Messages

31

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: The Canon GP-E2 Now Shipping

« on: May 22, 2012, 06:33:35 PM »

I have to say that as a landscape photographer who spends days driving around rural areas looking for the right scene, I would love to have a GPS info tagged into my files. Currently I log locations into my auto GPS or Android with a description and try to piece things together when I get home.  Google maps w/satellite view helps.

Aside from the price, I'm not crazy about using the flash shoe because I either keep a flash mounted or carry one in my vest for a quick fill light if need be.  I agree the GPS tagging is not an essential function, but I would pay a bit more to get a model that had it built in.   I'm sure they could find a way to have it work in the camera body...it could be in any plastic bubble on the surface...

32

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: The Canon GP-E2 Now Shipping

« on: May 21, 2012, 06:17:33 PM »

I find the price for a GPS chip to be obscene. Really, $269.00 for this one trick pony. There's no reason why it can't be built in to the camera.

33

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: What's the deal with B&H being closed on weekends?

« on: May 05, 2012, 11:15:50 PM »

I think only one post seemed disrespectful, but kudos to the poster for clarifying that he simply did not understand the orthodox/hasidic jewish take on the sabbath.  Even though "honor the sabbath" and the prohibition of working on the sabbath is common to Christians and jews, it's very rarely adhered to.   Baptists and other Christians off course at one time kept Sundays pretty much reserved for church, hence the old "Blue Laws" that kept bars and shopping closed on Sundays.

Within the Jewish community, very few keep the Sabbath.  The Orthodox and Hasidm  take a very strict view.  You can't work, you can't handle money or conduct business, drive a car or even turn on any electrical device(like elevator, TV, etc)..  There are many "loopholes".. For example, in an Orthodox temple, non-Jewish employees might be employed to handle lighting, etc.  Timers are often used on elevators, eg, you can ride in one, but can't operate it.

I give the guys at B&H a lot of credit for sticking with their beliefs.  They probably lose some potential sales, not only on w/e's but on all the holidays they close. There are many holidays that most of us, including non-observant Jews such as myself, have never heard of.   B&H and others probably could have found some rabbinical interpretation to say that internet sales were not really work, since presumably the website was not set up on the Sabbath and only the customers are pressing the keys.  However they chose to obey what they see as their faith, and are still highly successful.

hope this gives some explanation, 

34

Lenses / Re: EF-S 15-85?

« on: March 28, 2012, 11:13:58 PM »

I"m really please with the efs-15-85.

No problems at all. The vignetting of course is removed by adobe camera raw. I have not experienced CA as cited in some reviews.  I compared it w/the 24-105 IS L at comp. focal lengths and could barely tell the difference. Build quality is excellent for a non-L. No creep, smooth, etc.   I think you get my point!!

35

Lenses / Re: What lens are you patiently waiting for?

« on: March 28, 2012, 11:05:34 PM »

definitely the 100-400 4-5.6 IS L II.  Looking for better IS maybe more sharpness than the current one.  My patience though, is wearing thin..

36

Lenses / Re: Upgrade strategy with new 100-400mm f/4-5.6L

« on: March 17, 2012, 04:19:00 PM »

I rent the 100-400 L once or twice a year, and don't mind waiting to buy the new II when it comes out.  If it does, we can assume that the IS will be improved, since the current version was designed in 1998. I would gladly pay more to get a stop or two more of stabilization since I rarely use a tripod.

37

Lenses / Re: Canon 400mm f4 DO lens - any users on this forum with feedback etc

« on: March 15, 2012, 10:47:49 PM »

the luminouslandscape website has a pretty good review on the lens. you can check that.  I'd buy one if it wasn't so expensive...Too bad they can't produce and sell more at a lower price.  With all the aging baby boomers around with bad backs, you'd think there would be a good market for high quality but lighter weight lenses.

38

Lenses / Response from a bird photographer's perspective

« on: February 14, 2012, 11:27:34 PM »

Putting aside all the technical arguments over what's sharper than what, you have to ask what focal length do you need to capture bird images at all.  Then the question is "what kind of birds?"

If you are shooting large birds like ducks and other waterfowl, herons, gulls even shorebirds that are fairly tame you can do w/a max of 300 on a 1.6x crop body. Some of my best shots are with the "lowly" Canon 70-300(non L)IS and the Tamron 70-300 VC.   

If you even hope to get any songbirds without sitting in a blind with a set up to bait the birds, you need at least the 400 w/1.6 crop.

With all the talk about the 100-400 IS L.not being sharp enough....well, most unsharp shots are due to camera movement/bad technique, not the lens IQ.  You can stop this lens to F6.3 or 7.1, shoot either on a tripod, or handheld/monopod w/IS and get very sharp bird photos.  Would you like an f-4 lens that will really throw the background out? That's thousands of dollars and many pounds to carry.  With a slower lens you just have to be more careful in your composition, eg keeping some separation between the bird and the background.

I am biased against converters,meaning, if you need it once in a while fine, but if you're going to be using a lens  most of the time at 400mm, get a lens that reaches that w/o the converter. 

39

Lenses / Re: Which to rent?

« on: February 13, 2012, 11:43:23 PM »

I like your first idea, the 24-105.  You want at least some telephoto if you're going to have one lens/one body.
Another alternative is the 15-85 IS.  It may not be a "pro" lens, but it gives you very good range from 24 to 135 35mm equivalent.   

FYI, I rented the 24-105 and the 15-85, compared them and found very little difference in sharpness, contrast, etc.   I bought the 15-85.  However I carry two bodies, the 2nd has a 70-300 on it.

whatever you do, you'll have a great trip and get great photos.

40

Lenses / Re: First LensRental Just Arrived

« on: February 12, 2012, 01:13:24 AM »

I've rented from lenrentals at least a dozen times. First, if I'm not sure if I want to own a particular lens, I'll rent it for a week.  For example,  I rented a 15-85 and 24-105 together. (bought  the former. IQ was great, the dreaded CA I read about was not apparent)
 Second, there are some lenses that I only need once or twice a year and I can't afford to own.

Finally, I love the fact that they'll ship it to a UPS store anywhere in the US. I travel by rail a lot and love the convenience of having a big heavy lens waiting for me at my destination.

As the previous posters have said, the customer service is AAA+.  Never had a shipment come late, never had a lens come that was in less than pristine condition. If you have a comment or question about a rental, someone gets back to you ASAP.  I think they do a great service for photographers especially 'prosumers' who like to try different things but are on a budget.

41

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS in 2012 [CR2]

« on: February 12, 2012, 12:54:50 AM »

over 10-12 years, you're right... $3000.00 is not a huge investment if this is your passion and or work....I am personally slowing down my updating of bodies. Have been buying one every 2 years. Canon would have to come out with some entirely new concept for the SLR for me to upgrade for a while.

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Lenses / Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS in 2012 [CR2]

« on: February 11, 2012, 07:26:23 PM »

This is *great* news, if indeed it is news.  However, the alleged 3K price tag is pretty steep. Is this lens twice as good as the current model?? I would consider a 400mm with IS if they ever make one.  I guess they can charge whatever they want to since there really isn't any competition in this range is there, unless you consider the Sigma's/Bigma...   just saw someone mentioned possible Tokina 100-400...that could be nice.

43

Lenses / why I want a 100-400 IS L II updated lens..now..

« on: February 08, 2012, 11:14:52 PM »

Had one 100-400 L, it was not as sharp as I wanted, sold it. Have rented them from lensrentals.com a few times, the sharpness have been fine.  Why don't I just buy one??

The I S really is dated.  2 stops is less than new equipment coming out from Canon or Tamron or anyone else doing IS/VR.    No tripod mode for IS.  I don't care about push pull vs ring zoom, don't believe in the dust issue.
I don't mind paying more than the current lens for an update.  Yes, I'm wasting money by renting, but I only need the lens for 3-4 weeks per year, my 70-300 (non L) is fine for many uses.   I may just give up and buy the current model if no update by this fall. Knowing my luck the update will come out immediately after I buy.