Messages

16

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: 135mm f/1.8 DG OS ART Next from Sigma? [CR1]

« on: April 21, 2013, 05:23:48 PM »

Just sold my 50mm L and might need to sell my 135L.  I'd definitely consider a Sigma 50mm Art lens and a 135mm f/1.8. 

17

Lenses / Re: Street Photography 35mm/50mm + DC？Help

« on: April 18, 2013, 06:11:51 PM »

I'd probably go with #4.  Sigma 35 f/1.4, Canon 50mm f/1.4 & 85mm 1.8. 

I think you will find the 50L to be a little disappointing...I did.  I just sold it and got a Zeiss 50mm f/2 Makro-Planar ZE lens.

Kind regards,
Jason

18

Lens Gallery / Re: Sigma 35mm f/1.4

« on: April 16, 2013, 11:23:18 AM »

I am loving my Sigma 35mm!  I thought I would not get another 35mm prime, after selling my Canon 35L off last year.  I sold it because I used it seldom and had just got a 24-70mm f/2.8L II.  However, at the price I was able to get the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 for (I had Amazon points), I could not pass it up.  I have been very pleased by the results, which I will say are better than what the Canon 35L was able to do.  This thing is bloody sharp at f/1.4L and resistant to harsh flares and chromatic aberrations.

Some samples taken on my 5D Mark III:


 

 

 

19

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Canon Refurb 400mm f/5.6L $910

« on: April 11, 2013, 11:27:38 AM »

Folks, if you already have a 100-400mm or 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II, then stick with what you have.  I actually had all three of these lenses and, well, kept only one.  The 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II is so sharp, I don't see much difference between it and the 100-400.  When using the 1.4x III or 2x III, the image quality is suburb.  Stop is down one stop and it gets a bit better.

Here are some I took last Sunday using the 2x III (two at f/5.6 and ISO 3200 on a 60D, last one at f/8 ISO 640). None of these would have been possible using the 400mm f/5.6L.  My shutter speed was 1/200s or longer.


 

 

 
Kind regards,
Jason

20

Lenses / Re: Stuck on whether to return sigma 35mm for 35mm 1.4L or 35f2 is

« on: April 09, 2013, 05:38:55 PM »

To the OP...isn't the new Sigma 35mm f/1.4 the one that can be configured via a computer without having to send the lens to Sigma?  I thought it had the ability to adjust front / back focusing issues until you get it correct. 

As others have also said, there is the MFA available on the 5D III itself.  One or the other should fix it, but I'd prefer to fix it on the lens. 

Kind regards,
Jason

21

Lenses / Re: Which Lens to buy

« on: April 04, 2013, 08:52:08 AM »

If you really must have a lighter DSLR to travel with or just as a back-up, the 6D would be it.  But learn about it's weaknesses, before you buy.

If you want something lighter, that gives DSLR quality output, I'd consider the Sony RX100.  The images and dynamic range coming from that camera are truly excellent.  It can also slip into a shirt pocket.

Kind regards,
Jason

22

Software & Accessories / Re: Gitzo, Really Right Stuff or ???

« on: April 04, 2013, 08:40:08 AM »

I'm curious - when do you remove the center plate?

As for G-locks, that's Gitzo-locks, so who else do you think would have them?    The 'gravity' part is marketing speak, as far as I can tell.  They state, "The higher the load applied vertically to the leg, the stronger the lock," but that would apply to any threaded fitting.  I find the RRS leg locks easier on the hands when opening/closing them, because of their shape.

Interesting that you call out the feet, though.  I like the idea of spikes covered by the rubber feet, vs. having to change them out (and having to pay extra for them).  Having said that, I've only rarely needed to use the spikes I have - the teardrop feet on the RRS legs are significantly wider, and shaped so that they contact the ground even at wide leg spreads.  If I do need to use the spikes, the RRS ones are significantly longer and dig deeper (the threading is the same, though - so you can add RRS feet/spikes to Gitzo legs and vice versa).

Both are excellent products.  Differences are degress of excellence, both will serve you well. 

This is really the bottom line - you can't go wrong with either.

I don't remove the plate very much at all, but it does give the option to use an optional column much like the RRS.  Just the swap can be made without tools.  The larger feet I was referring to, that come with the new systematic tripods, look like this:



I use lots of RRS product and you are right, any of these tripods will be great.  I have and use the RRS monopod.

Kind regards,
Jason

23

Software & Accessories / Re: Gitzo, Really Right Stuff or ???

« on: April 04, 2013, 01:29:25 AM »

I'd go with the Gitzo.  But the RRS are excellent legs too.  I have three Gitzo tripods and none have ever failed me.  The newest is a Series 4 GT4542LS.  I use a RRS BH-55 on it along with a full Wimberley Gimbal v2.  The Gitzo Series 4 is rated for 55 pounds and that is probably conservative.  it have larger diameter legs which reduce vibration.  It has a center plate that can be removed without tools.  It has 1.5 inch metal spikes built in...the rubber feet snap in over the spikes.  It comes with the large wide feet so the tripod wont sink in sand (think beach).  It has g-locks.  Most of these items are either missing from the RRS tripods or come at an extra expense. 

I also like the fact that Gitzo's are carried by most reputable / serious camera stores the world over.  So if I need a replacement part, it will be a whole lot easier to get. 

24

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Which would you pick for a wife camera sony nex 6 or eos sl1?

« on: March 23, 2013, 12:19:43 AM »

Neither, get her a Sony RX100.  Or just let her choose her own camera. 

25

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D2 refurb or new 7D as backup to 5D3?

« on: March 21, 2013, 11:37:13 PM »

I'd just keep the 5D2 or exchange for another.  As a backup, if your 5D III craps out during a wedding, you will still have another FF to continue with.  You won't have to think about your focus lengths and deal with the 1.6x crop.  The files coming out of the 5D2 are much cleaner than the 7D.  The 7D has great files up to about ISO 3200. Beyond ISO 3200 the 7D raw files get harder to clean up (noise reduction).  The 5D2 is much better in this respect. 

If you have a need to a second back-up body for doing something like sports or wildlife, then I'd recommend a 7D.

Kind regards,
Jason

26

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Get 6% Cashback on the EOS-1D X from B&H

« on: March 20, 2013, 10:02:07 PM »

I've had great success with the 2% back rewarded by Amazon.  They are a top noch company; no gimmicks or jokes.  They reward is credit to buy at Amazon only.  Ebay also gives 2% in Ebay bucks.

27

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 200 f/2L IS & EF 800 f/5.6L IS [CR2]

« on: March 14, 2013, 08:57:11 AM »

Yes, he had two bad copies of the 200mm f/1.8L.

My 200mm, if there are any takers:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1195617/0#11401209

Reason for new version is probably limited usability with extenders.
I compared my old 200/1.8L with 200/2L IS and f/1.8 is sharper with 1.4x III and 2.0x III extenders.

Really? I just did a comparison a week ago over at TDP, and it seems very far from it:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=432&Camera=9&Sample=0&FLI=2&API=2&LensComp=458&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=2&APIComp=0

With 1.4:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=432&Camera=9&Sample=0&FLI=1&API=2&LensComp=458&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=1&APIComp=1

Am I missing something?

28

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 200 f/2L IS & EF 800 f/5.6L IS [CR2]

« on: March 13, 2013, 12:42:22 PM »

I've had both these lenses and glad that I sold them off before the new ones come out.  For the 800mm, Nikon just came out with theirs, so it makes sense for Canon to respond.  Especially since most wildlife photographers are trading the 800mm in the the 600mm f/4L IS II ( I did ).  They need to redesign the 800mm to make a compelling reason for us to buy it over the less expensive 600mm II.  Make it lighter, thinner, give it the mode 3 IS, better weight distribution, etc. 

The 200mm could also be refreshed to reduce weight, mode 3 IS, new coatings, more fluorite, etc.  Make it start at f/1.8!!!

But looking at this from Canon's perspective, this is economic genius...refresh two already great lenses, give them a new paint job and sell them for double the price!

29

EOS Bodies / Re: The Next Rebel? [CR1]

« on: March 13, 2013, 10:27:01 AM »

Do they really need another Rebel?  They better had make the 70D something stellar...the lines are beginning to converge to closely.

30

Software & Accessories / Re: Tri Pods!!!!!

« on: March 12, 2013, 09:15:57 PM »

I have three Gitzo tripods and they all serve me very well!  They have a tripod for every situation and photographer.  They often times have rebates running, so be on the lookout.  Amazon has had the best rebates, since it is money back.  The rebates from BH and Adorama are typically a Visa or AMEX card.