smarksphotography

<p>I still have a ways to go, but the ideas in this thread where a great help. Thanks again. </p>

<p>And finally, ISO 500 f 10</p><div></div>

<p>Here's another one at 640 ISO</p><div></div>

<p>So today I got try some of the tips from this thread. I didn't venture as high as 3200 ISO, but did try using a flash outside and pushing the ISO to 800. Here are some results. </p><div></div>

<p>eBay does not have a standard return policy so be careful about that. <br>

For something as expensive as this, I'd ask the seller some questions and try to get a sense of them (the seller, that is) by the quality and timeliness of their responses. <br>

I probably would not do business with anyone with less than 99% or maybe 98% positive feedback either. <br>

You might have better luck on Criagslist. There you can try before you by. Also, in general, I've found Craiglist prices favor the buyer while eBay's prices typically favor the seller. </p>

<p>Very cool. Great final image. I particularly like how you where able to get the water in the pot to almost hang over the top. </p>

<p>Nice summary of differences:<br>

http://photo-tips-online.com/review/canon-580ex-vs-canon-580ex-ii<br>

Glad I double checked. </p>

 

<p>Thanks much. That's what I was going to do, but felt like there might be more I should be doing. <br>

I'll have to figure out the difference between the II and non II now, but that should be easy enough to do. <br>

Thanks</p>

 

<p>

<p>Hi, </p>

<p>I have a chance to purchase a "like new" 580EX speedlite for close to under bucks off the current best prices. </p>

<p>However, I am little nervous purchasing used equipment from Criagslist. </p>

<p>It will be my first time as buyer. </p>

<p>I was hoping to find out some tips for evaluating the unit. </p>

<p>I am not sure how to test it beyond flashing it and re-cycling it, but I was hoping there might be a more thorough way to evaluate it. </p>

<p>Also, are there any known common defects with this model. Is there more than one version of the 580EX speedlite and if so how I can tell which is which (and which is the current one).</p>

<p>Thanks in advance. </p>

</p>

<p>Tony, your reply amazed me so I guess we are even. <br>

 

<p>Godfrey thanks for you helpful info. </p>

<p> </p>

<br />

</p>

 

<p>The suggestion of reading a good book on LR2 is appealing but trying to determine which book constitutes a good one is less so. I'd welcome some recommendations as I am considering integrating LR 2 into my emerging workflow. <br>

One question I have (which I am sure is in any book) is that with LR 2 do you have to use the internal database to store images, or can I just keep them as regular ole files and only export the modified version to as needed?)<br>

Thanks in advance. </p>

<p> </p>

<p>Thanks, I will definitely give what you suggest a try and post some results. Although, I suspect I'll have a little difficulty getting the butterflies to stay still for all those test shots! But I get the idea, once I get skilled with the technique, I'll be able to deploy it quickly. </p>

<p>These are amazing and inspiring shots thanks for taking the time to share them along with the comments.<br>

I also checked out your site: great stuff. <br>

I think I might go to the local butterfly emporium this weekend and see what I can do. I only have the 550ex Speedlite. I assume in a open area (like a butterfly emporium or bird house) bounce flash wouldn't work well, so I'd point the flash directly at the subject and use the diffuser? (Given your description of a diffuser sounds like most of them are created equal?)<br>

Thanks again. </p>

<p>Yeah, I keep forgetting the I can use a flash outside. When I started taking these shots I was far away from the feeder, but I ended up getting pretty close, close enough that a flash could have helped I think. </p>

<p>Thanks, the last bits where extremely helpful. I think the white wall messed things up. I should have done some test shots and been more careful. The photo at ISO 3600 is what I expected. (I just have to work at it more). <br>

When I shoot AV, I am aware of the shutter speeds as well, but since I was shooting pretty open I knew there wasn't much I could do about that accept upping the ISO which is how I ended up with this question. <br>

Thanks again. </p>

<p>Thanks for the helpful answers and the amazing shots of the humming birds.<br>

The first and the second shots of the Cardinal look the same to me. What am I missing? The third shot definitely looks better. <br>

If I had the exposure set correctly and ended up with more noise, would that type of noise be more easily eliminated? If not, I don't see how even higher ISO setting could be that useful accept for things like concerts and real darkness. But, I must be missing something since the ability to set high ISO values are features that are often touted or at least emphasized with new cameras. <br>

I typically shoot Aperture Priority and let the camera figure out the shutter speed and other settings (well, not the ISO and focus points) so I am wondering why I ended up with an underexposure image. (Too trusting in the camera's ability to get exposure right?)<br>

I will do that google search, but should also start bracketing the exposure settings too? <br>

Thanks again, Spencer</p>

 

<p>I am not used to using high ISO settings (anything above 400) but I have been reading a lot about how great newer cameras are with higher settings so this weekend I took some shots using a setting of 1000 but the results where about what I expected - not great. So, I suspect I am doing something wrong. <br>

Here's what I did:<br>

using 5d MII, 70-200 f.8 L IS (tripod mounted) <br>

shot photo at f2.8 200<br>

iso 1000 <br>

import raw file using Adobe CS 4 Bridge<br>

I did some minor color adjustments. <br>

I also tried Canon's DPP program but got worse results. <br>

I have posted the original raw file here:<br>

http://www.thewinterway.com/iso-question/<br>

along with the specific camera settings. <br>

Any thoughts on how to process photos taken at higher ISOs appreciated. </p>

<p>Thanks in advance. </p>

<p>FYI - it is apparently not worth too much. </p>

<p>I just did the same exercise you are conducting now. My conclusion was the following:<br>

Gitzo GT2531 (carbon fiber tripod)<br>

Plates and quick release clamp from Really Right Stuff http://reallyrightstuff.com/tripods/index.html Extremely high quality well fitting stuff. I had good experiences with their sales folks as well. The quick release lever clamp is really nice if you take your camera on and off the tripod a lot. The screw version is more time consuming.<br>

and a Arca-Swiss Z1 <em >Ballhead (which I really love). I also got a A-S plate with the head, and I am really glad I opted for the RRS plates and clamp. I liked the fit and finish and operation better. </em><br>

<em >Actually, I am really happy with the entire setup. Its been wonderful to work with. I strongly suspect that if I had gone with a BH-55 Ballhead from Really Right Stuff I would have been equally happy, but I'd have a little less money. </em><br>

I found the following helpful when doing my research:<br>

http://reallyrightstuff.com/tripods/index.html<br>

<em >Hope this helps. </em></p>

 

<p>Thanks Jim for the clarification. Still sounds like updating from a 550 to a 580 is probably a "nice to have" rather than a "you won't believe the difference!" kind of upgrade. </p>

<p>I am in the same boat. By emailing support, I can verify the differences are what camera and lenses are supported, however, I am still trying to discern which version supports what camera / lenses. I have been exchanging emails for a few days now (about one a day). I think I am getting closer to answer (at least for my canon gear). If I get a useful general answer I'll post it here. <br>

Thorir I was wondering what your impressions of the software where? <br>

Thanks. </p>

 

<p>It was never called Adlus Freedhand on the Mac. Freehand was Adlus' "Illustrator"<br>

As someone already mentioned, a more interesting debate (if it didn't turn into a flame war) would LR 2 vs. Aperture. But I suspect that's been done before (many times - although I haven't found a good comparison). <br>

Unfortunately, I've found Aperture to too unstable for daily use (I know others have had more success than I have), but I liked Aperture's UI a little bit better the LR 2 (which I've barely used). I wonder if there are large functional differences. <br>

I now use just Bridge and PS for my processing - but for me PS is way overkill, on the otherhand, I don't process a lot of files at a time so I was thinking I didn't need the DB aspects of LR (or Aperture - which is why I gave up trying to get it to be more stable). I am intrigued by the comment about LR 2 having better thumb nails than Bridge. I'll have to check that out. </p>

 

<p>Personally, if I was going to the Galapagos I'd bring the longest lens I could. If I didn't think I'd use it much after the trip, I'd consider renting one. <br>

More specifically, If I wanted to lighten my load, I'd consider taking just the 28-300 L lens and leaving the other lens at home. I've found this lens although heavy to be a great walk around, general purpose, lens. I agree with the review here: <br>

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-28-300mm-f-3.5-5.6-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx<br>

" The 28-300 L is the best Canon <strong>do-everything-with-one-lens</strong> lens available. "<br>

<br /></p>

<p>Thanks for all the answers. <br>

It sounds like using the focus distance from the lens to set flash output isn't as significant as I would think it should be?<br>

Sorry for the ignorance, but what's PC Port?</p>

<p>Sounds like it would be fair to say, that the upgrade from a 550 to 580 might be nice, but doesn't provide significantly better results?<br>

<br /></p>

<p>Hi, <br>

I was wondering what the differences are between a 550 and 580 speedlite when used in conjunction with a 5D MII. <br>

I have heard "not much" but recently read that only the 580 and 430 where fully compatible 5D MII but "fully compatible" was not defined. <br>

Thanks in advance. </p>

<p>Spencer</p>