Messages

166

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: 5d MK3 Shows horizontal and vertical lines!

« on: April 06, 2012, 12:51:00 PM »

Wow  wasn't even aware of this risk. Well...I guess I know now where NOT to bring my camera! Learn something new every day I suppose...

167

Lenses / Re: cannon 35mm 1.4L now or wait for 35 f/1.4L II?

« on: March 07, 2012, 05:43:59 PM »

I have the current version. Apart from some softness at f1.4 it is an excellent lens. Really sharp all the way down to f2.

Also keep in mind the new version may fetch well over $2k. You might be able to get a good deal on the current version. Of course, if you prefer to wait but need something now for a particular trip, you could always rent out the current one and then get the new one once it's out.

168

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II

« on: February 07, 2012, 05:53:22 PM »

I would have actually seriously considered the 24-70 if they added IS and improved IQ, even at this price point. However, without IS- for MY uses, anyway, it definitely falls short. It was a bit of tempting thought to be able to combine two lenses into one- i.e. the 24-105 (which I use for general walkaround) and 17-55 (indoors/social situations, no flash) into a versatile lens usable in both situations.

169

Lenses / Re: Focus speed comparison between 70-200 f4L and 200 f2.8L II

« on: January 25, 2012, 05:30:31 PM »

I've used both. They are both quick focusing. You shouldn't have a problem (as long as the focus is working, calibrated, etc.)

170

Technical Support / Re: EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM II strange IS noise - does the lens need to be repaired?

« on: January 25, 2012, 05:26:45 PM »

I don't think there's anything wrong. Sometimes I can hear it a bit if it's quiet- but in the environments I've used it in, no problems.

Now, the f/4 version of the 70-200 when I had it- THAT was loud. A very audible grinding noise whenever the IS kicked in. But that was normal- it's just a loud mechanism, that's all.

171

Lenses / Re: What lenses should I get for my 7d? (16 year old)

« on: January 23, 2012, 10:17:22 PM »

I would suggest that APS-C owners do care about the IQ of their images and sometimes the only way is through the L route

Well, that was certainly the case for me. I am very demanding as far as image quality goes (if I was going to spend the money on a DSLR, I wanted significantly better quality than my point-and-shoot and I wasn't really getting it with the stock lens). I was never really part of the "L or nothing crowd" but funny thing- 2 years later, only one of my lenses is not L (that's the 17-55 2.8 ) Although I did have the 85 1.8 for a short while before trading it in.

172

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Cancelled my 1D-X order

« on: January 23, 2012, 09:54:00 PM »

In answer to the questions on the drop shot, I used one of these - http://www.cognisys-inc.com/stopshot/stopshot.php

Basically the drop is frozen by the flash, not the camera. I set the Stopshot to drop three drops.  The second drop rises up from colliding with the first drop. The third drop then collides with it as the second drop rises. The drop at the very top was unintended.  You need a high speed trigger like Stopshot to do this as the collision lasts for only about 1 ms.

To obtain the colors I use one food coloring on the water in the pan and a different one on the drop.  I then use a gel to get a third color for the background.  Here the water was yellow and the drop was green and they kind of both morphed together. The blue in the drop is from the geled flash.

In this shot I managed the colors a bit better, but didn't know how to collide the drops at the time.

http://500px.com/photo/4227516

For those interested in what I plan to spend the money on instead, I am still working on a list but the following are the likely choices.

• A few more flashes so I can do some more creative things
• A Stackshot to get into image stacking
• Mitutoyo 10x and 20x objectives so I can move past the 5x magnification of my MP-E 65
• A high speed shutter to enable photographing insects in flight

Nice shot!

173

Technical Support / Re: Canon 60D makes noise when cleaning sensor???

« on: January 23, 2012, 09:45:38 PM »

I can hear mine, but only in a quiet environment.

174

Lenses / Re: How will new ultra high ISO bodies impact f/2.8 telephoto zoom lenses?

« on: January 23, 2012, 09:37:13 PM »

Don't forget that on the 7D a f/2.8 lens has DOF f/4.5 effectively, and the 300mm f/4 becomes a 480mm with DOF f/6.4.
This is not necessarily bad, I actually love this feature on 1.6x crop bodies.

Hmm...wouldn't that be offset (at least somewhat), however, by the extra focal length you gain on a crop sensor? Just curious.

175

Lenses / Re: recommend me a telephoto lens

« on: July 11, 2011, 03:27:08 PM »

If you have a large budget I would also consider the L version of the 70-300mm lens. It is a MUCH better performer at the long end than the non-L version and has fast auto focus. You get to keep the same range and you get improved performance (but, as a tradeoff, you get more weight as well- nothing unbearable though).

Maybe the only downside is that it's not any faster than the non-L version...it is still f/4-5.6...but if you use it in the right conditions (daytime/outdoors/nature/etc) it is an exceptional performer. It holds up very well to the 70-200mm f4 L IS, which I sold to get this lens.

176

Lenses / Re: Dust on EFS 17-55 f/2.8

« on: July 07, 2011, 01:20:42 PM »

This was a big issue for me as well when considering this lens, but a couple months ago I finally decided to go for it. I have 4 other lenses and the 17-55 DOES seem to attract more dust in general than the other 4. I think the filter prevents the larger specks from getting in, but you still get small ones from the barrel going in.

Most of the dust is landing ON the lens, luckily...considering how much dust was on this thing when I got it (and when I used it), surprisingly little of it found its way inside.

177

Lenses / Re: Why does not Canon have a 50-150 f.2,8 L is and a 150-300 f.2,8 L is lenses.

« on: June 08, 2011, 04:01:07 PM »

Canon's 35mm 1.4L is excellent on a crop-camera because it gives you that approximate ~50mm natural view. But the cost ($1480) is quite prohibitive for anyone but the most serious photographers/professional photographers...I suppose the f2 version is cheaper, but that lens has been around for years and needs an update.

178

EOS Bodies / Re: Which companion camera do you have or recommend?

« on: June 02, 2011, 12:38:04 PM »

Before I got my first DSLR, I used the Canon SD950IS. Very small, compact and handy camera that's been with me on a couple of trips. I still have it now even with my 60D and new lens collection. It comes in handy especially when I want pictures of myself and wish to make it easy to ask others to take those pics, etc.

The only thing is that it does not give you any manual control (it's a fully automatic camera). But then again, that's what I have the DSLR for.

If I'm just walking about the streets though- my phone cam is good enough. 

P.S. I probably should mention that many of my best photos were taken with the P&S. The camera helps (sometimes a lot), but it's not the be-all-end-all

179

EOS Bodies / Re: Sales rumors for Canon EOS Rebel T2i ?

« on: June 01, 2011, 04:57:02 PM »

Nothing I know of...

But, also check the used/refurbished market. You might be able to get a really good deal that way as opposed to buying it new.

180

Lenses / Re: Bokeh comparison 24-70 f/2.8 vs 24-105 f/4

« on: May 31, 2011, 12:49:56 PM »

Okay, I figure I'm going to get slapped for bringing this up, but on a crop body, why aren't more people recommending the 15-85 over the 24-105? 

Well, I suppose it depends on the shooter, but the variable aperture is what kills it for me. I read a review on it and I think it said by the time you get to 50mm you're already at f5.6. No thanks...I'm willing to give up the wide end for more reach, a constant 4.0 aperture and IS which I think is a decent compromise that makes it a good travel/walkaround lens.

Also nice to have better image quality, a sturdier product and higher resale value. But by all means, the 15-85 sounds like a fine lens- for those that demand it.