Messages

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Lenses / dpreview reviews the Tamron 24-70/2.8 Di VC

« on: May 22, 2013, 07:58:22 AM »

http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/tamron-24-70mm-2p8-vc-usd

Review used 5D Mark II

"Overall, we're extremely impressed with the Tamron 24-70mm F/2.8 VC. It demonstrates that it's entirely possible to add an effective image stabilization system to a lens of this type without a significant drop in quality elsewhere. The optics are excellent, the autofocus fast, silent and accurate, and the build quality very good indeed.

Overall the Tamron comes so close to the much more expensive non-stabilized Canon and Nikon lenses, both optically and operationally, that it's difficult to see why most enthusiast photographers might choose to buy them instead. That's not to say that there aren't any differences - the Tamron's not quite so quick at focusing, and chances are it's not as well weathersealed - but quite simply it offers much better value for your money."

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EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 70D Coming in July? [CR2]

« on: May 22, 2013, 12:51:31 AM »

If this is accurate, I don't know why there would be a need for  much "final testing" if the 70D is to have the same sensor as the 60D.

I'm also not sure why everyone assumes that the 70D and 7D II will share the same sensor if the 70D gets a sensor upgrade. Canon has three sensors in three full-frame bodies. It's very possible we could see a new 22-24 mp sensor in the 70D and then an 19-22 mp sensor in the 7D II.

The rumor didn't say the same sensor, just Olog-hai there preemptively complaining.

Yes, we can get complete expert reviews based on a rumor with no details.
 
It's sad that Canon is so predictable.  The reviews are probably right-on.

I see that you've come around to my way of thinking about Canon :-)

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Canon General / Re: Market principles do not behave like your aunt Sally

« on: May 19, 2013, 05:17:49 PM »

Under the above realities, Canon has done two things: 1) when the value of the yen rose, it did not raise U.S. product prices as high or fast as the monetary valuations would suggest, and 2) when the value of the yen fell, it did not lower U.S. product prices as low or fast as the monetary valuations would suggest. And, if after testing the market for a period of time during which its competitors do not lower their prices and/or Canon's sales do not diminish or sales growth slow, they will probably take advantage of the period of lower yen evaluations to raise income and profit.

But it did set the price of new products (e.g. 5D3) in accordance with changes in the exchange rate. What is the evidence for that? In Japan, the 5D3 retails for about the same price as the 5D2 (if my memory serves me correctly.)

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Canon General / Re: If the Japanese Yen is now low, why are Canon prices staying high?

« on: May 19, 2013, 10:30:55 AM »

Do the people expecting immediate price drops think that Canon just gives shops cameras for free?

No.

Shops need to buy stock from Canon (not for the same price that we pay, obviously.)

That stock will then sit in their warehouses or on their shelves until it is sold.

A change in the value of the Japanese Yen does not change the cost of the camera that is in the warehouse or on the shelf.

And more importantly, shops in the USA buy from Canon USA, not Canon in Japan (except for grey market stock which comes from somewhere else.) So if Canon USA keeps the buying price up for stores then stores will not be selling cameras for less.

True....but eventually Canon USA will purchase a similar quantity of gear off Canon Japan for a lower invoice total, thanks to the stronger US Dollar...and then they can price accordingly to wholesalers/retailers

No they won't (by the looks of it). Canon expects to keep the pricing for offshore markets at the same level which will translate to more JPY = more profits. If it were Canon's intention to reduce the pricing in the foreign markets, the JPY profit estimates (released by the CFO, not a journalist from Reuters) would have remained unchanged.

Simple ... If it ain't broke, don't fix it. You can validly rant on the forums as to why Canon isn't selling for less, but simply because JPY is getting devalued doesn't make you entitled to a lower USD price.

And more to the point, if Canon are happy with the 5D Mark III sales figures then you can bet that there will be no price movement.

Now other vendors, such as Nikon/Sony, may see the change in exchange rate as the means to lower their camera prices to try and obtain greater market share. If that kind of move did happen and Canon felt threatened then maybe Canon would lower their prices.

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Canon General / Re: If the Japanese Yen is now low, why are Canon prices staying high?

« on: May 19, 2013, 10:11:40 AM »

The concept of prices as a function of cost is deeply ingrained in our minds, but it is not really true.

I'm still laughing about this quote above

Why?

I've been to a market in China where I watched two people bought the same item, one for 200RMB the other for 500RMB. Neither price reflected the cost. Both prices reflected the ability of the buyer to bargain to a price that the buyer thought was fair.

You think that doesn't happen in the USA?
That prices of goods in the USA aren't set at the highest level that the company setting it thinks they can get away with?

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Canon General / Re: If the Japanese Yen is now low, why are Canon prices staying high?

« on: May 19, 2013, 09:49:41 AM »

Do the people expecting immediate price drops think that Canon just gives shops cameras for free?

No.

Shops need to buy stock from Canon (not for the same price that we pay, obviously.)

That stock will then sit in their warehouses or on their shelves until it is sold.

A change in the value of the Japanese Yen does not change the cost of the camera that is in the warehouse or on the shelf.

And more importantly, shops in the USA buy from Canon USA, not Canon in Japan (except for grey market stock which comes from somewhere else.) So if Canon USA keeps the buying price up for stores then stores will not be selling cameras for less.

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Pricewatch Deals / Re: Prices trending higher?

« on: May 18, 2013, 10:08:37 PM »

This is the beginning of the high season for camera sales.  Buyers are buying them for vacations, weddings and the like.  This is well known by all camera manufacturers, and they typically let prices float uo during April thru July.  They will drop again as the summer goes on, usually starting in August.

What he said.

Memorial day holidaying starts in a week.

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Canon General / Re: If the Japanese Yen is now low, why are Canon prices staying high?

« on: May 18, 2013, 10:01:55 PM »

The Japanese Yen has fallen considerably in value in recent months. Japanese exports should therefore be much cheaper now for buyers, so why are Canon prices remaining so high? I'd love a new Canon 5D mk III but current MAP limitations are keeping prices high and stopping me from buying.

Because the stock was bought when the Yen was high.

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EOS Bodies / How will Canon respond to Magic Lantern's raw video hack?

« on: May 18, 2013, 08:19:16 AM »

Or do Canon just ignore it?

But for some reason, I can't see how they can... once professionals see the difference in the output, they're going to be going back to Canon for a "tell me why I can't do this with what you sell me for $12,000", Canon is going to need to come up with an answer.

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EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 70D & EOS 7D Mark II

« on: May 17, 2013, 01:04:09 AM »

Sales drive revenue. Revenue drives profit. Profit is a major driver of share price and shareholder value.  Share price and shareholder value determine whether a public company thrives, survives, or fails.

Betamax was better quality than VHS.  VHS sold better. Betamax failed and was abandoned.

On a more DSLR related note, Olympus came out with 4/3 format. It was going to be a worldwide standard. Many things about thier cameras were ahead of what the Canon and Nikon crop bodies offered at the time. They had beter user interface, beter weatherproofing, arguably better sensor performance, and faster autofocusing..... and where is it now? ( 4/3... not micro 4/3 ).  Sales sucked, product not stocked by retail stores, death spiral, gone.

I don't think you're paying attention.

Look at the sales figures for MILC cameras (Mirrorless Interchangable Lens Cameras).

And if that market was a dead end that was dying then why would Canon have released the EOS-M?

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EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 70D & EOS 7D Mark II

« on: May 16, 2013, 09:52:46 AM »

We’re told a “surprise” announcement will be made by Canon in July, what that is we’re unsure. However, the source alluded to it being a camera body. I wouldn’t call the EOS 70D a “surprise”, but we’ll see. Could it be…….. something else?

Lets see...
* Canon announces RAW video in official firmware
* Canon announces 4k video in official firmware for 1DX/5DIII with some special add on device
* Canon announces a m4/3 camera plus lenses
* Canon announces a new EOS-M series camera that is radically different
* Canon announces a DSLR wither either hybrid or pure EVF
* Canon announces a DSLR that is modeled on the Ricoh GX-R with a plugable sensor/CPU module
* Canon announces a 70D with the autofocus from the 5DIII
* Canon announces a new APS-H DSLR (not likely)

... other ideas?

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EOS-M / Re: EOS M Announcement in the Summer? [CR2]

« on: May 16, 2013, 09:44:50 AM »

It was mentioned that Canon doesn’t have plans currently to launch more EOS M prime lenses, as they see the segment as “entry level”. I’m not sure I agree with that if true.

Nor I and if Canon have said that then it shows a rather remarkable disconnect with where digital photography is going.

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Reviews / Re: The Digital Picture Reviews the Tamron 24-70

« on: May 15, 2013, 10:02:54 AM »

If the 3rd party lens did not work as advertised then it would be a simple matter to return it to the place that you bought it from.

Sure. Check the TDP review ... that's exactly what Bryan did, THRICE ...

Not quite.  He bought a copy retail (as usual), it was bad, and he exchanged it for a second retail copy, which was decentered.  He sent that copy in for service, it came back worse than it went in (how's that for quality service?).  He sent it back a second time, and the 'repaired' lens had a new serial number.  Anyone want to bet that Tamron didn't hand pick and pre-test that replacement lens?

So?

I've had a similar experience with Canon's repair service in Irvine, CA, where I sent something off three times before it came back fixed properly.

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Reviews / Re: The Digital Picture Reviews the Tamron 24-70

« on: May 15, 2013, 08:05:46 AM »

I won't say that I've not had problems with Canon, but the problems with the third party lenses have been (a) more frequent, and (b) are compounded by lack of customer support because (usually) Canon and the third party manufacturer blame each other and refuse to take responsibility for the problem.

If the 3rd party lens did not work as advertised then it would be a simple matter to return it to the place that you bought it from.

I'm am comfortable giving my lenses and bodies to Canon for calibration ... I'm not too sure about Tamron.

Not all Tamron lenses can have their focus calibrated in the same way that Canon lenses can due to the way in which they are made however AFMA pretty much negates this problem.

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Lenses / Re: Andy Rouse Reviews the EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x

« on: May 14, 2013, 10:58:09 AM »

This lens is 10x the cost of the 100-400, but is it 10x a better lens? It will be very interesting to see what an updated 100-400 will bring.

Well if there is little to no distortion and no visible CA, then the IQ is better than almost every other lens out there.

But in terms of value for money, well the law of diminishing returns applies: past a certain point, you have to start spending exponentially more to get moderate gains.

e.g. Tamron 24-70/2.8 VC vs Canon 24-70/2.8 II. The Canon is twice the price but is it twice the IQ (or better)?