Canon 5D & 24-105mm lens kit

[clarkee]

I have just purchased a 5d & 24-105 lens kit, along with the 580ex, battery grip & 4 2gb lexar X133 cards.

This is my first professional digital camera - so needless to say, im a bit confused with the many, many options I have with it.

I shoot portraiture, documentary and some still life.
I have access to a fully equipped studio, with bron flash equipment.

Basically im looking for any tips!

I know this is a broad request, but there is a lot to cover.
So i thought any experienced users could tip me off on what I should be concerned with to start.

Thanks in advance for any advice and info.

[gochugogi]

F8 and be there!

My copy of the 24-105 4L is extremely sharp wide open at F4--bests my 50 1.4 USM at the same aperture. Oddly it doesn't improve much when stopped down. No biggie as it's sharp by any standards.

I find the rig--5D, grip and 24-104 L--to be on the heavy side for walking around all day. I've been hitting the gym just so I can tote my gear without feelinhg like a whimpy photogeek yuppie puppy.

[johnvr]

I have just purchased a 5d & 24-105 lens kit, along with the 580ex, battery grip & 4 2gb lexar X133 cards.

This is my first professional digital camera - so needless to say, im a bit confused with the many, many options I have with it.

I shoot portraiture, documentary and some still life.
I have access to a fully equipped studio, with bron flash equipment.

Basically im looking for any tips!

I know this is a broad request, but there is a lot to cover.
So i thought any experienced users could tip me off on what I should be concerned with to start.

Thanks in advance for any advice and info.
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Start with the default settings and then start playing around with it. Only you can learn what you like and don't like.

[marcmccalmont]

You will be very happy with your purchase! it is a great camera. I use my 24-105is 90% of the time, the 70-200is 10%, the 50mm not at all. I always shoot RAW + large Jpeg. If you record the Jpeg accurately you will have fewer adjustments to make during the raw conversion. I found the Jpeg picture style; Standard (4,0,2,-1) to be most accurate. The sensor can capture such a wide gamut of colors, set the color space to Adobe rgb. During raw conversion Adobe rgb is good for most scenes but sunsets etc need more, prophoto. I use 2, 4 gb CF cards because one full card fits on a single side of a DVD for archiving. The 4, 2 gb cards might be more akward if you are planing to archive on DVD's. As far as raw converters I am a fan of DXO optics. I have tried many and keep returning to DXO as the most accurate, realistic and pleasing output. The 24-105 has a fair amount of vignetting at 24mm. DXO takes care of that. It is $300 but there is a free 30 day download and a $60 discount at the end of your trial. So $1200 for a lens and only $240 to significantly improve it and others seems to me like a bargain. If you decide to try it my initial settings are lens sharpness: .50, DXO lighting: medium and in the noise settings: retain fine details 90%
Enjoy
Marc