Messages

136

Canon General / Re: your scariest photography moment?

« on: March 10, 2013, 11:58:10 PM »

From wikidwombat:
"That IS impressive and you are officially mad!"
Yes....I have heard a lot of that...but I am just an old surfer dude...and could not have missed the opportunity of a lifetime....at least I came home with the goods! Phew! LOL! (Wait...I was at home?)

137

Lenses / Re: EF70-200 f/2.8L IS ll refurbished @ Canon for $1699.20 & I'm screwed

« on: March 10, 2013, 11:44:53 PM »

Well RS2021...in spite of the weight, the cost and whatever...I LOVE mine!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8480/8216459097_07bf31bb1b_b.jpg
This is NOT a lens that I would pick for creamy bokeh....but anyone knows that after reading one review. There are many other lens choices out there for that. This lens is all about sharpness and speed...and it is GREAT at what it achieves best!

138

Canon General / Re: your scariest photography moment?

« on: March 10, 2013, 11:15:59 PM »

I rent an apt. on the beach in N.J. And stayed there to take photos when Hurricane Sandy made landfall.
Everyone else in the town evacuated...mandatory.  I stayed... So I got my shots:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_2ny649j2Ys/UObXeBrtvpI/AAAAAAAAAFM/za_i4r7hBW8/w480-h480/Sandy%2BOG%2BPier%2B1.jpg
..and then the fun began...it got dark....all power went down...the railings on the porches blew off...the dormer roof blew off...and there were waves going down both side streets on either side of the house as the ocean breeched the boardwalk and charged across Ocean Ave. toward the house, at the peak if the storm....It backed off just before the house was destroyed....oh...but what a RUSH!!! :-)
In the morning the pier was completely washed away. ....but I'd have to say I'd do it again in a heartbeat...and the prints are selling like hot cakes!

139

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Deals: A Few Lens Deals at BuyDig.com

« on: March 07, 2013, 07:02:07 PM »

I would just contact them...use your credit card and give them a Ship-to address...shouldn't be a big deal...
GOOD PRICES!

140

Lenses / Re: So I decided to buy a Sigma zoom.

« on: March 07, 2013, 07:46:59 AM »

I think one has to choose lenses very carefully. I believe that owning perhaps fewer carefully chosen lenses of great quality is the way to go.  I own a Sigma 50mm f/1.4. Great lens...very happy with it.  I would also consider the new 35mm f/1.4...looks like a real winner..(looking forward to what the next Art Line lens will be), but, after all I have read..I would not buy a Sigma Zoom.... I would save my money and get a lens that really performs that I could truly create images with that would excite me and others.

141

Reviews / Re: Review - Canon EF 85 f/1.2L II

« on: March 06, 2013, 08:37:30 PM »

I think the Canon 85mm 1.2 L II is a magical lense. It just gives you the colours and the bokeh with sharpness, even wide open (in the centre). I luckily shot one for about half the price listed, otherwise I probably would never bought one for 2k€. Now, after experiencing the lense I WOULD pay 2k€ for it. Why? After decades of having a lot of lenses from wide angle to longer zooms I just made a summaryline and asked me... what lense do you use very often and which one is hunting dust?

I got me catched on 85 1.2, 100 2.8 L IS and the Magic Drainpipe. Of course I like my other lenses, but you just can shoot with the Canonball and everything works out to be beautiful. The only thing I would criticise is the lack of wheathersealing and the sometimes annoying 0,95m minimumdistance.

This lense could be the REASON why someone should buy a Canonbody. And as I still use the 5DC, I enjoy the FULL step over the (otherwise fantastic) 85mm 1.8.

P.S. How can I change the camera in my profile? Damn

Hey, vscd...just get a 12mm Canon Ext. Tube for when you want to get close. With the Canon tube I had no focus shift...(Had a Kenko and there was a ton of focus shift).  Ideally if Canon made a 7-10mm tube it would be better...because with the 12mm tube there is a gap from the minimum focus of the lens to the focus of them lens with the 12mm tube...but it isn't too much lost... It is definitely worth checking out.
Hope that helps.

142

Lenses / Re: Addicted to dof

« on: March 06, 2013, 07:49:00 AM »

The 85L has more OOF Blur at the same apertures compared to other lenses.... this is key for you.

Take a look at this: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-85mm-f-1.4-EX-DG-HSM-Lens-Review.aspx

The 4th pic down of his daughter holding a iron fence... hover over the different F values and you will see that F2, the EF85L has almost as much blur as the Sigma does at F1.4.  And we know Sigma is better than the EF 85 F/1.8...  You will have 2-3 virtual apertures left with the 85L (or should I say levels) to blur out the background more.

It is a very sharp lens even wide open. You will lose some AF speed but then are you also addicted to AF speed?

I would own one if I made money off this hobby...

So....K-amps...why is the Canon so much more "bokehlicious" at a given aperture, focal length and distance with similar (?) aperture blades? I recently read somewhere that there is another factor ( a revelation actually...that I was unaware of), affecting Bokeh....but I can' seem to recall what it was  My memory fails me at times...
Nice article reference BTW!...I missed that one.

143

Lenses / Re: Addicted to dof

« on: March 06, 2013, 06:31:29 AM »

"Yes, the Sigma is pretty good. Myself and several other forum members are satisfied owners. Take a look at the review on thedigitalpicture where it spanks the Zeiss and the Canon f/1.8 -- it's second in image quality (and a close second) only to the 85mm f/1.2. AF speed on the sigma is quite reasonable."

I have all L glass and Zeiss...But I chose the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 as well..it performs perfectly for my needs...I am always pleased with the sharpness and the bokeh. I think you as a night-time street shooter would enjoy the Sigma..the focus speed is very good as is the bokeh..it is also mechanically refreshing to the two lesser Canon offerings, (did I really just say that about a Sigma product?!  ).also..the cost..right now it can be had for $450 with rebate. Sigma is upping the ante ..their new 35mm 1.4 outperforms the big guns for much less money...I like to see more of this!
I skipped the 50mm L..to go for REAL shallow DOF..
I would not regard my 85mm f/1.2 as a street-shooting lens, though...but oh if you have the money and the patience for the slow focus and infinitesimal, shimmering DOF ...it can leave you speechless! This lens is pushing the limits of physics..and has tons of fringing...but LR cleans it up nicely.. Maybe try renting one and see for yourself...but try to move past the obvious difficulties of using this beast...it has great rewards for the patient explorers!!!
The beast also delivers incredible results @f1.4-2.0 and beyond, stunning actually.....it's slow on the focus though...in some cases, maybe better off with the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 or perhaps a Canon 135mm F/2L...alas..it's all a compromise!

144

Reviews / Re: Review - Canon EF 85 f/1.2L II

« on: March 06, 2013, 06:06:51 AM »

...Now...back to the topic.....the 85mm f/1.2...ahem...
I love this lens..and justin gave a very good perspective of this piece of glass in the review.
One thing I notice from Justin's review and many of the comments is that so many just sideline this lens most of the time because of it quirks and difficulty in use, (which is valid)...I have the same thoughts...but I try to overcome them and push thru an suffer, oh I mean use this lens more often. The lens is so unique, the fact that it got off the drawing board and was produced is incredible (the contacts on the rear of the lens are mounted on the glass for Gods sake!)... Many limits were pushed here and achieving those goals created some compromises...but it was masterfully done.
Obviously, this is not the glass you want too take when you need to work fast and have a lot of keepers...but, oh...when you want to look for the unknown (not certainty)...now that is where this lens shines..and many times it produces art.

145

Lenses / Re: Recommendations for fast & sharp 24 ff prime?

« on: March 05, 2013, 06:51:45 AM »

Maybe that focal lenght with fast aperture will be the next release in Sigma's new Art Line...but you will need to raise your budget even to float that boat... There is always shoping for used equipment or refurb.....

146

Lenses / Re: Photozone spanks the 24-70 F4 USM L IS

« on: March 04, 2013, 08:17:18 PM »

I think Photozone performed a major spanking...they even got the wooden spoon out! 
I do not think  I have ever read a review of an L lens where the reviewer recommended two other lenses instead of the one reviewed...not with an L lens.  That focus shift is really a deal breaker for a lens that expensive..and brandy newly designed and introduced...um..Canon needs to do something about that.

Ignore what Klaus says and look at his raw numbers and you'll do a lot better. He also said the 24-105 was better than the 24 1.4 II LOL!!!!! Just because the 24 1.4 II was blurry at the edges under f/2.8!!! LOL
And yet all his numbers showed it utterly spanking the 24-105 aperture for aperture!

Hmmmm... That may explain why is review is not compatible with the others....I would love to see Roger at Lens Rentals take on this topic..then we would see if it has any merit....

147

Lenses / Re: Photozone spanks the 24-70 F4 USM L IS

« on: March 04, 2013, 06:07:52 PM »

I think Photozone performed a major spanking...they even got the wooden spoon out! 
I do not think  I have ever read a review of an L lens where the reviewer recommended two other lenses instead of the one reviewed...not with an L lens.  That focus shift is really a deal breaker for a lens that expensive..and brandy newly designed and introduced...um..Canon needs to do something about that.

148

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: The Next Zeiss Lenses? [CR2]

« on: March 04, 2013, 12:07:01 AM »

Absolutely.. But it would have to actually have AF Zeiss for Canon is all MF.

Not only Zeiss on Canon, but Zeiss in general. They don't produce autofocusing lenses. Imagine the cost of a Zeiss lens with some kind of USM autofocus. 

...AND Image Stabilization!   

149

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Hi =) -- Need New Camera -- Need Advice

« on: February 28, 2013, 09:17:40 PM »

OK...I did a test (exactly like the video), with my 5D III and my 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II and it is as solid as a Rock...
(thought it was..but ya never know).
I am guessing that the person that owns the 5D III and Zoom Lens in the video that galangel shared with us has an issue with either his lens or his camera...like was said above ...that the IS is not communicating properly with the 5DIII body...and since the lens works fine on the other body...I am guessing he has an issue with that specific 5DIII body. Wonder if he checked any other lenses with IS on that camera body?

150

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Hi =) -- Need New Camera -- Need Advice

« on: February 28, 2013, 06:19:53 PM »

hmmmm....that video of the 5D Mark III with the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II is disturbing...I have not noticed this phenomenon with my camera and lens...but I am going to check it out over the weekend and post back here with my experience...
Could it be the camera, the lens or the combo that is causing the problem....ie...do some camera bodies have a flaw that causes this to happen with that lens...or....Do some of the lenses have a flaw that cause it to happen with the 5DIII ...or do all 5DIII's and 70-200mm II's do this??? WOW!