The Real World... (10 pics 56k warning)

[cdifoto]

..with the newly calibrated/rebuilt equipment. Kyle shots all with 50mm f/1.4 and mostly 2nd focus point down in portrait orientation. Robin shots with Bigma, middle FP and bottom FP. I make note of the focus points used because as most of us know, any other than the center is considered weaker and less accurate.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/2006-04-26-0030.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/2006-04-26-0038.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/2006-04-26-0040.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/2006-04-26-0043.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/2006-04-26-0045.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/2006-04-26-0048.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/2006-04-26-0054.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/2006-04-26-0058.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/2006-04-26-0065.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/2006-04-26-0071.jpg

[D70FAN]

I can't help it... sorry, it's an OC thing...

The first five shots are for the birds.:D

the shots Look good, and we always like it when Kyle makes an appearance, but keep an eye on that histogram in bright sunlight. You have plenty of light to work with so don't be afraid to back off the exposure a bit.;)

[cdifoto]

I can't help it... the first five are for the birds.

Looks good, but keep an eye on that histogram in bright sunlight. You have plenty of light to work with so don't be afraid to back off the exposure a bit.;)

Yeah I have to admit I was getting lazy with my exposures today. I was more concerned with "ok can this damn thing focus now?"

I have to say I think it's alright in the AF department..at least as much as an XT can be.

[D70FAN]

Yup. Glad it's working for you. Focus issues can be a pisser.

Focus looks fine. Which lens? Since the exif is missing we are flying blind out here.;)

[cdifoto]

Yup. Glad it's working for you. focus issues can be a pisser.

Focus looks fine. Which lens? Since the exif is missing we are flying blind out here.;)

Sorry 'bout that. I used Bigma @500mm f/8 ISO400 for the Robins and the 50 for Kyle. Obviously didn't shoot the 50 wide open...XT only goes to 1/4000th :mad: Mostly hovered around f/2.8 ISO100. Plenty of DOF but before the repair it wouldn't even focus at that.

[D70FAN]

Sorry 'bout that. I used Bigma @500mm f/8 ISO400 for the Robins and the 50 for Kyle. Obviously didn't shoot the 50 wide open...XT only goes to 1/4000th :mad: Mostly hovered around f/2.8 ISO100. Plenty of DOF but before the repair it wouldn't even focus at that.

That lens (Bigma) always impresses the heck out of me. No matter what camera you hang on it...

... it works.

[cdifoto]

That lens (Bigma) always impresses the heck out of me. No matter what camera you hang on it...

... it works.


Yeah it's quite nice...but I'm yet again considering selling it after my trip to Disney. I just dont use the thing anymore.

[D70FAN]

Yeah it's quite nice...but I'm yet again considering selling it after my trip to Disney. I just dont use the thing anymore.

Yeah, lack of use is why I sold the Sigma 70-300 APO. I'm still considering the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, but need the Tokina 12-24 first.

So many lenses, so little money.:(

Anyway, I'm real glad to see that the 350D is back up to snuff.

[cdifoto]

Yeah, lack of use is why I sold the Sigma 70-300 APO. I'm still considering the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, but need the Tokina 12-24 first.

So many lenses, so little money.:(

Anyway, I'm real glad to see that the 350D is back up to snuff.

Damn shame too. My copy is nice and sharp throughout all ranges of FLs fstops. Hate to see it go. I'm gonna try and use it at Sea World and get the dolphin grabbing a fish in those popular tricks if my timing is good. Who knows....might not be able to get rid of it if I'm successful with it. lol.

I'm glad it's up to par too. I knew pretty much early on there was a problem...but I couldn't really rule out user error to a certain degree either since I was still a newbie at it all. After shooting with it for 10 months, I knew there had to be something other than me going wrong...so I had more confidence in sending it in. For all I know, if I had sent it all in 6 months ago Canon might have told me, in not so many words, that I'm a newbie and there's nothing wrong with the gear so keep practicing, son. heh.

[ReF]

you have anything in mind to replace the bigma with? i wonder if the 2x TC really does suck @ss as much as people are saying. otherwise 1.4x & 2x tc on 70-200 might be worth a try, eh? it's also pretty cheap with the tamron sp versions...

[aparmley]

Nice Don. Good to hear everything is working fine and you are happy with everything.

George - You know it - the lens/money ratio isn't so appealing over this way either! Is all this aussie talk wearing on you? "pisser" LOL ;)

[cdifoto]

you have anything in mind to replace the bigma with? i wonder if the 2x TC really does suck @ss as much as people are saying. otherwise 1.4x & 2x tc on 70-200 might be worth a try, eh? it's also pretty cheap with the tamron sp versions...

Nah I just don't seem to use the FL. A replacement wouldn't be in the works anytime soon. It'd be an outright sell. I'd give the 1.4x and/or 2.0x tcons a try though and see if that would be a potential acceptable quick-fix if I found myself rarely ever needing to be that long.

I may keep it after all but the money from it sure would be nice to have towards a good studio lighting kit. I seem to be hitting the shorter end now more than ever and I'm pretty well covered there.

[cdifoto]

Nice Don. Good to hear everything is working fine and you are happy with everything.

George - You know it - the lens/money ratio isn't so appealing over this way either! Is all this aussie talk wearing on you? "pisser" LOL ;)

I can't say I'm happy with it...I'm happier with it though. I'll need a better body sooner than later for sure.


Studio lights..better bodies...short fast primes...ugh where the HELL does it end? :rolleyes: (Yes, rhetorical question!)

[cwphoto]

All looks good from here Don.

[cwphoto]

you have anything in mind to replace the bigma with? i wonder if the 2x TC really does suck @ss as much as people are saying. otherwise 1.4x & 2x tc on 70-200 might be worth a try, eh? it's also pretty cheap with the tamron sp versions...

I've got soccer again on Saturday. I was going to use just the 1.4x but it might be a good time to try the 2x as well - will let you know on Sunday sometime with some samples if I have time (spot of golf AM and going to the footy (go the Eels!) PM :cool: ).

[cdifoto]

All looks good from here Don.

Thanks Christian. :D

[jamison55]

Wow - spot on focus. What percentage were in focus vs oof?

[cdifoto]

Wow - spot on focus. What percentage were in focus vs oof?

I have 3 misses out of the 24 Kyle shots I didn't chimp for composition reasons. One was an impossible shot anyway...One Shot focus mode and him running...gee imagine why THAT one didnt work. lol.

[Jason25]

That 4th shot of the bird is very nice. The 5th one has interesting composition, I like it :)

Kinda funny and OT, but I have a son named Kyle who looks around your son's age :D How old is he? Mine's almost 20 months.

[cdifoto]

That 4th shot of the bird is very nice. The 5th one has interesting composition, I like it :)

Kinda funny and OT, but I have a son named Kyle who looks around your son's age :D How old is he? Mine's almost 20 months.

Thanks...those lil bastards are hard to get being so small and skiddish.

Interesting...he's my nephew and he's about 20 months too. 19 to be exact-ish unless my math is off. :D

[aparmley]

19 to be exact-ish unless my math is off. :D

Your math could be perfect, but we're males after all - "what month was that again? I could have sworn it was september!"

[cdifoto]

Your math could be perfect, but we're males after all - "what month was that again? I could have sworn it was september!"

I used to roll my eyes when my dad would ask me when my birthday is again and again. I don't do that anymore. lol.

[aparmley]

I used to roll my eyes when my dad would ask me when my birthday is again and again. I don't do that anymore. lol.

Thats right! LMAO and when our future wives [ don't pitty them yall!] pop out a few curtain climbers, a lot of our thoughts about our Dad's will change!

[cwphoto]

Thats right! LMAO and when our future wives [ don't pitty them yall!] pop out a few curtain climbers, a lot of our thoughts about our Dad's will change!

Ain't that the truth fellas.:D