Messages

46

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: GEAR GRINDING - or, what bug's you about your equipment

« on: February 08, 2013, 03:34:53 PM »

The 5D3's flash sync limitation of 1/200th bugs me a lot.  It's irrelevant when I'm shooting with my Yongnuo HSS flash, but when I'm using my studio strobes, 1/200th just isn't fast enough - and it limits the DOF I can achieve.  I realise I could add ND filters to my lenses, but that only does so much and isn't always practical.  I could post several images with the DOF I want, but overexposed, but you can imagine them can't you?

And I really dislike the fact that when I remove and reinsert the CF card in my 5D3, it switches over to the SD card and I have to manually select CF storage again to get it saving to the correct card.  I want it to have a persistent setting that always chooses the CF card if it sees that it is inserted and has free space.  Surely it can't be that difficult to program.  It doesn't stop me from taking a photo, but if I'm in a hurry and need to photograph long bursts of action with high FPS, having the camera save to the SD card produces slower frame rates.

47

Lenses / Re: what's the best UV filter for Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II lens?

« on: February 01, 2013, 05:21:06 PM »

I mean, a good UV filter is a good UV filter, regardless of lens (except the UWA/slimline issue)... I use B+W MRC F-Mount on all my lenses, (not the XS mount slimline, which you could get but I doubt would be necessary at 24mm), and have never noticed any flare, mechanical vignetting, or degradation of image quality. They're not cheap, but if you're paying that $$ for a lens, I don't see the point in skimping on the filter.

+1

48

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D III or 1D IV for sports!

« on: January 31, 2013, 06:33:38 AM »

Between the 5D3 and the 1D4, with the usage being purely sports, I'd suggest the 1D4.  I own the 5D3, and I'd say it's pretty average for sports.  I've used it to shoot triathlons and the autofocus sometimes seems to struggle a bit, even after tweaking the AF modes.  I actually think my 40D may have been a little bit better, although nothing on paper would support this observation.

The 1D4 was built for sports.  While it would be nice to go out and buy a 1DX, I realise that there may be financial reasons restricting this option (there certainly are for me), and you could probably pick up two used 1D4 bodies for the price of a new 1DX.

49

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: a digital photography noob has a question about image quality

« on: January 31, 2013, 06:13:25 AM »

some people here should read the original posters message carefully.

his question was about IMAGE QUALITY not which camera he should keep.

i don´t think he needs help to see the differences in both cameras.

Frankly I just think it's nice that the community here cares enough about the OP's situation to provide 5 pages of advice for him.  Even if not everyone quite grasps the original query.  That's something to think about.

50

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: a digital photography noob has a question about image quality

« on: January 30, 2013, 04:40:09 PM »

Hi Jens,

You do realise that there is a price to be paid for all this advice, when you get back you’ll have to show us all some photos! 

Hahah when I was growing up, we all used to groan when someone would get out a slide projector and have us sit through all of their travel photos.  Now, thanks to the Internet, we can't seem to get enough of other people's travel photos.

51

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: a digital photography noob has a question about image quality

« on: January 30, 2013, 07:54:04 AM »

But you're right, for the cost difference, you would think that the 5d3 images would be way better...but they aren't....just slightly.

The lens you use plays an important part in the equation...you didn't mention what lens you used.

i have the 70-200mm F4 IS.
that is the lens i made the testshots with.

i will buy 2 other lenses but of course that depends on what body i will keep.
one in the 24-70mm range and one around 14mm (EF 14mm f2.8 or the EF-S 10-22mm).

EFS lenses won't work on the 5D3

The OP appears to be aware of that already. 

52

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: a digital photography noob has a question about image quality

« on: January 30, 2013, 07:49:17 AM »

If you're happy with the 650D and you're happy with the lens solutions for crop bodies (EF-S, etc), then I'd say save your money and return the 5D3.  I own (and love) the 5D3, and was using it on the weekend alongside a family member's 650D and the truth is, in everyday shooting situations you can achieve pretty much the  same results from either camera.

It's when you find yourself in more extreme shooting situations that the difference becomes apparent.  Sports, low light, etc.  Also DOF is more dramatic on a full frame camera compared with crop.

Having said that, if you're planning on going on safari while in Africa, you might appreciate the extra 'reach' you gain from your 70-200mm lens when using it with a crop body like the 650D.  It effectively becomes a 320mm lens.

53

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: What to look for when buying a 5d mkiii

« on: January 29, 2013, 09:42:46 PM »

Test for sensor dust, sensor hot pixels.
Best if you can review test shots on a computer monitor but you can get by using the camera's screen.

For dust, aperture preferred or manual, ISO lowest, stop down to the smallest possible, focus at infinity. Shoot a clear sky, 'white' (color is not critical) computer screen, like a blank notepad in full screen, even a clean sheet of paper. Screen or paper shots may meter too slow for hand holding, no matter, shoot anyway. Dust or other foreign material on the sensor will be very apparent when reviewed.

For hot pixels, min ISO, shutter preferred or manual, 1/15th or faster, aperture doesn't matter, I forget but I think you want infinity focus, lens cap on, you are after a black frame. Hot sensor pixels will show as blue specs that move as you scroll.
Hot pixels on the camera's screen will also be blue specs but those won't move as you scroll and won't end up in your photos. Annoying but not critical.
 
For both, use full size and scroll all around if viewing on a computer, maximum zoom and scroll all around if viewing on the camera's screen.

Good advice.  I had to return my first 5D3 due to a cluster of hot pixels.  Fortunately my local camera shop was very understanding and replaced it immediately with a perfect copy.

54

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: I love big gear

« on: January 28, 2013, 05:58:11 AM »

I will be traveling to Hong Kong & China this coming friday - guess what camera I'm bringing with me? 5D 3 + 40mm pancake + 16-35 II.

I still want P+S camera size with FF sensor - with some special lenses: 14, 35, 50mm etc...

Hi guys,
I'm currently on my business in Hong Kong & China. My co-workers and I took a walk around the Tsim Sha Tsui and Lady Market yesterday. I was shooting with 5D III and 16-35 II. After 1 hour or so into the walk, I felt the weight of this combo was getting heavier and heavier.

I'm not sure if I'm getting older or the jetlag, but it wasn't fun carrying that combo around anymore. (yes, I carried with RS-7)

I'm getting ready to go over China and I know for sure the 40mm pancake will be attached on my 5D III from now.

I'm been thinking about the Sony RX1...I might get one after this trip

I carried a Lowepro Mini Trekker AW when I was in China a year or so ago.  Inside was my 40D, 10-22mm, 70-200 f/4L, 24-70L, 50 f/1.8, filters and spare batteries.  Yeah it was heavy after walking around Beijing for hours at a time in the middle of summer, but it was worth it.

I went to Sweden on the same trip, and went with the same approach there too.

55

Canon General / Re: Why did you choose Canon?

« on: January 26, 2013, 04:29:20 PM »

My father bought himself (on a whim) an EOS 500 in the mid-1990s, but he never used it.  However, I became very interested in the camera and in 1997 bought myself an EOS 500N (its successor) with two kit lenses.  I burned through hundreds of rolls of film in this camera - I took it everywhere it was not supposed to go, from the Arctic Circle in -27C, to winter mountaineering in New Zealand.

At the time I was not aware of the different camera brands nor their different capabilities.  As far as I could tell, they all looked the same and seemed to do the same things.  Things haven't really changed... ;-)

56

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Thinking of downgrading my 5d3 system

« on: January 25, 2013, 04:42:11 PM »

With lighting, I'd suggest starting with a Yongnuo 568EX speedlite (as suggested above), combined with the Yongnuo 622 trigger (if you can afford the Canon gear at 5x the price, by all means buy it).  Buy a lightweight stand with a cold shoe and an umbrella adapter on top, combine with an umbrella or softbox and BOOM!  Instant mini lighting setup for around US$350. 

I have a pair of studio strobes, but I'm mostly using the above speedlite approach at the moment (mostly for baby photography).

57

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: I love big gear

« on: January 23, 2013, 02:46:43 PM »

I find Canon SLRs too light for my manly build, so I like to tape concrete slabs to them to make them heavier and bulkier.  Oh, and I've glued broken glass to the hand grip too, because if you're not bleeding, you're not a real photographer.

 

58

Canon General / Re: FYI: This Is The Gear Used To Take Obama’s New Official Portrait

« on: January 20, 2013, 05:30:41 PM »

I think it's good that they left the telephone on the desk behind him.  It implies that it is a working office, not just a decoration.  It's kind of a 'people in their workplaces' type photo.

59

Canon General / Re: FYI: This Is The Gear Used To Take Obama’s New Official Portrait

« on: January 20, 2013, 07:55:35 AM »

I was very surprised that no one commented on the composition/balance of the shot. There doesn't seem to be enough head room. I'm thinking this was probably due to not being able to backup and he had to make a quick decision to either making an unpleasant cut at the bottom of the shot or selling off his head room real estate. If this was the case he probably made the right decision, or maybe the 70-200 would have been a better choice to buy the extra headroom at 70 mm, and still have flattering compression. Who knows

To be honest, I think this composition was intentional - it creates a sense of power and authority.  If the rule of thirds were strictly applied (at eye level) he would seem a lot smaller in the frame.

60

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Thinking of downgrading my 5d3 system

« on: January 20, 2013, 06:43:23 AM »

You might just find that this pocketable Fuji is way superior to your 5D MK3 in most respects except fast tracking AF

I know I prefer my Fuji X cameras (X-Pro1 and XE-1) to my 5D MK3 with any L or Zeiss lens you care to nominate.
I've owned or tried most of them and they are soft and lackluster in comparison...

ET

Fuji cameras are pretty - I have an X10 because it has decent image quality, is reasonably small, has a manual zoom, and looks cool.  Some of my friends have bought X10s too - simply because it looks stylish (they're not interested in taking photos with it - they have iPhones for that).  I've tried getting to the point where I can go out on a serious photo mission with nothing but my Fuji, but I always find myself wishing I had my 5D3 or 1V with me.  I'm just an SLR person really.  I like the responsiveness and the no-nonsense layout of the controls (especially on the 1V).  I've handled the XE-1 at my local camera shop and felt that it was still quite a large camera and I couldn't really see the point in buying one when I already have SLRs.  The XE-1 is well known for its sharpness though - it lacks an AA filter which contributes to this.  (I'm not sure how this affects its moiré aliasing though - probably badly).

Today I had a play with an EOS 6D with the new Sigma 35mm f/1.4 lens attached.  The lens was gorgeous.  The 6D just felt like a x00 series EOS, but full-frame... Sturdy and trustworthy, no doubt, but overpriced for what it is.