Odds & Ends Shopping - Advice Needed
Hello all,
I am in the middle of putting together my "odds & ends" list of things I need to buy and I have a few questions ...
1. Canon Tripod Mount Ring D - $199.95!!! Please tell me there is something cheaper out there that will work just as well with my 100mm f/2.8L IS lens! I want to be able to use my tripod with a flash bracket attached.
2. I have all the various M-#'s Wimberley brackets for macro and telephoto but am thinking of getting the M-7 Flash Flipper -does anyone use this & if so, does it work ok for you? I find the Wimberley macro set-up pretty cumbersome and heavy but yet it gets the job done. Or should I just get the Manfrotto 233B Camera Mount Flash Bracket? Can you still attach the camera to your tripod using it or do I need to buy something else? I have the PU-60 attached to my camera and I have an Wimberley M-8 perpendicular plate.
3. Acratech Universal "L" Bracket - Can this still be used with a battery grip (if I decide to get one)?
4. I am still considering getting the Canon Macro twin lite flash. It is the Adapter 67 I would need to get, correct? Also, someone on Amazon mentioned the lens cap that came with the lens (E67U) won't work then & I would need the E-58U lens cap. Does anyone know for sure that this is true? ERRR...there is so much, if you buy this, you will need that!
5. I still need to purchase a filter for my 85mm f/1.8 lens that I just bought. I'm going to get a UV filter but I am also considering an ND filter for it and for my other lenses. I've never bought or used an ND filter before. Would a B+W ND 0.9-8x filter be good for the 85mm and 17-55mm lensand 0.6-4x for my 24-105mm & 100-400mm lenses?
6. Lumodi Beauty Dish - Good choice? Bad choice? Any others (in that price range) you would recommend for Canon flash?
Ok, that's enough questions for one night! [:P] Thank you so very, very much in advancefor any advice you can provide.
Denise
P.S. Oops...one last question, is the sun ever going to shine and is it ever going to warm up in Wisconsin???!!! I had to turn my heat on in MAY! [st] [8o|][um]
Re: Odds & Ends Shopping - Advice Needed
Quote:
Originally Posted by ddt0725
P.S. Oops...one last question, is the sun ever going to shine and is it ever going to warm up in Wisconsin???!!! I had to turn my heat on in MAY! [img]/emoticons/emotion-37.gif[/img] [img]/emoticons/emotion-39.gif[/img][img]/emoticons/emotion-35.gif[/img]
Nope, you can thank global warming for that.
Re: Odds & Ends Shopping - Advice Needed
Hi Denise,
1. Yeah, that's pretty outrageous, 'eh? All of the Canon tripod rings are like that ($150 for the ring that fits the 70-200mm f/4L's and 200mm f/2.8L. I've seen 3rd party equivalents for those others, haven't looked for the Mount Ring D ring, but if they're not there yet, they will be soon. The question is, would you trust $2500-3000 worth of gear to be supported by a $30 aftermarket part?
2. I have the Manfrotto 233B bracket - it's pretty nice and quite flexible in terms of flash positioning (I added aGiottosMH1004 mini ball head to which I mount the flash end of the OC-E3). The 233B does have a female tripod mount on the bottom (a reversible piece, with both 1/4" and 3/8" threads). Personally, I attach a QR plate to the bottom of the bracket so I can easily mount camera+bracket to a tripod.
3. No idea.
4. Yes, you'd need the adapter 67. Since that 'converts' the front to a 58mm diameter, you'd need the 58mm cap. I'm not sure how well it would grip since the adapter doesn't have front threads - but it looks like it has a 'lip' the 58mm lens cap will mount to. If you want to use a UV filter on the lens for protection, you'd use a 67mm filter (non-slim) mounted to the lens, then attach the adapter 67 onto the front threads of the filter.
5. A 3-stop (0.9/8x) ND filter works very well for the EF 85mm f/1.8 for outdoor portrait-type shots (where you want wide aperture for thin DoF). It also works just fine on the other lenses for longer exposures (e.g. blurring moving water). I recommend against getting a 2-stop (0.6/4x) filter - if your goal is to reduce light, you're already down at ISO 100. There's no meaningful difference in IQ/noise between ISO 100 and ISO 200, so if for some reason the 3-stop filter is too much, you can bump the ISO one stop to make up the difference. Personally, I went with all 77mm filters, and step-up rings (58-77, 67-77, 72-77). The 58mm filters are much cheaper than 77mm, so you could probably get a 58mm ND, too - but the step up works fine (precludes the hood), though it looks a little odd!
6. No idea.
Good luck!
--John
Re: Odds & Ends Shopping - Advice Needed
Thank you so much for your help, John. I am so glad I posted this before ordering anything! You are right about trusting my lens being attached to anything other than the D ring and it is definitely worth the extra $$. Also, thanks much for the info on the filters and what to use for the bracket.
Denise
Re: Odds & Ends Shopping - Advice Needed
As you know, I have a Lumodi...and I love what it can do. I haven't used it in a while because I've been playing around with the monolight (And I usually have it on a boom--and for that, I have to use my heavy-duty stand. Unfortunately, I only have one heavy-duty lightstand available to me at the moment...and it's recently been holding up the monolight!)
I have 3 Lumodis (two larger dishes, one of the smaller ones). Would you like to borrow my oldest to try it out before you buy?
Re: Odds & Ends Shopping - Advice Needed
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean Setters
As you know, I have a Lumodi...and I love what it can do. I haven't used it in a while because I've been playing around with the monolight (And I usually have it on a boom--and for that, I have to use my heavy-duty stand. Unfortunately, I only have one heavy-duty lightstand available to me at the moment...and it's recently been holding up the monolight!)
I have 3 Lumodis (two larger dishes, one of the smaller ones). Would you like to borrow my oldest to try it out before you buy?
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Sure, Sean :)
I was looking at getting the 14" one on ebay and using my LumoPro 6' stand.
I am wondering if I will like it better than using my Alzo Mini Softbox or Westcott White Satin 43" Umbrella ...or if I will notice no real difference.
Denise
Re: Odds & Ends Shopping - Advice Needed
You'll likely notice a difference. Ok, just email me at "my name smooshed together" at gmail.com. My older one is one of the first dishes they made, and they hadn't quite figured out which paint stuck the best (so it's flaked a little bit). However, my newest one is flawless. Love it. It even has a Titanium finish (instead of the original silver) that gives it a slightly warmer tone.
Re: Odds & Ends Shopping - Advice Needed
Quote:
Originally Posted by ddt0725
6. Lumodi Beauty Dish - Good choice? Bad choice? Any others (in that price range) you would recommend for Canon flash?
I think the shots Sean have posted with the Lumodi are great, but I just wanted to throw this out there, the light is not like a traditional beauty dish. The closest (not exact either) I've found to a beauty dish is the 36" Photok Softlighter with the included silver insert. It give a nice specular highlight with a soft gradient shadow, with out the spot like light fall off.
If you are basing it on Sean's shots you will be stoked on the Lumodi. I have a similar dish I built from the same specs as the Lumodi and I like it. It is just different light.
Re: Odds & Ends Shopping - Advice Needed
Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith B
I think the shots Sean have posted with the Lumodi are great, but I just wanted to throw this out there, the light is not like a traditional beauty dish. The closest (not exact either) I've found to a beauty dish is the
36" Photok Softlighter with the included silver insert. It give a nice specular highlight with a soft gradient shadow, with out the spot like light fall off.
If you are basing it on Sean's shots you will be stoked on the Lumodi. I have a similar dish I built from the same specs as the Lumodi and I like it. It is just different light.
Thanks, I will have to look more into the 36" Photok Softlighter, right off I see it is cheaper than the Lumodi. I am in the extreme learning stages when it comes to this. As much as I do love all of Sean's work, I know I will never be that good no matter what I use. I just really enjoy experimenting with various lighting techniques.
Re: Odds & Ends Shopping - Advice Needed
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.
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).
Re: Odds & Ends Shopping - Advice Needed
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean Setters
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).
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Thanks, Sean! [:)]
I'll ship it back to you after a few nights of trying it out (probably next Friday).
Denise
