Messages

76

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Can we all send a complaint to Canon to fix the AF-Assist focusing on the 5D3?

« on: December 12, 2012, 12:15:35 PM »

I have gotten that vague statement when I sent lenses and bodies for calibration, only to be disappointed in the field.

My advice, put the camera through all its paces before it really counts so you are not disappointed too.

sek

I am a wedding photographer and have shot 25 weddings and receptions this year with the 5D3 and 600ex.  I started a thread about this issue about a month ago and I finally sent my camera in to Canon to get the shutter replaced and the light leak issue resolved and I specifically complained about it the AF assist beam.  When they sent it back they mentioned they made some "electrical adjustments" to the shutter and AF.  They never acknowledged there was a problem or said that they did anything to fix it.  I haven't shot a wedding since then so I haven't gotten a chance to really test it out yet but I did some quick tests and sometimes there appears to be some improvement.  Other times it still seems slow.  I don't think there is a way to know until I shoot a wedding again.  I do think it is interesting they didn't even acknowledge there was a problem and always say it is the first they have heard of the issue.

Yeah they are probably told to say that until they figure out what is going on. Even if they do a recall would probably be too expensive if firmware can't fix it so they may never say yes it is an issue. We will have to keep up to date on your findings and posts.  Only a few times I can remember a recall.

At Canon Forums but one person sent it in an Canon told them it was due to dust in AF sensor. When it came back it made little difference.   
 
Thanks for your help.

77

EOS Bodies / Re: 6D or 5D3 (or wait for 7d2?)

« on: December 08, 2012, 11:35:00 AM »

If you look at your needs/desires as stated, you are more interested in portrature, with some sports.  A full frame would be the better bet.  If you are primarily interested in sports/wildlife, the 7DII (depending on specs) would be the way to go.  I have the 5D3 and haven't followed the 6D so can't comment.

I would also advise against being first adopter.  You get bragging rights and the undiscovered problems that go with it.  Plus, price will drop if you wait a few months.


sek

78

Contests / Re: Gura Gear Giveaway!

« on: December 06, 2012, 11:49:24 PM »

I want to win!  Please?

I want to win! 

79

Software & Accessories / Re: DPP VS. LR4 VS. Something else, and a story about it.

« on: December 04, 2012, 09:15:51 PM »

Given his overall demeanor, I would infer that it was professional Chauvinism, and a healthy dose of himself.  Despite his off-putting personality, I did listen to him and learned a bit.  I still prefer LR4

Thanks all for your comments, very helpful.

sek

I'm confused why the Canon Rep would be pushing DPP as better than LR in the first place.  Casually mentioning it - sure, but it's a free program to us, and a Development/support cost to Canon.  What benefit does Canon get when I use it?  So why would Canon even care to argue that it's better than LR?

This is beside the point of your question, but it puzzles me.

80

Software & Accessories / DPP VS. LR4 VS. Something else, and a story about it.

« on: December 03, 2012, 01:28:57 AM »

I currently use and am happy with LR4.  I like the keyword ability to sort, and the image manipulation abilities seem just fine.  Work flow is efficient.

This weekend I went to a photo expo in Arlington, TX which was very good.  I had a long discussion with the Canon representative who did not suffer from humility from either his own abilities or the Canon line of cameras and software.

He opined that DPP software was superior to all other processing software because it communicated directly with the digital files from Canon cameras in a proprietary.  His argument was that importing through DPP (especially in raw) frequently obviated need for pp, and that lens tuning/correction could not be matched by third party software. 

I am wondering what everyone thinks. Is DPP really superior?  Is it worth switching?  Do people use DPP for post processing and LR for searching?  To me it seems like a lot of redundant work.

Thanks.

81

Technical Support / Re: EOS Utility/FoCal not recognizing 5D3 in Win8 64-bit

« on: November 28, 2012, 01:23:03 AM »

Did you delete and reinstall Focal?

I have done a clean install of the old version and newest version.  I have uninstalled FOcal as well to see if it was interfering with the EOS utility, but no dice.

I have tried all the USB ports on my machine as well.

82

Lenses / Re: Unable to AFMA 70-200mm 2.8 is II

« on: November 28, 2012, 12:59:40 AM »

Here are a couple of tips.

Be sure tripod is very stable.  Lock all of the rotation points.  I also use masking tape or Frog Tape to further secure against movement.  This really helps.

sek

Nice setup.

I just bought FoCal. It seems to get good results. Hopefully they will improve support for the 5D2 and 5D3. Manual mode is tolerable, but I sometimes felt like fidgeting with the controls and keyboard was undermining the delicate nature of the testing. A few times it told me the target had moved. Um, well... yes, because I'm hitting effing buttons during the test. 

83

Lenses / Re: Unable to AFMA 70-200mm 2.8 is II

« on: November 28, 2012, 12:54:46 AM »

You are not too picky.

I have similar problems with my 5D3 and my L lenses.

I sent my lenses, along with my 5d2, 5D3, and 50D to get calibrated.  I got the equipment back from Canon, and was very disappointed.  To make it worse, I did this prior to an African Safari, and got way more duds than keepers.

If you send them in, be very careful on checking out the gear before you take it out on an important shoot.

sek

84

Software & Accessories / Re: 5D Mark II with Magic Lantern + Reikan Focal lens adjustment software

« on: November 27, 2012, 02:29:32 AM »

I have found Rich at Focal to be very responsive.  Why don't you zip an email with your specs, and he will let you know for sure.

sek

85

Software & Accessories / Re: Need a little help with monitor calibration tools and graphic cards

« on: November 17, 2012, 05:50:20 PM »

All great info.

I have an iMac however, and these solutions alone don't work because the monitors are too bright.  Other software (3rd party) has to be purchased and installed separately.

86

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: November 09, 2012, 12:50:02 AM »

Thank you so much- nice to get feedback.

sek

Secretary bird, taking flight.

 

Scott, that Secretary Bird image is fantastic!

87

1D X Sample Images / Re: Any Thing shot with a 1Dx

« on: November 09, 2012, 12:22:23 AM »

Outstanding!

1Dx
200mm & 1.4III
F/4.5 1/3200 ISO 800

88

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: November 08, 2012, 10:00:07 PM »

Thank you so much.

I believe I shot in manual.
I used 5D III, ISO 400, 1/640, f4.5, 70-200, 2.8 IS II @ 200 mm.  I was about 15 feet away, and it was a bit overcast.

Bee Eater

Lovely! I love those birds. Many of them have distinctive looking heads. I mean like they seem to show you a character from a story...

What did you use to shoot this picture? What were your settings and time of day?

89

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: November 08, 2012, 08:26:58 PM »

Bee Eater

90

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: November 08, 2012, 08:24:06 PM »

King Fisher snacking on grasshopper