Messages

196

Reviews / Re: Review - Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS II

« on: January 15, 2013, 10:39:26 PM »

I have the first version of this lens and am very happy with it. One knock I've seen commented on about the mkII is the bokeh is a bit more 'nervous' as compared to the first version. Not to say it's bad, but just not as 'creamy' as the original version. Aside from the cost to upgrade, this one quality is of concern to me in contemplating an upgrade. Can anyone comment on this comparison, is it fair to say the mkII isn't quite as nice in this one respect as compared to the original 70-200/2.8 IS?

I owned version I of the lens...when I saw the sharpness of the II version...I gulped at the price...but made the leap, selling my version I to help finance my lens mania, LOL. Every time  I shoot with the lens I now get to gulp at the images...the sharpness ALWAYS wows me! Every time. ...but yes as usual in photography...it comes with a trade off..the bokeh is more "nervous"...but for me the sharpness is so astounding thru the zoom range that I accept the trade off.
If I really need to get serious about bokeh I pick up my 85mm f/1.2...and I am considering picking up a 135mm f/2.0 so that I can have fast AF AND creamy backgrounds when needed, as the 85L does not lend itself to fast AF....Seems that you just cannot have it all!!!

197

EOS Bodies / Re: Is the 5D Mark iii a considerable enough upgrade from the 5D Mark ii?

« on: January 15, 2013, 04:31:52 PM »

Depends entirely on what you shoot and what your needs are...  If you shoot mainly landscapes from a tripod, I'd just keep the 5DII.  If you shoot moving subjects, or would significantly benefit by a bit less high-ISO noise, the 5DIII is a significant upgrade.  IMO, the 5DII produced excellent IQ, and the 5DIII offers only a marginal improvement on that.  It was the other attributes of the 5DII that I found lacking - autofocus speed and accuracy, in particular, and fps to a lesser extent - and the 5DIII is a major upgrade in those areas.

I agree with everything that neuro has to say regarding the upgrade. I sold my 5DII and bought a 5DIII..so I have personal. experience with the upgrade and my main reason was that I do a lot of HDR imaging and the 5DII had ONLY 3-stop bracketing... It was so lacking in that dept. (we are talking $10 worth of software that some point-and-shoots best it on???), that I decided to buy the 5DIII which has 7-stop bracketing. The 5DII is still a great camera...and had I known about Magic Lantern firmware (which has extended bracketing), I may have kept it...but I think that the III is a really decent upgrade..when you consider all of the points mentioned by Neuro, the locking program wheel, accepting two memory cards, 2 silent-shutter settings, the fact that the camera is much more customizable and it just handles and feels lot a lot more camera in my hand and that gives me confidence, which is something, for me that makes it really a worthwhile step forward especially now that it can be had at or below~$2900!!! (I paid full price 6 months back but was able to command $2000 for my 5DII back then so it evens out).

198

Lenses / Re: Canon 50mm 1.4 IS?

« on: January 15, 2013, 11:45:07 AM »

Looks like someone just used the stock photo of the Canon 24mm IS or the 28mm IS stretched it out and added 50mm to the front of the lens...the 50 on the lens doesn't look quite the same style/size of the other 2 IS lenses...so I think that this is just a hoax...

199

Lenses / Re: Your favorite lens is?

« on: January 14, 2013, 12:44:24 PM »

.
For me, no contest!

EF 135mm f/2.0L USM

I have a little lust for that lens...but for now my 85mm f/1.2L II has been taking the edge off of that for me...LOL.
That fast focus would be great in some situations..which is lacking in the 85mm...and with the 135mm f/2.0 you still get very shallow DOF.

200

Lenses / Re: Your favorite lens is?

« on: January 14, 2013, 12:32:03 AM »

On FF Camera:
Canon: 85mm f/1.2L II
Zeiss: 21mm f/2.8 ZE

Can't narrow it down further.

201

Lenses / Re: 17-40 vs 16-35, which one got the mojo ?

« on: January 13, 2013, 01:21:16 PM »

I choose the super sharp, fast focusing Canon 14-24mm f/2.8L !     .
(Well...maybe next year?)

I think it would be a very long wait

Or...it could be 2moro. 

202

Reviews / Re: Review - Canon EF 50 f/1.2L

« on: January 13, 2013, 09:24:41 AM »

Justin...for all of the hits you are taking here, about this review, I just want to say to you how GREAT and REFRESHING your reviews are!
You give us "real-world" reviews off the cuff AND you back up your take on whatever you are reviewing with SOLID photography...(many reviewers do not have that ability!).
The thing is...when you give us your input, I listen to what you have to say because your images give you credibility...so I listen when you talk. If people want a super-analytical, technical review from some dweeb who can't shoot...let them go elsewhere. Your discussions are relaxed, intelligent and informative.
Just keep doing what you are doing...You have brought new life to this website and I for one am enjoying your presentations here.

Thank you! You just made my morning

That being said...I use the Sigma f/1.4. LOL! Great for my needs. I have mostly L Glass...but I just didn't see the benefit for my shooting needs to spend more than twice as much for the L (I put the Sigma ahead of the Canon f/1.4 for "image look and feel" and bokeh...also build quality...so the Sigma is priced right) ...I have the Canon 85mm f.1.2L  when I need the ultimate in sharpness and bokeh...so I think I have it covered.
Great review for the Canon f/1.2, though! Great lens....but your review also reaffirms my 50mm prime choice.

203

Reviews / Re: Review - Canon EF 50 f/1.2L

« on: January 12, 2013, 11:50:12 PM »

Justin...for all of the hits you are taking here, about this review, I just want to say to you how GREAT and REFRESHING your reviews are!
You give us "real-world" reviews off the cuff AND you back up your take on whatever you are reviewing with SOLID photography...(many reviewers do not have that ability!).
The thing is...when you give us your input, I listen to what you have to say because your images give you credibility...so I listen when you talk. If people want a super-analytical, technical review from some dweeb who can't shoot...let them go elsewhere. Your discussions are relaxed, intelligent and informative.
Just keep doing what you are doing...You have brought new life to this website and I for one am enjoying your presentations here.

204

Lenses / Re: 17-40 vs 16-35, which one got the mojo ?

« on: January 12, 2013, 05:05:35 PM »

I choose the super sharp, fast focusing Canon 14-24mm f/2.8L !     .
(Well...maybe next year?)

205

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

« on: January 12, 2013, 04:33:01 AM »

Actually I'll be going to the post office in 5 minutes to send back my new Sigma 35mm 1.4 because it can't lock focus properly (changes between front, back, and no proper focus at all), and AMFA seems to be unable to correct the irregular focus (obviously since the lens can never decide what to do). But I am definitely getting a new copy and not just making a return - the shots I did manage to get were amazing, and the lens holds a lot of promise.

Btw - that was my first Sigma lens in a lineup of Canon and Tokina lenses - none of which have ever had to be returned.

(But judging from the general comments all over the place I got a very rare lemon).

I know this comment is off topic,sorry...but  mad spill did you read the review about your lens at The Digital Picture?

"About auto-focus:

While it is not perfect, I’m finding the Sigma 35 to perform close to the Canon 35 L in AF accuracy. A somewhat consistent and quite noticeable front focus problem on both of my 5D Mark III bodies required AFMA to correct. You may want to capture multiple images in situations with especially shallow DOF – which will be closer to MFD (Minimum Focus Distance). Note that the focus-and-recompose technique can begin to fail as shallower DOF is achieved."

206

Canon General / Re: Canon Experience Stores Coming Soon [CR3]

« on: January 11, 2013, 11:04:55 AM »

WHY DOES EVERY THREAD START WITH AT LEAST 3 PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT PRICE?

umm, that would be because at least 3 people in each thread are annoyed with Canon gear being priced above the competition. Sorry, just couldn't resist! 

+1
(yes, we know this is off-topic)
Yes..that would be because I bought an Olympus OM-D Body 9 months ago for $999 and it is sold for only $50 under the list price now. I bought a Canon 5D III Body 6 months ago for $3499 and is can be had for $600-$900 below list now. I find that to be a LITTLE more than annoying. :-)

207

Lenses / 85mm f/1.2L II plus Canon 12mm Extension Tube II Questions

« on: January 11, 2013, 09:01:47 AM »

As many of you may know...The 85 L II is a special lens...but not the closest focusing lens out there. I find that, sometimes to get in tight I am using a (3rd-party) 12mm extension tube...but I am having some issues with this set-up on my 5DIII... (BTW my copy of the lens is spot-on with AF accuracy,i.e. AF micro adjustment is zero.).

1. When I use my 3rd party extension tube...I find that I have to set the AF Micro Adjustment to +20.
    Does anyone using this set-up with the Canon 12mm Extension Tube II have this much variation in AF?
2. When I use my set-up with the 3rd-party tube, in the AF Micro Adjustment Menu my 5DIII recognizes my set-up as           
    "only" the 85mm lens (not lens plus tube)...and therefore each time I use this set-up I have to manually enter the
     AF Micro Adjustment and then set the MA back to zero or it will throw off my AF the next time I use the 85mm   
     without the ext tube.
     My 2nd question is: If I use the 85mm with the Canon 12mm Extension Tube II does the AF Micro adjustment
     menu on my 5D III recognize this set-up as 85mm PLUS 12mm Ext. Tube and keep it separate from the AF Micro
     Adjustment for the 85mm by itself? (i.e. does the AF Micro Adjustment Menu treat this situation the same as it
     does when I use a Canon Tele Extender on a Canon Lens?)
Thanks.

208

Canon General / Re: Canon Experience Stores Coming Soon [CR3]

« on: January 11, 2013, 07:58:44 AM »

Now I know where that $1000 premium that I paid on my 5D Mark III went ...To open a Canapple Store. LOL!
I thought it was for the facilities that got destroyed in the Tsunami?
I hope my investment was used for the LED Tunnel.....that would REALLY excite me.
( BTW the new white Canon N is looking very "Applish")

209

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

« on: January 10, 2013, 10:29:05 PM »

Hmmm...I have 8 lenses and I have never tested ( with a chart), any of them. I did go out and run them thru the paces and give a real close look to the clarity, sharpness across the frame, and AF accuracy...but only real world images.
That's good enough for me....if you have a great shot...nobody notices any of the super, analysis tweaking anyway....
Just a fact.

210

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 L IS II with EF 2x Extender III vs Sigma 150-500 OS

« on: January 10, 2013, 06:26:14 PM »

This post is too funny. I just posted something similar the other day with the announcement of the Sigma 120-300mm!  I want to see the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L II w/1.4X go up against that Sigma. Put all three in one review and it would be very interesting to see all of the results!!!!!!! (In this case I am betting on the Canon kickin some %&@!!!!!!

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=803&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=6&API=3&LensComp=687&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=5&APIComp=2 there it is; vs 120-300 the new one as the same optics as the ''old'' one. only cosmetics  changes and focus limit switch

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!  The Canon Kicks the Sigma's butt with the 2X extender and completely BLOWS IT AWAY with the 1.4X.
Gee...you can pick up the Canon lens for about $2100 and I think the extender is about $500...so you can save
$900.00, have way better image quality, faster focusing, have a smaller, lighter, more versatile setup and tons more resale value...um..exactly WHY would anyone buy the Sigma?