Topics

1

Lenses / What exactly is a 100% crop?

« on: April 27, 2013, 06:40:37 PM »

For years I've seen people post examples of a "100% crop" to show the sharpness of a lens or the noise level of a sensor.  Today I was thinking about posting some images from a EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS that I just picked up and realized that I don't know how to do a 100% crop.  Can someone provide brief instructions on how to do that?  I'm using Lightroom 4 if it matters.

2

Lenses / Tripod collar for 200mm f/2.8 L?

« on: February 18, 2013, 04:51:47 PM »

I picked up a used 200mm f/2.8 L that seems to work very well, but I think it needs a tripod collar for better stability.  The Canon unit is quite expensive, of course.

I found this one online:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/822975-REG/Vello_TC_AB_Tripod_Collar_A_Black.html

Has anyone tried one of these?  Are there other alternatives to the Canon collar?

3

Software & Accessories / Anyone using PerfXprints to calibrate your color printer?

« on: January 09, 2013, 04:07:14 PM »

http://www.perfxprints.com/#Wheretobuy

It's time for me to properly calibrate my Canon Pro 9000 Mark II ink jet printer so that I'll actually use it.  I want to be able to use different inks and papers, so the manufacturers profiles aren't going to meet my needs.

I have a Spyder device to calibrate my monitor and I have a nice Epson scanner, so this product called PerfXprints looks like it would be perfect for me.  If it works.

All they sell you is the software and a color chart card for $135.  You put the card in your scanner to calibrate the scanner first.  Then you print a file with your printer and put the print into the scanner.  Supposedly the software generates an ICC profile.

The website is not completely clear on how it works.  The tutorial page is broken, which is a bad sign in my opinion.  However, you can order it through B&H, which is a good sign.

Has anyone tried this product or other products that work on the same principal?  I really don't want to pay nearly $500 for the ColorMunki that replicates two pieces of hardware that I already have.

Thanks!

4

Third Party Manufacturers / Has anyone ordered from DigitalRev?

« on: November 18, 2012, 12:26:20 PM »

http://www.digitalrev.com/product/tamron-sp-24-70mm-f/MTAwMDMyMw_A_A?googlebase=1&country=US&gclid=CNXIhcOC2bMCFal_QgodLF0AWQ

I'm pretty sure I am going to buy the Tamron 24-70 for use with my 5D3.  Prices at various outlets are always exactly $1299.  Tamron apparently enforces their standard price quite effectively!

I am not familiar with DigitalRev.  They have good feedback on Google, but one review indicates that the products are shipped from Hong Kong.  I am also concerned about the manufacturers warranty.  At the link above I note a tiny american flag and the words "local warranty" but that doesn't really tell me what I want to hear.

Would like to hear opinions on ordering from DigitalRev.

Thanks!

5

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Watch those CF pins on your 5D3

« on: September 21, 2012, 10:35:50 AM »

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/09/lensrentals-repair-data-january-july-2012

Roger Cicala at LensRentals.com has another one of his great articles posted on his blog.  This one talks about the repair history of the various cameras and lenses that his company stocks.  LensRentals.com is in a great position to comment on the durability of lenses and cameras. 

Since a lot of us are starting to use the 5D3, I really appreciate his warning about seeing a lot of bent pins on/in the Compact Flash card socket.  When I get mine, I'll be very careful.

He also has some comments on the service departments of the major manufacturers that you might find helpful.

6

Lenses / Lenses listed in Group A, Group B, Group C... Why?

« on: August 21, 2012, 11:41:57 AM »

http://downloads.canon.com/CDLC/EOS_1DX_AF_Guide_CDLC_Updated_June_2012.pdf   See page 37.

In the autofocus guide for the 1Dx and 5D III, Canon divides their lens lineup into groups that allow different numbers of cross type sensors to operate.  I thought this was strictly a function of aperture, but if you look at the lists, that does not seem to be the case.

Does anyone know what other factors might be involved? 

Thanks,

Mike

7

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Roger Cicala on Canon Autofocus Reality

« on: August 08, 2012, 12:29:43 AM »

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/08/autofocus-reality-part-3b-canon-cameras#more-8458

I think this is a very important article.  It addresses my concerns about the Canon autofocus system better than any other article I've seen and will influence my future buying decisions.

What do you think of it?

Mike in Portland

8

Canon General / Canon's list of authorized dealers - how accurate?

« on: July 30, 2012, 06:23:19 PM »

I've noticed that some online sellers are calling themselves Canon dealers (or implying that they are) but they aren't on the list that Canon has published here:

http://www.usa.canon.com/CUSA/assets/app/pdf/dealer/CanonAuthorizedDealers.pdf

It makes me wonder if the list is up to date.  Just for fun, I have started to look up some of the dealers who are on the list to see if they really exist.  I've only done two so far. 

I looked up Ruthie's Jewelry and Photography in Oregon.  Google shows a business by that name in the high desert town of Burns.  No mention of camera sales on their website.  Anyone who has been to Burns knows that there isn't a real Canon dealer there, unless they are selling cameras to the cows and antelope.

I also looked up "The Camera Center" in Oregon.  There was a business by that name in Roseburg, but their website appears dead.

Let's have some fun and look for more non-dealers on the list.  I have a hunch that it hasn't been updated in a while.

Mike

9

EOS Bodies / How does Canon get input from photographers?

« on: July 11, 2012, 05:23:15 PM »

I assume the Canon photography division, like any big consumer oriented corporation, has some sort of market research department.  Does anyone know how Canon figures out what their potential customers want?  Do they use surveys, focus groups, round table discussions, lurk on photography forums like this one?  It's a complete mystery to me.

Rather than speculate, perhaps someone here has had enough contact with the Canon marketing people to offer some insight?  If you know the answer, please state how you know.

10

EOS Bodies / 5D III microfocus?

« on: March 02, 2012, 06:16:34 PM »

I'm hoping that the 5D mark III will have the type of microfocus adjustment system that allows you to set different values for both ends of a zoom range.  No mention of that so far in any reports I have seen.

If anyone sees any reference to this feature in a review, please post a link.

Thanks!

Mike