Messages

16

EOS Bodies / Re: T2i Upgrade Help Needed

« on: June 12, 2013, 05:09:48 PM »

I agree with the others here in recommending the 6D.  Its an excellent camera that will handle what you like to shoot very well.  I've owned a 6D for 6 months (upgraded from a 7D and earlier a T2i) and it is fantastic!  Personally, I have no problems using the AF points outside the center one.  I primarily use the center point, but the other points work well for shallow DOF shots where I don't want to attempt focus and recomposing.

You can sell your EF-S lenses for probably 70-80% of what you paid for them.  The 24-105 and 50 1.8 give you a great couple of lenses to get started with on a full frame camera.  Your next lens purchase depends on if you have more need for additional reach or ultra wide angle.  For more reach I would recommend a 135mm f/2.0 L prime which is fantastic for portraits and as a general purpose tele lens.  If you want the flexibility of a zoom, Canon has some great 70-200 options depending on if you need IS or not and if you want 2.8 or 4.0 maximum aperture. On the UWA end, the 17-40mm f/4.0 is very good stepped down (f/5.6 and narrower), so perfect for landscapes.  If you need a faster UWA the 16-35 f/2.8 is very good.

17

Lenses / Re: 70-200 Choices

« on: June 12, 2013, 02:48:15 PM »

At risk of nesting quotes...
+3 on the 135L - also works great with the 1.4x extender

Yes, it is a great lens. But it might be too long in the studio and it may not be flexible enough when covering vraious concerts at various venues ... and putting on and off a teleconverter is definitely no option in a concert situation. ;-)

+4 on the 135L!  Awesome lens.

The 135L has a 36" minimum focal distance, less than the 47" for the 70-200 2.8 zoom.  I find the 135L very useful indoors on a full format camera.  On a crop body it will probably be too long for a studio.

18

Reviews / Re: Why I Chose a Canon EOS 6D over a 5D MKIII

« on: June 10, 2013, 01:30:46 PM »

Funny how the perception of the 6D has changed over the 6 months since it was released.  Back in November and December many were critisizing it (before actually using one) based on its specs, calling it a crippled version of the 5D3.  And hammering the 6D for its autofocus system and slow frame rate.

Now it's widely regarded as an excellent camera.  Perfect for those photographers looking for excellent image quality who don't need a high end AF system.  The 6D fits nicely into Canon's DSLR lineup between the 5D3 and 7D.

19

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Seeking Recommendations regarding camera upgrade

« on: June 07, 2013, 10:18:10 AM »

Thanks for the great reply.  I think I'm leaning towards the 6d and 24-105 kit lens. In time I'll get the 70-200 f4 is and maybe a teleconverter Maybe  one prime lens and I should be all set.
Thanks again

A 6D and 24-105 can do a lot!  Adding a 70-200 and fast prime later sounds like a great plan.

20

Canon General / Re: EOS 5D Mark III w/24-70 f/4L IS Kit Coming Soon

« on: June 06, 2013, 01:19:20 PM »

Don't forget about the significant focus-shift problem when stopping down observed by Photozone (http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/798-canon2470f4?start=1) and confirmed by others. That may negate some of the benefits of the 'macro mode' and cause other headaches with inconsistent focus across focal lengths. AF is done with the lens wide open, so if the focus shifts when the lens stops down to varying degrees that could be very frustrating at short distances with limited DOF.

Thanks for the reference, I had missed that. 

Significant issue, making it that much easier to avoid this overpriced lens in favor of the 24-105 - as long as Canon doesn't discontinue it...

21

Lenses / Re: Euro Trip Lens selection.

« on: June 06, 2013, 12:44:34 PM »

Should I take one of my additional fast primes like the 24L II or the 135L? I could fit one more in my carry-on.

Another plug for the 135L!  You can take some great portraits with this in Europe.

22

Canon General / Re: EOS 5D Mark III w/24-70 f/4L IS Kit Coming Soon

« on: June 06, 2013, 11:26:57 AM »

Those who don't want crappy wide end performance on FF??
(I got the 24-70 II 2.8, but I can see people going for 24-70 f/4 IS.)

If the 24-105 has "crappy" wide end performance, so does the 24-70 f/4.0, they are very similar optically. 

Your 24-70 2.8 II of course puts both to shame!

Perhaps. I've never used the 24-70 f/4 IS but the MTF charts from Canon are much better at 24mm and the results at Lens Rentals were also better than the 24-105 L.

The 24-105L is widely panned at the wide end due to field curvature and softness around the edges/corners.

OK, I'll concede that the 24-70 f/4.0 gets the edge in edge sharpness and distortion at 24mm.  However, by 35mm and 50mm the 24-105 is sharper edge-to-edge.  At 70mm the 24-70 is sharper at the edges, but the 24-105 sharper in the center.  at 105mm the 24-105 wins going away!  

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=823&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=3&API=0&LensComp=355&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=4&APIComp=0

So, overall sharpness is a wash between the two lenses.  The 24-70 is slightly better at both ends and the 24-105 better in the center focal lengths.

Unless you need its near macro capabilities or shoot primarily at 24mm there are no advantages to the considerably more expensive 24-70 f/4.0.

23

Canon General / Re: EOS 5D Mark III w/24-70 f/4L IS Kit Coming Soon

« on: June 05, 2013, 09:38:09 PM »

Those who don't want crappy wide end performance on FF??
(I got the 24-70 II 2.8, but I can see people going for 24-70 f/4 IS.)

If the 24-105 has "crappy" wide end performance, so does the 24-70 f/4.0, they are very similar optically. 

Your 24-70 2.8 II of course puts both to shame!

24

Canon General / Re: EOS 5D Mark III w/24-70 f/4L IS Kit Coming Soon

« on: June 05, 2013, 09:33:51 PM »

the resolving power of the 24-105 is not up there with the 24-70s or the 70-200s.

All the comparisons between the 24-105 and 24-70 f/4.0 show they are very similar in IQ.  About the only advantage the 24-70 f/4.0 brings to the table is its near macro capabilities. 

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=823&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=355&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

Canon's pricing of the individual 24-70 f/4.0 lenses makes the venerable 24-105 look good by comparison. 

25

Lenses / Re: Euro Trip Lens selection.

« on: June 05, 2013, 09:17:22 PM »

I don't know to rent the 70-200 F/4L IS or the 70-300L. Which should I take?

I would rent a 70-300L based on what I've read about it recently.  But, you may not need that much reach. 

I agree with Haydn1971 that a 135L, possibly with a 1.4 TC would be a nice option.  I seldom leave my 135 at home these days.

26

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Seeking Recommendations regarding camera upgrade

« on: June 04, 2013, 06:14:10 PM »

What's your budget?

+1 It really depends on how much you want to spend. 

You listed these criteria:

Better autofocus                                             1DX, 5D3, 7D
Handling                                                         1DX, 5D3, 6D, 7D, 60D
Low light performance                                      1DX, 6D, 5D3
Large, bright viewfinder                                    1DX, 5D3, 6D, 7D, 60D
Versatile (landscape, portrait, minimal action)     6D, 60D
Limited size and weight                                    6D, 60D, SL1, 650D

So, depending on how you weigh these factors, your choice could be anything from a 1DX to a SL1.  The 6D might be best all-around option as it makes the list on all factors except "better autofocus" and its decent there, but not great.  Fine for everything but a lot of fast moving sports.

27

Lenses / Re: If you could only have three lenses...

« on: June 04, 2013, 01:27:46 PM »

These three are my most used lenses.
24-105 f/4.0
70-200 f/2.8 II
135 f/2.0
I will purchase a 24-70 f/2.8 II soon and expect that lens to replace the 24-105 on this list.

Not so fast, the 24-105 is a great range, albeit at f4. However in studio shoots, one is usually at F5.6, 8 or narrower... and the zoom range of the 24-105 comes in handy to provide the portrait range of 80-100.  24-70 is a great lens but don;t give up so fast on that 24-105.. plus it has IS!!!

You might be right.  Once I get the 24-70 I'll be able to answer better.  I just imagine I'll be using it for most shots between 24-70mm thanks to its superior sharpness and less distortion, but might miss the range and IS.  I plan to hang onto the 24-105.

28

Lenses / Re: If you could only have three lenses...

« on: June 03, 2013, 06:03:37 PM »

These three are my most used lenses.

24-105 f/4.0
70-200 f/2.8 II
135 f/2.0

I will purchase a 24-70 f/2.8 II soon and expect that lens to replace the 24-105 on this list.

29

Lenses / Re: Portrait lens setup -what should I get next?

« on: June 02, 2013, 03:01:39 PM »

Since you will be moving to full format in the near future, I'd recommend starting with the excellent 24-70 2.8 II lens.  Canon's 24-70 2.8 version II is much sharper with less distortion than the version I and a great all around lens.  If you were staying with a crop sensor for some time the 17-55 2.8 is a great lens.

As Neuro pointed out, you want to go with a fast lens that help you isolate your subject.  A 35mm 1.4 (Sigma or Canon) will be great for environmental, group and full body shots.  The 85mm 1.2 and 135mm 2.0 are terrific for tighter portraits.  The 135L might be too long for your crop body unless you have lots of room to work with (maybe outdoors).

30

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Question for 6D Owners on Focus Accuracy

« on: June 01, 2013, 10:15:56 PM »

AFMA can make a huge difference.  When I first got my 135L lens, I was frustrated since all my pictures were coming out soft with what is one of Canon's best primes.  I did AFMA (-8) and now everything is razor sharp!

My 6D body must be pretty close to zero since my lenses AFMA as follows:

24-105L -1 24mm, -2 105mm
50 1.4    +5
85 1.8    +3
135L      -8
70-200 2.8  0, -3

Every lens I AFMA with my 7D is generates a negative value, even my 50 1.4 and 85 1.8 that check positive on my 6D, so its important to do it for every body/lens combination.

I hope you enjoy your new 6D more now!