Messages

1306

EOS Bodies / Re: Wishlist for 5D Mark III

« on: December 08, 2011, 05:35:12 PM »

this is my wishlist for 5D Mark III:

 Autofocus 19/45 cross-type AF points - AF points spread all over the frame

I'll settle for 1 AF point that works with complete accuracy, 100% of the time.

Extended Dynamic Range

Yes!

User Configurable Auto-ISO
Dual axis electronic level

IMHO, both are on the list of "definitely must have".

Bigger, Better and Brighter Screen
Dual card slots
Better weather sealing

Nice to have but I won't break my heart if they're not there.

What'd I'd also consider to be on the must-have list:
* 1:1 magnification for image review (I can't count how many times I've lost a picture because I thought it was focus'd properly/shake free in the field, only to get home and see, no, blurry...)
* "live view" magnification of 1:1 available, not just 5x and 10x or focus peaking for use with manual focus lenses
* focus with live view can be anywhere on the frame, not just within the invisible boundary
* 24-36MP

Oh... and for video (nice to haves)...
* 1:1 mode where only the center 1920x1080 rectangle is used with no interpolating

1307

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D Mark III Information [CR1]

« on: December 08, 2011, 11:02:54 AM »

It just seems to me that everyone is missing the point altogether. Please be realistic about what the 5D is actually meant to do. And the market it is intended to address.

The purpose of the 5D Mrk III is not:
-   to be a great professional landscape camera
-   to be a studio camera
-   to make large prints similar to 4” x 5” + film
-   making a majority of photos over 16” x 20”

The market for a 5D Mrk III is for:
-   photo-journalist type work
-   wedding/event photographers
-   walk around FF camera
-   indie videographers
-   making most photos less than 16” x 20”

How do you know this?
Do you work for Canon marketing?

1308

EOS Bodies / Re: A Bit About the 5D Mark III? [CR1]

« on: December 08, 2011, 11:01:04 AM »

I think most of this discussion has proved that there is a need for 2 cameras. If we look at this from a business perspective, i think it's much easier to anticipate features and price points of potential cameras.

EOS "x"D Lineup 2012

1D Line
1Dx - $6,800; 18.1 MP FF, 14 FPS, 61 pt AF, ISO 51200 Native, 2012
1Ds - $6,999; 21.1 MP FF, 5 FPS, 45 pt AF, ISO 1600 Native, 2007
1D IV - $4,999; 16.1 MP FF, 10 FPS. 45 pt AF, ISO 12800 Native, 2009

Huh? Where have you been hiding for the last year or so? The 1Ds has been MIA for quite some time now.

As of the 1DX, (not 1Dx), The 1Ds line is finished as is the 1D.

1309

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS Rebel T4i [CR2]

« on: December 08, 2011, 08:38:24 AM »

I hope Canon doesn't do a 24MP APS-C sensor.  If you look at the Sony 24MP APS-C sensor it is nowhere as good as the 16MP sensor on the Nikon D7000.

Well it is a good thing that Canon won't be using that 24MP APS-C sensor any  time in the near future then isn't it?

1310

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D Mark III Information [CR1]

« on: December 06, 2011, 08:32:58 PM »

When is Canon going to make a 21MP (approx) camera that is JUST for still photographers and priced that way?
I am all happy for them..getting into the cine business...but what about us...the still photographers? Two completely different disciplines in my world. We need two completely different cameras. AND...the still camera should be substantially less expensive.
Does anyone agree with this...or am I just whistling Dixie?

You're whistling Dixie.

The real problem being that such a camera would now not sell well enough for Canon to make it worth their while. Reviewers would can it for not having video and just about everyone would stay away from it also because it doesn't have video and just about every other camera does.

I suspect such a camera would sell well, but to a specific crowd. There are indeed those who have little use for video who want a completely stills-optimized camera... Thom Hogan has discussed this in detail on his blog... it would not be a camera for the masses. It would be a camera for the dedicated few. Within its niche, it would sell like hotcakes.

All of which pushes the price up, not down, which is contrary to what the OP wanted.

Which the problem is that there is not cheap solution. I'd love a 7D with a built in grip, and a 600 F4 as a kit lens, for 900.00. This will never happen. Unfortunately, we get what we pay for. Either we lower price and lose features, or specialize and and gett awesomer gear for emptier wallets... Anyway I had forgotten the originaal intent of the post, along the lines of cheapness...
[/quote

Right. For a product to be cheap, it needs to be able to sell lots of units to offset the R&D plus manufacturing costs. Taking video out off a camera (or not designing it in) is not going to have a large enough negative offset to the cost to offset the smaller overall market acceptance and sales.

The best cheap fullframe is probably a used 1V... Otherwise, a person will have to shell out the bucks....

And what's the problem with that?

The best of anything is always more expensive than other offerings. Always.

1311

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS Rebel T4i [CR2]

« on: December 06, 2011, 10:00:46 AM »

I hope for finally a better af (micro adjust?) then the 30d/400d,

I don't think we'll ever see AMFA on a Rebel/xxxD body.  They excluded that feature from the 60D intentionally, and so I doub;t they'll add it back to the xxD line, either - it will remain a feature of xD bodies only, the 50D being the sole exception.

Can't have been enough positive feedback from customers about it (if they even discovered/used it.)

1312

EOS Bodies / Re: How can Nikon remain in business with 12MP FF?

« on: December 06, 2011, 07:37:25 AM »

The funny thing though is the way that Nikon users are looking forward to a 36MP camera extolling the virtues of high MP count sensors while forgetting the arguements they used to defend the 12MP they currently have.

Indeed.  It's almost as funny as Canon extolling the virtues of ISO performance and downplaying higher resolution, while talking about upscaling images...   

Yes, indeed and I'm not sure which amuses me more - the change in the Canon camp or the change in the Nikon camp!

1313

EOS Bodies / Re: A Bit About the 5D Mark III? [CR1]

« on: December 06, 2011, 07:34:31 AM »

Well, in relation to the Rebel rumor posted yesterday, is there still a possibility for a 5D3 below 30+MP? Let's say if they had a 24 MP 1Dx-type-sensor at hand for implementation in the upcoming body? Or is that unlikely? This would  mean a slight increase in MP only and still could beat Nikon by price and improved quality compared to their rumored 36 MP attempt. Wouldn't that be a wise move? Calling the experts here: Is that a mere dream of mine?

You don't need to be a spy inside Canon to make educated guesses about what size (in MP) sensors they will come out with for full frame cameras - just look at the pixel density of their APS-C cameras and scale up!

5D2/1Ds3 (21MP) =~ 20D/30D (8MP)
~26MP =~ 40D (10MP)
~38MP =~ 50D (15.1MP)

1314

EOS Bodies / Re: A Bit About the 5D Mark III? [CR1]

« on: December 05, 2011, 11:10:57 PM »

meh, someone could have put this story together just from reading the comments on here during the last two weeks.

1315

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D Mark III Information [CR1]

« on: December 05, 2011, 03:24:01 PM »

When is Canon going to make a 21MP (approx) camera that is JUST for still photographers and priced that way?
I am all happy for them..getting into the cine business...but what about us...the still photographers? Two completely different disciplines in my world. We need two completely different cameras. AND...the still camera should be substantially less expensive.
Does anyone agree with this...or am I just whistling Dixie?

You're whistling Dixie.

The real problem being that such a camera would now not sell well enough for Canon to make it worth their while. Reviewers would can it for not having video and just about everyone would stay away from it also because it doesn't have video and just about every other camera does.

I suspect such a camera would sell well, but to a specific crowd. There are indeed those who have little use for video who want a completely stills-optimized camera... Thom Hogan has discussed this in detail on his blog... it would not be a camera for the masses. It would be a camera for the dedicated few. Within its niche, it would sell like hotcakes.

All of which pushes the price up, not down, which is contrary to what the OP wanted.

1316

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS Rebel T4i [CR2]

« on: December 05, 2011, 03:22:33 PM »

Entry-level customers and parents won't typically know anything about ISO performance, dynamic range or diffraction limits. They just know megapixels and want more of them.

Exactly.  Even on this site we all know about ISO, DR, noise, diffraction, etc. and still get into debates about them before Neuro sets us straight.   

I think that even if there was a Neuro in every BestBuy store to "educate" customers that a significant portion of them would still buy the camera with more MP. After all, he'd just be another salesman.

1317

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS Rebel T4i [CR2]

« on: December 05, 2011, 03:18:19 PM »

I think the fact that we have not seen a Canon Roadmap in a while is hinting that they are changing marketing strategies and keeping their cards close to their vest.  All indications seem to point to a freeze in the megapixel race in regards to the top level bodies. 

I can't think of a single occasion where we have seen a Canon Roadmap. They're not like Intel, etc, that are manufacturing low level parts that others need significant lead time to design product around.

1318

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS Rebel T4i [CR2]

« on: December 05, 2011, 02:05:14 PM »

<p>It was mentioned that Canon may keep the new sensor for a 60D upgrade, with the next Rebel sticking at 18mp.</p>

That seems to be the most likely, no?

I mean, wouldn't the former (digic V + 24MP) in a rebel completely displace the 60D and kill sales?

Unless they're planning on a $1.2k body, which seems silly.

I imagine that it will depend on how much the sales of Sony's new A77/NEX-7 impact on Canon's sales.

If the new Sony kit has a significant impact on the sales of Canon cameras (that only have 18MP), then you can bet your ass that the next Canon DSLR will have at least 24MP.

If the 60D stops selling (or the reduction is perceived to be large enough) because of the Sony's 24MP cameras, why would Canon care if the 650D/T4i has more MP than the 60D? They would need to get back to building a camera that sells, not a camera that doesn't sell.

1319

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS Rebel T4i [CR2]

« on: December 05, 2011, 12:48:11 PM »

The camera will probably be a new 24mp APS-C sensor and run a DIGIC 5 processor. The DIGIC 5+ won’t be used.

DIGIC 5+?
Has that been used anywhere else?

Expect some standard upgrades in ISO performance, HD movie modes and some creative control updates. The final spec list is not yet finalized.
It was mentioned that Canon may keep the new sensor for a 60D upgrade, with the next Rebel sticking at 18mp.

So this will be announced in less than 2 months time and the final spec list is not yet finalised?

WTF?

The bit about 24MP vs 18MP makes this sound more like a rumor to prevent people with current model Canon cameras from jumping ship to Sony, who now have more MP in their cameras than Canon, whilst Canon evaluates the costs (both in process/materials and lost customers if they don't) associated with changing the planned 18MP sensor over to the 24MP sensor.

1320

EOS Bodies / Re: A tongue-in-cheek missive to those who want a high MP 5D3 :)

« on: December 05, 2011, 12:04:24 PM »

If the maximum resolving power of the current L-series lenses is around 45MP for full-frame 35mm cameras then when the MP count exceeds 90MP is when we have too many MP. Why 90? Because at that point we've got enough resolution to properly sample the light and give clear definition to the 45MP worth of detail.

Kind of like how the music on CDs is sampled at 44khz, whereas the human can't hear much over 22k. The higher sampling gives better definition to what can be heard.

I may not be an expert in Digital photography, but I have spent half a lifetime as an Audiophile. If they had designed a "decent" Brick Filter at 22kHz, we would be fine. The issue was not frequency limitations, rather phase shifts caused by the brick filtering at 44.1kHz. Moving out the frequency bandwidth, merely softened the phase shift. PS: Most of us can't hear above 16kHz (maybe we could 20 years ago)

About 6 years ago, the air conditioning on the roof of the building I was working in had a problem with a bearing. It produced a very high pitch noise that I could hear and gave me a headache but nobody else in the office could (I was the youngest...)

Dare I ask what your thoughts are on 96kHz audio? I've got a few SACDs and the appropriate equipment to deliver 192/96 to the amp and out of the speakers...

but in trying to stick to the topic, why not 135mp (each photosite does RGB ) or even 180mp for in Camera 4 to 1 binning? 

Exactly! I suspect that if a 5DX were to have a foveon style sensor with colours arranaged vertically rather than in a horizontal 2x2, we'd find companies doing the Sigma thing and calling a camera with 15MP a 45MP camera.