Topics

1

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Camera System

« on: June 14, 2012, 05:13:07 PM »

I know this is probably not the most unbiased forum to post such a question, but I will anyway to see what sort of response I get.

If you were not heavily invested in one brand (ie a 4yo rebel owner) and looking to upgrade your equipement and buy into a camera brand system of either Canon or Nikon, what would you buy into today. Lets say you had 5-6k to do it with.

I guess this post is directed more towards those who already shoot both Nikon and Canon and have extensive experience with both.

As far as typical useage of the equipment would be, 50% portrait/people, 20% landscape, 20% wildlife, 10% sports.

While I am familiar with the Canon brand, I have not used Nikon so I have nothing to compare my experience to. For those who do, what would you choose today knowing what you do now.

2

EOS Bodies / How would you make a 3D?

« on: March 02, 2012, 04:20:16 PM »

If you were a Canon executive tasked with creating a 3D, what direction would you take it and how would you spec it? Here are my two cents (worth about one).

~25 mp APS-H
50 - 60 AF points, ~20 of them cross type at f5.6 and no less than 9 sensetive to f/8
1dx level weather sealing
8-9 fps
noise performance similar to 5D II (but from greater pixel density)
limited video capabilities. A camera designed from the grownd up for photographers (not saying it can't do video, just that limited money is spent enhancing video and put towards dedicated photography functionality)
Built in GPS to maximize and retain weather sealing (though I doubt Canon would ever do that with the release of their separate GPS unit)
Dual card slots

As you might guess, such a camera would be designed specifically for wildlife/BIF photographers. I must say, I am NOT a wildlife/BIF photographer and have possibly missed something you would want in such a camera.

All this in a body that goes for approximately $5000 - $5500.

I'm not sure if such a camera would be possible at that price point. But I think it would fill the need of those using supertelephoto lenses with extenders. The new breed of high end telephoto lenses would no doubt be able to resolve such a sensor, thus allowing the ultimate in reach and the ability to crop even further if necessary.

So what do you guys think? Do you think a camera like this would be economically vialbe? Would such a camera fulfill too small of a niche to warrant research and development costs? Whould you wildlife photographers even want a camera like this?

Or, would you take a 3D camera in a completely different direction? Maybe ultra high MP a la D800 for studio work. Maybe the 3D could be a medium format line?

I'm curious to find out what you all think.

Cheers

3

Lenses / 70 - 200 f/4L vs. 70 - 300 f4-5.6 IS USM

« on: February 28, 2012, 01:17:18 AM »

So I have been shooting with the xsi kit lens and a nifty fifty for a while and am in the market to purchase my first telephoto lens. I have not owned a telephoto lens before, so I cannot fully list what I will be shooting. However, I suspect I will mostly be using it over the next decade to shoot my kids as they grow up (I have a 3yo daughter and a new one due the end of March). So kids playing, school plays, sports, some landscape and closeup shots (flowers etc) and any other shot that tickles my fancy in this focal range. I also hope go full frame at some point along the way (maybe a well loved 5D mkII in a couple of years).

I am struggling with the decision between going for improved IQ and AF of the 70 - 200 or take advantage of the extra reach and IS of the 70 - 300. While I don't have a camera with video yet, I plan on having one eventually, so the IS would be nice for that.

So I'm here for your opinions. What would YOU go for and why? I don't know what my needs are because I've never owned a lens in this focal range.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Maybe if I win the lottery (which I don't play) I can get myself the 5d mk III and 70 - 200 f2.8L IS II and say suck it to the poor mans L lens.

4

EOS Bodies - For Stills / High MP Full Frame "Crop"

« on: February 16, 2012, 02:49:43 AM »

So I was thinking about the new Nikon D800 and perhaps Canon's response to it. While many of us covet (and enjoy) full frame benefits, there are a few drawbacks compared to crop sensors. Most notably for wildlife and bird photographers who take advantage of the pixel density and crop factor crop sensors afford. Getting your 500mm monster reach as far as an 800mm goliath because of the crop saves a small fortune and work lugging it around by pairing it to a 7D. In this realm, the crops take an advantage.

However, with an ultra high density sensor like on the D800, one could crop in significantly more and achieve the equivalent "reach" afforded by a crop sensor without a loss in quality as the remaining pixels will most likely be more than enough for most purposes.

However, my understanding is the processors and memory have a hard time moving 36mp images quick enough so fps is reduced and I suspect the buffer would fill quickly. However, if the camera were to only use the middle portion of the sensor, effectively turning it into a crop camera, the MP count would be reduced and file sizes would be significanly smaller. If this is done (while still shooting raw), could the fps cound be significantly boosted for say BIF shoots or other situations where maximum reach is needed WHILE good fps performance is also needed?

Who knows, maybe there will be a 5DX 45mp monster. If so, and it got f8 autofocus, maybe it would become the go to camera for bird photography.

Anyways, just a though.

Cheers

5

Canon General / $5000 gear spree exercize

« on: February 04, 2012, 04:10:05 AM »

Here's a fun little exercize in wishful thinking. Let say you had $5000 to spend on new camera equipment including body, lenses, and all accessories and you are starting with absolutely nothing. What would YOU get? Some people prefer shooting wildlife and might spend their budget on telephoto equipment. Others natural light portraits or studio portraits. Others landscapes. And still others the widest range of subjects your money could buy. So I ask, what would YOU get for 5k.

Here is my list. I am an amateur and my selection will reflect that as I don't require the precision a professional does. My list covers a wide range of shooting situations as I shoot a bit of everything including "studio" portraits. Prices are approximate as they are constantly fluctuating, but I'll use the lowest typical price I've seen. Some of the prices reflect cheap products as I wouldn't need the durability and reliability of professional products.

Canon 60D ~ $850
Vello battery grip and extra battery ~ $120
Canon 100mm macro ~ $500
Canon 17 - 55 ~ $1000
Canon 70 - 200 f4 IS ~ $1100
Canon 580ex II ~ $450
Yongnuo YN-560 X 2 ~ $140
Yongnuo radio trigger set ~ $50
Black and White 10x10 Muslin backdrop including stand ~ $100
Cheap flash stands and mounts X 3 ~ $100
Umbrellas and multi reflector ~ $120
Manfrotto Tripod and ballhead ~ $220
Black Rapid strap ~ $60
Camera bag ~ $100 (lowepro slingshot 300 maybe)
SD cards ~ $60

So that's my 5k list. What would you get?