Messages

841

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D Mark III -- Compact Flash (CF) or Secure Digital (SD / SDHC)?

« on: March 22, 2012, 09:41:14 AM »

CF has a huge durability factor in it's favor as well. I've cracked a few SD cards in my time. Not too mention what my kids have done to theirs!

As a connector design engineer, I'd be more concerned with damage to my camera, since a trip for repair and replacement of the CF header is very expensive.

I've had three cameras with bent or broken CF pins in the camera, plus one that was shorted by a bad CF card and needed a new internal power supply board.  Two were p&S bodies that I threw out, I was able to repair the DSLR since I do have repair tools.

The pin in camera concept violates all the reliability and safety rules for pin and socket arrangements.  The pin side of a connection should never have power applied while disconnected.  Bend one against another and your camera can be damaged or ruined.

Cracking a SD card would be the least of my worries, it would let me keep on taking photos by merely using another card and tossing the broken one.  Soiling one is nothing, just wipe it off.  but contaminate the sockets of a CF card and you may not see they are blocked up,  and it can ruin your camera.

Wow, to bend those pins you had the be shoving it in the wrong way trying to make it fit!

842

EOS Bodies / Re: DXO Optics Hands on Review

« on: March 22, 2012, 09:38:15 AM »

Speaking of the autofocus they say:"Unlike the 1DX, however, it loses the coupling of color measurement to exposure."
I'd like to know, in what situations would this be a problem? Thanks.

5D Mark III simply doesn't have color-aware exposure metering. This feature is only available in 1D X.

And that has everything to do with tracking a subject. But Canon have also stated that the 5d3 is better at tracking than the mk4.

Yeah, Canon's going to say "hey that new camera has worse AF than the old one even tho the AF system is 1 generation newer".

Treat everything released from Canon press as BS.

Really? The precision focus points on this new system is leaps and bounds beyond the mark 4s focus point system. This is the 1dx system just without the extra level of color metering. If you spec it you dont need Chuck Westfall to make the statement, it speaks for itself. Hearing it from him just confirms what i already thought.

843

EOS Bodies / Re: DXO Optics Hands on Review

« on: March 22, 2012, 02:10:28 AM »

At some point this link comparing the D800 and the 5d will be updated
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Compare-Camera-Sensors/Compare-cameras-side-by-side/(appareil1)/795%7C0/(brand)/Canon/(appareil2)/792%7C0/(brand2)/Nikon

844

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF 50MM 1.2L

« on: March 22, 2012, 01:11:18 AM »

A typical question to ask in regards to this lens...
Is the 50 f/1.2 softer than the 50 f/1.4? I currently own the 1.4 and love it, but I am curious if the IQ from the 1.2 is worth the upgrade. I am currently shooting with a 5D mk ll.
Thanks!

I have both the 50 f1.2 and the 50 f1.4.  My use is mainly portrait and I usually shoot at apperture between f1.2 and f5.6 with my 50 f1.2.  I have not made the test at aperture smaller like f6.3 or f8, but i can say from my own experience (again I am just a smaple of one) I concure with an earlier comment that the 50 f1.2 for my application has much better color, contrast and is very sharp. 

Everytime I put back the 50 1.4 on my camera (5D mkII) I cant beleive how washed out and boring the image look compared with the 50 1.2 and the images requires more software processing afterward.  I dont usually do landscape but I actually did a few golf course shot with both lens a few weeks ago and the 50 1.2 won hands down - again I was shooting below f8.

I am not a pro photographer, I am just an amateur, but for me the 50 1.2 has proven a very good investment and dont regret ever buying it.  I know it gets mix review sometime but for me it works.

I am actually putting my 50 1.4 for sell cause I never use it...

For an "amateur" you sure have lust worthy gear and a large pile of cash! Im mad now lol.

845

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF 50MM 1.2L

« on: March 22, 2012, 12:47:59 AM »

If you have AF-issues with this lens, you need to calibrate it, calibrate your camera or stop using it at 2,8-4,5!

The AF of my 50 L beats the cr@p out of my 85 L, both speed and accuracy, and it's a lot better than my (now sold) 35 L. It's the best AF of any 50mm. Color and contrast from wide open is just fantastic. Where it struggles is when approaching MFD, due to the lack of floating elements. But shoot at 1-1,5m, and it's not an issue.

I read a lot of negative stuff about this lens, and people saying the "50mm f1,4 is just as sharp" Well, then you have either forgot to remove the lens cap or haven't tried it at all. It's lightyears ahead of the 1,4 when it comes to sharpness, where it counts, between 1,2 and 2,8.

Superb build! and weathersealed, which the 85 and 35 isn't, big deal for me! The only lens I like as good is the newly bought 24 L II, now with that lens you can talk about AF issues from hell, replaced two copies and I've read reviews and hear of many with the same problem, the AF was set to "random" with those copies. Now that I have a working one, in combo with the 50 L , oh wow....

Never ever use servo with anything faster than a 2.8 lens. Always shoot F1.4 or 1.2 in single shot mode. Just try both modes and try focussing. Single shot locks on with one press, servo keeps it hunting.

846

Lenses / Re: Canon 50mm f1.2 L, 24-70mm f2.8 L, or the 24-105 f4 L for video?

« on: March 22, 2012, 12:20:19 AM »

Since I plan on upgrading my Canon Rebel to the 5d Mark III, the only lens I have with an EF mount is my 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II, and I am looking at another lens or two to fill in the wider end.
I am interested in the 24-70mm f2.8 and even the mark II version, but the lack of IS scares me for video.
I mostly take photos of sports and evening events but I have been taking more video recently.

Any suggestions between the canon 50mm f1.2 L, 24-70mm f2.8 L original or mk II , or the 24-105 f4 L for video?

I know a video pro that uses the 24-70. He actually rented mine for a couple days to shoot a film and loved it.

847

Lenses / Re: advice on lens for evening events

« on: March 22, 2012, 12:18:56 AM »

Of all the lenses I pull out of my camera bag, my 16-30mm f/2.8 is on my camera more often than any other.  As a professional wedding photographer, I am at evening events twice a week.  Have you considered getting one of these? Then you will have it when you upgrade to a full frame body.

I had to check your site since you said a 16-30 not a 16-35 was your fav lens lol. Honest mistake I guess. nice site photos by the way.

848

Lenses / Re: Looking for advice

« on: March 22, 2012, 12:04:47 AM »

Thank you all very much forr the feedback, sorry for the delay in writing back, had issues with my computer then went on a boys trip 

Today I purchased the 7d with a 70 - 200 2.8L II with a grip, as I blew my budget on my holiday I spent some of my lens money so will have to save again for the shorter lens and tripod. I think I will go with the EF-S 17-55 2.8 IS when I do buy the lens, when and if I do chose to upgrade the lens I can always sell it to my brother.

Now all the fun begins with learning how to use the camera to its full potential.

Thanks again for all your help.

Good choice for your setup congrats! I was dead set on suggesting the 16-35 because it is future proof unlike the 17-55, however, i used to have a nikon d2x 17-55 2.8 and 70-200 and it covered everything for weddings. great focal lengths on crop bodies.

849

Lenses / Re: Recommend me a lens that's better/more useful than a 50mm lens

« on: March 21, 2012, 11:46:07 PM »

If you don't want to spend the cash for a 50mm f1.4, I'd say pick up a 50mm f1.8.  A fantastic little lens for the price.

Id def buy the 1.8 over the 1.4, a lot cheaper. I sold my 1.4 because i thought it was kinda crappy so i got hte 50 1.2 but if i was to do it without going hog wild i'd do the 1.8. I hear the 1.8 is sick sharp!

850

Lenses / Re: Recommend me a lens that's better/more useful than a 50mm lens

« on: March 21, 2012, 11:43:21 PM »

one of my teachers (I'm a photography student) have said that some people find 50mm lenses boring, etc. So what's the next best kind of lens?

Who cares what someone says what some people think?  What matters is what you think.

Focal length is very personal.  Don't let other people decide focal length for you.  Pick it yourself.

I suggest going to a gig with a zoom lens.  Crank up the iso and start shooting.  Don't worry about a bit of noise or some blur.  Afterwards, have a look at the exifs of the photos that you like, to see focal length.  Buy a prime accordingly.

Id have to agree with this statement. I recently wondered if i could shoot weddings with just prime lenses. I checked the 177,000 images of weddings only and 15mm/24mm/ 50mm/ 70mm/135mm/ and 200 were used way more than any other focal length from 15mm-200mm. If you used a 24-70 and a 70-200 and did what he suggests, look at the focal lengths you most used and liked the look and decide. If i had to decide a lens to buy for concerts, if i had to pick a prime lens it would be an 85 1.8. If it was a zoom the 70-200.

851

Lenses / Re: Ultra Wide Angle with Full Frame

« on: March 21, 2012, 11:32:27 PM »

Def 16-35L II. That is a lust worthy lens. Never buy F4 anything.

852

Lenses / Re: which lens for 5D Mark II?

« on: March 21, 2012, 11:26:02 PM »

Hi everyone, I am going to get the 5D Mark II but not sure which lens to get along with it: 24-70 or 24-105??? (the next lens I'm going to invest in after this will probably be in a year with budget of $1,000 to $2,000).

I'm still an amatuer, and want to focus on landscapes (vacations), and portraits, but with the aim of becoming a wedding photographer.  But at the moment, I'm still learning (w/great interest).

Your feed backs are much appreciated!  Thanks.

I have shot both a lot of weddings and a lot of sports. One thing i found is primes are a hassle unless there is time and you have choices about where you are positioned. As for weddings you can get amazing images with the 24-70 on one camera and the 70-200 on the other. Nothing else needed. same with sports. I shoot finishline shots with the 24-70 2.8L and it focuses just as fast as my 70-2002.8L II, no kidding i cant tell. For non finishline shots i use the 70-200. While the range of the 24-100 F4 will be good you will always feel limited and the low light fast speed of the 24-70 will far out weigh the 24-105 f4 focal distance factor. I am tempted but the focal distance but the perfection of the 24-70 just cant be outdone inmo.
You could always start shooting weddings with a 24-105 on a 7d and prob do the whole wedding but for the most flex you need 24-200mm shooting. Its tough to decide. Cash sometimes limits your vision. I personally don't plan to own any F4 or larger lenses at any point in my life.

853

Lenses / Re: 24 - 70mm f/2.8 L I or II

« on: March 21, 2012, 11:05:46 PM »

I am an advance hobby photographer, mostly I shoot landscapes, family portraits and some macro

currently I own 16 - 35 f/2.8 II L, 70 - 200 f/2.8 II L and 100 mm f/2.8 L macro and a 5D Mark II

I have been thinking of adding 24 - 70 to my list for shooting both, family portraits and landscapes when I travel,

My dilemma is should I get version I or II ?

I wonder if version II is worth the price $2300, also version I is a proven lens and is already perfect

Please help me understand why one should pay extra $1000 more for version II

Thank you

If you have to have the best like me you get the new one. However, i have been using the version one since 2006 and i have to say it really is perfect. I am not upgrading to the new 24-70. Id rather get a 24 1.4. Ive checked my metadata and the most used focal lengths are 24, 50, 70, 135, 200. I could use the 24 on one 5d and the 50 on another for most shots and use the 70-200 for some portraits and wedding journalism. all with incredible bokeh.

854

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D mk III: ISO 25600...Stunning!!!!!

« on: March 21, 2012, 10:58:37 PM »

Wow!  I am impressed man!  Both the jpg and the RAW are very good (except for the color of the raw of course...)

Wow...

I was at my daughter's musical an hour ago... tooks some snaps at various ISO's with 70-200 mk.II   with  a 2x iii  @ 400mm 

unfortunatly ISO "only" 12800 when I checked   .

The pic has been PP'ed. Resized etc.

Beautiful shot. If i had a child id be shooting constantly

855

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D mk III: ISO 25600...Stunning!!!!!

« on: March 21, 2012, 10:55:02 PM »

Awesome....can't wait to attach 50mm f1.4 to this camera....IQ should be great if bring it down to f2 to 2.8

Me too but I hope the 50 1.4 AF motor is strong enough to keep up with the 5d3 AF system... I've had lenses struggle to keep up with the 7D and this is supposed to be better/faster... whoa nelly

The 50 1.2 is too slow for the 1D IV, the 1.4 is faster, but it'll probably struggle.

On topic, not at all impressed. I think the really S___ty images probably have something to do with that.

I've had the 50 1.2 struggle to keep up with my 7D (rented it, one of the lenses that doesn't work well with it)... I have the 50 1.4 and it's faster but even at that, I have to almost remind myself to not over do the lens and let it catch up at times... The 1.2 would give false focus confirmations so it would say it was in focus when it wasn't... I have no patience with that... the 5d3 and 50 1.2 may be a doomed relationship    The sample images are across the board... Some better than others, but the objective ones show the technical quality (sharpness in raw files, color, etc) the rest you kinda have to take with a grain of salt for now I suppose.

I do not recommend using the F1.2/1.4 lenses in ai servo they hunt alot. Change it to single shot and it locks on pretty fast. These high speed glass lenses are super refined with the smallest movement meaning they are out of focus so yes the focus systems are slower as a result but the images, god the images are amazing. I had an 85 1.2 version I and sold it but man i wish i had a version 2. I had a 35 f1.4 and sold that because i didn't use it enough to justify having it. One piece of glass i know id use a lot is a 24 1.4 II. That will be the next lens for me. I have the 50 1.2 and it is incredible. As i said these specialty lenses never use in servo mode. Try it you will see what i am talking about. Stick to single shot.