Messages

1

Canon General / Re: Canon's MAP Pricing Goes Into Full Effect Today

« on: November 01, 2012, 12:45:40 PM »

Amazon still has the 5DIII at 2995.00. You just have to click to see the price

2

Pricewatch Deals / $2900 5DIII again on eBay

« on: October 24, 2012, 11:05:25 AM »

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-III-Digital-Camera-Digital-SLR-Body-/180998819475

Different seller this time, but the deal is back up

3

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Full Frame Sharper Than Crop?

« on: October 19, 2012, 02:00:50 PM »

FF will deliver sharper results than crop in a situation like this one, where with the same lens the subject is shot from a greater distance with the APS-C camera.  If the test was designed such that the camera-to-target distance was the same, and the target filled the APS-C frame but the FF image had to be cropped down by 1.6x, the APS-C image would be a little bit sharper.

But charts aside, I find that FF images are generally better than APS-C, for many reasons.

Thanks Neuro.  I always look forward to your response on technical questions.  I've been doing some portrait work as of late and given the same framing between the two formate, full frame would be the way to go for sharper images

4

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Full Frame Sharper Than Crop?

« on: October 19, 2012, 01:24:54 PM »

So I've been doing some research and comparing different lenses on The Digital Picture's ISO comparison tool.  What I am seeing is that the the same lens on both full frame and crop cameras shows a sharper image on the full frame camera.  According to Ken Rockwell, he states that full frame will always be sharper.  I know people don't like quoting him much, but from what I see, he appears to be right. 

Here are a couple examples...

50mm 1.4
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=115&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=4&LensComp=115&CameraComp=736&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=3

85 1.8
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=106&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=2&LensComp=106&CameraComp=736&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=2

Is there something I'm missing here?  Is the difference between the two cameras making a difference, or does full frame generally produce sharper results than crop using the same lens?

5

Pricewatch Deals / $2899.00 5DIII - Beach Camera on eBay

« on: October 09, 2012, 11:03:51 AM »

Looks like another great sale is going on

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-III-22-3-MP-Full-Frame-CMOS-Digital-SLR-Camera-Body-/190736952582?forcev4exp=true&forceRpt=true

6

Lenses / Re: First Portrait Lens, Need Suggestions

« on: October 06, 2012, 11:45:13 PM »

Thank you everyone for your replies.  I'm think I'm leaning towards the 85 1.8.  I had a good experience with it during my rental.

Neuro, those 85L images are amazing.  The sharpness on that lens at those low apertures is amazing.  Wonder if I can convince my wife it would be worth the investment 

7

Lenses / Re: First Portrait Lens, Need Suggestions

« on: October 06, 2012, 10:02:34 PM »

Personally, I really liked 85mm on APS-C for outdoor portraits.  So much that I eventually replaced my 85/1.8 with an 85/1.2L II, then when I went FF, I got the 135/2L for equivalent framing.

Thanks!  I sure did like the colors of the of the 85 1.2.  I also hear great things about the 135L and it's color rendition.  Any thoughts?  Or perhaps too long on the crop camera?

8

Lenses / First Portrait Lens, Need Suggestions

« on: October 06, 2012, 07:53:04 PM »

Hey Everyone,

So I'm about to buy my first portrait lens for my T3i.  I only have the kit lens as of now and always rent lenses whenever I do portrait sessions (fortunately The Lens Depot is five minutes down the road from where I live).  I've rented the new 40mm 2.8, the 50 1.4, and the 85 1.8.  I really enjoyed all of them, especially the colors of the 85 1.8.  However, it did feel a little long on my crop camera.  Overall, what are your suggestions for a good portrait lens.  I mainly do outdoor stuff and am not in the studio at all.  Here is a link to some of my previous work:

http://www.hankesphotography.com/f8874076

As of now, I'm leaning towards the 50 1.4.  Price-wise I'd like to stay under 500, yet there is a part of me that wants to save up for something nicer (like a 35L or 50L).

Mike

9

EOS Bodies / Re: Adorama is selling 5d3 for $2745 on eBay now

« on: September 18, 2012, 12:48:59 PM »

Maybe B&H will respond with $2,699.00.  Price war!

I think it is possible. Again, I´d like to thank libertyranger, the guy who posted the first link. It was a party!
The last 100 orders:

http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBidsLogin&_trksid=p2047675.l2564&rt=nc&item=390468355036

I am waiting new offers like this. Afterall, I will have to buy the lenses

You're welcome!  I'm happy for everyone who saw the post and was able to get one!

10

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon Announces the Canon EOS 6D DSLR

« on: September 18, 2012, 11:12:25 AM »

Okay, I've spent some time researching this tonight, but I'm still not too sure.  So how is this cross type AF point on the 6D different from the cross type AF point on the 5DII or T3i?

The 5DII and T3i have a center point with one horizontal f/2.8 line and one vertical f/5.6 line - that makes the cross. The f/2.8 line is more accurate, but only works with vertically-oriented features.  Worth noting is that all of the 39 cross-type points on the 1DIV are this type, too. for this type point, it's a cross only with an f/2.8 or faster lens (and only half f/2.8-accurate), with an f/4 or slower lens, it's just a single vertical line (although there are f/4 exceptions on the 1-series).

The 1D X, 5DIII, 7D, 40-60D, and T4i have a dual cross center point - an f/5.6 cross in a '+' shape with and f/2.8 cross in an 'x' superimposed.  This point type is fully cross type with any lens down to f/5.6.

The 6D center point has an f/5.6 cross in a '+' shape with a single f/2.8 horizontal line '-' superimposed. It behaves like the first type (5DII etc.) with an f/2.8 or faster lens, but is better in that it remains cross type down to f/5.6.

Hope that clarifies.

Thank you!  This clarifies it perfectly!

11

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon Announces the Canon EOS 6D DSLR

« on: September 18, 2012, 03:39:24 AM »

... on the 6d there is *no* cross point at all if you attach a lens with f2.8+ (i.e. fast zooms, most primes). It's no speculation to say that a cross point will provide more reliable af than only horizontal/vertical, no matter what magic you put in the firmware and how dark it can be.

Not quite true.  The f/2.8 line is superimposed on an f/5.6 '+' (technically, the f/2.8 line pair is outside the f/5.6 lines).  They act in concert. If the f/2.8 line cannot achieve focus, the f/5.6 line is used.  Also, the f/5.6 lines are better with substantial defocus, so often with a hybrid AF point, a 'coarse focus' is achieved with the f/5.6 line(s), and that's refined by the f/2.8 line(s).

Ah, thx for the explanation, the Canon spec does not only seem to be a mystery to me - are you sure it is this hybrid af? So does this mean, do you expect the center point af on the 6d to be "better" overall than on the 5d2, or does the hybrid construction (first f2.8, then f5.6 line) slow it down? This really will be the decisive point when people want either a 6d and the added gimmicks or a new/used 5d2.

This is what I'm trying to figure out too.  I know with certain EOS bodies (T4i, 7D), when you use a f/2.8 lens you get a dual cross-type point.  One of them is an f/5.6 cross point and the other is a diagonal f/2.8 cross type.  For the 6D, you don't get the dual, but rather an superimposed high precision f/2.8 vertical sensitive point.  I can't seem to find any info. on the net as to whether or not the 5DII had this or if it had both horizontal and vertical lines at f/2.8 when using the appropriate lens.

12

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon Announces the Canon EOS 6D DSLR

« on: September 18, 2012, 03:15:49 AM »

... on the 6d there is *no* cross point at all if you attach a lens with f2.8+ (i.e. fast zooms, most primes). It's no speculation to say that a cross point will provide more reliable af than only horizontal/vertical, no matter what magic you put in the firmware and how dark it can be.

Not quite true.  The f/2.8 line is superimposed on an f/5.6 '+' (technically, the f/2.8 line pair is outside the f/5.6 lines).  They act in concert. If the f/2.8 line cannot achieve focus, the f/5.6 line is used.  Also, the f/5.6 lines are better with substantial defocus, so often with a hybrid AF point, a 'coarse focus' is achieved with the f/5.6 line(s), and that's refined by the f/2.8 line(s).

Okay, I've spent some time researching this tonight, but I'm still not too sure.  So how is this cross type AF point on the 6D different from the cross type AF point on the 5DII or T3i?

13

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon Announces the Canon EOS 6D DSLR

« on: September 17, 2012, 07:38:20 PM »

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Photography-Tips/Canon-EOS-DSLR-Autofocus-Explained.aspx

Read this article today.  Guessing it's you neuro?  My understanding from it is that f/2.8 cross-types are more accurate (yet slower) than f/5.6.  Thus, in the case of the 6D, it has the ability to be more accurate if you have a f/2.8 lens, but also act as a cross-type lens if you have a f/5.6 lens.

14

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon Announces the Canon EOS 6D DSLR

« on: September 17, 2012, 07:32:29 PM »

... on the 6d there is *no* cross point at all if you attach a lens with f2.8+ (i.e. fast zooms, most primes). It's no speculation to say that a cross point will provide more reliable af than only horizontal/vertical, no matter what magic you put in the firmware and how dark it can be.

Not quite true.  The f/2.8 line is superimposed on an f/5.6 '+' (technically, the f/2.8 line pair is outside the f/5.6 lines).  They act in concert. If the f/2.8 line cannot achieve focus, the f/5.6 line is used.  Also, the f/5.6 lines are better with substantial defocus, so often with a hybrid AF point, a 'coarse focus' is achieved with the f/5.6 line(s), and that's refined by the f/2.8 line(s).

So the 6D does have a f/5.6 center cross type!  And if you use a f/2.8 lens, it becomes a more accurate cross type?

15

EOS Bodies - For Stills / 6D Center Cross-Type ?

« on: September 17, 2012, 05:48:34 PM »

Looking at the specs of the new 6D on Canon's website, I find myself a little confused.  It states:


AF Points
11 points

Center: cross-type at f/5.6; vertical line-sensitive at f/2.8.

Upper and lower AF points: vertical line-sensitive AF at f/5.6.

Other AF points: Horizontal line-sensitive AF at f/5.6.


So does this mean that the center point is a cross-type point at 5.6 or 2.8?  Currently, I own a T3i and I know the center point become a cross-type point when using f/2.8 or faster lenses.  Otherwise, with my kit lens it acts a single type focus point.  I use the center point only and usually get recompose after gaining focus.  The 6D looks appealing if the cross-type point is activated at 5.6, but I'm just not sure on the wording here.  Any ideas?