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RE: Nice Shots! - 3/30/2010 10:35:15 AM
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uncabeeil
Posts: 5078
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From: Joisey. Got a problem wit dat?
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Great shots, Beckey. I soooo want winter to be over, but it's 41 and pouring rain right now. Grrrr! I wanna take some pikcherz!
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RE: Nice Shots! - 4/21/2010 11:47:27 AM
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car2ner
Posts: 3442
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From: just north of Florida
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http://www.flickr.com/groups/738069@N21/
this is a flickr group called Crosswalks. It is not really part of crosswalk, just a few of us who post here share pics there. It's been awhile since I've mentioned. With new spring photos coming up, it was a good time to see if anyone one else wants to join this group. Makes a nice central place to do some bragging of what you are pleasantly pleased with.
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RE: Nice Shots! - 4/21/2010 3:06:47 PM
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iluvatar
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One thing to keep in mind about shooting video on the 7D is that by all accounts, the onboard audio capabilities are pretty terrible (even if the autogain can be disabled. I think it can be disabled on the 5dmk2, but I'm not sure about the 7D). Even video guys who couldn't give two rips about audio recommend using an external recorder and merely using the camera audio for sync purposes, then syncing the recorder audio in post. I hope to be getting a 7D at work in a couple weeks, so I'll have more info then.
Also, AFAIK, none of the video-capable DSLRs do continuous autofocus in video mode. I plan on using a tripod 99% of the time, but it might be an issue if you expect to walk around with it like a regular camcorder.
For now, I plan on getting the 50mm f1.4 USM lens along with either the 20mm f2.8 USM or the 28mm f/1.8 USM. I'll probably order both the 20 and 28 and return one after I figure out which works best. I'm going to be shooting product videos in a poorly-lit recording studio, so the faster the lens, the better. However, the space is kind of small, so I need as much width as possible.
I'll be doing some product shots, too, so I tossed out the idea of getting the TS-E 45mm f/2.8 ($1200). The bosses didn't go for that one. 
-Dan.
< Message edited by iluvatar -- 4/21/2010 3:15:44 PM >
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Well, I've been to one world fair, a picnic, and a rodeo, and that's the stupidest thing I ever heard come over a set of earphones.
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RE: Nice Shots! - 4/22/2010 6:14:04 AM
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BeckeyZ
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From: the sunny side of the street
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You can get external mics like this one to use with the 7D and other Canon video capable SLRs. If I ever get into the video side of things, I will probably purchase one.
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RE: Nice Shots! - 4/22/2010 6:34:05 AM
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iluvatar
Posts: 3540
Joined: 4/12/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: BeckeyZ
You can get external mics like this one to use with the 7D and other Canon video capable SLRs. If I ever get into the video side of things, I will probably purchase one.
There's more to it than just the mic; there's also the quality of the audio components and what sorts of recording options you have. According to the manual, the input level on the 7D is set automatically, which is only marginally better than having no audio at all. Autogain for sound (or video, for that matter) is about as booty as it gets. You may as well save your money and just get a $50 VHS camcorder and put an "I'm an amateur" watermark on all your product.
Given the amount of money that these camera rigs cost, it's not out of line to drop another few hundred on a halfway-decent-but-budget-priced external audio recorder.
To get off an on audio tangent for a second:
Recarding that mic in particular, it's probably not a bad choice. I've been using a Rode NTG2 with my Canon XL1s, and while it's certainly not the best mic in my arsenal, it's pretty cheap and it was a significant step up from the stock camera mic. Just putting it on a shockmount w/ a hot shoe adapter made a huge difference - the stock mic picks up all sorts of noise from handling and the motorized zoom. Then there's the fact that the NTG-2 is mono vs stereo for the stock mic. I really don't get why people think it's a good idea to have a "stereo shotgun" mic on a camcorder. Shotgun mics are supposed to have a narrow pattern, so they only pick up what they're pointed at. Stereo setups are supposed to sound wide and ambient - the exact opposite of a shotgun. The net effect is that if someone is standing slightly off-center of a stereo mic setup, their voice is also picked up off center.  Sure, you can pan both channels back to center, but then what's the point of having a stereo mic in the first place?
-Dan.
< Message edited by iluvatar -- 4/22/2010 6:43:42 AM >
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Well, I've been to one world fair, a picnic, and a rodeo, and that's the stupidest thing I ever heard come over a set of earphones.
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RE: Photography - 4/25/2010 4:19:34 PM
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cachingweds
Posts: 127
Joined: 3/25/2009
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Ok, so somebody started a photography thread. I'm in!
I have a Canon AE1 35mm, a small point & shoot digital, and just got my first DSLR, a canon ts1.
I also own an Argus C4, but I'm still looking for a place that can clean and repair it.
I love taking nature pics, and I live in the right place for it. We have the Morton Arboretum about 15 mins from my apartment, and I'm about an hour's drive from Starved Rock and Matthiesen state parks.
I also like to take macro shots of just about anything.
For editing, I like PS Elements 8, and for scrapbooking, I have Scrapbook Factory Deluxe 4.0.
I have not taken any classes, but would be interested if there were something being offered cheap or free in my area.
Hey, here's a question. How do you post pictures on this forum? I'd love to put some of mine out there and see what other camera junkies have to say.
TIA.
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RE: Photography - 4/25/2010 4:54:41 PM
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iluvatar
Posts: 3540
Joined: 4/12/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: cachingweds
Hey, here's a question. How do you post pictures on this forum?
You don't. You upload them elsewhere and then provide links here.
-Dan.
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Well, I've been to one world fair, a picnic, and a rodeo, and that's the stupidest thing I ever heard come over a set of earphones.
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RE: Photography - 4/30/2010 5:36:52 AM
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BeckeyZ
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From: the sunny side of the street
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Those are cool Dan.
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RE: Photography - 4/30/2010 10:03:04 AM
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car2ner
Posts: 3442
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From: just north of Florida
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the cool thing is that you took the time to see and shoot the pics. I like em,too.
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RE: Photography - 5/3/2010 3:08:31 PM
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iluvatar
Posts: 3540
Joined: 4/12/2005
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A couple more. The grill on this one has smaller holes, so it's a lot harder to see the capsule. IMO, that makes it not as interesting to shoot as the last one, but it's still not bad:
http://www.movethemics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=81&d=1272910607
http://www.movethemics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=82&d=1272910624
There's a bit of long-exposure camera noise that I think works well w/ the surface of the mic. It's not actually up-lit. The mic was hung upside down and I used the regular overhead lights in the shop. I think in this one also shined a flashlight on the grill to lighten it up a bit.
-Dan.
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Well, I've been to one world fair, a picnic, and a rodeo, and that's the stupidest thing I ever heard come over a set of earphones.
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RE: Photography - 5/10/2010 5:31:26 PM
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iluvatar
Posts: 3540
Joined: 4/12/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: crankius
Any advice? Is the learning curve too great for DSLR's?
No, it's easy. They have fully automatic modes so that all you have to do is turn it on and shoot. At least with a better camera, the potential is there to learn how to use it and get better with it over time.
-Dan.
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Well, I've been to one world fair, a picnic, and a rodeo, and that's the stupidest thing I ever heard come over a set of earphones.
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RE: Photography - 5/11/2010 12:53:15 AM
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BeckeyZ
Posts: 1556
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From: the sunny side of the street
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Hey Cranky...
Canon has an awesome digital learning center online.
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RE: Photography - 5/11/2010 12:43:18 PM
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uncabeeil
Posts: 5078
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Joisey. Got a problem wit dat?
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I'm not sure about the D5000, but my D3000 has a "Guide" mode that actually explains why the settings were chosen. Might help you to learn the camera.
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RE: Photography - 5/12/2010 9:55:59 AM
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TMeeks
Posts: 891
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quote:
ORIGINAL: crankius
Hi photography experts,
We are shopping for a new camera.
We are thinking of a DSLR, perhaps the Nikon D5000 or the Cannon T1i.
OR, we will get a higher quality point and shoot, like the Panasonic Lumix LX3.
I am interested in DSLR because I do love to take great photos of our kids and such, but a bit afraid that I'm too stupid to learn how to use it.
Any advice? Is the learning curve too great for DSLR's?
It's interesting that as I moved from SLR camera to SLR camera, trading up, I learned discovered I had to pay attention to few and fewer variables. At first, I was having to try all kinds of things to equal the output of my earlier point and shoot cameras. But, over time, I would luck into a setting that worked and that became the starting point for the next similar shooting situation. So, now it's a lot simpler to know where to start for each shoot.
When moving from a point and shoot to an SLR, the first thing you will encounter is LESS depth of field. The small chips used in point & shoot cameras give you more depth that is in focus than do the larger chips used in SLR cameras. This certainly surprised me when I made my move. And, it's a common complaint from first time SLR users.
But, this is because most people moving to an SLR buy a kit that includes a lens. It's hard to initially justify spending $1600 on a lens for a $500 camera. But, that is EXACTLY what an SLR is all about... being able to use great glass. At first glance the primary benefit of an f2.8 lens is the ability to shoot in lower light. But, that is NOT its primary benefit. The REASON why a lens can be rated at f2.8 is that its glass is superior and more exact than the glass of an f3.5 lens. This means that at any given f-stop it will out perform slower glass.
So, shooting at f5.6 with an f2.8 lens is generally going to be a lot sharper and clearer than shooting at the same setting with an f4.0 lens.
You never have that option with a point and shoot.
While it's better to use manual settings with an SLR, using automatic is just as easy as with a point and shoot. But, if you spend money on a body without getting a quality lens you are better off with the Lumix.
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RE: Photography - 5/12/2010 11:56:05 AM
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iluvatar
Posts: 3540
Joined: 4/12/2005
Status: online
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quote:
ORIGINAL: TMeeks
I know how I'd light it; but, it would take four or five lights and some light blocking and shaping to do it right.
But, with a bit of creativity you can do it with a LOT less. What lighting equipment do you have available? For starters, consider using some black foam core with a hole in it between the top of the mike and a single light, to give you that shaft of light look. Then, using White foam core to reflect the ambient light or flashes, etc. to give you the BIGGER, softer light you need for the body. You will need enough ambient light to be able to work at low ISO to minimize the noise since the coloring of the mics resemble noise.
You can purchase all the lenses and lighting you'd ever need for the price of just ONE of those mics! 
I'm drooling.
Actually, they're not THAT expensive. I think the C720 went for $3500, about 50% over a Canon L-series lens.
I tried the shaft of light look w/ a mag light and some tape, but the grill wound up being lit up a lot more than the capsule and it just looked stupid.
In the shop, I have a bunch of overhead flourescent lights, I also have a couple cheap clamp lights w/ metal shades as well a few mag lights. Pro, huh?
I've been shooting at ISO 100, but at narrow apertures and fairly long exposures: usually f8-f16 @ 1-6 seconds, depending on where I am in the room and what it is I'm shooting.
But it's moot at this point. All the schnazzy mics have been sold.  Now all I have left to take pictures of for the time being is preamps. ZZZzzzz (we need a snoring emoticon).
Any thoughts on the 7D vs the 5DmkII for video, particularly in low light? I'll be shooting in a recording studio.
-Dan.
_____________________________
Well, I've been to one world fair, a picnic, and a rodeo, and that's the stupidest thing I ever heard come over a set of earphones.
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RE: Photography - 5/13/2010 12:22:32 AM
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TMeeks
Posts: 891
Joined: 1/27/2007
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I doubt that there is a whole lot of difference between the 5D and the 7D except that the 5D would have LESS depth of field. I'm convinced that I'm seeing dropped frames (replaced) even with the fastest of memory cards with my particular 5D. I suspect that noise is not going to be all that different when shooting video except in very, very low light level conditions. The 7D, as far as I can tell, is one of the best bargains in the camera marketplace.
I'd much rather see someone by a 7D and pickup something like 3 Interfit EXD-200 lights with softboxes than a 5D MK II with no pro lights. For what you are doing there is no substitute for softboxes, etc. The Interfit lights are very inexpensive; but, the digital controls make them extremely nice to work with. The newer EXD-400s are even nicer and I believe they have a fan.
I have a set of the EXD-200's and they are every bit as effective as my primary studio lights and just ONE of those costs as much as the full set of Interfit lights and they are not nearly so portable. I use the Interfit a LOT.
quote:
ORIGINAL: iluvatar
quote:
ORIGINAL: TMeeks
I know how I'd light it; but, it would take four or five lights and some light blocking and shaping to do it right.
But, with a bit of creativity you can do it with a LOT less. What lighting equipment do you have available? For starters, consider using some black foam core with a hole in it between the top of the mike and a single light, to give you that shaft of light look. Then, using White foam core to reflect the ambient light or flashes, etc. to give you the BIGGER, softer light you need for the body. You will need enough ambient light to be able to work at low ISO to minimize the noise since the coloring of the mics resemble noise.
You can purchase all the lenses and lighting you'd ever need for the price of just ONE of those mics!
I'm drooling.
Actually, they're not THAT expensive. I think the C720 went for $3500, about 50% over a Canon L-series lens.
I tried the shaft of light look w/ a mag light and some tape, but the grill wound up being lit up a lot more than the capsule and it just looked stupid.
In the shop, I have a bunch of overhead flourescent lights, I also have a couple cheap clamp lights w/ metal shades as well a few mag lights. Pro, huh?
I've been shooting at ISO 100, but at narrow apertures and fairly long exposures: usually f8-f16 @ 1-6 seconds, depending on where I am in the room and what it is I'm shooting.
But it's moot at this point. All the schnazzy mics have been sold. Now all I have left to take pictures of for the time being is preamps. ZZZzzzz (we need a snoring emoticon).
Any thoughts on the 7D vs the 5DmkII for video, particularly in low light? I'll be shooting in a recording studio.
-Dan.
_____________________________
Discovery with Microscopes Blog
Create & Cut Crafting
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RE: Photography - 6/9/2010 1:02:50 PM
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iluvatar
Posts: 3540
Joined: 4/12/2005
Status: online
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So yeah, the theater fixture is insanely hot and it's a different color than the rest of the lights in the shop, so except for specific uses, it's done.
I took the same idea, though, and used a 4' flourescent fixture that I pulled off the ceiling. It's lighter, cooler, and color-matched to all the other lights I have to work with. Because it's so wide, it gives more even coverage than I expected.
http://www.movethemics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=101&d=1275680346
http://www.movethemics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=102&d=1275680357
That black thing I used as a fastener is an X-Y bar intended to allow you to set up two microphones side-by-side in a stereo configuration. The blue 'C' marks the center of gravity.
-Dan.
_____________________________
Well, I've been to one world fair, a picnic, and a rodeo, and that's the stupidest thing I ever heard come over a set of earphones.
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Part of me is excited that I have an excuse to spend time at work shooting them. The other part of me wants to throw up. 
\m/