Topics

16

Lighting / Question about color temp of strobes

« on: October 14, 2012, 12:05:39 PM »

What is the standard color temperature that most strobes put out? I'd like to balance the CT of a strobe to match some cloudy, filtered sunlight conditions. I'm thinking that a 1/4 CTO gel might get the job done. Am I thinking about this correctly?

17

Software & Accessories / OS Questions

« on: October 12, 2012, 02:44:49 PM »

Mac users, feel free to move along. There is nothing for you to see here.

For everybody else I have a question about which Windows OS to use. I have a need to rebuild some components in my computer, including the hard drive. I don't currently have it right now, I can get the Windows 7 disk that originally came with my computer. I do have an older copy of Windows XP (sp3) that came with a previous computer I had. It ran everything I needed it to, including:

• LR3, which I use 99% of the time
• GIMP, which I use for simple masking and other edits that I can't do in LR3
• Chrome/FF, and all of the appropriate web apps/extensions
• Other family/personal applications--Evernote, iTunes, Dropbox, Office, etc...

I have experience getting an OS up and running from scratch, including drivers, etc... so that part won't be a problem. 

I'm not into slick and sexy, I'm more into functional and productive. If everything I need works on XP, is there a reason not to use it? I realize it is old and unsupported now, so I don't know if there are any glaring security issues associated with it. And we practice safe computing, avoid P2P file sharing, don't open unknown extensions, use an updated antivirus, etc... I figured there are others on here who have more knowledge about this than I do. And, I'm sure there will be some debate on both sides, so let the games begin...

Thanks in advance for your helpful comments and suggestions.

18

Software & Accessories / Needing a primer on batteries

« on: October 07, 2012, 01:10:24 PM »

I need to get a 2nd battery for my 5DmkII.  The problem is, I don't know what a better deal is, the original Canon that sells for $50USD+, or an off-brand with similar specs that sells for $35USD? 

19

Lighting / Matching flash WB to natural sunlight with a gel

« on: October 06, 2012, 05:38:25 PM »

When I use my speedlight during an evening portrait shoot, there's a big difference in WB between the flash and the natural light. Is there a gel color that can counteract this?

20

Macro / Couldn't do this again if I tried

« on: September 15, 2012, 11:41:53 AM »

This isn't technically a macro shot, but I think it's in the spirit of macro photography. Sometimes, you just get lucky.


CDB? by Rick.Scheibner, on Flickr

21

Lenses / The 50mm f/1.4: Conclusion

« on: September 10, 2012, 07:01:56 PM »

So I had to send my 50mm f/1.4 up to the lens hospital in Spokane. It was a DIY fix that went awry. It's being discharged now and is on it's way back home to me. How much did all of this cost? Not as much as a new lens. Not quite, anyway. But it sure feels like it. But it's my own fault, and ended up costing me more because of the botched fix-it job.

If you own this lens: Store it in the middle of the focus range, like around the 3 foot mark, and NOT at the infinity point like a lot of people recommend on the internets. I got this advice from the guy who worked on it, a factory-authorized lens tech.

22

Technical Support / Focusing mechanism fixed on 50mm f/1.4, now I have a different problem

« on: August 13, 2012, 10:45:35 PM »

Ok, I fixed my focus mechanism according to this tutorial, but now I have a different problem. When I connect it and try to take a photo, I get an Err 01, telling me that the lens isn't making good contact and to clean the terminal (or something to that effect.)

I've attempted to take it apart again and make sure that all electronic connections are correct, but I don't see anything wrong. Everything else is tight and fit back together well. Any advice on what might be going wrong? Thanks in advance for your help.

23

Technical Support / The 50mm f/1.4 focus ring issue

« on: August 12, 2012, 01:48:09 PM »

I've owned this lens for about 3 years now, and the problem has finally caught up with me.  This is a well known problem and is documented on the internet. Basically, the focusing mechanism starts to fail and not allow the ring to work at the extreme ends of the range. AF just goes back and forth as it tries to get to a spot that the ring won't allow. The problem seems to be due to a helicoid that becomes misshapen. There is a rather detailed DIY fix that seems to be fairly straightforward with good photos and appropriate warnings along the way. I actually came across it about 2 years ago and saved it to Evernote, thinking it might come in handy some day. That some day is here.

Before I dive into it, does anybody have any other experience this problem? Am I better off to send it to the repair shop? Thanks in advance for whatever insights you have.

24

Technical Support / Question about preserving a print

« on: August 11, 2012, 02:04:58 AM »

So I just finished remodeling one of our bathrooms, and I've got the perfect spot for a 16x20 gallery wrap of one of my photos. Thing is, I'm worried about it being in a hot steamy environment like that. Is there a recommended way of waterproofing prints like this? Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

25

Portrait / Niece and grandniece (candid)

« on: July 29, 2012, 05:07:57 PM »

You're welcome to comment/critique anything you feel helpful, but this candid upload is mostly for fun. It's official: I've got the cutest grandniece in CR Forums. 


Niece and grandniece by Rick.Scheibner, on Flickr

EXIF:
Camera   Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Lens: Canon EF 50mm f/1.4
Exposure   0.001 sec (1/2000)
Aperture   f/2.0
Focal Length   50 mm
ISO Speed   250
Exposure Bias   0 EV

Light source: Eastern Oregon evening sun camera right, subjects in shade.

26

Technical Support / How much space to get to macro?

« on: July 03, 2012, 05:11:29 PM »

So, here's the deal. I'd like to create a DIY extension tube to use my 50mm f/1.4 as a macro lens. How much additional space will I need to create to make that happen? I see that Canon has a couple of electronic ones for sale, more than what I want to spend on one, but I'm not sure of the math calculations involved to get to the point of using it as a macro. I understand this won't utilize AF, and will be strictly MF, but I'm ok with that. Thanks in advance for whatever advice you can give.

27

Technical Support / Live View + triggering strobes

« on: July 01, 2012, 11:34:29 AM »

Ever since I got my 5DmkII, I've been using the Live View function to zero in on my focal point to get it exactly where I want it. This is especially true when I attach my 50mm f/1.4, a good, sharp lens with AF that sometimes goes awry. The result is that my keeper rate has gone way, way up.

I recently ran into a snafu when I tried to attach my strobe and trigger it with PocketWizards. It doesn't fire. When I turn off Live View, it triggers just fine, but once I turn it on again, it won't trigger my lights. Is there a setting I'm missing somewhere, or is this beyond the capabilities of the 5DmkII? Ultimately, I was hoping to tether my camera to my laptop and capture some portrait images that way. I'm hoping I can find a good work around.

Thanks in advance for your helpful comments. 

28

Lenses / Buying/Selling/Renting Lenses

« on: June 01, 2012, 02:31:40 PM »

I'm shooting an indoor event later this summer, so I need a fairly fast lens with a longer focal length, something like a 135mm f/2 L.  I can buy one, use it for the event, keep it for awhile and then sell it if need be. I can see a need for this lens after the event, but I could probably get along without it also.  Or, I can just rent it for that time period and then send it back when I'm done.

I'd rather buy it, then sell it. The problem is that I live in a fairly rural area, and the market for specialty lenses like that are fairly small. I'm 3-4 hours away from the nearest big cities. Selling it locally on Craigslist or similar would likely not be a practical option. And, I don't do eBay, nor am I convinced that it would pay off to sign up and learn how to sell it just for this one item.

In my situation, am I better off financially to just rent that glass for ~$65USD for four days? What's the best way to sell a higher-end lens if you don't live near a populated area? Thanks in advance for participating in the discussion.

29

Lenses / Your dream 50mm f/1.4

« on: May 12, 2012, 12:19:25 PM »

You get to redesign the 50mm f/1.4 from the ground up. What do you leave in? What do you leave out? What improvements do you make and features do you add? And what's your realistic price point, given all of these features and the population you're targeting?

30

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Is 5DmkIII actually a 7DmkII in disguise?

« on: May 02, 2012, 10:25:13 AM »

Other than sporting a FF sensor, and now double the price, the 5DmkIII seems to have more in common with a 7D than a 5DmkII.  By that, I mean increased shooting speed, improved AF sensors, etc... It just seems to appeal more to the 7D crowd than it does the 5DmkII crowd. I look at my 5DmkII as fitting in perfectly with my shooting style, more slow and deliberate than fast and from the hip. Thoughts?