Hello all,

This is likely a boring clip for anyone to watch, I was just doing this for myself to see if I could figure out better ways of lighting, and trying to use the flatter Marvels Cine 3.4, and along with that, roundtrip from FCPX to Davinci Resolve Lite.

The roundtripping isn't working great right now, xml problems, but I did just grade the raw footage and worked it that way.

I do know that I now need to get my CFL clamp lights, changed out to a color temp that more closely balances out the 'static' lights in the kitchen which are on track lights, and are halogens at about 2700K (clamp lights were 5000K).
I'm going to remedy that now, and that will help with the white balance.

But in looking through these clips, it appears that I had the BEST luck..when all things were equal, I set the exposure on the cameras light meter to about 2 stops under exposed?!?! Everything else, using any of the flatter picture styles, seems to be over exposed even though the camera meter reading looks dead on center.

Any thoughts on that?

I was also testing out the ExpoDisc thing, that you put on the end of the camera, which essentially covers the lens with 18% grey, and you shot an shot through it (recommended that you do it from the targets POV back to where the camera will be, and this DOES seem to work best). In the latter tests, you can definitely see when dong the Expodisc from the camera POV, the scene was VERY green.

Anyway, this was with my 5D3. The ExpoDisc for setting custom white balance, I color graded with Davinci Resolve Lite, and used FCPX as my NLE.

Lighting was as described above.

Again, this isn't artsy, not interesting..just me rambling about the settings on a camera test, but I'd appreciate input on the exposure, the color grading (I have each clip doing a split screen with out of camera on left and corrected on the right)....

I really want to be able to get the very high quality cinema look the 5D3 is capable of, but so far, I don't think I seem to be able to put things together right, to get the picture as good (or hopefully better) than using the "normal" or "Neutral" settings on the camera.

So..please look and give me suggestions!!!

Again, thank you all so far for helping me to understand the camera and how to try to use it!!

cayenne

Test Footage: Marvels Cinestyle 3.4/Lighting

Ps. Sorry for the confusion. Apparently, you can't embed VIMEO here...I wanted to show this in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio I edited it to, and YT added the black bars back in.

The vimeo URL for the 2.35:1 is at this link: https://vimeo.com/59782968

Hi guys, just want to share my review on Fuji X100. Maybe of a help for some people who looks for info about it.

http://www.occhio-photography.com/long-term-review-fuji-x100/

Cheers,
r.

Hi! I need some advice from the pro over here before I can make-up my mind for the gear selection.

I owned a Nikon D7000 (with kit lens only) at the moment, but initially I love Canon DSLR.

I used to be Canon user, I owned 550D for two months, and the camera shut down by itself, cannot switch on after that. After sent for warranty claims, the camera store (my friend) advised me to trade in with Nikon as the Canon DSLR always got problems, at the time I was dissapoinnted with Canon, so I trade in my 550D with Nikon D7000.

After using D7000 for a while, I found that the image quality and low light ability from Nikon is much better than Canon, at least its able to shoot at lower ISO compared to 550D. A lots of Nikon users also commented that Nikon Creative Light System and Nikkor glass are much more superior compared to Canon, but I not sure. I found not much different for the 50mm F1.8 produced by Canon & Nikon, not sure about the "pro" glass.

I love Canon because of the Canon glass, especially prime lens. Canon prime lens are more up-to-date (at least with USM) compared to Nikon. Canon L Series lens are having very good reputation although some Pro who switched to Nikon commented that Nikon pro lens have better quality. But some also said Canon had better prime.

Anyhow, I still feel I love Canon. But I am not sure whether it's worth to trade in my Nikon D7000 to Canon 7D/7D2/70D, as I don't trust the lower end Canon anymore!

I am about to invest flash for my DSLR, so I got to decide whether stay on Nikon or switch to Canon or shoot with both system!

If I bought Nikon flash, can I use it on Canon DSLR with good result? Based on my searching, most of the user said that Nikon flash on Canon DSLR with have very bad results, vice versa.

I need your valuable advice before I can move further.

Million thanks!

In my recent unintentional trivia series "I'm clueless, please help me out" I've stumbled across another question: I thought using uv filters were just a rip-off for old school amateurs who didn't know that a digital sensor isn't sensitive to uv - or for people who find a uv filter that is cheaper than a comparable clear filter.

My web research supports this, but I was told that just because it's in the Internet it isn't necessarily correct... and I've recently come across one application that might still prove a need for an uv filter except for protection or lens sealing:

* Vari-nd filters or two stacked polarizers - in contrast to "real" dark glass nd filters, they let uv pass and though the sensor is not very sensitive to uv, it still might make a difference with long exposures.

Is this correct? Are there any other reasons to get an uv filter over clear glass?

I'm out on site next week - I'm a civil engineer - and rather than take my DSLR for photos of the road that I'm looking at, I thought I'd take my older Fuji E900 camera which from what I recall took semi decent photos for my site needs - however having pulled the camera out this morning, I was stunned by the sheer pedestrian speed of the auto focus, so I'm looking today for a cheap but fast AF compact camera for £100 or preferably less.

Main question is, are my expectations high due to using DSLR's for 4 years ?

Last night im trying to capture milky way, but i dont see any milky way at the sky, but at least i got one photo to share. This is my 1st attempt to capture night skies , hopefully u all can give me some advice & guidance about night skies/astrophotography & how to find the milky way

This picture taken with 5DMIII + 24-70II, iso 800, f/4, 30 sec, manual focus.



TQ

http://youtu.be/M6VmpTPetwY

feature film shot in Iran.

One week ago I ordered a Canon body and a couple of lenses from DWI, paid with Paypal and waited for confirmation of goods posted. Now I get an email saying as the total goods are over $2000, they want me to supply personal info: photocopy of drivers licence etc "for security,as part of their process". As I paid with a verified Paypal, they now have the funds - this request seems like a belated bad joke. Anyone else had similar issues with this or any other website, as I never have. I feel like cancelling my order as I will not be giving anyone copies of licenses or cards etc, with all the problems of identity theft being current.

Im working on wedding photography, and it's time to buy a new lens. any ideas ? and thinking of the 45mm TS.

http://nikonrumors.com/2013/02/15/confirmed-nikon-press-conference-next-week-very-good-chance-of-d7100-announcement.aspx/


If it's true ,I hope canon will follow shortly! ,

I am curious to see what these crop bodies will be packing, it will give some indication to what we can expect in a 7d/d300(s) successor

Hey guys, I always get great advice on CR and I feel like I learn so much every time I'm on here! Anyways, down to biznass -

I'm going to be shooting a wedding in May. My first paid job really. I am thinking wether or not to buy another good prime lens to add to my kit.

I think I'll shoot most of the wedding with the zooms I have. But for some artistic shots and some particular shots after the wedding I'm thinking shallow dof stuff maybe outdoors. I actually want both these lenses but I have a feeling I'm just being silly.

My question is this - If you had to pick one, which would you say would prove more useful for wedding / portraits? Bare in mind I can acheive 35mm f/4 and 135 f/4 with what I have.

I'm leaning towards the 35 as I think in tight spaces and indoors it will come in handy (seems a lot of events end up in poorly lit places). Also I need a wide fast prime, got nothing fast that end.

Is this wise thinking or should I just man up and buy both?

Thank you in advance, any help will be greatly appreciated!!

Hi,

I got the 40mm pancake today. I was wondering whether I should get a filter for this thing. It's only 52mm thread so the filter cost is not much, but still was wondering whether it is really necessary for this lens.

What are you guys doing???

We heard a lot (a LOT!) of people defending percieved high Canon pricing, saying it is due to the run up in the value of the Yen that ended in 2011. Sometimes this was said with the kind of absolute certainty that can only come from someone with no training in a subject.

Now Japan is printing money to achieve 2% inflation in their economy, and the Yen is plunging as a result. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21468587

Question: If the High Yen = High Canon Prices argument was as valid as was asserted so many times, will we now expect to see this effect working in reverse? Or will prices stay the same, and the True Believers simply latch onto some other factor to explain it?

Im in iceland at the moment - I was shooting the northern lights (dream coming true!) and guess what happened!!

yes I had an error 30 on my camera that said to turn off and on the camera or re-install the battery. I did both of things but still was having it. the camera is only 2/3 weeks old. I was using kit lens 24-105. temperature was probably below 0 degrees. I thought it could be because of cold so I warmed up the battery putting inside my clothes, tried again but nothing. this morning I woke up and went to switch on the camera but it didnt even turned on, battery was maybe dead? so now im recharging the battery and writing this while i wait.


im afraid when I put on the battery again it will do the same error...
is there any way around this?? i cant send it back to repair, i need it here right now in iceland for another 4 days!!
trip of my life and camera does that...!!! im not happy at all..

Hello dear photographers,

who has experience with at least two of the lenses Canon 24-105 f/4 L IS, Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 IS, Canon 24-70 f/2.8 L II? I'm particularly interested in how well they perform for specific applications. Which one did you pick after comparing and why?

The Canon 24-105 f/4 L IS and Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 IS have about the same resolution. Do they perform similar in practice or do you prefer one over the other for some reasons. When do you actually use f/2.8?

The Canon 24-70 f/2.8 L II clearly is the sharpest of those lenses but it lacks IS which makes me believe that hand-held it may be impossible to obtain this resolution and the IS lens actually may win.

At 70mm f/8 all lenses look very similar:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=787&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=4&API=4&LensComp=786&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=1&FLIComp=3&APIComp=4

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=355&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=4&API=3&LensComp=786&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=1&FLIComp=3&APIComp=4

This makes me believe that they all are "good enough" for Studio settings when shallow DoF isn't required.


In contrast the Canon 24-70 f/2.8 L II clearly loses to the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS II at 70mm f/2.8:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=787&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=4&API=0&LensComp=687&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

So for shallow DoF portraits it wouldn't even be a second choice (135 prime would be the first) but still costs double of the other lenses. If you got the 24-60 L II, what was the reason to justify the extra cost?

Thanks for sharing your experience,
Heptagon

Today I purchased a Promaster UV filter for my Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM.
After taking about 70 or 80 shots with it at various distances and settings I have decided that the filter degrades the sharpness of the photos to an unusable level.
Is it just hit and miss with these filters or are they consistently poor? I paid about $36 for the unit.
With the lens in place the camera will auto focus but the image is just severely degraded. Manual focusing wont' resolve the issue and there isn't enough f-stop in the work to make this filter sharp.
If Promaster wont' cut it then what brand should I be looking at?

I know I havent posted for a while, but I wanted you guys to see this comparison video Ive been working on for the last few weeks. Ive gotten some great input from everyone here so suggestions for improvement on future videos are welcome.

Between the D600 and Canon 6D it Compares the Following:

- Servo Focus
- Low Light Focus
- Iso Comparisons for Video, JPG, RAW Banding
- Portraits
- Video Tests for Moire, Aliasing, Dynamic Range, Color, Sharpening
- AWB, HDR Modes
- Live View Operation & More

Worth seeing in HD if you have a good connection.

Nikon D600 vs Canon 6D Epic Shootout Comparison

Both are great cameras, but I think the 6D is a much better low light camera, perfect for wedding photographers. Yes, the D600 has a slight edge for sports shooting, but the 6D performed very solid as well. If anything, the 6D's major weakness is moire and aliasing for video, if video isn't a concern for you, its a fantastic camera. Also, the focusing systems on the 6D are not nearly as bad as they are made out to be and again, the central square is awesome in low light. (You can watch the D600 completely fail here without it's AF lamp).

It was a fun comparison to do and I learned a lot. Looking forward to hearing what you guys think.

Best wishes

MM

I am looking for suggestions to carry some of my gear. Specifically:

Canon 7D, 60D, 70-200 f/2.8 L II, 24-70 f/2.8 LII, 85 f/1.2, Speedlite 600, Extra batteries, cables etc.

I was thinking about: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/169546-REG/Tamrac_560301_5603_Camera_Bag_Black_.html

I am not sure if that bag can hold the two bodies & the rest of the gear. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Howdy.

So My old nifty fifty's AF motor just bit the dust a few days ago and has been having issues for the last year. I have been considering the following lenses to replace it:

Zeiss 50 f/1.4 Manual focus

Canon 50 f/1.2L AF

A New(er) Nifty Fifty.

I will be receiving the Zeiss and L on Monday to compare all 3. My standard method of testing is: Tripod and shoot about 100-200 photos with my 3 bodies under various lighting/conditions. I also go out and walk around with them (I will have the rentals for two weeks) and just shoot whatever. I will AFMA the 50 f/1.2 and check to see if there is a large amount of focus shift @ f/2, 2.8 and 4. I feel after that point the DOF SHOULD be deep enough to hide it at an average shooting distance. Any other recommendations/advice?

I just am looking to replace a lens I love that has after 6 years (dropped once, stupid cat) never caused me a problem.

Hi folks,
I am slowly increasing my cache of camera gear and finally figured I should probably start thinking about insurance. I am contemplating beginning to do jobs for $$, so looking for companies other than homeowner's insurance. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Almost a year ago, I had $18,000 of gear stolen while in LA, and was not covered by insurance. It totally killed a project I came here to work on. I had a 7D, 70-200 2.8L IS II, 11-16mm Tokina 2.8, Canon 17-55 2.8 IS, 1.4x and 2x TCII's, 580 EXII, pocket wizards, remotes, filters, zacuto z-finder, etc. I shot mostly wildlife back in the day, and more recently some models, etc. My focus though, has been motion pictures. For the first time in over 20 years, I've been without a camera. It's been very hard. Financially, it hasn't been possible to buy everything again, and I haven't been able to come to terms with buying something cheaper to tide me over. I also want something weather sealed, since I do a lot of work in humid, misty and/or coastal environments and had a bad experience with two failed 40D's in Central America.

I rent or use other people's stuff for films right now, but need to get something. I'm dying. Particularly not having something decent for stills. I still have a lot of my support gear, tripods, follow focus, matte box, slider... But I need a new body and lenses. My first instinct is to go with what I new and get another 7D. But since the 5D II and 7D are so close in price now, and since I'm hoping to try and pay for some gear by doing head shots, I am thinking I'm better off with the 5D II. I know I'll lose some focusing for BIF and such, and I've done some excellent portrait and modeling shots with the 7D, the shots from the 5D II just seem cleaner right out of the camera with the same lenses.

I'm interested to what others think? That $600 could really help towards a decent lens. Any suggestions for a primary head shot lens for either body would be greatly appreciated also. I suppose if I can get some head shot work under my belt, I could always upgrade later. Dang. Depressing starting over.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/thumbnail_570x321/2013/02/oscars_class_photo_2013_a_h.jpg

I apologize this isn't a higher rez image...but on Jimmy Kimmel, he held up a print that was maybe 50 inches wide, then the tv camera zoomed in on it. Quite high rez, sharp to the corners...and likely not a stitched panorama (I might be wrong on that, though). So I was curious if any of you might know what was used.

I tried to web search, but I'm not going to go through 20 pages of unrelated star glam minutia.

If it actually is a stitched panorama, then it matters far less to me what was used.

If it really is a one shot capture, with many of us finding difficulty achieving sharpness at the corners of very wide angle lenses...it would be interesting to know what it is. I suppose it could even be something really exotic...some $100k wide angle cine lens or something. Maybe that's even likely...they used a 4K or even an 8K (?) cinema camera, shot full motion video at that resolution, then decided of all the thousands of frames, which one was best?

Or perhaps it is a stitched panorama done simultaneously with multiple camera bodies, arrayed, then somehow tweaked in post to remove the perspective-difference anomalies? (Seems unlikely, but the mind boggles).

Hi

Currently I have an EOS 40D with a EF100-400IS lens. I also have an EF 1.4x III Extender.
I use my camera only for bird photography (center point focus). Since my 40D will not autofocus with the extender on my lens I almost never use the extender.

Now I wonder if I should buy an EF 500 (or 600) mm f/4L IS II and keep my 40D or if I should stay with my 100-400 lens and extender and go for an EOS 5D III or EOS 1DX.

Of course - going all in for both would be best, but would definitly be far over my budget this year... I have to choose... Any suggestions/comments?

Ruben