Messages

1

Lenses / Re: Insurance on camera equipment

« on: April 17, 2013, 07:28:33 PM »

Just purchased my insurance from Hill and Usher today before reading this post.  Hope I didn't get ripped off as the cost was 1200/year for 53000.00 coverage+liability insurance etc.  Maybe I should have shopped around more with RGF saying 1.25-1.50 for $100 dolllars of coverage and Pierceography saying $100/year. 

2

Lenses / Re: Stuck on whether to return sigma 35mm for 35mm 1.4L or 35f2 is

« on: April 08, 2013, 09:20:38 PM »

AFMA +8, and AI servo worked great at my sons high school basketball game with 5d markiii.  It wasn't the best lighting either.  Just my experience FWIw

3

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

« on: March 30, 2013, 12:01:04 AM »

It could be worse.  I am really eyeing a Phase One IQ 160.

4

Lenses / Re: Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG Sets New Benchmark for Excellence

« on: March 18, 2013, 04:05:59 PM »

Autofocus is fast even in poor light.  I used it at a poorly lit high school basketball game with excellent results.  I have no complaints at all about this lens.  It is stellar.  I think the resale argument doesn't hold water.  Solid build, superior optics, accurate and fast autofocus etc.  I think the people who own the current canon 35mm 1.4 will have the problem with resale.  Why pay near new price when you can get a new higher quality product for much less.  This is my only non canon lens and I love it.

5

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Problems with Canon mk3 locking up

« on: February 23, 2013, 09:54:48 AM »

I don't know if it is related but I almost exclusively shoot stills.  I have had it happen around 3-4 times where the display buttons on the back of the 5d mark iii become unresponsive.  The lcd will not show any images (or menu items) for review.  The camera will allow me to continue taking pictures though.  I use lexar 400 and 1000 cf cards.  I haven't found any pattern as to when it occurs.  I wonder if this is the stiils equivalent of what you are seeing in video.

6

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Times running out 5D Mk3 or 1DX

« on: February 02, 2013, 01:02:16 PM »

Thanks for everyone's input I do appreciate it. I am a hobbyist so yes the 5D will be more than sufficient and the 1Dx does seem to be a bit of overkill. Like Schruminator mentioned previously the ability for faster focus on the 85 1.2 is applealing.

I've been told here and by some close friend to get the 5D and invest in in glass. I  can't place my order till after 6:30 at B&H so I have the day to think about it. Thanks again

Faster still does not mean fast! The 85 1.2 is slow no matter what, if you get a lens like that live view is your best friend

I used my 5D mark III and 85 1.2 at a high school basketball game and got a good number of great shots.  I was very happy with the results.

7

EOS Bodies / Re: Case focus on 5D MIII

« on: January 26, 2013, 11:17:34 PM »

I believe this is what you are looking for.  Here is a focus guide for the 1dx that also applies to the 5d Mark iii.  It should be helpful.  Download the PDF file.

http://learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2012/1dx_guidebook.shtml

8

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Up to what ISO are you willing to set? Aperture?

« on: January 23, 2013, 10:54:36 AM »

I see no sharpness loss until over 12800 on my 5d3, must be lens choice and PEBCAK errors.

Maybe you are just special

9

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Up to what ISO are you willing to set? Aperture?

« on: January 23, 2013, 09:13:29 AM »

My experience with the 5d iii is that i cannot go above 3200 without losing significant sharpness.  Interestingly I was shooting at a high school basketball game with a guy using a nikon D4 and the pics were tack sharp at iso 8000.  Will the 1dX tolerate this high of ISO?  This is an honest question not a nikon vs canon comment.

10

Lenses / Re: I want a 135mm 1.8 IS L

« on: January 18, 2013, 05:33:42 PM »

I was waiting for the lens announcement this week just in case a new 135mm f1.8 was coming out.  When no announcement was made I went ahead and ordered the 135mm f2.   Can't wait to get it

11

Canon General / Re: The tax monster is coming soon. What are you planning on doing with your refund?

« on: January 17, 2013, 04:35:56 PM »

Does part of the down payment on a new vehicle count as 'fun'?     I suppose not, but then, I fund all my gear purchases from 'on the side' consulting work - the day job income (and taxes refunded from that) go toward the important stuff - house, cars, kids' college and retirement funds, etc.

What the hell type of moonlighting does a neuroscientist do???  LOL

12

Lenses / Re: Sigma 35mm F/1.4 Reviews - Vignetting Disparity?

« on: January 15, 2013, 07:26:22 PM »

certainly noticed vignetting on my Sigma 35mm 1.4 but not anything like 3.5 stops.

13

Lenses / Re: How many times did you return (L) lenses to get a good copy?

« on: January 10, 2013, 07:49:28 PM »

I had to return a 16-35 that was absolutely unacceptable in the left and right lateral 1/4-1/5 field of view at f8 and beyond.  Second copy was much much better.  Didn't even need a test chart for that one   I have owned/own 5 different L lenses so I feel I have had a very good experience.

14

Canon General / Re: Photography magazines

« on: January 06, 2013, 09:49:55 AM »

kelby training offers some great online training videos. 

15

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Sigma 35MM F/1.4 DG HSM Worth the price

« on: January 04, 2013, 01:20:32 PM »

Crossing my fingers that they are not telling me that I have made a stupid purchace.... (have not yet tried it, since I have not returned from the holidays, but come Monday, I have it in my hand:)

I am sure photozone will also find that the Sigma is sharp...because it is clear from the pictures the lens *is* sharp ...but as an overall package, I am also interested to hear what they have to say and how the public opinion evolves as more people use it and share their experiences.

I have no regrets with my purchase at all and price was not a factor (I am lucky that way).  That said at this point I would wait and see if any announcement is made on Jan 8 about a new canon 35mm.  I would take other peoples opinions with the same grain of salt you should take mine.  It seems like Ray 2021 has an anti sigma agenda and I am not sure he has ever even used one.  He even accused us of being sigma "fanboys".    

I forgot to add I did have to add +8 AFMA to the sigma and 0 to the canon to get the sharpest image.

Perhaps people take what is said really to the extremes. There is not much contest as to Sigma 35's sharpness or that the Canon 35L is showing its age now after 14 years and can stand an update. However, in addition to sharpness, one has to consider color rendition, bokeh, AF performance, and contrast and a classic lens such as 35L has presented a coherent package there.

The Sigma 35 is sharp, yes; but I personally don't like the color palet and the bokeh. I doubt that can be offset by sharpness... These are personal preferences and is not meant to be an indictment on your liking the Sigma. If these other factors that matter to me, don't matter to you, and you love the Sigma, wonderful! Enjoy the lens.

Understood Ray.  just to clarify for someone considering purchasing this lens the color rendition, bokeh, contrast, and AF certainly do matter to me and comparing both lenses side by side I think the Sigma beat or tied the current canon in every respect.  This is my first non canon L glass lens.