Messages

16

Lenses / Re: 24-70 F/4L IS - Why I will Buy/Not Buy this lens.

« on: November 06, 2012, 09:28:52 PM »

I JUST got my 24-105 a few months ago for less than $800 used.  If I had known this was coming, i would have waited.  The better optical performance and new style IS would have swayed me.  But as it is, I will be hanging on to my 24-105.  It really is a good lens, despite the rep it gets here on the forums (or at least it did, until people started using it as a reason to pan the new 24-70 F4 .

-Brian

17

Lenses / Re: 24-70/4 MFT charts

« on: November 06, 2012, 02:34:07 PM »

Is there a legend describing the axies and various line styles for the MTF chart?  I really don't know what I'm looking at.

-Brian

18

Lenses / Re: Canon Makes the EF 24-70 f/4L IS & EF 35 f/2 IS Official

« on: November 06, 2012, 08:21:35 AM »

I don't think its unreasonable for the replacement to the 24-105 to be more expensive (I'm assuming the 24-105 is not long for this world).  Improved optical performance, hybrid IS, smaller size, lighter weight.  I thought it would come in at the same price point as the old 2.8...or around $1600.  The macro performance is another huge plus. 

The price of the new prime is also not surprising based on what they did with the 24 and 28.  It is more disappointing than the price of the zoom.  I wonder if Canon is moving all DSLR lenses up the scale, catering to pros and video folks, and making room for the EOS-M system in the previous price ranges. 

-Brian

19

Lenses / Re: EF 24-70 f/4L IS & EF 35 f/2 IS

« on: November 05, 2012, 08:38:52 AM »

I don't understand primes that aren't in the 1.4 or at least 1.8 range. Why would i want a $700 prime that is only f2? Can someone explain this to me?

Well, 1.8 is only 1/3 stop faster than 2.0.  To get 1/3 of a stop out of shutter speed or ISO isn't that big a deal, so the difference doesn't matter a whole lot, IMO.  1.4 is 2/3 stop faster.  Again, with the ISO performance of the modern cameras, this isn't as big a deal as it once was.

Creatively, the DOF of the faster lenses can't be replicated.  But at that point you're in the realm of very carefully focused artistic shots - the realm of a more specialized lens.  I have never had any luck walking around shooting at 1.4-1.8.  DOF is too difficult to manage.  If stuff is moving, or the scene is busy than your keeper rate goes way down.  I'd much rather have the higher resolution of the new lenses and them be just fast enough to help in dim situations. 

On another note: I'm guessing $1600 for the new 24-70F4 L IS.

-Brian

20

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 28-135mm

« on: November 02, 2012, 04:13:15 PM »

The 24-105 L is also susceptilbe to zoom creep, btw.  Mine does, and so do those of many others.  Especially as they get older.  Its just a thing....annoying but not fatal. 

-Brian

21

Lenses / Re: Choosing a kit thinking long term

« on: November 02, 2012, 04:06:36 PM »

Any other option than the best bodies and the fastest glass for nightlife with no flash?

Unfortunately, those are demanding conditions, and to get better results than you are getting with the gear you have, you need the next level of gear. 

The body with higher ISO will help.  Faster glass will help.  Flash will help.  All three together will give the most versatility.

Flash will help the most with what you currently have.  Since flash is out, you've got to look at glass.  Shooting wide open on fast glass is demanding on the focus system, which will be strained in dark conditions (true on any body, but more true on some than others - like the 6D with a 'see in the dark' centerpoint).  It is also demanding on you since the DOF will be very slim and you'll have to manage that. 

For the cost of the 70-200 F2.8 II, you could make the change to FF.  Get a 5dMK II, new or used, and a good prime like the 40mm 2.8 panckake, or maybe the 35mm F2, or even one of the faster MF lenses from Samyang/Rokinon.  If you go used (which you said is hard in your location), you might even pull off a used 5DII and a new Tamron 24-70 2.8VC lens.  The sale of your current gear would bring some of that cash back. 

You're kind of riding a line here.  Generally, glass first is a good idea.  But under your conditions you're going to need both glass and a newer body, since flash isn't going to work for you.  Hard to say which to put first.  Since you're in primes territory though, I would say that you dont lose AS MUCH by going non-L as you do when you're talking about zooms.  The 40 pancake is stunning, particularly for its cost.  You can get some faster primes now, save money over L glass cost, and put that towards the FF body you're going to nee. 

-Brian

22

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: 5DIII Exposure difference from Lens to Lens with Speedlite

« on: November 02, 2012, 10:44:52 AM »

Just changing lenses, even at the same F number and focal length, CAN change exposure.  Camera lenses are not calibrted to have the same T-stops, only the same F-stops.  I have seen in other threads that this can make an obvious difference in an exposure.  How far off are those?  If its around 1 stop, it COULD be just the difference between the lenses.

Was the flash also in manual?  If not, the meter could also be to blame.  Something could have fooled it.  Try this - set the camera and flash in manual.  Same F stop, Same Tv, same ISO, and try both lenses on a target an equal distance away.  See what happens.  The camera's meter will have been taken out of the equation there, and you should be able to see how much, if any, the equipment affected the exposure. 

In my experience with all my canon bodies, ETTL metering is great when it works, but occasionally it goes off and does its own thing.  Manual flash is not too hard to manage after a couple of test shots, and provides more consistent results.


-Brian

23

Canon General / Re: Canon's MAP Pricing Goes Into Full Effect Today

« on: November 02, 2012, 08:45:47 AM »

MAP pricining doesn't mean things won't go on sale, or that there won't be reabates, or that the MAP pricing won't change over the years.  All it means is all the dealers will list it for the same price, because they have to.   There are numerous companies that do this, and I'm guessing most of us don't even know the extent to which its happening on the variety of things we buy.

If you really don't like it, band together, collect money, hire a lawyer and sue, or better yet buy a couple of politicians to pass anti-MAP laws.  Not sure which party you need to buy though.  Dems would like the price equality, and GOPs would be torn between supporting the free market (anti-MAP) and helping small business (pro-MAP).   

-Brian

24

Lenses / Re: Choosing a kit thinking long term

« on: November 02, 2012, 08:30:45 AM »

Is that 24-70II going to be fast enough?  Sounds like you enjoy shooting in very dark places with no flash - which means even 2.8 might be a bit too slow for you.  A newer body like the 5DmkIII or 6D would give you a couple stops of ISO to help with that, and the 6D's very sensitive center point (-3EV is it?) could be right up your alley. 

As for waiting on the 35L II - there is no way to tell when (or if) that's coming, or what it'll cost when it gets here.  It'll be your choice to wait or go with what's out there now. 

The 135L is a great lens, but an a crop body its equivalent to 216mm.  Pretty darn tight for environmental work.  Hard to use indoors.  On a FF - it kicks butt as a portrait lens and is much more versatile in open areas. 

-Brian

25

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 24-70 f/4L IS Coming [CR3]

« on: October 31, 2012, 09:57:01 AM »

How many people who think this thing will be $500 are going to switch camps if its not?  When the time comes, remember I like to buy used gear...lol. 

Only possible (and still not probable) if its not an L series. 

-Brian

26

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 24-70 f/4L IS Coming [CR3]

« on: October 30, 2012, 07:42:59 PM »

I find a few things interesting

1.  suddenly the 24-105, which used to be too slow, have too much distortion, and be a 'gimmick L' lens is getting a LOT of respect!  (I read so much crap about this lens that i held off buying it for years, and now that i have one i'm so happy.)

2.  Because someone here 'didn't ask' for this lens, they assume no one did.  Others assume to have Canon's market research knowledge based on what they read in forums.

3.  People seem unable to set reasonable expectations.  $500 for this?  Really?  Cheaper than a 7yr old L?  Nothing in the camera marketplace or Canon's recent history point to that.  And just because it is said in a forum does not mean it will impact a company's pricing strategy.

4.  Its already DOA, and the specs aren't even out yet.  Seems like we're piling on even earlier than usual.

-Brian

27

Lenses / Re: New camera or new lens? Need advice

« on: October 30, 2012, 04:23:39 PM »

I don't see the 5DII as enough of an upgrade over the 5D, unless you 'need' the megapixels.  There are some nice features, but I kept mine through the 5DII and just recently got one of the discounted MKIIIs (that is a HUGE upgrade).

Glass is a better investment at this point.  I have the canon 85 1.8, and the 135F2L.  The 85 is a great lens.  The 135 blows it away.  Currently under rebate for less than $900...buy two!  Excellent headshot and portrait lens.  Just stunning.

The 100mm macro is an awesome lens as well, but i'd get the 135 for portrait/general work.  If you want to do macro, get the macro.  (I have both).

What abou 1ds2? Maybe it is better upgrade than 5d2 ?

I don't really know much about it.  It has 1 series features of the day, but its an older body, lacking a lot of features of today's cameras (nice LCD, higher ISO performance, etc)....save up and get a 6D or wait for refurb 5DIIIs....the problem with the 5D original is that its so darn good its hard to justify an upgrade!

-Brian

28

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 24-70 f/4L IS Coming [CR3]

« on: October 30, 2012, 04:16:36 PM »

Hm...hard to price this.  I'd say $1k ish maybe, like the 24-105, but trading reach for sharpness. 

Or I could see it at the $1600 mark where the old MK1 was at.  You get IS and sharpness but lose speed compared to the ultra sharp V2 F2.8....

What if its a non-L?  At the $900 mark to be popular with the new entry level FF crowd? 

People say 'no one asked for this' but what they really mean is 'no one on the internet forums asked for this'.  Canon seems to have a lens for every niche (ultra wide zoom excepted)...I'm sure they've got a target crowd for this lens.  Video may well be it, as suggested above.  It will also have the more accurrate focus system/feedback/position sensor....a plus for users of the new bodies compared to the 24-105.

-Brian

29

Lenses / Re: HELP - Which lens is best for blown-out white background

« on: October 30, 2012, 03:10:27 PM »

You can also help yourself by shooting a longer lens and having your subject farther from the background.  Less spillage on to the subject from the background goes a long way to reducing the effect of any 'haze' on the image. 

-Brian

30

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

« on: October 30, 2012, 03:06:12 PM »

Canon has MAP on the MKIII, right?  Therefore this must be at least approved by Canon.  All previous deals to be had were forced to go through channels outside of the MAP agreement.

-Brian