Messages

91

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II Has Made its Way To Retailers

« on: September 02, 2012, 10:06:49 AM »

I'm excited because I presume the new lens will fit in with Canon's new, more accurate autofocus system as described by Roger Cicala in his article here:

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/08/autofocus-reality-part-3b-canon-cameras

Short version:
The new lenses incorporate a magnetic rotation detector that creates a true closed loop focus system and greatly enhances focus accuracy when used with cameras that are designed to take advantage of it.  That would be the 5DIII and the 1Dx at this time.

92

Lenses / Re: National Parks besides Grand Canyon? - recommendations please

« on: August 27, 2012, 06:53:40 PM »

BTW, if you do find yourself in Torrey, do yourself a favor and eat at Cafe Diablo.  That restaurant is amazing, and if it was in LA or NYC, it'd be a critically acclaimed restaurant charging a king's ransom for haute Southwestern cuisine.  Call ahead, though, as they do close for the winter.

I visited Torry last May and Cafe Diablo definitely gets my vote.  I have to admit I did not try the Free Range Rattlesnake!

I think an ordinary automobile will be fine.  You won't really have time to explore the unpaved back roads on this kind of trip.  If it were me I'd try to find a good deal on a mid-sized car instead of a tiny economy model.

BTW, I explored Utah by motorcycle last May and wrote up an article for Rider Magazine.  They have accepted it but it won't be published for several months.  I sent them lots of pretty photos, which I'm sure impressed them a lot!

One thing you will notice at the Utah parks is how the view changes with the lighting.  At each park I wished I could stay there for a month and record the changing lightscape.

I will be going back there at the end of October myself.  Looking forward to re-visiting Bryce, Arches and others.

93

Lenses / Re: Washington State National Parks

« on: August 27, 2012, 06:37:59 PM »

I live near Mt. St. Helens.  The best photos of the mountain/crater are from the visitor center called Johnston Ridge Observatory.  It's on the North side of the mountain so it has a view into the crater.  The biggest problem is cloudy weather that obscures the view.  Watch the weather forecast and try to pick the best weather day that fits into your travel window.

Hiking in the monument is a lot different than Rainier or Olympic NP, because all the old trees were destroyed by the eruption.  I personally don't enjoy hiking there.   

If you like caves, google Ape Cave, which is a very long lava tube cave on the South side of the Mountain.  It has easy access, but lots of rocks to climb over once you are inside.

94

Lenses / My own travel camera solution

« on: August 22, 2012, 01:36:52 PM »

Sorry to stray off the exact topic, but I'd like to contribute my own rather unusual travel camera solution to my own set of needs.

Several months ago I was getting ready for a motorcyle trip to Utah with plans to take photos for an article in a motorcycle magazine.  I needed a camera that would fit in my tank bag, but still give stellar image quality.  I had been using my S90 for motorcycle trips, but it's only 10 MP and you can't put a polarizer on it.  My 7D or 5D would not fit easily in the tank bag.

My solution was to pick up a T2i with the 18-55 IS II kit lens from the Canon refurbished website on a day when they had a 20% discount code.  I paid under $500 for the kit.

The T2i has an 18 MP sensor, which is perfect for my needs and it fits fine in my tank bag.  The kit lens is not something a pro would use, but if you shoot between F5.6 and F11 it is a very sharp little lens.  It is also stabilized very well, which means you don't have to carry a tripod except for night shots or self portraits.  The max focal length is 80mm equivalent, but the resolution on the 18 MP sensor was high enough that I was able to crop at will.

It worked great in Utah, where the sun was always bright.  It even worked well enough inside dim museums. 

Sometimes you need to think outside the box!

95

Lenses / Re: Lenses listed in Group A, Group B, Group C... Why?

« on: August 22, 2012, 12:42:26 PM »

Thanks for the interesting responses.  This forum has some very knowledgeable members!

96

Lenses / Lenses listed in Group A, Group B, Group C... Why?

« on: August 21, 2012, 11:41:57 AM »

http://downloads.canon.com/CDLC/EOS_1DX_AF_Guide_CDLC_Updated_June_2012.pdf   See page 37.

In the autofocus guide for the 1Dx and 5D III, Canon divides their lens lineup into groups that allow different numbers of cross type sensors to operate.  I thought this was strictly a function of aperture, but if you look at the lists, that does not seem to be the case.

Does anyone know what other factors might be involved? 

Thanks,

Mike

97

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon 5D Mark III - Price Drop Details

« on: August 20, 2012, 01:13:40 AM »

I've seen a few Mark III's for sale on Craigslist in my area over the last month or two.  Typical asking price is $3200 USD. 

The 24-105 from the kit is also a frequent item on Craigslist, usually for $900 USD.

Looks like some buyers may have decided that it wasn't worth the money.

98

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 6D in October? [CR1]

« on: August 10, 2012, 12:11:40 PM »

We've had a terrible time getting consistently sharp, focused images with our 7D. Just got it back from the service center today and hoping the issues are resolved.

I feel your pain, tbisu!  It took me a year to get my 7D to work with a zoom lens.  Not only was the camera way out of calibration, but the lens was too.  In fact, the lens had to go in three times to Canon service before they figured out that it had a loose zoom assembly.  It was the EFS 15-55 F2.8.  A nice lens when it works. 

99

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 6D in October? [CR1]

« on: August 10, 2012, 11:07:08 AM »

Anyone who is concerned about autofocus performance should read this article by Roger Cicala:

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/08/autofocus-reality-part-3b-canon-cameras

It tells us why the autofocus performance of the 5D III and the 1DX are so superior to previous models.   It's not just more cross-type sensors.  Briefly, Canon has finally gone to a true closed loop system.  Previous autofocus systems are now obsolete for serious work, in my opinion, and it's about time!  I am so sick of messing around with inaccurate and unpredictable autofocus.  Having to send lenses and bodies in for focus calibration all the time is ridiculous.

Who knows which system the rumored 6D will get?  I know I will wait to find out before I make my next FF purchase.  I don't need many of the features the 5D III offers, but I must have that autofocus system!  LOL

100

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 7D and 5D II that different?

« on: August 09, 2012, 10:17:42 PM »

I use a 7D and a 5D Classic.  Once you get your Lightroom process figured out for each camera, you have to pixel peep to see the difference. 

I use the two cameras almost interchangeably in my work, but if I want shallow DOF, I use the 5D, deep DOF, the 7D.  If I shot sports or other fast moving subjects, the 7D would be the choice for sure.  It is a much faster handling/focusing camera.

In portrait work, the 5D gives smoother skin tones, while the 7D picks up every pore and blemish, probably due to the greater megapixels.  I really do prefer the 5D for portraits.

I haven't used them much in low light.  I normally keep both set for ISO 100 and never go over 800.

101

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Roger Cicala on Canon Autofocus Reality

« on: August 09, 2012, 10:07:53 PM »

This series of articles goes a long way to explaining why the autofocus system in Canon DSLRs is so mysterious and unpredictable.  Both the body and the lens have to be in perfect calibration, unless they both happen to be off in a way that cancels out the error, I guess.  But then there are issues of focus shift within the zoom range too.

I'm in the market for a new full frame camera to replace my 5D classic.  It will be interesting to find out if the rumored entry-level FF camera will have the new focus system like the 5D Mark III and the 1DX.

A year ago I was tearing my hair out trying to find a zoom lens that would work well with my 5D Classic, when even my prime lenses would not focus as predictably as I wanted.  Then I picked up a cheap and very well used Tamron 28-75 which happens to focus perfectly.  Very sharp lens too.  I was shocked.  But now I'm a happy camper and can afford to wait while the new FF models are introduced and tested.

102

Lenses / Re: New 17-55 coming soon?

« on: August 08, 2012, 12:34:58 AM »

I had one with a loose zoom assembly.  You can imagine who that messed up the photos!  It took Canon service three tries to find the problem.

Of course that was partly my fault because I kept telling them that the lens had a front or back focus problem.   

103

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Roger Cicala on Canon Autofocus Reality

« on: August 08, 2012, 12:29:43 AM »

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/08/autofocus-reality-part-3b-canon-cameras#more-8458

I think this is a very important article.  It addresses my concerns about the Canon autofocus system better than any other article I've seen and will influence my future buying decisions.

What do you think of it?

Mike in Portland

104

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon 5D Mark III - Price Drop Details

« on: August 03, 2012, 05:37:57 PM »

Abes of Maine:  3199 USD  free shipping

105

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: No more Katzeye for Canon 5D Mark II?

« on: August 01, 2012, 10:40:26 PM »

Will a screen for a 5D classic work?  I have a BrightScreen #5 I'd like to sell.