Messages

31

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 7D Mark II Rumors Surface [CR1]

« on: October 10, 2012, 12:50:23 PM »

+1 on Don's post.

I fully intend on keeping my 7D handy. I have three FF's now, but there are definitely times when I want to reach out further. I also use my 7D for those instances where I might need a quick pop-up flash, without having to go through the setup of an E-TTL Flash.

My only wish is that my 7D (as well as the others) had onboard GPS, and WI-FI. I have workarounds, but it would just be simpler if Canon included them in-camera.

I will ALWAYS have an APS-C camera somewhere in my kit.

32

Portrait / Re: We, The Photographers......Self Portaits..a Who's Who on CR

« on: October 10, 2012, 12:45:13 PM »

No... not in the military. Working as Defense Contractor, piloting heavy-lift helicopters, re-supplying Navy Battlegroups at sea.
This one after landing on the USS JC Stennis for fuel.


This one picking a load to deliver off of a USNS Supply ship.


Changed companies recently and going to be flying in Nigeria starting in late October.  Whole new realm of photo opportunities!  Can't wait to take my newest gear there to start shuttering away! (1DX and lenses)

33

Software & Accessories / Re: The tripod I want isn't available so…..I might cut one down…*gasp*

« on: October 08, 2012, 06:50:09 PM »

SLIK Mini Pro-V.  Heavy duty low to the ground tripod made almost exactly for your purpose.  I own one, and it is very robust.  Check out the details at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Slik-Mini-Pro-Tripod-2-Way-Tilt/dp/B000ASTKWQ/

34

Software & Accessories / Re: Needing a primer on batteries

« on: October 08, 2012, 05:24:04 PM »

All I'm saying is that I need a LOT of LP-E6 Batteries!! 
(Crappy quick iPhone shot)


OK so the last one in in this camera line needs an LP-E4N, but the other grips have two batteries in already.  Need fully charged bat's for the road away from chargers for up to three days at a time. (Going to Africa)

35

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: The Unholy Trinity of Non-L Primes?

« on: October 08, 2012, 04:44:48 PM »

My trio + 1
These are the only non L Primes I have.  Don't use them much, but occasional for walk-around.

15mm Fisheye
40mm 2.8 Pancake
50mm 1.8 Nifty Fifty
85mm 1.8 (Needs a nickname  )

I also have one additional non-L... but it's a specialty lens
MP-E 65mm 1-5X Macro

All the rest are "L's"

36

HDR - High Dynamic Range / Re: Post your HDR images:

« on: October 08, 2012, 04:30:10 PM »

Couple more....

Old Navy Diver's Helmet.  Multi Shot HDR in BW (Island of Guam)


Girl sitting in Doorway. Single shot HDR (DisneyWorld, Florida)


Indian Actor street filming for a movie. Single shot HDR. (Thailand)



I like playing with single shot HDR.  The "grunge" effects can be nice and surrealistic.  All above done in Photomatix Pro.  Standard HDR stuff I do in other programs, including CS6 and Nik.

37

HDR - High Dynamic Range / Re: Post your HDR images:

« on: October 08, 2012, 04:18:43 PM »

SERIOUS GRUNGE!
Tattoo bus in Thailand. Single Shot HDR


Street Scene at the Irish Pub, Walking Street, Pattaya, Thailand.  Single shot HDR incl. movement.


Church School in BW HDR. Single shot HDR. Gladstone, Australia

38

HDR - High Dynamic Range / Re: Post your HDR images:

« on: October 08, 2012, 04:12:09 PM »

Tree of Life at DisneyWorld. Single shot HDR.

39

Software & Accessories / Re: EOS 1Ds MkII and Mac mini - is tethered shooting possible?

« on: October 08, 2012, 04:04:18 PM »

Also, be sure to check with the software you would be using to tether. If you buy a new Mac Mini, it will come with MAC OSX 10.8 (Mountain Lion) which is very new. Canon hasn't fully caught up yet, and a lot of their software is not yet compatible...including tethering for 5D3 and 1DX.. Can't say for your camera.

40

EOS Bodies / Re: Shutter count request to Canon.

« on: October 08, 2012, 03:59:45 PM »

Shutter count is all about resale. Lower the shutter count, the more attractive the purchase...regardless of whether it means anything. It's all about perceived value.

The auto analogies in the earlier post are inaccurate. NADA, BLUE BOOK, and other used car valuation systems give credit or devalue based on mileage at the time of sale. Attesting to this, I sold my wife's Nissan xTerra last week for just barely under book value, which gave a $1200 credit for low mileage.  I can't imagine someone paying the same price for a camera with 100,000 shutter activations vs. one with 5000, irrespective of the same outward condition.

For those who are unaware, this is what the shutter count returns for the $1.59 EOSCount system online (Unfortunately, only compatible with Windows PC's for the moment)

41

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 7D Mark II Rumors Surface [CR1]

« on: October 08, 2012, 03:47:36 PM »

Put a GPS on all new bodies. Would save a ton of time in LR4 dealing with GFX files.

42

Software & Accessories / Re: Needing a primer on batteries

« on: October 08, 2012, 02:47:06 PM »

I agree that there are scammers everywhere. But one of the reasons for forums like this one is so that people can get opinions and reviews on products from those who actually USE them... not just blind opinions.

The OP asked about batteries. The posts, including mine, have replied with first-hand knowledge of products we actually use, are happy with, and have a educated opinion of.  That is appropriate.  Others, who pooh-pooh the use of anything other than OEM products haven't claimed in ANY of the posts here that they have used third party batteries that have either damaged, or otherwise been a bad purchase. So that makes those kind of posts sound specious, and simply elitist.

43

Software & Accessories / Re: Needing a primer on batteries

« on: October 08, 2012, 02:21:01 PM »

Considering that after all is said and done you are carrying around several thousand dollars worth of equipment I didn't see the value in saving 20 bucks on a battery. And I would recommend making it a point buying the original Canon batteries from an authorized dealer. There are very convincing looking counterfeit batteries out there down to the details and holograms on the package.
Batteries can go bad and cause damage. With an original one from a reputable dealer you are covered at least.

So you think reputable dealers don't sell third party batteries cheaper??
Apparently you don't think B&H is "reputable"
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/591870-REG/Pearstone_LP_E6_LP_E6_Lithium_Ion_Battery_Pack.html

And check the reviews. This is one decent brand amongst others. In my case, I prefer Wasabi... Japanese made, and they don't make crappy electronics.

44

Software & Accessories / Re: Needing a primer on batteries

« on: October 08, 2012, 02:14:35 PM »

The issue is risk versus reward.  I wouldn't risk my $6,000 investment in 2 bodies on the chance that I might save about $30 on a battery.  Is some third-party company going to pay to repair your body if their battery damages it?

Please show me any post anywhere on the net that has proof of a third party battery damaging a camera.
That's like saying that if you don't put a genuine GM air filter on your engine, you risk damage.

C'mon!  The risk is so low as to be non-existent.. but you go ahead and buy overpriced OEM batteries, most of which are made by the SAME companies that are selling under their own brand name for much cheaper.

I own 10 LP-E6 batteries not by Canon... as well as four Canon brands.  Four of the batteries do not have the info chip, and I don't use them much anymore for that reason. My Wasabi's have been PERFECT, with no loss of power; charge evenly and quickly; and work just as well in all three of the cameras I use them in. (7D,5DII,and 5DIII)

If these batteries caused damage in high-end cameras, the news would be all over every photo forum and Photocentric web site in the world.... so where's the substantiation for your caution? You run a much higher risk of damaging your camera by dropping it, or banging it, or playing with your mirror/sensor than you do with batteries.

45

Software & Accessories / Re: Needing a primer on batteries

« on: October 08, 2012, 12:10:21 PM »

If you've got a $1,500-3,500 camera, why would you worry about trying to save $15-35 on a spare battery?   

1. Because I buy a LOT of them.
2. Because they work just fine, or longer than OEM at less than half the price
3. Because like Apple's prices on RAM which is ridiculous, Canon overcharges for batteries - Unnecessary
4. Because owning an expensive camera doesn't eliminate being cost-conscious or selective.
5. Because I like the yellow pin covers better than Canon's gray ones!