Messages

451

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 70D & 3D Prediction from Japan

« on: June 05, 2012, 01:58:52 PM »

We don't know many details of the new FF camera yet, so actually it's too early to argue it should be 3D or 6D.

Well, the original post actually does mention specs (though they could be entirely wrong

    30 megapixels, 1D-class body
    Dual Digic5 processors for 6 FPS
    61-point AF system, major functions same as 1DX
    Equipped with flash (or speedlite transmitter)

There's no way that camera would cost less than the 5DIII, since it has all the specs of the 5DIII, dual Digic5, potentially a speedlight transmitter, and its higher MP. If they introduced that camera at $2500, it'd destroy the D800, but it'd also kill the 5DIII.

452

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 70D & 3D Prediction from Japan

« on: June 04, 2012, 12:48:11 PM »

Interesting rumour. It's hard to believe that canon will come out with a 70d before a 7dmk2 as the 7d is older than the 60d...

Thats the nature of consumer v pro level cameras. The Ti cameras get updated yearly. The xxD cameras get updated about every 2 years. Anything in the xD level usually takes more like 3 years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Canon_DSLR_cameras

Also, if releasing a new 7D at $2000+ has the same effect as the 5DIII did on the 5DII (lowering the price 20%), than nobody would buy a 60D. They'd end up with the 7D costing the same as a 60D, and nobody in their right mind would turn down AFMA, 8fps v 5fps, weather sealing, etc for a swivel screen. Also, the T4i is getting the 60D's autofocus, so again, fewer reasons to buy the 60D. It's why it will probably get upgraded first.

453

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 70D & 3D Prediction from Japan

« on: June 04, 2012, 12:40:09 PM »

I think you are underestimating folks just a bit when you say this. The group of pro and advanced amateur photographers who are able and willing to drop ~$4000 on a camera body are probably going to be bright enough to figure this out, don't you think? Sheesh.

Yeah, it's like saying people are buying the 1DX because the X makes it seem more extreme!

454

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 70D & 3D Prediction from Japan

« on: June 04, 2012, 12:38:30 PM »

As an astro-imager, I want more pixels. My telescope plus various optical components produces an image circle that pretty much covers an APS-C sensor. So I'll be perfectly happy in a couple of years when APS-C hits 40 MP, as it surely will. 

Based on pixel density, I wouldnt be so sure you'll see a 40MP APS-C camera. Heck, even the D800's sensor (made for high MP) only captures 15-16mp stills in APS-C mode.

If memory serves me, the current Canon APS-C cameras are about 40-45mp as a full-frame equivalent. Making a 40mp APS-C is probably like making a 100+MP full-frame. And while I'm not sure of the particulars of your astro-photography, realize that you will likely lose any low-light ability. If people think the 7D is bad at ISO1600, they'd hate your camera at ISO400. You'd be giving it the light gathering ability of your average P&S. It might not matter for you if you can infinitely decrease shutter speed, but for most APS-C users, it'd be a deal breaker. You'd get your resolution, but be sacrificing noise performance.

http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Glossary/Camera_System/pixel_density_01.htm

edit: To take this further, the 24MP D3200 has an advantage in terms of resolution relative to the field of view. For the D800 to get the same shot, it'd produce a lot less resolution. That's because the D3200 has a pixel density that is 50% higher than the D800. When the ISO numbers come out, it wouldn't surprise me if the D3200 is worse than the Ti cameras in low-light ability.

455

Lenses / Re: Can a UV filter affect IQ (sharpness) on a lens?

« on: June 04, 2012, 10:23:31 AM »

Says who?  Canon?  If Canon says it's weather sealed, shouldn't that mean it's weather sealed without a filter?  I'm not doubting you, just requesting a reference.

Canon themselves in the user manual for the lenses that need it (it's mostly the wide-angles I believe)

The-Digital-Picture sums it up

...the 16-35 L II is fully weather sealed to protect against dust and moisture only when a filter (typically a UV Filter) is in place like all of the other current-at-this-time sealed non-super telephoto lenses). Even though the extending inside portion of the lens barrel is gasketed, This filter is necessary to fully seal the lens. The lens does not change in overall size, but the inner barrel extends to its maximum near 28mm from its minimum at 16mm. A filter completely encloses this movement - and does not rotate. Mouse over the pic below to see the limits of movement.

It's the paragraph early on right above the picture of the front lens element

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-16-35mm-f-2.8-L-II-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

456

Lenses / Re: A small walkabout lens - lay it on me!

« on: June 04, 2012, 10:00:34 AM »

EDIT: Or the zeiss 18mm! It's not too big, and close to my ideal focal length, thoughts on these two lenses?

Well, the weight there might be getting away from your "light" classification, but, if you're at the 18mm Zeiss, consider the 21mm as well (even heavier though). Every review I've read says its the best lens in that focal length range.

Voigtlander weighs about a 1/3rd of the Zeiss lenses...

457

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon Rebel T4i/650D on June 8, 2012? [CR2.5]

« on: June 03, 2012, 10:51:35 PM »

Some would argue that the flip out screen is not a gimmick and is actually practical in some applications.

As someone who does video, I'd agree with you. I don't need it, as I could get every shot I now get with my 60D on my 50D, but it makes some things more convenient.

But, I say it as a bad thing on the T3i because they put it on a T2i and changed nothing else for 95% of end users (the other 5% being those that use slave flash on a T3i, and that is probably an overestimation). If it was such a necessary item, why wasn't it on the camera's earlier; they've had the tech for long time. They just suddenly needed something to differentiate it and charge a premium...

The touch-screen might actually be useful since the button arrangement has always been awful on the Ti cameras, they're desire to include very few buttons might work. We'll see.

I'm interested if this has anything to do with mirror-less.

The general consensus is that any Canon mirror-less won't be EF mount...since the point of mirror-less is to be smaller, and the EF mount makes the camera about twice as large as it'd need to be. More likely its just another light, portable lens like the 50mm f/1.8.

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EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Canon 60D Stops Recording Automatically!!!

« on: June 03, 2012, 10:30:50 PM »

Yeah, that's on the card. It's filling the buffer too quickly and thus stopping recording. In fact, you'll probably see a series of boxes filling on the side of the LCD screen while it happens.

My suggestion would be to get the Sandisk Extreme cards, as I've never had a problem with them. Likewise I've had good luck with Wintec and Transcend. SD memory is cheap, the difference between the one you have now and the Sandisk Extreme is probably <$5-10...which is nothing considering your gear is worth more than $1000. Being able to record is always worth the extra few bucks.

Never seen the thing about 32GB cards, but I use all 16GB cards. If I'm shooting all day in a way that would fill a 16GB card, I've got plenty of time to swap them out for another card.

459

Lenses / Re: Which wide angle lens for 60D

« on: June 03, 2012, 12:48:29 PM »

Depends on how long the interviews are.  With a 16GB card you are pretty much at the same capacity as a miniDVCAM cassette anyway.  A wee break every so often with these kind of interviews is probably welcome anyway.

There's a physical file size limit of 4GB for video, which amounts to about 12 minutes in normal 1080 recording. A break here and there is nice...every 10 minutes though? And what happens if the person goes on a long tangent and you're running low on time?

I agree with you on the ideal for interviews, the DSLR would be great, but it has limitations that camcorders don't have. Can't speak for the FX1, but it's why I'll shoot with both a camcorder and my DSLR for an interview. I can get the shot I want most of the time from the DSLR, but be guaranteed not to lose something important as my camcorder runs all the time

460

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon Rebel T4i/650D on June 8, 2012? [CR2.5]

« on: June 03, 2012, 12:39:40 PM »

Is it just me or do others also think a touchscreen on a camera is lame?  Why would you want to muck up your LCD with smudges and fingerprints so it becomes a big messy glare?

Most companies have done a pretty good job of solving this issue; don't see too many people freaking out that they can't see their iPad screen, and yet that is entirely a touch-screen interface.

It seems to me is just a "oooh cool, lets get this one Martha, it has a touch screen" gimmick?   

Sort of like a flip out screen was for the T3i. They basically didn't upgrade anything, but added a gimmick. Welcome to the Rebel line, where the T2i was the last really innovative upgrade. Reviews will tell, but it seems like the T4i is getting a few gimmicks (touch screen, video AF), with the AF being potentially the only real upgrade.

461

Lenses / Re: Which wide angle lens for 60D

« on: June 03, 2012, 11:53:00 AM »

I would +1 for the Tokina wide, as it's a great UWA for APS-C - do be aware it won't transfer to full frame if you ever go that way in the future.

Actually it will, you can use the Tokina at 16mm with no vignetting.

I agree that there is a gap between the Tokina and the 24-105, but, I'm not sure how particularly useful it would be for his purposes. A wide shot on the Tokina at 16 would cover establishing, and any details would be well within the 24-105 range. Getting a lens that covers 17-55 would be just as limiting, as now he would lose the 55-105 range without buying another lens.

The f/4 is a concern for interviews, but, I assume he'd be using his Sony cam for them anyway. Shooting an interview on a DSLR, with stopping every 10mins, would be a huge pain in the ass anyway.

462

Lenses / Re: Which 3 Primes to go for. Your advice will be appreciated

« on: June 02, 2012, 11:02:46 PM »

Based on your max budget of 14L II + 85L II + 180L, I'm suggesting 4 lenses which would be less than your max budget:  16-35L II, 50L, 100L and 135L + TC (optional).

This is a great set of options too.

463

Lenses / Re: Which 3 Primes to go for. Your advice will be appreciated

« on: June 02, 2012, 10:59:18 PM »

Of the photo, I will probably be doing 70% indoor family and portraits, 15% landscape, 5% architecture, 5 % (or less) sports, and 5% Macro

Since landscape and architecture are about 20% of what you do, the 17mm or 24m TS lenses might suit you well. The 24mm T/S is only a little more than the 24L, and for architecture it will make the difference. You lose the auto-focus, which could be a deal breaker, but you gain a lot of control of your focus plane.

Then if you're going with primes, I'd say the 50L and 100 macro L would probably fit your other needs, as they'd give you two focal lengths for portraits, and two different things (50L for shallow DOF, 100L for sharp across the frame). Agree with others about getting the kit lens though, with the ISO abilities of the 5dIII, you may find the 24-105 to be a good lens for following around your family, with one of the primes for more specific moments. And if you decide you don't need a macro lens, I'd get the 135L instead of the 100L, as that would cover your sport needs and portrait needs at the same time.

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Lenses / Re: Which wide angle lens for 60D

« on: June 02, 2012, 10:24:28 PM »

Get the Tokina 11-16 if you're doing video. For one, being able to go the lowest light can be useful when you need it (I shot a music video where F/4 wouldn't have gotten me the shots), and the constant aperture is useful as well. If you find yourself zooming in and out a bit to get the right framing, it won't change aperture on you. Also, in terms of future-proofing, the Tokina can be used on full-frame at 16mm, the EF-S 10-22 can't. I have a 60D and I find the Tokina indispensable for wide shots.

Also, some of the elements of the 10-22 are optimized for stills. Obviously the variable aperture, but also flare control. There are times you want that flare across the frame for video, and the Tokina will allow that.

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Lenses / Re: Would Canon produce new 28/1.8?

« on: June 01, 2012, 02:06:28 PM »

I'm still waiting for an inexpensive fast normal prime to use on crop sensor cameras.  < holding breath after many years > Comparable to the 50mm f/1.8, but EFS.

Well, they already make many inexpensive fast normal primes that you can use on a crop camera, you can just also use them on full-frame. Which makes them cheaper, since they can sell more of them, The only EF-S prime that would make sense would be something wider than 20mm, otherwise it could also work on EF. And they already make a 10-22 EF-S lens that is highly regarded, so I wouldn't expect that soon.

Also, I don't think making it EF-S would make it much cheaper. The 60mm macro is about the same as Canon's 100mm EF macro lens (the EF 50mm macro is faster and nearly half the price). Their 17-55 EF-S lens isn't much cheaper than its equivalent 24-70 for full frame. The 28-135 is similar pricewise to the 18-135 EF-S. And the 10-22 is actually more expensive than its full frame equivalent (17-40mm, if going by aperture). The cheap EF-S lenses (55-250 for example) are cheap because they sacrifice build quality, some lens elements and USM. Leaving those things out of a prime would likely not make many people happy...but its about the only way to make it cheap