I have a 60D should I go with the 50MM 1.8 or the 40MM pancake? I am doing both video and stills.

Was shopping for a monopod to hold up my 600mm on safaris (in India and Kenya). Is Really right stuff MH02-Pro Pkg: MC-34 Monopod + MH-02 the right stuff?

Anyone use one seriously? I've got a bag of FD lenses that have been unused since my beloved A1 died, and I'd
like to continue using them if possible. I know about the infinity focus limitation and that the glass correction
piece will cost me a stop, but with prices varying from >$20 to <$200 on ebay, anyone have any recommendations?

View from 11053 feet from the Mammoth Mountain summit. The weather at the time was beautiful, and the view was to die for.

I managed to lose 83 photos from this series as the camera failed to write the images onto the memory card. I have not managed to repair those corrupted images as of yet. As a result, some of the most precious moments I had of this place are now forever lost. Yet, I was given a second chance to go out and take some quick snaps of the view from this summit before descending. A big thanks to the wonderful folks I was traveling with.


Pause. Breathe In by Dhanad Islam, on Flickr

Hi All
I might have an offer to buy a used Canon 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM for around 750 USD. I don't yet have any usefull lens in that range, only the Sigma 400mm F5.6 APO Marco HSM which is not rechipped (and thus only with open aperture).
The lens has a little dust inside and the hood mounting mechanism is broken, but the seller says it's optically in otherwise perfect condition.

What do you think? Shall I rather way for the successor of this lens or get it? I'm not really in a hurry to buy it, but I think it's a really nice offer.

Thanks to BuyDig.com and Canon Rumors for the 5% discount on select Canon bodies and lenses.
I decided I wasn't going to purchased the over-priced 24-70 2.8 ll until I found a deal from a reliable seller.
Canon Rumors and BuyDig worked together to offer special pricing. The 5% turned into a $100 savings on a lens that's hard to find on sale. BuyDig.com also offered a Hoya uv filter, a modest lens cleaning kit, and rush shipping.

I had purchased from BuyDig.com many years ago but was reminded what a class act they are. The service could not have been better. They offered free, 2-day shipping, but sent my US warranty lens next day air.
The included 82mm Hoya filter was excellent quality and saved me nearly $70. My local camera repair man put a scope on it and told me it is as sharp as I could get at any price.

BuyDig.com is a quality online dealer, I hope Canon Rumors will continue to team up with them to offer discounted pricing.

The mid-range zoom is my most used lens for professional work. When Canon introduced the 28-70 2.8 L many years I immediately added to my kit, and then up-graded to the 24-70.

After a lot of thought I'm glad I got the 24-70 2.8 ll. It's sharper, has better contrast, focuses fast, and
is most impressive when shooting back-lit subjects.

The popular new lens is not perfect in my opinion. Though it costs an extra $1000, the focal length is not the same. It's wider, and I'm not happy to give up focal length at the long end. If version 1 is 70mm, the new one falls short of that. I wrote about it in a previous post and some photographers didn't like it. Some said it wasn't true, others said they don't care, and a couple people wrote about "focus breathing." The new lens is wider ! I have both and I can see it's not even close. The MK ll doesn't focus nearly as close either, and that doesn't help me at all.
The new lens has a zoom lock and I'm not sure why since the zoom ring is so stiff.

I appreciate the deal from BuyDig.com and Canon Rumors, and I'm glad I purchased the lens. For the extra $1000, I sure wish the focal length and minimum focus distance matched the older, less expensive zoom.

I'm going to be doing some nighttime urban shots without a tripod using available light from streetlights and nightclubs. I'm expecting to make use of the high ISO abilities of my 5D Mark 3. A grainy, black and white motif is the plan.

I am wondering about which lenses to take along on this shoot, and here is my question:

How much does the maximum aperture of a lens affect autofocus performance in low light conditions? I can select from lenses with max apertures ranging from F/1.4 to F/4. Will the Mark 3 be able to focus better in marginal light with the larger aperture lenses? Or does it depend more on the mysterious magic of the autofocus system in each particular lens and how it talks to the corresponding microprocessor in the body?

I've seen some discussion of the 6D being able to focus down to EV-1, or something like that, but nobody ever says if that varies with the lens that is attached to the camera. It seems to me like it should. Hopefully one of our resident experts can bring this issue into sharp focus! LOL

I'm an amateur photographer and I think I'm looking to take that step to semi-professional photog. There is a Civil War reenactment coming up and the opportunity to hangout on the "battle field" and snap a few action shots has come up. If they paid me in donuts and cocaine, I'd probably do it despite being on a diet and drug free since '83 (I just liked the rhyme... there isn't a story about what happened in 1983 when I was 6 years old).

Well, compensation is $100 for the day which would amount to maybe a 90 minute round trip drive for me and probably a 2 hour "battle". Seriously how long could a reenactment last? I presume I would give up all copyright over my photos and they would potentially be published as a calendar, postcards, or in a book. I might get a credit in a book, but I would doubt I would keep any rights to the images.

So is that a fair offer? Again... I'm going to do it... but I read an article a few years ago about not working for peanuts or free because that just hurts the entire industry.

I haven't been offered the gig yet or told the specific details about residuals, but I am also trying to be realistic and not being too naive.

Thanks for responding. John Mulaney has a line about being naive. You're gonna give me a whole $100 for all my songs Mr. Gordy?!?

I was shooting a bridal after a wedding this afternoon and dropped my UWA about 4 feet onto the concrete.
Good thing these are built like tanks.

Cheers,
-Tabor

Hello all,

I just heard on the news that tonight there is going to be a 'super moon' with the moon coming very close to earth and will be larger and brighter than usual.

Can someone give me advice on ways to shoot this tonight? I have a 5D3.

Lenses I have:

70-200L f/2/8 II
85mm f/1.8
24-105L f/4
17-40mm L f/4

Robikon 14mm

Would HDR be a way to go? I've not taken long 'bulb' type exposures...I'm not sure how long to keep it open, and what settings to use...

So, I'd very much appreciate some suggestions for my first try at some astral photography tonight!!

Thanks in advance,

cayenne

I am getting tired of waiting for the price of a 5D MkIII to come down anytime before Christmas.
I am shooting with a 20D and a 40D, and I could still be happy with a modest MP count.

I am seeing some great prices on EOS ID's on ebay and Amazon (thru private sellers). Seems like I could pick up a great 1D in any flavor and really enjoy using a pro camera.

I am soliciting advice from those of you who have used these older great cameras. If I wanted to spend about $1000, which is the one you would recommend? Any caveats? I see great cameras getting sold all the time on ebay, with many bidders. Somebody is thinking like me, I guess.

Right now, I am tempted to buy one today. I see some decent looking MkII's within my range.
I want to learn and enjoy the features of the pro camera, and get comfortable with it.
I also would like the 1.3 x factor, for use with my 17-40mm, and still get further with my 300mm.

There are several models to pick from, all at good prices. What would you recommend from the older 1D's?
Would like to hear the pros and cons of a 1D and a 1Ds, for instance.

I am thinking all are great cameras, but I want to hear from you pros who have used them all.

Any tips for a new wildlife photographer about to hit his first big excursion? Do you use Spot and Partial Metering often as well as Center-Point Focus? Av or Tv; generally? AI Servo usually?
Thanks for any guidance although I'm sure I'll have to learn a lot just by doing.

I get it...our DSLR sensors are only capable of capturing X stops of DR in any given image. The common example is the landscape image: skies are normally much brighter than the actual landscape. There are several ways to compensate using graduated filters, HDR, exposure blending, etc. What I don't understand, for lack of any thorough knowledge, is why when I turn on the television there are tons of programs/movies whose cameras seem to have no troubles with this same DR? Scenes I know would result in a DR challenge for a DSLR photographer seem to be of no issue for these dedicated video cameras (film or digital???). Is it price? Is it physics? Why does it seem the DSLR has reached its DR threshold?
Not a DSLR criticism, just looking for some discussion.

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_MG_0015 by Universeal, on Flickr
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_MG_0030 by Universeal, on Flickr
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_MG_0638 by Universeal, on Flickr
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_MG_0752 by Universeal, on Flickr
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_MG_0815 by Universeal, on Flickr
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_MG_0831 by Universeal, on Flickr
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DRI_0026 by Universeal, on Flickr

Hello everyone!
My daily gear currently consists of a 17-40, 24-105, and 70-200/4L (NO IS) on a 5D3 (2nd on its way).
I'm currently thinking about ugrading the 70-200, since it's by far the least used lens, because of both the lack of IS and the slow f4 aperture.
So I'm looking to buy a used 70-200/2.8 IS but I'm not sure whether I'd go for the version II(used 1800€++) or if the version I is enough(I can pick one up for just over 1300€)!?
Any experience?

I'm a wide-angle guy so I don't expect to use it all the time and my funds are limited too, with the recent upgrade of my 2nd body to another 5D3, so a new mark II is out of the question.

Is it worth to spend (at least) 500€ more for the mark II or is the mark I good enough? (=Will my clients be able to tell the difference?) And can I expect the mark Is price to remain the same for say, the next year or two? I bought my f4L used for 450€ and I already have a buyer who's ready to pay me the same amount.

Thank you very much in advance!

Hi all, I'm new here (as you can probably tell from the post count).

I thought the best way to say hi was to post a few images from earlier this week.

David.

Supermoon on: June 22-23
This picture taken today

My current gear is down to a 5D3, 85mm 1.2, 70-200 2.8 is ii

I'm looking for a shorter length lens that would be useful for both still and video. For both still and video, it would be handheld 90% of the time. I'm thinking a 50mm because of the IQ for the price... although if price weren't an issue an issue at all, 35mm would probably be preferable. I'll be using it for both product shots and video.

For 50s I'm leaning toward the sigma 1.4. Supposedly its better than the canon 1.4, but it's also a little more expensive and in pics I've seen it looks pretty bulky. Considering id be carrying it around a lot without a bag, is the IQ worth that size/weight? Or is it really not that much different? Anything else I should consider when comparing those two?

I'm also hesitant to get a 50 now since a new one is rumored to come out soon..
(Side question: Can a 50mm not have IS? It seems like it would be the perfect candidate for IS...)

I like the new Sigma 35 "art" lens. Although my first thought when I considered that one is that I could get a 24-105 with IS for less... and it would be superior (I think?) for video.. and probably not too noticeable IQ difference.

I dont even have a clearcut question, but if anyone has any input that might help that would be cool.

I have been interested in the development of both the Canon EOS M and the Zeiss Touit line of lenses. Does anyone know if the two companies are discussing a hookup?

I have been playing a lot with off-camera flash using a 580EX and a pair of 430EX Speedlites. I have been triggering them with four Cactus V5s, which are nice, simple radios, but no E-TTL, but maybe the most annoying feature is that you have to climb ladders to adjust settings manually or wake them up when they go to sleep. [

I would love to perhaps upgrade my wireless flashes, was considering taking the plunge into Pocket Wizard land, but could also go the way of a 600EX-RT and the ST-E3-RT trigger. I love my 430EX flashes and I am wondering whether Canon can be expected to come out with a 430EX II replacement with RT any time soon.

I have scanned the Lighting section of the forum, have not seen any good rumors or gossip, so I thought I would throw out the question for those who may know or have an informed guess.

At least I wonder if it is weak. Battery check on my 5DM3 shows 2, not 3, bars as condition. Does this mean anything?

Thanks

Rich

Hello guys

I have a small problem I was hoping you could help me with:

So today I bought a used 70-200mm f/2.8 IS (version 1).

I'm pretty happy with the lens as far as performance goes, but i noticed that there are 4 exposed screws where the tripod collar are supposed to be - these screws are basically preventing me from attaching the tripod collar.

I have attached a photo of one of the screws, and I was hoping someone could help me tell me why these screws might be there, or are they supposed to be there, and I am just being stupid? I wasn't able to find a picture of a 70-200mm online without the tripod collar attached so I can't see if it's normal.

Thanks in advance

i have a tamron 90mm f2,8 macro and im very happy with it... except one thing.

sometime i don´t have a tripod with me or in some locations tripods are not allowed.
and then camera shake is an issue when i shoot handheld macros of flowers etc.

i would like to buy the EF 100 mm macro with IS.
but i remember reading some comments that IS is pretty useless for macro.

did they mean because you should shoot on a tripod anyway ... or why is it that i read this comment quite often?

I have been trying to buy a refurb 70-300 L lens for months. They are always out of stock. Two days ago they became available and I ordered immediately. Today I called as I had received no shipping notice and was told me order was cancelled due to a "hard reject" of credit card. The CS woman would give no info, no reason and when asked why I was not notified she said "we don't do that". Of course the lens is not out of stock again. I asked a supervisor why they do not give an opportunity (like most companies) when a card is refused, he stated it was policy. It turns out that Canon's accounting department routinely turns down cards with no notification IF the order comes from an IP address outside of the USA. Although my order was form a US card, with a verified US billing address and shipped to that same address, it was still cancelled.

When asked if they would put me a a list to get the next one...no we can't do that. It is just plane crappy customer service.

Hi all,

Does anyone have a link to a good general purpose model release form?

I'm starting to shoot some folks for headshots and even some video for auditions for things here in New Orleans. Starting with friends right now...trading my services for using resulting images to build my portfolio.

I know I need to get some type of model release form signed by them giving me full rights to do as I need with the photos I shoot and give them.

Can someone give me some advice on what a Model Release form needs to say, and where I could find one to download off the net?

Thank you in advance,

cayenne