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awinphoto · Oct 14, 2013

mackguyver said:
awinphoto said:

I just looked... is this equipment insurance or health insurance... I was looking for health/medical insurance... it appears this is equipment insurance.

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I'm sorry, I'm still in my Monday morning fog :-[. I misread your post, but in terms of health insurance, I'm guessing PPA will probably do what the MLA (Modern Language Association) and other creative groups have done and drop their health insurance due to Obamacare. If you're reasonably young and healthy, your best bet is a high deductible plan with riders for Rx and a handful of office visits. That keeps your premium low, but is what's called catastrophic insurance, which means that if you get really sick or injured, you'll have to cough up $4k or whatever your deductible is to cover the bills. I did this when I was younger with the theory that I and my family could scrounge up the money should I fall of a ladder or something. Humana and United generally offer pretty good plans.

Otherwise, you'll have to take your chances on the new exchange. Just be sure not to buy the really cheap plans from unheard of companies. There's a company out of Texas called UICI that has changed it's name 10x and operates 100 shell companies. They are the scourge of the insurance industry (I have 10 years in this world) and have had the unfortunate luck of having to deal with them for my wife's claims. If you've ever seen The Rainmaker, they are the real Great Benefit. Go with a brand company, Blue Cross, Cigna, Humana, United, and you'll have the same lousy insurance as the rest of us, but you won't get totally screwed.

Thanks for your input =)

mackguyver · Oct 14, 2013

rmfagan said:
Oh, and no spills are breaks. I did secure insurance beforehand, as suggested on here, which made the whole experience much more fun since I wasn't paranoid about dropping CPS's 400 II. But nonetheless, I avoided getting trucked on the sidelines or dropping the monopod rig while switching out and shooting the 70-200.

Great work and it must've been a blast to shoot the game. That's on my photo bucket list, but with Florida State being my local university (and having no ties to it), I don't think I'll be doing it anytime soon.

I'm happy to hear that the insurance gave you some piece of mind. As I said, my CPS loan of the 800mm was nerve-racking, particularly at one moment when I forgot to lock down my tripod head and it almost crashed all the way down the ground. I caught it just in time, but that could have been expensive! Of course that doesn't compare to a 300+lb linebacker falling on you!

I hope you get to shoot some more games

AcutancePhotography · Oct 14, 2013

I wished Pentax would come out with a full frame camera.

But, that K3 looks like a sweet camera. Looking forward to reading some test reviews. For the price, you can't beat it.

The K5 and now the K3 are making me re-look at my decision to go full frame.

Bruce 101 · Oct 14, 2013

Sporgon said:
Very briefly and talking FF: it should be very good across the frame when stopped down a little from 70 to about 120.

From 200 to 300 it should sharp in the very centre stopped down 2. But the mid frame will be soft. Don't even look in the corners.

It's overall performance is much more suited to crop sensors.

I agree with most (maybe all!) of this.

But, the non-L 70-300 seems to perform best on a full frame @300mm if the center is your primary concern. If you believe the TDP charts. Otherwise, it's better on a crop.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=358&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=4&API=3&LensComp=358&CameraComp=736&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=4&APIComp=3

FWIW, I have found the non-L 70-300 to perform better - particularly @300mm - on the Sl-1 than it does on the 60D.

I too am really wondering about the accuracy of the TDP charts as to the L version of the 70-300. If you do a comparison of the L version to the non-L verson in the center @300mm, the difference is noticeable but not huge. Of course, across the frame, there is no comparison - even at f/8:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=358&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=4&API=3&LensComp=738&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=4&APIComp=3

And at f/11, (I know, I know, who uses f/11 on these lenses...) the L and the non-L appear equally sharp in the center on full frame:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=358&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=4&API=4&LensComp=738&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=4&APIComp=4

If you are using the non-L 70-300, you just need to know its limitations to get the best bang out of it. But it is possible to get sharp images from it all the way to 300mm.

AvTvM · Oct 14, 2013

RGomezPhotos said:
RVB said:

This Zeiss Flickr accounts shows a selection of images taken with the 55.. I believe this one is by Lloyd Chambers http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlzeisslenses/10185277475/#

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One word: WOW!

This lens is SO CLOSE to medium format... Even the D800 isn't enough to fully utilize the lens. You get the resolution, but not the tonal range.

Again: WOW!

Your "WOW-ing" is meant satirical, right?

The linked picture is just another addition to the gazillion of poorly composed, ultra-boring cat pictures on the net. I hope it is taken with an iphone since it would be an insult if it were to come from somebody allowed to use a $ 4k Zeiss lens or a MF camera. ;-)

expatinasia · Oct 14, 2013

Interesting. Surprised more here do not have the miniature.

dgatwood · Oct 14, 2013

Definitely second the opinion of doing it in software. The way I usually do it is:

Boost the contrast as needed, then tweak the exposure to suit.
Tweak the color balance away from blue a bit, then tweak the red-green balance as needed.
If necessary, use split-toning to add a bit more yellow/orange in the highlights.
Go back and push the shadows and pull back the highlights and blacks to suit.

Usually with those tweaks, I can get a decent-looking picture even on pretty nasty days. As always, YMMV, and the devil's in the details.

Oh, and occasionally, I bump up Lightroom's clarity slider and reduce the saturation.

LetTheRightLensIn · Oct 13, 2013

xvnm said:
Hi,

We all have seem charts and charts in most lens reviews showing how IQ (sharpness, vignetting, CA) varies with aperture.

What about focus distance? Does it affect IQ to focus closely vs. at infinity? And lens distortion?

yes, it can even change the focal length too!

many lenses become poor near the MFD, a few become slightly worse at great distances instead

some of the tamron 17-50 28-75 lenses tend to be strong at infinity or longer distances that at say 6-8' distances.

70-200 f/4 IS is very sharp at 200mm f/4 at maybe 4.5' and farther, but shoot it 200mm f/4 at MFD? it looks worse than using a coke bottle!

Hydrogen · Oct 13, 2013

ScottyP said:
Correct. Looking for the Mitros+, which is the new one with the built-in wireless transmitter & receiver trigger. Not the regular Mitros flash.
Cannot find it, though others seem to say they know where it is, and how much it is. I am unable to find it using either Google or the Phottix website. Am I just missing it? Is it available in Asia, but not available in the US?

Looks like it's available now:
http://www.phottixstore.com/store/phottix-mitros-ttl-transceiver-flash.html

Dylan777 · Oct 13, 2013

Cali_PH said:
So, latest rumors from that site:

- Official announcement due October 16th; potentially due out in December
- 2 models, A7 (24MP sensors, about $1700 US, $1998 w/kit 24-70) & A7r (36MP $2198 body only)
- New sensors; details not specific
- Interesting rumor that initial offering will include lens mounts for free (Canon, Nikon, Leica). If true, I'd guess manual focus only. Could be smart as there are few native lenses expected at launch.
- Focus peaking, eye AF, Wifi, 1/8000 shutter, weather sealed tiltable screen, no IBIS.

I gotta admit, if this thing performs well, I'll be tempted to try one out with my Canon lenses for landscape shots!

The rumor pictures look good. They claimed AF is faster than RX1 - which is a plus. If body size is slightly bigger than RX1, I'm all in with 36MP, A7 R + Zeiss 50mm f1.4 to start. I would like to add 14, 16, or 17mm and 85mm zeiss to this compact system. I hope Fuji will release some FF retro soon. I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE the looks of X100s.

I might end up keeping just one 5D III + 70-200 and/or 135L.

bestimage · Oct 13, 2013

Folks, I have similar question on the subject matter, I do portraits and weddings, I have been thinking to upgrade my lights from Elinchrom to either Broncolor or Profoto. I like bluish tint of Bron while I heard so many good things about Profoto also, I like bluish tint of bron while I feel that Profoto is crisp but flat and slightly warmer with no accent like Bron. I Being in Canon system, my feel is that Canon lenses are little bit on cooler side, so my question is what system would be best in combination with Canon, Bron or Profoto. Your input will be greatly appreciated, thank you all in advance.

Xarathion · Oct 13, 2013

Pi said:
Hard to draw any conclusions from downsized images.

It's a little clearer on the Part 2 YouTube video if you watch in 1080p. He does a zoomed in side-by-side image comparison in Lightroom, moving around to different parts of the frame.

PKinDenmark · Oct 13, 2013

Vern said:
Very nice work w the 24TS - here's a shifted one of the Cathedral in Uppsala.

Hi Vern - what an impressive cathedral - and a very good interior photo. I like the colours very much.

jdramirez · Oct 13, 2013

Joshua said:
jdramirez said:

gary said:

Avoiding who was right and who was wrong in these circumstances, the Priest should not have made the ultimate threat to walk away from the wedding, no wonder the bride looks mortified, unforgivable

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maybe they, the bride and groom, will get something out of it... like the one couple who got married on the Colbert report.

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I don't get it, what happend to the couple who got married on the Colbert Report? By the way, shouldn't a priest be used to camera clickings as his profession comes with this sort of public interest? To me the priests thread to walk away is a "No-Go" in regard of the feelings of the bride. She was for sure shocked and mortified - just at the noment that should be her finest in her life. I feel sorry for her and am missing the priests empathy.

the government shutdown prevented them from getting married at the Jefferson memorial... so they were on a show like today and then on the same trip they got married on the Colbert report. it was really funny. I'd encourage you to go see that episode.

Oct 13, 2013

Plainsman said:
New Nikon 300/4 VR II on the way

The current 300/4 non VR lens is by all accounts very sharp - even wide open.

If the current lens doesn't have VR, how can they release a 300/4 VR II?? Freudian slip to give credit to Nikon for something they haven't done?

Better late than never for a 300/4 VR, I guess. But as pointed out, they're really late to the party. Oh, and where's their 400/5.6 prime?

candc · Oct 13, 2013

the dock lets you make adjustments depending on subject distance and focal range. mine was frontfocusing really bad on the 18mm side at close distances but fine at infinity, on the 35mm side it was ok close but backfocusing at infinity. the dock has 4 distance settings and 4 zoom ranges 18,24,28,and 35 that you can make adjustments. its a lot of trial and error and a lot of lens on and off but it works. the infinity setting was the hardest to get right. try using live view and look at your focus scale, then switch to regular af and refocus, that will give you a starting point to see where it is off

serendipidy · Oct 13, 2013

Don Haines said:
serendipidy said:

Jackson_Bill said:

Don Haines said:

Famateur said:

Don Haines said:

I would never fake or stage a "wildlife" picture

Click to expand...

You may have fooled others, but not me. A common loon in a tree? Nice try! ;D

Click to expand...

How about a groundhog in a tree?

Click to expand...

OK, let's hijack this thread - its gone on long enough, anyway

How about a great blue heron in a tree?

BTW - that loon etc in the tree was great!

Click to expand...

Jackson_Bill, love that great blue heron shot!

+1...how about a juvenile AND an adult BCN Heron in the same Octopus tree? ;D

Click to expand...

I would have been more impressed with an Octopus in an Octopus tree

OK, you asked for it ;D

greger · Oct 13, 2013

Congrats on the new lens! Don't buy anything that's just for the T3i. Make it something that can be used on your upgraded camera body. Save until you can buy a 5D lll or the next generation 5D. This way you will be shooting professional pics for your paid gigs. You will own quite a few bodies and lenses in your lifetime. I hope you make tons of
money and it becomes a career for you or a very lucrative hobby.

Menace · Oct 13, 2013

Dylan777 said:
DON'T GIVE ME f2 with IS crap

+1. Ha ha

[email protected] · Oct 12, 2013

I'm the original poster here .. in ase anyone looks at this, I found a solution: Markin makes a relatively inexpensive base plate, #50, well-machined aluminum, with a 1/4" hole that accommodates a BR attachment point ... I am using this happily on my 1Dx.

JPAZ · Oct 12, 2013

Remember when Kodak Advantix was going to be the next great thing in photography? Why, I could remove the film partially exposed then put it back in the camera and pick up at the same place later! BTW, that happens to be the last Nikon body I owned.

Now we sometimes get impatient waiting for a shot to render on the computer monitor. The advances are truly remarkable.

Menace · Oct 12, 2013

Viggo said:
"Only a red-ring fanboy will buy this"

I have tested the Siggy and the 35 L has been the holy grail absolute killer go to lens for a VERY long time and where it counts the most for me will always be AF and the L destroys the Siggy. Not
Even close.

Ditto.

I won't be able to do a proper job with a below par AF of the S35 - investing in the Canon version makes sense for what I need it for.

It's cost vs value for money debate - it may be relatively expensive to buy but does it provide good value for one's needs? For me the answer is Yes!

Oct 12, 2013

I'm not suggesting that bent pins in the OP's 5D MkIII are the cause of his troubles, but in case anyone doubts the existence of bent pin problems, here's a quote from Roger at LensRentals:

"However, some common problems we saw a year ago like the 5D Mk III having bent CF pins and the D800 battery doors snapping off seem to have been fixed and have ceased to be an issue at all."

So it seems it was perhaps a problem in earlier Mk III bodies but not in LensRentals' newer Mk III inventory. The full article is linked below.

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2013/08/lensrentals-repair-data-2012-2013

Botts · Oct 12, 2013

takesome1 said:
For a great picture get it right at the camera first, the less you have to correct in PP the less it will look fake.

This works great if you know your destination, sometimes you don't though. If I'm shooting images for a fun photo book, I don't know if my photo will be cropped to 4:3, 4:5, 16:9 or some other aspect ratio.

Framing for a perfect 4:3 composition would really limit which photos I could use where.

Similarly, if I'm shooting an event, I'll usually make a slideshow 16:9 if it's full images, or any aspect ratio if it's more like a collage. Also, I'll probably wind up printing some of the images as large 4:3s. I like having some space to work with.

Oct 12, 2013

I've had the 28-300L for a while, and I used it frequently as a travel lens - it was more convenient than the 24-105L + 70-200/2.8L IS II (since the 28-300L is equivalent to the latter in size/weight), and delivered IQ equivalent to the 24-105L across it's broader range.

However, after getting the 24-70/2.8L II (and selling the 24-105L), I also picked up the 70-300L as a travel telezoom. I find the combo of 24-70 II + 70-300L delivers better IQ across an even broader range, takes up the same room and similar weight in the bag, and I don't mind the lens changes. I'll likely sell the 28-300L in the near future (I bought it used on CL at a good enough price that I'll likely make money, or at least break even, on the sale - a long term free 'rental' like that is my favorite way to evaluate a lens.

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