TECH
HACKING THE NOKIA CA-44 POWER ADAPTER CABLE | HANDS-ON REVIEW i.SOUND 8,000 mAh PORTABLE POWER | NOKIA E71 PERSONAL HOTSPOT WITH JOIKUSPOT | SHOOTING TETHERED WITH CANON SOFTWARE | CANON 70-200MM RATTLE FIX | CLEANING THE EOS 5D MkII VIEWFINDER | DSLR FOCUS SCREEN AND SENSOR CLEANING | CANON HOTSHOE MICRO SWITCH FIX | SPEEDLITE 580EX-II HOTSHOE FIX | CANON 85MM 1.8 FOCUS TEST | EOS 20D GRIPPING ISSUES | DRY CABINET | SPEEDLITE 580EX-II CUSTOM FUNCTION (PDF)
SOFT TECH: Crumpler 6 Million Dollar Home | 5 Million Dollar Home
A close-up view of the PocketWizard camera shutter trigger cable connected to a PW Plus II unit. Ever since I adopted the Phottix Odin TTL trigger for flash while the Plus II duty is limited to camera trigger for now.
The Canon CPS Crumpler strap on my EOS 5D Mark II and EF 100mm f/2.8 L Hybrid IS.
The Rolling CompuTrekker AW Plus is one of the most accommodating camera bags from Lowepro thats also airline carry-on approved. I use this mainly to hold my gear for local commercial assignments. Canon EOS 5D Mark II gripped bodies (2) | EF70-200mm f/2.8 IS | EF24-70mm f/2.8 | EF17-40mm f/4.0 | EF100mm f/2.8 Hybrid IS | Speedlite 580EX Flash (2) | ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter (2) | CP-E3/4 Battery Packs | Sekonic L-358 Light Meter | Powerex 2700 mAh batteries | Dell Studio 17 inch laptop.
Finally, there’s a way to check shutter count on your Canon EOS digital SLR.
[The shutter count information is available *only* on Canon DIGIC III/IV DSLRs *except* the 1D* series.]
EOS DSLR SHUTTER COUNT: WINDOWS | MAC
EOSinfo © AstroJargon.net
* The shutter count information is available *only* on Canon DIGIC III/IV DSLRs *except* the 1D* series. This means that EOSInfo will display the shutter counter for the 40D, the 50D, the 450D, 500D, and the 1000D. It will also show the shutter counter for the 5DMkII, but the camera must be power-cycled before the value is updated. The shutter counter will not be displayed (or will be displayed as “0″) on the 1D*, 5D, 7D, 10D, 20D, 30D, 300D, 350D, and 400D. It’s not that I have anything against the owners of those cameras, but simply that the Canon SDK does not support retrieving the shutter count for them. UPDATE (08/06/2009): Apparently, Canon has removed the facility for checking the shutter count on the 500D. [Source: AstroJargon.net]
Canon PowerShot G11 and WP-DC34 Waterproof Case. The G11 is the other camera I use when I’m not working with the EOS 5D Mk II. In fact it’s the favourite digital compact of many professional photographers when they prefer to go light. The versatility and user-friendliness of the G11 can only be appreciated by those who own one—something that should be standard issue on all cameras big and small, the tilt/swivel LCD feature alone gives the G11 an edge not found in most other cameras. The Canon WP-DC34 waterproof case gives you twice the fun by letting you take the G11 into depths of up to 40m (130ft.)
G11 with an aftermarket 12.6mm ultrawide angle lens add-on
The diffusion plate has been widely criticised by many for blocking the focusing assist light where its most needed underwater. According to Canon, the plate is to ensure "even distribution of light from the flash" otherwise parts of the image may appear dark without it.
Pocket Wizard Plus II Canon users know just how unusable the Speedlite transmitter ST-E2 can be when you need it the most. Infra-red triggers are limited in range and highly susceptible to interference even from fluorescent lighting. This limitation had compromised my assignments where predictable lighting was critical. The highly regarded Pocket Wizard not only exceeds all expectations but has been instrumental in letting me trigger my Canon Speedlites and studio strobes at the same time. This integration also allows different camera fitted with a PW to access the same lights especially useful working in a team.
[Update: Dec 2011 | To overcome the limitation of both the ST-E2 and Plus II, I added the Phottix Odin TTL Flash Trigger to my inventory that I have found to reliably address issues of shooting outdoor with the benefit of ETTL.]
Digital Camera Shutter Failure In a May 2007 outing with David Cheok at Tasik Merimbun, the shutter of his EOS 1D mkII failed and I thought it would be of interest to the photographic community to share a photo shot with a failed shutter.
Canon Crumpler Neck Strap and Pocket Wizard Plus II on my EOS 5D/EF70-200mm f/2.8 IS. The neck strap, no matter how much a ‘poison’ fans of Canon and Crumpler regard it, it would not have qualified to appear here if it were not for the Pocket Wizard Plus II transmitter. As I said here I’ve pushed the Canon ST-E2 transmitter to its limit and it no longer works for me. Infra Red type transmitters have such inherent limitation that it inhibits creativity when you want to explore beyond its design limitation—distance and out-of-sight application!
Many Canon photographers have asked me about this particular red strap. Even more have gone to great lengths to look for one online and have largely been unsuccessful. This piece is wider and not rubberised so it’s not particularly useful if you prefer it to stay on your shoulder too long.
© Jan Shim Photography
© Jan Shim Photography | images from 2007 Canon EOS Official Launch
Yesterday, at the 2008 mid year Canon Pro Seminar, I picked up a set of Ee-D Focusing Screen with Grid for my 5D and also a hood for the EF100mm f/2.8 Macro. Below is what a Canon kit looks like which comes with a tool to hold the screen so you don’t risk scratching it with a pair of tweezers.
EOS 5D Focus Screen © Jan Shim Photography
Three generations of LENS WORK published by Canon—the original edition (FD lenses), LENS WORK, published in 1981 followed by LENS WORK II in 1996 and first edition of LENS WORK III in March 2003, fourth edition in Feb 200 and the tenth edition in March 2008.
© Jan Shim Photography
EOS 1D MkII FINDS A NEW HOME | EOS TRULY. A CANON SHOWCASE. | CANON EOS. THE DARK SIDE SHEDS A LIGHT. | COPYRIGHT. LOST IN TRANSLATION.
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EOS 1D, 1Ds, 1D Mark II, 1Ds Mark II, and 1D Mark II N users can use CanCount. Not free, though.
Thanks for reminding me that CanCount is still around. Though I had never used it when I had a 1DMkII I knew about it because DPreview forum members were talking about it so much back when pros started experiencing suspicious shutter problems and people were trying to find evidence to give Canon a hard time for premature failures. Instead, I bought BreezeBrowser which was a lot more valuable including the ability to read shutter actuation from RAW file.
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please say, what did you do with broken shutter? yesterday i’ve got the same problem: bright line thruogh the center of the frame:( did you replaced shutter?
Mechanical failures are, unfortunately, part and parcel of photography. Return your camera to your nearest Canon Service Centre and get it replaced and while it’s there, get them to also calibrate the AF.
Hi Jan,
I’ve problem with my Canon 5D MK2. Recently i’ve used TV mode for kid party outdoor for bouncer playing. I’ve set certain second on the TV mode. Unfortunately, during shooting, my camera cannot follow the setting i set earlier. E.g. I’ve set 1/160sec but during shooting its show 1/60sec…Do you have any idea about this? Other mode is OK for me. Your reply is very appreciatable.
Hi Muhaimin,
Guess what? From your description, your camera’s Tv mode is performing normally. The modes, P, Av and Tv are automatic exposure modes which means the camera overrides user selection when it deems necessary to do so to maintain “correct” exposure. There are two ways to freeze the kids playing inside a bouncer: experiment with higher ISO to find the ideal shutter speed or use flash.
Thanks Jan for your explained. I didn’t thought regarding camera override our selection. From what i know, when we set to TV mode, the only change is aperture which is to maintain the correct exposure. Anyway, i don’t want to bump high ISO setting to outdoor activities due to over expose certain area. Good explaination & info Jan. Thanks a million
Yeah, using a Speedlite flash may be your best option and from experience, pairing a wide angle lens with a 580EX/EXII for example yields pretty good results from ETTL. Experiment with Av mode see if that gives you a nice fill light instead of over-powering your subjects causing flash burn on skins and faces. More importantly, have fun.
Thanks Jan & appreciated for your info. Have a nice day !!
Peter Woodbury says:
December 31, 2011 at 8:42 pm
hi, I saw your comment on the Turbo 2×2 and its NiMH batteries. I want to replace the battery pack, but how do you get the pack out of the bottom of the leatherette case? It seems glued or wedged in there. I’m not too keen to jump in and wreck anything unnecessarily. Your advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
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Hi Peter, the battery pack is not glued to the case. It’s just a very tight fitting inside. After you’ve removed the faceplate, use a metal ruler (or something that’s thin yet strong) and slowly push it in as far as it’ll go gently prying as you go. Also it helps to give the leather case a squeeze to help dislodge/move the battery pack. Repeat both steps as often as needed until you can easily pull the battery assembly out.
I have two Turbo 2×2 packs that I hardly use because the smaller and lighter Canon CPE-3/4 packs sufficiently provide the power I need on assignments. Do you have a source for the replacement batteries. I understand the cells become useless if are allowed to loose charge and not periodically topped up.
I have been experiencing ERROR 20 on my 5DMKII practically ever since I bought them when it was launch. Its been 4 times in-out of Canon Service Center. VERY frustrating.
Hi Azmi, I know how frustrating that must feel. I went through a lot of Error 99 and 01 when I had the EOS 20D which later turned out to be issues with the grip. I Googled and found a lengthy discussion of the issue you’re facing and came across which you have probably tried and have not been helpful?