August Photo Thread

[MaTBoY]

having 2 bodies would be ace. not just for weddings, but any event.

[FST513]

True that Shoulda kept my 50D but didn't want to wait an extra 3 weeks to get the 7D haha.

[GoldZilla]

He doesn't need creative options, he shoots weddings haha

Are you sure you're not getting me mixed up with Sidd or Ian (Xmetal), Matt???

If you can afford it, look at a fast prime like a 50 1.2/35 1.4, otherwise a Canon 50/1.4 and a Sigma 30 1.4. Great for those wide shots in churches/receptions etc... You can get a 17-40L for around $1000, or save up for a 70-200 2.8IS MKI or MKII.

But judging by your reply about lenses, your on a much cheaper budget than that, so i think you should look into the 17-55 2.8 IS, its around $1400 now i think and this will pee all over the 15-85 or the 17-85 optically.

If you give me a budget i'm sure we can all work something out for you. Look for something with a constant aperture that doesnt change through the focal length range.

Obviously the ultimate kit is two 5DII's and 24-70 and a 70-200 which is all you would need. But not everyone is as rich or as sponsored as pro's and unless you plan on taking it full time (unless you already are, i dont recommend this option lol).

Nah, I don't shoot weddings, but I was at a friend's magazine launch recently with a few bands playing, and swapping between the Nifty Fifty f/1.8 and my 18-55mm kit lens was a bit annoying, and that's where I lost a few of those "moments." There was another guy there with two bodies and he was swapping between them depending on where he was in regards to the stage and the action he was capturing.

Most of my better shots were with the 50mm anyway (to be expected when I'm only using a kit lens for comparison), so your statement about getting something with a constant aperture was exactly along the same line of thought that I was heading on. Having that low-light ability and the wider DoF options are both appealing, and carrying a tripod around at an event like this (or similar) is far from practical! Carrying two cameras might be annoying sometimes, but it sure beats swapping lenses, and it wouldn't be an everyday thing anyway.

Looking again, the 15-85mm has the same aperture range as my kit 18-55m, and the 17-85mm actually has a larger minimum aperture (f/4), so that's a bit annoying and goes against the point of me upgrading anyway.

Meh, I still have to decide whether to upgrade a lens or buy a 550D first, or if I should either wait or stretch the budget a bit and get both. This is (at this stage) still a hobby, after all. Decisions, decisions, decisions...

Oh, who do you recommend for best pricing on camera goodies - I live near Parra and usually order online/go in and pick up from DCW in Canterbury, and would rather stay away from shops in the city (I hate public transport, and parking is a PITA as you'd all know).

One of my shots from that magazine launch/gig using the 50:

[MaTBoY]

Yeah I thought sidd wrote that. Sorry I suffer from the retards. 2 bodies for events would be the most handy option . The 550 d is meant to be a massive improvementtoo.

[MaTBoY]

Yeah I thought sidd wrote that. Sorry I suffer from whoops. Double post. See. Retard.

[FST513]

Matt you mega retard, i wrote all that for no reason lol.

Have a look at the 17-65 2.8IS. Might be out of your budget though.

If your using a Nifty, i highly recommend upgrading to the Sigma 50/1.4 or the Sigma 30/1.4. I haven't had good experiences with the Canon, i think it suffers from bad CA. Although i could of just got a lemon copy.

If your shooting low light, it might be better for you to sell the 450D, upgrade to something like a 7D or 5DII with the extra funds and hold onto the Nifty for a bit longer. Just a thought.

If your using DCW i am assuming you want Australian warranty? IF so, Digi direct is in the city and will ship to you, they package very good, otherwise cameras direct (They are grey imports, but reasonable cheap and awesome customer service).

[NA_Goodness]

Kory, I can't help but be impressed in the way you keep coming out with all this info! When it comes to lenses, I know f**k all Where do you get your info from??

[FST513]

Hahahaha thanks mate.

Mostly my "Read info" is from POTN (Photography on the net). Yes its a canon based forum, but there are millions of users, it has so much information its not funny, find what you want, read other peoples experiences etc etc...

There are specific sub forums for lenses or for types of photography e.g. landscape/motorsport/automotive/wedding/portraits etc.

Theres always so much to learn. I am continually learning everyday about cameras/lenses/new things coming out.

I'm subscribed to a lot of RSS feeds from photographers and people and i like to read there experiences and try it out for myself.

I also am really good friends with my local camera store employees, so i often go down and ask if i can have a play with a lens or body and take some shots and see how i like it.

Remember you will only learn if your willing too and you WANT too!

Hope that helped you out

[FST513]

Oh by the way - In my post #166.

I meant the 17-55 (typo).

And i was referring to the Canon 50 1.4 having bad CA when shooting close to wide open.

Sorry if that confuses anyone.

[NA_Goodness]

Thanks mate, I'll check that out. I honestly do want to learn as much as possible, easier said then done for a retard like myself though

[ZENNON]

My first ever little planet - taken at Anzac square in Brisbane

The 360x180 degree pano

The little planet

And a cropped version of the above (processed at a different angle also)

[Sheng]

That middle one looks rad!

[ZENNON]

Thanks mate - think I should have cropped it a little closer actually but ah well - very happy with it considering its a first attempt

[MaTBoY]

I saw some other dude had a bunch of shots like this and was going to look into how it's done. Where'd you find your info man?

Nice shots, it's like Mario Anzac Galaxy -- WHoooo Heeeee!!!!!

[ZENNON]

One of my flickr contacts (gadl) has HEAPS of them

as for info I just googled it - I used my normal pano software (autopano giga) to make the 360x180 pano and then used hugin for the fancy projection