Messages

31

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Canon EOS 5D Mark III Body $2599 Shipped

« on: December 16, 2012, 02:20:24 PM »

I'm in the market for a 5D III and I was tempted by this sale.  I noticed that it said a warranty cost $299 extra but the box contents said that it came with a USA warranty.  Any explanation for this?  Thanks all.

My friend bought a 5D3 from BVI.  Even though BVI is not an authorized dealer, it sells US model with US warranty.  What my friend did was registering on Canon's website and claiming that's a gift from a friend.  Canon will take care of the camera in the warranty period without invoice, since it's a gift.

32

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 35 f/2 IS Resolution Test

« on: December 14, 2012, 12:03:26 PM »

Since I have good experience with Sigma 50mm F/1.4, I was expected the Sigma 35mm would outperform 35mm L.  However, I didn't expect it was like this good.  Now this lens is on my shopping list.

33

Lenses / Re: Canon 70-200 F/2.8 IS II vs. Tamron 70-200 F/2.8 VC

« on: December 06, 2012, 08:32:11 PM »

Roger says it's really only 175mm though: http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/12/quick-resolution-tests-on-two-new-70-200s

That's very interesting.  Canon is better than Tamron @ 70mm, but Tamron is bettran Canon @ 200mm.  For 70-200mm lens, 200mm is more important.  That's really nice to see Tamron made another good lens.  However, it's three year late for me.  Since I have Canon 70-200mm already, I won't get this Tommy one.

34

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Do you miss APS-C?

« on: December 05, 2012, 12:59:13 PM »

Is the image quality worth the difference and loss in reach?

Yes.

BTW, depending on your use, it may not be a loss in reach.  If you crop a 5DIII image to the FoV of APS-C, you'll have an 8.6 MP image that is at least of equivalent IQ to the 60D image.  For most uses, 8.6 MP is sufficient (unless you're printing 12x18" or larger).  If you crop less, IQ goes up.

I have a 7D.  After getting the 5DII, the 7D was used mostly with the 100-400mm lens, but that was more for the AF performance needed for birds/wildlife.  Now that I have the 1D X, the 7D just sits in the Storm case, keeping a few lenses company.

+1
After I sold my 7D, I found 7D is very useful when the objects are over than 200mm.  I really missed 7D.

35

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Anyone received their $2499 5D3 from bigvalueinc?

« on: December 05, 2012, 12:33:15 AM »

Sorry but you are just spreading misinformation. I have owned about 20+ 5D mark II bodies over the last 3 years and have had all of them in for service at some time. Not once have I ever sent in a receipt or warranty card to Canon and I have never been denied service under warranty.

If you don't provide the receipt, how Canon know when did you buy the Camera?

36

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Anyone received their $2499 5D3 from bigvalueinc?

« on: December 04, 2012, 02:26:39 PM »

A friend got the 2499 deal.  He ask me what's the difference for the warranty between my camera and his camera.  He said I also need to pay the service charge after one year warranty.  I haven't had the experience for the Canon service, so I have no idea about that.  Does anyone know if we can have cheaper service charge for our items from authorized dealers?

37

Lens Gallery / Re: Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 di VC USD

« on: November 29, 2012, 02:07:05 PM »

Even though it's worth every penny, did anyone get to pay LESS than every penny for it?

I've been waiting for it to drop SOME, but even the tamron rebates haven't included this beastie.

I was also waiting for Tamron rebates.  However, the 24-70mm had never been on its rebate list.  Finally, I got this lens when Beach Camera had 10% eBay buck few month ago.  That's about 100 bucks cheaper than its tag price.

38

Lens Gallery / Re: Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 di VC USD

« on: November 29, 2012, 12:59:46 PM »

Thanks for sharing so many good pictures.  I was not a big fan for Tamron because of the 18-270mm.  However, I still gave Tamron 24-70mm a try few months ago.  I was so impressed for the IQ and its amazing VC.  It was much better than my Canon 24-70mm MK1.  The only complain for me is the AF speed is not as fast as Canon 24-70mm.  Overall Tamron 24-70mm is worth any penny.

39

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 Di VC USD Hands-On

« on: November 28, 2012, 07:00:08 PM »

That's real nice to see the third party manufacturers can make good lenses.  Thus, we will have more choices and it could push Canon making better products for us.  However, this lens is too late on the market.  Canon 70-200 F/2.8 IS MK2 have been released for three years.  Moreover, if the IQ is only similar to Canon 70-200 F/2.8 IS MK2, 1500 USD is too expensive.  The reasonable price tag should be about 1300 USD.

40

Software & Accessories / Re: Magic Lantern Alpha 3 Available for the EOS 5D Mark III

« on: November 27, 2012, 06:14:39 PM »

I believe ML for 5D3 is only for ML supporter.  I don't know if that's okay to put the download link here for everyone.

41

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Sigma 35 f/1.4 DG HSM First Impressions

« on: November 22, 2012, 10:30:06 AM »

It might be the time to say goodbye to my Siggy 50mm and get this 35mm.  Just let's see more reviews and I will make the final decision.

Don't you feel these focal lengths are so different you cannot just replace them even if the newer lens is better (and more expensive, btw - often forgotten)?

You are right.  I always use my 50mm F/1.4 at home for low light environment.  However, my son is 2 year old now and very active.  50mm is very difficult for me to catch him.  If I get this 35mm lens, I may not going to use my Siggy 50mm since I use it only at home.  Let me think about it.  I might get this 35mm and still keep my 50mm.

42

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Sigma 35 f/1.4 DG HSM First Impressions

« on: November 22, 2012, 03:12:14 AM »

It might be the time to say goodbye to my Siggy 50mm and get this 35mm.  Just let's see more reviews and I will make the final decision.

43

Technical Support / Re: Best Methods For Long Term File Storage ??

« on: November 14, 2012, 05:09:55 PM »

Sync is a great thing, but it can be your undoing - a corrupted file would be a 'changed' file so the good copy is then over written.  A lot of times you can't tell if a file is corrupted until you attempt to open it.  This is a downfall of NTFS/FAT32/HFS+/EXT2/3 (not sure about 4).  ZFS does a good job with this, but would only be used on a NAS type of setup.

Too bad!  ZFS does not apply on Windows system.  That's the file system I really want for Windows environment.  ReFS is the only solution for Windows system.  I will try Windows Server 2012 next month after I return from my vacation.

Well, you know there are other OSes out there besides Windows....some are VERY robust, etc.

You've heard the saying...the right tool for the right job.

If nothing else, go look at my posts about using freeNAS on this thread. It is close to turnkey...OS fits and boots from a USB thumb drive...has ZFS, and everything you'd need.
Good tutorials written/video out there on the site....

A little DIY and learning a new thing...is never a bad thing.

I don't use windows much, unless a tool I need to use requires it...but I figure every OS has its uses....best not to get too dependent on any one, especially one owned by a company that can change its mind, direction or go out of business as your primary OS.

You might get to start familiarizing yourself with Linux or other variants of Unix type OSes....they can really be your friend. Sure there is a learning curve.....but there is always a LC when learning any new, valuable skill, no?

 

cayenne

I used to use Linux system and built FreeNAS years ago.  However, Windows systems are very stable nowadays.  Now what I am looking for is a compromised solution between performance, simple, and few machines.  What I might going to do later is building a Windows Server 2012 with ReFS system and run some VMs on it for different jobs.  VHD will let me manage storage easily.  I will play around and to see if I need to have an extra file server or not.  Since my current file server is already 4 years old, I might build a FreeNAS next year if necessary.

44

Canon General / Re: Canon launches their own official forum and one of the first posts is...

« on: November 14, 2012, 12:20:18 PM »

That's interesting.  Anyway, that's good to see Canon has its forum.  We will see some different ideas from there.

45

Technical Support / Re: Best Methods For Long Term File Storage ??

« on: November 13, 2012, 07:25:47 PM »

Sync is a great thing, but it can be your undoing - a corrupted file would be a 'changed' file so the good copy is then over written.  A lot of times you can't tell if a file is corrupted until you attempt to open it.  This is a downfall of NTFS/FAT32/HFS+/EXT2/3 (not sure about 4).  ZFS does a good job with this, but would only be used on a NAS type of setup.

Too bad!  ZFS does not apply on Windows system.  That's the file system I really want for Windows environment.  ReFS is the only solution for Windows system.  I will try Windows Server 2012 next month after I return from my vacation.

You can still use tools like Par2 on Windows, which will generate the parity information alongside the regular file. This would let you get a higher level of confidence and reliability. You'll still need to scrub the files regularly to ensure the parity is still good, which ZFS has built in and you just cron it, as well as keep it on a separate, not always connected media, and then on a separate offsite location.

If you are going to have a NAS style machine at home for this (I'm guessing by your reference to Windows Server 2012), then why not have it running FreeBSD/FreeNAS or something similar that DOES support ZFS?

I used to have FreeNAS as my NAS.  However, my wife complains I had too many systems.  Thus, I have to reduce my toys.  I have already phased out two systems.  We still have few systems at home.  My target is to have only one desktop(server) and two Windows 8 PRO tablets.  If I build another server, I will get trouble with my wife.