Re: Odds & Ends Shopping - Advice Needed
I'd just like to chip in (if it isn't to late) that its totally fine to trust your lens to a non-canon mount ring.
When I got my 70-200 I had barely enough money to get any D-Ring, let alone Canon's, so I went with a "cheapie" on ebay for $30.
Sure, with Canon you get name, quality, and consistency, I always kept telling myself that I would upgrade to the brand-name bracket once I got some more cash.
3 years later and some hundred thousand shots later I still haven't gotten around to it.
If you can find one for cheap (I mean less than $100 cheap) I'd spring for it, but as long as your not a perfectionist, you'll be surprised what the offbrand can do.
Just my 2c
- G
Re: Odds & Ends Shopping - Advice Needed
I'm with LeTiger on this one. Usually I have no issues coughing up the extra cash for genuine Canon gear but nothing in my mind lets me justify $150 (that's US$ too not Aussie $$$) for a tripod ring. I've been using an aftermarket ring with my 70-200mm f/4L IS for ages and it's been fine.
I'm sorry but $150 for something like that just seems outrageous to me.
-Ben
Re: Odds & Ends Shopping - Advice Needed
Quote:
Originally Posted by btaylor
I'm sorry but $150 for something like that just seems outrageous to me.
I totally agree with that. Thanks for the endorsement of 3rd party rings - I've read stories the other way, as well. Since this one is a hinged collar (vs. the slip-ons that come with the 70-200mm f/2.8's and 100-400mm), there are several potential failure points (hinge pin, thread stripping) that could result in a long drop.
My solution was to go with neither - the 100mm Macro IS is light enough that I can just drop the ballhead into the slot for vertical orientation. Not as elegant as a tripod collar, though.
In this case, I'm not sure there's an option - I couldn't find any knock-offs of the Tripod Ting D online (admittedly, I didn't look too hard), and you'd need to be careful that you didn't end up getting a mislabeled (intentionally or by mistake) knock-off of the Tripod Ring B which fits the other Canon macro lenses but not the 100mm L. I also noticed that in looking at the Amazon reviews of the B ring knockoffs, they are apparently plastic (no, thanks) even though the product name/description of one clearly states that it's metal. Hmmmmm...
Regarding 3rd party substitutes, I recently suggested to someone that a 3rd party hood for his 17-55mm lens would be fine, but Jordan chimed in that he'd bought one of the knock-offs and it fit so poorly that it just kept falling off. That's a hood, not something supporting the weight of the camera and lens.
Re: Odds & Ends Shopping - Advice Needed
Quote:
Originally Posted by neuroanatomist
Quote:
Originally Posted by btaylor
I'm sorry but $150 for something like that just seems outrageous to me.
I totally agree with that. Thanks for the endorsement of 3rd party rings - I've read stories the other way, as well. Since this one is a hinged collar (vs. the slip-ons that come with the 70-200mm f/2.8's and 100-400mm), there are several potential failure points (hinge pin, thread stripping) that could result in a long drop.
My solution was to go with neither - the 100mm Macro IS is light enough that I can just drop the ballhead into the slot for vertical orientation. Not as elegant as a tripod collar, though.
In this case, I'm not sure there's an option - I couldn't find any knock-offs of the Tripod Ting D online (admittedly, I didn't look too hard), and you'd need to be careful that you didn't end up getting a mislabeled (intentionally or by mistake) knock-off of the Tripod Ring B which fits the other Canon macro lenses but not the 100mm L. I also noticed that in looking at the Amazon reviews of the B ring knockoffs, they are apparently plastic (no, thanks) even though the product name/description of one clearly states that it's metal. Hmmmmm...
Regarding 3rd party substitutes, I recently suggested to someone that a 3rd party hood for his 17-55mm lens would be fine, but Jordan chimed in that he'd bought one of the knock-offs and it fit so poorly that it just kept falling off. That's a hood, not something supporting the weight of the camera and lens.
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As much as it would bother me spending so much on this, I wouldn't want to take the chance that I wasn't getting what was truly made for my exact lens. First, I think I will re-evaluate where this really falls on my priority list!
Denise
Re: Odds & Ends Shopping - Advice Needed
Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith B
The Photoeks are my favorites. I have the 60" and the 36". The 36" with the inserts have reduced my desire for AC lights and a power pack since the light is so close to a beauty dish.
Keith -
The photos taken with the Photoeks arereally impressive but some reviews I read last night (Ithink on B&H) made it sound like its a hassle to set-up and use with speedlights, which is what I would be using. You don't find them time consuming to setup or a hassle to use?
Denise
Re: Odds & Ends Shopping - Advice Needed
Well, I've worked with a lot of photographers that use traditional octoboxes and softboxes and those are cumbersome and time consuming. These go up quick compared. If you shoot E-TTL they are cake. If you shoot manual they can be a little troublesome until you get to know the setups.
If my manual settings aren't right I find it easy to pull 2-3 eyelets off and make the adjustment. I will always trade a little extra work for good quality light. The key is to practice and get to know the light set up and it becomes almost automatic.
The shot I had posted ealier was shot full manual and I had it up in 5 minutes and moved in and out of a couple rooms and done in 20 minutes broke it down in less than 10.I won't lie there is a little work involve but the result is so worth it.
I kind of get pretty turned off by the term "strobist". In my mind it is synonymous with laziness. It's all about quick and dirty then fix it in post. Obviously not everyone who is a a "strobist" but a lot of them. I try to keep it in mind this an art and is really worth taking your time and doing right.
Re: Odds & Ends Shopping - Advice Needed
Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith B
I won't lie there is a little work involve but the result is so worth it.
I kind of get pretty turned off by the term "strobist". In my mind it is synonymous with laziness. It's all about quick and dirty then fix it in post. Obviously not everyone who is a a "strobist" but a lot of them. I try to keep it in mind this an art and is really worth taking your time and doing right.
Since my post work sucks, I'd much rather spend the extratime in setting it up & practicing getting it right during a shoot! I take more pride in it that way also. This hasn't steered me from wanting to try out the beauty dish but it has definitely made it on my soon to purchase list. Thanks so much for your very helpful suggestion, Keith...highly appreciated!
Denise
Re: Odds & Ends Shopping - Advice Needed
Quote:
Originally Posted by ddt0725
Since my post work sucks, I'd much rather spend the extratime in setting it up & practicing getting it right during a shoot! I take more pride in it that way also. This hasn't steered me from wanting to try out the beauty dish but it has definitely made it on my soon to purchase list. Thanks so much for your very helpful suggestion, Keith...highly appreciated!
Denise
No problem. I definitely wasn't or trying to deter you from it. I just give you the heads up it wasn't "beauty dish" light. The strobist comment was not meant toward the beauty dish but the folks that always say things like the Photeks are to much effort and cumbersome.
Re: Odds & Ends Shopping - Advice Needed
Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith B
No problem. I definitely wasn't or trying to deter you from it. I just give you the heads up it wasn't "beauty dish" light. The strobist comment was not meant toward the beauty dish but the folks that always say things like the Photeks are to much effort and cumbersome.
Oh no, I know you weren't. Since I'm still learning everything, it takes me long to set things up anyway ...I've gotten used to it and so has my very patient model (my daughter)!
Well, they both produce wonderful results depending on what your going for. That's why more than likely I'll end up buying both. Sure wish Sean lived down the street from me so I could try out his dish for a few days! Oh well, I know I will like it so I might as well just purchase it without a trial run anyway. He is the one that got me setup with everything I have now and he hasn't steered me wrong yet!
Again ...thanks so much to you ...and Sean! Maybe some day my daughter will allow me to post a photo of the end results!
Denise
Re: Odds & Ends Shopping - Advice Needed
Denise...send me your address. I'll box up my older dish and send it to you. You can try it out and see if you want to buy one. Just send it back when you're done testing it out (no rush, take your time...I have the new one to play with).
