Messages

16

EOS Bodies / Re: Really Right Stuff L-Plate 5D3

« on: April 03, 2012, 04:49:52 AM »

Mine is on pre-order, and hope to get it soon.  I don't mind the gap as shown above.  My 7D l-plate doesn't have the gap, but to use the camera in portrait orientation, I have to loosen the mounting screw and slide the l-plate about 5mm "IF" I want to use a remote trigger.  This means I have to carry the allen key.
As shown in the other view orientations of the 5D3 l-plate, the gap means there is no need for any l-plate adjustment when using a remote trigger.  I think they have thought this through quite well.
I'm sure I recall seeing an image that showed the port cover being able to rotate through the gap to stop it being pinched or caught up in the clamp too (maybe they updated their images with the laser etched versions), so I thought it was a functional gap.

17

EOS Bodies / Re: Is the 5D Mark III Sharp??

« on: April 02, 2012, 07:13:59 AM »

cool, I think you will be amazed at how much better the raw of that shot looks anyway
do you have a fast aperture lens? a nifty fifty or know someone who does so you can try it out very wide open?
thats where i am finding mine goes all haywire at relatively narrow apertures its ok but go wide and everything goes to hell. and i'm not even pushing the lenses right down to f1.4 (which they preform perfectly at on all my other cameras) even stopped down to f2 or f2.8 they are miss focusing bigtime.
Believe me i'm not taking the camera back because of a few bad shots. I have spent a massive amount of time troubleshooting this and I am certain the problem lies in the AF on my copy (however it seems lots of people are getting good results, I just suggest you check it thoroughly while you are still in a window you can return it if you do find problems a $100 50mm f1.8 will show up any wide aperture focusing issues if they are there.

Hey Wickid, firstly, I appreciate all the testing you have done and reported back here.  When I tried to reproduce your work, it confirmed to me that I had a good (or better) copy.
I just checked mine using the 50/f1.8 at 1.8, 2.0, 2.8, 4.0, 5.6, 8.0, 16.0 and found all focused really quickly and sharp on an ISO12233 chart.  I used single point focus on the centre of the chart, tripod, remote release and mirror lockup to make sure I didn't disrupt the focus or create camera shake myself.
Now as you can see, this is VERY controlled conditions, and I haven't tried it in real world conditions at lower than f5.6 (and that was sharp), but this gives me great confidence going forward.

18

Software & Accessories / Re: Need hard case for 4x6 Lee filters

« on: March 30, 2012, 08:21:03 PM »

Try your local fishing tackle or adventure store.  I got a polypropylene case from one of those places, and the filters fit neatly inside when you remove the compartment dividers.  For the holder I use a thin sandwich container (Decor brandname).
Hope this helps.

19

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Help: 5D III & 24-105 sharpness

« on: March 29, 2012, 05:24:57 AM »

I think a great deal of the soft image problems are stemming from the 24-105mm lens they are shipping as a kit lens.
I took test shots with mine when I received it and I hated the results.
Soft, dull, dark and not what I was expecting from a highly rated camera.
My previous Nikon D7000 + 50mm F/1.4 G was way way sharper and brighter.
I was almost in the same boat as you, but I just didn't believe the camera was at fault.
For S___s and giggles I ordered a $100 50mm F/1.8 which arrived from Amazon today.
I also changed the focusing to single point (which I do with primes anyway).
The results are absolutely stunning and tack sharp and now way way better than the D7000 combo
My advice, if you want those tack sharp but dreamy bokeh shots, you need to get fast primes and learn how to shoot them.
$100 is a good way to learn and a lot lighter to lug around than the 24-105...
ET

The nifty 50 is a great lens, I agree.  Have you tried your 24-105 lens with only single point focusing?  What were the results like?

20

Software & Accessories / Re: A Q? for landscape photographers about filters

« on: March 28, 2012, 10:03:07 PM »

Nice! Great examples and great to know you like the mk3. You'll need to get a dog on the beach to check for sharpness though.

I agree they need some foreground interest.  Problem is I'm having trouble finding a dog big enough to challenge f11 DoF!   

Now, there's a challenge! 

Not really a challenge, I just don't like seeing expensive paper-weights, when it is a great camera. 

21

Software & Accessories / Re: A Q? for landscape photographers about filters

« on: March 28, 2012, 08:47:10 AM »

Lets start by saying, I've been using a 7D and 10-22 lens with HiTech filters for my landscapes and done 3 foot wide prints from a single image and they are really clean.  That was until last week when I got my 5D3 and the 16-35.  With all the paranoia around the 5D3, I checked my 7D/10-22 against the 5D3/16-35 with a test chart and they are chalk and cheese.  The 5D3 just blows it away, so now I can't wait to go out and do more landscapes with the new camera - just waiting for my adapter rings to arrive.  But I digress...

I don't do any proper landscapes without my filters.  As has already been said, once you've blown your highlights, they are gone.  But also, if you clip your shadows, they can be very hard to recover too.  By using filters (soft or hard edge Grad NDs) you can suppress the highlights while still pulling up the shadow detail.  The images below are probably not the best examples and were taken with my 7D and the 10-22 at 10mm, but all I could readily find for with and without and it gives you the idea.  Notice the vertical rock face detail is brought up, while some cloud detail is revealed.  With the foundation set, you can then tune slightly as you need.

So I see no reason not to get out there and take some awesome landscapes with your new 5D3 and Lee filters.  I look forward to seeing some shots soon!

22

EOS Bodies / Re: So frustrated with new 5DmkIII - returning it!

« on: March 26, 2012, 02:51:39 AM »

On the subject of JPEG quality I just did a test. I set the camera to RAW+JPEG, turned off Auto Light Optimizer, Highlight tone priority, and Noise Reduction and used Sigma 85mm f/1.4, 25mm extension tube, manual exposure at ISO 100, f/8, 1/180s, macro flash, tripod mounted, 2 second self timer to avoid shake. This is an incredibly sharp lens at f/8, so this should be a best case scenario. I took one with Standard picture style and one with Neutral picture style. In this setup the JPEGs show nearly the same amount of detail as the RAW. Looking at the histogram, the Red channel did overexpose, so I did botch the test somewhat. Still, by comparing areas that didn't overexpose I think the JPEGs look fine. I think the only real difference in camera setup compared to some of the initial JPEGs I took is the Auto Light Optimizer... it could be that this is what is killing the JPEGs. I will do that comparison tomorrow. For those of you curious, here is a 49mb zip with the in-camera JPEGs and the converted DNG files: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/32275661/samples.zip

I just had a quick look up of "Auto Light Optimizer" in the manual (okay, I read the manual...), but here is what it says:
Page 63: "In the <A+> mode, the Auto Lighting Optimizer (p142) will adjust the image automatically to obtain the optimum brightness and contrast.  It is also enabled by default in the P/Tv/Av/B modes".
Page 142: "If the images comes out dark or the contrast is low, the brightness and contrast can be corrected automatically. This function is called Auto Lighting Optimizer. The default setting is [Standard]. With JPEG images, the correction is applied when the image is captured".

I think this is exactly whats happening. The side-by-side comparison you posted earlier of JPEG and CR2 showed the JPEG "more exposed" to my eye, washing out some of the details (softer).  Not saying its the answer to all the problems being seen by others, but certainly explains your post observations.
Could it be that some are seeing this and not others suggesting that those not seeing the problem "may" be using Manual mode?

Similar issue with the flash usage?  That is, is the flash creating an image of low contrast (according to the camera) and blowing detail in the auto-correction causing a soft image?

If you are experiencing soft JPEG images, what mode are you using?  P, Av, Tv, M or B?

23

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Got 5D III today from Adorama, shutter messed up

« on: March 22, 2012, 10:36:48 PM »

If it was a mirror not retracting fully, then wouldn't it be on the bottom (as the image is inverted relative to the sensor)...?

True.  Good call.

24

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Got 5D III today from Adorama, shutter messed up

« on: March 22, 2012, 10:10:15 PM »

I'm thinking something in the mirror movement is being delayed, hence the band (what I think is the mirror edge being in shot) gets narrower with longer exposures.  Have you tried a shot with mirror lockup?  Mirror lockup should have it completely out of the way when the exposure is taken.

I'd definitely contact warranty support.

25

Landscape / Re: Sydney Harbour Landscape

« on: March 20, 2012, 07:21:52 AM »

Heres another I took last summer - you can tell because the sun was shining...

26

Lenses / Re: 24-70 II availability?

« on: March 13, 2012, 07:41:36 PM »

April 17th is the release date, if I remember correctly. I am really excited about this lens, so I hope there are no delays.

I ordered mine with my 5D3 and was told to expect the lens in mid April here in Australia.  Unfortunately, this will be 3 weeks after I get the body. 
Should be an awesome pairing! 

27

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon: 22 megapixels is enough for EOS 5D Mark III

« on: March 06, 2012, 06:20:03 AM »

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/03/05/canon-22-megapixels-is-enough-for-eos-5d-mark-iii/

jmeyer | News | 05/03/2012 09:30am
“It’s OK [higher megapixel counts] for studio photographers, but that’s not who we envisage using this camera,” he added.
Posted on Monday, March 5th, 2012 at 9:30 am

Given that Parry has made this comment, I would be very, very surprised if canon does not have a high-megapixel, studio monster within the next 12 months.
What a fantastic period this is.

I've been thinking the same for a while - horses for courses.  With the Olympics mid-year, it makes sense that the "sports/action" camera received greater priority.  The "studio/landscape" monster megapixel camera may follow, and rumours have been around for a potential Photokina announcement for that.  Time will tell if Canon will respond "directly" to the D800 in the megapixel race.

I suppose the next question is though - what will the studio/landscape target market expect?  If Canon made a 46MP, 9-19 point AF, and 3-5fps camera at US$3500, would this meet expectations or will people be disappointed given the new 5D3 specs?

28

EOS Bodies / Re: NO 5dM3 On Friday * CONFIRMED By a canon Rep Today

« on: February 29, 2012, 03:01:50 AM »

I've read a few posts noting multiple bodies this year. So, what if the 5D3 (if that is what the OP specifically asked about) is the monster megapixel camera?  A lot of people seem to think that spec camera will be due later in the year - and that was then honestly confirmed by the Canon Rep.
And that could mean the spec and rumour we currently have (02 Mar 2012, 22MP, 61pt pro-like AF, $3500, etc) could be the elusive/evasive 3D or 5DX???  May explain product placement too after merging the 1D line.
Maybe I'm dreaming and delirious from following all these threads the last few days & nights.  Is it Friday yet......?

29

EOS Bodies / Re: The new 5D Mark III ?!?! PICS!

« on: February 28, 2012, 06:42:45 PM »

Based on pics like this, how could Canon track who it was? (unless there's just 1 pair of 1dx/5diii's in Dubai)

How many 5d3 do you think there are in Dubai?
i doubt more then 3-4.

Well, thats a small enough number.... Off to the Principal's office! 

And how many have the same lenses as shown in the photos and in their signature, with full website contact details?

30

EOS Bodies / Re: *UPDATE* The Next 5D on March 2, 2012 [CR3]

« on: February 27, 2012, 06:44:15 AM »

Could this image be true???

Seems highly plausible. It looks like a combination of 7D design and 5D logo.

And the missing popup flash button suggest it is a model without inbuilt flash.

Perhaps this is it

Agreed.  This is definitely plausible.  This could be in keeping with the Kenyan prototype keeping the 7D styling/layout.
The other thing that is interesting is the 5 hole microphone port.  I think all existing cameras with video have a 4 hole port.  Could be wrong, but this is definitely plausible.