Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes.

I GOT THE LENS! ONE DAY SHIPPING,
ALL THE WAY FROM FUKOKA TO OKINAWA !!!

~WOW, GOTTA LOVE JAPAN!


Dylan777,

I went for the 70-300 L lens because:

1) What I could afford for now.

2) I want a zoom lens first, then wide second.

3) Next lens will be a EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens


From what I've read, researched, etc. 70-300mm + 16-35mm makes
for a good (Not great) combo for a novice like me.


Peace! 8)

Jamesy said:

papercutMS said:

I have an aluminium Benro A-058-M8. This is their 0-series classic travel tripod. I also have a Gitzo 1542T.

From the build quality point of view Benro is really nice. The twist locks are smooth and lock positively. The metal parts are also high quality. For the amount of money I paid (around $80 about three years ago) it is an absolute bargain. That being said the Gitzo is slightly better in all aspects, but with a steep price. Bottom line is if you have the money or are in need of the best tested tripods in the world, go for the Gitzo or RRS. If you are on a budget, the Benro's will give you 90% of what the more expensive brands will, at around 1/2 or less of the price.

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I have a Gitzo 2531 with a MArkins M10 and RRS clamp and then I bought a Benro 1681 Travel Angel for a trip to Europe and I must concur with all of the comments above - I am very impressed with the tripod. I paid $300 on eBay. I have no experience with Sirui...

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I like the gitzo en markins but they are so mutch more expensive then a Sirui or a benro..

neuroanatomist said:

Sorry, but I really don't see the point of your post.

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And on top of that: the OP is factual untrue. The 7d (2009) was released before the 550d (2010). Therefore the 7d can hardly be a repacked 550d ...

TheObiJuan said:

At CP+ 2013 in Yokohama I watched Shane Hurlbut's “The Ticket”, a short shot on the EOS 1D-C at 4k and was blown away.

The clarity and detail in skin and hair astounded me. I was 15-20ft from the 60" screen.

4k is a game changer and I very much look forward to the trickle down effect that will result from it.

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Did you notice the drastic resolution drop in the slowmo shot? it's when the couple ran out from the shop.

Rienzphotoz said:

They look sharp to me.
Assuming you were using f/2.8 and you were close to the subject, those pictures, IMHO, are well within the accepted sharpness levels.
Btw, I like the last pic of the cat, very nicely composed.

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Thanks for the response. I am not sure if i am being too critical or not so it helps. Thanks for the comment as well

Marsu42 said:

c) less embarrassing ("(...) step aside to make room for the photog!").

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On many occasions, when shooting in a crowded place where cameras are a common thing, I found that to be a major plus!

Very easy to tell on this one. Just look at the reason he is selling it and ask yourself. Would you sell a lens for 80% off thats perfect just because "you do not use it often." I would expect no more than the price of this lens (2800) as a discount from the current sale price. You would be better off sending me your $2800 and I'll send you a broken 50 1.8 II.

Normalnorm said:

Sedona does have its charm and undeniable beauty of the rocks but I really hate the way they have let cheap nasty development sprawl all over the place.

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Agree 100 percent. Sedona should have been designated as a national park and now it is too late. (Yes parts are national forest land so you can get some clean views, but not general overviews which are marred by the city).

I bought my 50 1.2 last summer and I love the S out of it! I use it with my 5d2 and its tricky but again if you get it right its awesome! Idk why people say the 50L isn't sharp I've got some great images with it or maybe I'm less pixel peepy than some folk. I haven't used the 24-70 II but I wouldn't mind having it but its plenty more than the 50L.

Re: Canon U.S.A. Announces Free Firmware And Application Software Upgrades For Select Cinema EOS Sys

best rumor i heard in years guys, at the end of the month depending on what the competition or their customers do about this already out dated 5d3, the 7Dmkii prob will knock it off the shelf even sooner,

miss pessimistic

Erikerodri said:

Would purchasing an external recorder be a better solutioon to recording such as a tascam h1 or should i just buy a shotgun mic? I am using a t3i and a 6d

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Well, starting out...if $$ is a concern, get the good rode mic to run off the camera. The video mic and video mic pro, are both nice shotgun type mics and I find it doesn't pick up noise from he camera and is quite directional and only pics up what it is pointed at.

I'd say start with that (I did). I happen to have an older Zoom H2...which I'm going to be hooking to the Rode Stereo Video Mic Pro I recently purchased. So, I will be recording off camera with the stereo mic, but still using the on camera rode video mike as my reference sound.

I got Pluraleyes3 free with that purchase of the Rode Stereo video mic...so, that makes sync'ing multiple sources of audio (and video too) a snap.

If you are interested in seeing this product work, take a look:

http://www.redgiant.com/products/all/pluraleyes/

My next purchases, especially if I start doing video for say weddings, or other uses..I'll buy maybe a couple of maybe roland digital recorders and good lavs, to hook to the talent / groom hit record and let it go during the event..using my on camera and stand mounted rode mikes as backup...and external sound to mix as needed.

At least...this is this noobs plan of attack.



C

I just received mine today B&H 2049.00 getting ready to test it out for the next few days make sure It's a great copy thanks' for all the posts helped me make up my mind to buy it !! the 85mm f/1.2 is next some time in the next two weeks got about $ 95% put up will post some pixs .

Hope it hasn't been posted before...found it on the web.
http://www.eoshd.com/comments/topic/2484-70-megapixel-full-frame-sensor/

I have a custom bag made for 2 diff setups. One gets a hole for the monopod and so i can adjust zoom. I also plan to use this setup, a ladder with a solar umbrella attached to it. I need to do more tests to see what works as far as angling the umbrella for the best protection but basically it should do what i need. I got a solar umbrella with silver material for when the sun is scorching. I have found the bigger events cooking me in the sun so this will be my remedy this year. Secondarily i will have the umbrella to help with rain. I plan to hook a bucket filled with cement below the ladder to anchor it like in the photo. I use the ladder for start photos. It allows me to get a better perspective on the participants heading out to face their challenge. I have found it to be a pretty cool shot so I am incorporating an umbrella now. I may buy some plumbers piping and make an adjustable holder for the umbrella rather than simply connecting it differently to the ladder. Maybe I'll add a drink holder while i am at it. I can stand with my monopod under this.
Here is the one i got. I love the colored ones but i need protection from the sun so i went with their metallic version
http://www.euroschirm.com/schirm/windflex/info.cgi?session=fKAJHRbdU3jsv&sprache_land=usa

OP: Gary Fongs tend to be inefficient as they spray light n all directions. The 24x24 softbox you linked is more efficient as it propels light forward and not lost behind the box. It has the added benefit of not contributing flare to your lens if it is in front of your camera position (any light source coming into your lens will create flare but that is another story).

Enjoy and post some pics when you get it!

I also recommend creative live...
btw there is live free course about lightroom in few days http://www.creativelive.com/courses/lightroom-101-lightroom-professor-jared-platt

learncanon said:

its a very very very minor fix

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The fw guys are either too keen on the details this time, or they just don't have anything to do. ;D

true it was also his review of the sigma 85 that made me buy it (that and shooting it side by side with the canon 85L) then you can really see the difference in AF speed

his review of the new 35 is pretty good though
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-35mm-f-1.4-EX-DG-HSM-Lens-Review.aspx

could it be heat waves? I remember that a few times for soccer we were all getting hideous results, with weird twisted focal planes (when there even was a focal plane at all). It doesn't have to be really hot, it often happens during spring or fall transition periods actually when the grass/ground/bases an heat very differently than the air. If you shot early the air may have been a much different temp than the ground with sun shining on it?

did you try it elsewhere at all?

Mt Spokane Photography said:

As others have noted, outdoor light can be gruesome deep shadows, over exposed highlights, etc. Absolutely have him rent or borrow a external set of flashes and reflectors. They will do far more than renting a lens and the AF risks that brings.

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What kind of external flashes are you suggesting? We have two speedlight 580exII and two 430exII. Is there anything else flash wise that we need? I think we also might use some wireless triggers but I don't know how they're going to use it outdoors.

Grumbaki said:

Please people, those are the key words:

Mark Carey said:

shooting predominantly in India and South East Asia.

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Mark carey, in south east asia.

Except if he has local heritage, he will be conspicuous. There is no freaking point in trying to avoid it with a small camera.

Actually a large camera (and some skill in local langage) get you way better interaction and sneaky candids than touristy cameras. Show you are "local". I'm in china, got a tshirt made for friendly shooting spots that reads: just another alien photograph, give me your qq i'll give you your picture." (and then my own qq, which is a very local social network/messaging system). It's the most gimmicky thing ever but you get great results by knowing you are different but making use of it.

Actually the only bad point is that you get way more work with the portraits they'll ask, pics of you they wanna take, general discussion time but generally ends up in being great memories and discussion around a few beers.

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haha love the qq t shirt idea!

pgsdeepak said:

The lens came good. From outside, it looks just as new. I took some Zoo photos and I really liked the result. Initially I was finding it hard to justify replacing my 70-300 Non L with the L (I still have the non-L, trying to sell). But after spending some quality time with the lens, I got my justification. The lens is very sharp, period.

Here are some pictures. PLease share your opinion.

More pics at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/98679084@N00/sets/72157633193265030/

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Too me. These pictures look good - SHARP.

Axilrod said:

You're a lucky man, that's an amazing lens. Nice pic, but too much light pollution, get back out during a new moon in a remote area!

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Thanks Axilrod. Regarding the sky pic, yeah, there's been a fair amount of burning off around Melbourne (Australia) this time of the year, in the name of fuel reduction (it's autumn). Where I live (about 50kms from Melbourne), you can see down to mag 4.5 (maybe 5) during winter. So, looking forward to a few cold nights with the lens

But yes, I'll get out where it's really dark, over the next few months.

OK, so it's not exactly a rumour, it's a definite thing if they get more supporters, so I'm doing my bit by sharing.
As you all might know, i've gone a bit film nutty lately. I've been shooting 135 and 120 film a lot, and I've been spending some time over at the APUG forums. Two things there recently caught my eye.

Firstly, is that Velvia (the best landscape film available, the one that killed Kodachrome) went out of production in large sheet sizes, followed quickly by being back in production. I was so happy about that, that Fuji are still making a concerted effort to support their film division, that I was almost contemplating buying a LF camera in celebration.

Secondly, and by strange coincidence very soon after, I see this:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wanderlust/travelwide-45-camera
It's a kickstarter project for a travel-sized LF camera, smaller than your average DSLR.
Two versions, 90mm f/6.8 with focussing helicoid (which translates to FF 25mm f/1.8 if you crop the LF to a 3:2 ratio, 21mm if you crop FF to a 4:5 ratio), and a 65mm f/8 version, pre-set at hyperfocal (18mm or 16mm depending on how you crop to compare).
Scan it to a mere 2400dpi (i've scanned velvia to 3200dpi and can't see grain) and you get a 120MP image. Even at 1200dpi you get a modest 30MP image. Take that, D800.
And the best part is, it's only $99 plus a lens (lens is probably about $200). Film's not even expensive either, $2 a shot or so (As in, you could get about 1500 frames in for the same price as a 5D3+lens).

I'm in for the 65mm version, although I may swap to a 90mm (or get both) depending on how easy it is to get a lens. They're already $57k out of $75k, if they get to $85k then everyone gets a free pinhole (which will save me needing a lens for a while).

So, who else would like to support this? Even if not, share it around your friends, you never know who'd be interested...

Mt Spokane Photography said:

Lens tests only apply to the SPECIFIC Camera model they were tested on. You cannot compare results taken with different cameras.

Are you sure they were taken with the same camera??

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If you compare the difference between multiple lenses on each site you can usually see when one is getting significantly different results from the others.
On TDP specifically you can also look at the 200f2 samples for a comparison of all the different bodies.

It looks like all review sites have dud lenses (relatively speaking) in their line-up. Ideally each site would test three or four samples, but that doesn't quite seem to be practical. I always look at as many reviews as possible when considering a lens.
The best example I can think of right now is the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 OS, which scores very highly set to 300mm f2.8 in some reviews, but the TDP sample at that setting looks awful (in the center, the edges are universally bad). Then sometimes lenses that score somewhat poorly on other sites look great on TDP. Again, it looks like there's a lot of variation in both the samples and potentially in the reviewers.