Messages

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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)...

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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.

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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...

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: EOS 5D Mark III Firmware 1.2.1 Available for Download

« on: May 11, 2013, 09:02:19 PM »

Interesting. I just tried my 70-200 Mk II 2.8 with my YN622c output AF assist trigger and it's definitely faster too. Used to get focus lock confirmation in 1 to 1.5 second range in a totally dark room, now it's half a second or so.

My 24-70 Mk II 2.8 is a bit faster as well. Previously locked in the .5 to 1 second range (usually closer to the half second, now it's in the bit less than half a second range.

Both of them, in short, feel snappier - the 70-200 more than the 24-70 - when using the YN622c AF assist beam capability.

+1

I jumped in the deep end the other day and did a shoot using my FW 1.2.1 5D3 with YN622c/YN568EX (plus two studio strobes), and it worked really, really well.  My 24-70 (Mark I) 'seemed' to focus faster and more reliably.  There was hardly an out-of-focus shot in the entire batch, and the shooting took place in very low light with a fast-wriggling subject.

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Reviews / Re: Review - Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD with Pictures

« on: May 11, 2013, 08:36:06 PM »

Hard to not love the lens when it produces images like this 

I think you give the lens too much credit here.  You clearly have photographic and post-processing talent (don't let it go to your head), so I'm sure you could've achieved the same thing with a different lens. 

IMHO, compositionally the top of this image is distracting - I can't stop looking at the leaves at the top.   I'd suggest that you consider a landscape crop of the lower section containing the flowers.  (Sorry I spend far too much time critiquing photos).

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Lenses / Re: Lens Not Focusing

« on: May 11, 2013, 08:04:59 PM »

It's an interesting problem.  I'd recommend simply sending it to Canon for repair.

During a location shoot about a week and a half ago, my 50/1.8 started malfunctioning... again, it was a focus issue.  It was 'missing' focus on every shot.  Luckily my client (and subject) is a photography teacher and knew that gear sometimes failed.  I changed to my 24-70mm/2.8 and got the shots I needed, in perfect focus, so everything was fine in that regard.

I won't be repairing the 50mm.  I bought it during a trip to the US in 2004 (from B&H), and it has served me well.  Now, if only Sigma would release a new 50mm Art Series lens, I'd be a happy chappy.

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Technical Support / Re: Which RAW processing software do you use?

« on: May 04, 2013, 08:20:34 PM »

DPP+Photoshop CS4.

Prior to owning the 5D3 I used Bridge CS4+Photoshop CS4, but Adobe doesn't update the Camera RAW plugin for older Creative Suites, hence DPP.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: EOS 5D Mark III Firmware 1.2.1 Available for Download

« on: April 30, 2013, 07:47:36 AM »

Heh, it appears that this firmware has been on Canon New Zealand's website since 18 April... I should have checked earlier, but I had a bunch of paid shoots to do and it wasn't the right time to mess around with firmware.