richard_barry6

<p>I've become increasingly unnerved with the limitless possibilities available on full frame digital SLRs like my 5D & find I waste too much time on switching lenses, altering settings & mucking around in post-production rather than concentrating on taking the actual shot. I'm also finding it too tiresome lugging everything around & it's taking my passion's allure away from me.<br /><br /><strong>In short I want to get back to the roots, have something smart & compact that can allow me to focus on taking great pictures.</strong> I've come to this realisation as some of the better shots I've taken lately have been on my iphone & it's just so user friendly to whip it out & snap something straight away.<br /><br />I love film but have no experience whatsoever in it plus have no access to a darkroom or anything similar but I love the effect film bestows an image. I'm thinking that a <strong>Leica</strong> might be the way to go but I know nothing of them so would love to hear people's views. It should be noted, although not my primary job, I do get called upon for commercial projects on occasion so if I'm to sell all my Canon equipment I will need something that can stand up to this task if required.<br /><br />To give you an idea of the kinds of photos I like to take you can see some of my previous ones here:<a href="http://richardbarryphotography.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://richardbarryphotography.tumblr.com/</a></p>

<p>I've become increasingly unnerved with the limitless possibilities available on full frame digital SLRs like my 5D & find I waste too much time on switching lenses, altering settings & mucking around in post-production rather than concentrating on taking the actual shot. I'm also finding it too tiresome lugging everything around & it's taking my passion's allure away from me.<br /><br /><strong>In short I want to get back to the roots, have something smart & compact that can allow me to focus on taking great pictures.</strong> I've come to this realisation as some of the better shots I've taken lately have been on my iphone & it's just so user friendly to whip it out & snap something straight away.<br /><br />I love film but have no experience whatsoever in it plus have no access to a darkroom or anything similar but I love the effect film bestows an image. I'm thinking that a <strong>Leica</strong> might be the way to go but I know nothing of them so would love to hear people's views. It should be noted, although not my primary job, I do get called upon for commercial projects on occasion so if I'm to sell all my Canon equipment I will need something that can stand up to this task if required.<br /><br />To give you an idea of the kinds of photos I like to take you can see some of my previous ones here: http://richardbarryphotography.tumblr.com/<br /><br /><br />Cheers!</p>

<p>I can speak for the 1.4, and can truly say it is probably my favourite lens, in among a range of mostly L lenses. It is such good value for money. I've used the 1.2 before - very briefly - and the only difference I noticed (aside from the wider aperture & heavier weight) was that it possibly focussed faster & more accurately. </p>

<p>I can speak for the 1.4, and can truly say it is probably my favourite lens, in among a range of mostly L lenses. It is such good value for money. I've used the 1.2 before - very briefly - and the only difference I noticed (aside from the wider aperture & heavier weight) was that it possibly focussed faster & more accurately. </p>

<p>Haha Brad, it's definitely not handheld. I'm pretty sure with the nights we had over there, if it were to be, it would be unwatchable. I didn't phrase it too well but it was my first time using a film tripod, and I had the pressure too high on the panning function.<br /><br />Thanks for the compliments. I'll try slower shutter speeds next time and see how it works out. I imagine giving a guy a glove in video would be a world of fun Jack!<br /><br />Cheers </p>

<p>Cheers Brad and Jack the Hat.<br /><br />All great advice. One thing I'm still unsure of is whether faster shutter speeds are still required- like in stills- for action/sports or if I should cap it at 1/200sec. I'm just concerned that I'll get motion blur.<br /><br />Great film Jack. I managed to upload my first attempt at film and production to Vimeo yesterday: <a href="http://vimeo.com/33821214">http://vimeo.com/33821214</a> <br>

I hadn't used a film tripod before so I'm not sure whether the jittering is attributable to my amateur hand or the fast shutter speeds I was using; possibly a combination. As far as I'm aware I shot it all at 1920 x 1080 at 30fps. Perhaps my expectations of razor sharp resolution with film on the 5D were a little high.<br /><br />Cheers again guys </p>

<p>Brad, you are a legend. The answer I dreamed of receiving you have provided.<br /><br />I did some research on FCP X and it turns out it's renowned for its lightning speed rendering whilst you're working, so that fixes that.<br /><br />Great little film. Your mate rips at guitar. In Indonesia I shot mainly surfing at 30fps, and my question now is should I be shooting that at 1/60 second. Generally the rule of thumb for shooting stills of surfing is never slump below 1/1000 second- which is round about the shutter speed I used when I filmed; probably even faster too. I went to upload my edit onto Vimeo before but it said it was going to take 600mins so I aborted. I'll try do it later on. I'm going to have to search on how to amend the export options on FCP because it appears I can only make it happen as an H.264, and not Blu ray too. For approximately 1.45 of footage, the file size was 210MB- in full HD- so I'm not sure if that's about right.<br /><br />I nabbed a few frame grabs from the footage and they appear considerably unsharp/blurry despite the footage seeming pretty clear when it's played. Is this normal or could this be attributable to having the wrong shutter speed set at the time? What strength of ND filter do you recommend for a bright day? How do you sharpen your footage? On FCP I found I could only drag a sharpen effect onto the frames.<br /><br />Thanks in advance!<br /><br /><br />Cheers,<br>

Richard </p>

<p>Hi All,<br>

I guess these are all quite rudimentary questions but I would greatly appreciate anyone's advice and recommendations. I've been using my 5D primarily for photography although have recently been trying my hand at film- something I intend to stick at in the long-run.<br>

Firstly, I wanted to find out whether there are any settings that should be set or changed in the camera when using the 5D for film and what mode works best. I've been using M mode. I don't entirely understand the difference between 1920 by 1080 etc but that is what I've been using. Is there a huge difference between the various resolutions and what about FPS?<br>

Secondly, I was wondering if there was a way of getting a slower shutter speed than a 1/30 second.<br>

I recently shot some footage in Indonesia and have been editing it in Final Cut Pro X. I have found the footage slightly grainy- a feature I wasn't expecting for full-frame HD. Is this because I haven't done a particular step in post-production to smooth out the imagery? I haven't managed to find an action to diminish noise on FCP. When I click 'render all' nothing appears to actually happen. I have found AF in film on the camera pretty hopeless too. Is there a sure-fire way of filming in AF that actually works? I have been filming in Live view- is this recommended and how can one shoot through the viewfinder?<br>

Pretty much any advice whatsoever regarding filming on the 5d MkII would be marvelous. Hope someone can help.<br>

Cheers, Richard</p>

<p>Haha Dick, I loved that last story! Hopefully the CEO will go for the sensual look so I'll know how to disarm her :D<br /><br />Thank you everyone for the invaluable feedback. Regarding your response Brian, I think that'll be the more conducive approach, although on the other hand I'll certainly make an effort to keep the mood light and friendly. I also have to shoot a creative shot of her in her work environment, which usually wouldn't be so daunting, were I able to plan this ahead of time. But as we're shooting at their offices it's going to be improvised on the spot.<br>

I was wondering what light set-up you guys opt for when shooting portraits as well?<br /><br />I was thinking of using two soft boxes on either side of the camera...<br /><br /><br />Appreciate everyone's input.<br /><br />Thanks,</p>

<p>Richard </p>

<p>I have little experience in studio work and again in portraiture. Howbeit, I have done a handful of shoots in a studio setting, but more fashion-oriented shots of models. I have to do a shoot this week- the subject: a CEO of a large company- and as my portrait experience is minimal, I was wondering what kind of decorum the more experienced photographers use when engaging with a subject they have never met before for a commercial shoot. By this I mean, how do you engage with the subject, and what kind of direction do you give them? Do you ask them for a particular look or feeling? Do you build rapport with them? This shoot will be strained for time but I really want to produce some quality portraits. Any tips will be most appreciated.</p>

<p>Kind Regards,</p>

<p>Richard </p>

<p>You've got some pretty good versatility with the lenses you already have. Can't see much benefit in getting a 17-50mm when you've already got an 18-55mm, aside from a bigger aperture for lower light situations. I'd opt for a 70-200mm and possibly an extender if you'll occasionally be shooting sports. Also good if you're not going to be right up in a subject's face like James Nachtwey.</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice guys. That's interesting news about the generic grips Randall. 60,000 shots! That's impressive.</p>

<p>Thanks Charles.</p>

<p>Searching for a battery grip for my 5D MkII- primarily on ebay- and prices range from around AUD50 up to AUD300, despite both claiming to be genuine Canon products. Anyone know how to differentiate?</p>

<p>Cheers everyone! </p>

<p>Great advice guys- thanks! Obviously I realise I have to change lenses frequently, I can become somewhat lazy though, when like recently, I was marching around villages in Sumbawa (an Indonesian island) in 45oC heat and sweltering humidity for hours taking shots. Thus I'm hungry for versatility! Some great information on the TS lenses but it seems like it might be a little too specialised and not really conducive to my style. The 24-105mm f4 seems like a great lens, but perhaps I should opt for the 16-35 if I eventually intend to get the 100mm macro?</p>

<p>Fellow enthusiasts,<br /><br />I am after a good, versatile TS lens for a 5D MKII. I'm kind of unfamiliar with the actual benefits of a TS lens- mainly just enticed by the effect that one can create with them.<br>

Looking for a reasonably wide-angle lens- am replacing the 14mm f2.8- and am also considering the 16-35mm. Essentially I want a highly versatile lens- being somewhat lazy at perpetually changing lenses for each shot- that I can drag around and shoot most things with; portraits, street photography, landscapes etc.<br /><br />What would you recommend?<br /><br /><br />Thanks in advance,</p>

<p>Richard </p>

<p><a href="http://s1082.photobucket.com/albums/j364/boz2094/?action=view&current=K1-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j364/boz2094/K1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br>

A local Indonesian boy takes on this heaving yet perfect wave at a little known reef in Bali.</p>

<p>I have a hahnel remote shutter release and can't seem to get it working properly in Bulb mode. The lights appear to be communicating fine so I think the battery power is okay but the remote control won't actually trigger the shutter. I've got both apparatuses set to channel 3, as told to do so in the instruction booklet. If I open the shutter with the part that plugs into the camera I have to hold the button down for the duration of the exposure- which I obviously don't want to do in Bulb mode. Any thoughts? Muchos gracias.</p>

<p>Cheers guys. That definitely helps. I will look into it.</p>

<p>Wasn't sure where to post this but here seemed like as good enough a place as any. Wanted to see if anyone knows a thing or two about different ways of printing. I shoot digital and thus have no dark room experience but wanted to know if there are places- or rather retailers- that can print onto different materials for you such as albumen silver or gelatin or pretty much anything that'll look good. Don't have much knowledge on printing but am looking for something fresher than "Would you like those matte or gloss finish?"<br /><br />Cheers </p>

<p>I quite like the idea of shooting Sth America on film. My only reservation is my lack of access to a dark room/post-production. Although I guess high resolution scanning could facilitate this. The only reason I'd take the 40D would be because I could handle that being taken. But that's a flimsy idea per se as my lenses etc would also probably be farewelled. </p>

<p>Thanks Tom. There's some great photos that your daughter took over there. I think we'll be in a combination of hostels and hotels, although the idea of perpetually having gear on my person is not very enticing given that the night life will definitely constitute a large portion of the trip :)<br>

Gerald, I'm yet to use a G12 but upon quick appraisal it looks like quite a good investment- and seemingly inconspicuous! <br>

Thanks for the advice David. I will make sure to be vigilant with the travel insurance. I presumed that they'd be eager to swindle you when given the chance... the scum! I'm not one to be easily intimidated and will definitely try to compose myself accordingly, although as demonstrated heretofore in my life, as a bloke in his mid-twenties I don't always have to go looking for trouble; it does a pretty good job at finding me :D<br>

Cheers for the feedback Starvy. I will certainly consider the less burdening option.<br>

What an amazing trip Glen. I think I could handle losing a lens hood at Oktoberfest. But you make a valid point about having your camera and it not being back home. I think I'd be abounding in remorse were I not to have my good gear over there. I have the same bag as you but I'm sure with a knife to my throat or similar I'd probably show them how to open the damned thing...haha. What were the backpackers like in terms of security? If need be could you leave your gear there at night? Do they have a safe?<br>

Thanks Tudor. I just might even do some logo removal myself. Cheers Tim, I'll have to google a crumpler bucket but the name does sound intriguing. <br>

Matt, great advice. I thought it would of been outside of the bigger cities and tourist spots that trouble would arise. I intend to take an external hard drive and back up all my photos/film to that and guard it with my life.<br>

Thanks puppy face. I though hotels would be quite a good fort to leave one's gear in.</p>

<p>Thanks again everybody! </p>

<p>So I'm planning to head to South America early next year with a buddy of mine and am yet to consolidate a firm itinerary, yet places that will certainly fall onto the list include Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, (most likely) Argentina and Mexico in Central/North America. It is highly probable that other countries will be added to this list.<br>

As a young Australian who intends to rove around this string of developing countries with a 5D MkII and associated paraphernalia in tow, I can't help but question the security of such in primarily abject poverty.<br>

I wanted to perhaps gain some insight from those who have travelled there already with such equipment and how they went about it. Obviously I will get travel insurance but I can also foresee swift replacement of equipment not being the easiest of tasks over there. My sister is over there currently and she was mugged a week and a half into her trip, thus I'm not liking my odds, especially with that all too enticing Lowepro emblazoned across my pack.<br>

I'm not being pessimistic, moreover a realist. I've been considering taking my 40D but at the end of the day I can't see it making a huge difference given that all the other deluxe equipment would remain the same. Clearly I'd love to be able to whip my camera out at will and snap away at the beautiful surroundings and people the continent offers but the plethora of negative stories I've heard from friends who have already been there regarding safety and robbery compel me to reconsider how I go about this.</p>

<p>Any tips/advice would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>Cheers,</p>

<p>Richard </p>

<p>Well put John.</p>