Messages

1

EOS Bodies / Re: The Future of EOS M [CR1]

« on: April 26, 2013, 11:59:20 PM »

Well that gives me some comfort that I did not sink my money into the current version, coz on many occasions I thought of getting the EOS-M but just kept putting it off as it wasn't a priority for me ... maybe the newer version(s) might lure me into buying one 

If they fix the AF, bring out a model with a viewfinder and a wired shutter release socket, and also introduce a better sensor, I will be very inclined to look at it.

2

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon Announcements on April 23, 2013? [CR2]

« on: April 08, 2013, 07:44:03 PM »

What is Canon doing?

Nothing. What a joke of a company.

What is Canon doing?  Delivering value to their shareholders by consistently selling more cameras than their competitors.  If that trend continues, the innovations of other manufacturers may become irrelevant.

The market (and I am not referring to the whingers on this site) seems to be happy with what Canon is doing.  I think an important thing, which a lot of us tend to forget, is that most users of DSLRs never test the limits of their cameras sensors.  That has allowed Canon to get a lot of use of the current 18MP sensor.

It looks like Canon is following a totally planned script.  My money would be on the 7DII being the camera that will show Canon's next generation of APS-C sensors.  After it comes out, Canon will probably wait at least 6 months to trickle the sensor down to the 80D.

What is good to try to do is to plan your buying cycles around your vendor's technology lifecycle.  Decide how far you want to be behind the leading edge, and try to avoid buying when a refresh is due.  That means, unless you absolutely have to buy an APS-C camera (and I am lumping the G1X in here too) avoid it until after the 7DII launches.

3

Lighting / Re: Elinchroms and High Speed Sync

« on: March 26, 2013, 05:14:44 PM »

Hello all,

Since googling seems not to turn up any understandable results I decided to ask if any one here who could shed some light on the issue (pun intended.

I have been narrowing my options down to getting either the 500BRXi kit (500/500w) or the Ranger Quadra RX setup. However, they all say they can do flash durations down to 1/6000th of a second (give or take) but flash sync speed is only 1/250th of a second.
Speedlites can do HSS easily, no problem, they emit several pulses as the shutter traverses across the sensor to light the whole thing. Fine and dandy, but apprently the Elinchrom's cannot do this.
I was thinking though, if I set the camera to 1/2000th of a second shutter speed, but the Elinchroms to output flash over 1/1000th of a second, shouldn't that cover the whole sensor and then some?

There are two issues at play here - the latency of your triggering system and the fact that your camera's shutter uses two curtains.  Up to the maximum sync speed, the entire sensor is exposed for the entire duration of the exposure.  Faster than that, the two shutter curtains form a "slit" which "travels" over the sensor - i.e. the entire area of the sensor is not exposed at once.  As a result, only a small area of the sensor will get exposed by a single burst of the flash.  Hence why HSS uses a burst of pulses.

On the other hand, to freeze motion with studio strobes, you mainly need to ensure that the ambient light is sufficiently low not to have an impact on the exposure, then you can leave the sensor exposed for longer, and the "real" exposure only happens when the strobes fire. - That is how most high speed flash photos - think of a bullet going through an apple etc. are taken - the shutter is left open, and the strobe is fired at precisely the right moment (using a trigger which senses the firing of a gun, for instance).

4

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 70D, DIGIC 6 & 18mp Sensors

« on: March 21, 2013, 04:58:02 AM »

From DPReview early preview:

"The focusing speed of the updated hybrid phase and contrast-detect design remains unchanged, which unfortunately means that it still lags behind current mirrorless cameras from Sony, Olympus and Panasonic."

Well done Canon for the LACK of progress in this critical department. Wow! I am totally floored.

I have to admit it puzzles me a little.  It doesn't look like the sensor is much of an advance on the 650D.  Assuming the sensor in the 100D and 700D are the same, that begs the question why anyone would upgrade to a 700D.

When looking at the Canon range, I like the EOS M form factor, but I won't be pulling the trigger until there is a significant advance in sensor technology.  For now, I'll suck it up and lug the 7D.

5

EOS Bodies / Re: The Next Rebel? [CR1]

« on: March 13, 2013, 07:04:37 PM »

I have the same opinion about using the same sensor.... for me a basic upgrade for a body must be the ISO performance (that I guess will be the same).... Imagine if they would have kept the same sensor between the 5d and the 5d mark III... it would have been a disaster.

BUT, this camera probably is not meant for me, meaning that, as stated by other user, people would care more for sharing in FB than ISO performance.... well, that is call entry level.

Let's see about the sensor in the 70D and the 7D mark II (if they are finally coming).

Victor

This is a product release driven by the Marketing department, not the Engineering department.

6

Canon General / Re: Patent: Large Back Illuminated Sensor

« on: January 21, 2013, 05:56:11 PM »

Getting higher iso sensors at this point in a mature sensor industry requires innovation.  I would expect to see backlit large sensors at some point in the future to get that additional 1/2 stop of sensitivity.

I am wondering if this is starting to give some pointers as to what we will see in Canon's next crop of APS-C sensors.  I have a funny feeling we may see new technology from Canon in APS-C before it hits full frame - this would mainly be a commercial measure to keep to more cost effective (i.e. cheaper technology) for full frame, and then mature the newer tech in the lower end (APS-C).

regarding another poster's comment - I don't see Canon using different sensor technology in APS-C DSLRs and EOS-M - they will probably use the same sensors, with DSLRs using in-sensor phase detection AF during live view.

7

Canon General / Re: FYI: This Is The Gear Used To Take Obama’s New Official Portrait

« on: January 19, 2013, 11:18:46 PM »

85L at 7.1. What a waste!!!

I never understood why portrait and extremely shallow dof seem to be synonymous for some - it's certainly nice to have the *option* for subject isolation and extreme background blur esp. if the bg is crappy, but if either the eye *or* the nose is in focus it's not necessarily the most pleasing look to me and probably non-photogs that don't get high when looking at a super-creamy bokeh (if they know the word) :-o

I think you mostly use f/1.2 when you first get the lens - because you can, and then you start to get real realise that in order to shoot portraits with both eyes in focus, you do need to stop the lens down.
The real justification for shooting this lens wide open is when you are just desperate for light, or when you have a subject where you want to isolate one small part, but not for normal portraits.

8

Canon General / Re: The tax monster is coming soon. What are you planning on doing with your refund?

« on: January 17, 2013, 07:22:55 PM »

What the hell is a tax refund?   

If you overpaid in taxes (in the USA), you can typically get the refunded taxes back in a refund.  =)  no guarantees in other countries.

He was being sarcastic.  I thought the same question...the only people the get refunds are the people have "jobs".

.. and if you overpaid taxes, you were giving an interest-free loan to the taxman!  That's why it's better to owe - that way the taxman can give you an interest-free loan for a few months...

9

Lenses / Re: New EOS-M Lenses Soon [CR2]

« on: January 17, 2013, 05:29:48 PM »

If canon put decent AF on the EOS-M it would be perfect for me.  The point of the mirrorless is that it is so small.  When you add things like OVF and full frame the whole system just gets bigger defeating the whole purpose.  I have a 5D3 and if I want shots in the dark I will bring it with me.  I am perfectly fine composing and shooting using the back LCD, I would like it as small as possible with Canon 1.6x crop IQ.   

The only other would-be-nice change would be to make it look retro like some of the Fuji and Olympus cameras coming out but that is not a deal breaker at all.

I think your on the money except for the retro bit - I couldn't really care whether it looks contemporary or retro.

The APS-C sensor makes it possible to reduce the flange distance.  With full frame, there is not much scope for doing that, without funky micro-lens arrangements, which to my understanding Leica has patented.  Canon already has problems with the oblique angle of incident light from the 85mm f/1.2.  Bringing the rear element any closer to a full frame sensor would be a big technical challenge.  As a result, I believe it will be difficult to make a full frame mirrorless camera which is much smaller than a DSLR.  In addition, once you are using full frame lenses, you need a larger body in order to make for a balanced system which can be held comfortably.
APS-C quality is, to my mind, good enough for a small camera.  There are people out there producing absolutely stunning images with APS-C sensors.
I would like a viewfinder - as it gives a better ability to brace the camera.  I would also like a wired shutter release.  Once those are available, together with a newer APS-C sensor, I may be prepared to buy an EOS-M.

10

EOS Bodies / Re: DSLR & Lens Coming on January 15, 2013? [CR1]

« on: January 15, 2013, 12:06:47 AM »

Hmm, it's 4pm AEDT on the 15th - nothing yet.  I would have expected an announcement to be out by now....

11

Lenses / Re: 17-40 vs 16-35, which one got the mojo ?

« on: January 13, 2013, 04:44:37 PM »

I've found the 17-40 comparable with the 16-35 between apertures of f/8 - f/11. f/4 is a bit tricky though and best avoided unless left without an option.

I've would recommend that the OP should go through the image threads for both the lenses and (i) try to see the difference in IQ; and (ii) decide which lens has "mojo" that you are looking for.

I think that sums it up - if you are shooting primarily landscapes with a tripod or are doing studio work between f/8 and f/11 it probably doesn't matter which lens you buy - you may as well choose the cheaper option which is the 17-40.  If you need to shoot at f/4, the 16-35mm is probably better.  And of course if you want the subject isolation you get with f/2.8 or you want to shoot action, the 16-35 is probably your choice.

12

United Kingdom & Ireland / Re: Jessops close to administration?

« on: January 09, 2013, 07:24:43 PM »

Prior to the advent of online buying, a buyer had the option of buying locally, or calling a mail order outfit, usually one who advertised on photography magazines, and many of them were awful.  I did discover B&H that way back in the 1980's and have bought from since.  I also discovered a couple that only got one order!
 
Although we are a relatively small town, our local Camera store branched out into high end Audio Video and into online sales, and even opened a second store after 100 years in business.  Even so, their stores do not generally keep the high end 1 series bodies or the D4 in stock, so I have to order  from the warehouse if I want to see it.  (I can pick it up, its only a short distance from the store)  They do have a reasonable assortment of tripods, heads, and other accessories, but nothing close to what can be ordered online.
 
This is a typical example of adapt or die, stores that did not take internet retailing seriously and do what it took to stay in business are paying the price.

You've hit the nail on the head here.

Unfortunately for high-street retailers, a lot of sales of more "technological" devices, and this includes cameras, sports equipment (like bicycles) and consumer electronics, consumers know the part number they want, and the only differentiator is price.  e.g. I know I want an EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens, or LP-E6 battery, 5D III body, or a Shimano 105 chain.  - There is no value a sales assistant can add to the sale, because I have made the purchasing decision before I walk into the store (or navigate to the site).  The only factor that will change my purchasing decision is purchase price and after-sales service - e.g. I know that if I buy from Wiggle I have a local return address in Australia, and don't have to post faulty items back to the UK.

The bricks and mortar stores that are surviving are the ones that got online early and the ones that have targeted markets where the customer is looking for help to make a purchasing decision. - e.g. "I'm looking for a camera".  Even the latter approach is getting thinner pickings because sites like DPReview are making it easier to choose a camera yourself if you lack in-depth knowledge.  To go back to the bike shop analogy, the ones that are surviving, apart from the ones that went online, are the ones that have good workshops (who do the servicing that customers can't do themselves), and the ones that can provide a professional bike-fitting service - where the knowledge of the shop staff is so specialised that even a top cyclist can benefit from their help.

All retailers have to adapt to this trend, or die.  The only ones that are being spared this at the moment are the sellers of perishable groceries (i.e. supermarkets) but even that may change.

The online business is also all about scale - which is what the likes of B&H or Wiggle have achieved. - For instance I was at a LBS recently where the assistant complained that their cost is higher than Wiggle's retail price.  They just don't have the scale to move sufficient volumes to get the input costs that the big online guys have.

13

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Inside the Canon EOS-1D C

« on: January 08, 2013, 09:53:29 PM »

For me the base problem i can see here is not with the people that are purchasing this camera and their wealth.

It's more to do with the fact that canon has priced this camera at the point it has to not hurt sales of their other products like the 1DX and the C100 (both of which retail for around $7k).

If they reduced the price of the 1DC to say $500 more than the 1DX who honestly would buy the 1DX anymore?
Let alone the C100.
So instead they put it up with the C300 and claim that its double the camera than the 1DX and thats why its double the cost.

I don't understand why Canon cant just put 4K into the 1DX, call it the 1DX Mk2 or 1DX "C" or whatever at the same price point as what the 1DX is now and thats the end of that.

They would create a second "DSLR video Revolution" as they like to call it, and the other manufacturers would have to play catch up again.

Oh well greed/profits always win out in the end.

Another reason for the price may also be to throttle demand.  Paradoxical as this may sound - if Canon cannot fulfil higher volumes, the solution is to price it at a level which will reduce demand.  There may be an element of this happening, in that Canon is pricing higher to reduce demand until it can streamline production.  It has already been pointed out that this is a small volume camera, so unit production costs will be high.  Manufacturing is a scale game.

Canon also does not have any direct competitors in this space (yet), so it can bide its time and perfect the product before opening the floodgates.

You don't have to like this strategy, but it is an approach Canon could viably take.

14

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Inside the Canon EOS-1D C

« on: January 08, 2013, 09:01:00 PM »

Hacking aside, I don't think the 1D C makes sense at it's current price level. It's too close to other entry level pro video camera bodies that (Red, Sony, Panasonic) that offer greater flexibility and control for $15-20k. And a good sale or promotion will wipe out even the slight Canon price advantage.

I think where Canon is targeting the 1DC is at users who would prefer stills and 4K video in a single body, with the ergonomics of a stills camera.  I would hazard a guess that documentary makers would be a major target market, especially where there is a need to travel light.

As far as the price is concerned, this is a "tool of the trade" so the willingness to spend the purchase price has nothing to be with being wealthy, but with the ability for the camera to satisfy a specific business requirement better than other products also available on the market.  If a documentary maker (for instance) can reduce the overall weight or cost of equipment carried, that may satisfy a business requirement.  A weight consideration may even sway a decision in favour of the 1D-C, even if the output quality is inferior to what RED or Sony could deliver, if the logistics of a production are sufficiently simplified or made cheaper.

15

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

« on: December 20, 2012, 05:14:47 PM »

With a FF body, IS is not needed for the 24-70 range unless you are doing video.... 

Well maybe that's true for the way you shoot, but it's possible yours is not the only shooting style on the planet. Throw someone creative a new tool like IS on a 24-70 and chances are they'll start delivering shots that were not possible to achieve without it. Every new option delivers potential for new creative possibilities.

From the day that film cameras stopped being mainstream, we have had a rapid, almost endless succession of new and exciting developments in what is still a very young, though rapidly maturing industry. I'm talking about the digital revolution and it HAS been a revolution, now maturing into brisk evolution.

24-70 with IS? Bring it on. Also bring on all the developments still in R&D and also those not yet invented. We live in exciting times.

-PW

I think this is a case that there is probably market demand for both IS and non-IS versions of a 24-70 f/2.8.  For some the additional weight of the IS will not be worth it - there are a lot of people who can't afford to shoot at less than 1/60s or 1/80s, especially where people form part of the subject.
IS is very useful for cases where you can't, for some reason, use a tripod.  I think video users will also be very keen on an IS version of this lens.