Topics

1

EOS Bodies / Really...How "Bad" is the T3i For Video?

« on: March 09, 2013, 10:09:29 PM »

So as some of you know I do a lot of camera tests and photography training videos. One of my Models, Annie, which has made numerous appearances on this very forum, has a Canon T3i and has started making some of her own exercise training videos.

She came to me recently and asked what I thought about the quality of the video because it was shot on a lowly T3i and something interesting happens when I watch....I can't seem to notice anything super bad about the quality. In fact....I don't even notice anything bad! She keeps bringing these videos over and showing them to me asking me what I think and Im like....uh...

Is it just me or does anyone else notice the same thing?

http://youtu.be/A07-vJv1TEw
	Small | Large

PS- You are welcome.

2

EOS Bodies / Canon 6D vs Nikon D600 Epic Shootout Video

« on: February 15, 2013, 01:09:52 AM »

I know I havent posted for a while, but I wanted you guys to see this comparison video Ive been working on for the last few weeks. Ive gotten some great input from everyone here so suggestions for improvement on future videos are welcome.

Between the D600 and Canon 6D it Compares the Following:

- Servo Focus
- Low Light Focus
- Iso Comparisons for Video, JPG, RAW Banding
- Portraits
- Video Tests for Moire, Aliasing, Dynamic Range, Color, Sharpening
- AWB, HDR Modes
- Live View Operation & More

Worth seeing in HD if you have a good connection.

Nikon D600 vs Canon 6D Epic Shootout Comparison	Small | Large

Both are great cameras, but I think the 6D is a much better low light camera, perfect for wedding photographers. Yes, the D600 has a slight edge for sports shooting, but the 6D performed very solid as well. If anything, the 6D's major weakness is moire and aliasing for video, if video isn't a concern for you, its a fantastic camera. Also, the focusing systems on the 6D are not nearly as bad as they are made out to be and again, the central square is awesome in low light. (You can watch the D600 completely fail here without it's AF lamp).

It was a fun comparison to do and I learned a lot. Looking forward to hearing what you guys think.

Best wishes

MM

3

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

« on: December 11, 2012, 09:12:42 PM »

Had several requests to measure the focusing speed of the 6D vs 5Diii vs 5Dii using a Speedlite (in this case 600ex) in low light conditions. Its a redo of the other focusing test I did this week, only this time using the red-af assist light.

Target 1 Evenly exposed at 1/60, 2.8 ISO 400, about 20 feet away
Target 2 Underexposed about 7 stops with the same settings, about 4 feet away

I ran each camera through 30 focus locks back and forth.

Interesting results:

Canon 5Dii - 45 seconds
Canon 6D - 52 seconds
Canon 5Diii - 70 seconds

 I should note 2 things: the 6D does very well even without the AF assist beam. The 6D & 5Diii both feel as if there are 2 stages of focus, a larger followed by a smaller step. The 5Dii seems to lack this.

Let me know if you guys have any questions.

MM

4

EOS Bodies / 6D vs 5Dii - The End of an Era?

« on: December 09, 2012, 03:10:11 AM »

Im going to put this out there simply because I think the writing is on the wall for the 5Dii. At $300 cost difference, is there any major functionality that the 5Dii has over the 6D? I have been asked by at least 2 dozen different people which is the better camera, and after my tests this week, I can't think of a good reason to recommend the 5Dii over the 6D, which is crazy, the 5Dii has been like my right arm for 4 years.

I did some moire tests on the 5Dii vs 6D, they are both pretty bad, but the ISO noise tests were impressive, the 6D even out performed the 5DIII's higher video noise. I posted some of the results here:

http://youtu.be/C5wCSSEi3rs
	Small | Large

I did full range high ISO noise tests on the 5Dii, 5Diii, 6D and Nikon D600. The 6D's is by far the cleanest once you go over 3200. (Below that is harder to tell).

I also took a bunch of High ISO RAW images with all 4 cameras and will be making them available for download next week  on my Blog if you guys want to play with them. (Think RAW noise banding type tests).

Is there anything else you guys want me to test?

MM

5

EOS Bodies / 6D's Wifi Drain on Battery (?)

« on: December 07, 2012, 08:11:39 PM »

When I turn my GPS feature on in my 6D, the battery drains very quickly. I can turn the GPS on, set my camera down, come back in an hour and half the battery is gone.

 Are any other 6D owners seeing this?

M

6

EOS Bodies / Canon 6D Dominates Low Light Focusing Test vs 5Dii, 5Diii & Nikon D600

« on: December 06, 2012, 03:31:26 AM »

I did some more tests today with the Canon 6D, and one question I was most interested in was the low light ability of the Canon 6D's central focusing point.

The summary is this:

Between 0 --> -3EV, the Nikon D600 is about 10-15% faster than all of the Canons.
Between 0 --> -7EV, the Canon 6D is almost twice as fast as the 5Dii, ~20% faster than the 5Diii, and the Nikon D600 couldn't achieve any focus at all in extreme low light without it's AF illuminator.

(Note: Here "0" EV was an even exposure at 1/60, 2.8 ISO 400).

For those of you interested in the methodology and actual testing, as well as the specific results, you will want to check out my blog article on the test http://www.michaelthemaven.com/?postID=2577&canon-6d-vs-5diii-vs-5dii-vs-nikon-d600-low-light-focus-speed-comparison.

I also tested the top center, and far right center focus points.

- While the Canon 6D's other focusing points are not nearly as impressive as the other focusing points on the 5Diii and Nikon D600, the 6D's center point is in fact very, very good in low light.

- The Nikon D600 and 5Dii's Central focus points felt much quicker, and snappy. The 5Dii, actually did very, very well in 0-> -3EV range. The 5Diii's & 6D's feel like there is a 2 step process to the focusing.

- The more I play around with the 6D, the more pleasantly surprised I am with it. (When I initially heard the specs I was seriously underwhelmed).

While I certainly wish there were more cross type focus points on the 6D, I think that with the low light focusing and relatively low ISO noise, the Canon 6D is going to be a very solid performer in low light situations.

M

7

EOS Bodies / Canon 6D Wifi Linking with iPhone 5

« on: December 05, 2012, 04:01:30 PM »

Hey guys, yesterday I put together a quick video on how to wirelessly tether your Canon 6D to your iphone (should be the same set up for iPad and similar for Android devices).

I had a few issues getting it set up and getting some of the features to work initially, but once I followed these steps it is painless.

Wireless wifi shooting is super cool and I demo some of the features in the second half.

In review Mode you can-

- Review Images
- Rate Images
- Delete Images
- Email 2.5 MP size images
- Import 2.5MP images to your device (cant seem to get this to work)
- Supposed to be able to video video, but Im only seeing thumbnails now, Im probably doing something wrong.

(You can do all of the above while your camera is in your bag!)

In the Shooting Mode you can:

- Preview Exposure
- Change Exposure Settings (Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO)
- Preview shooting info
- Focus
- Change Focus location

No video triggering or wireless video shooting...yet.

The app is pretty stripped down but shows some absolutely tremendous potential. I just LOVE this feature.

EOS Remote App | Canon 6D | Wifi Wireless | Set-up & Basic Shooting	Small | Large

Ill be posting more reviews & images on my blog this week.

M

8

EOS Bodies / Canon 6D High ISO Noise Tests

« on: December 04, 2012, 04:59:11 AM »

Got my Canon 6D today (from Profeel.com, I think they still have them in stock). Ran it down to the beach to do some test shots, just messing around. As it got darker I started bumping up the ISO, and even got a few in the 25600 Range. I am more than a little impressed. Will do some head to head tests against the D600 soon.

the pictures are posted here http://www.michaelthemaven.com/?postID=2573&canon-6d-high-iso-noise-tests-impressive

Ill be testing out the Wifi Features tomorrow (from what I saw tonight...they are impressive. Say goodbye to tethered shooting!)

MM

This boat was about 2+ miles away, I was shooting it handheld with the 100-400 zoom on the 6D.

Not at all pretty, and I am sure there is some motion blur between my holding it and the waves...but as far as the noise itself goes...wow

9

EOS Bodies - For Stills / 1DX in Stock and Shipping at Profeel.com

« on: July 26, 2012, 03:33:44 PM »

Just wanted to give all you guys a heads up that www.profeel.com has the Canon 1Dx in stock and is shipping immediately. I got my 5D3 from them before any other store even had them in stock, so I know they are legit. Tell them "Michael" sent you.

here is the direct link: http://www.profeel.com/cameras/pc/Canon-EOS-1D-X-Digital-SLR-Camera-5253B002-3p693.htm

MM 

10

EOS Bodies - For Stills / T4i Touch Screen Review

« on: June 27, 2012, 08:31:08 PM »

Hey Everyone- Just posted my review on the Canon T4i's Touch Screen Monitor. Its just a quick run through of all the neat things you can do with it. I would be willing to bet we will be seeing the touchscreen on most of Canon's DSLRs in the future, its a really, REALLY nice addition.

When the 5Diii came out, I was a little irked that the zoom button was moved. I don't even look for the zoom button now, I want to play with that monitor.

Enjoy!

Michael

http://www.youtu.be/ydtb70Stzcc
	Small | Large

11

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Why do 5Diii JPEG File Sizes Decrease So much Between ISO 500 & 640

« on: April 16, 2012, 05:59:26 PM »

Hey guys, I thought I would throw this out there because many of you are so knowledgeable. I've been doing some tests on the ISO Noise reduction and am noticing something strange between ISOs 500-640, the file size gets smaller. (Significantly). This only happens with ISO noise reduction on, doesn't happen in RAW or video.

First of all- Are you guys able to reproduce this?
Second of all- If it isnt compression, what the heck could it be? (As far as I know and as discussed on an earlier thread, file size should get larger with more ISO noise, not get smaller).

I posted some of my results and thoughts on my bloghttp://www.michaelthemaven.com/?postID=2287&why-canon-5diii-owners-should-save-jpegs-if-shooting-with-isos-over-500 but thought I would throw this out here.

Thanks for the help!

M

12

5D MK III Sample Images / 5Diii ISO and Portrait Tests

« on: March 25, 2012, 03:36:30 AM »

Got my camera on friday, and have already done a series of tests;

ISO Test - Compares 5Diii, 5Dii, and 7D: http://www.michaelthemaven.com/?postID=2262&canon-5diii-vs-5dii-vs-7d-high-iso-noise-tests

Portrait Tests - Samples and Direct Comparison with 5Dii:http://www.michaelthemaven.com/?postID=2264&canon-5diii-portrait-tests-5diii-vs-5dii

Enjoy!

MM

13

EOS Bodies / Profeel.com has "plenty" of 5Diii's in stock

« on: March 21, 2012, 04:12:57 PM »

Just got off the phone with profeel.com, I had never heard of them but they are Rated A+ by the BBB, 100% on eBay and other review sites.

Apparently they have "plenty" of Canon 5Diii's in stock (as of right now) and are already shipping them today. I told them I would help get the word out. (Tell them Michael The Maven referred you- I don't get anything for this, but they were pretty skeptical I could send enough business their way).

http://www.profeel.com/cameras/pc/Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-III-Digital-SLR-Camera-3p695.htm

I live in Hawaii, have already ordered with them and am supposed to have mine on Friday.

Just thought I would let you guys know!

MM