Messages

31

EOS Bodies / Re: Anyone sad about no T4i/650D announcement

« on: March 11, 2012, 05:20:32 PM »

If you go back through the Canon’s release timing from the 10D/ 300D, the xxD has always come out months before the xxxD.  Of course there is one extra xxxD release in that timeline, the 550D, but Canon’s first articulating display in a DSLR was the 60D, which came out before the 600D.  Why would Canon release a $700 camera before giving everyone how wants the latest model a chance to buy the $1,000 version?  Based on that information, I think the next aps-c Canon would not be an xxxD.

32

Lenses / Re: Still need a fast lens?

« on: March 11, 2012, 04:47:04 PM »

Five years ago I needed a fast lens to get a decent shot with available light in some situations on my 20D.  Now with my 5D II, f/2.8 or lower gives me more room for creativity with DOF.  That won’t change with the 5D III.  No matter how good the body is, there are simply some things that can’t be done with a slow lens.

33

Canon General / Re: Equipment for travel/vacationphotos

« on: January 30, 2012, 07:36:26 PM »

I have a 600D/ T3i, and would agree that the weight is a bit unbalanced with some of my larger lenses.  In order to balance the weight better, and give the kit a more normal look I added a battery grip to my 600D.  The extra battery will also eliminate the need to take your battery charger on shorter trips as you should be able to get almost twice as many shots as would be possible with a single battery.  The 450D combined with either of the f/2.8L 70-200mm lenses should do fine with proper technique and some practice.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Flip out displays -- why the resentment?

« on: January 30, 2012, 06:57:01 PM »

The camera should fit what one plans to use it for.  I had a T2i for about a week until I realized that life with this camera would be much easier with an articulating screen.  That’s because video is a significant part of what I plan to use the little Rebel for.  While my 5D mk ii has video capabilities, I bought it to take really good photos.  After using the mk ii for video (once), I’ve determined that it does work, and video is what I have a T3i for.

35

Lenses / Re: All primes... But what zoom?

« on: January 30, 2012, 06:24:59 PM »

The often mentioned 24-105 is a good lens, but I’ve been disappointed in its performance at 24mm, especially with barrel distortion.  Regarding your comment about an update to that lens, most of the talk on CR recently has been around an update to the 24-70, not the 24-105.  One lens that I’ve been looking at, but don’t own yet, is the EF 28-300L IS.  I realize that you have a concern about weight, but if you’re going to capture the subjects you normally get with the 135, the 24-105 will require cropping.  As long as you’re test-driving lenses already, why not try that one?

36

Lenses / Re: Canon vs. Tamron

« on: January 30, 2012, 06:03:51 PM »

This makes me wonder if we won't see an all-in-one soon from Canon...

Doesn't the EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS count as an "all-in-one" zoom? 

(Yeah, I know, it's not in the same price range as the Tamron zooms.)

To be fair, the Canon EF-S 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS is an all-in-one in that price range.  I’d rate it a little below my Tamron 18-270 PZD in terms of reach, size, and focusing noise, but it’s certainly a decent lens when paired with older xxD or xxxD models.

37

United States / Re: best camer for beginner

« on: January 25, 2012, 10:58:07 PM »

I agree entirely with an earlier post about investing in good lenses.  A good lens on an average camera is better than an average lens on a good camera.  That post also contains a link to the Canon XS.  I have one of those, and have used it with solid results.  In daytime lighting the XS does a very good job.    A word of caution though: I did attempt to use it at several minor league baseball games with less-than-successful results.  With a maximum ISO of 1600 the XS made me compromise between shutter speed and noise (grain) in my shots.  If you’re not interested in the combination of fast action and low lighting, or video, the XS is a great value.

38

United States / Re: best camer for beginner

« on: January 25, 2012, 09:06:28 PM »

Based on your price range, if you want to start shooting right now, the best choices are probably the 60D or the 3Ti.  I have the 3Ti, and have been very happy with it.  It has the same processor, sensor, ISO range and number of pixels as the 60D.  If you think you may use the video feature, both have articulating screens .  That’s a feature that I have found to be very helpful, and why I’d suggest the T3i over the T2i.  Since they are so close in features, you may want to go to a camera store and get the feel for both of them.  If you don’t find the T3i to be too small or too light, it may be the camera for you.  The extra couple hundred bucks you save can go towards getting a good lens.

You may have already noticed announcements about replacements for both these models.  I wouldn’t worry about that.  I still get a good amount of use out of my 40D that’s more than four years old.  Yes, Canon updates the Rebel series (3Ti) about every year and the xxD series about every 18 months, but they don’t suddenly become obsolete.  Having said that, there’s good chance you may want more than either of these camera can deliver in a few years’ time if you really get the bug.  But based on your budget I’d suggest the T3i unless you really prefer the 60D.

Good luck, and please post what you decide.

39

Lenses / Re: EF 35-350mm L vs. EF 28-300mm L IS

« on: January 23, 2012, 02:26:47 PM »

Thanks for the responses.  Based on these and some research I’ve done since posting, my key concern with both lenses is what the minimum shutter speed will need to be to avoid using a tripod or monopod.  I know this will vary by user, and may vary by focal length- I’m uncertain about that.  To me the benefit of using a single lens would be diminished somewhat by the need to carry even a monopod.

40

Lenses / EF 35-350mm L vs. EF 28-300mm L IS

« on: January 22, 2012, 08:18:24 PM »

I’ve always had an affinity for super zooms.  Even though it has many weaknesses, I’ve gotten a lot of use from my Canon EF-S 18-200.  With my skill level now surpassing the 18-200 and me moving into the FF world, I’m looking into the EF 35-350L and the EF 28-300L IS.

My selection would be used most often for daytime baseball and shots while on vacation.  I’m not too worried about the lack of IS for the sports photography as normally I will fix the lens on a certain area, like home plate, rather than follow a moving player.  The most crucial factor there is shutter speed.  For travel photography IS could be an issue, but most of my subjects are static, like buildings or mountains.

I’m aware that both lenses are heavy, but my preference would be to carry one heavy lens rather than two, like my 24-105 and 70-200 f/4 IS.  Plus, changing lenses in the field is problematic.  I would think 80% of my use would be on the 5D mk II and 20% on the 40D (when I want more reach).

Based on this criteria is the 35-350 satisfactory for my needs, at half the $2,400 price of the 28-300, or will I rue the day I went for the older model?

41

Lenses / Re: What about a new 50/1.4 ??

« on: January 22, 2012, 07:02:03 PM »

Canon hasn’t introduced a standard (excluding macro and DO) non-L prime since 1995.  Their line of thinking is probably that most folks buying xxxD and xxD cameras want zooms, and most folks buying xD’s want L’s.  One could also surmise that because it’s been in production for over 18 years, the ROI is pretty high on it too.  Why replace a high margin product with one that would require R&D, factory retooling, defect management, and marketing- only to have folks complain about how expensive it is?

42

Lenses / Re: I can't believe I bought a $2000 prime.

« on: January 21, 2012, 11:28:46 PM »

I find that the only lenses I regret buying are the ones that go to the back of the shelf in a year or so after I’ve upgraded.  Sigma 70-300mm F/4-5.6 DG OS anyone?

43

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: AF question - 5D v. Rebel XS

« on: January 21, 2012, 11:09:57 PM »

For sports photography, the higher ISO will be a huge advantage if you’re shooting anything indoors or at night.  I made several attempts to use my XS with my 70-200 f/2.8 and my 200 f/2.8 at spring training and minor league baseball.  Generally I had my choice of slow shots or grainy shots.  That won’t be an issue with the 5D mk II.  I’ve only had the mk II for a month, so I can’t speak to the AF issues outside of the center point.  But, if I do encounter issues with the outer AF points, I plan to just shoot dead center and crop later.  After all my field of view on the same lens is now much larger.

Regarding earlier posts about upgrades other than FF, I would agree that you don’t have to go to FF to potentially get better shots.

44

Lenses / Re: Going Wide on FF but which.

« on: January 20, 2012, 11:39:31 PM »

I’m facing the same issue several other posters are.  Moving to the 5D mk II means my Sigma 8-16 is very limited.  While it will attach to the mk II, the lens petals (I guess that’s what Sigma calls them) protrude onto the image up to about 14mm.  I had expected the 24-105 to handle the wide stuff, but I’ve been shocked to see how prominent the barrel distortion is at 24mm.

Sigma makes a big brother to the 8-16, the 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 AF II DG HSM, that gets good reviews for FF.  If this lens is close to what the 8-16 is on APS-C, at under $1,000 it might be worth a look, especially as it becomes an entirely different animal (19-38mm) on APS-C.

45

Technical Support / Re: canon factory cleaning costs

« on: January 20, 2012, 10:43:35 PM »

My expense to clean the sensor on my 20D last February was $20 for the cleaning plus $30 each way for shipping.  I've invested in a sensor cleaning kit since and found a local shop, in business since the film days, who can do what I can't handle for under $50.  I'd prefer to pay the extra money when I need a cleaning and have my camera in my hands in 48 hours.