Messages

571

Lenses / Re: Canon MP-E 65 Add on's & Tips

« on: December 25, 2010, 06:58:29 PM »

Flake - I checked out the link for the flash bracket thanks - I may be wrong but it appears you are using the flash wireless on this rig ?  I guess I am trying to imagine more precisely your set up.  In either case it sounds you aren't pleased with the macro rail nor the way the flash lights up your macro subjects simply on its own.

Interesting idea about sand bags.  I am aware of the mirror lock up feature and sounds like that needs to be on full time if shooting 3x-5x.

I guess I have a lot of learning ahead and owning the lens and 24ex flash is simply not enough.  I went ahead and ordered the adapter ring and UV as another suggested.  Still deciding on whether the angle view is necessary or a macro rail - sounds like there's mixed opinions

572

Lenses / Re: Canon MP-E 65 Add on's & Tips

« on: December 25, 2010, 04:53:10 PM »

oh..bummer.  I had not thought about the UV preventing the MT 24EX to thread on the front of the lens.  So you are suggesting the Macrolite Adapter 58C to get the UV and Flash on at the same time?

If you thread the MT 24EX directly on the lens does that offer any protection to the lens with respect to bumping objects and protecting the glass?

573

Lenses / Re: Which 50mm prime?

« on: December 25, 2010, 04:45:41 PM »

Viggo - I do understand your point and it is well taken but I disagree for a few reasons.  My reasoning is this:  when I choose a lens I consider all factors however sharpness and resolution is one of the most important.  In each lens I have selected I seek out its best F stop with respect to the latter.  On this lens, F/4 provides the best resolution.  I work around it with ISO and shutter but try and stick with F/4 when shooting this lens (not for all scenarios of course such as extreme depth of field) but then again if I'm looking for extreme depth of field I'll opt for a different lens with a smaller F-stop.  The lens you recommend 24-70 F/2.8 is a great lens it is also about 4x the cost and heavier.  Plus I am trying to compare apples to apples not to oranges (sticking with the creators original inquiry which is 50mm prime).   Lastly, the lens you offer has its shortcomings as well and does not outperform the 50mm prime in resolution at approx the same distance.  In general, most primes beat zooms in sharpness.  The lens you speak of reaches its max. sharpness at F/5.6 @ 40mm (3514 LW/PH and then begins to drop off).  The 50mm 1.4 reaches 3740 LW/PW @ F4.  In essence, the 50mm with a wider aperture out perfroms (sharpness wise) the 24-70 according to this chart and previous charts I had posted
Canon 24-70 L 2.8 lens - go here:  http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/528-canon2470f28ff?start=1

574

Lenses / Re: Which 50mm prime?

« on: December 25, 2010, 02:10:33 PM »

Here's a few links to help you further decide on the 1.4 over the 1.2.  Unquestionably, the 1.2 is built better but if you look at the F/4 ratings on these two charts to 1.4 is actually a bit sharper @ 3740 - see (LW/PH section).  Be sure to check out some of the sections in the articles below as both lenses are somewhat disappointing as compared to their equal competitors

http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/564-canon50f14ff?start=1  <1.4 lens showing higher resolution on LP/PW chart

Here's the chart for the 1.2
http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/472-canon_50_12_5d?start=1  <1.2 showing under 3740 @ 3584 F/4

I wound up getting the 1.4 and overall am quite happy but rarely if ever shoot at the 1.4 unless absolutely necessary.  As you can see from the links F/4 is the lens sweet spot

575

Lenses / Canon MP-E 65 Add on's & Tips

« on: December 24, 2010, 10:44:24 PM »

Has anyone used a Macro Rail (if so which one) or Angled View Finder (if so which one - Canon or off brand?) along with the Mp-E 65?  I've got a EOS 7D that I will be using with this lens

I also read one guy used a 58mm to 28mm step down ring instead of the lens hood (which protrudes a few inches that may get in the way of the subject) . I thought the step down ring was a novel idea except I was a bit concerned about vignetting though unsure if that is the case
http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Metal-Anodized-Black-28mm-58mm/dp/B0048IC4TK/ref=wl_itt_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1LZCJ70MI6MAV&colid=2NXX4FZ3IMHJ6

If anyone has any tips on this lens regarding best methods (your expert experience) that would be appreciated.
Thanks
Rev

576

Lenses / Re: MP-E 65 being phased out?

« on: December 24, 2010, 10:35:50 PM »

Thanks for both of these replies.  I wound up ordering the lens from Adorama for $899 flat along with the MT 24EX Macro flash for $645 (no tax no ship).  I appreciate your help and postings

577

Lenses / Re: Best Lense for shooting video with Canon T2i

« on: December 24, 2010, 10:30:56 PM »

I've done some concerts with the Canon 7D and used the 70-300 IS USM F4-5.6 lens for this out door show go here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCy_tFyOZrI
	Small | Large

This video was done hand held.  I used both the zoom and auto focus (where the scenes get white for a split second is the auto focus).  I had no issues as Rita moved around on stage.  I was fairly impressed with the overall outcome except the sound.  To keep the camera stable, I recall sitting with my legs folded and elbow tucked in my belly.

This concert of Bachman-Turner was also hand held and I used the 15-85 E-FS F3.5-5.6 Canon Zoom Lens
go here: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcbdgxShhrQ
	Small | Large

In the future I will use a tripod or monopod as after awhile it does get burdensome on the wrist.   I've also since acquired the H4N Zoom for audio.  The built in audio mic is a joke on the 7D as well as the stereo mic accessory.  The H4N audio track can easily be synced up with the video using proper software such as Adobe Premiere.  You can use the main audio track as a guide if need be until synced.

PS - stay away from the 1.8 lens.  I had the same initial thought as you and decided to go for the better made 1.4 lens which is worth it IMHO (the 1.2 is overpriced for almost the same quality as the 1.4 - see photozone.de for more insight.  the 50mm is fairly soft on larger apertures especially around the corners - I had to Lens Align mine to sharpen it up a bit as it was front focusing.  I've only used the 1.4 minimally for video and prefer the 15-85 for most video shooting. - Hope this helps

578

Lenses / Re: please help me choose

« on: December 22, 2010, 03:49:11 AM »

I've got the 50mm 1.4 and at the wider apertures it's pretty soft even after a lens alignment.  I wouldn't dare trade in the lens it's just not as sharp as one would hope under 2.8

Side Stepping:  if you are going to shoot in such lower light levels don't rely on the camera's AWB, get yourself used to using a proper White Balance card such as the WhiBal if you don't already have one.  What a difference from using AWB to Custom WB when using the WhiBal.  The yellowy smokey look is gone and white is proper white. 

579

EOS Bodies / Re: The Truth about Microadjust

« on: December 22, 2010, 03:40:20 AM »

The Lens Align MK II didn't offer a Site Gate that you mention.  M Tapes goes through the differences on his site (don't recall them all) within the knowledge base as I recall.  Excellent product along with the WhiBal..can't leave home without it.

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Lenses / Re: Missing Macro Lens

« on: December 22, 2010, 03:34:02 AM »

yes that 100mm is excellent.  Just got the 100mm 2.8 IS USM hybrid L series myself and am intrigued by the scores it received especially the lpmm which were over 50 with a Canon 50D @ F4.

Especially nice when you hand hold with close up macro shots.

The EF-S 60mm offers some razor sharp photos.  There is a wide selection on flickr that I have seen.  Not sure if there's really a need to have both the 100 and 60 but am seriously considering the very challenging MP-E 65, MT 24EX and macro rail.  if you've not seen this lens well worth looking into 1x-5x macro but tough to use so I hear.  There's no focus ring - you zoom in and out to focus or use a macro rail.  At 5x magnification and @ F16 it's really F96 (5x16) - unless you have a good macro light you are really shooting in the dark

581

Lenses / Re: please help me choose

« on: December 20, 2010, 03:16:11 AM »

As one other user said if money is no issue then I'd spend the $$ as well on the 2.8.  If you go with the F4 and do have a low light situation turn on the IS as it will help a bit (4 stops I believe/slower shutter-hand held) just keep an extra battery around as they do soak up juice and as long as there is no fast action in your scene.  If so then crank up the ISO.  If too much noise is created for your liking by doing this then offset by software.  There are plenty of software programs to knock the noise with your capture such as Topaz DeNoise.  You can also possibly use some of your camera settings to minimize noise.

582

Lenses / MP-E 65 being phased out?

« on: December 20, 2010, 03:04:49 AM »

I've read in a few places this lens may be phased out as it has been around since 1999 and is primitive in many ways. The online users who implied this belief stated the reasons were its lack of sales and its complexity.  I'm on the verge of acquiring this along with the MT 24EX macro flash but was curious if anyone out there has heard the same rumor and if there will be a replacement?  it's a nice chunk of change to plunk out and then have it replaced by a MK II version shortly thereafter or possibly no MP-E 65 at all.  Can anyone validate if any of this is true or if the demise of this lens is on the horizon ?  -Thanks Rev

583

Lenses / Missing Macro Lens

« on: December 20, 2010, 02:57:28 AM »

In reviewing the section on Macro Lenses within this site
http://www.canonrumors.com/lenses/price-watch-macro-lenses/

It appears one key macro lens may have been omitted - the Canon EF-S 60mm Macro (1x) listed on the Canon site at
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup/ef_s_60mm_f_2_8_macro_usm

584

EOS Bodies / Re: The Truth about Microadjust

« on: December 20, 2010, 02:49:06 AM »

Micro Adjust has been a concern of mine since I received my Canon 7D and 1.4 IS USM 50mm.  I suspected the lens might be a bit off right out of the box and per the reviews I've read this lens is a bit soft around the edges to begin with.  In addition and overtime AF lenses may succumb to going out of tune so this would be a good tool to have around especially if you own multiple lenses.  To combat my concerns I dug into this further and found a few products out there to help calibrate such nuances.  I ultimately just decided on the LensAlign Mark II (just released on 12/15/10 @ http://mtapesdesign.com/ ) - I was aware and opted to wait for this new and improved version.  There's an online tool to help you figure out distance from the LensAlign (the formula is 25x the mm of the lens) so a 100mm would be 2500mm or 8.2 feet (Windows 7 built in calculator can do the math for you or the online LensAlign Distance Tool).  For the folks that don't want to spend the $$ I have also found a free online tool in which you can use your monitor to assist which is at:  http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/cameras/1ds3_af_micoadjustment.html#AF_test_image  - I've not used this so cannot comment.  I've just received the LensAlign MK II product and put it together in about 10 minutes and plan on doing the calibration this week.  Others have reported excellent results from the LensAlign and the product has been around for awhile.