[[HyuNi]]

Seriously, you guys are ballers! Thinking about getting a L because of the convenience factor~ haha
Dark, when you shoot, which lens do you find yourself using the most? It is the 50, 85, or 17-85?

If you find yourself using your primes more than your 17-85, then I'd assume that you find having a wider aperture to be more important than focal length flexibility. Additionally, if you find yourself using the EF 17-85 between 17-50mm a majority of the time, it may not be because you appreciate the zoom flexibility, but you like to shoot at wider angles and are only using the 17-85 because you have no wide prime.
On the other hand, if you generally use all focal lengths when you shoot, a faster general walk-around zoom might be exactly what you're looking for (24-70L)

I know people who choose to only shoot with a bag full of prime lenses (usually 24mm, 35mm, 85mm, 135mm) because they need faster glass for less DoF or they generally shoot indoors with low light and no flash allowed. They get the best of both worlds... can change from wide to telephoto, while not compensating by using slower zooms.

Personally, I have no issues with swaping glass mid shoot, and that's coming from a person WITHOUT the auto sensor cleaner! (You have no idea how useful that is) It takes literally 15 seconds or less to take one off and put one on, and IMO gives you more flexibility (IQ, aperture, perspective wise) than the ability to zoom standing in one place. I have a fairly decent focal range gap in my lineup (16-35mm / 50mm - 70-200mm) but it doesn't bother me at all and despite the gaps that are apparent in text, I don't feel like I can't get a shot because I'm missing the 36-49mm and 51-69mm focal lengths) Plus, you can crop like crazy with your 15MP 50D!
___

So I had the opportunity to shoot as a volunteer at a mini fashion show. This was my second opportunity to shoot in a fashion show. The first one was in NY when I shot the Parson's vs FIT fusion fashion show (where my friend actually won first place) and the second was a mini show for potential investors for my aunt's clothing line. Never knew she was that talented at making clothes!

Although not really that good, I did SO much better than my first time in NY. I wish I could do that over again, seriously... I was clueless back a few months ago.

I still suck at flash photography. bleh~ It's so tricky, especially with one, on camera flash.
Harsh shadows


Both were shot:
70-200L - f/4 - 1/250 - ISO800
580EXII - ETTL

Nevertheless, it was really fun! It's so fast paced and dynamic!
It's a different feeling when you shoot professional models... Almost like the camera can't take its eye off them... heh

[DarkWaltz]

Thanks for the insightful replies guys!

I mostly use my primes actually. I'm using my 50mm 70% of the time, my 85mm 10 % (for photoshoots usually or farther ranges stuff) and my 17-85 the other 20% (for closed space because I can't do much with my 50, I'm mostly banging a wall behind me and have trouble getting everything in the pic).

I thought of getting a 35mm or so, but I'm not sure about it. I think I'd rather get a "convenient" lens rather than add a 3rd prime lens.

And as I'm planning to upgrade to a 5d mkii one day, will the 24-105mm be worth it coming with the kit? Or should I just get the body so I can still use my 50 and 85?

On a sidenote, I'm a sucker for sharpness, high IQ and faster speed.

I actually don't mind swapping glasses, but it's just very inconvenient when for example, I'm in a small space (restaurant or something) and people move around a lot... but then I guess I'd need the extra light and bigger aperture indoor :\

At best, maybe I could get a 28mm, in addition to my 50 and 85. And, last but not least, a zoom lens (say 24-105). I'm not planning for doing telephoto too much anyway. I somehow feel naked if I have 3 primes and no zoom lens, I don't know why :\ I guess I feel safer with a zoom since I can catch things in a faster glimpse without the extra 10 seconds delay

p.s.: great IQ hyuni! how's the noise handling at ISO800 on your 5d mk ii? i did an amateur photoshoot last week at a friend's house also and i've had the same shadow problem like in your first picture we didn't have enough lights and only 1 flash though >_<

[dot1q]

^ hyuni has a 1d ii and used to have a 40d before that. But to answer your question, there's almost no distinguishable difference going from 100-800 on the 5dii. You only start to see noticeable noise at 1600 and even then its marginal. Starting from 3200, you see considerable degradation, but I think its still acceptable to get a decent shot. 6400 and above, its out right noticeable. Amazing~!

To both of you, invest in the second flash~! Adding the fill makes a world of a difference. I picked up both flashes right after I got my second lens. Greatest investment.

[omegach]

hyuni, were you bouncing the flash at all?

[[HyuNi]]

Thank dot.
DW, I don't have a 5DmkII... but I would LOVE to have one
I can't afford to spend more money on camera gear. I already spent way too much and what I have right now honestly is more than my skills heh

omegach, yep, I had an index card rubber banded to the flash and bounced off the ceiling. The lighting was really tricky... The left wall was colored a brown yellow, the right side was colored green, the lights were turned off except for one small strip of flourescent lights, and on top of that, there was ambient light coming from the front. All completely different lighting temperatures.

I was thinking about using my StoFen, but after I popped a few, they came out way too harsh. To be honest, I'm not sure what I should have done. What's you're suggestion? Gear: 1DmkII, 16-35 f2.8L, 50 f1.4, 70-200 f4L, 580EXII Speedlite, tripod

[erure]

I don't use my 24-70 unless I have a really good reason to use a zoom lens because it's so bulky and heavy. Usually I take just one lens and it's either 35mm f/1.4L or 50mm f/1.2L. I shoot indoors a lot though.

These days I'm stuck at lab half of the day and tutoring afterwards so I have no time for photography at all If I do carry around a camera, it's either M8.2 + 28mm f/2.8 or Olympus E-P1. The pancake lens for E-P1 is coming tomorrow so I'm excited >_<b

[echoism]

Does anyone else do macro or nature photography? I'm thinking of getting a new macro for the D40.. I have the 60mm f/2.8D, but maybe looking into getting a 90mm or 105mm (although I have a 100mm already) for more working room. Any recs? I do mostly manual film photography so no G lenses.

And as a form of intro, some of my favorite digital shots..







and my flickr

[phantompc4]

^ hyuni has a 1d ii and used to have a 40d before that. But to answer your question, there's almost no distinguishable difference going from 100-800 on the 5dii. You only start to see noticeable noise at 1600 and even then its marginal. Starting from 3200, you see considerable degradation, but I think its still acceptable to get a decent shot. 6400 and above, its out right noticeable. Amazing~!

To both of you, invest in the second flash~! Adding the fill makes a world of a difference. I picked up both flashes right after I got my second lens. Greatest investment.

not if you have the amazing nikon d700 or d3/d3x. those cameras are godly. barely any noise at 6400. wish i had one.

[omegach]

I was thinking about using my StoFen, but after I popped a few, they came out way too harsh. To be honest, I'm not sure what I should have done. What's you're suggestion? Gear: 1DmkII, 16-35 f2.8L, 50 f1.4, 70-200 f4L, 580EXII Speedlite, tripod

imo, you did very well for the given conditions. using flash at those focal lengths is not an easy task.. perhaps you could have bumped the ISO up a little for more ambient, and less shadows.

[Goombi]

Does anyone else do macro or nature photography? I'm thinking of getting a new macro for the D40.. I have the 60mm f/2.8D, but maybe looking into getting a 90mm or 105mm (although I have a 100mm already) for more working room. Any recs? I do mostly manual film photography so no G lenses.

And as a form of intro, some of my favorite digital shots..

and my flickr

Love the second one!

[rokky123]

Haha yeah I've been telling my co-worker to start modeling, just for fun cause she's got the look.

As for MM, I'm pretty sure all models will require some type of compensation for their work......you'll know how to pick your potential models. I recommend looking at their portfolio, you can tell who's going to require HQ photos and who's just modeling for fun/newbie. If you read the Models' descriptions, they'll get right to the point (their requirements, experience, what they're looking for, etc.)
I'm still in the experimentation stage, and I've worked with some easy/relaxed and creative models. Check the site out.

Yeah,she deff got the look.

[zgnoud]

Thank dot.
DW, I don't have a 5DmkII... but I would LOVE to have one
I can't afford to spend more money on camera gear. I already spent way too much and what I have right now honestly is more than my skills heh

omegach, yep, I had an index card rubber banded to the flash and bounced off the ceiling. The lighting was really tricky... The left wall was colored a brown yellow, the right side was colored green, the lights were turned off except for one small strip of flourescent lights, and on top of that, there was ambient light coming from the front. All completely different lighting temperatures.

I was thinking about using my StoFen, but after I popped a few, they came out way too harsh. To be honest, I'm not sure what I should have done. What's you're suggestion? Gear: 1DmkII, 16-35 f2.8L, 50 f1.4, 70-200 f4L, 580EXII Speedlite, tripod

Did you try dialing down the flash power so that it will only act as a fill light?. Alternatively - im not sure about canon flash units, but nikon's got a TTL setting which automatically meters the light avaliable in the background. It then uses this information to automatically set the power of the flash to match the ambient lighting.
Im pretty sure Canon should have something similar.

Does anyone else do macro or nature photography? I'm thinking of getting a new macro for the D40.. I have the 60mm f/2.8D, but maybe looking into getting a 90mm or 105mm (although I have a 100mm already) for more working room. Any recs? I do mostly manual film photography so no G lenses.
and my flickr

Tamron 90mm 2.8 Di
Good focal distance for not scaring the bugs away too! This lens is a beast, extremely sharp and wont rape your wallet. It's frequently considered one if not the best lens Tamron make. In terms of sharpness its generally reknown to match the Nikon's 105mm micro(macro) lens - which in turn is one of the sharpest lens in Nikon's arsenal. The lens can also serve as an awesome portrait lens. I highly recommend this one

[epark1281]

I think there's something about shooting with a MF lens that's somewhat romantic. I think it harkens back to an era when photography wasn't just about the CMOS chips and AF motors and digital lightroom processing; a period when photography was more hands on (i can't think of a better way to put it).
In any case, I used to think that candids+mf couldn't be done, but with a little practice:






It's a cheap alternative!
Although i wouldn't recommend it for Telephoto lenses. Sometimes the mechanism for zooming in and focusing at the same time can be a handful.
Which is why MF primes are a practical way to go!

[yuns]

Almost blinded myself staring at the sun for this shot haha.

[kevykevvv]

^ haha reading that made me laugh. but awesome shot nonetheless!

oh and hi everyone! i had a quick question about extension tubes. i recently got my 60mm macro lens and was wondering if getting an extension tube would be a good investment. after doing my research, i wanted to ask if any of you think that it helps a lot and i would find myself using them most of the time. also, which one would you recommend (i've only looked at the 25mm)?

1. will getting an extension tube be worth getting?
2. will i find myself using it a lot?
3. which one do you recommend?

edit: oh and i also read about people comparing the canon ones to the kenko ones. is there an actual difference besides the name? should i save money and just get the kenko?

[awdark]

I thought both tubes have the electronics but no glass in it so its all good. Don't get the empty tubes without electronics... focusing sucks. LoL

[kevykevvv]

Hm okay, I thought that might be a problem as well. BUT on a different note, is that YOUR OWN danbo in your avatar? if so, are you happy that you bought it ?

[awdark]

Its a papercraft, lots of cutting and gluing.
http://win1999.web.fc2.com/Oshiire/EXTRA/032/32.htm
More details about assembly is here http://win1999.web.fc2.com/Oshiire/EXTRA/032/make/body.htm

[kevykevvv]

OMG okay i see. the thing is, i don't know where to fold and how to attach the pieces to one another . this one looks a lot easier than the one i originally tried making, thanks a lot! i'm going to get started on this tomorrow yay.

[erure]

I got my pancake lens today. It's so cute >w<

And I just realized I have 17 different lenses from 4 different companies ._.