Topics

1

EOS Bodies / Question re: real world experience with 5D MkIII AF

« on: April 03, 2013, 07:59:25 AM »

I apologize if this has been covered in the past but I did a quick search on the subject and could not find what I was looking for.

I'm hoping that someone out there has some real world experience and can answer my question.

How does the 5D MkIII AF compare to the 1D MkIV?  I'm particularly interested in the accuracy and AF lock-on speed.  My primary use is action photography;  motocross and birds in flight.

The lenses I mostly use, in order of time on the camera are:

70-200 f/2.8L IS II
300 f/2.8L IS
400 f/5.6L
135 f/2L

I should mention that I do not intend to replace my 1D MkIV, which I have been using for 3 years.  If I acquired a 5D MkIII, it would be a second body to use primarily at the motocross tracks.  Most likely, I would carry the 300/2.8 mounted on the 1D MkIV and the 70-200/2.8 or 135/2 mounted on the 5D MkIII.

I am also not concerned with the burst rate as 6 fps would be adequate.  I normally keep my 1D MKIV set at 7 fps for motocross and it's been fine.

Any help would be appreciated.

2

EOS Bodies - For Stills / In-camera noise reduction

« on: March 13, 2013, 09:09:30 AM »

This question is directed to the technically knowledgeable out there and has to do with in-camera noise reduction settings.  Although I'm shooting with a 1D4, I would guess the same would apply to all models.

In a nutshell, is in-camera noise reduction (assuming it's enabled) applied to RAW files or just to JPEGs?  If it's applied to RAW files (which is all I shoot), have any of you shot RAW with noise reduction disabled, and if so, how were the results?

I tried to do a search here on this topic but was unable to find any information.

Thanks.

3

Animal Kingdom / Breakfast is Served

« on: March 11, 2013, 04:27:46 PM »

A Red-breasted Merganser drake enjoying an early morning breakfast of Goby.  This was taken at one of my usual haunts... our local harbor.  The Goby is an invasive species here so it's nice to see this duck reducing the population.   

Shot with 1D4, 300/2.8L IS plus 2xTC III



Thanks for looking.

4

Lenses / Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS for motorsports ??????????

« on: February 25, 2012, 04:27:02 PM »

Last year I began photographing motorsports. I shot some super bike and GP car races on road courses and shot a lot of motocross and atv races. The gear I used was a 1D Mark IV along with my 70-200 f/2.8L IS II and 300 f/2.8L IS with great results.

I am fortunate to have full access to the motocross and atv tracks and end up strolling all over the track for extended periods of time. After a while, the gear package I mentioned above starts to take it's toll on me due to the weight. I am looking at possibly utilizing the Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS to reduce the weight while retaining the focal length range. I have no concerns regarding the image quality of that lens. I know it's excellent.

What does concern me is that given it's slower speed, will it AF fast enough and accurately enough? I have no concerns on the road races as there is usually a lot of time to lock on and track the vehicles. However, on the motocross and atv tracks, the first glimpse I often have of the bikes and quads is when they suddenly appear over the top of a jump. Immediate and accurate AF is an absolute must in these circumstances. My f/2.8 lenses perform beautifully in that regard, but will the slower 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS be up to the task?

Has anyone out there had any experience they can share using this lens in a similar environment? Your input would be appreciated.

5

PowerShot / Canon G1 X image aspect ratios

« on: January 19, 2012, 08:40:11 AM »

The Canon website shows the following information in the specifications for the G1 X camera.....

Number of Recording Pixels
Still Images:
[16:9]
Large: 4352 x 2448, Medium 1: 3072 x 1728,
Medium 2: 1920 x 1080, Small: 640 x 360

[3:2]
Large: 4352 x 2904, Medium 1: 3072 x 2048,
Medium 2: 1600 x 1064, Small: 640 x 424

[4:3]
Large: 4352 x 3264, Medium 1: 3072 x 2304,
Medium 2: 1600 x 1200, Small: 640 x 480
RAW: 4352 x 3264

[1:1]
Large: 3264 x 3264, Medium 1: 2304 x 2304,
Medium 2: 1200 x 1200, Small: 480 x 480

[4:5]
Large: 2608 x 3264, Medium 1: 1840 x 2304,
Medium 2: 960 x 1200, Small: 384 x 480

Would this indicate that in-camera cropping to these aspect ratios is available?  If not, what would be the purpose of publishing such information?

6

Lenses / Is Canon discontinuing the EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye ?????

« on: June 08, 2011, 10:12:49 AM »

I cannot find this lens listed now at several major Canadian retailers.  I have checked the websites for Aden, Henry's, Vistek, Merkle and The Camera Store.

The only Canon fisheye lens that comes up on a search is the new 8mm-15mm f/4L.  Are they attempting to force buyers to now fork over $1,500 + for this new lens ??