Messages

1

Street & City / Re: Jon Rafman's work: Unedited or not?

« on: February 23, 2013, 02:20:36 PM »

Does Jon claim that his work hasn't been adjusted in post?  I don't know of any serious photographer (editorial, commercial or otherwise) that doesn't adjust his or her work in post. I do know of a few who pretend they don't, and do.

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Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Nikon finally Admits D600 Dust Problem

« on: February 23, 2013, 02:08:52 PM »

Someone, somewhere is working on a revised D600 vs 6D review that will read like this:

One of the biggest reasons to pick the D600 is that it comes with 15% more free dust.

3

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 7D Mark II Spec List [CR2]

« on: February 19, 2013, 08:45:48 PM »

I don't get how it can feature "5dMkIII build quality" and GPS. Wasn't the reason for the partial weather sealing of the 6D that GPS needs a polycarbonate top for signal reception and can't use a full metal shell like the 1D?

4

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Win a Canon EOS 6D (Or Other Brand Body) Plus Other Prizes!

« on: February 18, 2013, 09:11:33 PM »

When I go to this page it's just a static graphic like the one on the CR front page. There's no place to enter any information and no links.

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Pricewatch Deals / Re: Battery Grip BG-E13 for EOS 6D in Stock at B&H

« on: February 18, 2013, 05:09:19 PM »

Watch out for the description - Canon messed up and sent retailers the 5D MK III grip description and many haven't updated. This grip DOES NOT feature a M.FN button or a joystick.

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Pricewatch Deals / Re: Win a Canon EOS 6D (Or Other Brand Body) Plus Other Prizes!

« on: February 18, 2013, 05:08:29 PM »

I'm definitely in for a 6D. But I guess the contest isn't active yet? I assume it's going to go live on Wednesday, but maybe update this post and provide links to the entry options then?

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Lenses / Re: Are you using a filter on your 40mm

« on: February 16, 2013, 11:00:04 PM »

I mean, 200 bucks is 200 bucks. I use a sliding strap with my camera to keep it low and discreet (not bouncing off my belly with the kit strap).

Because it hangs lower, it's more prone to get splashed or splattered. I put a filter on every lens that's not a rental. Doesn't seem worth the risk not to spend $5, plus I can roughly clean it in a pinch or just take it off if it gets trashed.

The cost of repairing a damaged front element in that lens would probably be higher than the lens itself.

I for one don't consider $200 disposable.

8

Canon General / Re: reputable insurance company for camera gear

« on: February 14, 2013, 10:59:05 PM »

Most major insurers will offer policies called "inland marine" or something like that that cover business equipment. For instance, I use State Farm for my auto insurance (Because I live in Illinois) and I have an additional business policy that covers me for $10,000 in gear against anything, and this includes rental gear. It's $26 a month.  It also extends to any equipment I claim as necessary in the course of business, so that's computers, laptops, memory cards, tripods, lenses, camera, bags, cables, flash heads, you name it.

If you have an agent or a 1-800 number call them and tell them your situation. It's likely they have a policy option to cover you, and you might be eligible for discounts if you buy with your homeowner's / auto etc.

9

Canon General / Re: What's your definition of "Pro"?

« on: February 10, 2013, 09:00:50 PM »

Found this somewhere - it's the actual definition of "professional" given by the National Labor Relations Act, (Title 29, Chapter 7, Subchapter II).  I've paraphrased it below:

"Professional employee" means "(a) any employee engaged in work (i) predominantly intellectual and varied in character as opposed to routine, mental, manual, mechanical, or physical work; (ii) involving the consistent exercise of discretion and judgment in its performance; (iii) of such a character that the output produced or the result accomplished cannot be standardized in relation to a given period of time; (iv) requiring knowledge of an advanced type in a field of science or learning customarily acquired in an institution of higher learning or a hospital; or (b) anyone who is training to become a professional."

I think this gives everyone some food for thought. Being a professional does not mean that you do something for money. In fact, you can be a professional and work for free - a problem that's plaguing the photography community today.

What's important in being considered a professional (by this standard, which is used to define exempt vs. non-exempt employment) is not that compensation is earned, but that the work is varied enough in its output that it goes beyond simple manual labor.

Using that definition I propose that a "professional" photographer is someone who doesn't just photograph the things in front of them (a pretty girl, a lovely forest, or a far-off location), but someone who creates varied and diverse imagery through the use of photographic technique.

10

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Canon: not responsible for typos?

« on: January 18, 2013, 12:01:32 AM »

Okay - off topic weirdness of the week.

In the latest Canon e-mail blast on Canon Live Learning seminars, the following disclaimer appears at the bottom of the e-mail:

Not responsible for typographical errors. Images and effects are simulated.

I just kind of shook my head at that vague, catchall psuedo-legalese.  Reminds me of the stuff people put on e-mails about "delete all copies of this e-mail" if you arent the intended recipient. el oh el.

11

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 6D Bg-E13 Discrepancies

« on: January 07, 2013, 07:40:18 PM »

I thought you guys would appreciate this:

So, I replied to my old e-mail from Canon to let them know that a colleague had sent me photographs, and in fact the information their sent was incorrect.

This is what I got in return:

Dear Ryan Williams:

We appreciate your continued correspondence regarding the Battery Grip BG-E13.

There are also other reputable dealer websites that confirm the BG-E13 comes with an alternate shutter release button, AF start button, AF point selection button, AE lock/FE lock button, multi-controller, multi-function button and main dial to facilitate shooting when held vertically.

Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance with the Battery Grip BG-E13. Thank you for choosing Canon.

Sincerely,

Michael
Technical Support Representative

So I replied and asked them to send me photographs as evidence of the existence of the joystick.

About two hours later I got this:

Dear Ryan Williams:

We appreciate your continued correspondence regarding the Battery Grip BG-E13 for your EOS 6D.

After further investigation and inquiries with our engineers, I have discovered that the Battery Grip BG-E13 does not have the Multi-Controller or the Multi-Function button.   What the grip does have is an additional shutter button, AF-ON, AE lock and AF point selection controls.  We apologize for the incorrect information that was previously provided.  An escalation has also been submitted to correct the information on the  Canon website.  Included below is a link to the Canon European website with an image of the Battery Grip BG-E13 attached to the EOS 6D.  You can find the image by clicking on [Accessories] at the bottom of the page.  We apologize for any inconvenience.

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/education/technical/inside_the_canon_eos_6d.do

Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance with your EOS 6D.  Thank you for choosing Canon.

Sincerely,

Rodney
Technical Support Representative

I suggested he forward the need for a joystick to their engineers, which he did, saying:

I have submitted that as a desired capability and forwarded it to the appropriate parties.  We thank you for your feedback.

Yeah.  Right.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 6D Bg-E13 Discrepancies

« on: January 05, 2013, 02:23:45 PM »

Thanks for the clarification, aalbert.

Looks like Canon USA messed up and re-used the description from the 5DIII's BG-E11.  The 6D doesn't have a multicontroller on the body, I would not expect one on the grip...and the pics confirm that.

I emailed Canon and they confirmed that the grip DOES CURRENTLY HAVE both a multi controller, as well as a M.FN button.

The CSR that responded...

CSR = canned, stupid response.   

That's double confirmed 

Thanks very much for the photos Albert!

I'm really disappointed both in the CSR's confusion and also in the removal of the features.

13

EOS Bodies / Re: 6D Likely Price Trend

« on: December 27, 2012, 03:36:58 PM »

It looks to me like the post-christmas drop is already on, and sales were probably not as high as canon (foolishly) hoped. At $1,899 it's starting to approach the price point where I'll buy it just for the hell of it and put it on credit.

I think it will be interesting to see if the 7D Mk II comes in with a 1D-X style AF system and knocks it down even further.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 6D Bg-E13 Discrepancies

« on: December 27, 2012, 03:33:56 PM »

Looks like Canon USA messed up and re-used the description from the 5DIII's BG-E11.  The 6D doesn't have a multicontroller on the body, I would not expect one on the grip...and the pics confirm that.

I emailed Canon and they confirmed that the grip DOES CURRENTLY HAVE both a multi controller, as well as a M.FN button.

The CSR that responded to me didn't give any explanation for why the photos don't show it, other than to say that it had been released in a very limited quantity and that there might not be "very many reviews" on the exact grip.

While I find this a little hard to believe, until I have one in my hands I can't say for sure whether it does or doesn't.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / 6D Bg-E13 Discrepancies

« on: December 24, 2012, 12:53:51 PM »

I'm looking everywhere to figure out where the "multi-controller" and M.FN button are on the Canon 6D.

The official Canon Product Page at http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/slr_cameras/eos_6d#SuppliesAndAccessories: says that they're present on the grip:

   
Battery Grip BGE13

This large capacity battery grip is powered by two Battery Pack LP-E6 (one pack or two), six AA-size/LR6 batteries or an optional AC Adapter Kit ACK-E6. It features a variety of operating controls such as shutter button, Main Dial, AF point selection button, AE lock/FE lock button, AF start button, multi-controller, and multi-function button. This is ideal for high volume and easy vertical shooting.

What is the "multi-controller" and where is it located? Where is the M.FN button?

The image on Canon's site doesn't show the back of the grip.  On the new review posted at The digital Picture, the grip seems to be missing the multi-controller, and doesn't show the M.FN button anywhere.