Messages

121

United States / Re: One Week Away From FEBRUARY 28, 2012.

« on: February 21, 2012, 08:49:43 PM »

Really anxious now that my 7D took a tripod dive in Durango over the weekend.  Its getting repaired but that will take weeks (Mack damage warranty pays off!)

Now I really feel the heat for a second camera.  Or actually my new primary if its a full frame. 

C'mon Canon, stop teasing us with blank stare and silence!  I know, we are doing this to ourselves... but it really becomes dire if we start seeing D800's on the Photo lines without a 5D upgrade equivalent in the pipe.

Feb 28?  March 1? 

April 1? 

122

Lenses / Re: Canon 135mm f2 mk2?

« on: February 21, 2012, 05:38:36 PM »

I rented a 135 f/2.0 to handle some evening holiday events - just awesome, the bokeh, the focus, the low light performance.

A couple notes tho - The narrow DOF and prime, especially on a crop (effectively 216mm), makes it a bit of a challenge to learn.  Easier to use on a Full Frame no doubt.  And I noticed it gets a bit ghosted when you aim near the sun or other strong light source - not a flare but just generally 'frosted over'.  I don't know the technical term - sorry. 

So my shopping list ranking - I was having fits this winter about buying that or going for the non-IS 70-200 f/2.8 for the versatility - and trying to stay within a rough budget.  Then I finally opened my wallet up and got the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II on rebate -- wow!  The 135 f/2.0 remains on my shopping list but now its behind my 2.8 mm upgrades in the wide (16-35) and medium range (new 24-70); and probably the 100 macro.  Still, quite memorable and definitely will be in my bag when I need to do low light event work - even as a rental.

123

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon 1d x no longer showing on retailers web's

« on: February 09, 2012, 01:25:26 PM »

1Dx MkII doesnt follow the new scheme.

Its got to be the 1DxX!


(beaten enough?)

124

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D X or Mark III Specs & Release Date? [CR1]

« on: February 06, 2012, 06:47:34 PM »

There are some neoprene / rubber covering kits to cover the "white" (its really a cream).  Some of them are black; or camo;  not sure about some of the color patterns that make your $2000+ lens look like it came out of a Hello Kitty commercial.

125

Canon General / Re: Visibility of Canon gear at the Super Bowl

« on: February 06, 2012, 01:51:51 PM »

I was surprised by the number of large video cameras.

Strapped around the necks of photographers?

Or are you just surprised that professionals doing video use professional gear? (presumably for television.)

What were you expecting them to use?

I would expect NBC and NFL Films, perhaps even team game film videographers.  But who else would get video rights to the game?

126

Canon General / Re: Visibility of Canon gear at the Super Bowl

« on: February 06, 2012, 12:49:26 PM »

Plenty of very large white lenses in the endzones (400's +)

Just not much endzone action to notice. 

A bunch of non-white lenses and 70-200's on the sidelines. 

I was surprised by the number of large video cameras.

127

EOS Bodies / Re: Rebate Extended/New Rebate

« on: February 03, 2012, 06:39:06 PM »

In the final days, I think Adorama had the better of the deal on the 70-200 IS II USM at $2069 vs $2074 - BH went up a tad at the end.  But BH has better UPS shipping rates.

The question on Saturday evening is a good one.  I called them about that Wednesday (I was having some administrative issues with BillMeLater at the time) and did not get a very reassuring answer.  While the online may be up, is the store going to credit the order then?  (edit - I see JR says it should work - I only talked to a sales droid)

I purchased the IS II USM Thursday and got it today UPS Next Day.  Not sure I'm happy with UPS though..  - with a hole that went through both the shipping carton and a bit through the Canon box.  Fortunately I dont see any mark on the lens case and the lens works correctly.  (Damn I want a new box now!)

You may want to check around and some other sources that may still be open or open Saturday.  Yeah, they may charge more, but if you want that lens, $300 is your base savings. 

Heck, given the shipping issue, I might have gone local and ate the sales tax.

128

EOS Bodies / Re: Can someone debunk this Peter Lik picture... PLEASE!!!

« on: January 31, 2012, 01:57:29 PM »

Living in Vegas, I get a chance to visit the many Lik Galleries on the strip and see the prints first hand.  Just from those visits I can see that Mr. Lik has no apprehension in heavy post-processing.

I think some of his other works are also composites or significant alterations to the image - One example - his "Timeless Land" shot - http://www.lik.com/thework/canyons-arches/timelessland.html .  The La Sals are just too magnified, too peaked; or too stretched against the reality.  Now perhaps its a super long lens but then I can not see how the arch would fill the frame in the natural way it does.  The focal lengths just dont match.

Perhaps with "Bella Luna" he variably stretched the moon to get rid of the distortion.  But the other cues - the lighting, the rim, the positioning - all point to composite.   

I can't say I am bothered by the manipulation as a Peter Lik image - its the core of entertainment.    But I would be bothered if one of his fans insisted it was one godlike shot - and that may be the unfortunate result of the narrative - the story invites an unfair comparison against those who produce more natural images.

129

EOS Bodies / Re: From NL: Wait for 5D3 could be longer

« on: January 31, 2012, 12:35:25 PM »

As read over at NL
"31st A suggestion received (thanks) not to expect deliveries of a 5D3 until October.
Whilst we've had numerous suggestions that it would be after the 1D X, this is the first for a while that's pushed it back towards Photokina (from an August announcement?)"

Looking back at history, the 5D2 was announced in a early/mid September timeframe as part of Photokina; and shipments didnt begin until early December (maybe late November).  There appeared to be lots of shortages and maybe a hiccup.  I wasnt part of that cycle so others may have a clearer memory - but anyway roughly 3 months from announce to first ship if history repeats.

So the question on the rumor is, deliveries in October might suggest a early/mid-summer announce.  If it is an announce @ Photokina, I'd dare say I would not see one in my hands until New Years - ouch!  I am hoping Canon isnt planning on waiting that long!

I would be surprised if Canon would yield 6 months or more to the next Nikon offering.  And while the 5D line is generally not mass market consumer - going into 2012 Holiday without a comparable offering would be highly concerning for the company.

Got to believe its sooner than all that.

130

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon EOS-1D X Technical Report

« on: January 30, 2012, 03:03:54 PM »

Now, now, play nice. After all it was posted in the Canon Museum. If you want excitingly new (and suspect) information, you'll have to wait until Canon marketing releases their white paper - "Alien technology, Area 51, and the 1D X: The Truth is Out There."

So Canon is also now owned by Dell?   Oh no!   


Thanks for the heads-up.  Yeah, I want to see RAW images too!  Maybe on Feb 7?

131

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D Mark III Brief Specs? [CR1]

« on: January 26, 2012, 09:22:16 PM »

Leaks (a bit of info) and tip-offs (visit this area at this time) are bread and butter in some industries such as entertainment and politics.  I  have been on a few stunts myself.   Usually done to measure reaction; blunt competition; gain attention; or win support.  Probably not planned - but probably not pursued anymore as violation.  Secrecy is breaking.  The camera is obviously done - its just the media roll-out thats left to do.

If the recent news is correct, I suspect the camera is very near release and we'll know a whole bunch very soon.

132

EOS Bodies / Re: Announcement Date? [CR1]

« on: January 24, 2012, 05:18:18 AM »

I know several over time (including myself) has given guess in-stock dates.

Historically, what has been the lead time between announcement and shippable product?  Are first shipments pretty much spoken for?  What is the reality of the situation?   What was the history on the 5DmarkII and 7D announce to ships?

edit - I might have answered my own question - reading some old forum threads (elsewhere) I see that the 5DMarkII was announced Photokina Sep 2008 and began shipping around early December, with entertaining backorder stories for months after that. 

133

EOS Bodies / Re: *UPDATE* 5D Mark III Sighting?

« on: January 23, 2012, 08:06:58 PM »

Noticed the record-breaking board activity? I copied this just a minute ago from the board's front page:

Most Online Today: 835. Most Online Ever: 835 (2012-01-23, 21:16:53)

Time for Slash-dot ?

On the extinct birds - Does Steven Spielberg have one of these cameras?


Overall - If Canon is intending to leak, I think we might see more of these shots in the next few weeks.  It would help abate any D800 news.   If so, then the 25th Anniversary EOS / 75th Canon Anniversary makes some sense - they could draw the photo media to a big announcement.  And have cameras in peoples hands by Photokina.

If this is a wider screen format - it would be awesome for landscape photographers.  Give me the 21 + the new space on the side please.  And if I want to crop down, heh, I am still at 21.

BTW, did anyone notice that Canon's new Pro Printer is now in stock at BH today?

Ok, on with the thread....    

134

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Shooting professional sports (NHL) with a DSLR - access denied!

« on: January 19, 2012, 07:37:33 PM »

Not Sports - but -

Disney theme parks have had security bag-check rules that prohibit long lenses and tripods.  Interpretation tends to vary depending on calls by the security personnel. 

The suspected reason for the ban on long lenses has been paparazzi concerns when celebrities are in the park. 

The tripod issue tends to vary more and likely related to crowding issues; I had no problem bringing a Manfrotto 055 in over the early December; but not so sure that would be good around New Years.

135

United Kingdom & Ireland / Re: Canon not at Focus

« on: January 14, 2012, 05:34:15 PM »

>>Focus on Imaging had an attendance number of over 37,000 last year; however, CES 2011, which Canon attended (with a large booth) saw 140,000+ visitors.<<

2012 CES officially reported 153,000 attendees.  To add - CES is covered extensively by major media in television, web, and print.  Nikon, Canon, Fuji, Sony were all in Central Hall; with Nikon covering the floor with yellow brochure bags and Canon signage across the front pillars.

While Focus may attract a more industry-knowledgeable crowd, CES allows for market expansion and global visibility.

But there is one truth about trade shows.  The expense to properly exhibit is very high - and it is hard to reason the return on investment.  But exhibitors have to be there.  So Canon not at Focus maybe a statement about Focus's impact more than about Canon's budget.