Messages

1

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Am I crazy to sell my Canon gear?

« on: May 21, 2013, 02:11:22 AM »

Tell me...what lens do I use on my APS-C body to get the DoF of an f/1.2 lens on FF?  I don't have ready access to the late Stanley Kubrick's Zeiss f/0.7 lenses...

Out of the 100+ lenses in the Canon arsenal, aren't there only 2 with an f/1.2 aperture?  This suggests that its a pretty rare specification and, unfortunately, those who need it don't have a lot of options for systems to use.  The same could be said for people that need class leading autofocus capabilities.  Or thse that need the best 500mm lenses. Or people that need confidence that their camera will still keep working in the dust or rain.  The more specialised your requirements, the less choice you have.

But what if you don't need f/1.2, but just want a narrow DOF with nice bokeh?  You have many options.  (And don't forget you could always use your f/1.2 lens on a crop body.)  Sony, Zeiss, Fuji, Sigma etc produce a number of very nice f/1.4 lenses.   

Re your question - The SLR Magic Hyperprime LM CINE 50mm T/0.95 must come close.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Am I crazy to sell my Canon gear?

« on: May 20, 2013, 10:50:51 PM »

I've assumeed a 5Dc is the original 5D, which is occassionally referred to as the 5D "classic" (hence 5Dc). 

Re DOF, you can still get really nice DOF effects with a crop sensor with appropriate lenses.  Ok, backgrounds might not be as blurred as medium format or even FF, but still quite nice.  In addition, most recent crop sensor lenses are reasonably sharp wide open, whereas many FF lenses require stopping down a bit to reach a high level of sharpness.  Reducing your aperture by one stop offsets much of the DOF benefits. 

I've reassessed my whole FF vs crop sensor view in recent months.  At lower ISOs, some of the better crop sensors are comparable with FF sensors.  And with some high quality lenses being released by Sony, Zeiss, Fuji and others, the IQ differences between a FF camera and a crop sensored camera are rapidly diminishing. Unless very high ISOs are your thing, the only real benefit of a FF sensor is that it generally comes packaged in a much more capable, durable, faster camera body.  You're essentially paying for the features, not necessarily significantly improved image quality over other brand's crop sensored cameras.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Am I crazy to sell my Canon gear?

« on: May 20, 2013, 10:12:22 AM »

...and buying a smaller set up that is unobtrusive...

Anyways, am I crazy for going this route?

If that's a primary objective, I can't knock your thinking.  Plus, I think you'd gain a few extra capabilities and IQ benefits over the 5Dc.  But there are a lot of downsides with going mirrorless and I'd suggest taking baby steps.  Did you know there are some really good EF to NEX adapters that might allow you to retain aperture control and (admittedly very slow) AF when using your lenses on the Sony? Why not just pick up the NEX C3 and one lens and keep your Canon gear for the time being?  Best of both worlds.

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Lenses / Re: Canon Tele lenses vs Nikon tele lenses ( both with converters )

« on: May 15, 2013, 04:33:10 AM »

When considering lenses that I've used, I've always thought of the Canon 300mm f/4 as having essentially equal IQ to the Nikon 300mm f/4.  Any difference would negligible.  But the Canon has IS, which the Nikon lacks, and which would be useful with a teleconverter if hand holding.  (And, not that its directly relevant to the question, but I've thought the Canon lens focuses slightly faster (and would probably continue to do so with a teleconverter).  Given that they sell for a similar price, Canon seems the better pick.)

Anyways...maybe they are hand holding all of these lenses for the tests and it is the IS that's causing the difference? 

5

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: SL1 or Fuji X-EX1 or Sony Nex 6?? Would like your thoughts

« on: May 13, 2013, 06:57:36 AM »

Of course, there's always the Fuji X-Pro1 with both an optical viewfinder and EVF.  Best of both worlds. 

While I'm not an EVF advocate and generally prefer an optical viewfinder, I find an EVF sometimes useful in low light because of the way the EVF can boost the image - Easier to frame and ensure focus is spot on.  When it is REALLY dark, you'll get a lot of noise, but I'm not sure is a pentamirrored, low magnification SL1 would be any better.  EVFs are also much better with infrared filters - Anyone tried focusing or framing through an OVF with an R72 filter recently?   Without removing your eye from the viewfinder, there is also instant playback of the image you've just taken, focus peaking, image magnification, and the ability to see how the photo looks before taking the photo, along with adding some extra information such as a level, grids, highlight warnings etc.  Like most things, some downsides but also some upsides. 

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: SL1 or Fuji X-EX1 or Sony Nex 6?? Would like your thoughts

« on: May 12, 2013, 03:10:29 AM »

The "Smart" choice would be SL1.  It's a Canon DSLR and therefore compatible with all the lenses, flashes etc.  The AF will work better than mirrorless options and the camera should be a lot more responsive.

Personally, I've recently picked up a Fuji X-E1.  I love the styling and layout with direct access to controls (with the exception of the AF selection button). I'm very impressed with the image quality, I love the lenses and the camera has many very cool features.  I'm really happy with my choice.  I'm also impressed with the Fuji philosophy, in which they release frequent firmware updates to improve their cameras rather than release new models and "force" people to upgrade.  There is also a lens roadmap (which they have largely stuck to), so you know how the system will evolve over time.  Its small things like this which make me feel positive about them as a company.  They seem to be listening to their customers a lot more than some other brands and delivering products for people that love to take photos.  I'm really excited by the AF improvements on the x100s.  When those improvements make it onto future X-E1s and X-Pro1s, I think they will become a serious option for many people.  If they can couple that with semi-acceptable AF tracking, for me, that might mean bye-bye DSLR time. 

But there are some negatives which stop me from recommending it to others.  Firstly, while their lenses are good, current options are limited (and while you can use adapters for non-fuji lenses, you are left with manual focus).  The AF isn't "bad" but think more P&S than DSLR (In its favour, it does have a very wide spread of focus points and when it does lock, it is generally accurate).  I'm getting about 400 shots per battery, which isn't fantastic (but then the SL1 is only rated at 380).  While the flash sych speed is meant to be 1/180s...you can't actually set the camera to this in most modes - typically, you are at 1/125s and there's no high speed synch.  You're stuck with the rear LCD or the EVF.  While it can take videos, it isn't really geared up for serious video use.  And while the EVF is occasionally useful for adding extra information, most people would prefer an OVF.  And lastly Fujix-rumors is nowhere near as entertaining or informative as canonrumors.  For me, the negatives weren't major problems and were countered by some improvements over Canon (such as significantly better infrared capabilities).  But your needs might be different - just make sure you make an informed choice.

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Lenses / Re: One lens for vacation

« on: May 12, 2013, 02:23:44 AM »

FWIW, I largely settled on a two lens kit for most work trips - 40mm f2.8 and 135 f2.  The 40mm lives on my camera and I bring the 135mm because its my favourite lens and there are always opportunitites to use it.  Although, I've often thought I could leave the 135mm at home and still get along happily.  (But then I also just bought a little fuji to use on these trips, so that will probably change soon.)

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EOS Bodies / Canon wins big at TIPA

« on: May 09, 2013, 09:13:33 PM »

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but good to see Canon walking away with some awards including best professional lens (24-70 f/2., best expert Camera (6D), best video DSLR (1DC), best entry level DSLR (100D)  and best expert printer (pro-10).

http://www.tipa.com/english/XXIII_tipa_awards_2013.php

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Lenses / Re: Cheap fisheye for canon full frame?

« on: May 08, 2013, 08:01:06 AM »

Not quite what you're seeking, but have you seen the "little cyclops"?  Would fit in with your budget.  But IQ looks a bit questionable.

10

Software & Accessories / Re: Alternatives to Adobe Software

« on: May 07, 2013, 10:26:54 AM »

I find Nuance PDF Converter better value than Adobe Acrobat and use that for my business.

I also use both Photoshop and CorelDraw for poster and brochure design. While I prefer Photoshop, I could happily use either.  FWIW, I think CorelDraw is easier to use.

Apart from scanning (which CorelDraw handles as well), the only "photographic" thing I do in Photoshop is colour channel switching for infrared photos (why can't they introduce this into Lightroom?).  I have used GIMP for this and it worked well - but I'm not a big fan of the interface and how the program operates.  I'm sure CorelDraw does this as well.

Hmmm...Corel also have video editing, PDF programs, WordPerfect, web design software, and photo editing software.  Maybe its time to buy some shares.

11

Software & Accessories / Re: Adobe to Stop Making Packaged Software

« on: May 07, 2013, 01:54:46 AM »

I'm surprised that this has just hit the headlines.  A couple of months ago, Adobe faced an Australian government inquiry into their pricing structure.  (CS6 is way overpriced here). The head of Adobe Australia made it clear that the current price of the boxed version of CS6 is irrelvant because they're moving everyone to creative cloud which is meant to have almost standard pricing worldwide.  OK - I don't think he actually said that he actually said they were stopping the boxed version, but he made it quite clear that the future of Adobe was with online subscriptions.

I'm still on CS4 and have recently been thinking of upgrading to CS6.  Compared with buying, I actually thought that the creative cloud subscription looked like good value (at least here in Australia).  While I'd prefer to buy the software, if a subscription works out cheaper, and the software works well this way, why not give it a go.  Besides, there are several alternatives, if Adobe drops the ball.

12

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Looking for an Mirorrless or Compact for climbing/high altitude hiking

« on: May 01, 2013, 11:00:41 PM »

Forget the fujis. Good IQ, but bad af and high price, with no effective wide angle.

Re Fuji Wide angles - Fuji has a good 14mm and Zeiss are releasing a 12mm next week (details and specs are already on their website, so not just a rumor).  But both are / will be expensive.  Their 18-55 zoom is also getting a lot of good reviews, is well regarded at the wider end, and is well priced as part of the X-E1 kit.  And if you wanted cheaper and lighter, there is also the Fuji 18mm.  If you like cheaper, manual focus lenses, Samyang also have a couple of options. 

Fuji should also be releasing a 10-24 zoom and 23mm lens later this year.  Looking at the price/quality of their other zooms, the 10-24 might be a good option.

Of all the mirrorless options (excluding Leica), they'll have the wide angles covered best.

No argument about price (they are aiming at the premium end) or AF.  It's not that the AF is bad, but there are faster options - eg OM-D.  They also lack the weather sealing of the OM-D.

Have you seen the Eos 100D / SL1?

13

Software & Accessories / Re: Scanners

« on: April 29, 2013, 09:03:50 PM »

I'd also suggest the v700 or v750.  But keep your eye open for a good deal on a used, high quality, dedicated film scanner.  Recent Nikons are well regarded.

I use a Canon 9950F myself, but have recently discovered it doesn't work with Windows 8.  That doesn't bode well for its long term viability.  Anecdotally, scanner drivers don't seem to get updated regularly.  (Although, there is extra software around, like vuescan, that can extend the useful life of scanners).

If you go used, make sure it has some sort of dust removal feature.  Canon call this FARE.  Epson call it Digital ICE.

Don't get too stressed about resolution, D-Max or other metrics.  These figures are usually made up, anyway.  Read some real world reviews, instead.

14

EOS Bodies / Re: Back to the Future Parts 1/2/3 Canon Strategy

« on: April 29, 2013, 08:45:39 PM »

... so I took a flyer at a used Fuji X-E1 and a couple of lenses...

Not wanting to divert too much, but as the owner of some nice Canon cameras, how do you think the X-E1 stacks up in comparison?  You're obviously happy with the image quality and the size of the system.  But how are you finding the AF speed and EVF?  Since buying it, have you tended to use it a lot, or do you still predominantly use the 1D4 and 5D2?

I'm curious how much further mirrorless cameras need to go in order to be regared as comparable with DSLRs for non-sports / non-action photography.  Or do you think they are there already?

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EOS Bodies / Re: Back to the Future Parts 1/2/3 Canon Strategy

« on: April 29, 2013, 07:02:13 AM »

Re "Entry Level"

Everytime I go to a camera shop, there is almost always someone buying a 1100D.  People understand the image quality differences over a phone or P&S and the 1100D kit is the cheapest way to high image quality.  Canon understands this, and it is one of the reasons they are number 1.  People like making great photos, but not everyone wants to spend big $$$.  Looking at the marketing and distribution of other companies, I think Canon will be the goto brand for many people's first serious camera for a long time.

I wouldn't be so pessimistic about CSC and mirrorless cameras.   As the performance gap with DSLRs narrows, I'd be more concerned about the future of non-pro DSLRs.  Assuming they maintain an AF, battery, fps, or build quailty advantage, there will always be a market for 7D and 1D series cameras.  But many will move on to lighter gear with combination optical and electronic viewfinders.  This trend is already evident in a lot of markets known for their high level of technology early adopters.

Agree with your thoughts on Canon sticking to their strategic plans.  Hey, when your number 1 and also one of the few profitable camera companies, you must be doing something right?

Lastly, everyone knows real photographers use Deardorffs.  Ok, maybe not.  But I don't know how useful a definition is.  The popularity of fixed lens, large sensor P & S cameras in recent years demonstrates that you don't have to use a DSLR to be considered a photographer.  A legion of Leica shooters would also agree with this.  The camera market is  fragmenting rapidly.  There is so much choice out there.  So many options.  Also, I think Apple are about to launch ads highlighting the number of photographs taken worldwide with iphones.  Apparently, the number of "selfies" alone taken each day is greater than the total world population.  Difficult to exclude that many people from the definition of photographers.  But I know what your getting at.