planning upgrading from t3i

[iphonemaster93]

Hey guys!

So I've had my t3i for a while and I think I'm hitting the limitations in the t3i in terms of what I'm doing now. I've had the camera for about 1-2 years (was given to me as a xmas gift) and up until now, I've done automotive photography, nature photography, as well as portrait photography. I thought that the T3i was already a good enough camera for me to suit my needs but I realized I might need more now but I'm not sure. One night, I was doing rolling shots with a few buddies of mine and noticed in post processing, that there was a ton of grain in most of the pictures if I turned up the shadows (was shooting in betwen 1/10-1/20th of a second at F8.0 at 3200ISO. What are the benefits of upgrading from a T3i or do I just need a better lens? I was thinking of going to either a T4i or a T5i but at the same time, I want to go for a full frame sensored camera but I don't know if the types of photography I'm doing right now require such an advanced camera such as the 5D MkII  or if the t4i/t5i will be good enough. Also, do the lenses for the T3i work for the 5D MKII or do I have to purchase new lenses for it? I'm guessing the lenses for the T3i are compatible with the T4i and the T5i. Thanks!  

[iphonemaster93]

I do understand where you're coming from, that a viewer's eye will be attracted to the top right corner of the image, as that is the brightest portion of the image, but he's right haha. I did want to make the background darker and for the Z and the 335i to stand out. I'm still trying to figure out how to make the photo turn out better (i'm a lightroom and photoshop noob) so I'm not stopping here. It was difficult for me because the 335i was black and the Z was red, so I had to make sure that the black wasn't too dark while the Z wasn't too bright either. 

[ebiggs1]

"(i'm a lightroom and photoshop noob)"

OK, that is a PS job not for LR in this case.  Underexpose a bit and use the Lighting Effects (Sporlight) in PS. 

[iphonemaster93]

For some reason I can't use Lighting Effects  do I have to select something or can I just apply it to the entire picture?

[TCampbell]

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@iphonemaster93 wrote:

Also, what ND filter would you guys recommend? I've got one that requires a holder on the lens itself and it's a hassle to setup so I plan on switching to a screw on one. Recommendations? Thanks! 

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I use B+W brand round screw-on filters and have these in 2-stop, 3-stop, and 10-stop densities (0.6, 0.9, and 3.0).  Also keep in mind that a circular polarizer may reduce light by as much as two stops (I hate to declare a specfiic amount because you'll notice the light changes as you rotate the filter... but it can be that strong -- but wont always be that strong.)

I always buy filters with good anti-reflective coatings to reduce the chance of ghosting (reflections off the internal side of the filter that the camera will image.)

I do use slide-in filters too... these are more common with gradient neutral density filters because you want to control where the gradient line starts cutting light.  An advantage to the slide-in filters (even for regular non-grad NDs) is that all you need is the correct size adapter ring to mount the filter holder on the lens.  When you buy thread-on filters they need to be the correct diameter for the lens and if you own multiple different lens diameters ... that creates a new problem.  BUT... if you buy thread-on fitlers based on the largest lens thread diameter needed, you an buy "step up rings" to adapt them to other lens (just be warned that if you use step-up rings on a smaller lens, you may not be able to mount the lens hood.

[iphonemaster93]

Update: nevermind, I had to switch from 32bit to 8bit. 

[iphonemaster93]

I actually just tried doing some long exposure landscape shots with a cheap 2, 4, and 8 stop ND filters (filters came with the lens I bought off of someone, they seemed cheap) and they didn't help at all. Swapped them out with a slide in ND filter but the bottom half of the picture ended up being super overexposed while the top half was incredibly underexposed XD. I might just stick with purchasing some screw on ND filters but what's stopping me from purchasing is the price..I actually just purchased a canon 10-22mm at the end of last week haha.

[TCampbell]

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@iphonemaster93 wrote:

I actually just tried doing some long exposure landscape shots with a cheap 2, 4, and 8 stop ND filters (filters came with the lens I bought off of someone, they seemed cheap) and they didn't help at all. Swapped them out with a slide in ND filter but the bottom half of the picture ended up being super overexposed while the top half was incredibly underexposed XD. I might just stick with purchasing some screw on ND filters but what's stopping me from purchasing is the price..I actually just purchased a canon 10-22mm at the end of last week haha.

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This sounds like the slide-in filters are actually "Gradient Neutral Density" filters (GND).  These filters are rectangular and are tinted only on one half -- the other half is clear.

These filters are typically used for landscape photography where the sky is often bright (especially near sunrise/sunset) and the foreground landscape is often considerably darker.  They allow you adjust the filter in the holder so that you darken only the sky and leave the foreground unaffected to create a more balanced exposure.

[ebiggs1]

"For some reason I can't use Lighting Effects  do I have to select something or can I just apply it to the entire picture?"

You have CS6 or CC?   As with anything in PS, there are many ways to do this. One is in the Fliter tab.  Choose Render and Lighting Effects.

I don't know your level in using PS but a course from a local community college or camera store may help.  Or you can just fiddle around with the settings until you get what you are after.

Remember one most main point, layers are your best friend.  Use them.  

[ebiggs1]

"... I bought off of someone, they seemed cheap) and they didn't help at all."

As you become more and more profiecent with PS, you will find that any filter is of less and less value.  Some PS gurus say, no filter is of any use any longer.  I am not quite there, yet, as I do see some value in ND, polarizers and protect filters.  Albeit of little value.

Cheap filters have no value at all. Period!

[ebiggs1]

Have you discovered the Lighting Effects "presets"?