Messages

31

Animal Kingdom / Re: Zoo Pics

« on: November 22, 2012, 10:21:06 PM »

These are from Melbourne zoo, using the 7D with the 70-200 f/4L IS USM:


Who is the monkey?



Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça?



Tora! Tora! Tora!



This is all a bit of a yawn!



Butterfly love

32

Lenses / Re: 1Dx or lenses

« on: November 22, 2012, 10:05:04 PM »

The immediate gap I see in your lens collection is a standard zoom.  There may be reasons why you don't need one.  If that is the case then OK.  Otherwise, I would consider the 24-70 f/2.8L USM II to add to your lens collection.

Given what you have said, this is more a case of what your heart desires most, rather than any need - so go with what your heart desires.

33

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: What would you do? Crop or FF

« on: November 22, 2012, 04:02:03 PM »

I wouldn't bother with a 7D or 60D, given that you have the T2i/550D, which has essentially the same sensor - so from a point of view of IQ, you don't get any improvement.  The only reason to move to a 7D is if you need environmental sealing, better AF or more fps.

... and better usability (lcd display, back wheel, more firmware features) which is a big plus - I wouldn't want to go below a 60d. But of course this is a bad time to get the 18mp sensor - the old 18mp cameras will be cheaper after the rumored 7d2 update.

To extend that comment: it is probably a good time for buying full frame bodies at the moment, but a bad time for buying crop frame bodies.  You do however first need to make your decision whether you want full frame or APS-C.

Right now, we know what full frame bodies Canon is likely to have for the next 3 odd years.  Canon still has to play its hand with respect to APS-C, and we will probably know what the next round of bodies will look like by about March next year. - Hopefully, at least, the 7DII (or the 7D's successor) will be known.

For me, I suspect that the 7D will be the last APS-C DSLR body I own.  I do still see APS-C having a place for me in a smaller form factor - I am hoping that Canon will soon announce a more advanced EOS-M body - the current one doesn't cut it for me.  That will hopefully provide a replacement for my G11.

Either way, it is worth remembering that current APS-C DSLRs are probably providing better IQ than 35mm film.  In fact, when I got my EOS 350D and compared to the results from from EOS 650, it was clear that I was at least as well served with the 350D.  (That doesn't stop me from shooting the odd film with the 650 for purely sentimental reasons.)  We are at a point where we are very privileged in terms of the equipment available to us.

Oh, and for those who argue that you don't need a full frame DSLR for personal use, that is like arguing that that I shouldn't buy a road bike with a 105 groupset for commuting, but ignoring that I do ride 70km a day....

34

Lenses / Re: Have $2200 budget which lens(es) to get next?

« on: November 22, 2012, 06:18:00 AM »

70-200 2.8 IS

I don't get why people are afraid of the weight. I carry the 200 F2 around all day and I'm not a big guy (65 kg, 140 pounds?). I own both and the versatility of the 70-200 is awesome for weddings. And if you have the 135 + 70-200 F4 in your bag, then it's the same weight as the 2.8 but you don't have to change lenses.

+1 on that.

My wife recently shot a job which involved using the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II for a week, plus using a Speedlite all the time on a gripped 5DII.  (About 6000 frames over the week.)  While it was tiring, it was not a problem.  She uses the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II extensively for outdoor portraits.

If you are going to shoot outdoor portraits or weddings, I would not go for a 70-200mm without IS.  We also got the 70-200 f/4 IS, but it is mainly a backup lens now.  If you plan to go on to shoot weddings (engagement shoots are an obvious gateway drug to weddings) rather invest in the IS version.  Apart from giving you a stop more light, the f/2.8 also gives you more accurate AF - the dual-cross AF points are only active for lenses which are f/2.8 or faster.  That may be significant to you.

The 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II is very popular with wedding photographers for good reason.  Soon after buying that lens for my wife we realised the investment was a no-brainer.

35

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: What would you do? Crop or FF

« on: November 22, 2012, 06:04:43 AM »

For family pictures, 5D2 or 6D(if you're willing to wait) might be enough.  That way, you can afford a more flexible lens (24-105 or 24-70 mark 1) and a flash with some diffuser.  I think having better lenses is the better way of doing it.  You won't be getting your nice DOF with just 40mm.  40mm for an FF is too short to get some DOF.

Note:  You can also retain your T2i or upgrade to 7D/60D and get a 50mm F1.4 or 85 F1.8 or their faster versions to get that nicer DOF than your present equipment.

I already have the 85 f1.8 and 70-200 f4.  My main concern is losing the wide end, the 40 f2.8 would fit that role.  Another advantage of going FF would be that getting the 135 f2 for portraits would actually make sense, as right now with a crop it would just be too long for what I would want.

Rather than a 40mm f/2.8, I would also consider a 50mm lens - f/1.4 if you can afford it.

I wouldn't bother with a 7D or 60D, given that you have the T2i/550D, which has essentially the same sensor - so from a point of view of IQ, you don't get any improvement.  The only reason to move to a 7D is if you need environmental sealing, better AF or more fps.

The jury is still out on the IQ of the 6D, but it will probably be a good camera.  There is nothing wrong with the 5DII, but the AF system can become frustrating once you have been exposed to the 7D or 5DIII.  If budget is a constraint, however, I would consider opting for a 5DII. - Also, there are 5DIIs going new now cheaper than the 6D will be at launch.  The 6D will most probably have an advantage over the 5DII in low light however (if samples like the ones on DPReview can be trusted).

As a general walk-around lens, you probably can't go wrong with the 24-105 - and if going for the 5DII makes it possible to afford it, that may be worth considering.  Just keep in mind that the bokeh of the 24-105 can be a little nervous at times - but you already have the 85mm f/1.8 for portraits.

36

Lenses / Re: Reikan FoCal EF 24-70L version comparison

« on: November 21, 2012, 05:09:09 PM »

Thanks - very interesting read.

While I haven't used the the original 24-70, my experience with the version II lens is consistent with what what is described.  When I used it the first time, mysubjective reaction was really "OMG, this is sharp!".

37

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Australia: coming lower prices for Canon equipment?

« on: November 20, 2012, 10:41:54 PM »

So what, Aussie websites try to emulate the experiences of shopping online that the rest of the world have done for years?
But they forget the most important part being the lower prices?
Sounds typical to me.

*wanders back to Adorama and B+H*

You would probably be able to negotiate a better discount if you walked into a camera  dealer on any Saturday afternoon than what is being offered via #ClickFail.

38

EOS Bodies / Re: 7D vs 5D2???

« on: November 20, 2012, 05:28:57 PM »

I'm sure this has been covered a dozen times before

Indeed ... but I can understand that these decisions are not easy so asking again is tempting :->

Except for absolutely stellar tele primes extenders are for occasional use and not for "always on" because they heavily depend on the iq of the base lens - the 100-400L isn't a promising choice for this and it'll be f8 which has af problems (I can tell, I've got the 70-300L which is sharper). That's why most budget wildlife shooters who want tracking and fast fps are on the 7d - the alternative is about $5000-$10000 more.

Upgrading from the 550d->7d with the same sensor also doesn't seem that smart to me unless you get a very good deal ... better wait for the 7d2 or 70d with probably a better sensor that'll solve your problem.

Btw: You should get a Kenko 1.4x anyway for even on crop, it's very nice on the macro :-)

I agree with the view to avoid buying another crop frame camera, if you already have one of the bodies which has an 18MP sensor.  All the indications are that Canon's crop sensors are due for a refresh next year, so if you want to stay on crop, it may be better to hold out for one of the new bodies coming out next year.

Apart from hopefully having a better sensor, the replacement for the 7D would have better integration with some of Canon's latest accessories, like the Speedlite 600-EX-RT - for instance, only bodies of 2012 vintage or later integrate 100% with the use of the colour-correction gels supplied with the 600-EX-RT.  The 7D also requires a USB cable connection to integrate with a GPS receiver. - If any of these features mean anything to you, it may be another reason to wait.

39

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Australia: coming lower prices for Canon equipment?

« on: November 20, 2012, 06:04:05 AM »

They seem to be up, at least partially, but the deals look pretty lame.

This is what a search for "Canon" yields:

40

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Australia: coming lower prices for Canon equipment?

« on: November 20, 2012, 12:31:24 AM »

Don't tell me that the prices are that good that their website has crashed?

Maybe I'll tram it up to Bourke street on the way home and have a quick look this evening....

41

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: DPreview adds 6D sample images to their preview

« on: November 20, 2012, 12:25:28 AM »

6D looks better so far but is logical from my view.  To have a body that is cleaner image wise but slower in AF and FPS. This makes me excited as a 450D user looking at the near endless possibilities.  Just curious what the 7ad2 will do.

It certainly looks interesting.  While I don't know if this comparison is across sufficiently well-controlled environments, the initial view is that the 6D does seem to perform better.  A more accurate reflection will be once DPR has the full reviews of both bodies available and it is possible to compare RAW files of the same scene.

Either way, it may be beginning to look like the 6D is a more interesting camera than many of us initially gave it credit for.  (Not that I am in the market for one.)  For those people who were thinking of still buying a 5DII, rather than waiting for the 6D, it may make the decision a little more difficult.

42

Lenses / Re: 70-200 F/4

« on: November 19, 2012, 11:01:45 PM »

Hello,

I shoot portraits, but I also shoot just general subjects.

Thanks,

littlepilotdude

I would see the following best fit for different uses:

• Portraits: f/2.8 - IS II if you can afford it, and need lower shutter speeds
• Sports: f/2.8
• Events: f/2.8 IS II - e.g. weddings
• Travel: f/4 IS - unless you have a specific requirement for f/2.8
• General use/walkabout: f/4 IS

Keeping in mind that DoF gets thinner as focal length increases, you can still use the f/4 to shoot portraits - an example below, albeit shot with the 7D, not on full frame.  Admittedly, the borders on the f/4 are a little soft at f/4, but for a portrait that doesn't really matter, as the fringes of the frame are normally out of focus.

Unless I specifically know I will need to shoot at a larger aperture than f/4, I usually grab the f/4 IS.

43

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Australia: coming lower prices for Canon equipment?

« on: November 19, 2012, 07:57:15 PM »

I don't know what Canon equipment David Jones sells but from this story:

http://www.brw.com.au/p/sections/fyi/david_jones_plays_global_game_f7qnrKLFlwBwILSqlCeXeL

In its “Lower Everyday Prices” program, David Jones has cut prices up to 50 per cent for hundreds of products from brands such as Estee Lauder, Clinique, 7 for all Mankind, marc by marc jacobs, Guess, Scanpan, Canon and Bose.

The price reductions are the result of months of negotiations with international suppliers to bring local prices into line with the global market since the company announced a cost price harmonisation program in March.

... I wonder if those negotiations and price reductions will be seen at other retailers?

"Up to 50% off" generally means the majority of offers are 10% off.... (or less)

Also, David Jones will generally not stock any "interesting" Canon products.

44

EOS Bodies / Re: February & March are Announcement Months for Canon [CR2]

« on: November 19, 2012, 05:20:59 PM »

The 180nm process should start making appearances in DSLRs soon.
It appears that parts of the 6D sensor are already made on 180nm process, as vaguely confirmed by Canon Japan:

• The newly developed CMOS sensor, introducing a process miniaturization in semiconductor process CMOS

It's interesting that Canon USA/Europe do not mention anything about that.

Based on the available info, though, I'd say that the 6D will end up having better image quality than the 5DIII.
Note that the rumors floating around are saying that only parts of the 6D sensor are made on 180nm.
So, the 6D sensor is essentially a 180nm/500nm hybrid.

The question is, are the new APS-C sensors from Canon going to be fully made on 180nm?
If they are 180nm/500nm hybrids, performance might not be all that different from current sensors.
 
But if they are fully made on 180nm, they are certainly going to match/beat the current 16mp Sony sensors.

Thanks - great find  -- there is a little blurb on Adorama saying:  "the sensor, which contains a new photodiode structure" ...  which also indicates something new to the sensor design, but that's a little vague.   Just what do "process miniaturization" and "new photodiode structure" mean to the design, exactly, anyway?   

It sounds promising: I'm looking forward to seeing some production 6D performance data.   Hopefully within a few weeks now.   

There is quite honestly not enough information to draw a conclusion.  Ultimately, once Chipworks analyses a 6D sensor, we will know.
It will be interesting if Canon introduces new sensor technology in the 6D - I would not have expected that, but would rather have expected the 1DX mark II (or whatever it is called) and 5D mark IV to be the first full frame bodies from Canon to see a 180nm sensor.
It would intrigue me if Canon moved to a new process with the 6D.  If Canon were to make such a move, that would seem to be a clear indication that Canon expects to move comparatively large numbers of bodies in order to drive the economies of scale.

45

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 1Dx battery?

« on: November 18, 2012, 08:19:47 PM »

Surfer I've tried 2 different types and both did not communicate despite promises by the suppliers to the contrary.

Neuro, I completely understand the rationale behind your comment but I've used 3rd party batteries in all my bodies without a single issue, the issue is that OEM batteries for any camera are completely overpriced, not that non OEM's are cheap, they are probably the right price, if I can get a battery in the UK at £30-40 that works instead of £140-150 for the Canon one then I'll take it. I've seen some listed as low as £13 but I know what the likely outcome is.

I should add I've never had the need to use a 2nd battery on a shoot, LP-E4N has pretty good life.

You need to play your cards right - batteries are the kinds of things that retailers throw in for free when you negotiate discounts.