Messages

1

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Which camera brand you actively use, other than Canon?

« on: March 14, 2013, 03:57:02 PM »

Fujifilm. I brought the X10, as well as my 5D2, to London last summer. While the handling was great, the image quality wasn’t even close to the DSLR. This was of course expected since it’s a compact camera, but I ended up selling it. I’m picking up the X100 tomorrow and can’t wait – hoping the image quality will match the handling.
Within the last year, I’ve also owned a Sony NEX and a Samsung NX-camera, but they just didn’t feel right. I like optical viewfinders.

2

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: how reliable are cheap third party flashes (yongnuo)

« on: March 10, 2013, 11:16:54 AM »

I have the YN460 and use it on a 5DII, which means that I can’t access the flash-menu because “the flash is either incompatible or turned off”. Which also means that I can’t chose shutter curtain, and that bothers me.

If there is a way to work around this problem, which may be 5DII exclusive, then the flash is a good purchase. Doesn’t misfire at all.

3

Landscape / Re: How Would You Edit This Landscape Photo?

« on: March 07, 2013, 05:40:41 PM »

I've tried as well. It was mostly an attempt to normalize it, and then overdoing it slightly. This is the way I would've done it.

4

Lenses / Re: Portrait Lens

« on: September 30, 2012, 05:06:29 PM »

I don’t want to be off topic since you are very specific, but in my experience the Tamron SP 28-75mm f/2.8 is sharper at f/4 than the Canon 24-105mm is at f/8. Given the praise the latter has gotten over the years, I might have had a bad copy. Then again, I would look into the Tamron, because you could get that as well as the 85mm f/1.8 for less than the 24-105mm. You do lose some of the wide angle, IS and weather sealing, though. The Tamron does have MACRO written on it, but its more of a close focusing thing, at 0,33 meters (1,08 feet). Worth looking into.

5

Lenses / Re: Non L sharp telephoto lenses

« on: September 30, 2012, 08:47:33 AM »

I found the Tamron in test to be pretty sharp compared to the Canon 70-200 mentioned above.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=104&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=4&API=3&LensComp=757&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=3&APIComp=3

Any experience with this lens?

I have the Tamron 70-300mm, but rarely use it due to its size. It’s not a lens I walk around with because I don’t use the focal length enough to bother, but when I do have it with me, it does deliver great results. I’m not comparing the size to other telezooms though, I’m comparing it to primes like the Sigma 50mm and 85mm which is unfair (and I’m probably going to be bashed for it). If the size is right for you, then I think you will like it. The VC is amazing.
Here’s a handheld shot at 300mm, 1/125, f/5.6 (wide open), ISO 100, VC ON, with the 5D Mark II:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spareimp/8039082510/#sizes/k/in/photostream/

6

Lenses / Re: 85 mm Lens

« on: September 26, 2012, 10:01:18 AM »

I have both the Canon 85mm f/1.8 and the Sigma 85mm f/1.4. My opinion: the Sigma is worth the extra money. The Canon has a bit faster AF, but that’s about it. The Sigma can be used wide open, while I had to stop the Canon down to about f/2-2.8 to get great results. Both lenses are good, but the Sigma is just better. You definitely won’t regret getting it, but you might regret getting the Canon (extreme CA).

7

Lenses / Re: Old manual focus 50mm: Sharpness

« on: September 23, 2012, 08:01:52 AM »

I can recommend the Helios 77m-4 (50mm f/1.8 russian Carl Zeiss-copy). It’s quite cheap and offers good IQ. Here’s a sample shot with flash, reverse ring and extension tubes:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spareimp/7172437077/#sizes/k/in/photostream/

And here’s one with an Olympus OM 28mm f/2.8 as well as the other accessories mentioned:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spareimp/7357655202/#sizes/l/in/photostream/

I don’t normally shoot macro, so you could most likely do a lot better with some effort. Very shallow depth of field, as expected.

8

EOS Bodies / Re: Is a 46mp Canon EOS-1 on the Way? [CR1]

« on: September 10, 2012, 09:38:06 AM »

If it's in the 1-series, it will probably be twice the price of the D800, right? That's not really a direct competitor. I wonder when/if they'll release a comperable camera. A 5D3 with 46mp.

9

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 6D Announcement Soon? [CR1]

« on: September 08, 2012, 06:28:45 AM »

This looks like a great replacement of the 5D Mark II, as long as it has the same price. To me, it seemed that the 5D2 was one of the most wanted cameras, until February 2012. Some people seem to have forgotten this and dismiss it as old tech. It’s still better than most cameras out there, in terms of IQ, especially combined with proper Canon-glass. As an owner of the 5D2 who mostly shoot landscapes, I don’t feel like I need an immediate update. I can wait a couple of years, but the rumored specs seem ideal for those who are in the market for their first FF.

By the way, if they do release this camera at a reasonable price point, they must release a 7D2 soon as well, right? I mean, the sensor certainly is a step up from the 7D, and if it has the same AF... why would you buy 7D? (To use EF-s? Extra reach? I would rather have FF).

10

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS M Specs

« on: July 22, 2012, 06:29:31 PM »

I used to have a 550D/T2i, and if this is equal in image quality (and naturally if the lenses for this system performs great), then I don’t see why I wouldn’t choose this over a point and shoot or m4/3. I already have a Fuji X10, but the EF-compatibility of this camera would make it a better choice in my case.

The only thing I miss is a viewfinder. The other mirrorless manufacturers does have several models with different features (but often the same sensor), so that might just happen at a later point in time. I’m looking forward to it and tomorrow.

11

Technical Support / Re: Unable to import RAW + JPG from 5D Mark II

« on: July 05, 2012, 04:01:18 PM »

Actually, I didn’t have EOS Utility installed, but now I do and it seems to do the job. Adobe Bridge doesn’t. I’ll try the codec-suggestion, though I thought it did that by itself through normal updates.

For the record, my old 550D does not have this problem shooting RAW+JPG. Is there a significant difference between the files from this and my 5D Mark II?

12

Technical Support / Unable to import RAW + JPG from 5D Mark II

« on: June 29, 2012, 04:17:03 PM »

This might be a common or old issue, but I can’t seem to figure it out by myself or by Google.
I’m having some trouble with my 5D Mark II when it comes to importing pictures to my computer. I use the USB cable and the “Import with Adobe Brigde CS5”-option (latest update installed). Latest 5D Mark II firmware is also installed on my camera.

I’ve never shot JPG with this camera, but I’ve recently decided to do this for one of the “C”-modes (so the problem may have always been there). This is where the problem occurs. Whenever I shoot JPG (L) + RAW (L), (though, I haven’t tried any other sizes), Bridge won’t show the thumbnails of the pictures after the first JPG+RAW or allow me to proceed at all (see attached picture). Nor am I able to access the files on my CF-card through normal file browsing, it just loads forever.

Everything works fine as long as I shoot in RAW only.
Any ideas?

13

Lenses / Re: To macro or not to macro

« on: June 28, 2012, 06:32:39 PM »

I personally use a $ 25 Olympus OM 28mm f/2.8 for macro work. It isn’t easy to use, but the results can be really great. The reason I didn’t buy a macro lens, is the fact that I didn’t think I would use it enough to justify the price. And the Olympus does fit in your pocket. It’s very convenient, especially if you already have a lens for portraits. Depending on what you use it for and how much, this might be an option worth mentioning.

Here’s my setup:
Canon 5D Mark II
Olympus OM 28mm f/2.8
Extension tubes (up to 55mm, but you have some flexibility here) without electronics
Reverse ring
External flash with soft box

Picture taken with this exact setup:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spareimp/7357655202/#

Then a picture with a Helios 77m-4 (about $ 30-40 on ebay) of the same subject to demonstrate possible magnification:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spareimp/7172437077/#

Both handheld. The first might be 2-3 pictures, stacked. Poor memory.

14

EOS Bodies / Re: NEW FF Body that is able to take EF-S Lens

« on: June 19, 2012, 04:59:35 PM »

I thought they made the EF-S lenses so that they could make them more compact than those who work on FF. Wouldn't it be kind of backwards to make a FF-camera that's compatible?

15

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon's Mirrorless Entry

« on: June 19, 2012, 04:56:07 PM »

I’ve heard a lot of good things about the G1 X. If the mirrorless camera has the exact same sensor, what would persuade you to buy the mirrorless instead of the G1 X? Stylish design, a better viewfinder and battery? What makes it worth a possible substantial investment in new lenses? I’m a bit lost.

I guess we’ll have to wait and see, as well as hope for better news.