Julie G. said:

Hi,

I am planing on taking a trip to Jotunheimen, Norway in August, might be going alone too, and I am considering what gear to bring/buy.

I have:
Canon 5D Mark III with a Black Rapid Strap
Sigma 35mm Art
Canon 70-200 F4L IS
NiftyFifty
Extra memory card and battery (1 extra?) + a tripod

Anyone have any experience with using the Sigma 35mm Art for mountain landscapes? I love the lens, but is it wide enough? I'm entertaining the idea of getting a wider lens (wide angle or fisheye), not too expensive though. I might get a CP filter too. Any other things that's worth considering?

Julie

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Breezing through the thread-

Yes, learn how to do a handheld (or tripod based) portrait orientation panorama. You need to keep the exposure the same in the individual images and keep from refocusing the lens (back-button focus or put the lens in manual mode). The tripod will need to be leveled and you will need a panning base feature as part of the tripod or ballhead.

You can use any focal length. "Landscape" does not necessarily mean "14mm" or "16mm" or "24mm". You may find that a multi-image stitch at say ~35mm or 50mm looks more natural than a single shot at 17mm. Of course, if the scene is distant enough, handheld at 200mm+ could also work for a image stitch.

You may want more than one extra battery. Those are light enough and cheap enough. Same with cards.

I have used a Benro C2970T tripod and it would likely work fine for your listed gear. As a kit, the ballhead that it comes with is also suitable but I found that a Sirui K40 was much better.

CP filter and any required step-up rings- yes.

An extension tube and/or something like a 500D close-up lens may be useful for closer/smaller subjects along the way.

I am beginning to find that making a custom white balance makes more than a trivial difference in photos. You may want to look into something like "Clear White" from here: http://www.digitalphotographykits.com/ or find something else that is similar or works for you.

Thank you for confirming my observation. In fact, I ordered a full-matte focusing screen for my 5DIII but it was scratched already out of the package and the seller did not respond to any emails. Of course, they would have said that it was OK when they sent it and it was me, the stupid savage, who had scratched it....I lost about 80 dollars and two hours of my precious time in this experiment.

I update my blog with some new shots (and 100% view). Taken on the streets, there is some post production but only in colors or B&W conversion and artificial vignetting. I've added some thoughts too.

http://www.mbelloni.com/2015/05/22/canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-stm/

Good reading (and forgive my bad english).

Valvebounce said:

Hi Jrista.
My apologies, intentionally misunderstand was a bit strong. I would also say that I find many of your posts most informative, including those here, it is just that the information starts getting lost in the noise!

Cheers, Graham.

jrista said:

Valvebounce said:

Hi Jrista, Neuro.
I find it incredible that two people, whom I would consider to have a far greater comprehension of the technical sides of each other's arguments than I, can continue to intentionally misunderstand each other's statements during these debates.
I'm fairly sure that I understand the point each of you is trying to make, right up to the point when you start this nonsense and confuse me. What is so sad is that I kind of get the impression that you both would want the same thing in the end.

Cheers, Graham.

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I have never intentionally misunderstood anything.

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I agree, there is a lot of noise. I've restore a number of people to my ignore list. Hopefully that will cut down on it. I can't help what you guys may see, but it should be easier for me to ignore all the noise and not bother responding to it.

I did use no name SDXC card without any issue with the 6D.
Now, I am using a Sandisk SDXC 64Gb Extreme and I am very satisfied. Fast and no issues.

I can just say that I ALWAYS format any card I put in ANY camera before use. I believe each camera may have some particularities and this is taken in account if the card is formatted in this camera.

PhotographyFirst said:

If you go to the studio comparison tool at DPR and set the cameras to display RAW and look at the color swatches, the 5Dsr is gaining on the competition in the color accuracy department. Must be using a much stronger CFA in this new model. Portrait shooters will be super stoked for sure.

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I have no doubt that the 5Ds(r) is using a better CFA compared to previous models, just curious how you came to that conclusion by looking at the color swatches and comparing with Nikon for example. Which one is "correct" in terms of color accuracy?

Thank you all for your advice. It's been really helpful.

Unfortunately, a body upgrade is out of the picture. Otherwise I wouldn't hesitate to upgrade to the 70D. One of these days I'll get around to testing my focus to see if that is in fact the issue. I bought my 17-55 used, so no return policy there. But I figure I could sell it for what I paid for it.

As for switching from the zoom to primes... that is my biggest concern. That is why I sold my primes and went to the zoom... and now I want to go back!! lol. So I'm not really sure what I want anymore, other than a tele lens. Which is out of the question unless I sell my 17-55... which I don't want to do unless I have to. So many decisions, so little money.

I used the body grip on my t4i because the 17-55 is WAY too big for the body. Very front heavy and the grip balances it out more and gives me a better hold.

Not yet sure where I'll land on this. But again, ty for your opinions.

Diko said:

neuroanatomist said:

Diko said:

unfocused said:

... The only truly disruptive technology out there right now is light field focusing. If that can be perfected over the next decade, it's entirely possible we may be operating our lenses from a smart phone and then focusing the images later in post.

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It can and it has been ;-) One of its commercial names is Lytro and the tech is "Light-field camera".

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I presume unfocused is aware of Lytro. But surely you're not suggesting that the Lytro cameras represent the perfection of light field technology for commercial/consumer application?

Then again, maybe you think the original EOS 1D was 'perfection'. It had a 4 MP output, too.

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ROFL. No no no. ))) That with the 1D was a nice one.

As for the Lytro IMO it's still in its infancy. And honestly never had the chance to play with one around (yet). So maybe they will think something even more interesting.

So far I believe that "Light-field cameras" are great for smartphones. IMO they should be implemented there for simple end consumers that would enjoy it most.

I personally am not fan of post-focusing. The Photography for me is an art of statement (video is the art of storytelling). So the photo should be well created on concept level prior to shootin.

Who knows? Perhaps in photojournalism there could be a good use of Lytro-like-cameras too.

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I thought Lytro gave up on stills and are now only doing video related products?

StudentOfLight said:

A few honest questions:
1) How many people deliver video in a resolution higher than 1080p?
2) There is so much mention of 4K and/or 1080@60p, but what about an intermediate resolution like QHD (2560x1440)?
3) Wouldn't QHD give some cropping flexibility or the ability to downsample to 1080p without the massive hardware requirements of 4K?

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Only speaking for myself:


1) Not many. I like 4k because I can downsample to 1080p and get EXTRA CRISPY 1080p footage. I can also image-stabilize in post and still have a video that's 1080p. I'd argue that 4k is much more beneficial to people creating content than it is to people viewing content, actually.


2) That would be awesome! Would still allow for what I describe above, although not as dramatically.


3) Massive hardware? You mean like the 4k-shooting, GoPro Hero4 Black that came out in September 2014 and weighs 9 grams more than the BATTERY used in Canon DSLR's?


We need to stop giving Canon a free-pass on their laziness.

On the first photo you're at f/1.8. Why would you expect to see focus shift at f/1.8?

It's in the name, isn't? DSLR: dog single lens reflex...

Except their testing methodology sucked. Other than that though, you're right.

Dynamic range again, blown out highlights.
Sigh, why can they not "catch up"

Re: Canon EOS 7D Mark II, EF11-24mm f/4L USM Win Three Top Honors in Japan's Premier Camera Grand Pr

Where did they get theirs ? The ones we have used are incapable of outputting a sharp enough J-peg to use out of camera.
In a sports setting, you don't do raw, your competitors pictures will already be set for print by the time you finish.
As a camera for sports, it needs a very urgent firmware update to get working J-Peg out of camera correctly.
Soft detail lacking images in J-pegs need sorting before they start chimping on about it.

I am getting the 5Ds, had it preordered since it was announced. So you can see why I am particularly interested in 5Ds hands-on close to release, as all we can find everywhere are 5DsR reviews. It seems to be the more popular model, right, but I didn't want to risk moire so I'm getting the 5Ds.

Thanks Scotty and MtSP for your feedback.

I will watch for shutter speed while keeping 2x focal length in mind (adjusted for 6D which is what I have).

Deepinder

LOALTD said:

martti said:

Canon is heading and well on the way to 2030 and further.
No pampered pixel peeper can stop them...it is a major company wchich is run like a business. Lots of resources there in finances and research. Just stay put.

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Sony vs Canon over the past 12 months...looks like the times they are a'changin'.

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Sony is 'restructuring' with a heavy hand. It means laying off people and cutting non-profitable branches. Xperia needs to lose weight, les variation, less models and better quality. Mine is in reparation for the third time in it 11-month career in my service....Mos certainly Sony is doing good now with the camera sensor and selfie camera business selling high-margin products in great volumes. Canon is not competing in that segment.

Canon is taking the slump in DSLR business hard but the office materials are providing a solid inflow of money.
Camera business is about 30% of Canon's sales volumes.
Nikon is takin a harder hit because camera business corresponds to 60% of their sales volume. Their background business, robotics components for micro technology is not doing well, either.

From the big three, Nikon is deepest in trouble. You do remember the problems they have had launching their 'winner' products. The reflections in the D750 and the oil in the shutter of the D6000. Call backs are costly in more ways than one.

Sure, times, they are a'changing and a hard rain is gonna fall. We are doomed.

Dylan777 said:

surapon said:

Dylan777 said:

Mr. surapon
Make sure you add 11-24 while adjusting your order

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Thank you , Sir, Dear friend Mr. Dylan777.
Great Recommendation, Sir---But I must wait 2 months ar 5D r in my hands, If not My wife will devoce me---Ha, Ha, Ha. or she will force me to buy the new set of big Diamond ear rings.
That will cost me $ 8000 or 10,000 ---Ha, Ha, Ha.

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Question for you Mr. surapon. What are your needs/shooting applications that required such a high MP body?(50MP RAW)

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Dear friend Mr. Dylan777.
Well, Yes and Big NO, I use my Photos in my Architectural Drawings as the part of Drawings and specifications. BUt I do not need 50 PM, 22 MP = great Photos already, Plus the great " L " lenses make it super sharp. Yes, I am crazy, sir, Any thing New = create my Illness name GAS., and I must have them for the first people in my small home town.
Thanks you, Sir, And I waiting for New 1Dx mk II in 2016 too.
Yes, Crazy surapon.
Good night, Sir.
Surapon

Re: Canon Unveils New Compact Binoculars Featuring Improved Image Stabilization And Reduced Power Co

neuroanatomist said:

Mt Spokane Photography said:

You can get Refurbished 10 X 42 L.

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You could, but why? The refurb from Canon is $1600, brand new is $1350 from B&H and $1270 on Amazon (3rd party but Amazon-fulfilled).

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Why Indeed. If I had been serious about getting one, I'd have checked.

neurorx said:

It seems to occur in lower light situation like indoor shots or shade....shooting at ISOs above 5600-6400. Typically it is with people photo's.

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Show some examples with settings, there is a lot of possibilities. For example, using one shot mode for a close portrait can be oof if you lean forward or backward as you press the shutter. This happens to some.

If you use AI-Servo, the camera will adjust the focus up to a point, but --- It will also let you close the shutter before focus is reached.

For a still portrait, use one shot, do not focus and recompose, and make it a point to not lean as you close the shutter.

There are a lot of possibilities like this, so provide information, and better help will be forthcoming. Post photos and give the camera, lens, focal length, shutter speed, aperture distance to subject, camera settings such as which focus points are active, and 1 shot or AI servo, those will help users to give you a better idea as to what may be happening.

Some lenses are inconsistent, or a damaged lens may act up as well. You can get a idea as to lens issues by focusing on infinity, then on a relatively close object taking photos at each focal length. Do this 10 times (20 photos). If the results are wildly all over the place, try with a different lens. If there is no issue with a different lens, this points to a problem lens. If its still not reasonably consistent, look for a camera issue.

Canon Europe and Canon USA pay the factory in Yen. The price they pay always varies a little, if they must pay a substantial amount more or less, they have the option to increase prices to the end user, or hold the line.

Canon USA has been dropping prices in the USA because of the relative strong dollar. They are competing with Canon Asia, since gray market importers import from Asia and sell for hundreds of dollars less due to the difference in currency values. Sometimes we in the USA can save by buying from Canada and get a unit with US/Canada warranty.

Recently bought a UK spec (from a Canon Pro dealer) 16-35 F4 L IS, a Grey import 24-70 F2.8 L v2 and a Canon 1.4 Mk3 extender - all came in the grey/silver and black boxes.
None click, have bubbles in the coatings etc etc, all work perfectly.

This review reminds me of the Youtube review of the Canon 70-200 f/2.8L II IS vs. the Tamron. The guy walked around taking pictures of buildings in broad daylight and concluded the Tamron was just as good as the Canon lens. Hilarious.

Mr. Coopers writes about new Rumors of the EOS 150D / EOS SL2 / Kiss X8:

http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/cameras/Canon_150D.html

HA i would love to a get tilt shift but i think i would have a very difficult time using it for run and gun video. I think it may be worth it to hold off on the replacing of it and just get the money back. I could probably go a while without it. I am worried I will miss the 2.8 as well.
I think i will take some time to do some test to see how much the loss in light will really effect my shooting.
Also if i have the money i can wait till 11-24 drops 400 and pick it up. if not i truly believe the 2.8 ii will have to be replaced at some point