[Hreed]

Hey all,

I haven't been around on the forums much lately; however, with my recent purchase of the 5D MkIII I am sure I'll be on talking to you fellas more often! I've been busy and don't have time to go in depth about everything that I love and the magnitude of my upgrade from a Rebel to full frame professional* but I will add some notes.

A hobby turned into an expensive hobby - photography and cinematography has kept me out of boredom the past year. I am still relativity unknowing to all the camera lingo that floats around, but I can assure you I am learning fast everything I need to know about the 5D Mk III. Of course you guys can also help me on that. Many of you also might question my big leap from the T3i to this beast... Well I felt the need to not upgrade again and really focus on building my arsenal of full-frame lenses - L glass if you will. I think we can all agree that since we are members of a BMW forum we seemingly can afford expensive toys... Right boys? For me I am graduating high school this coming may so buying (yes I bought my car, in full) my car and affording this hobby has been interesting to say the least! Quite fun actually.

Anyway, currently my Camera backpack holds:
5D MK III
24-105mm 1:4 L IS USM
50mm 1.8
Speedlite 600EX-RT (coming this week)

First impressions of the Camera I was blown away. The build quality and body durability is top-notch. The weight is reassuring in that sense and I am very excited about the camera being weather proof. Moreover, taking my first shots on the camera at night, I found the ISO capabilities to be amazing. Many of my photos require almost zero to no NR or correction. I love the FPS on High Continuous shutter aswell. The 1080 video capabilities... WOW. And every single other thing about the camera! My only let down regarding Canons build is the lack of a swivel screen. I know the argument was for keeping it weathered sealed, but it sure would be nice for hard angle shots, videos, corners, squeezes etc... I know y'all already know every inch and spec of this beauty but it is the time of night where I am rambling and I like to share. Ill spare the rest.

Well here are some of my first experimentation shots that I was able to process at school. For some reason my computer is nearly incapable at processing the RAW files - I need to just download light room 4 myself...

[ddk632]

Congrats on your upgrade, enjoy the beast. I like the first shot a lot, well done.

[bosstones]

Originally Posted by ddk632

Congrats on your upgrade, enjoy the beast. I like the first shot a lot, well done.

[dcstep]

Yeah, congrats on the new kit. You've got a very flexible and competent rig now. Start saving for a 70-200mm.

Dave

[The1]

Nice new toy, congrats

As far as you graduating hi school, be careful on the spending. I came into so,e money at the same age and had to learn the hard way. But it was a great learning experience. I also came into some money later in life, and I am much wiser with it now and the uses I have fore it. Many hard lessons were learned. I hope you don't find yourself in that position.


In the mean time, definitely get LR4, modify your car, get a boat, and start collecting watches, then do some travelling and enjoy life

And like Dave mentioned. A 70-200mm L series is one of the best investments you can make. And either the F4 or f2.8 are both tac sharp. If doing a lot of shooting inside, the 2.8 may suit better, but with the high ISO capabilities on the mark 3 that's sort of a non issue.

And don't be a stranger, visit often, and often with pictures

[Hreed]

Thank you for being so inviting! I will for sure be around more often. And if any of you are wondering, this hobby of mine doubles as fun and applies to the AP Art class I am taking. Photos taken contribute to my portfolio of 24 works due this coming May.

In regards to the comments so far: I do very much like the 70-200mm. Of course I have been looking to add another lens to my bag. My father (who likes researching the stuff I buy... I guess.) mentioned to me I should look at buying the 85mm 1.2L. I do fancy the low apertures for creative photography, but with having read the reviews and just the thought of the 70-200 2.8, I am leaning towards the telephoto. My concern with the 85mm prime is I would be more limited for the cost ($$$) investment compared to buying the telephoto. Seems with the research I've been doing the 70-200mm doubles as a portraiture lens with smooth bokeh @ 200mm 2.8, and as a superb all-around lens. I am thinking about selling my 24-105mm 4 IS and getting the 24-70mm 2.8L IS when I theoretically buy the 70-200mm. Would that be two good lenses to have considering the bracket of zoom each on posses? Or should I aim for investing in a smaller zoom prime lens like the 35mm and couple that with the 70-200.

Anyway like I said earlier I still do not know everything about photography. I take pictures everyday and similarly learn everyday. This thread, forum, and all y'all definitely help. So currently reflecting ideas like those stated above help me learn.

I try to not come off as a pompous douche bag who seemingly can afford expensive things at his age, but it often happens I do from people's perspectives. I thought it would be important to inform you around what age I am not so you can generalize about my lifestyle/backround, but you could get an idea of my capacity and excitement to learn. Truth is I do come from a well off family with a money backbone; however, what I claim to own and do own is in fact mine. I have worked many jobs from a early age to save for my car and now this hobby. But IF its more helpful to you my first camera (t3i) was a present from the grandparents. In regards to "coming into money," Im not sure what you mean. I put 20% of what I earn towards a savings fund, and the other 80% supports my car and camera at this point. I'm sure I do have an upper hand in my expenditures considering not owning a house, paying insurance, CPO car payments, kids, food, you get the idea. Anyway I know you guys are a great group of people, I appreciate the kind support I'll receive now and in the future! Look forward to sharing more!

Hunter

[dcstep]

Hunter, the prime suggested by your father is very nice, but it's a bit limited for someone that's still developing a style. The high-ISO performance fo the 5D3 really eliminates any real need for a fast lens. The bokeh on all the L-series 70-200mm lenses is excellent and, yes, they all make great portrait lense. Consider the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS instead of the f/2.8, because it's much easier on the back of the neck and your arms. If you want to do a lot of concert shooting or indoor sports, then the f/2.8 does make a useful difference.

Dave

[triton3k]

Congrats and welcome to the Mark III club.
It seems to me that I fall in love with this camera just about every single day. Love the build quality and feel of it.
Like you said the only complaint i have is lack of a swivel screen but hey it is what it is.

Great shots by the way.
What are you using to do the product shots? Is that black glass?

[E92M356789]

Wow you guys are talented! Cool Shots!

[Hreed]

Thank you! Yes i agree! Actually I use two glass tables I have in my house. I think if you max the exposure/contrast on the photo in LR you can definitely see the table.

Additionally I use a Raven RS6 (Random light stand I found, not sure if Raven has reputation) for the lighting. In the picture of the camera I have the light facing it and in the pictures of the ice the light is positioned directly under facing up.

[triton3k]

^gotcha. I need to purchase a glass top.

[SwnSng]

You can't go wrong with the 85mm 1.2 or the 700-200 2.8L II.

The 85mm is the de-facto portrait lens and at 1.2 in combination with your mk iii you could almost shoot in the dark . At 85mm it can also be a decent walk-around lens on a FF a bit too long on a crop sensor. Also has one of the best bokeh of any lens.

The 70-200 is no slouch as a portrait lens also and is tact sharp even when wide open. It of course is a much more versatile lens, it can be used for walk-around/portraits, indoor/outdoor sports, parties, landscape and even as a faux macro lens.

Both lenses makeup 2/3 of what they call the holy trinity of wedding photog glass. I have had my 70-200 2.8L ii now for 3 months and it has pretty much stayed on my camera the entire time. I've used it for everything stated above except for Macro, since I already have a dedicated lens for that.

Congrats on your new camera, I think it's cool that you and your dad share this hobby. I would be stoked if my son keeps up with photography when he gets to your age. He is already shooting at 5, so we will see

[Trijicon]

Congrats on the rig. Everyone gives good points. Start shooting and develop a shooting style. With my 5Dmk2, my 16-35L is on 90% of the time followed by my 100mmISL 10%. I sold my 70-200 ISL because I never use it and sold my 85L because the AF was too slow for candids. My 100 f2.8 IS L because my portrait and macro lense.

[spacemonkey1112]

Welcome to the 5DIII club you pompous douche bag

Sorry I had to say it since you said it first! No but really, Don't worry about people telling anything. Be happy with what you have & know that you're blessed & don't take it for granted. Coming out of high for myself, I got a job at jamba juice to afford my 20D & not until recently did I upgrade to my 5DIII for my wedding photography.

Anyways, I say work with what you have right now and find out what you LOVE to shoot. People can give you ideas for what lens to get and all that jazz, but in the end each lens works has its purpose. You've probably read somewhere to get the 24-70f/2.8L & the 70-200mmf/2.8L so you cover a great amount of range with just 2 lens & they are sharp & produce beautiful images... all this is true but in all honesty...
my 24-70mm never sees the light of day & I occasionally will use my 70-200mm during my weddings. BUT for another photographer, these lens just fit their style of work perfectly & they don't need anything else.

It all comes down to your own personal work flow & how you like to shoot & what you like to shoot. Speaking from personal preference, I really enjoy engaging with my surroundings (that's why I love shooting with prime lens). When I shoot with a zoom lens, I feel too stationary & in my heart, I feel like i'm not struggling to create; I become satisfy with what I see through the VF & I produce mediocre images. That's how I see it in my work flow. When I shoot with primes, I may be too far or too close. so that simple step back or forward allows me to really get into a rhythm as I work. But then again, I'm speaking from a wedding photographer's perspective.

You need to find a rhythm & a subject you love to shoot & struggle with it. I hope your photography journey brings you a lot of joy and I can't wait to see you progress!

[Hreed]

Thank you all so much! I have definitely been loving shooting. I think I shoot at least an hour everyday and then on weekends when *I am really shooting* I always have it on me for the full day. So, in all, it is getting used well

I also have been using my new speedlite 600ex-rt. It really makes night portraits and lighting the subject much more fun! I would share some photos I have taken over the past months but my computer is now a piece of shit. I do all my editing at school in the lab and store my photos on a external drive in my back pack. Ill save for LR4 when I get a new computer this summer. I am not much of a tech guy anyway...

As in regards to lenses I will have to wait to purchase a new one. I have a birthday coming up so I may be lucky and ask for help on a lens as a birthday/graduation combo deal. But I am happy with the one I have now. Haha. But, to be honest, money is tight because I just bought a 76' BMW 2002 project car for the price of a 70-200 2.8.

[spacemonkey1112]

Originally Posted by Hreed

Thank you all so much! I have definitely been loving shooting. I think I shoot at least an hour everyday and then on weekends when *I am really shooting* I always have it on me for the full day. So, in all, it is getting used well

I also have been using my new speedlite 600ex-rt. It really makes night portraits and lighting the subject much more fun! I would share some photos I have taken over the past months but my computer is now a piece of shit. I do all my editing at school in the lab and store my photos on a external drive in my back pack. Ill save for LR4 when I get a new computer this summer. I am not much of a tech guy anyway...

As in regards to lenses I will have to wait to purchase a new one. I have a birthday coming up so I may be lucky and ask for help on a lens as a birthday/graduation combo deal. But I am happy with the one I have now. Haha. But, to be honest, money is tight because I just bought a 76' BMW 2002 project car for the price of a 70-200 2.8.

Now you have me really jealous with that 2002..... I hate you. NO MORE ADVICE FOR YOU! hahahahhaa

[Hreed]

Shes a lill' rough-sty...

[Rowdy]

Just picked up my 5Dmk3 yesterday! Havent had the full chance to mess around yet.. but man! I'm loving it so far.

[ichiban]

http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs....mc_id=C126149

couldn't pass on this deal, so i bought another one -__-

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by ichiban

couldn't pass on this deal, so i bought another one -__-

Great deal!

[druu]

welcome to the 5DIII club. time to sell that 24-105 and get some more primes! I shoot almost primarily with primes (professionally). I use the 35L, 50L and 85L more frequently than i use my zooms 17-40L//70-200L II.

You'll really notice the difference!

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by druu

welcome to the 5DIII club. time to sell that 24-105 and get some more primes! I shoot almost primarily with primes (professionally). I use the 35L, 50L and 85L more frequently than i use my zooms 17-40L//70-200L II.

You'll really notice the difference!

I have to disagree. I've got a 500mm prime and I used to use primes way back in the olden days, when their were few other options, but in these days of Digital Lens Optimization, there's little need for normal and wide primes, except for specialty shooting.

The film days are long gone. The system that used to be camera/lens/film, with little opportunity to correct for errors in equipment, we now have camera/lens/in-camera corrections/post-processing correction. Anti-aliasing filters in digital cameras result in Raw files that intentionally distort the "truth" when in Raw form.

Digital Lens Optimization software corrects for aliasing, geometric errors, CA, softness vignetting, etc. at every focal length, every aperture and every camera/lens combination. DLO is a game changer that too few photographer seem to be taking advantage of, or even be aware of. Don't dismiss zooms until you've tried them with DLO. Canon ships Digital Photo Professional with it's top bodies, with DLO included. DxO Optics Pro includes DLO and you can add a version of it to LightRoom.

In the old days, we shot Ektachrome or Fujichrome, trying to get everything right in the camera. Now, we expose to the right to maximize the file information, while realizing the file will look washed out and lacking contrast until we do our Raw conversion and normalize levels. If the lens had an error in the old days, that was it. Zoom lenses were not as well engineered and now the most noticeable geometric errors have been reduced and will be further reduced by applying DLO during conversion.

Time for most of us to leave our Fujichrome and primes behind and move into the 21st century.

Dave