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Help with choosing a soft box

Hi all,

I want to go to the next step with portrait photography (indoor or outdoor) and I am about to buy my first lightning gear:

- Canon Speedlite 430 ExII
- ETTL trigger yn622c (http://flashhavoc.com/yn622c_review/)

The two additional things that I want are a light stand and a softbox (no umbrella) for the Speedlite. There are so many different models on internet that it is difficult to choose. Any experience with some good ones (not too expensive...) ?

The ones that look interesting so far:
- Westcott Apollo 28" http://www.adorama.com/WEARF.html?utm_term=Other&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=Other&utm_source=rflaid63799
A bit too expensive for me

- Fotodiox Pro 24x36" Umbrella Softbox http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Umbrella-Softbox-Speedlite-600EX-RT/dp/B008CBCWIC/ref=sr_1_23?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1354681051&sr=1-23&keywords=softbox+speedlite+kit

- CowboyStudio Pro 20-Inch x 20-Inch http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-20-Inch-Quick-Speedlite-Softbox/dp/B00ACR9X9U/ref=sr_1_61?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1354818910&sr=1-61&keywords=softbox+speedlite+kit

Any advice or any other suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
John

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Renting 6D or 5D mark iii plus lenses?

So i've only had one dslr in my life which was the nikon d3100. Which was back when I was 16 years old. I'm 18 now and just shoot around with my old canon canonet film camera. What I wanted to ask is which camera do you guys recommend ? I'm going to rent either one on borrowlenses.com i'll be shooting photos in santa cruz california with my girlfriend. I wanted to know if the canon 6D af is alright. Plus which walk around lenses do you recommend? I was thinking of the 24-70 mark 1 or 24-105 or even the 135 f.2
I love how the canon 6D has built in wifi so my girlfriend can post the pictures we take on instagram. I have one but i'm not too big about it since I mostly shoot around with my film camera and go to the local walgreens to process my pictures.
Plus should I insure the camera body?
I take very good care of my camera gear. But maybe I should insure the lens?
I need advice from pros,am's and enthusiasts please

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Canon 6D or Canon 5D mark iii + which lenses?

So i've only had one dslr in my life which was the nikon d3100. Which was back when I was 16 years old. I'm 18 now and just shoot around with my old canon canonet film camera. What I wanted to ask is which camera do you guys recommend ? I'm going to rent either one on borrowlenses.com i'll be shooting photos in santa cruz california with my girlfriend. I wanted to know if the canon 6D af is alright. Plus which walk around lenses do you recommend? I was thinking of the 24-70 mark 1 or 24-105 or even the 135 f.2
I love how the canon 6D has built in wifi so my girlfriend can post the pictures we take on instagram. I have one but i'm not too big about it since I mostly shoot around with my film camera and go to the local walgreens to process my pictures.
Plus should I insure the camera body?
I take very good care of my camera gear. But maybe I should insure the lens?
I need advice from pros,am's and enthusiasts please :)

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Help with lighting setups for portraits...

Hi All,

I have never purchased any lightings and wouldn't know where to begin.
I just received B&H's weekly newsletter that has deal on this kit:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/665617-REG/Impact_EX100_Ultimate_Creative_Portrait.html

I would like to know what light kit you would recommend for indoor/outdoor photo shoots. Simple portraitures and things like that. Your help is much appreciated!

I currently shoot w/the 5D Mark II with 50mm 1.8 II; 24-105 f/4; & 70-200 f/2.8 IS II.
Have a tripod and speedlite 430 EX II.

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EF 800 f/5.6L IS II & Other Big Lenses

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<strong>Canon EF 800 f/5.6L IS II


</strong>More mentions of a new 800mm lens  hitting the Canon lineup in the next 12 months. I’m told Canon is not to be outdone by Nikon and their upcoming lightweight 800 f/5.6 VR. A new “6 stop” IS system is also being tested in prototype EF 800 f/5.6L IS II lenses, but may not be . The weight of Canon’s next 800 will be less than the current EF 600 f/4L IS II, which is the way it was with the current 800 and the previous 600.</p>
<p>There are other suggestions that the supertelephoto lineup could become more crowded with zooms, and new 400mm primes. With the production and development issues of the current set of new “big whites”, a timetable for such lenses is nearly impossible to nail down.</p>
<p><strong>Built-in Converters


</strong>The EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x with the built-in 1.4 teleconverter is not the only lens planned to have the technology. It will definately be the first, and may be the only one for a while, but the concept is being tested with other zooms as well as prime lenses.</p>
<p>One possible configuration mentioned is a lens similar to the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 OS. With Canon’s weight saving materials, the viability of a hand holdable 300 f/2.8 zoom has improved.</p>
<p>While there’s nothing imminent outside of the much talked about EF 200-400 f/4L IS, it looks like the 1.4 built-in teleconverter could become a broad feature in Canon’s lens lineup.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

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Canon EOS 6D Service Advisory

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<strong>From Canon USA:


</strong>Thank you for using Canon products.</p>
<p><strong>Phenomenon


</strong>We have identified a phenomenon which prevents movie files shot using Canon EOS 6D Digital SLR Cameras from being played back on YouTube.</p>
<p><strong>Affected Product


</strong>EOS 6D Digital SLR Camera</p>
<p><strong>Support


</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>While we continue to investigate this phenomenon, please follow the instructions outlined below to upload Canon EOS 6D movie files to YouTube. After our investigation is complete, we will make an update to this announcement.</li>
<li>Download the movie file(s) from the EOS 6D camera to your computer.</li>
<li>Start ImageBrowser EX, an application bundled with the EOS 6D.</li>
<li>After selecting the movie file(s) to be uploaded, select [Edit Movies] in the [Edit] tab from the menu bar of ImageBrowser EX.</li>
<li>“MovieEdit Task” will start. Save the movie using the [Save] menu on the screen.</li>
<li>Upload the saved movie to YouTube.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

Seeking sky advice

Hello all,

I would appreciate some advice on improving my photos please. I am not sure if it is due to the situation or my ability. But I keep getting washed/blown out skies. I took the following two pictures just before sunset, the sky was starting to fade away but it sill had some blue colour left in it. The first image was taken facing away from the setting sun. I took the second image as a test to see if there would be a difference.

Both photos were taken with a 40D with a 17-40mm F4

Settings:
Exposure 1.6
Aperture f/20.0
Focal Length 17 mm

Apparently the metering mode was "Multi-segment". I took the photo in live view to minimise movement, could that be part of the issue?


http://flic.kr/p/dyVZN8

http://flic.kr/p/dyVZr8


Thank you very much in advance for any feedback/advice.

**EDIT**

The pictures didnt show up for some reason. Also on a side note when I have tried to use the built in attachment option the post will crash when trying to upload, anyone else had this issue?

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300MM lens advice

Hi all its that time again. Mr Claus is due to visit around xmas time so im hoping the fat man will drop something nice on the mat. As im doing loads of sport/wildlife im hoping that he will be dropping of a new lens. Ive got the 500f4 mk2, both mk3 extenders, the 70-200 2.8 but theres a big gap in my range, around 300mm. What I wonder is has anyone used the Sigma 120/300 f2.8? I ask because ive only had one Sigma lens and it was amazing. I was looking at the new 300 prime but again in tough times the Siggy might be a good alternative. I need sharpness and big aperture which both are, but also fast autofocus for birds in flight. I love my big whites, never lost a penny on them and they never let me down but in such times as these saving money is becoming more important.

So, is the Siggy a fast autofocus, well built, sharp lens and if you've used one, the latest variant, whats it like?

Merry xmas to all in Canon land.

Mick

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580ex II advice

Hey there Gang. Question... I have a speedlite 430 ex ii which has been great for me and for Christmas to myself I got a NEW 580 EX ii to use on my 60D. question should I have just spent the extra $ for the 600 or did I do ok just going to the 580?
I know there is a NEW 430 replacement coming in 2013. Just having post purchase 2nd thoughts..

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Canon 6D Dominates Low Light Focusing Test vs 5Dii, 5Diii & Nikon D600

I did some more tests today with the Canon 6D, and one question I was most interested in was the low light ability of the Canon 6D's central focusing point.

The summary is this:

Between 0 --> -3EV, the Nikon D600 is about 10-15% faster than all of the Canons.
Between 0 --> -7EV, the Canon 6D is almost twice as fast as the 5Dii, ~20% faster than the 5Diii, and the Nikon D600 couldn't achieve any focus at all in extreme low light without it's AF illuminator.

(Note: Here "0" EV was an even exposure at 1/60, 2.8 ISO 400).

For those of you interested in the methodology and actual testing, as well as the specific results, you will want to check out my blog article on the test http://www.michaelthemaven.com/?postID=2577&canon-6d-vs-5diii-vs-5dii-vs-nikon-d600-low-light-focus-speed-comparison.

I also tested the top center, and far right center focus points.

- While the Canon 6D's other focusing points are not nearly as impressive as the other focusing points on the 5Diii and Nikon D600, the 6D's center point is in fact very, very good in low light.

- The Nikon D600 and 5Dii's Central focus points felt much quicker, and snappy. The 5Dii, actually did very, very well in 0-> -3EV range. The 5Diii's & 6D's feel like there is a 2 step process to the focusing.

- The more I play around with the 6D, the more pleasantly surprised I am with it. (When I initially heard the specs I was seriously underwhelmed).

While I certainly wish there were more cross type focus points on the 6D, I think that with the low light focusing and relatively low ISO noise, the Canon 6D is going to be a very solid performer in low light situations.

M

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100mm macro VS 180mm macro

Sorry in advance if this topic already exists, but I can't find it if it does. I can't seem to find any solid info comparing these lenses. A lot of opinions I've read online are completely different regarding the two 100mm lenses. Some say the L version isn't worth it unless you're completely bent on having IS, and that the non-L had equal or possibly better IQ if its on a tripod (for any situation where ultimate IQ is necessary, Id be using a tripod anyway). Others swear by the L as if the non-L isn't even worth considering. Am I missing something significant that differentiates the L other than slightly better build quality and weather sealing?

Also, on paper the 180mm doesn't really seem enticing next to the 100mm considering its price difference. And it seems less available in the used market, so I'm judging their price difference as higher than the difference between their retail prices. But the few times I've seen it mentioned online, people seem to swear by it. Is there any benefit of owning the 180 over the 100 other than it's reach (which I probably dont need... necessarily...)?

I plan on using whichever lens I get for food/product shots... I feel like the non-L 100mm is probably enough for my needs... but as always, I'm tempted by my curse to feel like I need "the best"... the L. (or 180L?!?!?) :-X

I'd especially appreciate advice from anyone who has used at least 2 of the 3 I'm considering. I've read multiple separate reviews on each lens online, and watched the digitalrev 100mm comparison (but I feel like Kai always leans toward the expensive option).

I'm not really looking for votes as much as I'm looking for piece of info that I might have not considered before making a final decision. Im using a 5DmkIII if that matters.

:) ;) :D ;D :-[ ??? 8) :o :-\ :-* :'( :-X :-[ :P

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Canon 6D Wifi Linking with iPhone 5

Hey guys, yesterday I put together a quick video on how to wirelessly tether your Canon 6D to your iphone (should be the same set up for iPad and similar for Android devices).

I had a few issues getting it set up and getting some of the features to work initially, but once I followed these steps it is painless.

Wireless wifi shooting is super cool and I demo some of the features in the second half.

In review Mode you can-

- Review Images
- Rate Images
- Delete Images
- Email 2.5 MP size images
- Import 2.5MP images to your device (cant seem to get this to work)
- Supposed to be able to video video, but Im only seeing thumbnails now, Im probably doing something wrong.

(You can do all of the above while your camera is in your bag!)

In the Shooting Mode you can:

- Preview Exposure
- Change Exposure Settings (Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO)
- Preview shooting info
- Focus
- Change Focus location

No video triggering or wireless video shooting...yet.

The app is pretty stripped down but shows some absolutely tremendous potential. I just LOVE this feature.

EOS Remote App | Canon 6D | Wifi Wireless | Set-up & Basic Shooting

Ill be posting more reviews & images on my blog this week.

M

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Trade off? Canon ext battery pack vs. knock-offs w/8 AA rechargeables?

I am going to get at least one external battery pack for a few Canon 550's I am putting together as a location kit. ...for events where one unit will be needed for especially fast recycling. Perhaps in the future multiple slaved units would be sped up with such battery packs.

Canon's pack has one big recharged battery and a dedicated charger, it appears. So declining health of that core component affects the usefulness of the whole unit. If AA's weaken I replace just the little battery which has aged. OTOH, I expect that the engineering in the Canon is good.

Thoughts? Experience?

jonathan7007

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5D MKIII - file size and low MPs question

I' just read the following at kenrockwell website and i am confused. I do realize there is an option to shoot at smaller MPs, but I did not know it is beneficial for image quality. Can some of the tech-smart guys here comment on this? Are you guys shooting at lower MPs?

No one needs 21MP. All it does is slow everything and clog your hard drive.

Try shooting your 5D Mark III at its M (11MP) or S (5MP) settings. If you look at your images at 100%, you'll see that the lower resolution shots are sharper pixel-by-pixel!

When I'm photographing family and friends, I shoot at SMALL JPG. Even SMALL is good enough for great 20x30" prints.

The smaller-sized images out of the 5D Mark III are spectacular. They are much, much sharper and cleaner than images from cameras on which that is their native resolution. When you start with over 20MP, it looks pretty good if you use all those to make 11MP or 5MP.

Why? Because they use less, or no, Bayer interpolation. No digital camera really resolves its rated resolution; they cheat and interpolate up, so at 100% at its rated resolution, no digital camera image is as sharp as a true scan from film.

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Canon 6D Under-Exposing?

This article suggests that the Canon 6D images are darker by about 1-2 stops vs. other Canon and Nikon cameras with identical settings (at least with long exposures).

http://www.borrowlenses.com/blog/2012/12/is-the-canon-6d-under-exposing/

I'm skeptical about this, and currently the article did the tests only with jpegs - so it's entirely possible this just has something to do with the jpeg engine or jpeg settings.

However, I was wondering if anyone who owns a 6D has seen this issue? or can confirm this issue does/doesn't actually exist in the RAW files?

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Do you miss APS-C?

I have a 60d but I have an opportunity to upgrade it at a reasonable price and get a 5d Mark III. My only worry is that I will miss the extra reach I was getting with APS-C and the vari-angle screen(but thats more of a minor concern). I have a 5d Mark II and love the full frame but worried I am going to miss the reach.
I do weddings, portraits, concerts and videos of all sorts. I dont have any ef-s lenses.
Is the image quality worth the difference and loss in reach?

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24-70 II tested at SLR gear

I looked at SLR gear site....where they tested the 24-70 II ...
http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1494/cat/11

I collected the graphs and compared with ....
the 24L, 35L 50L ...and for lack of something better ...the 70mm position of the 70-200 II.

looking at chromatics also....

seems to do fairly well....
(MAYBE the 35L is ready for a replacement ....with these chromatics and with Sigma release - IMO
But I do love my 35L)

would liked to have seen better performance at 70mm.. and especially I.S. ....
(I guess we are spoiled by the recent Canon lens releases)

but for this difficult range...it compares pretty well......to the overall quality of the 70-200 II
(well ...really..... very little compares to the 70-200 II)

thought it would be of interest to know that this test is up....

TOM

UPDATE note:

the 24mm L prime and 35mm L prime sharpness graphs are swapped ... (24mm is under the 35mm zoom column)

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Ends this Weekend! Dodge & Burn T-Shirts & Canon Rumors Toy Drive

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<p><strong>Dodge & Burn Camera T-Shirts

</strong>We wrote about <a href="http://wig.bz/1i4?product=index.php" target="_blank">Dodge & Burn</a> t-shirts about 5 months ago, and the response was extremely positive from folks that bought some t-shirts.  Since that time the company has added new t-shirts and have kept the same great quality. All t-shirts are USA made American Apparel and the printing on them has held up flawlessly in the 5 months that I’ve had one.</p>
<p>Stay tuned in the New Year, there will be a Canon Rumors influenced T-Shirt, that I have absolutely no part in designing… which is good. It’s going to be cool though!</p>
<p><!--more--></p>
<p><strong>The Story of Dodge & Burn</strong></p>
<blockquote><p>Dodge and Burn was created out of a passion for analogue photography and classic cameras. The sculpted mechanical beauty of vintage cameras, the legendary photographers who used them, and the iconic images they created are the things that fuel the Dodge and Burn brand.</p>
<p>We’re neck-deep into the digital age and more people than ever are taking photos. I believe that regardless of whether you use your iPhone or an old Leica screw mount camera to capture your decisive moment, you are part of the history of photography. Dodge and Burn is here to remind you of this.</p>
<p>Each of the cameras illustrated on our tees is a classic. From the elegant and precise Leica rangefinders of the 1950s to the rugged war-zone-tested Nikon’s of the 1970s, these shirts pay homage to some of the best cameras ever made.</p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Toy Drive!

</strong><a href="http://wig.bz/1i4?product=index.php" target="_blank">Dodge & Burn</a> and Canon Rumors have teamed up for a December toy drive.</p>
<p>What are the details?</p>
<ul>
<li>8% of every sale from now until December 16, 2012 will go directly to the toy drive fund.</li>
<li>Canon Rumors will <em><strong>match dollar for dollar</strong></em> whatever is raised through purchases.</li>
<li>Money will not be donated, we’ll actually go out, buy toys and donate them.</li>
<li>I have a large pickup truck, so we have lots of space to fill with toys.</li>
<li>Dodge & Burn will ship to most countries on earth, so everyone can be involved!</li>
</ul>
<p>In order to get credit for the money raised, you must use the link below to visit Dodge & Burn to potentially make a purchase.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://wig.bz/1i4?product=index.php" target="_blank">Visit Dodge & Burn</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

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Normal Lens or High-End Compact?

My telephoto lenses are flawless works of perfection - 100 2.0 and 200 2.8, but I can't seem to figure out what's the "best" normal zoom or prime (for my T1i). I currently have a Sigma 30 1.4, but it just doesn't blow me out like the telephoto primes do. I'm considering, though, the venerable 17-55 (will likely upgrade to the 7D II one day).
Has anyone thrown in the towel and just use a high-end compact for the normal range/general photography, travel, etc. and the DSLR for sports?
8) :-* :D :) ;D

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G15 buffer depth

Looking to pick up a good P&S with RAW capability and a bright lens...the G15 is ticking a lot of boxes. There is also the attraction of staying in the same Canon ecosystem. One piece of information I have not been able to find in any review or spec list is the buffer depth when shooting RAW. And how quickly does that buffer clear?

-PW

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6D vs 5Diii today...

So I'm going to town tonight to buy a new camera...

It's either going to be the 6D or 5Diii (body only)

which do I purchase? reading reviews from the last few days of people getting their hands on the 6D has got me stumped. It should be pretty clean cut and I should just go for the 5Diii but there are a few things holding me back.

I'm currently shooting with a 7D and 60D (until yesterday when I sold the 60D) 90% of my glass is EF so that's not an issue, what is an issue is the following:

pro 5Diii :

sharper images at higher iso (from what we've been presented with so far although the 6D handles noise a little better apparently)
better weather sealing/build
better button configuration on the back.
reputedly better focussing system (although I very rarely use any point apart from centre, I'm old school)
CF card for faster raw processing time

pro 6D :

Wifi (it may not seem much but linking straight to an ipad on location and using a mobile for remote shooting could come in real handy)
Cheaper
handles noise better at high iso (reportedly, but images are a little softer than 5Diii)

I shoot a hell of a lot of stuff, gigs, weddings, events and product. I'm always going to keep the 7D for sports/wildlife so fps isn't an issue for me, mainly the better high iso handling which is one of the only reasons for upgrading to full frame. I'm a firm believer in photographer > gear but I like a bit of technology and anything that makes life a little easier (and that points to the 6D).

Plus if I get a 6D I'll just get the piss ripped out of me by "pro's" tottering around with their 5Diii's ;)

any advice in the next 6 hours would be greatly appreciated

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No RAW support for the 6D in DPP.....shame

I posted yesterday to ask if anyone had link to a serious review of the 6D. Marsu42 reminded me that tests take time (he's right) and that we must wait for a Raw converter to get answers.

It took me some time, but then I realized Canon is selling the 6D WITHOUT having updated DPP. I can understand that Adobe or DxO need time to release an update for their RAW engine, but that Canon is selling a new 2000$ DSLR without a proper DPP is for me simply shocking. It's a bit like selling a brand new car that is limited to 20Mph until its fixed....soon.

I find the commercial method unacceptable, such a camera should not hit the stores without a RAW converter. The 6d will likely be a very decent camera, but without RAW, it's a beta version of a product. Will we soon be buying non working cameras where the firmware will be released 1 month later ?

That was my complain of the day, feel free to comment..

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