Messages

1

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Why does Canon watermark their manuals

« on: March 10, 2013, 06:06:03 PM »

i have a better question.  why are you reading a stupid manual long enough to be bored by a watermark?

2

Lenses / Re: Any difference bw used and new 24-105mm lens?

« on: March 05, 2013, 12:52:05 PM »

Thanks for the recommendations!  Good suggestion about the FoCal Pro, but I probably won't pony up for it since I'm a hobbiest and this new camera and lens are stretching my budget as is.

Just to follow-up on my sub-question... Is zoom-creep normal and can it be fixed?  If so, is it costly at all?  It sure is annoying...  Thank you!

3

Lenses / Any difference bw used and new 24-105mm lens?

« on: March 05, 2013, 01:08:25 AM »

Hi, I have a 24-105mm lens that I bought in 2008 used. Based on the serial code, it was made in 2007. I have been using it with my canon XSi for 5 years in the hope that I would eventually upgrade to full frame.

That day finally arrived and I just bought a 6d! Thing is, i bought the bundle so i have another 24-105 mm lens that is brand new.

I am going to sell one of them but should I keep the 2007 one or the 2013 one?   

My old 2007 lens has no scratches and I don't think it has much dust. It does have quite a bit of zoom creep though, so that when I point it down, gravity pulls the front element down, zooming in. Is that cheap to fix?

I figure selling the new one on eBay will net me about $125 more compared to the old one.

Here are some other possible factors: Has there been any general improvement in Canon's manufacturing quality over time?  Have they improved the coatings or glass elements but kept the same model number?  Do the coatings degrade over time?  Should mechanical wear and tear be a concern?

Thanks very much in advance!

4

Lenses / Re: UV filters (any difference?)

« on: March 05, 2013, 12:10:42 AM »

The key is understanding the actual type of photography you do and, from that, knowing if adding a filter to your hood (which you should always use) will offer physical protection worth the degradation of image quality. Or, if you regularly shoot in environments in which a filter is actually prudent, you should be able to recognize situations where the filter is going to significantly degrade image quality and be able to make the decision to remove the filter for that shot.

+1

I do use UV filters when shooting around water/sand (and on my 17-40L), but always use hoods on all my lenses for the reasons TrumpetPower states.

Interesting article and discussion at LenRentals.com on this topic as well (http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2011/06/good-times-with-bad-filters). Filter quality does matter, particularly if you need to stack.

Good advice. Problem is that I will be using my new 6d for pretty much just travel and I need to keep my camera bag as small as possible. The 6d is much bigger than my Rebel as is. The hood really takes up volume. And the sheer length of it in use looks kinda ridiculous. I'll have to just stick withy the filter and be more careful this time.  Thanks!

5

Lenses / Re: UV filters (any difference?)

« on: March 04, 2013, 11:59:02 PM »

If you can afford to replace your lens or are earning enough from your work to not worry, forget the filter. Also factor in the degree of malcordination that exist within you

Do keep in mind that one of the lenses the OP mentions is the 17-40mm f/4L, and that is a lens that requires a front filter to complete the weather/dust sealing for the lens.

There's a very nice article on Lenstip whose conclusion is that HOYA filters are the best, both overall and in terms of value for money (depends on the model you buy).

No problem with lens caps, but I never tried stacking them.

Right - but you have to look at the test data in the context of the utility of a UV filter on a dSLR.  The Hoya filters scored better than the B+W because they more effectively block UV light (defined as 200-390nm).  But modern dSLRs aren't sensitive to UV light, so that criterion is pretty much irrelevant in terms of current utility.  The B+W filters actually score better (slightly) than the Hoya filters in terms of visible light transmission (which LensTip defines as 390-750nm, although the standard definition is 400-700nm).  But the difference is only ~1%, which is practically irrelevant. 

So, based on the LensTip test data, for a dSLR there's no optical difference between the B+W MRC and the high end Hoya filters.  Personally, I find the MRC (and Nano) coatings very easy to clean, similar to the Hoya HD coating.  The standard Hoya coatings are reportedly harder to clean.  Also, the brass mount rings on the B+W filters are less prone to thermal expansion than the aluminum rings on most other filters, meaning it's less likely the B+W's will get stuck if stacked (but it can still happen, which is why having a set of $5 filter wrenches with you is a good idea!).

Based on this, Ill get clear b&w filters. Also, great tip about filter wrenches. Never heard of them before.  I have another lens that has a filter on it that I dropped (while in a padded bag) and the force bent the threads so that the filter is permanently locked in. Hope this wrench works. I read that it did for someone else who dropped their lens. Thanks!

6

EOS Bodies / Re: How do I set button to use only center AF point?

« on: March 03, 2013, 11:33:25 PM »

Hi,
   For setting <AF-ON> button, look for it under [C.Fn III: Operation/Others]->[5. Custom Controls]
   For selection of center point as AF, press the <SET> button... you can only change AF-point if you are using Creative Zone mode (Av, Tv, B & etc).

   For details, look up in the manual.

   Have a nice day.

Thank you!  That helped me find the details in an online manual.  For some reason, it doesn't seem to be in my paper manual.  Anyway, I got it figured out so thanks.

7

Lenses / Re: UV filters (any difference?)

« on: March 03, 2013, 11:30:30 PM »

I have a B+W MRC UV (regular, not slim) on my 17-40 and haven't noticed any issues with it.

Thanks!

8

EOS Bodies / How do I set button to use only center AF point?

« on: March 03, 2013, 08:10:09 PM »

Hello, I just upgraded from an Xsi to a 6D.  Pretty excited, but I can't figure out how to focus as I did before.

I don't want to focus by half-pressing the shutter button.  Instead, I want to use only the center AF focus point by pressing that button on the top-right of the body.

I have a feeling I have to modify the C.Fn II setting, but am not sure how.

Any help would be appreciated!  Thanks!

9

Lenses / Re: UV filters (any difference?)

« on: March 03, 2013, 08:06:18 PM »

  I had a feeling that I would have to pay for a decent filter.  Just bought a 6D so this is getting to be an expensive hobby!

Thanks for the suggestions.  One question - it seems that even the B&W MRC filter on the 17-40 will cause more vignetting.  I know the 6D has an autocorrect feature that fixes vignetting for specific lens including the 17-40, but are there any filters that are especially designed for wide-angle lens?  Or is this not really an issue?

Thanks again.

10

Lenses / UV filters (any difference?)

« on: March 03, 2013, 07:15:04 PM »

So I bought a couple lens recently (17-40mm and 24-105) and want to get some UV filters for them.

Is there any real difference between various filters?

For instance, Hoya UV filters range from $30 to to $110.  My gut reaction is that it is mostly marketing junk and the $30 one is fine.  But would appreciate anyone with knowledge or thoughts to the contrary!  Thanks.

11

EOS Bodies / Re: Will Canon ever move into the Medium Format space?

« on: February 23, 2013, 04:05:45 PM »

of course they will go to MF eventually.  as soon as FF drops to sub $600.  they'll need something new

12

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon 6D vs Nikon D600 Epic Shootout Video

« on: February 18, 2013, 07:57:03 PM »

Thanks.  Best review I've seen.  Disappointed with the dynamic range, but gonna go with the Canon because I have lens already and for the low light performance.

13

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon Confirms 70D; Future of Semi-Pro DSLR is FF

« on: February 06, 2013, 03:26:19 PM »

it wouldn't be a problem to produce only full frame for DSLRs but FF cameras are very expensive (entry level starts above $2000), and the 1.6x crop factor is something many people like in ASP-C.

lol.... canon 6D selling for $1630.  nikon d600 selling for $1500

14

EOS Bodies / Re: 6D Likely Price Trend

« on: February 06, 2013, 03:21:24 PM »

Wow, fast drop.  $1630 for the 6D these days.

It should drop even lower to the $1,500 price of the D600, which offers better image quality (except for at high ISO).

I'll buy in a month or so.

15

EOS Bodies / Re: 6D Likely Price Trend

« on: December 25, 2012, 12:24:15 PM »

New low price, now only $1900 for the 6D.  Also get a bag.

Add to your cart for the discount.

http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sdtid=5709684&sku=CNEOS6D&ref=cj