[MaximusJ]

I'm not using a Canon and I dont own a pro-sumer body so I cant really talk about something I dont know.

On my D7000, even if you're in focus, the camera still check for focus when you press the shutter button completely (if the shutter is in AF Priority; thus the little delay. Maybe half a second was exaggerated, but you get the point). When using back focus with the shutter in shutter priority, the camera then snaps the shot, regardless of the focus. That means if you know you're in focus, you dont have to ask the camera to double check before proceeding with the shutter.

I'm comparing Shutter button focus w/ AF priority vs. Back focus w/ Shutter priority. One is faster then the other (On DX Nikons at least) unless I'm missing something?

[dcstep]

I couldn't live with that. Perhaps that explains the popularity of Canon.

That kind of crap is bad enough on a P&S camera, but has no place on a dslr, IMHO.

[MaximusJ]

Well when using the back focus, it all goes away

That's why I say I wouldnt go back to shutter release focus. I'm going to try the new mkIII and D800 (Still waiting for mine, believe it or not!) next week so i'll be able to fully compare both and i'll get back to you on that; if its really that much better on a Canon.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by MaximusJ

Well when using the back focus, it all goes away

That's why I say I wouldnt go back to shutter release focus. I'm going to try the new mkIII and D800 (Still waiting for mine, believe it or not!) next week so i'll be able to fully compare both and i'll get back to you on that; if its really that much better on a Canon.

It's not going to be an issue with the Canon and I'm a little surprised that Nikon would build a delay into their shutter release, but you never know.

With Canon, the "ready position" is with the shutter release half way down. I have mine set so that the active AF points light up. I also set the back button to lock AF where it is because I use single-point AF a bunch.

Dave

[MaximusJ]

Its the same on Nikon. But when you're not touching the button at all and you push it down all the way in AF priority, the AF is still gonna work his way through before snapping the shot (Not a delay like a P&S).

But with the back focus button, you get your focus, and then it stays there even if you take your time before snapping the shot (as long as your subject doesnt move). So it almost serve the same purpose as a AF-L button.

I'm pretty sure its very similar. Lets not hide it, Canon and Nikon are copycats to each other. They wouldnt let that gap separates one from the other. Its just the way that one's using it that makes one technique more useful then the other I guess; based on personal preferences.




On another note, I am looking for a pistol grip. I really like the idea of not having to unscrew 3 buttons to fix the angle of my tripod's head for about the same price of a decent head. Is there any other pros or cons that I should be aware of? And for the ones that are using one of those, which one do you prefer and why?

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by MaximusJ

Its the same on Nikon. But when you're not touching the button at all and you push it down all the way in AF priority, the AF is still gonna work his way through before snapping the shot (Not a delay like a P&S).

But with the back focus button, you get your focus, and then it stays there even if you take your time before snapping the shot (as long as your subject doesnt move). So it almost serve the same purpose as a AF-L button.

I'm pretty sure its very similar. Lets not hide it, Canon and Nikon are copycats to each other. They wouldnt let that gap separates one from the other. Its just the way that one's using it that makes one technique more useful then the other I guess; based on personal preferences.

Those that use the shutter release to focus would never take their finger off the release button while actively shooting. You either set focus with the shutter release or the back button. Either way you have to push a button.

On Canon, there's no delay of shutter, if you've focused. If you try to release the shutter without focusing and simply push the shutter release all the way down, then there'll be a delay if the camera is not in focus. If you've got a 500mm lens on the camera and it's focused at 15-ft and you're trying to shoot something at 100-ft, then it could take a second or more. You only try that once and learn not to do it. Only noobs do that. You have to focus first or go to MF if you want an OOF shot. Focus with either the shutter release or back button, but focus first.

Dave

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by MaximusJ

On another note, I am looking for a pistol grip. I really like the idea of not having to unscrew 3 buttons to fix the angle of my tripod's head for about the same price of a decent head. Is there any other pros or cons that I should be aware of? And for the ones that are using one of those, which one do you prefer and why?

I have a friend with the Manfrotto pistol grip rig and he's very happy with it.

I see no problem with it unless you were going to use it with a heavy super tele, beyond 400mm. I've got a super heavy Arca-Swiss Z1 with a Wimberley Sidekick for my 500/f4, but with smaller lenses, like 70-200s and 24-105s, I think it's a great solution.

I've used Manfrotto in the past and was frustrated that they have about five different mounting/quick release systems. Besides that, they don't make adapters to go from one of their quick release solutions to another. Other than that, I was generally happy with Manfrotto, but I much prefer using Arca-Swiss quick release plates.

[gary88]

Anyone have tips on building a site? Right now I've gotten as far as selecting hostgator.

[Chewy734]

Originally Posted by gary88

Anyone have tips on building a site? Right now I've gotten as far as selecting hostgator.

A photography site, I assume?

We do hosting, as well as maintaining, building, etc, so contact me if you're interested. Otherwise, if you want the free way of doing it, I recommend using Wordpress and using one of their free templates.

[MaximusJ]

Originally Posted by dcstep

I have a friend with the Manfrotto pistol grip rig and he's very happy with it.

I see no problem with it unless you were going to use it with a heavy super tele, beyond 400mm. I've got a super heavy Arca-Swiss Z1 with a Wimberley Sidekick for my 500/f4, but with smaller lenses, like 70-200s and 24-105s, I think it's a great solution.

I've used Manfrotto in the past and was frustrated that they have about five different mounting/quick release systems. Besides that, they don't make adapters to go from one of their quick release solutions to another. Other than that, I was generally happy with Manfrotto, but I much prefer using Arca-Swiss quick release plates.

I was looking at the Manfrotto/Bogen 322RC2 Which got a quick release plate and can hold up to 5kg/11lbs. All that for $130. I cant find a lot of detailed reviews on this one but some sites give it a 4.5/5 star. Is that the same your friend have? I know the 324RC2 was weaker and got a lot of bad reviews but the newest version seems to be more solid.

[Seminole]

Originally Posted by MaximusJ

On another note, I am looking for a pistol grip. I really like the idea of not having to unscrew 3 buttons to fix the angle of my tripod's head for about the same price of a decent head. Is there any other pros or cons that I should be aware of? And for the ones that are using one of those, which one do you prefer and why?

I bought this guy: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sunpak+-...ipod&cp=1&lp=9

I really like it. It's built well, has a lot of levels built in to make sure its all even, the pistol grip is very fast and accurate, and it has a quick release/locking mechanism. If you do put some really heavy lenses on I could see it being an issue, but even with my decently heavy 17-55 F2.8 it doesn't have an issue.

[MaximusJ]

Originally Posted by dcstep

Those that use the shutter release to focus would never take their finger off the release button while actively shooting. You either set focus with the shutter release or the back button. Either way you have to push a button.

On Canon, there's no delay of shutter, if you've focused. If you try to release the shutter without focusing and simply push the shutter release all the way down, then there'll be a delay if the camera is not in focus. If you've got a 500mm lens on the camera and it's focused at 15-ft and you're trying to shoot something at 100-ft, then it could take a second or more. You only try that once and learn not to do it. Only noobs do that. You have to focus first or go to MF if you want an OOF shot. Focus with either the shutter release or back button, but focus first.

Dave

I cant disagree with any of that I guess I will have to put my camera back to factory settings to refresh my memory because from what I remember, hitting the shutter on shutter release priority was noticeably quicker then in AF priority.

I must admit I still have a couple noob/bad habits like removing my finger off the shutter too quickly / too often.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by MaximusJ

I was looking at the Manfrotto/Bogen 322RC2 Which got a quick release plate and can hold up to 5kg/11lbs. All that for $130. I cant find a lot of detailed reviews on this one but some sites give it a 4.5/5 star. Is that the same your friend have? I know the 324RC2 was weaker and got a lot of bad reviews but the newest version seems to be more solid.

Sorry, but I'm not really sure of the exact model. It was like the first one out and year or two ago.

Dave

[MaximusJ]

Originally Posted by dcstep

Sorry, but I'm not really sure of the exact model. It was like the first one out and year or two ago.

Dave

Then i'm pretty sure its the 324RC2 model. Some heavier lenses were wearing them out very quickly. The newest model 322RC2 is supposed to handle supertele up to 500mm without a problem.

Seminole: i was looking for a head only; already bought the tripod

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by MaximusJ

Then i'm pretty sure its the 324RC2 model. Some heavier lenses were wearing them out very quickly. The newest model 322RC2 is supposed to handle supertele up to 500mm without a problem.

That should be good. I didn't try my 500mm on my friend's Manfrotto because my quick release plate is Arca-Swiss and we needed one of the various Manfrotto to match his pistol grip. He was using a relatively large Sony 200-400mm with great success.

Dave

[dcstep]

My youngest daughter is a network engineer at LinkedIn with lots of geek friends the have the very latest in computer gear. Last night a friend from Google showed up with a MBP with the new Retina display. He's in the beginning stages of photography addiction and showed her some of his hi rez images zoomed in. She said it blew her away. The screen is bright and the colors "seemed" accurate.

I just bought a powerful Lenovo laptop, but the screen is really just an afterthought. I only use it for emergency image processing. After a recent trip to Florida, I reprocessed all my images because I'd made them too warm with the Lenovo's cool colored screen, which I can't seem to calibrate accurately.

The Apple is mega-expensive, but someone seriously into photography and image processing might consider one for their next laptop. Of course all the best processing software is Windows-centric, but you can solve that by running two OS on the MBP.

Dave

[Chewy734]

Originally Posted by dcstep

Of course all the best processing software is Windows-centric, but you can solve that by running two OS on the MBP.

Dave

You had me until that last statement, Dave.

What image/photo-processing software do you use that runs only on Windows? The MacOS natively supports CS6, LR4, Aperture, Nik, DPP, etc.

[M_Six]

I believe the Retina display models also have soldered on RAM, which means you need to order it with the specs you'll need now and in the future. I ordered my recent MBP with the minimum RAM because it's much cheaper to buy RAM from Crucial. I don't think you can do that with the Retina display models.

[Chewy734]

Originally Posted by M_Six

I believe the Retina display models also have soldered on RAM, which means you need to order it with the specs you'll need now and in the future. I ordered my recent MBP with the minimum RAM because it's much cheaper to buy RAM from Crucial. I don't think you can do that with the Retina display models.

Correct. Not to mention, a proprietary SSD on the MBPr.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Chewy734

You had me until that last statement, Dave.

What image/photo-processing software do you use that runs only on Windows? The MacOS natively supports CS6, LR4, Aperture, Nik, DPP, etc.

Teasing, mostly...

DxO Optics Pro 7.5 has a version that will run in the Apple OS, but the Apple huggers are always bitching on the forums. Also, they get their versions weeks after we get our Windows versions.

Of course, I used DxO for almost 4-years before it became stable and fast on Windows. I put up with its issues because it was so good when it finally did work. NOW (ever since v. 7.2) it's the bomb and I just blow through processing with no lockups and fast adjustments and ultra fast RAW conversion (around 5-sec. per 25MB file).

Dave

[remmib]

Chewy, we need a new contest soon.

[M_Six]

Canon's 20% off sale is back. Free shipping, too. Not a lot in stock right now, but the 60D for under $650 was tempting. Too bad I'm broke from buying the 135L.

Canon Direct Store 20% Off Refurbished Lenses, Speedlites, and some SLRSs

Code: 20SLR612 - 20% Off
Free Shipping Code: June612

Lens:

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


DSLR:

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