Messages

181

Lenses / Re: two new lenses vs 5D3 Kit

« on: March 02, 2012, 11:51:44 PM »

my recommendation would be to go for a 35mm 1.4L as that will turn out ot be a great walk around lens when you decide to go FF.  The 24mm has alot of picture quality issues compared to the 35mm from what i've read from http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/152-canon-ef-24mm-f14-usm-l-test-report--review

I myself am stuck in a similiar situation of whether to get more glass or a new body (i having the 550d means i have the same AF as the 5d mk2 it seems)

Since all you have is the 50mm prime the biggest limiter you have right now is lack of a wide lens and a zoom lens.  My thinking is that there is alot of camera equipement that i still don't have, so i'm going to concentrate on getting a flash, a good zoom, nd filters and such before i get a better camera. As those will help with my actual photography skills while upgrading my body not so much.

A friend once gave me this sound advice "you should only upgrade your body once your photography starts to become limited by it.  I upgraded because the AF was horrible and the camera kept having problems and wasn't reliable for concert photography". 

One other thing that has been said on the forums, it is better to have a L glass on a rebel (500d series) than to have a kit lens on a pro body.

182

EOS Bodies / Why the Japan hate Canon

« on: March 02, 2012, 01:04:12 AM »

So where the 5dIII is selling for $3500 USD in the states... Those of us in Japan get it at the lovely price of $4100 at today's exchange rates...  This is why I buy all my canon stuff from the states...  Was figuring it was goign to be more normalized with current exchange rates.. but apparantly not.

183

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon has the 5D Mark III on the USA website

« on: March 01, 2012, 11:56:25 PM »

can't seem to click on it though...

184

EOS Bodies / Re: Just preordered the 5DIII, price is definitely $3499.99

« on: March 01, 2012, 09:03:51 PM »

to those talking about the prices going up, comapred tot he MK2... in actualality from teh JPY side they haven't.  The USD was trading at 108 yen to the dollar back in 2008 when the MKII was released.  The USD is now trading at 80 yen to the dollar.  THat alone would justify the seemingly 25% increase in the price of the 5D MK3.

One thing that is a shame is that all the new lens and bodies coming out this year will have be based on the new exchange rate, meaning I won't be able to buy stuff for a 30% discount by buying from the US and having it shipped over.

185

Canon General / Re: where to buy cheaper... Tokyo / Hong Kong / Australia / home + Australian Taxes?

« on: February 27, 2012, 09:31:03 PM »

From my experience of just Japan and America, bodies and lens have all been significantly cheaper in the U.S.. So all my lens have been purchased in the states.  In general I've saved been $200-300 per lens by buying it in the U.S.

The grey-market isn't as bad.  When I dropped my U.S. lens here in Japan, which of course wouldn't be covered because it is shock damage, Canon Japan still fixed it, for a cost, without a problem.

186

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Is it a good idea to buy a Kiss X5 in the UK ?

« on: February 08, 2012, 04:00:14 AM »

the firmware is the same so no worry there.  The only issue might be the kiss x5 would have no warranty in the UK.

187

Canon General / Re: Truth in photography

« on: February 02, 2012, 02:26:52 AM »

I'm just starting out so my opinion will probably change, but i'm of the mindset that there are two distinct groups of professionals photographers and photo manipulation.  I can appreciate both of them for what they bring to the table, but I do get upset when a friend of mine points out that a picture i thought was real has been heavily post-processed.  It gets me worked up because I think photography should be able capturing those RARE moments in lighting and shadows when everything comes together to show to other people.  Going in after the fact and changing stuff I see as cheating unless they mentioned they photoshopped the image.

Personally, I'm still learning about photography and taking pictures, but I have zero interest in post-processing outside cropping and removing lens distortions.  But like i said before, I'm no pro, and that might be the difference a pro and amateur.

188

Canon General / Re: What should be my first dslr?

« on: February 02, 2012, 01:11:33 AM »

The other question one would ask is how soon do you need the camera?  if you can wait a new Rebel camera will probably be announced next week and since teh 7d is old there is speculation that it will get announced this year.  If you decide to go for the t2i i'd wait until next week to see if canon announces a newer version of the t2i.

But i second other people's advice that the lens are more important than the body.  If you have the cash i'd recommend the 35mm f2 ($350 i think) over the 50mm 1.8 as the 50 is a little "long" that is to say zoomy on a crop.

189

Canon General / Re: Rubber grip on t2I wearing

« on: February 02, 2012, 12:59:51 AM »

I've the same exact problem.  I just asked Canon Japan how much it'd cost to fix and was told that it was $20 for the grip itself and $60 for labor because it's... annoying.

Which is alot considering this camera now retails for less than $500. 

190

Lenses / Re: If you could buy one ...

« on: February 01, 2012, 11:25:16 AM »

hehe I actually just went through a similiar thought exercise for my 550d.

I ended up getting the 35 1.4L (though in all honesty the f2 is very close in optical quality) and 50 1.4L

As it is, the 35mm is on my camera all the time now.  I only bring out the 50 when i'm in larger rooms, or when i'm too lazy to carry the weight of the 35L

191

Lenses / Re: How do you pay for your lenses?

« on: January 30, 2012, 07:12:34 PM »

My ability to convince my wife that my lens purchases were vital took a huge positive step when my son and daughter-in-law got married (I was #2 photographer for the event) and then ESPECIALLY when they announced a year later that they were expecting grandkid #1.  Grandchildren are perhaps the greatest excuse to invest in good lens or upgrade what you've got.  I highly recommend them.

I second this.  And even though i'm too young to even have children yet, I tell my wife that I need to buy new lens well in advance of any children to practice and get my skill level up so that i can take those shots when she's pregnant.  Also taking lots of photos of the new nephew in law and any family event helps a bunch too.

On the money side, I put away $100 bucks for "big ticket items" every month and that plus any extra money from my budget i use to buy a lens.  Though after buying 4 new lens (1 being an L) in the last 3 months , going forward I'm going to try to limit myself to only 1 a year.

Just make sure you take lots of pictures of the significant other and make sure they are good helps a long way.

192

Lens Gallery / Re: Sigma 30mm f1.4 EX DC HSM

« on: January 30, 2012, 05:29:08 AM »

I think it works on a 5d though, could be mistaken

193

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: The best ways to (not) get your gear stolen

« on: January 30, 2012, 01:15:54 AM »

Is stolen camera gear really a big issue?  I've been worried about it as well as I'm going Europe (the land of theft) next week for a whole month.  I don't have any whites but i do have a L lens...

194

Japan / gear insurance in Japan

« on: January 30, 2012, 01:12:39 AM »

Was just wondering what people use for insurance on their camera gear?

I looked into renter's insurance to see if it would cover my gear and was told it would only cover my gear if i'm "under a roof". 

195

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon t4i = 7d price drop? videographers PoV

« on: January 24, 2012, 03:23:10 AM »

It's already evident that there is little to be gained from the 7d over the 600d and 60d so my guess it that they will be releasing a 7d mk2 or 8d this year.

But with the 650d probably coming out next month you might see drops in price of the 60d and 7d but i wouldn't hold your breath.  They aren't in the same market at all, so you wouldn't be comparing them.  I don't think the 7d didn't drop in price when the 600d came out so why would it now? 

Even if it did drop i wouldn't expect much of a change. Here in japan they are still selling the 550d brand new for only $100 less then the 600d brand new.