Messages

61

Lenses / Re: EF 24-70 f/2.8L IS Exists as a Working Prototype [CR2]

« on: December 19, 2012, 08:19:27 PM »

Exactly.  Now that they decided to hit the world up for $2,300.00 on the NON-IS version, what the heck are they going to price the IS version at?  There has to be a limit ofo what the market will bear, and I think they already went to that limit on the NON IS.

62

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: I feel like a kid again....

« on: December 19, 2012, 02:58:59 PM »

Good thing she doesn't read this forum and this specific thread.  Pull out the battery and charge it up, she'll never know.

good plan... on it!

Seriously good idea. 

63

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 6D & 24-105 f/4; AF point works as well with f/4 lens as f/2.8?

« on: December 19, 2012, 02:54:16 PM »

When you use an f/2.8 lens on a camera that has a high-precision f/2.8-sensitive AF point, you get the benefit of that high-precision AF point that you don't get with a lens slower than f/2.8 ).  This is specified by Canon as 'accurate to within one depth of focus' for normal precision and 'accurate to within 1/3 the depth of focus' for high precision.  AF systems aren't perfect - any given shot will be within some range of 'perfect' - using a lens that enables the high-precision point generally means that more shots, on average, will be closer to 'perfect'.

Yes.  Thanks.  That was exactly what I was referring to.

So... even if I was shooting that f/2.8 lens at a narrower aperture (f/4 or f/16) the "precision AF" would still work to improve shots on that lens?  Or does the precision AF only kick in when you actually dial in an aperture f/2.8 or wider?

64

EOS Bodies - For Stills / 6D & 24-105 f/4; AF point works as well with f/4 lens as f/2.8?

« on: December 19, 2012, 12:27:50 AM »

Is there any loss of, well, anything, in the AF function of a 6D when using a lens with max aperture of f/4, vs. its performance with f/2.8 or wider/faster lens?

I have seen here and there that certain AF points (center usually) do things at f/2.8 or better that the point can't do with wider lenses?

Relevant at all with 6D and 24-105 f/4???

Thanks!

65

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Can we all send a complaint to Canon to fix the AF-Assist focusing on the 5D3?

« on: December 18, 2012, 01:00:17 PM »

@dlleno

I I think you are right about Canon" planning its response" but probably only in the sense that there must be a chalkboard somewhere with notes about 5D4.

66

EOS Bodies / Re: 6D vs 5Diii vs 5Dii - Speedlite AF Focus Beam Assist Tests

« on: December 18, 2012, 12:55:02 PM »

My serial is xxxxx4xx5xxx and has the IR focus issue.  I've had it for 2 weeks from an authorized seller.
In -2EV of light my Rebel 550D was faster than the 5D3 (1/2s vs 1s).  In 1EV of light the 5D3 is faster.  The test was simple.  Fully depress the shutter simultaneously on both bodies to see which shot first (images were in focus). 

[The setups were different (5d3+600ex+70-200ii vs 550D+580ex2+24-70v1) but I found in previous tests that  combinations of lens and flash did not make a difference to the outcome.  Subject was a uniform tiled wall at 8 feet.]

By themselves, these data do not concern me greatly -- a 1/2 sec penalty for the extraordinary AF accuracy of the 5D3 seems reasonable. and thanks for being specific about the light level!  But -- with the AF assist beam active, the AF systems are seeing greater than -2EV of light, especially since both beams were active at the same time!  So to me this is describing a marriage problem between the 5D3  AF system and the assist beam.  The fact that the 5D3 focus lock time improves with an increase in light suggests that it is not even looking at (or isn't making very good use of) the assist beam. 

now then, take off the flash and force both cameras to focus in -2EV (and other levels of) light.  how do they perform?

take both cameras into a closet and close the door ("pitch dark") both cameras should utilize the AF assist beam and should take photos, when tested separately (don't let both assist beams fire simultaneously)

Try it with Yonguo 565ex and see if the beefier af beam helps.

67

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Only 1 lens

« on: December 18, 2012, 12:46:38 AM »

Congratulations on your 9-month-old!  And congratulations on having the instincts of a good father!

I am older than you, but I sold my 2-year old Harley Davidson the week after my 2nd daughter was born, and now I have 3rd baby!  Funny thing is, it hurt a little at the moment because of my pride, but given the joy of the kids I honestly never (almost) miss it.

The thing is, your main photo interest has kind of changed too.  I found that having a baby around seriously decreased my interest in landscapes (and travel shots!).  You need at bare minimum a kit capable of taking great baby shots.  You will NEVER get those precious days and months back ever.  And at 25 with a baby it probably doesn't seem like it, but you WILL have money again some day!  Honestly!

I agree with Neuro that you won't get a lot for a used 5D2 nowadays.  I'd be inclined to keep it for that reason, but if not, then a T3i (also as Neuro said) or even a T2i, would be great with your nifty fifty for baby portraits.  If you kept your 5D2, maybe an 85mm f/1.8 or a 135mm 2.0?

Bright side:  The way bodies depreciate, and lenses stay theh same, you can sit out for a few years, then buy a new design body that kicks the butt of current cameras, and you can re-buy the lenses for the same price you sold yours!

Merry Christmas!

68

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Going FF very soon; what to do about lenses?

« on: December 17, 2012, 10:14:27 PM »

For miscellaneous and who knows, the 24-105L is a great choice, and you can't beat the price as a FF kit lens. The 85/1.8 is great for portraits on FF.

Ditto.  +1  The 24-105 was my first L lens and that was on crop.  It's a great deal for a lens when packaged with the body.  Just do that first.  Don't over think it.  The 85/1.8 is pretty inexpensive and a fantastic portrait lens.  Get that too if you like.  And the 24-105 isn't bad for portraits either.  Don't buy any more lenses for a while.  Learn to use those first.  Buy lighting or reflectors or books.  Enjoy the camera.  Don't get too caught up in the equipment.  Heck, you already have a 70-200!  You'll be set for a while.  How do you plan to carry it all?  Good storage or carry systems aren't cheap either.

Enjoy your FF camera!!   

Good advice.  I think I can make do very nicely with the 24-105 and maybe an 85 f/1.8 prime.

I am thinking that dark/dim shooting is worth more to me than fancy sports shooting.  At least until my little ones get faster!  That gives me 4 or 5 years.  I think I will wait for the 6D plus 24-105 to finally drop a few hundred below $2699 at B&H or Adorama, then grab it.

69

EOS Bodies / Re: 6D or 5D3 (or wait for 7d2?)

« on: December 16, 2012, 08:44:00 PM »

I am struggling with the same decision.  90% of my shots are indoor sports...with fast moving action and poor lighting.

I have a 40D now...and my go to lens is a Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS II...and my walk around is the Canon 17-55 f2.8.  I have a couple of other lenses, but these two are responsible for most of my shots.

A 7D Mk2 would let me keep the 17-55 and give me great sports photography.  A 6D would give me the better low-light performance that I crave.  I suppose if I had to do it today, I would go for the 7D Mk2...if it existed...and looked like it had decent specs...and the price was not ridiculous.  I suppose the 7D's final specs and price will be the final decision maker for me.

Funny we have the same lenses, and the same thought process, although you are more seriously into the sports shooting.  I would love to keep with crop (a 7D2) and my 17-55, but between the fact that it must be at least a year or more away, and the fact it probably won't gain more than 1/2 stop in ISO performance, I think I am deciding to go FF.

70

EOS Bodies / Re: YN 622; Is this the/a solution to 5D3 + AF beam = slower focus???

« on: December 16, 2012, 08:32:46 PM »

@Rusty:

How early a model was your first body, and how recently did you get the new one? 

Trying to gauge whether the "old" units have been flushed out of inventories yet.  Probably have been at the high-volume dealers, but maybe not at the smaller volume dealers.

71

EOS Bodies / Re: YN 622; Is this the/a solution to 5D3 + AF beam = slower focus???

« on: December 16, 2012, 01:51:24 PM »

Thanks Rusty.

72

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 1DX- coated in ice, nice and white, and still clicking

« on: December 16, 2012, 02:53:25 AM »

Very nice.  It has a (COOL) Star Wars-y look, at risk of going full-nerd.

73

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Going FF very soon; what to do about lenses?

« on: December 16, 2012, 02:23:43 AM »

Hi,

I am going full frame.  Soon.  Nearly dove in on Cyber Monday.  Now just stalking prices.
I may get 5D3, or I may go 6D.  Either way, I obviously need a new "walking around lens".  I will be keeping the T3i body but I will be selling the wonderful 17-55 f/2.8 zoom lens.  I already have a 70-200 f/2.8 mk2.  I also have the nifty firty 1.8.

I have never shot FF before.  I am wondering if for the "normal lens" I should either:

1.)  Get the 24-105 f/4 at the nice discount for package/kit deal, or
2.)  Just get a prime (85mm?) (50mm?) and live with it, or
3.)  Wait for 24-70 f/4?

I know I need a walk-around lens. I worry that only a prime or primes would be too hard to work? 

I am also aware that you get a serious discount if you buy the lens with the camera, so the 24-105 looks great.

I could MAYBE do the 6D plus 24-70 f/2.8 mk2, though it would be a real stretch.

There is no way I could do more than the 24-105 if I bought the 5D3.

Should I go 6d instead?  I know the advice is usually to go lenses first and then bodies.

ALSO, what about a cheap 50mm or 85mm?  Supposedly Sigma is getting good at these for the price?

Sorry for so many questions.

I shoot:
Portraits of my elementary school kids, and
Some non-serious kid soccer, and
Candids of the family, and
misc., and
who knows?

Thanks!

74

EOS Bodies / YN 622; Is this the/a solution to 5D3 + AF beam = slower focus???

« on: December 16, 2012, 01:46:44 AM »

Is this the solution?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yongnuo-YN-622C-Wireless-TTL-Flash-Trigger-Canon-2-Receivers-/251173637846?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D11%26meid%3D4199993506709166129%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1005%26rk%3D5%26sd%3D120988902989%26
This trigger/transciever has its own AF beam, which is the same beefy robust pattern shown on the Yongnuo 565ex.  At just $47.00 is this the solution to the 5D3's bad AF beam performance?  Either buy 2 or 3 of these at $47 bucks each, or just buy one to use as a stand-alone AF beam for the 5D3??

BTW I did NOT come up with this; I took it from another of the threads on this subject.  I am about to buy either a 5D3 or a 6D, and I would like to know what others think about this beefy AF beam as a possible solution/aid to AF on 5D3??

75

Lenses / Re: Ditch 100L for 70-200 L II ?

« on: December 13, 2012, 09:16:32 PM »

I find I use my 100L as short tele most of the time (once I got thru all the initial bug pictures) and I'm pretty happy with the results I'm getting. I like having the IS and 2.8 is for the most part fast enough for me.

I'm considering going to a 70-200 II instead and want to ask folks who've used both what their feelings are with respect to what each has to offer at 100mm.

I'd love to get a 200 f2 in addition to the 100 but I can't really justify tying up that kinda $$$. So the idea is do a 70-200 for portrait to moderate tele, and a couple of primes for normal and short.

Another thought is to go for a 135L instead. Less flexibility but more reach than 100 and faster.

Thoughts?

If you are kind of done shooting the bugs, then I would say the 100 can go, and the 70-200 will give you awesome IQ at the same aperature, but over a much bigger focal range.