Canon posts Service Notice for EOS 650D DSLR camera - Canon Australia
Silly Canon Users...
Check the serial number of your Canon 650D/T4i and see if you have bad rubber baby!!!
Showing posts with label camera. Show all posts
Showing posts with label camera. Show all posts
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Thursday, July 12, 2012
CR Kennedy....... Your VERY VERY UNWELCOME..
If your the owner of a Sigma Lens and need it serviced at CR Kennedy, I'm just giving you a warning.
Throw the lens away and either buy the proper Nikon, Canon, or what ever fits the camera your using. I know I'm probably one of a very very small crowd of people that have had a problem, but I'm far from going to be the last. Now as I have a pretty big soap box to stand on, I'm about to get up there and roar.
1) When I took my camera and lens into them for re-calibration and checking (as it has never really been sharp even right down to f8), the service technicians (or that's who I think they were) told me about a week and it really shouldn't take much longer.
2) So after almost a week I planned on popping in to collect my camera and newly calibrated lens but was informed it was not done yet and it should be ready very early the next week and I should call Tuesday.
3)Tuesday of the next week (so 2 weeks for a 1 week check) the camera still hasn't been done (even though it was "started" a week ago) and to call Thursday for a very accurate time as to when it will be finished.
4) The call is placed on Thursday and I'm told it should be ready Friday and I should call to check and make sure so it can be collected.
5) Call Friday morning and it's redirected straight to the Sydney Office. The lady on the other end of the phone informs me that Melbourne is relocating to a new warehouse and won't be contactable till Monday afternoon Tuesday Morning and she can email them any questions I might have.
6) Call Monday making sure they understand that if my camera is not ready I don't really care anymore I just need it back. I have lost 2 bookings and untold dollars and that I'm at the point where some form of reimbursement might be in order for the money I have lost unable to work. I'm also informed that the lens calibration has started and it should be ready Tuesday.
7) Tuesday I call and I'm told it will be finished and ready to collect Wednesday. When prompted as to a time for collection I was told I should call prior, as there are no guarantee's. I then explained yet again what was happening and the lengths I would go, we came to an agreement that they would ship my camera to me overnight via courier. I was also told they would call and or email me the tracking number.
8) Wednesday Morning and after not receiving a call or email with the tracking number I call and receive the number and check online to see where it is, and before I could even enter the password the delivery man arrives and my camera and lens finally made it back into my hands. After 20-30 test shots it looks absolutely no different. So it took 3 weeks for my camera and lens to be calibrated, checked, and fine tuned for the images to look no different.
What's the morale of this story? Well there are a couple.
1) DON'T SKIMP ON EQUIPMENT!! This is the first and last time I will say this. I was in a bit of a pickle at the time and need a lens FAST. This was the only one available so I went and bought it WITHOUT USING IT FIRST!! Go to the stores and try out the gear, If I had of tested it first, I would have never bought it.
2) THE CUSTOMER COMES FIRST! Yep I have burnt 1 or 2 bridges in my time photographically and when I worked in retail. Sometimes things just never go right and you do have to be that guy or gal that bails at the last minuet and screw's the pooch. I have always tried to give enough time so people can find alternatives. But to have a company lie and misinform me as much as they did, that's some of the worst customer service ever.
OK they never changed me for the work on the camera or the shipping, but I think that's the least they could do. I must admit though, I will never buy anything from Sigma again, or anything that is related to the CR Kennedy company's again. If I can ABSOLUTELY make sure of it.
Throw the lens away and either buy the proper Nikon, Canon, or what ever fits the camera your using. I know I'm probably one of a very very small crowd of people that have had a problem, but I'm far from going to be the last. Now as I have a pretty big soap box to stand on, I'm about to get up there and roar.
1) When I took my camera and lens into them for re-calibration and checking (as it has never really been sharp even right down to f8), the service technicians (or that's who I think they were) told me about a week and it really shouldn't take much longer.
2) So after almost a week I planned on popping in to collect my camera and newly calibrated lens but was informed it was not done yet and it should be ready very early the next week and I should call Tuesday.
3)Tuesday of the next week (so 2 weeks for a 1 week check) the camera still hasn't been done (even though it was "started" a week ago) and to call Thursday for a very accurate time as to when it will be finished.
4) The call is placed on Thursday and I'm told it should be ready Friday and I should call to check and make sure so it can be collected.
5) Call Friday morning and it's redirected straight to the Sydney Office. The lady on the other end of the phone informs me that Melbourne is relocating to a new warehouse and won't be contactable till Monday afternoon Tuesday Morning and she can email them any questions I might have.
6) Call Monday making sure they understand that if my camera is not ready I don't really care anymore I just need it back. I have lost 2 bookings and untold dollars and that I'm at the point where some form of reimbursement might be in order for the money I have lost unable to work. I'm also informed that the lens calibration has started and it should be ready Tuesday.
7) Tuesday I call and I'm told it will be finished and ready to collect Wednesday. When prompted as to a time for collection I was told I should call prior, as there are no guarantee's. I then explained yet again what was happening and the lengths I would go, we came to an agreement that they would ship my camera to me overnight via courier. I was also told they would call and or email me the tracking number.
8) Wednesday Morning and after not receiving a call or email with the tracking number I call and receive the number and check online to see where it is, and before I could even enter the password the delivery man arrives and my camera and lens finally made it back into my hands. After 20-30 test shots it looks absolutely no different. So it took 3 weeks for my camera and lens to be calibrated, checked, and fine tuned for the images to look no different.
What's the morale of this story? Well there are a couple.
1) DON'T SKIMP ON EQUIPMENT!! This is the first and last time I will say this. I was in a bit of a pickle at the time and need a lens FAST. This was the only one available so I went and bought it WITHOUT USING IT FIRST!! Go to the stores and try out the gear, If I had of tested it first, I would have never bought it.
2) THE CUSTOMER COMES FIRST! Yep I have burnt 1 or 2 bridges in my time photographically and when I worked in retail. Sometimes things just never go right and you do have to be that guy or gal that bails at the last minuet and screw's the pooch. I have always tried to give enough time so people can find alternatives. But to have a company lie and misinform me as much as they did, that's some of the worst customer service ever.
OK they never changed me for the work on the camera or the shipping, but I think that's the least they could do. I must admit though, I will never buy anything from Sigma again, or anything that is related to the CR Kennedy company's again. If I can ABSOLUTELY make sure of it.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
People having the same idea, but who will be first...
I have to admit that I'm kinda geeky and love all the new toys that seem to come on the market from nowhere.. There is always a plethora of things to see..
But with the new camera coming from Polaroid, were at the races now.
You all might remember a few months back I made mention of an Instagram Camera that was in the works over in Italy, well the Polaroid Z2300 is pretty much the same thing and will be out much sooner!
With a list of features like Stuck Backs on the prints, SD capability so you can SAVE photos to upload later, and the option to print B&W or Color is pretty amazing.
Click the Links and check it out!!!
PS: If there is a sample camera floating around for trail.......................... you know where to find me!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Cannon T4I/650D... Same Camera... 2 Names...
What is it with Cannon?? I don't use one cause, well to be honest, I never liked the name. A camera that is named after a device designed for killing?? Could never get past that...
Anyway I digress, this is about the NEW offering from the Cannon stable. The T4I/650D (I think that depends if your in Australia/America). This is still a kinda Entry Level camera in the DSLR market (at $900 for body only). It carries an 18 MP Sensor, 3" Screen, 5 Frames per Second Shooting, and Full HD shooting in Video Mode.
Without getting my grubby hands on one to play with, it kinda looks pretty good on paper. It's about a Nikon D3200 comparison, but why compare? Well the Cannon probably has a better Video, but I think the Nikon might has a better chance in the Stills department.
So until I can get one of each to test out back to back (anyone can lend them to me ANYONE) for a day or two, I think the old photographers adage of "Cannon for Lens and Nikon for Body's" might still hold true. The layout of the the controls on the Nikon just looks nicer. Also the Cannon Flippy Turny Screen thing... I still don't get it. It's the first thing I can see a punter breaking, and I wonder how expensive it's going to be to replace! As a body only and a nice EF50mm f18 II lens, I can see a begginer making some very lovely shots. They might even get the EF 40mm f28 STM (I think it fits) for a more diverse range of shooting and video options.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Pick a Lens and go shoot!!!
As a photographer we like having a bunch of the best kit (we can afford) and being able to shoot as many beautiful images as we can.
Lens selection is probably something a lot of starting out photographers seem more daunting than actually selecting the Camera body. There are so many lens's out there and they all sound kinda the same, but are all very different. One thing I have always wanted was someone to give a brief description of Lens selection and why you would use that lens. I was never able to find anything like it around, so I thought "What the hell, I will give it a crack".
So here is a list of lens types (based on the basics) and why you might choose them. I will also give you a quick rundown of what's currently in my bag.
Really there are only a couple of types of lens:
Prime Lens: These are super nifty and can be quite cheap. Most fixed sizes are available from 20mm up to 200mm. Where does a Prime fit, well they are kinda the "Old School" of shooting. You use your feet for zoom (in or out) and pick the f for the depth of field.
Zoom Lens: These are a bit broader and come in many different configurations. A Zoom will replace a fist full of primes, and if you get a really lovely fast lens, it will replace the Primes with just as beautiful crisp photo.
Tilt Shift: These wont be used by many in the General Population, but are a great idea if you want to specialize in Architecture photography. They are also great fun to play with for exaggerated portraits or whimsical landscapes.
Macro: These lens's are the gift to Entomologists and Botany photographs the world over. I have seen these with a focusing distance of as short as 5cm and a reproduction of image to 1:1!! Amazing results can be had. These are great for anything up close.
Fish Eye: Do you need a lens that will give you 180 degree range of sight, then get a Fish Eye. These things have been used for things as simple as Landscapes and House Interiors, and they are perfect for that. They have a wonderful "Forced" field of view that is very quirky and distorted. Use the Fish Eye for a modern day Portrait, or go find that lovely Outdoors area where you have always wondered ho to get it all in the frame.
They are all they basic types. So what the hell do you do now!!!
I think the myth of lens's needs to be broken a little. Do you need to spend 2-3K on a lens? Maybe. I say maybe because as a consumer and someone who is kinda frugal, I don't want to be spilling out cash all the time. My dad once said "Smart people buy once and Poor People buy all the time" and that is to be said for Lens's.
So shooting Weddings, Zooms are your friend!!! I think out of all the Wedding guys I know would use 2 lens's all day long and that's it!! They would have a 24-70mm and a 70mm-200mm both in a really fast f2.8 and shoot all day long. It gives them such a wonderful range of shooting options and the convenience of 2 simple shooting options, and only having to change from one lens to the other (if you don't have 2 bodies) is just perfect.
Landscape people, your even easier. ANY LENS IS FINE!! Yep I said it!! OK, spending up on a say LOVELY 24mm Prime in f 1.8 will give some amazingly crisp and clean images, but really? If your starting out on Landscapes and Urban, kit lens's are just fine but the wider the better. These weird super dooper 50-500mm zooms are useless and serve no purpose at all. My landscapes are probably 90% 35mm f 1.8 lens and that's it. I might go to a 50mm just to tighten up my view and focal point, but nothing much more than that. I would LOVE a say 14mm Fish Eye, but at the moment I can't justify the money.
So really, there is no right or wrong lens for you to use, but have a really good think about what your going to photograph. I would even go to the point of say you should really go rent a lens for the weekend and try it out. That way before you outlay some major coin, you know it will work for what you need. I'm of the opinion that if it covers 75% of your shooting needs, it's worth the cash.
So my bag? Well I'm a Nikon user and currently carry these lens's.
Nikkor DX 35mm f1.8G (made to give 35mm on DX format sensor)
Nikkor 50mm f1.8D
Nikkor 85mm f1.8D
Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 HSM
I might give the Sigma the Heave Ho because I find it a bit "Soft" on the edges. Its a lovely lens, but for some of the shot's I'm trying to achieve, it's just not sharp enough. So I will end up getting the Nikon version, but will decide on a D ring or G ring (D ring has no Vibration Reduction).
So If I have confused you more, let me know what you want to shoot and I will try and give you an idea of what I would get..
Lens selection is probably something a lot of starting out photographers seem more daunting than actually selecting the Camera body. There are so many lens's out there and they all sound kinda the same, but are all very different. One thing I have always wanted was someone to give a brief description of Lens selection and why you would use that lens. I was never able to find anything like it around, so I thought "What the hell, I will give it a crack".
So here is a list of lens types (based on the basics) and why you might choose them. I will also give you a quick rundown of what's currently in my bag.
Really there are only a couple of types of lens:
Prime Lens: These are super nifty and can be quite cheap. Most fixed sizes are available from 20mm up to 200mm. Where does a Prime fit, well they are kinda the "Old School" of shooting. You use your feet for zoom (in or out) and pick the f for the depth of field.
Zoom Lens: These are a bit broader and come in many different configurations. A Zoom will replace a fist full of primes, and if you get a really lovely fast lens, it will replace the Primes with just as beautiful crisp photo.
Tilt Shift: These wont be used by many in the General Population, but are a great idea if you want to specialize in Architecture photography. They are also great fun to play with for exaggerated portraits or whimsical landscapes.
Macro: These lens's are the gift to Entomologists and Botany photographs the world over. I have seen these with a focusing distance of as short as 5cm and a reproduction of image to 1:1!! Amazing results can be had. These are great for anything up close.
Fish Eye: Do you need a lens that will give you 180 degree range of sight, then get a Fish Eye. These things have been used for things as simple as Landscapes and House Interiors, and they are perfect for that. They have a wonderful "Forced" field of view that is very quirky and distorted. Use the Fish Eye for a modern day Portrait, or go find that lovely Outdoors area where you have always wondered ho to get it all in the frame.
They are all they basic types. So what the hell do you do now!!!
I think the myth of lens's needs to be broken a little. Do you need to spend 2-3K on a lens? Maybe. I say maybe because as a consumer and someone who is kinda frugal, I don't want to be spilling out cash all the time. My dad once said "Smart people buy once and Poor People buy all the time" and that is to be said for Lens's.
So shooting Weddings, Zooms are your friend!!! I think out of all the Wedding guys I know would use 2 lens's all day long and that's it!! They would have a 24-70mm and a 70mm-200mm both in a really fast f2.8 and shoot all day long. It gives them such a wonderful range of shooting options and the convenience of 2 simple shooting options, and only having to change from one lens to the other (if you don't have 2 bodies) is just perfect.
Landscape people, your even easier. ANY LENS IS FINE!! Yep I said it!! OK, spending up on a say LOVELY 24mm Prime in f 1.8 will give some amazingly crisp and clean images, but really? If your starting out on Landscapes and Urban, kit lens's are just fine but the wider the better. These weird super dooper 50-500mm zooms are useless and serve no purpose at all. My landscapes are probably 90% 35mm f 1.8 lens and that's it. I might go to a 50mm just to tighten up my view and focal point, but nothing much more than that. I would LOVE a say 14mm Fish Eye, but at the moment I can't justify the money.
So really, there is no right or wrong lens for you to use, but have a really good think about what your going to photograph. I would even go to the point of say you should really go rent a lens for the weekend and try it out. That way before you outlay some major coin, you know it will work for what you need. I'm of the opinion that if it covers 75% of your shooting needs, it's worth the cash.
So my bag? Well I'm a Nikon user and currently carry these lens's.
Nikkor DX 35mm f1.8G (made to give 35mm on DX format sensor)
Nikkor 50mm f1.8D
Nikkor 85mm f1.8D
Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 HSM
I might give the Sigma the Heave Ho because I find it a bit "Soft" on the edges. Its a lovely lens, but for some of the shot's I'm trying to achieve, it's just not sharp enough. So I will end up getting the Nikon version, but will decide on a D ring or G ring (D ring has no Vibration Reduction).
So If I have confused you more, let me know what you want to shoot and I will try and give you an idea of what I would get..
Saturday, April 21, 2012
The Nikon D3200.....
Nikon D3200 is the new kid on the block down at Nikon and the news is...... well.... luke warm really..
Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE a new camera. But Really.. A 24 Mega Pixel camera with 3200 ISO... I think I'm with The Fro when I say I would have rather seen say a 12 Mega Pixel camera with a better ISO ability. But why would you argue. Is this camera directed at someone like me, or any Semi Pro photographer? I dare say it really really isn't.
But in the $600 price bracket for something that will do a pretty good job for those starting out in Photography, it's a nifty piece of kit. If you were using it as a second camera for filming, as long as the frame sync rates are the same, it's at a great price for that..
Thursday, December 8, 2011
iPhoneography
Well I have t say that this seems to have taken on a new idea.
iPhoneography has come along in leaps and bounds with so many different apps available to take stunning photos.
I used an app called Camera Bag for this one. It has many different styles and can be edited slightly depending on the look you want. This was done using the "Silver" filter.
iPhoneography has come along in leaps and bounds with so many different apps available to take stunning photos.
I used an app called Camera Bag for this one. It has many different styles and can be edited slightly depending on the look you want. This was done using the "Silver" filter.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Shopping at Image Melbourne
Popped into Image Melbourne today to spend up on some lovely new gear.
Picked up 2 x 300W Strobe Flash; 2 x Stands; 2 x 80cm x 120cm Soft Box's; and a multitude of cables and bits and bobs to go with it.
I love using this local company. They import their own items as well as selling some brand name stuff. All the items are quite good quality wise, and cheap for something that is sold in a retail store. The best thing is the service they provide.
I asked then about a cable for a Sekonic light meter that I own. I wanted to be able to measure the light as well as set the flash off at the same time. I also wanted to take a photo while I did it so I could measure the flash at the same time. I left my name and number and got a call about an hour later with a 5min voice mail on what cables I should use and how it would all work.
Now that's FABULOUS customer service. I shop at Image Melbourne a lot, and will continue to do so.
Picked up 2 x 300W Strobe Flash; 2 x Stands; 2 x 80cm x 120cm Soft Box's; and a multitude of cables and bits and bobs to go with it.
I love using this local company. They import their own items as well as selling some brand name stuff. All the items are quite good quality wise, and cheap for something that is sold in a retail store. The best thing is the service they provide.
I asked then about a cable for a Sekonic light meter that I own. I wanted to be able to measure the light as well as set the flash off at the same time. I also wanted to take a photo while I did it so I could measure the flash at the same time. I left my name and number and got a call about an hour later with a 5min voice mail on what cables I should use and how it would all work.
Now that's FABULOUS customer service. I shop at Image Melbourne a lot, and will continue to do so.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Camera Search..... The new Beginning...
Well looking at new cameras at the moment, as well as second handy's.
So what kinda thing am I looking for. Well it's time to go Medium Format Film with the hope to go Digital later on. I have closed in on a couple of possibility's.
Mamiya 645 is looking pretty good right about now. I have seen a few Hasselblad as well, but they seem to be right out of my price range. Bronica have a couple of nice camera's, but again they are getting up there dollar wise.
So now it's a search to the death.
So what kinda thing am I looking for. Well it's time to go Medium Format Film with the hope to go Digital later on. I have closed in on a couple of possibility's.
Mamiya 645 is looking pretty good right about now. I have seen a few Hasselblad as well, but they seem to be right out of my price range. Bronica have a couple of nice camera's, but again they are getting up there dollar wise.
So now it's a search to the death.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Crumpler Brazillion Dollar Home now in my Home..
Well I have pondered and pondered this decision for ages, and decided to get the Crumpler Brazillion-Dollar-Home. This is a MASSIVE bag!! I'm looking forward to getting all my stuff inside it and see where and how it all fits in.
I will give it a few months and write a full report for you..
I will give it a few months and write a full report for you..
Saturday, August 13, 2011
The Brazillion Dollar Home.... I need one...
Well after an exhaustive search I think this Crumpler Bag is what I need to get.. This is MASSIVE and will take a Laptop, 2 Camera's, 3 Speed Lights, and all manner of CF Cards and bits and bobs. So looking forward to getting one..
I thought about what kind of Musical Interlude for this, and could only come up with this.. I'm not proud that I knew this track existed...
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Welcome Home Cadel Evens...
Well I'm in the midst of working out Lens and Camera options for tomorrow at Federation Square with the return of the return of the Tour De France winner Cadel Evens making a special appearance.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Monotony..... But still a useful tool...
Having to search and find programs to work the way you want can be such a pain, But when you get it right, it's great.
I'm using the Nikon software ViewNX2 to do some BULK converting of .jpg images and it seems to do a pretty good job. It will rename and even drop the files into a new folder while not breaking up the things you have already done.
So if you have a Nikon Camera, take a good look at the Nikon Software..
I'm using the Nikon software ViewNX2 to do some BULK converting of .jpg images and it seems to do a pretty good job. It will rename and even drop the files into a new folder while not breaking up the things you have already done.
So if you have a Nikon Camera, take a good look at the Nikon Software..
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