Messages

1

EOS Bodies / Re: Patent: More DO Supertelephoto Lenses

« on: May 17, 2013, 12:00:14 PM »

You can check out the links below for a bit more information on DO lenses. On the first link, scroll down a ways for a quick diagram.

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/standard_display/Lens_Advantage_Perf

http://www.canon.com/premium-lib/movie/t005/

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/forums/thread1972.htm

Hopefully that helps some.

2

Lenses / Re: I've got a screw loose (telephoto hood)

« on: May 14, 2013, 02:06:12 PM »

If you don't have Loc-Tite when you replace it, a dab of clear nail polish on the threads will do the job just fine too.

3

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM

« on: May 09, 2013, 06:58:30 AM »

The front of St. Paul's Cathedral in London.


(http://500px.com/photo/32282033)

4

Technical Support / Re: 5D Mark III Hot Pixels

« on: April 28, 2013, 04:41:20 PM »

I know this thread is long dead, but I stumbled on it when searching to see if my number of hot pixels was normal for my 5D III and I wanted to add a quick note for the next guy like me that reads this in 6 months.

Long story short, remapping with the manual option under sensor cleaning didn't make a difference. I tried it half a dozen times, leaving it "cleaning" for 30 seconds all the way up to 4 minutes. Not a single pixel was corrected.

What made a difference for me was, with the body cap on (and no lens), leave it in LiveView for 4-5 minutes and immediately go from LiveView to the manual cleaning option.

It didn't totally fix every spot, but I went from about 30+ hot pixels at 30sec, ISO 1000 to only about 10 pixels now. I'll give it a rest and try it again later and see if that clears a few more pixels. I purchased this in the US, but I now live in the UK, so returning it isn't an issue--- but at least it's down to mostly manageable levels now.

5

United Kingdom & Ireland / Buying Lenses Online without Import Charges

« on: April 23, 2013, 08:18:42 AM »

I just wanted to share an amazing experience I had with E-infinity camera store.

In short, I live in the UK, but I wanted to buy the 24-70 II without having to pay the premium UK prices or get slammed with import charges from buying via e bay.

I stumbled across e-infinty (www.e-infin.com) who had pretty darn good prices and promised no import or customs charges (apparently they ship from Hong Kong to their UK warehouse. Then from there to you). Their e bay profile had hundreds of top notch feedback, but their non - e bay store had slightly better prices.

So, I took the plunge and bought from their store. A few of days later they sent me a link to pictures of my lens box before and after being wrapped for Next Day shipping-- which I thought was awesome!

Anyways, long story short, they are legit, the contact I had with them was top notch and my lens and packaging arrived in immaculate shape. I would highly recommend them to anyone and will buy from them again if I make any more major purchases before I move back to the States.

That's it-- just thought I'd share

6

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Set From Death Valley National Park

« on: April 14, 2013, 11:09:15 PM »

Exactly-- your massive and unoriginal watermark reminds me of stock photography-- which isn't a good thing, especially with photos as good as yours. Stock photography is boring, dime-a-dozen photos that everyone is just going to scroll past without a second glance.

If you're going to insert a huge watermark like that, make it something original or unique. That's probably my biggest beef about the watermark-- put some effort into it and don't use something so bland and ugly. To me, it'd be like if someone spray-painted racing stripes on a Lamborghini-- I see what they're trying to do, but in the end they've pretty much ruined the car with a cr@ppy paint job.

Anywho, hopefully that's not too harsh of an assessment, but I just think the skill and beauty of the watermark should reflect the quality that you already have in your photos-- especially with a watermark that intrusive.

7

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Set From Death Valley National Park

« on: April 14, 2013, 01:11:46 PM »

The photos did turn out great-- but I'm going to have to agree, the (C) watermark immediately puts my in the mindset that these are a bunch of "meh" stock photos.

I agree with watermarking photos, but something a bit classier would be a lot less distracting from the beauty of the photos themselves.

Photo-wise though, they look great-- nice shots!

8

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: 5D III High ISO Milky Way at Badlands, 14mm F2.8

« on: April 14, 2013, 11:57:32 AM »

Your photos turned out pretty awesome! Was that the 14L I or 14L II you shot those with?

9

Lenses / Re: a site like motleypixel but more up to date?

« on: April 11, 2013, 11:22:39 AM »

I haven't used it in forever, but http://www.pixel-peeper.com/lenses might be worth checking out. At a quick glance it seems similar to the site you referenced but with more content/pictures available.

10

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5DMk3 at wedding receptions

« on: April 04, 2013, 10:39:15 AM »

There is a massive thread on the issue, but I believe the 5D3 focuses much slower with the 600EX-RT flash or the 580 flash attached to it as opposed to no flash unit at all (or something along those lines).

I don't have either flash, so I haven't followed the discussion that closely, but I want to say Canon said they'd hopefully be fixing it soon.

Here's the loooong topic on the issue if you have time to burn
http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=10275.0

11

Lenses / Re: Landscape Lens advice

« on: March 29, 2013, 01:18:39 PM »

For landscapes it's unlikely you'll need a wide aperture (unless you're shooting at night), so a f/1.4 or 2.8 isn't a must. 14L is the widest rectilinear lens Canon makes-- but sometimes I find it a bit too wide, making the composition difficult. the 16-35 is a favorite of many as well if you're wanting to stick with an L lens.

However, is there anything in particular you don't like about your 17-40? I don't know that the 16-35 or even the 14 will be a whole lot wider if that's what you're looking for.

12

Canon General / Re: Which eye do you shoot with?

« on: March 14, 2013, 10:01:29 PM »

Alright, I've tacked on a poll. Good to see I'm not the only odd one that uses his left eye!

13

Software & Accessories / Re: Tripod/Monopod - What a clever idea!

« on: March 14, 2013, 10:36:54 AM »

I purchased the Sirui N-2204 (carbon fiber, 4 section legs) with their K-20X ballhead about 6-10 months ago and I love it. Yes, it's an Asian manufacturer I hadn't previously heard of, but the reviews were great and they offer a 6 year warranty-- so at least they are confident in their product.

Regardless, I would recommend the tripod to anyone. Even with my 5D and 70-200 2.8 IS on top, it is rock solid. Plus it's light, easy to travel with and simple to use. I haven't given it a lot of abuse yet (besides a bit of snow and rain), but I haven't come across any issues yet.

Anyways, you can look up reviews elsewhere-- but long story short, I'd recommend Sirui without a second thought.

14

Lenses / Re: Best filter

« on: March 13, 2013, 07:53:15 PM »

Filter for what?

That is, are you just going to use the filter for protecting the front element (UV filter)? Or are you wanting to shoot landscapes (polarizing filter)? Are you wanting to shoot moving water or long exposures (ND filter)?

So, at least to me, your question is like saying "tell me the best car-- make and model-- I can buy". There isn't one answer because it all depends what you want to use it for.

15

Canon General / Which eye do you shoot with?

« on: March 13, 2013, 12:35:41 PM »

Just a random question I was thinking about: which eye do you raise the viewfinder to when you're shooting?

I instinctively raise the camera to my left eye and always have. However, I was debating if it'd be worth learning to use my right.

That is, with my right eye still on the viewfinder, in theory I could use my left to look past the camera and survey the scene-- then quickly switch to using my right when I needed to aim, compose, and shoot.

Obviously it's not too important in the grand scheme of things, but I was just curious where you guys stood.