Topics

1

Lenses / 70-300L AF IS goes *CLUNK!* (??)

« on: February 07, 2013, 04:50:26 PM »

Some of you may remember my little poll a while back asking what to replace my 70-300 IS EF lens with after a barter trade with a buddy.  Well, I finally did the deal and I decided to get the 70-300L.  So now I have a nice Thinkpad X301 all tricked out (from the trade) and a new 70-300L.

What's interesting is this...

-  Slap that 70-300L on the 5D3 and point it all over the place, AF performance is fast and smooth, fairly quiet and nice.
-  Add a Tamron 1.4x TC (140F-CA) and the AF slows a bit.  Not unexpected.  Still works pretty good.  HOWEVER...

... when the TC is attached, the IS tends to JUMP from time to time and makes a CLUNK NOISE.  You can feel the clunk too.  It still autofocuses on the target but the IS going CLUNK is weird.  I haven't been able to detect a clunk or jump when the TC isn't connected.  Anyone have some thoughts?

I've had the Tamron TC for quite a while and from what I have read around this forum, the Kenko 1.4X DGX is (I guess) the ideal TC but I don't necc want to buy another TC.  Anyone have a Tamron 1.4X TC like mine and like it just as much?  Curious how they compare.

2

EOS Bodies - For Stills / What Photo Web Host do you use?

« on: January 25, 2013, 04:06:08 PM »

Wasn't sure which section to post this in but the question is, which online photo host do you use and why?  For instance, I use Zenfolio because I wanted to make sure our Boy Scout and Church Youth images didn't end up being used in anything we couldn't control.  I've been very happy with Zenfolio.

However, I've noticed that aside from SmugMug, there aren't a lot of options if one doesn't want to sign away rights to pictures they host.

Does anyone know if flckr preserves the original owners' rights?  I notice a lot of folks on this forum use flickr as well as the "official" White House photostream.

3

Canon General / Curious Distraction: Explain your username, avatar picture, etc...

« on: January 25, 2013, 03:49:51 PM »

Hi everyone.  As I reply to some posts, it occurs to me that it would be interesting to get explanations or back stories from many of the user/contributors here on Canon Rumors about why they use/choose the username that they have.  For instance, neuro has explained it before but let's hear it again here all in one place!!  What does TrumpetPower possibly mean?  While we're at it, add some info about the avatar picture you use if you like.

In my case, RustyTheGeek started out many years ago as a domain name people would remember for my IT consulting business when they needed to email me.  Eventually it just made sense to start treating it like a brand, esp since it's never taken when choosing a username on forums, etc.  So there we go!  I still need to get an avatar picture uploaded.  Bad me.

Anyone else care to share?  Even if it seems self explanatory there might be more than meets the eye.   

4

Site Information / Off Limits??

« on: January 15, 2013, 12:34:21 PM »

I clicked on the link on the homepage ("Canon 24-70 f/4 IS vs Canon 24-105 f/4 IS - Not what I expected") I got a strange error.  Missing or it's Off Limits??  Weird...

5

PowerShot / Boy Scout Photography Class - Thoughts?

« on: January 02, 2013, 05:49:35 PM »

Plan to teach another (basics) Photography Class to scouts soon.  Been pondering how to make it fun, keep scouts' attention, etc.  Not my first rodeo but it never hurts to get input from others and gain more perspective.  I've got a projector, computer, extra cameras, etc.  Their requirements include learning photography basics and making a poster board or slide presentation with their pictures that tells a story.

So for all you instructors out there, anything you think makes a big splash or is a hit with your audience, I'm all ears!  Thanks!

Also, some low cost camera thoughts/ideas for those young shooters... I was thinking either a used Rebel with kit lens (harder to come by) or a Canon SX160 from Amazon, etc that is a P&S but still allows for manual control and takes AA batteries when the suggested AA rechargeables run down while camping.

6

Lenses / Selling 70-300 IS - Suggest Replacement?

« on: December 20, 2012, 07:48:35 PM »

OK, I may end up selling my EF 70-300 IS lens in a little barter deal.  So what to replace it with?  I have the following bodies to use it with... 30D, 40D, 60D, 5D, 5D3, 6D.  I shoot lots of kids on campouts, swim teams in indoor pools, indoor church stuff, etc.

As indicated in the poll, I already have a 70-200 f/4 IS and a 1.4x TC.  I also have access to borrow a 70-200 f/2.8 IS v1 when I need to.  I have always liked my EF 70-300 IS and I could even borrow it down the road if I really needed to, it would just be a bit inconvenient due to distance.

So, I'm debating on whether I should jump on this "reason" to upgrade or just let it go and not have a decent lens longer than 200mm.  (I also have Tamron 18-270 VC and 28-300 VC superzooms for less critical walk around use but those are obviously compromise lenses.)

I guess I'm leaning toward the 70-300 L if I get anything mainly because it's a simple direct upgrade, it won't totally break the bank and it's not as big/heavy as the other L choices.  Thoughts?  Obviously all of these choices have different merits.

Thanks in advance for your time, efforts and opinions.  I know everyone is busy so please don't spend more than a few hours or days pondering a perfect solution for me.  Thanks!  I appreciate it.   

7

Software & Accessories / Pimp out your DSLR... (Funny)

« on: December 15, 2012, 11:06:10 AM »

OK, this cracked me up!   

All I can think of are various model vehicles tricked/pimped out as bouncing lowriders...

SPIGEN SGP Canon EOS 40D Metal Skin Guard Series
http://www.spigen.com/cameras/canon.html

Sorry, too much trouble to snag an image to insert here, but there are several pictures.  They really went all out, even under the pop up flash and inside the media cover!  Wow.

Now, if only I still had my 40D.... 

BTW, I was actually researching a high quality screen cover for the 6D (camera LCD screen is plastic).  They appear to have a very high quality thin glass protector for phones called glas.t.  Interesting....

8

Pricewatch Deals / Beach Camera = Great Experience

« on: November 28, 2012, 12:29:59 AM »

Quick Endorsement for Beach Camera on a killer 5D3 eBay deal (discovered through CanonRumors.com)...

I purchased a 5D3 eBay deal from Beach Camera back in mid October.  Having never purchased from Beach before, I was a bit nervous based on the killer price.

-  I didn't get any scam crap upsell phone calls, emails or B&S tactics.
-  I received shipping and tracking info within 48 hours of the Saturday pm purchase time.
-  I received free shipping and the 5D3 arrived the Thursday after the weekend purchase time.
X - packing was my only complaint, they didn't pack the 5D3 box with any cushioning.  (Really!?)

After a couple weeks, I realized the 5D3 had serious low light AF Lock problems, thanks to this forum.  I contacted Beach Camera directly, spoke with Hal (xt 308) and he listened, treated me with respect and after our brief discussion, issued an immediate exchange RMA with paid return shipping.  He also offered to cross ship a new camera but due to my extra low purchase price determined this wasn't a good idea based on the the refund scenario.

After our phone conversation, Hal also...
- provided me a direct email address where we exchanged more information.
- emailed and called me to let me know when my faulty 5D3 return arrived.
- personally oversaw that the replacement 5D3 got shipped back out to me same day
- sent return tracking info right away
- called to let me know the new 5D3 was on its way

I received the replacement 5D3 on the following Tuesday after sending it the previous Monday.  8 days round trip from TX to NY including two weekends, not long after Hurricane Sandy.  Not bad!!!

FYI, Beach Camera appears to be the same company as BuyDig.com so that may be good for you depending on what you are buying.

I will likely buy from Beach Camera again based on their great customer service and zero BS after the sale.  Thanks, Hal!   

9

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Canon 135 f/2L Speaker (Cool, Fun)

« on: November 16, 2012, 10:16:38 AM »

(I just realized maybe I should have posted this in the Lens area, or somewhere else?  Sorry!)

Gotta Love it!  Everyone has seen the Canon Lens Mugs.  I just saw this on eBay...

A Canon Lens iPod Speaker with amp, microSD card slot, etc.  Might make a great gift!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gift-Lens-Music-Speaker-USB-SD-Card-FM-Radio-For-iPhone-4S-4G-iPod-Player-DC118-/181005114188?pt=Other_MP3_Player_Accessories&hash=item2a24bedb4c

If the URL doesn't work, search for "Gift Lens Music Speaker USB SD Card FM Radio For iPhone 4S 4G iPod Player DC118" from fofofovs seller.  It only costs $24.  (Yeah, it's from Hong Kong.)  Might be a fun conversation piece.

10

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Q: A dedicated Still Image DSLR without video? Thoughts?

« on: November 15, 2012, 01:37:50 PM »

This is a purely hypothetical question but I'm guessing many of you have thought about it once or twice.

I'm curious if anyone else would consider a DSLR designed, dedicated and optimized solely for still photography  worthwhile / desirable?

Quite simply: If you could get better still images from a camera without video, would you buy it?

-  Would you buy it instead of a hybrid model with video features if it produced better still images?
-  Would you buy it if the images were the same but it was designed differently for still photography use?

Does anyone else think compromises might exist in hybrid DSLR designs in order to offer HD video on the same sensor?

-  Would a sensor designed for dedicated still photography perhaps offer better specs, IQ, sensitivity, speed, [insert other perceived benefit here]?
-  How much better would a dedicated still photography camera perform if it didn't have to produce video as well?
-  Would the CPU, processing and firmware possibly be less complex, more efficient and stable?
-  Would the control layout and ergonomics, menus, etc be easier to use and offer more versatility and/or control?
-  Is it possible that video features have delayed R&D while engineers work out new challenges due to the hybrid designs?
-  Do you think video increases the price of the camera?  Is it logical to think a dedicated still camera might cost slightly less while still offering better images?

Just thought I would throw it out there to chew on.  Might make an interesting discussion.  Thanks for your time.