[M_Six]

Lesson for the Day. A gorgeous sunset can't be shared IF YOU LEAVE YOUR DAMN CAMERA AT HOME!!!

Argh. I was tortured by a 45 minute long light show this evening and had no way to capture it.

[bosstones]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Lesson for the Day. A gorgeous sunset can't be shared IF YOU LEAVE YOUR DAMN CAMERA AT HOME!!!

I would add that a gorgueous sunset also can't be shared if you have your camera but are dealing with 40+mph gusts while sitting atop rocky crags.

[MaximusJ]

Hey guys, i'm looking to buy a RRS BH-55 PCL Ballhead; so if you ever see one of these for sale, hit me up. Used can do as long as its in good condition. There arent many for sale and most of them sells for pretty much the brand new price.

The brand new price is kinda steep, but I fell in love with this head. I will try my luck in the used market before going for the new one.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by MaximusJ

Hey guys, i'm looking to buy a RRS BH-55 PCL Ballhead; so if you ever see one of these for sale, hit me up. Used can do as long as its in good condition. There arent many for sale and most of them sells for pretty much the brand new price.

The brand new price is kinda steep, but I fell in love with this head. I will try my luck in the used market before going for the new one.

Be careful with used models of the RRS ballhead. I read of an instance or two of the ball separating. That's certainly been fixed with new units. If the price isn't that different, you may want to just get a new one.

i've shot with my Arca-Swiss Z1 and the RRS. They're very close in function. One of these top ballhead is really a great investment. They give a really solids setup for long exposures and/or big lenses.

Dave

[MaximusJ]

Originally Posted by dcstep

Be careful with used models of the RRS ballhead. I read of an instance or two of the ball separating. That's certainly been fixed with new units. If the price isn't that different, you may want to just get a new one.

i've shot with my Arca-Swiss Z1 and the RRS. They're very close in function. One of these top ballhead is really a great investment. They give a really solids setup for long exposures and/or big lenses.

Dave

Note taken.

According to the manufacturer's specs, my manfrotto pistolgrip should be able to support my 70-200 hooked to the D800 without a problem, but its not as precise as I would want it to be. It doesnt stay locked on target when I release the clamp; even with friction at the max.

Might as well sell it since its almost brand new, buy the RRS and call it a day. The BH-55 from RRS can handle the biggest lenses so I know I will be ok whatever setup I got on there. And since I might get the 200-400 one day; might as well buy my new ballhead with that in mind.

[Weebl]

What about a Novoflex?

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by MaximusJ

Note taken.

According to the manufacturer's specs, my manfrotto pistolgrip should be able to support my 70-200 hooked to the D800 without a problem, but its not as precise as I would want it to be. It doesnt stay locked on target when I release the clamp; even with friction at the max.

Might as well sell it since its almost brand new, buy the RRS and call it a day. The BH-55 from RRS can handle the biggest lenses so I know I will be ok whatever setup I got on there. And since I might get the 200-400 one day; might as well buy my new ballhead with that in mind.

The RRS will blow away the Manafrotto.

This is an area where I believe in overkill. Combine one of these top ballheads with one of the top 6X carbon fiber tripods and you'll have an ultra-steady platform for scenics, long exposures and big lenses.

As much as I encourage using solid, steady ballheads and tripods, I all recommend hand holding the 70-200mm and 100-400mm lenses in most applications. For anything moving fast, you'll be more flexible and experience a higher keeper rate with hand holding.

The main times that I use my tripod with my 500mm lens is in a blind or when I'm set up under a nest for long times, waiting for something interesting to happen.

Dave

[MaximusJ]

Yes I share your point of view on that. Some pieces of gear dont age; so might as well get the best and take advantage of them for years. I really love my Gitzo CF 2531LW Tripod. Its a very well invested $500 and it will last forever. Light, compact, and doesnt get cold in winter. Winner on every point. But I need a better head on it since my manfrotto 322RC2 grip fails with my 70-200.

What I like from the BH-55 from RRS is the size of the knob and its sturdiness. As much as I believe a lot of ballheads out there can be as sturdy as the RRS for the application I would make of it, most of them got a very small knob or locking tab; depending on the model. I got big hands and hate having to deal with knobs sometimes as small as a dime.

I took a look at Gitzo's ballheads too, but RRS's are almost the same price; under $100 price difference; and not quoted as good under heavier loads.

I also have a couple panning projects in mind, but currently dont have this option so I'm looking to get this option on my new head for sure.

It narrows down the option a lot; and the remaining ones are not cheap.

[MaximusJ]

I ended up buying the Gitzo 2780QR ballhead. B&H got a promotion on them at 269$ + tx and shipping, but I had a ebay seller match it at 279; no taxes (From South Korea) and free shipping. I wasnt elligible for this mail-in rebate promotion so that's pretty much a $60 saving for me.

I gave up on used RRS ballheads since people are asking like $20 less then brand new price. The RRS BH-55 brand new was 575 brand new; $700 with the quick release plate for the D800 + taxes at the border. That was a bit too much for my wallet.

Besides, I see a lot of used Gitzo heads like mine to sell for a higher price then what I paid for it. So it has a very good resale potential if I ever change my mind in the future or get some extra money.

[dcstep]

One of our Rocky Mountain area photographers is running a photo contest for the alumni of his photography classes and tours. If you're interested in that sort of thing, the images are good and fun to browse through. Consider reviewing the images and voting.

Here's the poop:

Weldon Lee 9:06am Oct 31
A CONTEST WHERE EVERYONE WINS!
Rocky Mountain Photo Adventures celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2012. As the year nears its end, I can think of no better way of celebrating 25 years of leading photography workshops, than by honoring our alumni and automatically entering their images in a photo contest and YOU ARE THE JUDGE (and that also includes all alumni). Click on the FORWARD THIS EMAIL link at the bottom of this page and send it to all your friends. The more people voting, the better it is for all.

The best thing about it is that everybody wins by simply participating.

Ever since we put a website on the internet, participants have been encouraged to submit photos made during workshops. I would then select a few images and upload them to that website. Those images are now part of this contest and can be viewed on the alumni pages of our Rocky Mountain Photo Adventures website. Click HERE.

YOU & YOUR FRIENDS ARE INVITED TO VOTE!


Here's how to vote:
Step 1 - Simply go to our website: www.RockyMountainPhotoAdventures.com
Step 2 - Click on ALUMNI in the navigation bar.
Step 3 - View all four galleries (Africa, Alaska, Canada, Lower 48) and pick your favorite image (select only one).
Step 3 - Email the photographer's name and image description to me: wlee@rockymountainphotoadventures.com

VOTING ENDS MIDNIGHT, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012.

The photographer of the winning image will receive a 20x30-inch,
framed canvas print of that image from The Photo Touch.
A $265 value.

That's not all . . .
Every person voting, will receive a $25 coupon from The Photo Touch that can be applied to the purchase of either a 20x30-inch
framed canvas or framed aluminum print . . . and, you can order directly from their website.
www.thephototouch.com

There's more . . .
Thanks to Dan Sawusch, owner of The Photo Touch, all of my friends, and that includes you, can now purchase the finest photographic prints the industry has to offer at their special Enthusiast Level pricing. This is a substantial savings over standard retail pricing! Simply tell 'em, "Weldon sent me."

LET THE VOTING BEGIN!

[MaximusJ]

For those of you considering the Spider Holster; but reconsidered because of the price ($150+), consider this: http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...m=110963040455

$37 and its a real energy / neck / wrist saver for the long walks. You almost forget you're walking with your camera; even with a 70-200.

I love this frigging thing.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by MaximusJ

For those of you considering the Spider Holster; but reconsidered because of the price ($150+), consider this: http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...m=110963040455

$37 and its a real energy / neck / wrist saver for the long walks. You almost forget you're walking with your camera; even with a 70-200.

I love this frigging thing.

Are you actually using it? Could you show a picture of it with the camera attached?

I would worry a bit about the tinsel strength of the little nib that slides into the lock. There's going to be lots of stress at that point. Given what'll be hanging by that nib, I might pay more for heftier hardware.

If you've got an Arca-Swiss quick release plate on the bottom of your camera, can this work? (I'm NOT taking it off).

Dave

[MaximusJ]

Yes, I am using it for three months now.

I had the same concerns at first, I was using it with a sling; just in case. The only way that the camera could fall off is if the metal clip on the belt breaks in two.

The belt got a padding section that prevents the camera from hitting your lap on long walks; so you dont feel it. And the holster itself is fixed on the belt and you have two screws securing it through the belt. I compared this to a real Spider belt and they're identical; except for the price and logo.

You have a mounting plate that goes at the bottom of your camera and the screw is very solid when tightened enough,. It doesnt get loose or anything. Same kind of fixture then on a black rapid sling. On the bottom of this plate, you have a duplicated mount where you could put your QR adapter; whatever model it is. I'm currently using it with my manfrotto QR and works ok.

Ok, I wouldnt use it with a bigger lens then my 70-200; but with all the other ones I have, there's no stress at all on the belt.

And you have a locking pin that prevents the camera from going out of the holster without having your finger on the pin; so yes; very secure.

The belt has a locking mecanism too so you cant open the plastic clips to remove the belt if this mecanism is at the locked position.

I cant post a pic when I get home, but if you check online, its IDENTICAL to the Spider holster.

[dcstep]

Thanks. At that price there's not too much to lose.

I'd be using it with my 7D and 70-200/f4, which is a reasonably light rig. I've walked many miles with that thing swinging around my neck. I'm actually used to it, but this could be a big step up.

Thanks for heads up.

Dave

[MaximusJ]

Exactly. It saved me the neck/wrist pains from long afternoons.

[gary88]

On Friday I went to the local Calumet and played with a 5D3 for a little. And now I'm saving for one, what an amazing camera. Some shots with a 24-105 f/4L IS:

f/4 ISO 400 (jpeg)


100% crop, unsharpened


f/4 ISO 3200 (RAW)


100% crop, unsharpened


f/4 ISO 25600 (RAW)


100% crop, unsharpened


ISO 25600 is about equal to my 50D at ISO 3200

[Weebl]

What I notice is that even though the noise is there, the image edges are still sharp.

[nitinj]

Photoshoot November 2012, Folsom, CA

[kamek]

Had my 50L serviced by Canon due to focusing issues and now I'm back in business! Turn around time was only 5 business days from them receiving the product to me having it back in my hands!

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by kamek

Had my 50L serviced by Canon due to focusing issues and now I'm back in business! Turn around time was only 5 business days from them receiving the product to me having it back in my hands!

Congrats.

Yes, I think that I see a sliver in focus there. Nice bokeh.

[MaximusJ]

Anybody got good results with LensAlign mkII?

My Nikkor 70-200 2.8 VR backfocus a bit and is out of warranty. I want to try this before forking out the $150 needed for alignment.

The reviews are pretty good and the product looks pretty much straightforward to use.

[gary88]

I'm selling my 50D and 10-22 if anyone is interested