Messages

1

Canon General / Re: The tax monster is coming soon. What are you planning on doing with your refund?

« on: January 22, 2013, 08:30:54 PM »

I think I will get rid of my single 430EX Flash that I have been bouncing around and get three of the new 600EX-RT Flash units. Definitely want to learn more about off camera flash this year. The flash units and some other items like a decent diffuser, umbrella, and soft box are my most probable items...assuming the tax refund is large enough of course

2

Canon General / Re: Photography magazines

« on: January 06, 2013, 09:44:31 PM »

I am about 6 months into photography as a hobby and live in the US. I am looking for some helpful magazines that some of you find enjoyable on a monthly basis.  I am into sports, HDR and landscape photography. I am always looking for new information on new gear, software and techniques.

Any suggestions are appreciated. I am not currently subscribed to any right now.

Honestly the only thing I have found the magazines good for is really basic information on new gear...even then I wind up going to the web and googling for additional information. I have not learned much in terms of technique from the various magazines. After a long period of buying different ones at book stores and reading them I decided not to subscribe to any. Instead I buy some topic specific books here and there, find articles and reviews on the web, and watch some of the B&H videos on YouTube, etc.

3

Lenses / Re: January 8, 2013 Announcements?

« on: January 04, 2013, 01:05:19 PM »

Since I bought the 35mm 1.4 L a couple of months ago they are bound to announce an update...just my luck.

4

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon DSLR Body Rumors for 2013

« on: January 02, 2013, 12:44:19 AM »

Here is what is written for the EOSM2, as some of the previously reported posts were incorrect. There will be a change to a vari-angle LCD, as well as a higher end model that will be able to take an ACCESSORY EVF (I assume they mean in the shoe), NOT a built in finder (specifically, he uses 外付け (そとづけ）EVF ). Also not reported correctly in previous posts is that an upgrade to the AF speed in live view may have to wait 1 ~ 2 more generations of cameras. His words: ライブビューAFの高速化はもう１〜２世代待つ必要があるかも。

Good catches...how on earth you made out some of those fuzzy characters is beyond me. Time for new reading glasses.

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EOS Bodies / Re: Canon DSLR Body Rumors for 2013

« on: January 01, 2013, 10:12:40 PM »

Can someone who reads Japanese let us know what it says about the EOS-M2, please?

I'm hoping for full frame...

Thanks!

Again not much detail on the EOS M. He lists his prediction at 80% probability on this one. An EOS M2 "might" include three main improvements.

1) Variable angle LCD
2) Built in EVF
3) Improve speed for AF in live view

The scan job was not very good which makes certain words hard to read...No mention of the sensor.

Edit: See corrections noted below.

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EOS Bodies / Re: Canon DSLR Body Rumors for 2013

« on: January 01, 2013, 07:54:56 PM »

Does anyone read Japanese well enough to know what it is saying about the X6i?

Not very much detail on the X6i. The text gets blurry at least to my declining eye sight. The entire article is basically predictions, with %'s for probability, and some hopes and expectations. In the first paragraph of text it is basically titled "Time for renewal of the APS-C Sensors - A move toward the high end". He basically just goes on to say for X6i it is time to update the sensor. Or at least believes that Canon is pondering that move.

In the bottom right hand corner block there is also some fellow named Ito who realistically believes there could be a full frame compact camera as a replacement / upgrade to the G1X. Again I would take it all with a grain of salt.

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EOS Bodies / Re: Canon DSLR Body Rumors for 2013

« on: January 01, 2013, 12:06:53 PM »

I don't read Japanese, but the characters after 3.0 don't match the ones after 10 in the 7dii description. Maybe it means 3.0 inch screen? Makes no sense for the 70D to be lower fps than the t4i and the same as the t3.

I read Japanese. The characters in the second bullet point under the 70D do refer to the display and not fps. Not sure if people are getting the 3 fps from there or elsewhere in the text.

Also the important thing to realize about this is that it is some person or groups "prediction" as 予言 is clearly labeled in red in the article title at the top. Also next to each camera they they give percentages for probability. 70% for the 70D then 85% for the 7D Mark II, then 80% for the EOS M2 specs, then 50% for the EOS-1DSx specs.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Snow tubing with 5D III + 24-70 II

« on: January 01, 2013, 01:45:50 AM »

I just drove up there today with my three little ones. I took my 5D Mark III + 24mm-105mm F4 lens on RS7 strap and did not have a problem. We did some light sledding, they made snow angels, and built a very small snowman. Camera was fine however we did not do any tubing at the resort area to be clear. Weather wise I would not be too concerned for the camera if you are careful. I would worry some about the tubing runs and impact as some people get going pretty fast.

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Lenses / Re: Canon 24-70 II Or Primes Particularly 50MM 1.2L

« on: November 03, 2012, 01:11:40 PM »

Neuro...I think this lens is well worth for you to give it a try. I have a feeling you going to sell your 24-105

I'm sure I'd like the 24-70 II, in fact, I had planned to get it next.  But I've been doing a bit of shooting indoors in the evenings with the 35L and 85L II, and I'm usually around f/2 and high ISO (6400 and up), and for many of the shots the 35L is too wide and the 85L too long.  The 24-70 II would be convenient, I'm just not sure it's fast enough.  If I need to use the 600EX-RT, f/4 would work, too.

Eventually, I'll likely have both the 50L and the 24-70 II, it's just a matter of sequence.  The 50L may be more useful in fall/winter indoors. 

The other 'problem' with the 24-70mm range is that I use 105mm a lot:

Love the histogram of usage lengths. I would like to make one of these for my shots. How did you obtain the data? Is there an easy way to obtain it so I don't have to do it manually? Thanks for any advice.

10

PowerShot Cameras / Re: Anyone have the g1x and are happy with when your dslr is not around?

« on: October 31, 2012, 10:50:44 PM »

Just looking for a much more portable dslr alternative when I cannot bring my gear.

I bought the G1X a little bit after it came out. It has some great points especially image quality. On that point I really had no qualms with it. The longer I had it though the more it bothered me in some regards. The AF is quite slow. Equally as irritating it takes about 3 seconds between shots. Not joking. So it is okay if you are shooting adults who are sitting still or scenery and in no rush. For kids or action I found it pretty useless. Missed so many good shots I decided finally to part ways with it. I sold it last month. The problem was that it was "good enough" that I left the DSLR at home a bunch due to laziness. It became a crutch but a frustrating. Very good in many regards not so good in other.  I hope the next or next next version is better.

11

Lenses / Re: Guesses on lenses for Photoplus

« on: October 31, 2012, 04:46:59 PM »

I just want them to release a 14-24L,  or a 16-35L III , or a 17-40L II.

Don't care which one it is. I just want a sharp UWA-zoom from Canon, and I want it now. 

Ditto on the 14-24L or new 16-35L. Need to get one or the other soon...Please Canon.

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PowerShot Cameras / Re: G15 or G1X for my mom???

« on: October 31, 2012, 12:23:38 PM »

I
*  The new camera will be used mostly to take photos at birthdays, holidays, family vacations, and the kids/family dogs running around.
*  The new camera needs to have good ISO performance and/or flash performance for different lighting conditions.

Based on these criteria, I've narrowed it down to the G15 and G1X, and I'm leaning toward the G15, because the reviews I've read state the G1X has slow autofocus, which could cause problems when she tries to take photos of the dogs and kids running around. 

What do you guys think would be the best camera for my mom?

Thanks

I had both the G12 and G1X. Was not happy with either. Gave the G12 to my 62 year old mother for purposes similar to what you mention above. She never uses it unfortunately. Just was not intuitive to her I guess and she has a PhD so it is not a matter of intelligence. Even the G12 is slow to focus and not ideal for catching kids or animals. A lot of shots will be missed...

I got rid of the G1X as well. I loved its image quality and shots of adults or scenery were very good as long as I had a couple of seconds to compose the shot...Its autofocus was slow and time between shots was terrible. Enough to frustrate me and eventually dump it for 60% of what I paid for it...

Not sure if the Canon SX50 (Amazon link below) would be any better or not but you might want to look at it as well. Take your mom to a store and see which one she seems "comfortable" with. If she is comfortable then she will pick it up and use it. If not it will just grow dust like the one I gave to my mom...Good luck.
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-Digital-Wide-Angle-Stabilized/dp/B009B0MZ1M/]
[url]http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-Digital-Wide-Angle-Stabilized/dp/B009B0MZ1M/[/url]

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PowerShot / Re: Hands-On Review of SX50 & Wish I'd Had it for Sandy!!!

« on: October 31, 2012, 12:12:36 PM »

Thanks for the review. Hope things return to safe and normal for you all soon. One question. I read that previous models had a ISO limit on it which hindered low light long exposure photography. Has that been rectified at all? Did you shoot much with it in lower light settings and see how it performed? Thanks.

14

EOS Bodies / Re: Help me, 5D Mark iii order now or wait for a "possible deal"

« on: October 19, 2012, 08:53:48 PM »

I am seriously sitting here ready to pull the trigger and order my 5D Mark iii.  I have L glass and currently shoot with a T4i.  I do just fine with my camera and LR4, but know that the FF be a better choice, especially for my indoor event photography.  If I was ready to order this last month or the month before, i wouldn't be worried about anything, but this close to Nov, I have to wonder if I am going to be angry with myself for missing the next 2750.00 type sale.  Typically, do these sales begin early Nov or closer to black Friday/X-Mas?  If B and H only drops this camera by 100 or so, I won't care, but saving almost 800 bucks had I waited 2-3 weeks would def make me regretful.  I know it shows a 5D3 in my profile, but I had planned on having it by this week...LOL Everything else in my profile I own now.

If it helps I was in roughly the same boat (not as much L glass) with a T2i...waited and waited. Finally bought the 5D Mark III + 24-105 kit lens combo from B&H for $3749 or whatever the special was. Have not regretted it one bit even if the price drops. Kind of wish I had not waited as long as I did. Love the images I am getting. AF and low light shoot is so much better. Good luck with the decision.