Messages

106

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

« on: January 30, 2012, 04:42:34 PM »

I pay everything I can with my Amazon points credit card, take new CC offers that give my $300 credits on first use, take loans against my 401K, refinance the house at historically low interest rates, sell everything that is not nailed down including my son's star wars toys that he no longer plays with.  Gotta get creative... The addiction to L glass is pretty bad!

Oh and don't tell the wife about that big bonus this year.

107

Canon General / Re: Patents: 24mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.2, 300mm f/4

« on: January 16, 2012, 10:04:25 PM »

I am one that suffered with the 50mm 1.2L's focusing issues.  It would be dialed in with MFA for closer focusing distances, but then it would be way off for longer focus distances closer to infinity.  Also it would most of the time not lock focus on the subject.  I would have to focus on something else and then re focus on my subject to get good results.  Not sure if this is the "focus shift" folks talk about. 

If my copy did not have the above mentioned issues, I would have kept it.  It produced lovely results at f1.8 and f2.  Mine was kinda soft at 1.2 and also suffered a bit of chromatic aberration. 

No that I've moved to Full Frame and have a 35mm 1.4L and 85mm 1.2L II, I'm not sure that a 50mm is necessary. 

108

Lenses / Re: EF 24-70 f/2.8L II [CR2]

« on: January 16, 2012, 12:35:40 AM »

If it is true that they are still deciding on a prototype, then I'd caution to say that we won't be seeing a new 24-70 any time soon.  Congratulations to the folks that got the present 24-70mm at such a great price from BH and Adorama during the holiday season.  I think they too fell for the rumors. 

109

Lenses / Re: Should i buy/trade for the 24-70 or wait for the version ii?

« on: January 15, 2012, 02:15:43 PM »

With your collection of fast primes covering this range of focal lengths, I'd consider the Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM.  It is actually sharper than the 24-70mm f/2.8L USM and has IS.  One of the best general purpose lens.  I find if I'm in really low light situations, the f/2.8 is not going to be wide enough anyways.  Just depends on what your uses of the 24-70mm will be.  If it is a general purpose walk-about lens, then I'd probably go with the 24-105mm as the former is much much heavier.

110

EOS Bodies / Re: Whortwhile to go for 5D Mark II?

« on: January 12, 2012, 10:25:49 PM »

Sorry to burst everyones hopes, but I'm doubtful Canon will announce a 5d III until Oct. at Photokina.  And even then...it won't be available until well into 2013.  It will cost a hella lot more than the 1999.99 I paid for my 5D II last month with free 16GB Extreme III CF card and Lowepro bag. 

Canon announced the Pixma Pro 1 back in Oct. 2011.  They said they were on the ship heading for our shores...BS.  There is still no sign on when they will be available.  Same for the new 300mm, 400mm, 500mm and 600.   

If you all can wait until 2013 for a 5d III, you might as well wait for the 5d IV in 2016.  It will have dual digic VI processors ISO 819,200 and will have 10FPS and 105 zone metering. 

111

Lenses / Re: Help choosing lenses for new 5D Mark II

« on: January 12, 2012, 11:38:19 AM »

I just bought the 5d mark ii with the 24-105L kit this week. So far I am happy with it.  I did really debate getting the 24-70 for the 2.8 but I thought the extra 35mm and IS would be more versatile.

Also I was thinking with the 700 dollars I saved by not getting the 24-70 I could maybe get  a faster prime for portraits. I have the 50mm 1.8 right now. I bought it when I just started out and didn't know if I would use it much. I love the optics on it but wish I would have bought the 1.4 for build quality. At this point it dosent make much sense to sell it and buy the 1.4?

what would you guess suggest as a good lens to go with the 24-105 and 50mm for portraits?

also off topic but I am trying to decide between and original canon grip and a 3rd party B&H has a Vello and the salesman said its just as good. there are also ebay options.

if you want to see my shooting sytle most of my shots are here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chaos2k/

thanks for any advice

Get the Sigma 50mm 1.4 locally where you can test it out for auto focus accuracy and get the genuine Canon grip.  The canon grip will last forever...the knock off not so much.

112

Lenses / Re: Help choosing lenses for new 5D Mark II

« on: January 12, 2012, 11:34:03 AM »

If you have no lenses, I would start with a few zooms.  You can get the specialty primes later.

On a 5D there is really no better general purpose lens than the 24-105mm f/4L IS USM.  Spectacular lens and also perfect for handheld video.   Do not try video handheld without IS. :-)  Unless you have an $800 steadycam merlin.

I'd also suggest a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II.  Right now these are on huge discount.  If you do not need f2.8 in a telephoto lens then I'd go with the cheaper 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM (also on sale). 

For a fast lens on a 5D that will not break the bank and be just as good if not better than the Canon  is the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 HSM.  Better than any Canon 50mm in my experience.  I returned my 50mm 1.2L for this one.  The Canon suffered from too much chromatic aberration at 1.2 and 1.4. Plus the canon was really soft at 1.2L and suffered from focus drift...terrible for the price they charge.  If you can buy the Sigma locally and try it out and get the newer version with the smooth finish, you will have a gem on your hands for $500.

Kind regards,
Jason

113

Lenses / Re: 135L or 100L macro?

« on: January 11, 2012, 05:01:52 PM »

Hard to say.  The macro gives you 1 to 1 magnification and nice background blur ( bokeh ) for portraits.  However, the 135L will give you a bit more blur and background to subject compression.  Also it depends if you will need to capture any fast moving objects.  The 135mm has pretty fast USM autofocus.  Whereas the 100L macro is pretty slow to focus, even with the limiter set.

Both are going to give stellar results.

114

Lenses / Re: Good deal on the 35mm 1.4?

« on: January 11, 2012, 03:16:49 PM »

I think I paid 1275.00 for mine used.  So you got a great deal.  There is talk about a version II coming soon, but I have my doubts.  The only lens we know for sure is the 24-70 MK II.

115

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

« on: January 10, 2012, 10:50:21 PM »

Great bokeh.  I like it most for it's smallish size and low weight.  And that it is black and not noticed as much. 
 



 

 
--Jason

116

Lenses / Re: 14 mm EF II - Filter ideas anyone ??

« on: January 10, 2012, 04:06:51 PM »

main reason I sold my 14mm II and bought a 16-35mm II instead.  I almost always want to use a filter for landscapes and shooting architecture.

117

Lenses / Re: Recommendation For Long Lenses

« on: January 06, 2012, 02:54:44 PM »

I would take the 100-400mm with the 500mm.  I've never been on a real safari, but I imagine that there are times that the trucks can get closer to the animals.  The zoom is just too versatile to leave behind.  I personally, would not want to switch lenses too much in those dusty conditions.  I'd save the 500 with the 1.4x for birds.  I would leave the 5D II at home unless you will be taking some landscape wide angle shots.  Say with a 17-40mm or 16-35mm. 

118

Lenses / Re: Lens Rebates- How often?

« on: January 05, 2012, 11:33:28 PM »

Many of the rebates have been extended to Feb. 4th.

119

Lenses / Re: Help me choose! 17-40mm f/4L + Tamron 70-300mm VC vs. 24-105mm f/4L IS on 5mkII

« on: January 05, 2012, 11:30:31 PM »

I would take the 24-105mm for sure.  If you need wider take the 14mm also.  Maybe also a 135mm f/2L or 200mm f/2.8L.  That's pretty light weight.

120

Lenses / Re: lenses for neotropical rainforest

« on: January 04, 2012, 12:36:24 PM »

I'd normally say a 100-400mm L IS for wildlife, but it's not weather sealed.  The 70-300mm 4-5.6L IS USM is a good option since it has weather sealing and lighter than the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II + 1.4x III.  And you don't need to fiddle with adding the extender and taking it off.  You need to decide, if weight could be a deciding factor.  I myself and considering trading my 100-400mm for the 70-300mm L.  Plus it has the newest generation IS.

There has been talk about a replacement 100-400mm L, but probably won't be anytime soon.  Good luck!