Hey Noelle, in that picture of your 3 boys, how do you get that effect of the light seemingly shining on that blue/grey backdrop followed by the light fall-off towards the outer edges? (sorry everyone for asking what's probably a stupid question) It looks great! I wish I could take studio style shots like that!
@ Everyone else reading this thread: Sorry about the digression from all things 400mm or canon related. We will return to our regular programming after a few messages!
Conrad Tan wrote:
But seriously Peter did you only have the center AF point going or all of them? I could never seem to get that kind of shot with the 50D.
I use center AF point, 7 point expansion.
The problem here is not so much in servo AF tracking.....the key is in the camera's brute ability to focus fast and stay in focus for a second....just enough for a few shots out of which one is hopefully in focus.
Conrad Tan wrote:
Hey Noelle, in that picture of your 3 boys, how do you get that effect of the light seemingly shining on that blue/grey backdrop followed by the light fall-off towards the outer edges? (sorry everyone for asking what's probably a stupid question) It looks great! I wish I could take studio style shots like that!
Conrad I took this in my studio (my day job )
I used 3 lights
I main, backround and a hair light/kicker
I may have also thrown a reflector in for fill
The backdrop also has a hot spot already on it so it sorta looks that way already.
PetKal wrote:
I use center AF point, 7 point expansion.
The problem here is not so much in servo AF tracking.....the key is in the camera's brute ability to focus fast and stay in focus for a fraction of a second....just enough for a few shots out of which one is hopefully in focus.
1DMkIIN......the only EOS body on the market today which I trust re AF........I mean, trust enough, but nowhere near completely.
We shall see what 1DMkIII N (or 1DMk IV) will bring to the table in terms of AF.
noelle wrote:
Conrad I took this in my studio (my day job )
I used 3 lights
I main, backround and a hair light/kicker
I may have also thrown a reflector in for fill
The backdrop also has a hot spot already on it so it sorta looks that way already.
I think I may have also added a vignette in PS
WOW! "hot spot" "hair light/kcker" The studio lingo is pretty cool! (I know I sound like such an amateur) I wish I had a studio to play around with lighting like that!
PetKal wrote:
1DMkIIN......the only EOS body on the market today which I trust re AF........I mean, trust enough, but nowhere near completely.
We shall see what 1DMkIII N (or 1DMk IV) will bring to the table in terms of AF.
So what you're saying is, I made the wrong move in buying the 50D. I don't think I have that feature of utilizing the center AF point + some expansion. In any case, those are quite impressive pidgeon shots. Anytime anything is coming towards me, its a blurry mess.
PetKal wrote:
1DMkIIN......the only EOS body on the market today which I trust re AF........I mean, trust enough, but nowhere near completely.
We shall see what 1DMkIII N (or 1DMk IV) will bring to the table in terms of AF.
Conrad Tan wrote:
WOW! "hot spot" "hair light/kcker" The studio lingo is pretty cool! (I know I sound like such an amateur) I wish I had a studio to play around with lighting like that!
Conrad I have all the cool toys
Profoto lights and Larson Softboxes...it has taken me years to learn and I am still learning every day
Conrad Tan wrote:
So what you're saying is, I made the wrong move in buying the 50D. I don't think I have that feature of utilizing the center AF point + some expansion. In any case, those are quite impressive pidgeon shots. Anytime anything is coming towards me, its a blurry mess.
The reason is that a fast bird flying straight towards you at 20-30 ft distance probably exceeds the design AF capability of all and any EOS cameras, 50D included.
In fact, if 50D is anything like 40D, then Canon have accelerated AF response quite a bit relative to 30D. However, I don't think 20/30/40/50D and 5D's have much focus staying power. That's where 1DMkII N (and properly functioning 1D MkIII ) should be better.
However, gotta always keep in mind that large aperture lenses shed more light on camera AF sensors and thereby allow the AF system to operate to its full capacity.
PetKal wrote:
1DMkIIN......the only EOS body on the market today which I trust re AF........I mean, trust enough, but nowhere near completely.
We shall see what 1DMkIII N (or 1DMk IV) will bring to the table in terms of AF.
Anyone want to buy my 50D+grip? (must fund the 1DMkII N) Haha!!!
Conrad Tan wrote:
Dude... FREMONT bart station! Can you believe it?!? There's some lake or actually a pond back there where my buddy saw one with a rat in it's talons up in a tree overlooking the pond. I'm heading there today after work to see if he's there. I'll let you know!
Google maps show Tule Pond. Make sure it's a safe area too! It's just as far for me as the Don Edwards but may be worth trying, let me know your experience after you get back.
wing tong wrote:
Google maps show Tule Pond. Make sure it's a safe area too! It's just as far for me as the Don Edwards but may be worth trying, let me know your experience after you get back.
Thats right! Tule Pond is where he said it was. At the left corner elbow apparently theres a huge dead tree where he sits around waiting. I'm sure his territory includes Lake Elizabeth and the Quarry lakes (stocked regularly with trout) so he might be harder to find than we think. But I'll let you know what I find if I can get off work early enough. It doesn't look good though. Got tons of reports I'm supposed to be writing but instead I'm on FM goofing off! Haha!
In the last 12 months I've been on a 1 man mission to stimulate the ecomomy. Haha! My friends say I've lost my mind spending almost $20K on camera gear in the last year. Now with the cutback on hours and salary cuts here, I can't just buy whatever I want. I have to trade up (or down) to get the capital to fund my (our) obsession!
but may be worth trying, let me know your experience after you get back.