Process of post processing

[cmalana]

I'm very close to purchasing a Quantum T5D and battery pack so I'm curious on your thoughts on the 580ex. The battery pack is the big portion of the expense since the flash itself runs about the same as the 580ex.

[skdupre]

I use Canon's battery pack, which holds 8 AA along with the 4 from the 580ex. I use rechargeble Ni-MH 2200 mah "Digital" batteries (purchased at WM). They quick charge 4 at a time in under 1 hour. I shot over 450 pictures at the wedding this past weekend without having to change batteries (Canon also sells a spare insert for quick changes, which I did not buy). I like the setup. If I shoot engagements or bridals I simply use the 580ex without the pack - for weddings I obviously use the pack. I shot over 150 flashes Monday on a bridal portrait with just the 580ex. One thing I like is when I want to put the camera down at a reception I can just unplug the battery pack from the flash and put the cord in my pocket - grab a few chocolate covered strawberries and then get back to it.

My longer post with samples is still coming - I have to upload my bridal I shot Monday and then reprocess a few RAWs from the wedding that I'm not happy with.

[skdupre]

Does that Quantum T5D happen to use the Quantum Battery 1+? I have three of those guys for my Bronica 645 that I no longer use and they are too strong for the 580ex. I'll be liquidating them along with my Bronica equipment soon. Sean

[cmalana]

I'm not sure and I'll take a look. I also have the Canon battery pack but find that it is not able to recycle fast enough if I am taking outdoor shots near full power. Of course, I do have to keep in mind that I have a limited number on the full-power flashes I am able to do in a row (or risk burning up the flash).

Thanks for the reminder on the additional trays. The battery retaining clips (plastic) are rather flimsy and several have already broken off.

Not sure if the T5D can take Quantum 1+. The website indicated that it can be powered by Quantum Turbo or Turbo Z or Turbo 2x2 (which is the battery I am planning on getting).

[skdupre]

I wanted to share some information relating to file / image / print size when processing RAW files to JPG.

My work flow post earlier in this thread refers to batching (saving) the RAW files out as 1365 by 2048 (2.8mp) for my 4x6" proofs. I mentioned that I have to reprocess the files if the customer orders an 8x10" or larger.

I was at my lab yesterday(family owned custom lab) and spoke to the fella who does all the printing. He disagreed with me on the need to have a larger file to print 8x10". So, we took the CF card that had my order on it and ran a test print 8x10" and then a tight crop, which showed how it would look on an 11x14". Both prints looked great. I was definitely surprised and impressed. Crystal sharp stuff! I suppose the printing software has a built in "re-sampling" feature that maintains the image integrity at larger print sizes. That's about all the theory I know on that subject, which isn't much.

What this means to me is that I don't need to reprocess my 2.8mp files to get 8x10" prints. In fact, I have a wedding this weekend and I'm going to process them on the lowest setting (for my 12.8 mp files), in Bridge, which is 1024 by 1536 (1.6mp). PhotoShop should run a lot smoother on those files and my work flow will improve (less time with pro proof quality) on processing wedding 4x6" prints. I say Yahoooooooooooooo to that!!!

Sean

[cmalana]

I was actually watching a video last night and 4MP was considered enough for up to 11x14! 6MP for bigger. Thanks for sharing that info. Right now, I revamped my workflow where I process a 2MP file and then have to reprocess if anything bigger gets ordered.

Makes you wonder why we need 13MP...but I do print 30x48" prints from time to time and gives me room to crop a LOT.

[jeffkohn]

Well, I think the 2mp 8x10 might look fine but if you compared it to a full-rez print side-by-side you would see a difference in quality.

[skdupre]

FYI.

The Canon 580ex discussion mentioned in this thread has been directed to: http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=21674.

Sean

[skdupre]

I also wondered about the need for 13mp. Don't know where the "point of diminishing returns" is. I know more data is captured at 13mp, but I wonder if the 30D on RAW would yield similar results for wedding photography? It would definitely speed up the workflow. I'm waiting to read through the latest reviews and pick up the 30D as my backup. I'll run some test and may end up using the 5D as my backup instead? Interesting.....