Messages

1

Pricewatch Deals / Re: The 5D Mark II & 5D Mark III Get Cheaper

« on: October 24, 2012, 03:01:58 PM »

just curious, anyone know how much the 5D2 was eight months after it’s release?

As far as I recall, the 5DII price at launch in 2008 was as follows:

5DII body only - $2700
5DII body and 24-105 lens - $3500
 
I cannot remember the price several months after launch. However, the price in early to Q3 2011 was as follows:
 
5DII body only ~ $2200
5DII body and 24-105 lens - $2800

Hope that helps.





The above graphs don't completely agree with what I remember, but they could have not been accounting for FutureShop prices in Canada.





And these don't even account for the occasional deals that show up on ebay and the like.

2

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon EOS-1D X DXOMark Sensor Scores

« on: October 11, 2012, 02:26:32 PM »

Well, if the numbers have any credence, then the 1D X just became the new low-light king (according to DxOMark), beating the old low-light monster, the Nikon D3s. That's something, right? 

Seriously though, who cares about DxOMark? >_>

3

Lenses / Re: If you could only have 2 lenses for a wedding...

« on: October 05, 2012, 01:44:15 PM »

I've only done six weddings all my life, so my opinion may be limited.

If you are going to use a full frame body, it is best if you get used to all its functions and can call them up without even thinking.

A 5DII or III and a grip are recommended. More than two batteries fully charged are highly recommended.

A good quality Flash is essential. Extra lighting and perhaps a light meter would also be very useful. Take gels too, if you know how to use them.

A TRIPOD is absolutely VITAL in many situations.

As for lenses, a 70-200 f/2.8 or f/4 with IS (I used 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II for all six) is THE must have lens, along with an 85mm f/1.2 II L or 135mm f/2.0 L are the basics that most wedding photographers take with them. A 24-70 is not necessarily essential, but it is recommended.

Some photographers like to take some wide angle primes or even a 50mm lens for the "crowd" shots and the group shots, especially during the reception, and also if space is limited.

Also, have patience, since you won't really enjoy the wedding yourself ... Be ready to receive some criticism for your photographs as well. And as a rule of thumb for me, ALWAYS shoot a photo twice ... at least twice.

4

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon A2E

« on: September 28, 2012, 12:16:04 AM »

It's a lot of work:
1. selecting the worthwhile images
2. cleaning
3. scanning
4. touching up

Other than the scanning step, I don't see how that process is any different from digital photographs captured on a digital camera.

Oh, perhaps you forgot to include the biggest issue which is the developing, and the ~$10-$15 per roll it costs to purchase the film and develop it after. Probably more now with the increased prices of film.

5

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 7D Mark II, EOS 70D & 700D in 2013? [CR1]

« on: September 24, 2012, 02:50:42 AM »

After the 6D, Canon won't be getting any more money from me until they fix their low ISO dynamic range shortcoming. For lenses, I will pick the new Sigma 35 f/1.4 over Canon 35 f/1.4L, and Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 VC USD vs Canon 24-70 f/2.8L USM Mk2.

If m43 introduces a long focal length 1:1 macro lens (~ 250 mm in 35 mm equivalent), I will give some serious thoughts about dumping all my Canon stuff.

Maybe it's becoming time a third party manufacturer also develops a Canon compatible body   

As unrealistic as that sounds, one has to consider that similar things have been done in the past.

Look at Pentax and the almost uncountable number of different camera SLR bodies from a vast number of manufacturers with the K-mount. Before that, the M42 screw mount ...

Same goes for Leica and their M39/L39/LTM screw mount ... many many manufacturers (including Canon) used that mount for their cameras and lenses. Same goes for M-mount, with admittedly much less companies using the mount (Konica Hexar RF, Voigtlander Bessa R and T, etc).

Then look at a smaller number of companies that used the Nikon F mount. Fuji being one of them.

The patents for the EF mount have already expired after 25 years ... Wouldn't anybody be able to make an EF compatible camera without paying royalties or even asking Canon for permission? In fact, didn't we see a EF electronic adapter for E-mount just months ago, as well as the recently released Blackmagic Design video camera? Then again, the mount and it's electronic contacts and communications (aperture, IS, exif, etc) may be free to use as of this year, but the motor controls and AF communications and algorithms are protected by separate patents, so there might be a hurdle there. Sigma could get around it perhaps.

Just a thought.

6

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 7D Mark II, EOS 70D & 700D in 2013? [CR1]

« on: September 23, 2012, 04:09:31 PM »

Btw: "EOS 7D Mark II, EOS 70D & 700D" ... only one consumer body? There are supposed to be at least two xxxd releases a year, what's up Canon? :->

Guess they are assuming that since the economy has improved (ha!), people will be willing to buy from the xxxD lineup, and Canon would just replace the xxxxD lineup with the EOS-M camera/lenses.

7

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 7D Mark II, EOS 70D & 700D in 2013? [CR1]

« on: September 23, 2012, 01:37:12 PM »

Flexible video crop (full-frame to 1:1 crop in all modes) for all these cameras.
5DIII firmware update to include flexible video cropping.
...
Big time bonus - native DNG format, including the option to use the new lossy DNG raw format (huge, huge advantage over MRAW/SRAW).  Include this in the above-mentioned 5DIII firmware update.

Yeah...I'd definitely crack open the checkbook for that.

I do not. All you videots ... stop your whining over bloody video features in bloody stills cameras, especially in DSLRS. Get it into your head, that a DSRL is the single worst possible videocam .. by its very nature. Now go away. Leave us in peace. Do yourself a favour and buy a decent camcorder from Canon or from Sony ...  loaded with all the video crap on earth. Zebra stripes, all sorts of video output options, audio levels, 99 microphones, and anything more. Today these camcorders even come cheaper than a 5D III ... 3000 USD for a Sony VEX Full Frame HD camcorder ... just buy it and vanish from the stills photography sections of forums.

Bitter much? If you crave pure stills DSLR, go Medium Format. I hear they are still doing only photographs. Heck, some of them don't even have Live View. I am sure they will welcome you (and your wallet) warmly.

On the other hand, 35mm FF and below DSLRs will have video. It is a reality. Nobody forces you to use it, but then nobody will make you a custom DSLR without an immense amount of money escaping your wallet first.

Too bad, eh?

8

EOS Bodies / Re: At what price point will you consider buying the Canon 6D?

« on: September 18, 2012, 03:07:58 PM »

I think DPReview puts it very harshly, but elegantly.

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canon-eos-6d/6

"Overall, though, it's difficult to shake the feeling that the EOS 6D simply lacks the 'wow' factor of its main rival. Whereas Nikon seems to have taken the approach of taking away as little as possible from D800 when creating the D600, Canon appears almost to have gone the other way, removing as much as it thinks it can get away with at the price. The result is the kind of conservative, slightly unimaginative design that's become the company's hallmark. It's still bound to be a very good camera, of course; just perhaps not quite as good as it could be."

I owned a 5DII four nearly four years before I sold it and two of my Canon lenses this past spring.
Why in the world would I spend as much as I sold my 5DII (with batteries and grip and such) on the Canon 6D, when the Canon 6D is simply a rehashed 5DII with different body design, newer processor and even worse AF. Not to mention cheap construction. Seriously, at least the centre AF on the 5DII was immensely and reassuringly accurate and fast. >_>

9

EOS Bodies / Re: If Canon wants to kill off Nikon/Sony/Pentax drop APS-C and Go APS-H

« on: August 01, 2012, 05:05:18 AM »

if you think about it, they have four large sensor sizes in production at the moment:

• FF
• APS-C
• Super35
• the G1X sensor

That's already two more than any competitor...

Any other competitor (for large sensors), except Sony ... which makes Full Frame, 1.5X APS-C, Micro 4/3rd, 1 inch (RX100), and several different Super35 and Super16 sensors for video. Guess who is the leader in sensor production ... Oh, and lets not forget the former Kodak digital sensor division (which is still active).

10

EOS Bodies / Re: first pic of canon mirrorless?

« on: July 22, 2012, 12:43:17 AM »

Lets face it.  A mirrorless camera that respects legacy users.  Olympus PEN (not OM)  Nikon 1(Not F)  Sony NEX (Not MAF) Samsung (Not K) Pentax Q (not K)   if the canon can take a fully functional EF lens, even via an adaptor then it is ahead of everybody else (Sony get close, but no cigar)

Could you clarify what is wrong with Sony's solution to adapting A-mount lenses?
They providers adapters, the second of which comes with PDAF SLT.

11

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Mother of God - D800 scores 95 DxOMark

« on: June 22, 2012, 02:53:52 AM »

*Goes out to shoot some photos of random crap with 5DII* Better than arguing over sensor technology ...

Not like Nikon did anything special ... It is all thanks to the dark horse Sony ... and given I also have a NEX-5N, I agree that Sony is awesome. Let's see some Sony fanboyism here people! ... lol

12

PowerShot Cameras / Re: Will Canon ever fix their lens error issues?

« on: June 18, 2012, 04:37:46 AM »

I'd say go to your nearest Best Buy or the like if you live in North America and purchase one. Use it for 14 days. If it treats you right, then keep it. If not, either return it or exchange it. You can never know if you will like a product or not purely based on opinions of others. Some reviews and reports are good, but they are not the final word on the quality of a product.

13

PowerShot Cameras / Re: Is this a G1X killer?

« on: June 16, 2012, 08:01:12 PM »

I'm willing to pay up to $1000 if Canon can apply APS-C sensor into current S100 chassis - zoom 24-70 or longer with aperture f2 or 2.8 through. 

18mb APS-C in the S110 and G1X2 and the 1100D/650D. 22mp APS-H in the 70D/7D to pull them away from the entry level consumer kit

APS-C sized sensor inside the S100 package? I don't think that is happening for several years, if ever.

The 4/3 aspect ratio and dimensions of the G1X will stay the same, I assume, so probably not an APS-C sensor, not that it is very different in size ._.

14

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Secret Canon Powershot killer due in a week or two

« on: June 16, 2012, 07:56:37 PM »

He has clarified that it was the Sony DSC-RX100 he was talking about. Look under the comments of that article.

http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/07/what-pogue-actually-bought/?comments#permid=90

http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/07/what-pogue-actually-bought/?comments#permid=132

Sorry to burst your bubble (:

15

EOS Bodies / Re: 4 More DSLRs Coming in 2012? [CR2]

« on: June 13, 2012, 03:23:32 AM »

Let go of APS-H people ... Canon already did. Move on ...