Messages

1

Lenses / Re: I have a weight limit....what would you bring?

« on: May 17, 2013, 04:35:55 PM »

I traveled through Uzbekistan in July when heat was really enormous (+55 degrees C). In such trips try to take as less equipment as possible. All these options of taking 2-3 lenses theoretically seem fine, however after you spend 1 day in a heat with heavy bag you will curse yourself. During this New year eve i was in Rome and carried my 7d with kit lens 18-135 - at the end of the day i was really tired (my physical form is in a really good shape).

Also, take into consideration that these 'stans are poor countries and your expensive equipment could stolen or you could be robbed. Accordingly i suggest you to take 24-105 lens and maybe 40 (as this lens is very small? Leave everything (including tripod) at home.

It would be interesting to hear from you when you complete your journey.

2

EOS Bodies / Re: No 7D Mark II in 2013? [CR2]

« on: May 06, 2013, 04:07:06 PM »

Canon decided to milk 7D for additional year. 7D is really good camera and I am satisfied with its performance but is seems really odd to release update only after 5 years. I think that Canon's management and marketing department were sitting, scratching their bold heads and were thinking how to cripple 1Dx and 5D MarkIII, put old sensor and call it 7D MrkII

If you put the same AF system as in 5DIII and many other features, it might affect 5DIII sales. Accodingly in my humble opinion it was decided to fully milk 5DIII and 7D and only next year release update. Also, i really do not expect from Canon some very substantial developments in that updated 7DII version as current trend shows that Nikon, Sony are announcing various new developments first. Canon is still worldwide leader however they are really sleeping and milking the same cow, which could be dead quite soon.

3

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Focal Plus vs Pro? Which do you recommend?

« on: May 04, 2013, 09:29:03 AM »

Neuro, very good comment. Straight to the point!

4

Canon General / Re: That's my money you are profiting from Canon!!!

« on: April 24, 2013, 01:09:11 PM »

Neuro, I value your opinion very much! Could you please explain where I was wrong. By the way, I am qualified CPA (FCCA) and not photographer. Accounting and financial statement analysis are the areas where I have really deep understanding 

5

Canon General / Re: That's my money you are profiting from Canon!!!

« on: April 24, 2013, 12:45:08 PM »

Does Sigma/Tamron offer a 70-200 2.8 that performs as well as the Canon? Nope. How bout a 24-70? 2.8? Hardly. The cost (R&D, tooling, marketing, advertising etc.) of the 7D was most likely recovered about 12-18 months into the run. The new 7D2 needs all these things so yes, Canon will continue to produce this amazing camera to fund better products.

Answer is yes! Take a look at  Tamron SP 24-70 2.8 which is direct competitor of Canon EF 24-70 2.8L MKII. Tamron's quality is slighty less worse than Canon's, however, Tamron has stabilisation. Also, try Tamron SP 70-200 2.8 which quality is very good as well. Both Tamron lenses are much cheaper. That why I told that third party manufacturers are taking quite significant part of Canon's lens market.

Also, most people don't follow what the currency markets do so the de-valuation is not why they want lower prices. They want lower prices because that is human nature.

Here you are also wrong. Everybody is looking what competitors are doing. If competitors can offer similar quality products for much lower price that means that Canon is doing something wrong: 1) Maybe they have issues in supply chain 2) Maybe they invest very heavily into R&D (which is not the case) 3) Using Yen's devaluation for their own profit (when competitors using this factor for lowering prices and increasing market share). Also, if you are not well educated and do not understand how changes in currencies rates affect different economies, please do not comment on matters which you do not understand (by the way, are you American? )

Mirror-less will not replace DLSR any time soon. Try shooting a moving object with a mirror-less.

Here you might be wrong as well. Take a look how quckly digital cameras overtook film cameras. The same could happen with DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. You are stating your very subjective opinion based on emotions and not facts.

I hope that I clearly explained everything to you.

6

Canon General / Re: That's my money you are profiting from Canon!!!

« on: April 24, 2013, 11:30:10 AM »

This article shows that Canon is making much more money despite the fact that P&S sales are decreasing (smartphones are occupying P&S cameras market). In this site more than 95% of readers (of course, it is my subjective opinion) are DSLR owners / users. Myself and other readers are really upset as Canon is making profits, however, does not invest such profits into R&D and does not introduce n/.ew cameras or lenses with significant improvements. For example 7D is 4 years old - it means that this model is a cash cow. Newly introduced models lack of really substantial improvements, basically Canon is using old platforms.

Regarding lenses - Canon lenses are good quality, however, they are very expensive comparing to third parties. When looking at Tamron's and Sigma's performance in market we see substantial improvements in their lenses quality (which now approximates to Canon) for significantly lower price. Canon is loosing ground in this area.

Also, many customers really expects reductions of prices of Canon  production due to Yen's performance in the market, however, Canon is making significant profits and disappointing customers who would like to buy cheaper Canon cameras or lenses. Such approach is very dangerous as many customers are dissatisfied and are buying third party lenses as well as changing Canon religion to others.

When I look how significant improvements are made in electronics (computer chips, computers, TVs etc.) photography area is lacking innovations. 4-5 year old sensors, DIGIC V are used. What I would really expect that Canon would make really serious investments into sensors, camera chip area, would renew its lenses line and become progressive company. Now I see only stagnant company which is milking the same almost dead cow and enjoying short term profits.

Also, I did not mention mirrorless cameras market, which is supposed to replace DSLRs in the future. Canon completely lost this market to competitors and passively watching what others are doing. I doubt that somebody knows Canon's brand after 10-15 years if the follow current strategy.

7

Site Information / Re: Love or Hate Canon Rumors Forum

« on: April 04, 2013, 03:56:58 PM »

I like this forum very much. It's great that there are very knowledgeable photographers who are always willing to help, explain or advice on practically all matters that relate to photography. From them I can learn a lot! Also, it is very interesting to know in advance what I should expect in advance in relation to new gear releases.

8

Lenses / Re: Tamron 24-70 f2.8 or Canon 24-105 f4 ??

« on: March 31, 2013, 05:37:53 PM »

It is very strange that you quoted so high price for Tamron. In Lithuania I bought this lens (brand new) for EUR 1,000. This was in half a year ago. I am vary happy with the quality of this lens and definitely recommend it to you. It is better than 24-105 4L lens.  However, you have to take into account what focal length you really need.

9

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon 50mm 1.4

« on: March 31, 2013, 04:03:52 PM »

I completely agree with klickflip. This shot looks very flat due to bad lightning. Also, eyes are red! In good shot eyes have to have 'blicks'.

I also have Canon 50 mm 1.4 lens these lenses are really good. However, when you use aperture of 10 and more you are not applying these lenses for which they are designed (bokeh, shooting in dark light, etc.).

10

Canon General / Re: Think I need a 12 step program

« on: March 30, 2013, 03:21:08 PM »

It is very easy to be dragged in addiction of buying gear  In 2012 I spent appr. USD 9,000 on my gear. However, in 2013 I have intention to upgrade my camera from 7D to 5D Mark III, which is a bit costly. Also, thinking about good tripod and ballhead, which are really not cheapest things

11

Lenses / Re: 50mm: Wich one?

« on: March 27, 2013, 02:50:58 PM »

When I was choosing my 50 mm lens I had the same problem, which was easily solved 

50 mm 1.8 -   too cheap
50 mm 1.2 L - too expensive
50 mm 1.4 - reasonable price and good test results in many photographic forums. Of course i choose this option

12

Landscape / Re: Jippieeee! It's spring! Post your first spring pictures here.

« on: March 22, 2013, 04:12:14 PM »

Unfortunately spring hasn't come to Lithuania yet Today it was -10 degrees.

13

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Lexar CF cards FAIL - Sandisk?

« on: March 13, 2013, 05:42:01 PM »

It could be the case that you have fake Lexar cards and that's why they are failing. Lexar, Sandisk, Transcend are all really well known firms and I have never heard that their production is failing (massively, as in your case).

Another reason could be that you improperly handle them. In such case Sandisk and others will fail as well.

In my opinion, try to buy original cards and your problems will be solved

14

Lighting / Speedlite resource

« on: February 21, 2013, 01:53:39 PM »

I am wondering what is speedlight (especially Canon 580 EXII) resource and whether it is possible to see how many shots were already made.

15

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon 2x and 1.4x mk3 extenders

« on: February 20, 2013, 11:20:22 AM »

Very nice picture of moon!