... 

2

Video & Movie / Re: İstanbul Turkey Time Lapses

« on: Today at 09:23:24 AM »

I think videos 3 & 4 are the best from that selection, because the subject matter is relatively clear and interesting.  The first video has such a shallow DOF that I'm not sure what I'm meant to be seeing, and everywhere I look is just bokeh.  That would probably be my main suggestion: try more depth of field so that your viewers can see more of the subject matter.

Have you tried doing a time lapse of the fisherman on the big bridge in Istanbul?  When I was there there must have been a hundred men fishing off it.

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Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Advice on 1st flash

« on: Today at 07:13:32 AM »

I have lenses by Sigma, Tokina, batteries by energiser, calumet.

I will only ever have a speedlite flash by canon.

Why?  Heres why:

The odd thing is that my inexpensive Yongnuo flash has all of those things on your list... obviously there's no guarantee it'll work on future bodies, but I doubt Canon would completely change their flash system to deliberately trip up 3rd party manufacturers.  They'd have to release firmware upgrades for their entire back catalogue of digital camera bodies to support the new system too, which would be costly.

However, there is no doubt that a 430EX II would make a *superb* first camera flash, and for US$259 (in the USA), why not?  In my country the 430EX costs more than US$400, which is why I chose the Yongnuo ($180).   

4

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon 5D Mk3 Reliability

« on: Today at 06:53:46 AM »

My first 5D3 had some stuck pixels.  I returned it immediately and was given a replacement (the next serial number up, by 1), which has been perfect.

It was a huge financial outlay for me, costing £2750 for the body, but it has been worth it.  I strongly recommend buying from a trusted camera shop so that if anything does go wrong (like with my first copy), they treat you right.

5

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Scanner software

« on: May 22, 2013, 08:25:24 PM »

I use Silverfast (not the latest version, but version 6 I think) with my Nikon Coolscan V, and it's effective.  The latest version has a much-improved GUI from what I've read.

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Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Best smartphone for use with Canon DSLR?

« on: May 19, 2013, 06:05:10 AM »

On the back of this thread I decided to spend the $10 and bought DSLR Controller to use on my Nexus 7.  I already had a USB on-the-go cable, so it worked straight away with my 5D3.

So far I'm reasonably impressed.  However, it is taking me a little bit of time to figure out the interface!

7

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Best smartphone for use with Canon DSLR?

« on: May 18, 2013, 10:12:07 AM »

I was going to suggest the Nexus 4 smartphone, but unfortunately it's specifically excluded from the compatibility list on the DSLR Controller website.  So I'd recommend the Samsung Galaxy S3 instead.  If you've got loads of cash, then an HTC One or a Samsung S4 are even better options.

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Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Advice on 1st flash

« on: May 14, 2013, 09:41:46 PM »

I'll throw in my 10 cents with the Yongnuo YN-568EX.  Its specs are more in line with Canon's 580EX.  It has good build quality, supports E-TTL II and HSS, and I haven't had any issues with reliability (I have used it for quite a few shoots now).  On ebay you can pick it up for $168 inc shipping.

By all means, if you'd rather stick with Canon then I'm sure you won't be disappointed with the 430EX II.

9

Reviews / Re: The Digital Picture Reviews the Tamron 24-70

« on: May 14, 2013, 08:21:01 AM »

I agree with your sentiments about price+warranty+IS, Marsu, but when a reviewer has to purchase two retail lenses, then have one of them replaced by Tamron (bringing the tally up to 3 lenses) in order to get one that focuses properly - I don't like those odds.   

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Reviews / Re: The Digital Picture Reviews the Tamron 24-70

« on: May 14, 2013, 02:37:30 AM »

a good review as usual i'm a bit disappointed the 24-70 mk1 wasnt in the mix for comparison to put it all in context with that lens that so many are familiar with

Yeah Wombat, we both have similar gear and I felt the same way!

11

Reviews / Re: The Digital Picture Reviews the Tamron 24-70

« on: May 13, 2013, 08:00:48 PM »

After reading this review, it's off my shopping list.

12

Software & Accessories / Re: If buying last standalone CS6: Mac or Windows version for longevity?

« on: May 13, 2013, 04:59:37 PM »

Well, thing is. I refuse to rent software, plain and simple.
I don't rent other things like music or videos of things I want to keep, and use as I see fit. I buy CD's for my music, bluerays for the few videos I want to keep, etc.

I'll buy the last CS6 suite I can get.

These days, hardware is becoming quite cheap and powerful, and running things in VMs is so easy today....most people buy modern computers and barely ever strain the CPUs or utilize all their RAM or GPUs.

This isn't just about this Adobe change. I refuse to be a consumer in this fashion for any software.

I don't believe in renting software either (especially at those prices), so I'll probably go down the same path and buy the last boxed version of CS6.

The thing I do rent though, is music - but that's because it really does save me a small fortune.  My premium monthly membership for Spotify costs me about half the price of a new-release CD, and I'll listen to literally dozens of albums every month, on multiple devices.  If I like a particular album a lot, I'll buy the CD (for the lossless audio quality and versatility of the format)...

13

Software & Accessories / Re: Adobe to Stop Making Packaged Software

« on: May 13, 2013, 04:32:32 PM »

From what I've read since this little side topic began, I'm convinced that using my wife's student version of CS6 Design Premium on a shared household computer is legal and not a form of 'piracy'.

After checking Adobe's rules on educational use, I've found that they are even more relaxed than they were 5 years ago when I bought CS4.  As mentioned by someone else, you can now use the student version for commercial purposes (this was expressly forbidden in CS4), you can install it on 2 computers (used to be 1), and you can upgrade it.  It also clearly states that you can continue to use the student versions after you've finished your time as a student.

Another point is that you don't need to have an educational requirement for one of their products in order to purchase (e.g., you don't have to be a photography student to buy Photoshop - just a student).

Still, I'm glad 'Meh' made me explore the legalities further, and now I can sleep easier.

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Software & Accessories / Re: Adobe to Stop Making Packaged Software

« on: May 13, 2013, 09:58:25 AM »

Hmm... in 2008 I bought CS4 Design Premium for around $400 (as a student).  I still use it five years on.

With the new CC subscription, the cost of ownership by now would have been around $1800.  If I had remained a student from 2008 until now it would have cost me $720 (they offer 60% discount for students).  But I was only a student for one year (mid-life crisis), meaning the price from then until now would have been $1584.

I know which model I prefer.

As a side note: to those that had CS4, but now use CS6, are there many improvements between the two versions?  If there's enough incentive, I'll just buy a student copy of CS6 DP while I still can (my wife's now the student)... it's still $400...

Having your wife buy PS at the student price for you, who is not a student, is essentially pirating the software.  If you're willing to pirate the software part way, why not just go all the way and download it from the net for free.

Honestly?  So you're saying that if you came to my house and logged onto my computer and used my student copy of CS4, which I purchased LEGITIMATELY, you are pirating the software?  My wife and I live in the same house and share the same computer... I have the license for Windows 7 and Office on my computer, but my wife also uses that software - is she pirating from Microsoft now?  I think you've got it really quite wrong.

15

Software & Accessories / Re: Adobe to Stop Making Packaged Software

« on: May 13, 2013, 07:14:40 AM »

Hmm... in 2008 I bought CS4 Design Premium for around $400 (as a student).  I still use it five years on.

With the new CC subscription, the cost of ownership by now would have been around $1800.  If I had remained a student from 2008 until now it would have cost me $720 (they offer 60% discount for students).  But I was only a student for one year (mid-life crisis), meaning the price from then until now would have been $1584.

I know which model I prefer.

As a side note: to those that had CS4, but now use CS6, are there many improvements between the two versions?  If there's enough incentive, I'll just buy a student copy of CS6 DP while I still can (my wife's now the student)... it's still $400...