***DSLR/Photography MegaThread***

[FBJ]

I'm seriously thinking of the EF-S 10-22 to kind of round things out. I have seen some amazing pics taken with this lens that challenges your composition skills and creates amazing other-worldly photos. I admit that it would be only for special shots but those would really hit home when mixed with the standard telephoto shots at something like a Derby Dolls bout, a stage show or a hockey game.

But is the f/3.5-4.5 going to be open enough for you in a dark club or inside a hockey arena? I imagine you'd have to shoot at ISO 800+ to get shutter speeds to exceed focal length.

If you want wide-angle and other-worldly together, you could always go with a diagonal fisheye like Sigma's 15mm f/2.8.

And why doesn't Canon make a fisheye or a standard wide-angle lens with a fast aperture?

 

[HeShootsNScores]

well... now I know why my wedding/engagement photos are costing me so much...

 

[FBJ]

Anyone know of a motion-triggered shutter release?

For instance, if a person wanted to set up a camera in front of a bird feeder so that it automatically takes a picture every time a bird lands?

I'd also like to know if there are any decent wireless RF remote shutter release systems. I've got Nikon's IR remote which works well indoors or in the shade, but if there's any kind of sun on the camera-mounted sensor at all, it doesn't work if the remote is beyond three feet from the thing.

 

[VF]

Man, I go to the in-laws' for a few days and this thread goes nuts! Every one got toys, people posting pictures. Nice pics RR, and nice capture of the hummer FBJ.

Sam, wasn't that the lens you rented for Red Bull?

So what is the real deal behind the gray paint on Canon's big lenses, anyhow? Is it really to help keep them cooler in direct sunlight?

I rented the 300mm f/2.8 and used a 1.4x tele-extender on it. I was thinking about the 400, but was told it wasn't hand hold-able for an all day deal. As for the white / gray, that is the official word. If you are sitting in hot, direct sun all day, a lens of that size will heat up quite a bit, and may start causing AF problems (which is what is happening with some of the 1D MkIIIs bodies)

As for my toys, I just ordered another AB800 flash, a beauty dish, and (drum roll) a ring flash! which I am very excited about. So no I can't bitch and moan that I don't have the equipment to do interesting lighting, and I'm going to have to step up to the plate and start trying to make some interesting images.

 

[VF]

And why doesn't Canon make a fisheye or a standard wide-angle lens with a fast aperture?

In my opinion, this is the weakest area of the Canon lens lineup. The best they really have is their 14mm f/2.8L, which despite being hyper expensive and an "L", is pretty fuzzy on the edges. It seems that because they have had larger sensors for so long, there wasn't much demand for fast ultra wides, but I think they are starting to feel the pinch of not having anything fast, wide, and good in an EF mount. Although the 10-22 isn't an f/2.8 or faster, it has stellar image quality, but it is an EF-S mount only.

 

[VF]

Anyone know of a motion-triggered shutter release?

For instance, if a person wanted to set up a camera in front of a bird feeder so that it automatically takes a picture every time a bird lands?

I'd also like to know if there are any decent wireless RF remote shutter release systems. I've got Nikon's IR remote which works well indoors or in the shade, but if there's any kind of sun on the camera-mounted sensor at all, it doesn't work if the remote is beyond three feet from the thing.

Don't know about motion release, but you can get cables (I don't see the D200 listed here, but I would imagine that it has a cable to go with it) which plug into remote flash triggers, these are from Pocket Wizard, which is pretty much the gold standard in remote triggers, but are uber expensive. You can get cheap knock offs, which will work (with out as much range, but still much better than IR) such as the Gadget Infinity stuff. All of these would do shutter only, no AF.

 

[DeaderFan]

Incidentally, with the new purchases yesterday at Hooper, I had to update the "Want List" on my gallery page to include a couple new things I need:

That's all in addition to the D3 body with the 14-24 f/2.8.

The 14-24 f/2.8 was my Christmas present. I can tell you it is heavy and the front element is gnarly... but it's sharp as a tack. It would be a lot of fun on a camera with a full size sensor.

BTW for remote triggering, I bought a Nikon cable which plugs into the remote connector on most newer cameras. It is kind of a break out cable where one end is Nikon multipin connector and the other is wires with either bananna plugs or aligator clips (cant remember which). You connect leads to either pre-trigger or trigger the camera (by contact closure). I can connect it to a roll of wire and trigger from as far away as I need to be. I use it in lab testing where I have to capture something like an explosion. The D200 has like a 51 milisecond delay so I can use an electronic timer to trigger the event and the camera so that I capture exactly what I want.

For capturing animals I think you are on the right track with a motion sensor trigger to create the contact closure. I have not used them so I don't know how to rig them. But I have seen camera systems that hunters set up in the woods and they are motion sensor based.

I like the hummigbird shot. I was actually thinking of doing something similar with high speed video for part of my daughter's science project.

 

[Unfiltered]

well... now I know why my wedding/engagement photos are costing me so much...

Partly. You're really paying for the man's skill more than anything. (But you know that. )

Plus quality print costs aren't very cheap.

 

[Unfiltered]

I'd also like to know if there are any decent wireless RF remote shutter release systems. I've got Nikon's IR remote which works well indoors or in the shade, but if there's any kind of sun on the camera-mounted sensor at all, it doesn't work if the remote is beyond three feet from the thing.

Dot Line Corp makes 3 different models:

Canon 3-Pin (5D, 10D, 20D, 30D, and the 40D (I think)

Canon EOS (Rebel, XT, XTI)

Nikon 10 Pin (D100, D200, D2X, etc.)

They street for around $100 and work up to 100 feet away. I heard about them on the Photoshop User TV podcast, and I think Scott Kelby put it on his Gadget Gift Guide for 2007.

BTW, there are some FANTASTIC podcasts and videocasts out there on Photoshop and photography. You guys should check them out.

 

[FBJ]

The 14-24 f/2.8 was my Christmas present. I can tell you it is heavy and the front element is gnarly... but it's sharp as a tack. It would be a lot of fun on a camera with a full size sensor.

You lucky swine...

I played around with one last night at Hooper. I was really impressed with it's angle-of-view, even on my D200. The only thing I noticed was a little bit of enlargement of subjects in the ends of the viewfinder. No distortion, and lines remained laser-straight, but there does seem to be a little size-distortion of subjects in the last 1/8 of the viewfinder's right and left side.

At any rate, I was so impressed by this lens that I think I'll probably pick one up before too long instead of waiting until I buy the D3 body.

I still need to find the 24-70 f/2.8 to take a look at. From what I hear, it's an even better lens, but I don't think it would fill the niche I need filled right now with the DX-sensored D200, so I'll probably wait until I get the D3 to get that one.

D3
16mm fisheye
14-24 f/2.8
24-70 f/2.8
70-200 f/2.8 VR

That right there is a professional rig.

 

[VF]

That lens is not cheap!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009R6X0/?tag=robitaille-20

That's not the lens you want, this is the one!

Only $99,000, what a bargain! (I am actually amazed that it is in stock, I thought these where special order only, as in you order it, and they build one for you)

-EDIT-

Ahh, it is in the used department, talk about buyer's remorse.

 

[rinkrat]

I might get rid of the Canon L f4 70-200 and upgrade to the 70-200 L IS f2.8. If anyone wants my barely used "L" class zoom for a decent price, let me know.

 

[FBJ]

 

[rinkrat]

LOFL that is what I feel like sometimes.

 

[VF]

I might get rid of the Canon L f4 70-200 and upgrade to the 70-200 L IS f2.8. If anyone wants my barely used "L" class zoom for a decent price, let me know.

Oooo, am I ever tempted by this one, but after dropping a lot of money on lighting, and both wife and I getting laid off soon due to strike, I will have to pass.

 

[VF]

Nice, we got "Photo" added to the forum title! Well done guys

 

[FBJ]

Heh...Bout damned time! Maybe it was the threatening-looking bazooka?

 

[Unfiltered]

Nice, we got "Photo" added to the forum title! Well done guys

It helps when the webmaster frequents the forum and this thread. Thanks, RR!

Heh...Bout damned time! Maybe it was the threatening-looking bazooka?

LOL!

 

[Deuce]

Alright guys, I just joined the ranks. I just bought a Canon 40D from Butterfly Photo. I will be posting here often trying to get some help. Im a complete tool when it comes to photography so be gentle.

 

[FBJ]

WTG Deuce!

You've got some good Canonites on here that are really knowledgeable about the equipment that can help you, whereas we Nikonians will only be able to sit back and critique your images. Our favorite saying is, "It would have been a better picture had it been shot with a Nikon."