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Lenses / What price to pay for a used 500mm F4?
« on: October 18, 2012, 02:53:40 PM »
Is the version 1 sharp? What should I pay, one has showed up in a local CL for $2500 with the casing.
May 23, 2013, 11:07:47 PM
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2
Lenses / AFMA'ed the 24-70 mk.ii ... not sure I am loving this copy.
« on: October 14, 2012, 01:59:42 PM »
I just AFMA'ed my 24-70ii the third time (i.e. Each time fine tuning both tele and Wide till I nailed both). +5 on the Wide and +6 on Tele with my 5d3.
The Issue I have is, the sharpness at 24mm has a lot to be desired... 70mm is fine I guess, but I had higher hopes for a $2300 lens... is this it or do i have a dud on my hands?
Pls see 100% crops of 24mm and 70mm below and let me know what you think... if all seems ok, I can send shots of the corners which are even more disappointing...
EDIT: Added MF shot
Third shot is MF @ 24mm
The Issue I have is, the sharpness at 24mm has a lot to be desired... 70mm is fine I guess, but I had higher hopes for a $2300 lens... is this it or do i have a dud on my hands?
Pls see 100% crops of 24mm and 70mm below and let me know what you think... if all seems ok, I can send shots of the corners which are even more disappointing...
EDIT: Added MF shot
Third shot is MF @ 24mm
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Lenses / @ 70mm FoV on the new 24-70 mk.ii very different than 70-200 mk.ii
« on: October 11, 2012, 02:47:57 PM »
My Camera Shop called me and 30 days after I put in a Pre-order, I got my 24-70L ii 
My first shot was to compare sharpness with my 70-200 mk.ii. While the 70-200 does seem sharper (it's been AFMA's but not the 24-70 so I can let that slide... however with a test shot with both at 70mm, I was not prepared with the difference in framing... it is more than noticably different... I realize that there is some variation in difference lens models but I always thought 70mm should give me a similar framing regardless of the lens I used within a small tolerance... but this to me is huge. Is this to be expeced?
Attached are the shots at 70mm form the 24-70 ii and the 70-200 ii
F3.2
ISO100
Spot metered
AF Center
My first shot was to compare sharpness with my 70-200 mk.ii. While the 70-200 does seem sharper (it's been AFMA's but not the 24-70 so I can let that slide... however with a test shot with both at 70mm, I was not prepared with the difference in framing... it is more than noticably different... I realize that there is some variation in difference lens models but I always thought 70mm should give me a similar framing regardless of the lens I used within a small tolerance... but this to me is huge. Is this to be expeced?
Attached are the shots at 70mm form the 24-70 ii and the 70-200 ii
F3.2
ISO100
Spot metered
AF Center
4
Software & Accessories / Poll: What NR do you use
« on: October 09, 2012, 12:37:00 PM »
Just wondering what NR people prefer to use. I have CS5 but I like Nik Denoise in paralell with Topaz Denoise. I used to use LR NR and before that CS NR, but not anymore. What do you guys prefer and why?
Votes are changeable:
Let me know if there are other software you guys use. I can add as an option.
Lastly: The focus of this poll is to get opinions from people who have used multiple products and have them share their reasons for preferring one over the other.
Votes are changeable:
Let me know if there are other software you guys use. I can add as an option.
Lastly: The focus of this poll is to get opinions from people who have used multiple products and have them share their reasons for preferring one over the other.
5
EOS Bodies / Pls Advise on testing a 7D on CL
« on: August 17, 2012, 04:12:50 PM »
There's a local seller who is selling a 7D with kit lens 28-135mm. He has no papaer work/ no box etc, just the strap / 1 CF card and lens covers. He says it is pristine condition and 2 years old. He is asking $1100.
How much should I offer and what should I test it for if the deal goes through..
How much should I offer and what should I test it for if the deal goes through..
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Lenses / 85mm f/1.2 ii or 135mm f/2
« on: August 14, 2012, 01:19:35 PM »
Sorry if this topic has been covered before 
, but If I were to add a nice portrait lens to my collection of zooms, which one should I consider and why? Some of the things I would like you guys to factor in are:
Buying used, resale value, is the 85mm worth 2x the price of a 135mm etc
thanks!
, but If I were to add a nice portrait lens to my collection of zooms, which one should I consider and why? Some of the things I would like you guys to factor in are:Buying used, resale value, is the 85mm worth 2x the price of a 135mm etc
thanks!
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Lenses / What lens(es) should I consider for next purchase?
« on: July 30, 2012, 11:31:32 AM »
I know it depends on what kind of photography I do... but I am open to and like to explore new areas. I just sold my 100-400L since it did not give me a whole lot more reach/ sharp images as can my 70-200mk.ii with a 2x mk.iii, I would like some reach but the good lenses are very pricey. I like Macro/General people pics/citi scapes/landscapes etc.
I already have the 17-40, 70-200, 50 1.8 mk.ii, 180L. I got the 17-40 after selling a good copy 24-105L, while I like the extra width, I feel the corners are so mushy and distortion very noticable at the corners that I do not use that extra width... should I wait for the 24-70mk.ii or get the 16-35mk.ii ? I love the 70-200. I use it the most.
My budget is about $3500. I am a hobbyist, and would probably re-sell the lenses after I get bored with them since I do not make money off the hobby...
Are there new avenues / lenses I should explore? What would you guys do?
I already have the 17-40, 70-200, 50 1.8 mk.ii, 180L. I got the 17-40 after selling a good copy 24-105L, while I like the extra width, I feel the corners are so mushy and distortion very noticable at the corners that I do not use that extra width... should I wait for the 24-70mk.ii or get the 16-35mk.ii ? I love the 70-200. I use it the most.
My budget is about $3500. I am a hobbyist, and would probably re-sell the lenses after I get bored with them since I do not make money off the hobby...
Are there new avenues / lenses I should explore? What would you guys do?
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Software & Accessories / Lens correction profiles for Canon on CS5
« on: July 08, 2012, 01:29:28 PM »I just installed Photoshop CS5 and went to the lens correction filter. In order to auto correct, on has to choose the Camera maker and then the lens model... however in my case, I find 6-7 Camera makers listed but no Canon. I mean Nikon is there, Samsung is there, even Apple.... but no Canon!! When I search using the online search button, nothing comes up. How can I get lens profiles for CS5 for my 5diii ?
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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Anyone Shoot the Sun ?
« on: May 18, 2012, 04:29:52 PM »
Never having shot the nearest star... I would like to know if using a ND100 to ND1000 infront of a 100-400L would be enough to shield the optics/sensor from thermal runaway.
For those that have done it before, what settings are recommended? I would like to capture some sunspots if it is possible. How long an exposure would I need?
For those that have done it before, what settings are recommended? I would like to capture some sunspots if it is possible. How long an exposure would I need?
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EOS Bodies / 5d3 compared on dpreview
« on: May 14, 2012, 05:03:17 PM »http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-d800-d800e/18
So in this review of the D800/E, the link above takes us to the ISO Noise comps. It's close on RAWS (and open to processing app) but on jpegs, the 5d3 betters the D800 overlall and in some cases even bests the D4... Sort of reverses the gloom and doom that the D800 dished out earlier on in reviews...
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Lenses / Some Basic questions on a 2x TC.
« on: May 10, 2012, 10:18:00 AM »
I have some basic questions on a TC. In this case lets say a 2x iii being used on the 100-400L.
1. Putting the 2x at 400mm bumps up the F from 5.6 to f11. I can see this affects the amount of light that comes in… but what is the effect on diffraction? Ergo if with the TC, I got sharp images at f8, do I now set the combo to f16 for same sharpness/ diffraction limitations?
2. What is the effect on the “amount” of OOF blur? With or without the TC. So again if I use the lens at 400mm f5.6 for same framing (just using my feet to get same framing) vs. 400mm + 2x TC (and taking a few steps back) which scenario (for same framing) will give me less or more OOF blur?
Thanks!
K-
1. Putting the 2x at 400mm bumps up the F from 5.6 to f11. I can see this affects the amount of light that comes in… but what is the effect on diffraction? Ergo if with the TC, I got sharp images at f8, do I now set the combo to f16 for same sharpness/ diffraction limitations?
2. What is the effect on the “amount” of OOF blur? With or without the TC. So again if I use the lens at 400mm f5.6 for same framing (just using my feet to get same framing) vs. 400mm + 2x TC (and taking a few steps back) which scenario (for same framing) will give me less or more OOF blur?
Thanks!
K-
12
Lenses / Which better? 100-400L @ 400m or 70-200 f2.8 mk.ii + 2x mk.iii @ 400mm
« on: April 20, 2012, 09:07:38 PM »
I was told both lenses at 400mm f5.6 pitted against each other, the 100-400L would smoke the 70-200mk.ii + 2x iii combo. So far this one test shot shows both very close, I am preferring the 70-200+2x due to better shadow detail: 100-400 has more contrast though... Open both files and pixel peep please.
Looking at the thumbnails the 100-400 looks better, but at pixel peeping levels the 70-200 2x looks better.
Both are 100% crops taken on a rainy evening under high ISO.
NO pp was done to the RAW before converting to jpeg in CS5.
Looking at the thumbnails the 100-400 looks better, but at pixel peeping levels the 70-200 2x looks better.
Both are 100% crops taken on a rainy evening under high ISO.
NO pp was done to the RAW before converting to jpeg in CS5.
13
Lenses / 5D iii AFing with F11 lens.... on Liveview. Normal?
« on: April 20, 2012, 06:48:33 PM »
I put a 2x iii on my 100-400L (making it F11 @800mm) and the sucker was auto focussing. Very slowly, about 4-5 secs round trip, but it nailed the AF (with some AFMA help). Is this even possible Given Canon denying supporting AF over F5.6? Are we getting a freebie?
I have never connected the Cam via Cable to any PC, so nothing was updated. Original Firmware... etc
Second discovery. My 70-200mk.II with 2x @400mm F5.6, is clearly sharper than the standalone 100-400L @400mm F5.6. I thought the 100-400 would be better than the 2x + 70-200mk.ii combo.
With Mixed feelings...
K
I have never connected the Cam via Cable to any PC, so nothing was updated. Original Firmware... etc
Second discovery. My 70-200mk.II with 2x @400mm F5.6, is clearly sharper than the standalone 100-400L @400mm F5.6. I thought the 100-400 would be better than the 2x + 70-200mk.ii combo.
With Mixed feelings...
K
14
5D MK III Sample Images / MF with 180mm F3.5L
« on: April 06, 2012, 11:59:14 AM »
Many people ask about Canon Macro lenses... all are pretty good. My fav is the 180mm. This image was focus stacked manually via layers and brush deletions.... shows the potential of what the 5d3 and 180mm L can do.
This was a quick a dirty job... so please tread softly...
This was a quick a dirty job... so please tread softly...
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EOS Bodies / Can AFMA be used with non-Canon lenses? on a 5d mk.iii ?
« on: March 25, 2012, 07:33:27 AM »
Never had / used AFMA before the 5D iii so insights would be helpful.
There are 2 modes of AFMA, overall for all lenses and for specific lenses. When I use a Sigma lens, it will let me chnag ethe AFMA values but at the menu level disables AFMA. However I am wondering if it will apply AFMA if I chose first option of setting for "All Lenses"...
Anyone have thoughts on this?
Thanks!
There are 2 modes of AFMA, overall for all lenses and for specific lenses. When I use a Sigma lens, it will let me chnag ethe AFMA values but at the menu level disables AFMA. However I am wondering if it will apply AFMA if I chose first option of setting for "All Lenses"...
Anyone have thoughts on this?
Thanks!