steve_black2

It could be dirty contacts, but the lens is brand new, and the problem is intermittent. I'll try wiping down the contacts to see if that gets rid of the problem. The weirdest thing about it is that when I open it in photoshop or iView, the problem is gone. It is only in bridge...

 

Steve

When I got back from vacation and started processing my RAW files, I noticed

that the EXIF camera data was incorrect on SOME files. For my Canon 10-22 It

is showing:

Focal length: 10 mm

Lens: 50 mm

 

The error shows up mainly with the 10-22, but sometimes with my other lenses.

 

The focal length is changing correctly, but the lens is incorrect. Anyone else

have a similar problem?

 

However, when I open the file in camera raw (en route to opening in CS2) the

data at the top of the screen is correct (10-22 mm@10 mm). Also, in iView it

is correct as well. So, it obviously isn't a big problem, but I thought it was

kind of odd...

 

Thoughts?

 

Steve

It really is an AND decision. I've bot both lenses and they make a great combo. The 70-200 2.8 is an incredible lens and you certainly won't be disappointed. It is on the heavy side, but I often will cary both for a full day and it isn't too bad (especially when you get to look at the results!).

 

Steve

I'm headed to Acapulco on Christmas day and will be down there for a week. It

is not a photography-focused trip, but I'd like to take some time to get some

quality photos in between the naps on the beach and the other touristy-type

events.

 

So far, our plans include watching the cliff divers, visiting the main market

square (the Zocolo, I believe), the craft/artisan markets, and your standard

beach walks.

 

Right now, I'm planning on taking my 20D and 24-105 L. I figure it will work

well for the landscape shots, and allow me to do some shooting in the various

markets as well. It's been my walkaround lens of choice, and has always

produced good results.

 

I wanted to see if anyone had any experience with the cliff divers to see how

close the typical viewing areas were, and if it would be worth my while to take

my 70-200 2.8 and / or 400 5.6? I'm not planning on bringing the tripod along,

as much of the time I'll be with a group of people who I'm not going to want to

hold up as I frame the shots - so handholding is a must. The 400 5.6 should

work hand-held outdoors during the day, but would have to live in the bag once

the sun starts going down.

 

I'd love to hear of any other attraction / picture spots that would be worth

adding to the list.

 

Also - from everything I've heard Acapulco is pretty-safe, as long as your

smart. Anything to be concerned about in daylight hours in any of the markets

(other than the kids trying to steal my wallet...)?

 

Thanks!

 

Steve

Canon has an off-camera flash cord that can be found for ~$40 or so. Only issue is that it is 2 ft. long. I did some searches online and found a way to take keyboard extension cables , cut the Canon cord in half (it was very discomforting to open the package and cut a cord in half), and solder in the extension cord. Now I've got ~12 ft of room and just need to add in another cable (simple plug) to get more distance. Flexible solution for fairly cheap. (Note: I've never soldered anything in my life, so it couldn't be too hard!)

I have the Toploader 70, and I can fit a 20D w/ grip + 24-105L + 50 1.4 + 2 filters (in their cases) all in the interior of the bag. However, I can't fit the 70-200 2.8 IS + 20D w/ grip in the bag. (well, if I work really hard, I can get the bag to zip, but I'd rather not have to force a camera into a bag for it to work)

Sorry for the lengthy question, but hopefully it is a helpful one for many!

 

I've been dabbling in digital photography for a few months now, and have been

reading as many books and message boards as I can as well as getting out and

taking as many pictures as possible. I'm fortunate enough to travel quite a

bit, so I've gotten to shoot at a number of different places and under

differing conditions. I have the basics in camera raw and Photoshop down

(well, I think I do), and I want to get an idea of how people's workflow

actually goes. I've done searches and read a number of articles, but the stuff

I'm hearing is still a little bit to general for me. So I'm laying out a

detailed set of questions in order to see if I can get an answer that clears

things up for me (and hopefully all the other folks out there that are in a

similar situation as I am).

 

I'll use an example of a 2 day shoot resulting in 300 pictures across a few

different locations and conditions. We'll start off with the assumption that

you backup the files to a hard drive or laptop along the way.

 

When you get back home and start processing the files, what are your steps,

where do you use automation, how do you organize the files, etc? For my

purposes, let's assume the photo are all captured as RAW files and we'll be

using camera raw and Photoshop to do the editing. Below, I'll outline the

first few steps that I THINK people are taking (at least from what I've read)

and the questions I have on those. Please feel free to correct/confirm any of

the steps I have listed and add any more detail that would be helpful. Also,

please feel free to add anything that I may have glossed over or left out

completely. My goal is to have a set of basic steps that people take during

their processing to a) make sure I'm not leaving a key component out and b)

make sure I'm being as efficient as possible.

 

Steps:

 

1. Copy photos to hard drive. I'm shooting a Canon 20d, so I'll end up with

photos grouped into files with a max of 100 files each. Do you leave the

photos grouped as is, or dump all the files into a single folder?

 

2. Rename. Do you have an action set up / batch rename all of the files to

include date, location, etc.? Or do you leave as is? (what is your file-naming

structure?)

 

3. Add metadata to the files. Do you have an action set up to process all of

the files and add author / copyright information, date, location, keywords,

etc.? If you don't have an action set up, how do you process the files?

Groups, individually, etc.?

 

4. Initial screening. (if this is when you do it) When you go through and

identify which photos are worth spending time on and which didn't turn out

well, how do you tag them? (e.g., do you flag them a certain color in camera

raw? Do you copy them to a new folder? Do you do something else?)

 

5. Processing like files. So we're at the point where we know have renamed the

files, added the appropriate metadata, and selected the files that are worth

working on. At this point, I'm sure the path begins to diverge significantly,

depending on the use. E.g., may batch process some basic photos if you're

doing 4x6s and want to get them out the door vs. spending much more time on a

single photo that will be used on a large scale in an exhibit. Assume we're

doing the former and have a group of 10 pictures, all taken under like

conditions (e.g., a few group pictures, taken at the same spot, with the same

lighting conditions). Do you typically process the first, and apply your

changes (WB, exposure, etc.) to the other 9? Do you do something else? Do you

process individually?

 

6. Processing individual files. We'll leave this one alone, as there are

enough books about editing individual files :)

 

Also, any suggestions on websites or books that would be helpful in terms of

learning how to automate actions and increase efficiency in Photoshop would be

greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and insight.

 

Steve

Can you put this at one end instead?

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000934AJU/ref=sr_11_1/002-3130086-1176852?%5Fencoding=UTF8

I recently purchased the Feisol CT-3301 and have been pleased with it. I don't have much to compare it to, but it held my 20D + battery grip + 24-105 with no issues.

 

Good build quality, and pretty easy to adjust height.

 

Steve

I used 2.2 gamma w/ native white point and it turned out great!

 

Thanks for the help.

White Point: 6500

Gamma: 2.2

Adjusting: Brightness (Factory Default is 100%, and that is where is remained during calibration)

During the calibration process, I adjust the RGB values to match the target.

 

Steve

I am trying to calibrate two Dell LCD monitors (1901 and 1905 models), and

after I run through the calibration process, the images on the screen look

very dark, and I can't see the detail in the shadows at all (in pictures that

in pre-calibration, had the detail). I can't ever see the 4 black boxes in

the black luminance setting, even with brightness at 100, it is one solid

black block. I'm guessing this is the issue, but haven't found a way around

it.

 

Anyone have any similar issues or fixes?

 

Thanks!

 

Steve

I've got a Feisol Carbon Fiber tripod, with an Arcatech ballhead... which has served me well so far, but there is a slight bit of "settle" when you lock down on heavier lenses (I rented a 70-200 IS for a few weeks). My budget for the additional lens(s) isn't too constrained, and I've thought of the 70-200 + 1.4x (or 2x) TC, but I've also heard suggestions of the 300 F4 (prime) + TC. But on the short end I'm not sure if the 24 end of the 24-105 will be short enough (I also have the 17-55 kit lens, but wasn't planning on bringing it)

Where to go in August?

I'll be taking a trip this coming August and looking for suggestions

of great places to see some beautiful sites, and take some great

pictures. My constraints: 1. Within North America 2. Not too hot

(which rules out the south that time of year)

Places I'm currently considering 1. Denali 2. Yosemite

 

This is going to be a joint photo/sightseeing trip - with myself and

my girlfriend (who loves traveling/nature). I've just recently gotten

into photography, and am open to shooting pretty much anything at

this point (landscapes, wildlife, etc.). The gear I'll be bringing

along (if it matters for this discussion): Canon 20d, 50/1.4, 24-

105L. And, if I make an additional purchase: Either the 10-22 EF-S

or the 70-200 (hopefully the 2.8L, but we'll see) - I haven't decided

if/when I'll get one/or both.

 

Let me know your thoughts on locations (either the ones I mentioned

or any others) and gear. I have a tripod, but haven't decided whether

I'll bring it along for the trip. Would it be a mistake to leave it

at home?

 

Thanks!

 

Steve

What are good places to pick up used lenses? (I'm guessing ebay is one, but not sure what else is out there)

 

Thanks!

I've recently started my journey into photograpy and picked up a

Canon 20D. I'm looking at a number of different lenses, and per

everyone's advice, plan to start slow and build a lens collection as

I get a better understanding of the type of photography I want to

focus on (pun intended).

 

However, if I pick up a lens or two, and then a year or two from now

I decide I'm not using it enough to have the money tied up in it

collecting dust - what kind of resale value am I looking at? I'm not

expecting to break even or anything, but if used lenses go for 50%

(or less) of new price, then I'm less likely to risk spending cash

now than if they sell for closer-to-new values.

 

What have people's experiences been with buying/selling used lenses

and the percentage of new value they go for?

 

Thanks for all the help and great advice I've read so far!

 

Steve

At what temperature should you start using the ziploc bag? E.g., If I'm out shooting around 32F, is the swing to indoors (68F) going to be an issue?