tom_collins3

<p>Hmm interesting, I'll have to try that custom setting. Yes, I shot an engagement session last night, being very conscious of the issue and trying to be dead on with focus, and about 70-80% of the shots were unusable. SO frustrating. </p>

<p>I don't change the zoom setting while re-composing so that's not it. I realize that it MUST be one of 4 things:<br>

1) I may be accidentally nudging the focus ring while holding the lens (I've never had a lens with a focus ring so close to the zoom ring)<br>

2) I may be accidentally releasing and re-depressing the shutter after recomposing (which would explain why the center/background is more often in focus) but I have been SO conscious of not doing this, and have never really had an issue with this with my other lenses<br>

3) There may be an auto-focus problem with the camera (wouldn't make much sense since I don't experience this with my other lenses)<br>

4) The lens just isn't as sharp as my other lenses (18-55 IS, and 50mm 1.8) which is HARD to believe unless I literally have a "lemon" of a lens.<br>

I have a friend who has the same lens, and we're going to try it out on my 40D tonight and see if the issue is me, or something else. </p>

<p>I hope it is operator error, but I am just confused as to why this problem RARELY came up with my other, much less expensive lenses. I don't see the focus shift after the picture is taken but the subject doesn't seem as sharp in the viewfinder as it does when I'm zoomed in either. Almost like it's having trouble finding focus while zoomed out. I am definitely conscious of keeping the shutter halfway depressed while recomposing. Any other ideas of what I might be doing wrong?</p>

<p>Ok, so here's the problem I'm having with this supposedly amazing lens: When zoomed all the way out to 24mm, and I try to focus on the subject, then reframe to take the picture, my focus falls to the background rather than staying on the subject which I originally focused on. This happens on almost all images taken at 24mm with this lens. Is this a lens defect or am I doing something wrong? <br>

Here is the camera and settings that I'm using:<br>

Canon 40D<br>

One Shot - Focus Mode<br>

Shutter speed - plenty fast enough to stop motion (often around 1/200)<br>

Auto focus point set to center point; I aim the center point at the subject, halfway depress the shutter to set focus, then recompose to set the subject off center and fully depress the shutter (I've used this method with the 18-55mm IS and 50mm 1.8 and have had no similar issues)<br>

Please help because I'm ready to send the lens back! WAY too expensive of a lens to be having these kind of problems. Thanks.</p>

<p>This is the charger I'm using, and it's very possibly the problem - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sony-BCG-34HRMF4-Battery-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B0002IOIMQ/ref=dp_ob_title_ce">http://www.amazon.com/Sony-BCG-34HRMF4-Battery-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B0002IOIMQ/ref=dp_ob_title_ce</a><br>

My general habit pattern is to charge the night before anyway, and I could definitely use the higher capacity so I'll check into the MAHA PowerEX batteries. Just curious, how much lower capacity do the Eneloops have? </p>

<p>Does anyone have any recommendations for good rechargeable AA or AAA batteries to be used in a Canon 430 EXII and Cactus V4 wireless triggers? I have been using standard energizers but they're not holding a charge anymore so I'm in the market for some new batteries (and I'm sure there are some better brands out there specifically for photographers). Any help is much appreciated!</p>

<p>I'm interested to hear from the pros, (especially those who use off camera light setups) how do YOU work a wedding? What do you use to bring your gear from your home to the wedding (rolling cases, etc), what gear do you carry with you for each part (getting ready through send off), HOW do you carry it (straps, lens bags, etc), What do you do with the rest of your gear that you brought but you're not using at the moment (backup gear, extra lighting, etc). Thanks for taking the time to answer!</p>

<p>Thanks Matt. That looks like a perfect solution, a little pricey, but hey, you pay for quality, design, etc. I love the locking cable feature and the fact that you can pack a laptop too. Also, perfect size for carry-on to avoid checking a bag with this much gear (makes my stomach a little queezy just thinking about it.) </p>

<p>Here's my gear that I want to be able to hold all in one bag:</p>

<p>Canon Rebel XS<br>

Canon 40D<br>

18-55 3.5-5.6<br>

50 1.8<br>

85 1.8 (soon to have)<br>

17-55 2.8 (soon to have)<br>

70-200 2.8 (future purchase)<br>

Canon 430EX II Flash<br>

Vivtar 285HV Flash<br>

Cactus V4 Wireless Trigger with 2 Receivers</p>

<p>I currently have the Lowepro Slingshot 100 AW and I LOVE the design (sling around for easy access to the body) but I realize that I'm going to have trouble finding a sling that will hold all of this (and trouble with my back if I am wearing all of this gear at the same time). </p>

<p>Mainly what I'm looking for is a bag to protect my gear, keep it all in one place, and make it easy to transport to a location (wedding, portrait session, etc). Once I get to the location, I will likely ditch the bag, wear two bodies with two lenses (and maybe carry an additional lens or two with me in a modular belt system, memory cards and batteries in a hip pouch). </p>

<p>Eventually I will be upgrading to at least one full frame camera as well. Any recommendations for a bag that will hold all of this (with some room to grow) are much appreciated!</p>

 

<p>Here is a shot from one of my first weddings. The sunset was just amazing. I welcome all critiques!<br>

Shot with Canon Rebel XS - 18-55 (3.5-5.6) Lens<br>

1/200 - F3.5 - 23mm - ISO 400</p>

<div></div>

<p>I like the composition but would have liked to see more light on the maid of honor as well. Also, maybe crop the partial flower that crept into the frame on the right as well. </p>

<p>Thanks William. Yes I have only assisted at 3 weddings (haven't done one of my own yet) and I only had the Rebel Kit lens 18-55 3.5-5.6 and my 50 1.8 There were several times that I needed more length and once or twice that I needed more width. </p>

<p>Like you said, I will definitely figure out what works best for me after the first one or two on my own, I just want to make sure I'm as prepared as possible going into it. To keep things simple and focus on capturing the moments (rather than worrying about lens changes) I'll likely take the 17-55, 85, and 50 and call it a day! Thanks for all of your insight!</p>

<p>Well it sounds like the 85 1.8 is a MUST have lens for a crop sensor. Like Danzel C said, I imagined using the 10-22 in tight spots like dressing room, overhead shots of the guests at reception, sweeping shot of the church, down the aisle, etc. I want to minimize lens changes and mainly work with two bodies each with their own lens attached. Sounds like most people agree that the 17-55 on one body and the 85 on the other would cover MOST of my needs. </p>

<p>How many people use monopods at weddings (as a solution for slower shutter speeds)? I appreciate the input!</p>

<p>Hey everybody. I have a Canon 40D and a Canon Rebel XS (both 1.6 crop sensor) that I will be shooting a wedding with. Here are the lenses that I either own or plan to rent for the wedding:</p>

<p>17-55 2.8 USM (Will own)<br>

18-55 3.5-5.6 IS (as a backup) (Own)<br>

50 1.8 (Own)<br>

70-200 2.8 (Plan to rent, in case I can't get close enough to use the 17-55 for close-ups during the ceremony)<br>

10-22 3.5-4.5 (Plan to rent)</p>

<p>What does everyone think about these lens choices? Will the gap between 55-70 be an issue? Any other MUST HAVE lenses for a crop sensor camera at a wedding? Thanks for any advice. </p>

<p>Thanks for the tips and suggestions everyone!</p>

<p>@Don, @Richard - My gear currently consists of: Rebel XS (1000D), 18-55mm IS 3.5-5.6, 50MM 1.8 (obviously not much help for real estate), Canon 430 EXII, and a (cheap) tripod. </p>

<p>Do you think I can get by with the 18-55 for my first couple of shoots? I'm not making very much so I really don't have the money to by a wide lens right now (I guess I could rent...). </p>

<p>I am not a beginner in terms of digital photography in general, but I am a beginner when it comes to taking photos for a real estate listing. Any tips, websites, etc on HOW to best shoot interiors and exteriors for a Real Estate listing would be MUCH appreciated. THANKS!</p>

<p>Or here's a crazy idea, get another 40D (around $600 used) and spend the rest on glass. Any thoughts for or against this idea? Is the 7D image quality really THAT much better than the 40D?</p>

<p>Thanks Daniel. I guess as a new wedding photographer, I'm trying to decide how often I'll need that high ISO in situations where I can't flash (church regulations, etc). I tend to light most of my photos with the Canon 430EXII and will likely upgrade to the 580EXII when it makes sense. I'm also a big David Hobby fan (strobist blog) so I gravitate towards those types of images. </p>

<p>Can anyone in the professional wedding industry offer any experience as to how many times that they HAD to have the high ISO of a 5D MarkII and could not use flash for whatever reason?</p>

<p>Thanks Ben that's a great idea. Does anyone think I should just wait and save up for the 5D Mark II and the 24-70L (approx $3,700 total)? If I'm going to buy the 7D and the 17-55L that's right at $2,500. I do plan to shoot weddings more and more. Thoughts? </p>

<p>Thanks Ben. The largest prints I would likely be printing would be a 20X10 image for an album spread or a 24X36 Canvas. </p>

<p>Thanks Manuel. I have the Canon 18-55 IS lens. Why wouldn't you recommend the 24-70L? Because of the crop factor?</p>

<p>Great, thanks for the advice. I have ALWAYS heard that the 5D Mark II has great high ISO, but I wasn't sure if this was true for the 5D (Mark I) as well. </p>

<p>I actually did like the ergonomics, I just sent it back because of the minor defect (on-camera flash didn't work). Now I have more money to play with so I'm open to whichever camera is going to give me the best overall results for portraits and weddings. Thanks for your input. </p>

<p>My current setup - Rebel XS (1000D), 18-55mm IS, 50mm 1.8, Canon 430EXII, Vivitar 285HV Flash, Stofen Omnibounce, Cactus V4 radio slave for both flashes, stands for both flashes, one shoot through/reflective convertible umbrella.</p>

<p>I purchased a used 40D which I really liked (ergonomics-wise) but there was a minor defect (built in flash would not pop up, which I would probably NEVER use, but I didn't want to take a chance that something else might be wrong) so I returned it. I now have enough business in the next month lined up that I'll have right around $1,000 to play with for a "new" (or used) body. </p>

<p>Of the following 3 cameras, which would give me the biggest bang for the buck for portraits and weddings (realizing that some of these may be a little more than $1,000) - 7D, 5D (markI), or 1Ds (markI). I'm not 100% set on going full frame which is why I included the 7D in the mix. I've heard that it focuses faster than the 5D MarkII but that it doesn't quite compare in low-light. I also intend to rent or buy the 24-70L before two weddings that I have coming up in August. </p>

<p>Any advice is much appreciated!</p>

<p>Yes. They allowed me to use the images on my website as long as I used THEIR watermark on every image shot while working for them, which I have done. </p>