canon – Kebablog

March 6, 2013March 7, 2013

So what did I get?

After talking about it (mostly to myself) for a number of weeks, what did I buy at Focus on Imaging. Well it wasn’t a camera, just a couple of memory cards for one. To be honest I wasn’t impressed with the discounts, I know it’s a tough retail environment at the moment – but the only discount was the Canon Cashback which starts in just over a couple of hours (Canon was offering this discount to purchasers at Focus).

O.k I could’ve got a free grip (BG-E13) with the 6D, but I’ve seen it. Not entirely sure how to describe the bulk of the grip, but I think an image search for Airbus Beluga might give you some insight to it. I like grips, mainly because my little finger has somewhere to go – after all every version of the 5D I owned was fitted with a grip. For the 6D it’s mostly going to be a travel/tripod/remote camera – gripless makes it easier to drop in a slim bag, fit easier on a tripod (especially hanging off the end of my 300mm). So decision made.

I did elude to the Canon Cashback – which seems to have some sort of embargo on it as no-one is mentioning it. However at Focus they were giving away leaflets. I can understand the silence, as there’s 4 days of Canon sales that might be lost whilst we wait for the discounts to kick in. I have posted some links on HotUKdeals (please vote it Hot – as I might get a better badge or something like that), as I mentioned on HUKD I’m cynical about the prices. I’m fairly sure we’ll see some upward movement. Currently the 6D is £1599 at most outlets, a few internet retailers are £100 below this.

I shall be moaning if the prices go up – mainly cos I could’ve got a free grip which I don’t want – but it’s free. We’ll see what the morning brings (~~assuming Canon’s PR/Web/Marketing team are quick to update the website~~ www.canon.co.uk/springcashback).

/edit sorted with a 6D now from Mifsuds £1599 (excluding cash back). Missed the courier tonight, so will go on Friday for Monday delivery.

February 14, 2013February 14, 2013

New Camera time

Time for some more camera ramblings.

Avid readers (both of you) will know that I currently have 2 DSLRs – Eos 5D Mark II and the 1D Mark II – both different, both very good, despite the age difference between the two.

The problem I have is I prefer using the 1D. In the 8 months of owning it I’ve used it more that the 5D Mark II in 2 years. So somethings got to give – and it’s the 5D MarkII – it’s been a great camera but really the older 1D puts it to shame in normal focusing. So it’s on its way out (subject to Ebay).

It’s replacement may surprise some – I’m staying full frame, but going for the 6D. Whilst on paper it’s not much of an upgrade, there’s enough to excite me.

The focusing is better – probably not in the same class as the 1D but I wasn’t expecting that. Some things are worse in fact, the image size is marginally smaller (20mp), flash sync rate lower (1/180), lower top shutter speed (1/4000) and worse of all it takes SD cards!!!!! (not actually a big problem to be honest – other than not having any).

What I really like is the built in Wifi – which enables remote triggering via Mac/PC or Smartphone. This was previously an expensive add on for both the 1D and 5D. I was tempted to pick up a wifi grip for the 5D MKII, but at around £700 I soon changed my mind.

As Focus on Imaging is coming up next month I hope to pick one up – sadly with the demise of Jacobs the available options for purchase are reduced. Not too sure if I’ll be able to pick up a refurb this time as the 6D has only recently being released.

June 9, 2012June 10, 2012

Technical Shot 1

As mentioned previously in the introduction post to ‘Technical Shots’ some may find the information very limited, or frankly laughable. However these posts are more for me. A record of me attempting to shoot an image which ‘I’ would describe as technical.

Anyway – this idea came to me as I was leaving Sandymouth bay late one night. I’m armed with speedlites, so why not play around with them and a small waterfall. Now my idea was to create a night time version of blurred waterfall. But with a few static elements. Waterfall pictures such as this….

…tend to get a bit boring after a while (though I like them, but the effect is over used – by me as well). The alternative to this is static water shots, but these tend to be a bit harsh and they don’t convey a sense of movement.

So option 3 then. Was it’s an attempt at a hybrid of the 2 types of waterfall shot. Simply shoot a waterfall in fading light, but with 2 580 Mk II Speedlites utilising their Multi: Stroboscopic Flash feature. Hoping that this would capture the all important movement, but still have static elements. Will it work? We’ll see.

Simply put this involves the Speedlites firing a rapid burst of flash over a pre-determined time span. The maths is quite simple: Number of flashes / Firing Frequency = Shutter Speed ( 10 flashes 10 hertz frequency is 1 second – or .1 second per flash). The only limits on the number of flashes to frequency ratio is the flash output – the Speedlite manual explains it all in much greater detail than I would.

As I like simplicity (matches my phone tariff) I set the heads to 10 flashes at 10hz intervals and set the camera to 1 second as a shutter. The placing of the Speedlites was as in this bad diagram…..

Basic Diagram

Speedlites were positioned at points 1 & 2. I didn’t make a note of the head angle or flash zoom settings (sorry about that – but thinking back I did vary the flash zoom settings from 24mm to 105mm). The Speedlite in postion 1 got quite wet, so I’m glad it’s a fairly water tight unit. The camera used was my Eos 5D MkII fitted with the 17-40mm f/4 L lens. Camera settings were ISO 100, f/7.1, 1 Second Shutter, Focal Length 29mm.

So the verdict then….

O.k.

…. well it’s not going to win anything, but I think it has potential. This actually was only the 4th shot of the test (out of around 15) – however as the light faded it was increasing difficult to focus, so the latter shots technically maybe better, but I’ve not done anything with them as the focus was out.

I think my brief was met, it does combine the static element, but with a sense of movement. Probably my favourite part is the base of the water fall. The multiple static elements combine to create a strange effect…..

odd?

So does it do anything for you?

January 22, 2012January 22, 2012

For Sale – Canon EOS 5D Mark 1

Looking to sell my Canon EOS 5D Mark I and the BG-E4 Grip.

Both items boxed and in good condition (all manuals, cables etc), slight signs of use on body, more evident on the grip. Actuations probably around 30,000 (though can’t be sure as there no real way of telling on the 5D – figure based on how many times the image count passed 10,000!)

Based on Ebay prices looking at £650 for the combined items.

UK seller, based in Birmingham. Payment cash, cheque, bank TX and last resort PayPal (not a big fan of fees)

Pictures can be supplied if requested.

Maybe interested in swapping with other EOS (pro) bodies or glass.

Add a message if you’re interested.

Regards,

Steve

March 8, 2010

Decision made…..

…..or possibly delayed.

Went to Focus on Sunday morning (must have been mad) and the prices made my decision for me. The cheapest the 5D mkII was going for was £1599. The other option was the 7D, which was going for £1149. Both too much for me being a cheapskate. I may pop in Tuesday/Wednesday to see if the price drop further, but I doubt it. With only 2 main retailers being there (Jacobs and CameraWorld) it’s unlikely they’ll be a massive shift in prices.

I did however get to play with a 7D, and was very impressed. Still not too sure if I want to drop down to a cropped body though. I’ve done a few test shots to check out noise (compared with my 5D, a MkII and a 7D), will post once I figure out how to post some EXIF info into the image (I have a PS script which almost does it. However the camera model doesn’t display)