Messages

436

Canon General / Re: Camera Gear Costs More Right Now

« on: April 16, 2011, 04:38:20 AM »

In the UK, I haven't noticed prices rising, but then they started a whole lot more expensive than in the USA (taxes!).  Then again, the Camera Price Buster website definitely has fewer price drops in recent weeks, so it looks like retailers aren't discounting nearly as much. 

Somewhat off topic, by comparing the prices in the Canon Camera Museum to today's using a website like http://www.measuringworth.com, you can get some interesting results (I would give figures, but I can't get this site to load at the moment!).  You might want to be careful if inputting the Yen price and using the average earnings metric, as the average Japanese person was relatively far less wealthy than the average American or even British person back in the early 1960s (something we often forget).  Does anyone know the release price for this model in GBP or USD?

437

Lenses / Re: Canon 24mm 1.4 distorting faces for close ups.

« on: April 15, 2011, 04:22:07 PM »

Thanks for the advice. Again, i have no dslr, just a massive passion for a long time. I really want a FF camera and i only want to get decent glass. Its a lot of money and i want to get the majority of it right first time if thats possible. I have a 4.5 k budget but want to leave some money for lighting. I dont want to grow out of things quickly so i want to buy what i think ill need and learn how to use it properly. If i have any spare ill get more glass after that. I want to do band photos and music videes and live gigs. Then mayb move into wedding stuff many many many years down the line if i get good enough.

I missed the interest in low light part (well pointed out Neuroanatomist).  A full frame camera would obviously be advantageous in low light, but avoid the 24-105L as it just won't be fast enough for what you will need (even the 24-70L might struggle a bit).  I would still be careful about shelling out mega-bucks on kit, it's tough to establish yourself as a pro photographer from scratch (I hope you have some connections in your chosen field); it's your money of course...

If you're interested in photographing bands, you'll probably want something longer than 24mm unless you want to be shoving the camera in the performers' faces (giving them big noses!) or want shots of the band lost amongst the stage.  If you're on a budget, you might try the 50mm f/1.8 and the 100mm f/2 if you can get reasonably close; if you can't then tough luck as the prices of fast lenses longer than 100mm goes rapidly upwards through the, still quite reasonable 135mm f/2 L, to the absurd 200mm f/2 L. 

438

Lenses / Re: Canon 24mm 1.4 distorting faces for close ups.

« on: April 15, 2011, 02:01:33 PM »

Perhaps you need to ask yourself why you want a 5D Mk2? Are you upgading from another DSLR and if so, what lenses do you already have? Another way of looking at your dilemma could be that if you can only afford one lens for a 5D Mk2, buy a cheaper camera and spend more money on the lenses (I know this is oft quoted advice, but it is good advice). 

If you are looking to buy your first DSLR, I'd consider spending less on a body and saving your money to spend on lenses.  First of all though, I'd make sure that you know what lenses you will need and that means taking photos.  Buy a cheaper camera kit, such as the 600D or 60D (+ 18-55mm or 18-135mm) and find out what the kit lens doesn't allow you to do.  This way you can find out what you need before you buy lots of expensive glass that doesn't suit your style (I'm speaking from bitter experience here!). 

439

Software & Accessories / Re: Video, Flash, NAB & More

« on: April 02, 2011, 03:45:55 AM »

I apparently have to remind a few folks that Canon Rumors does not think new camera stuff is more important than the tragedy in Japan. I wish the country the best recovery possible.

Probably the best thing we can all now do for the people of Japan is to support their economy by continuing to buy their products.  So remember the oft quoted advice, treat rumours as fun but don't put off your your purchasing decision just because you hear one; especially now. 

440

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D3, 1D5 and 1Ds4 Timeline [CR1]

« on: March 27, 2011, 03:36:56 PM »

Interesting article on the old megapixel question:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/dxomark_sensor_for_benchmarking_cameras.shtml


As for the actual rumours... It's the same old "1Ds coming soon, before the 5D Mk3" vs. "no new 1Ds, but a merging of the 1D and 1Ds lines into a new 1D Mk5 next year, after the 5D Mk3 is announced".   

Who knows what to believe, but maybe if there is a 1Ds Mk4, it may use pixel binning or cropping to APS-H to achieve higher frame rates at lower resolution or higher ISO figures. 

441

EOS Bodies / Re: 3 More DSLR's in 2011? [CR1]

« on: March 24, 2011, 03:35:02 PM »

The 7D Mk2 will be two years old in the autumn, so a replacement is a possibilty if it keeps to the old XXD release schedule.  If this is the case, then I'm sure that Canon will already have it well under development, so while the earthquake/tsunami may delay production lines and tooling up, I don't think that they'd pull an anouncement completely.   More likely they would announce in early autumn with delayed shipping until the end of the year (I'm sure they'd want to get some stock on the shelves for Christmas).  The question is more, is the 7D on the old XXD release schedule, or does Canon consider it a "professional" model on a 3 year cycle? So, if this is the case (and this rumour is true), what else could a third DSLR be?

Allow me to indulge in some speculation (hey, this is a rumours site!):

I doubt we'll see a new Rebel, as both the 550D and 1000D have been updated this year.  I guess that something completely new, such as a smaller model to compete (I hate that term) with mirrorless cameras, is a possiblity; where it would be positioned, spec wise is anyone's guess.  The other option might be a "pellicle" mirror type camera with an EVF, which Canon must have numerous patents for. 

If the new 1D line model is to be a 1Ds Mk4 (i.e. if the rumors of a merging of the 1D and 1Ds lines are false), then a third DSLR release could be a 1D Mk4N; Canon have done a mid-life update like this before with the 1D Mk2N.  This might share a lower resolution sensor with the 5D Mk3, but have a faster continuous shooting rate etc.  I'm suspecting that Canon might offer something like this, as they seem to have gone to great lengths to lighten the weight of the 400mm F/2.8L; just the lens that a sports shooter moving from an APS-H sensor 1D +300mm f/2.8L to FF would need to maintain the same angle of view. 

Of course, this is probably all rubbish and we'll see 'just' a 40MP+ 1Ds Mk4 and a 28-32 MP 5D Mk 3 this year (if we're lucky).

442

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon Doesn't Need a Compact Camera System

« on: March 18, 2011, 02:29:55 PM »

I think that this probably means:

"Oh sh*t we didn't realise how popular these cameras would be and now it's going to take us a while to develop our own system; better reassure people that they don't need mirrorless until we have something ready to launch." 

I don't think that this is a great move, it would be far better to vaguely state that a system is under development and that it will be compatible with EF mount lenses via an adaptor.  They could even make up some b*llsh*t about "developing game changing technologies" or suggest that they are working on an enthusiast centred range of lenses (something that NEX visibly lacks right now).  This would go a long way to persuading EOS users to hold off buying a competitor's product until they'd seen Canon's offering. 

Oh, by the way Mescalamba, there was nothing wrong with the 18MP sensor when it was first introduced in the 7D, why has it suddenly become "crap"? The fact that it has been surpassed by the excellent new 16MP Sony APS-C sensor, simply shows how quickly the world of digital imaging is still moving; would you prefer that Canon's current offering remained the pinnacle of performance forever?

443

United Kingdom & Ireland / Re: Hello...Anyone else from the UK?

« on: March 17, 2011, 05:59:03 PM »

Greetings from sunny Plymouth (CR0). 

I've decided to stop buying photography equipment for a while, to prove to myself that I'm not addicted.  Apart from a new set of filters and a new printer, but they don't count!

Well, isn't this a jolly get together, maybe we should all meet up for a nice cup of tea sometime? (Hey, can't spoil all of the stereotypes, it's what keeps our tourism industry going, isn't it?). 

444

EOS Bodies / Re: 1Ds4 & 5D3 Timetable [CR1]

« on: March 12, 2011, 02:00:32 PM »

Canon has been pretty watertight recently, with few leaks of any substance until days before the official announcement.  I'm guessing that when the 1Ds Mk4 is annouced it wil all start to happen very quickly. 

It's a shame that EF-S has been relagated as there are still so many holes in the lineup.  Apart from the 17-55mm f/2.8, the 60mm f/2.8 Macro and the recent 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6, there are no other lenses for serious users.  I'd have to agree that what Thom Hogan says about the Nikon DX lineup (http://www.bythom.com/state2010.htm) applies equally (if not more so) to Canon.  Yes, there are FF lenses that fill some gaps, but many of these are old and a bit sub-par (e.g. the non-L primes in the 28-35mm range) and using others leaves you with a camera bag that is heavy, expensive and a bit long for many people (e.g. the 70-200mm Ls).  I guess that there are third party options, but a company with Canon's market share shouldn't need to rely on Sigma and Tamron to prop up its lens lineup. 

So, lets give Canon a break and write EF-S off for a year (as it's a full frame camera refresh year); may I suggeat that in 2012-3, Canon fill out some of my wishlist:

Budget - Sub $250:
EF-S 30mm f/1.8 USM (priced at under $250 -Nikon can do it, why can't Canon?!)


Mid-range - $250-$499
EF-S 15mm f/2.8 USM (wide angle was what EF-S was designed for)
EF-S 22mm f/2 USM (nice compact lens/body combo for street photographers)
EF-S 50-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM (EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 USM IS replacement for those who can't afford the L).   

High-end - over $500
EF-S 50-135mm f/2.8 IS USM WS (weathersealed ala Pentax -to complement the 7D Mk2)
EF-S 15-50mm f/2.8 IS USM WS (weathersealed to complement the 7D Mk2)
EF-S 8-15mm f/? (not sure for f/4 size/weight, or f/2.8 for available light?)

In addition, I think that Canon should re-focus its crop sensor lineup to offer smaller cameras to go with these smaller lenses; the 7D is great, but (IMHO) it would be even better if it were the size of the Pentax K5. 

Would this mean that some people might stay APS-C rather than go full frame? Possibly, but I think that this would be more than offset by the people who would choose the Canon system and those that are currently forced to buy third party lenses. 

445

EOS Bodies / Re: 1Ds Replacement Soon?

« on: March 09, 2011, 02:58:17 PM »

I still think that from a marketing point of view, it would make more sense to lauch both of them together.  Then potential buyers will know exactly what the score is and won't hold off until the other is released. 

446

Lenses / Re: Your lenses wishlist for 2011 - RESULTS

« on: February 28, 2011, 02:54:37 PM »

Going third-party is a crap shoot. Misfocus issues are persistent. That's a strong incentive to go for a Canon-brand lens, even if it's not exactly what you want.

+1

This is what puts me off the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8, otherwise it would be the perfect lens for my needs.  Personally, I don't really like the 70-200mm class on APS-C, they start just a bit too long.  Of course, this is a good excuse to go full frame, where they are more at home IMHO; I'm sure this hasn't escaped Canon's notice!

447

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS Rebel T3i in Stock (B&H)

« on: February 28, 2011, 01:47:46 PM »

That was quick!

448

Canon General / Re: Canon Officially Acknowledges Lens ID Issue

« on: February 26, 2011, 05:56:43 PM »

It is the case.  You may have software that reads multiple exif fields and is able to determine or guess what the lens actually is.

Try some software like Opanda where you can view the EXIF data directly.

Powerful stuff is ZoomBrowser... Shame the cameras can't do the same!

449

Canon General / Re: Canon Officially Acknowledges Lens ID Issue

« on: February 26, 2011, 03:06:51 PM »

Here is a simplified version as I understand it.

1.  Each different Canon lens has a ID code which is sent to the camera body when a image is captured.

2.  The firmware in the camera body has a lookup table of lens codes versus description.

4.  The camera inserts the lens description into the EXIF.

If that was the case, then surely a Tamron lens (for example the 70-200mm f/2.8 ), would show as whichever Canon lens it was using the lens ID code for.  This is not the case, the EXIF simply shows it as the focal length ( e.g.  "70-200mm"). 

450

Canon General / Re: Canon Officially Acknowledges Lens ID Issue

« on: February 26, 2011, 10:35:00 AM »

Can anyone explain how these lens ID codes work? Why must Tamron choose an ID code from an obsolete EF lens? There's nothing that I can see in the EXIF information that would indicate the lens code, so I'm guessing that this is unrelated.