Messages

16

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon 7Dmk2 any rumors??

« on: May 02, 2012, 03:57:24 PM »

My two cents (for what it's worth) - we will have at least a 7dmkii announcement before Christmas.  What is this based on - nothing, just hoping.  I want a 7D type camera, but can wait 6 months if I can get a next gen version (cue the haters telling me not to wait - take pics now - don't worry I can rent the 7D as often as I want).  Don't know if there will be a 7dmkii, but even the 70D will likely have better iso performance and good enough frame rates.  I know I am mixing together lots of unannounced equipment - go ahead and flame.

17

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon Rebel T4i [CR2]

« on: May 01, 2012, 12:56:02 PM »

I am confused.  If the T4i is going to have slightly better ISO and FPS performance over the t3i and perhaps autofocus, if I am upgrading from a Rebel XT - should I go for the t4i or look higher up the line or should I be waiting to see what other cameras get upgraded.  In other words, should I wait or just get a different camera now?  I don't want to get a 7D if they are going to be upgrading that as well - I want better than XT but I also want to future proof my next purchase to a reasonable extent.

If you shoot primarily stills, the 7D is still a great buy and even if it is updated to mk ii, the original won't be "out of date" for many more years.

18

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon Rebel T4i [CR2]

« on: May 01, 2012, 11:27:10 AM »

So, did you read the rest of my post?  I asked the same question you did - if canon has to take the rebels upscale to distance themselves from the mirrorless - what does that do to the xxD line?  7D is already a mini 1Dmkiv for less than $2k.

I did, but I didn't want to leave too long a post. I think that's why we are hearing that the 7D might not get updated. In a way, Canon spread themselves too thin...too many options that are hard to differentiate and upgrade, especially with other companies pushing them. Also, the 7D is so reasonably priced for what they could have charged. I think the 70D will go back to what the 50D was, a nice body with some weather sealing, it'll have the FPS a sports guy needs, MFA, etc. And then maybe down the line Canon will push a 7Dii at a higher price point (think $2000+) with Dual Digic V and 8-10fps. But, the 5DIII can handle sports, it just lacks the APS-C reach for those lenses. Not sure how they'll handle that

What's made Canon so smart these last 6-8 months is how many people they got to buy T2i and T3i's because of sales, while Nikon sat on their defined retailer pricing. Means they can make a lot of money off lenses in the future. And right now, they are well ahead of the mirror less guys in the lens department. I know I didn't buy the A77 or NEX's (despite needing a small, light body) because my lens options were maybe 1/10th what they were for Canon.

Well, I think there are a sufficient number of people out there that have a need for a high quality aps-c body (7dmkii) that they would be able to sell lots of bodies if they play there cards right (especially if they can deliver dual digic 5 and 10fps for less than $2k).  But yes the mirrorless will continue to be a problem eroding sales on the bottom end.  It may squeeze the aps-c bodies into a tighter formation. 

19

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon Rebel T4i [CR2]

« on: May 01, 2012, 11:06:16 AM »

Yes, but the t4i has to be updated compared to the t3i, else why call it the next generation of rebel?  The t3i has a 3.7 fps burst rate.  Is it that big of a leap to give it 6fps? It would best the new Nikon offering.

Yes, that would be a huge increase, nearly doubling the fps. It would best the 60D, the 5dII, and put itself in line with the 5dIII or 7D...which are pro bodies that sell at more than double the price.

Remember, the Ti cameras are entry level; the point of crippling them a little is that people who need features (faster fps, lower iso, weather sealing, great AF) upgrade to a line that has them. If they make the T4i  better than the 60D and give it features that make it even close to the 7D, they'll have destroyed any upgrade path in the APS-C line. Who would buy a 60D if the T4i had a new sensor, did 6fps and had 19pt AF? Or a 7D for that matter? And what they'd have to upgrade the 60D/7D to to get sales back would be insane; they'd basically be an APS-C version of the 1DX, and for <$2000? Not happening.

I'd say new sensor, Digic V, little better fps (4-4.5), maybe slightly better AF system, and they'll use a variation of the video AF that Nikon has used for a while. And nobody who wants good video will use it, because the Nikon AF for video is terrible; similar to pressing the shutter button and letting it hunt. Their last update was a flip out screen, I'm not expecting miracles.

You are right.  Keep it simple.  And if I am upgrading from a p&s - the mirrorless looks a lot better to me.  Same specifications for the money (in some cases the mirrorless are better).  And it is smaller too - where do I sign up?  Of course I know the advantages of a larger body and the advantages of having lots of glass to choose from - but p&s upgraders may not.  So, did you read the rest of my post?  I asked the same question you did - if canon has to take the rebels upscale to distance themselves from the mirrorless - what does that do to the xxD line?  7D is already a mini 1Dmkiv for less than $2k. 

20

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon Rebel T4i [CR2]

« on: May 01, 2012, 09:47:33 AM »

I am inclined to wait for the 70d, but could be tempted if:
-improve AF (not expecting 7D here, just better than the past rebels)
-at least 6fps (with at least 12 raw buffer)
-better high ISO performance

Get a 60D - it has exactly the specs you name above (apart from the better high ISO, which will need a new sensor). If they would put these features in the T4i, it would be a 60D in a less ergonomic, but smaller body. Not sure that this would make sense from a marketing standpoint.

Yes, but the t4i has to be updated compared to the t3i, else why call it the next generation of rebel?  The t3i has a 3.7 fps burst rate.  Is it that big of a leap to give it 6fps?  It would best the new Nikon offering.  So what if it is faster than the old 60D, that camera will be out of production before Christmas.  I would guess the 70D will have at least 8fps.

But yes, I get your point, these specs are essentially the 60D.  And in reality my next camera will be something from the xxD line.  I can't see getting another rebel.  The IQ is OK, just not enough quick flexibility for me.  And it feels a little flimsy. 

The big question is where does the Rebel line go?  Because the mirrorless cams are starting to make a good argument as an alternative to an entry level DSLR.  Does canon make the Rebels mirrorless?  Does it take the Rebels upscale to put some distance between them and the mirrorless? And if Canon does take the rebel upscale, what does that do to the xxD line?  Anyway, it is a great time to be in the market for a new camera - things are getting interesting.

21

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon Rebel T4i [CR2]

« on: April 30, 2012, 11:36:22 PM »

I am inclined to wait for the 70d, but could be tempted if:
-improve AF (not expecting 7D here, just better than the past rebels)
-at least 6fps (with at least 12 raw buffer)
-better high ISO performance

Other features would be nice (like focus peaking), but these are my essentials.  Don't care if they develop a new sensor for t4i, although I don't know why they would use the same sensor as t3i.  But high MP doesn't do anything for me, I would rather have better dynamic range and same MP.  All of this is probably very unlikely as these features probably don't sell cameras at the rebel level - they will probably keep things about the same and throw in some more video features.  Oh well - I hope they announce the 70D soon.

22

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Nikon D600

« on: April 27, 2012, 02:39:51 PM »

I don't want to hijack this thread, but just a thought on d800 vs. 5dmkiii - sales figures anyway.  People are getting all worked up about the d800 outselling the 5dmkiii.  Has anyone thought that maybe one reason could  have not that much to do with the 5dmkiii itself.  It could be that the d800 was a huge leap from the d700, whereas the 5dmkiii is not that large of a leap from the 5dmkii (no new features, just upgraded older ones).  That has nothing to do with how the 5dmkiii and the d800 compare to each other, just the Nikon was behind the times with the d700 and the upgraders were waiting for features like video and so forth. 

23

Lenses / Re: Why buy Canon when third party are this good?

« on: April 27, 2012, 11:05:05 AM »

I had a Tamron. I sold my Tamron. Would take a lot of great reviews for me to go back to a Tamron.

+1.....sticking with Canon L glass, and in some cases Carl Zeiss.   Only lens other than these I might consider is the Sigma fisheye.

++1....sold my 17-50 VC.  Image quality was OK, but autofocus was a joke compared to ultrasonic from canon.  Maybe the new USD from Tamron will be good. 

24

Lenses / Re: 24-105 - versions?

« on: April 27, 2012, 10:44:44 AM »

Having been in manufacturing for many years, I can tell you that problems can come up any time.  Even on a mature product, you can have supplier issues, personnel turnover, or any number of other problems.  Yes, the problems become less with time - the first production run is usually not the best one to buy.  But after a few years of stable production, it doesn't help to get any more mature.  As an example, a supplier could try to lean out there process and start making inferior products - that still pass the things you have been inspecting for!  There is lots of tribal knowledge that never gets written down that can walk out the door at any time.  Lots of issues.  Creating a stable manufacturing process is not easy - a lot of things have to come together all at once.

25

EOS Bodies / Re: If the 1Dx shows a substantial improvment in sensor technology....

« on: April 23, 2012, 09:42:11 AM »

There is one very important thing, that people seem not to understand. Such tests and publications are very very important for Canon and us as well no matter if we believe in DXO metrics or not. If such a comparison with it's numbers (ie 95vs83) goes to public, then public will decide upon future buys of equipment basing on those numbers.

There is one more very important thing that people seem not to understand.  Such tests are basically meaningless in terms of the public deciding upon future purchases.  Try this - go back through a few generations of cameras, and for the past 5 years, who's sensors have tested 'better'?  Nikon, by a fair margin across the range of basic entry-level dSLR to pro dSLR.  Now, compare market share over the same period - during the time when Nikon 'owned' Canon for sensor performance, market share went from about equal to Canon increasing 5% while Nikon lost 10%.  So...how much did those higher scores help Nikon?  Less than zero.

That might explain why Canon may not care that much about those test.  Am sure they would like them to be good, but if they beleive the past is a good predictor of the future for this one, then they will have little incentive to change anything...unless sales goes south!

 

Really?  Is anyone who is considering the purchase of a 1DX really waiting on the outcome of the DXO test results?  What I mean specifically is - is anyone deciding between the purchase of a 1Dx or a D4 based on this test result?  I have to assume that if someone is considering the purchase of a 1Dx that they are not a p&s upgrader.  They probably have a stable of Canon lenses.  And would a test result really  be enough for them to switch systems?  I can see, maybe, a person skipping a generation of bodies - but cannot see switching systems. 

26

Lenses / Re: Buy 60D with Pro Lenses or 5D with Kit Lens?

« on: April 02, 2012, 11:40:56 PM »

Well, I don't know what you intend to shoot, but seems hard to go wrong with more lenses, especially L lenses.  However, if the kit lens you are talking about with the 5Dmkiii is the 24-105 f/4L - that is a great lens too.  If it were me, I would probably go with the 60D and more glass.  Then when you get more cash, sell the 60D and upgrade to FF.  I love FF, but it would be hard to pass up the combo of the 60D and something like a 70-200 f/2.8 is II.  Man, that would be spectacular.  Would be even better if you could forgo one of your primes and stretch for the 7D.  Its hard to go wrong with higher frame rate and better AF, especially if you are photographing anything that moves.
I do find it strange that you are making a choice between the 60D (or upper Rebel) and a 5Dmkiii.  Are you upgrading from a dslr?  I would assume most 5Dmkiii upgraders would be coming from another dlsr body.  Or maybe your question was just hypothetical.

27

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: New FF from Sony - A99 - 102 x-type AF

« on: March 30, 2012, 09:49:52 PM »

Mmmmmm that sony lens selection is so tempting, I just cant decide which one of the 3 available lenses to get...

Yup.  I have a friend that shoots sony.  He isn't as deeply into photography as I am and he just can't understand why I would pick Canon over Sony.  His argument is that for equal money, you get so much more with the Sony.  That may be true, if you are talking about just the body.  But what I keep trying to get him to understand is that when you buy a dslr (or slt) body, you are buying into a system.  You have to see your lens choices and possible body upgrade paths.  All that stuff just isn't there for Sony, yet.  Sony is full of smart people and it looks like they are in the high end camera game for the long haul.  I don't doubt that they will eventually build up their lens selection and body selection.  But for right now, for me anyway, there product offering is just too immature.

28

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: I just can't comprehend some of the negativity on the 5d3...

« on: March 29, 2012, 09:54:21 PM »

I think the only people complaining are video people.  I think the stills crowd got most of what they wanted.  Everything the 5dmkii lacked for stills, the 5dmkiii has, with the possible exception of a few people wanting much higher sensor resolution.

The biggest complaint about 5dmkii for stills was AF performance.  It seems like Canon responded to that complaint with much force.  Then they made the camera even more rugged and waterproof.  For stills, I think it was a nice upgrade from the 5dmkii.

well the landscape stills crowd are not happy, the new cam does not one thing for them, doesn't have more MP and doesn't have the tiniest little increase in dynamic range while Nikon's non-exmor sensors went up by over a stop for dynamic range and their exmor stuff is just nuts with like nearing 3 stops better dynamic range than the 5D3

the AF and increased speed are very nice for all the stuff that uses that though

I think if they had even just increased dynamic range 1.3 stops and gotten true 1920x1080 people would be raving and if they had gone 30MP, on top (all other specs the same), then wow. But same ISO100-400 performance, still 1280x720p detail for video without zebra stripes or zoom in while recording for focus, same MP and $800 more got some complaining going.

they surely should have had the 5D3 also do a crop mode 2x2 blocking like the C300 delivering trye 1920x1080 along with the soft 3x3 blocked FF 1280-720p-ish looking video.

foolish to protect the C300 so much

Yes, I know the landscapers are not happy, that is why I mentioned the MP issue.  The only thing that can help landscapers is MP and dynamic range - which the 5diii did not do much about.  But for wedding photogs, event photogs, pj's, I think this camera was what they had been wanting.  Killer AF (except f8), ruggedness, speed, weatherproofing.  Yes, it does seem that Canon sacrificed MP for speed, but many will find that a good tradeoff.

29

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Sony to release square ff sensor body?

« on: March 29, 2012, 09:39:54 PM »

Price is driven more by market factors than individual component price.

While I don't know the exact cost relation in a body, I tend to agree.

The companies that produce ff dslr bodies are working like a trust and only release high quality, high cost ff products. Once someone releases a medium quality ff body at a budget price because it's possible nowadays with large sensors getting easier to produce, the deal's off and we might see aps-c pushed down to entry level and ff becoming the standard amateur format. At least that's what I hope.

Yes, exactly.  I have said this same thing on other forum posts relating to the future of FF sensors.  Mirrorless is eroding out the bottom end of the dslr market.  The only place left to go is upscale.  Not necessarily in price, but in features (yes, there is a weak linkage there).  But for canon to continue to compel people to buy entry level dslr's, they have to offer a reason to do so over a competing mirrorless system.  Now for the savvy, this is easy, they can see a clear upgrade path from an entry level dslr, where the path is maybe not so clear for mirrorless.  But most entry level buyers are not that savvy.  So they need other reasons to buy a dslr.  FF could be the answer to that question.  I know FF isn't that answer to all image problems, but it could be a compelling reason for many buyers to go dslr instead of mirrorless.

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EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: I just can't comprehend some of the negativity on the 5d3...

« on: March 29, 2012, 08:18:02 AM »

I think the only people complaining are video people.  I think the stills crowd got most of what they wanted.  Everything the 5dmkii lacked for stills, the 5dmkiii has, with the possible exception of a few people wanting much higher sensor resolution.

The biggest complaint about 5dmkii for stills was AF performance.  It seems like Canon responded to that complaint with much force.  Then they made the camera even more rugged and waterproof.  For stills, I think it was a nice upgrade from the 5dmkii.