The Vulcan

I had a few things to do in Bkk, but didn't book to go.

So there must be at least 1,000 like me who put it off and never booked.

Make that 1,001

I just want the results of the action comp, it was the only comp ive ever looked like winning

I raised that one before but it fell on deaf ears

I even offered to be a Mod so "we" could keep rolling - 2 months and nothing heard so I've ditched that idea

In fact, thinking about it, I think I'll ditch this forum as a whole and move on.

Pro-active it ain't.

See ya and good luck

Well, edited the post since the Vulcan summarized it more nicely than me at the time I was posting my comment

I think you should re-introduce your earlier post.

Your explanation of using the ISO to acquire the correct EV was most pertinent to the image and indeed was an area I had not considered.

Very relevant I think

Just embellishing this. The adjustment of ISO to achieve the required EV is not an action I've considered before. Interesting and thanks.

What about a new competition?

They were a bit of fun

Let's pick a theme

May I suggest one of the following. Or maybe you have a better idea

1) Black and White

2) Reflections

3) Depth of field control

4) Blur/motion

And sod rules - lets keep it simple - anytime, anywhere, anyhow.

I don't know how to create a vote list but I'm hopeful a passing Mod might sort this.

p.s. winner receives Thb 1,000 from Tywais and he can then use it on his annual calendar!

p.p.s No videos - Aeon looks too good - I hate him!

What do you think?

You've missed the point there Kan. The TV setting was appropriate for the blurring/motion effect which has worked well.

The OP was attempting, and did so effectively, a sense of movement.

AV settings would have been useless in this concept.

Back to basics methinks!

That's damned awesome my friend - superb editing, brilliant score and captivating in all aspects.

Tell me, what software did you use for editing bah de blah.

My Canon 5D MK11 of course has video but to date I have not used it - your stuff has inspired me

WELL DONE

No, it's real but a crap lens

Here's a link to a thread with images

I think I'll give this one a miss !

Noktor 50mm 0.95

Rain or shine this cyclist ain't taking any chances!

Seen today at Hua Hin

GF1 - 20mm.

Shot last night at Cicado night market

Hua Hin chef who's clearly been influenced by Tom Cruise and Cocktail

5DII - 85mm @f1.8 - 640 iso

Here's a link you may find beneficial.

Obviously UK based rates which will need adjusting per Country use i.e. a "Big Mac" is cheaper in Bangkok than London.

Here

I never used a micro 4/3 but I would like to know how they behave in low light conditions, as being smaller sensor should be noisier, am I right?

For me if I have to carry more than one lenses I prefer dslr.

Up to ISO 640 is fine - 800+ is not so good. But as I said earlier, fast lenses, mirror-less enables me to handhold at LOWER Iso. If I want sharp I wouldn't attempt anything below 1/50th with my Canon fitted with say a 50mm F1.4. Conversely I'm comfortable at 1/15th with the equivalent setup on 4/3rds. That's 2 stops in my favour, or 1600 ISO down to 400 ISO!

As for carrying a couple of lenses - have you seen how small the 4/3rds lenses are?

You might be pleasantly surprised

Hey soft lad did you read the rest of my post?

Weight is ONE factor

"The current mirror-less micro 4/3rds are amazing in IQ, adaptability to use all legacy lenses and discreet, "

Further, as a rangefinder user I find the OOF and DOF control on the micro 4/3rds very in synch with my shooting style.

This shot would never have been allowed with a DSLR. They were doing a sound/acoustic test session and the "clunk" from a DSLR mirror would have seen me outside very quickly!

GF1 - 20mm pancake and a mere "click"

And I'd choose my GF1 against any entry level DSLR.

For a guy looking for a new camera, I understand it can make sense to buy the GF1.

But you have plenty of Canon lenses, why don't you buy a cheap entry-level DSLR if weight is a concern?

I'm sure the weigth won't be that much different...

The mind boggles!

Currently the Panasonic 20mm F1.7 pancake lens is receiving similar accolades to the famed Contax Zeiss 45mm F2 which is widely regarded as the finest 35mm ever made!

And that's their starter kit lens!

And so far, they're not cheap, the cost is about the same as an entry-level DSLR camera.

Here is what Cameralabs says about it (Panasonic GF1).

Panasonic GF1

That's what's called cheap!

Entry level DSLR's are just that - entry level hence cheap.

And I'd choose my GF1 against any entry level DSLR.

seems like a 1st week in Photogrpahy 101.

Don' just walk around BUT stoop down and also look for a high vantage point. Thinks look quite diferent from diferent heights.

Very valid. I remember reading some time back that something like 60%+ of the worlds images were shot from a height of 5'4" (average eye height standing upright)

Getting a bit old now to bend and stoop so I guess I'll be joining the masses

There's quite an active thread referring to "what DSLR to buy" and my thought are - why even buy a DSLR?

The current mirror-less micro 4/3rds are amazing in IQ, adaptability to use all legacy lenses, discreet, light and very cost effective. (cheaper)

Even though I've just lashed out for a Canon 5D MKII I find myself shooting more and more with my Panasonic GF1 AND getting the images I want. And that's directly attributable to the fact that I take it everywhere - it weighs nothing!

Lugging 20 kilo's of DSLR ain't conducive with ease of use. Especially over here with this heat!

OK, currently the Canon comes into it's own when I'm shooting theatre/art stuff but only because of the extensive prime lens range available.

Frame rate is also a plus with DSLR's but I'm sure they'll sort that as well

And ISO isn't an issue. Due to the lack of vibration (no mirror) I can handhold at much lower speeds and hence adopt lower ISO.

Soon I imagine Panasonic and the like will address the limited lens range and then I'll really have to ask...........

......... Anybody wanna buy a Canon?

IMHO DSLR's as we see them today are doomed. The micro 4/3rds is the route all the big guns are adapting with rumours of Nikon and Canon soon to announce their version.

Your thoughts?

At the end of the day it's what you feel comfortable with, what handles best for your personal pursuits and what suits your pocket.

Enjoy your purchase.

Very true. My whole interest in going back to a full frame digital camera was prompted by my Godfather who is nearly 80 and wanted to give me his collection of Leica M lenses I suspect all of which are at least 10 years old. He could really take photos and published a couple of books and still genuinely believes they are the greatest lenses despite the fact the world has moved on. He never used a digital camera and simply doesnt believe you will become a good photographer with the likes of these Canon and Nikons with all their sexy zooms.

He thinks I should get a Leica M9, the body of which I can get a Canon D5 and a set of great lenses for the same cost. But I bet 20 years ago he paid a fortune for his stuff and he has clearly never regretted it.

You Godfather is right (sort of). Leica do make beautiful lenses and in fact you might want to consider the following.

The current "trend" is micro 4/3rds. The point about them is they are digital BUT via adapters can take any lens range. I shoot with a Panasonic GF1 and use my Zeiss Contax lenses on it. Incidentally most (i.e. me and 1 other) believe Zeiss outperform Leica.

If I was in your situation and had Leica glass available I would take this route

I use ND2 ND4 ND8 (respectively they reduce light by 1stop 2stop and 3stop) they are neutral color so they will not affect the white balance, but be careful to buy a good one, most of the shops here in thailand sells a chinese brand

I also have been pondering for quite some time about buying or not ND filters, the light is just too bright in Thailand.

Where did you buy them Aeon? In Thailand?

What brand would you recommend?

not much choice of filters in bangkok, the ones I bought here are from a french brand called cokin, they are ok and price is ok too, and I bought them at capa at fortune mall. Just avoid nd from tyan or thayn or similar chinese brand, they are cheap but tint everything very strongly. If you are looking for highend brands such as tiffen etc, I had no luck in bangkok, but if you can find please recommend me where.

Fotofile are selling Heliopan - usually made from Schott glass (ala Schneider etc) - needs checking though as they also do a cheaper version.

Brilliant

Thanks Guys that's helped a lot

I'm permanently battling with the extreme light over here especially when I'm using my lenses wide open for OOF.

Currently I'm using a pola filter to achieve this which enables me to get an acceptable EV from my GF1 which is "limited" to 1/4000th shutter speed

Without the fitted pola I'm stuck at (say) f4-f5.6 which I don't want - too much DOF

The problem is it also changes the reflections, contrast and colours which I sometimes wish to retain

So, my question

Is a 3x ND better than a pola or what about a GND - I also read about soft and hard - what does that mean?

I've never used either an ND or a GND and would welcome any users advices and experiences.

Thanks

Well b_gger me; here I have been sitting with a 5D MkII for 3 months thinking it was a full frame camera.

Ah well the trusty 17-35mm 2.8 still seems to give me enough width and my long lenses are now that little bit longer than I thought they were, so not to worry. Makes me think that the retailer at a respected camera dealer in the UK (Park Cameras) didn't know his deriere from his elbow though.

Now you've got me worried about my 2X converter Vulcan - must do some resolution tests.

While we are on Canon lenses, can I mention that the 85mm f1.8 lens (non-L but still a very sharo optic) is a real sweety - light enough to slip in a pocket and gives superb background blur for people pictures (sorry - can't remember the correct photographic term for that). Much better than a 50mm standard. I'd put that in my bag along with a wide zoom a medium telephoto zoom and a converter.

Give over - it's the 1D models and not the 5D models that are cropped

Anyway, I had that 2x converter previously and was not at all pleased with it - then I read this:-

"Because the Canon EF 2x II Extender is multiplying the aberrations/flaws of the lens it is mounted behind by 2x, there will be noticeable degradation in image quality when using the 2x. Sharpness and contrast take a hit with all but the best lenses. Additional CA (Chromatic Aberration) is introduced as is slight barrel distortion, but vignetting is somewhat reduced (only using the center of the image). The best 2x results will be made using a very sharp lens such as the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens.

Another negative aspect to shooting with the Canon EF 2x II Extender attached is the resulting reduction in autofocus speed. This can be an issue if you are shooting in low light and/or are using a lens that is not very fast focusing (such as the Canon 180 L lens mentioned above)."

The 1.4x extender will obviously to some degree also suffer from these problems but to a lesser amount

Totally agree on the 85 1.8 - I've had mine for 20 years now and still use it a lot

p.s. I find this a very good site for Canon stuff Canon Reviews

When I'm traveling "light" I carry 2 lenses and a 1.4 extender (the 2x is crap) with my MK11

A 17-40 L and a 70-200 F4 L IS

Both lenses extremely well priced, sharp and great contrast, rendition and IQ

I'm then covering 17-280mm

i.e indoors up to Safari

I think you may have to wait awhile for the "New" 5D - no news or rumours yet

And that 70-300 4.5/5.6 is a very soft lens - not recommended

I like this combination a lot. I also got the impression that nowadays with DSLRS you could still shoot very good pictures at say ISO 200 if your lens was a little slow and it doesnt have the grain that it used to (for indoor use.)

My biggest problem is really that with a consensus that the 7D seems to be a better camera without full frame it seems the 5D is a little difficult to justify at the moment. It sounds like I might have to wait up to 18 months though for a new version.

At the end of the day it's what you feel comfortable with, what handles best for your personal pursuits and what suits your pocket.

Enjoy your purchase.

When I'm traveling "light" I carry 2 lenses and a 1.4 extender (the 2x is crap) with my MK11

A 17-40 L and a 70-200 F4 L IS

Both lenses extremely well priced, sharp and great contrast, rendition and IQ

I'm then covering 17-280mm

with nothing to fill in between 40 - 70? Is 70-200F4L IS that great for indoor use?

Without IS, my 70-200 is hardly any good for indoor photography.

When I travel I usually carry 24-105F4L IS and 17-40L, plus sometimes 135mm F2L if I have to.

The 2 feet I was born with!

Yes

That's why I've got IS !

When I'm traveling "light" I carry 2 lenses and a 1.4 extender (the 2x is crap) with my MK11

A 17-40 L and a 70-200 F4 L IS

Both lenses extremely well priced, sharp and great contrast, rendition and IQ

I'm then covering 17-280mm

i.e indoors up to Safari

I think you may have to wait awhile for the "New" 5D - no news or rumours yet

And that 70-300 4.5/5.6 is a very soft lens - not recommended