Messages

1

EOS-M / Re: EOS M Announcement in the Summer? [CR2]

« on: May 16, 2013, 04:23:36 PM »

An EOS-M coupled with the 22mm prime could make a nice enthusiasts compact camera and coupled with an adapter, a small backup body for DSLR owners ...... need to get that AF sorted though. I would have thought that another pancake prime e.g.30/35mm would be on the roadmap.

I'm due to replace my compact soon and am looking a M43 camera with a Panasonic 20mm f1.7 ...... unless Canon can sort out the EOS-M

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Lenses / Re: Question regarding 70-300L lens

« on: May 15, 2013, 08:01:18 PM »

My lens focus ring is looser than say a well dampened Zeiss, but owning a 17-55f2.8, it seemed similar ......

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Lenses / Re: 50 f1.4 vs 85 f1.8.....

« on: May 15, 2013, 07:56:53 PM »

I'm about to purchase a prime and am wondering which lens would be the best to get. I'm shooting with a 60d and  currently have a 15-85 ef-s and the 70-200 f4 is. I'm in a class doing portrait photography, indoors  and outdoors. thoughts as to which lens you would is on crop body? thanks

Also consider the Sigma 85mm f1.4 ..... bit more expensive but way cheaper than the Canon 85 f1.2 and almost as good

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Lenses / Re: A Walk Around Lens for a Trip

« on: April 30, 2013, 03:12:40 PM »

My Pastor is planning a tour in 2014.

There's a lot of time between now and then, I'd hold off on purchases for a while yet.  Next, I'd think about buying a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera and two lenses; in 6-12 months the tech will have improved quite a bit.  If you are concerned with gear weight now, your concern may be greater a year from now.  Don't let the burden of your gear reduce your enjoyment of the trip.

Good point. If the new mirrorless don't suit then the new Canon EOS100 is a nice small body, but realise that you often don't want to buy a complete new kit for one trip.

I think the 15-85 is probably the best one-lens solution. Otherwise combining the 11-16 with a 24-105 seems a good 2 lens situation for a crop sensor camera. Take a small light prime if low light shooting is important (the new Sigma 30mm f1.4 Art looks good).

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Should I buy the 60D or wait for the 70D?

« on: March 18, 2013, 02:28:36 PM »

Have you considered other brands? Canon's sensor's aren't as good as their competitors (though their cameras are otherwise very good, and they have the best range of lenses).

I own a Canon 60D, but if was looking to purchase a crop DSLR, I would certainly be looking at other brands - the Nikon 5200 and 7100 look very good. That said, I agree that waiting for the upcoming Canon announcement seems sensible.

Full Frame is really the way to get lower noise - a second hand or refurbished full frame may meet your budget and maybe cheaper than a new 70D, if and when it comes out.

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EOS Bodies / Re: Need help. Canon 60D for sports--is it better to pony up for the 7D?

« on: March 06, 2013, 04:06:41 AM »

I think the 60D will be adequate. The 7D will give you a higher hit rate of in focus shots. I say hold on to the 60D for a year, then look at upgrading to a 7DII a few months after if/when it gets released to give it a chance for a price drop. In the meantime start saving for that 70-200 2.8 IS II

I agree ..... focus on learning the craft of photography, and put the money aside for lenses, or for an upgrade in a year or so. Sometimes you learn more when using basic gear ..... upgrade the photographer before upgrading the camera!

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Lenses / Re: EF-M 55mm f/1.3 Coming in 2013? [CR1]

« on: October 31, 2012, 06:39:39 PM »

Or could this be an EFS mount?

8

Lenses / Re: IQ of 24-105 and 700-300 lenses

« on: October 17, 2012, 04:22:50 AM »

The 70-300 L is much better than the non-L. I had the non L and stopped down up to 250mm was good, but wide open, or at 300mm, was a little disappointing. Moving to the L I have been very happy - good results wide open at 300, better IS, faster AF, and better build. Generally a far more versatile lens.

I don't have a 24-105 lens but reports generally say it is OK, and an excellent range, build quality and IS - at either end 24 or 105 is where its weakest.

9

Lenses / Re: Which lenses for cricket?

« on: October 17, 2012, 04:12:52 AM »

400 f5.6 is also worth a look..... also a Sigma 120-300 f2.8 + 1.4 or 2 times extender is another option

10

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS M Specs

« on: July 22, 2012, 03:58:07 PM »

I'm surprised Canon opted for APS-C format instead of the G1X size sensor, which could have allowed for a noticeably smaller package (lenses in particular)

Why are you surprised I think that Canon sees Sony as a bigger competitor (threat to Canon dominance) than either Panasonic or Olympus. Sony already makes the highly regarded NEX cameras, with APS-C sensors, that are owned by many Canon owners (including me).

Sony will also introduce a Full Frame SLT (EVF viewfinder) camera at Photokine (if rumors are to be believed). A threat to Canon in the Full Frame market.

Agree with your point re Sony being a bigger threat to canon's business than Olympus or Panasonic, but when Canon went ot the effort of introducing a new sensor size, I thought they would deploy it to more camera's than the G1X......... it's made me wonder whether they used the G1X to "test the water" with regard to sensor size, before introducing their mirrorless offering. I think both sensor sizes have their merits. I tried the G1X and agree that it has a pretty large body for the size of the sensor - will be interested to see this new offering side by side with the G1X.

I need to replace my old compact (Canon S70), and now see plenty of good options ..... just a case of the physical size vs image quality compromise from Canon S100 to Sony RX100 to Panasonic GX1+20mm to Canon EOS-M?

11

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS M Specs

« on: July 22, 2012, 02:49:11 PM »

I'm truly confused as to the market for the mirror less cameras that fall between the G1X series and an SLR.

1. With any lens, it is not pocketable.
2. Requires company to make an entirely new set of lenses on a new mount.

What kind of customer is best suited for this niche?

I to some extent agree with your sentiment, but note that mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras are selling well ........... those moving up from a P&S are one category, another is enthusiast/pro who wants a small backup, and those that want something smaller, but are just not happy with the quality of the P&S offerings (though I admit the premium P&S offerings are much better now, than a year ago), so are willing to compromise on pocketability.

I don't expect Canon to have a large range of lenses available in the short term - couple of zooms and a couple of pancake type primes. They will probably push the EF lens adapter to show the wide range of EF and EF-S lenses as a point of difference

I'll be interested to see how far off the "premium" model is, with EVF.

I'm surprised Canon opted for APS-C format instead of the G1X size sensor, which could have allowed for a noticeably smaller package (lenses in particular)

12

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS M Specs

« on: July 22, 2012, 02:40:06 PM »

How long does it usually take Canon cameras to come to market after they've been officially announced.

With consumer grade equipment, normally very soon after announcement, pro stuff is a different matter ...... I'd expect this to be available very soon

13

EOS Bodies / Re: first pic of canon mirrorless?

« on: July 20, 2012, 06:29:36 AM »

I think this is pretty awesome. Aps-c and a 35mm f/2 FOV in a tiny body.  That's all I need canon! Now if it's 599$ with body and 25mm f/2, I'll buy it at launch but I doubt that price tag knowing canon.

Not sure it is APS-C ....... its an EF-M lens ..... probably the same sensor as the G1X...... so a 1.85 crop factor

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Lenses / Re: Lensbaby

« on: July 11, 2012, 05:22:00 AM »

@ wickidwombat
I see... Definitely Lensbaby for me, then! Thanks!

@ crasher8
The composer is the "lens body", right? What lens do you use it with?
I'd love to see some of those pics you've been selling!

The Composer is the lens.

http://lensbaby.com/lenses-composer

I use it on all my Canon EOS bodies. It is a manual focus lens which comes with a set of steel aperture rings which you swap out with a magnetic tipped tool ranging from 2.0 (no ring) to 22. The wider open, the greater blur.

Some Lensbaby shots on my Smugmug site:

http://www.barryjohnsonphotography.com/EARTH/NATURE-ON-ACID/LENSBABY/23575489_k4XNfD#!i=1907023176&k=jN7VWpT

The lensbody (aka lens) is the Composer / Composer Pro / Muse / Contol Freak etc, then you need to have an optic eg Double Glass / Single Glass / Sweet 35 / Edge 80 etc. Many of the optics require you to use drop in aperature disks, whereas the sweet 35 and edge 80 both have aperture rings.

I have used a Muse with a double glass that I borrowed off a friend - I found it fiddly to use but the composer (pro) look much better. Overall I enjoyed using it - it certainly encouraged me to look at subjects in a different way. I haven't purchased one as I believe that the use is limited, but one day I might

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EOS Bodies / Re: DSLR itch (60D / D5100 / K-5)

« on: June 21, 2012, 03:04:33 PM »

All options look OK, but regardless of camera, here are my recommendations - start with a kit lens plus a prime. I have a young family and shoot with a 60D + 17-55mm f2.8 - OK, but the lens isn't fast enough for the inside use - yes I get some good images but often have images wecked by distracting backgrounds (always seems to be toys lying around etc!).

I would tend to recommend a Nikon and their 35mm f1.8 - only $200 USD -  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/606792-USA/Nikon_2183_AF_S_Nikkor_35mm_f_1_8G.html. You could then add a more generall purpose zoom, primarily for outside use eg 18-105VR ($400 USD)

If you have the time, I'd attend an evening class (if available in your area) to kick start your use of the camera ..... often a bit of training is worth a lot more than exepnsive equipment