Messages

46

Lenses / Re: New EOS-M Lenses Soon [CR2]

« on: January 17, 2013, 07:56:34 AM »

So, one potentially interesting lens and two that will be pretty oversized for the '-M' bodies.  I can see why they need a 55-300 and a superzoom, as these lenses are de rigeur amongst the 'point-and-shoot-upgrader' crowd that Canon seems to be targeting.  If the new body is to be released with the superzoom, it would suggest that it won't be the 'prosumer' level camera that everyone around here wants.  Perhaps Canon has realised that it can't win over the serious system camera buyers until the have... well, a system! 

47

EOS Bodies / Re: DSLR & Lens Coming on January 15, 2013? [CR1]

« on: January 12, 2013, 05:33:58 PM »

So if it's not the 70D or 7D MkII, what on Earth will it be? Is it really "Rebel" time again, or perhaps it's this rumoured smaller DSLR that Canon kept on claiming was possible before they launched EOS-M (anyone remember the recent viewfinder patent)?

48

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Thinking of downgrading my 5d3 system

« on: January 07, 2013, 05:40:29 PM »

Interesting thread indeed. I can relate in that I am a bit of a gear head on the one hand - but also try to pick my stuff carefully for different purposes. And what's worse: I do this not only with photography but with music as well. Neither I just consider a "hobby" even though I have a full-time job that is totally unrelated. And I have high standards and try to get the best within a reasonable budget that fits my purpose. And the purpose can change. Take music for instance. When I was very active and played live a lot there was good reason to have a bunch of guitars a big tube amplifier stack and a large rack full of gear. And in that world you will hear the same voice telling you that it's all nonsense citing some blues musician who does it all with an old beat up Strat and combo amp. Problem is that if you are into certain kinds of music you need a bit more variety than that. And then stuff gets heavy and cumbersome and expensive. That was pre-digital/virtual amplification. Now things are different - but I still have my old amps and racks available, even though I use a little Line6 amp simulator 99% of the time both live (if ever lately) and in the studio/at home.

With photography I don't really see that alternative yet depending on what you do. For what I like best I still feel like having a full frame SLR (at least) and a few fast primes is what I want to use. And that can get in the way to the point that you don't have a camera when you wish you had one. I really hope the market will catch up with an affordable rangefinder solution soon. Until then I really don't see the alternative while the Leica M is just not in the budget.

Did you have a volume dial that went up to '11'? 

49

PowerShot / Re: Canon Announces The PowerShot N

« on: January 07, 2013, 09:28:14 AM »

Straws... Clutching... At?

Where on earth are you meant to hold this tiny thing; Canon have squared the rectangle by removing the handgrip!

50

Lenses / Re: Educate me about why 70mm <> 70mm...

« on: January 05, 2013, 01:54:58 PM »

1) All lenses are measured at infinity focus; most of what we call zoom lenses suffer from focus breathing, whereby the focal length changes as you change the focus: internally zooming lenses (i.e those with rear focus groups) are the worst culprits (actually, true zooms are parfocal).  Try repeating your experiment with each lens focussed at infinity. 

2) The focal length quoted is approximate and can vary between lens models; Canon's website should be able to give you the exact technical specifications if you're interested (sorry, I'm being lazy and can't be bothered to look them up!). 

51

Site Information / Re: How does one change camera appearing under the poster's name?

« on: January 04, 2013, 04:58:22 PM »

Does anyone remember the Karma experiment? 

Sorry, I didn't mean to open up that old can of worms.  Go ahead, "smite" me - I don't care!!! 

52

Lenses / DXO Mark review the 28mm f/2.8 IS...

« on: January 03, 2013, 08:26:15 AM »

FWIW:

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Publications/DxOMark-Reviews/Canon-EF-28mm-f2.8-IS-USM

I'm puzzled as to how an f/2.8 lens manages to achieve a measured T-stop of 2.7; doesn't that violate the laws of physics? I'm guessing that either Canon are being very conservative with their f/2.8 rating, or DXO Mark has made a cock-up... I wonder which 

53

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon DSLR Body Rumors for 2013

« on: January 01, 2013, 12:27:45 PM »

These are only one website's predictions of what they expect to see in 2013.  None of what they're suggesting is exactly unexpected or controversial (the 3fps 70D aside - assuming that was their meaning).  Personally I'd trust Craig's predictions a lot more than Xitech's! 

54

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Upgrade from 6D from 450D

« on: December 29, 2012, 05:26:32 AM »

Have you considered the 5D MkII (£1249 at WEX) instead of the 6D, or buying grey market (6D = £1429 @ DigitalRev) to save a few quid so that you can afford a better lens?

I wouldn't bother with the 28-135 unless you're sure that you will not be shooting below f/8 (preferably f/11 below 50mm), as it just isn't sharp in the corners, especially on the wide end.  I would suggest that the 24-105L would be more suited to a 20MP class full frame body. 

I'd say that the 17-40L would be ideal for your landscape work; you can pick it up for £500 used/grey market.  If you really want a prime, then I would personally avoid the Canon non-L lenses below 35mm, as they all have serious flaws.  The exception to this would be the new 24mm and 28mm f/2.8 IS primes, but I still think that these are a touch pricey for what they offer.  The other budget option would be the Samyang primes, but I don't think that these have a distributor here in the UK, which would mean buying from an importer. 

I don't want to put you off, but I'm not convinced that this is the best time to be buying the 6D, as I think that there's another £100 or so to come off the price in the next month or two.  Of course, I could be wrong and you might be willing to pay the extra to have the camera now, but I thought I'd mention it as you seem to be on a tight budget. 

55

PowerShot Cameras / Re: Patent: Integrated Lens for an APS-C Compact Camera?

« on: December 26, 2012, 08:36:03 AM »

I don't get this: "the G1X concept didn't catch on, so we'll built more of the same"?

Strange thinking.  If anything, the G1X failed to catch on because it was:

a) too big
b) too expensive for what it was
c) too limited in its capabilities

How would an APS-C version improve upon any of those issues?

56

Abstract / Re: Goofing around could lead to $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

« on: December 02, 2012, 09:47:44 AM »

Goofing around could lead to $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

What, $16? 

57

EOS Bodies / Re: Possible positive 6D surprise? Should I wait?

« on: November 24, 2012, 03:45:13 PM »

I realize the AF seems to have been deliberatively crippled (and overly-so!), but for shooting portraits and candids and casual soccer of my kids, I really don't need the pro athlete or bird-in-flight AF.

Crippled or better, depending on your needs.  The 6D is supposed to focus in even lower light than the more expensive 5D3.  For some photographers, that may be a significant advantage.  Of course it will not be as good in other ways.  I'll be very eager to see how well the 6D's AF performs generally.

By the way, everyone says "crippled" about less expensive cameras, as if to suggest some bad intent on the part of the manufacturer.  "Crippled" suggests that they start with an excellent AF system and then damage it terribly.  But less expensive cameras are less expensive for a reason — less goes into them.  The lesser AF system is designed for a lesser price, from initial concept to production. 

Manufacturers have to differentiate their products somehow.  We do it as a photographers.  We differentiate our products according to size, hours, materials, etc., and yet we don't say our cheaper products are deliberately crippled.

Whilst I will reserve judgement on the 6D's AF system until we seem some credible reviews, I think that people are using words like 'crippled' because the 11 point system with but a single cross type sensor (however good that might be), is perceived to be inferior to even the 9 point, all cross type system on the 650D.  The D600 uses the AF system from the D7000; I think that people were expecting some version of the 7D's 19 point (all cross type) AF system on the 6D; when you are disappointed, you tend to use emotive language. 

58

EOS Bodies - For Stills / 6D now shipping via DigitalRev (Hong Kong)

« on: November 24, 2012, 02:52:14 PM »

http://www.digitalrev.com/product/canon-eos-6d-body/MTAwMTQ2MQ_A_A

Rumour via CanonWatch:

http://www.canonwatch.com/here-it-is-canon-eos-6d-on-sale-at-digitalrev-2460e2300/

59

EOS Bodies - For Stills / DPreview adds 6D sample images to their preview

« on: November 19, 2012, 06:40:45 PM »

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/11/19/Canon

60

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Will the release of the 6D affect the 5D MkIII's price?

« on: November 15, 2012, 07:55:16 AM »

OK, so apologies for banging on this line a bit on previous threads, but 2K+ is a lot of money to cough up!

That said, the 5D MkIII is currently at the £2300-£2400 mark here in the UK.  I have three options:

1. Buy at my favourite camera shop now at this price. 
2. Order from HDEW (or Digitalrev/Pro Camera Store etc.) grey market for ~ £1950, saving a whopping £400.
3. Wait and see if Canon lower the price. 

Option 1 basically guarantees me peace of mind with regard to problems, but I would be pretty p*ss*d off if Canon dropped their prices to the £2000 mark in a few weeks. 

Option 2 insulates me against possible Canon UK price cuts, but leaves me bitten by the paranoia bug!

Option 3 leaves me without a 5D MkIII and with no guarantee of getting one any cheaper. 

What's anyone else's take on this; is the release of the 6D likely to affect the 5D MkIII's price (either up or down), should I be more worried about the strength of the Pound/Euro versus the Yen? Or am I overthinking this sh*t to the point where I am starting to lose my marbles?