Messages

241

EOS Bodies / Re: 1Ds4 & 5D3 Timetable [CR1]

« on: March 16, 2011, 11:56:33 AM »

I don't believe a smaller sensor will ever have an advantage over a larger one. It has always been the case that a good big-un is better than a good little-un. Convenient and cheaper maybe, but for image quality at the end of the day, the bigger the captured image the better. It was always true with film and I'm convinced that it will remain true in this modern digital world.

It's interesting that Canon are said to be interested in acquiring a medium format foothold. While the Japanese have made the 35mm "full frame" size their own, the same is not true of larger formats. Pentax have at least made a start but Canon and Nikon seem to be a bit slow getting into the game.

Once digital technology matures, I can foresee 1.3x and 1.6x crop frame becoming a thing of the past.     

242

United Kingdom & Ireland / Re: Hello...Anyone else from the UK?

« on: March 16, 2011, 09:40:53 AM »

currently living in Brum though originally from the Philippines by way of USA.  had a 550D which I have just sold in eBay in order to buy 60D.  holding off though in hope of some rebates

Gadgets,

You have my respect. I've got much less will power and have just pressed the "go" button on the new EF70-200L IS mk2 and part exchanging my "mark 1" f/2.8L (non IS) as part of the deal. I am having to stump up £1230, £1780 which was the best legitimate price I could find on the internet, less £550 for my 6 year old mint condition lens. My local photoshop volunteered to match the web prices which I very much appreciate.

If the 1Ds mk4 appears this year as some suggest, then 2011 will be VERY expensive!     

243

EOS Bodies / Re: Resolving Power on the 5D Mk II / III

« on: March 12, 2011, 04:56:29 PM »

azraelot,

Resolution is really a lens issue. A poor lens will never produce images that are good, even if mounted on the worlds best camera. That lesson took me years to learn!

I'd therefore suggest that you don't wait for the 5D3, but instead buy a used mk2 (at a bargain price if the mk3 has appeared by the time you are in a position to buy).

Canon make excellent optics, being traditionally very good at long lenses. But so do others, sometimes at considerably better prices. I admit that since moving to Canon from Nikon I have become an "L" fan, but I've read good things about Sigma. Again, the used market can offer some amazing kit - I bought an almost unused EF100-400L only a few months old at half the new price a few years ago and have been very pleased with it.   

244

EOS Bodies / Re: 1Ds Replacement Soon?

« on: March 12, 2011, 06:24:52 AM »

Sorry, should have been clearer. I was referring to camera manufacturers. I agree for the user everthing depends on individual needs.

245

EOS Bodies / Re: 1Ds Replacement Soon?

« on: March 11, 2011, 12:00:22 PM »

I know two pro's still happily using the 30D and I have heard of another using a 20D. Why spend a fortune on kit when something cheaper does the job? It's the nut on the end of the shutter button that makes or breaks the image, not the kit. An aquaintance works as a staff 'tog on a UK sailing mag, all his kit is well used, especially the tripod, which is literally held together with brown plastic tape!

However, I fully understand that the 1D series is built like a tank because its designed to be a professional tool, while the 5D is less robust. I admit that I am in the market when the 1Ds mk4 appears, talent, or rather a lack of,  will then clearly be my only problem!

246

EOS Bodies / Re: 1Ds Replacement Soon?

« on: March 10, 2011, 01:28:37 PM »

Rob,

That would be entirely the wrong camera for me. 21mp is yesterdays news, everyone seems to have cameras with at least that these days. I will also never need the extremely high ISO's already being offered. No I want the 40MP now, with 50 (or more) next time around.

247

EOS Bodies / Re: 1Ds Replacement Soon?

« on: March 09, 2011, 03:14:59 PM »

Even if Canon keep us waiting until spring 2012 or later, it would be reassuring to know what they plan to offer us with the 1Ds replacement sooner rather than later. An announcement with a bare bones outline soon would be nice. Past tittle tattle that they were moving to medium format would seriously alter my lens purchasing plans if true, although I never gave that much credance.

To get the best from a possible 35-40 MP full frame sensor I need to start updating my lenses and before I start spending large sums of money I really do need some facts.

We are witnessing Canon redesigning their lenses en-masse and I cannot see them doing this for current sensor sizes. I hope it means we will see the format stay the same, but with increasing pixel counts. A pretty safe bet I'm thinking.

248

Lenses / Re: Canon 70-200 f2.8 l usm

« on: March 08, 2011, 01:30:06 PM »

The non IS version of the f/2.8 70-200 is marginally bettter than the IS version optically, and thats why in late 2005, after a lot of careful research, I went the same route as the OP. But before others jump down my throat, it has to be said that the differences are extremely small and are probably only apparent when doing laboratory tests. In the real world I'd be perfectly happy with either.

As others have said, its a very good lens so get out there and enjoy it. IS can be a useful addition, but it's not essential.

249

EOS Bodies / Re: 60D & 7D Rebates coming February 20

« on: March 05, 2011, 04:15:54 PM »

Given that Canon US have announced their 2011 rebate offer, what do people think about the likelyhood of UK rebates this spring?

I am seriously considering buying the EF 70-200 f/2.8 L IS mk2, but I don't want to buy a month before Canon offer a discount. At least one on-line retailer is offering the lens at £1499 "until February 28", which suggests that rebates might be just around the corner even if a little delayed.

250

Lenses / Re: Lens Price Increases Taking Affect

« on: February 28, 2011, 01:59:15 PM »

IWLP,

Once the lens has the dealers mark up wacked on you'd be right. Probably doubles the £410 as a minimum. But a reputable reseller would be expected to offer a warranty period and I would hazard a guess that they buy insurance to cover it. Then again most shops have masses of used kit that just sits there, not selling - which is money not working.

But it is annoying. Especially as I have always been very careful with my kit, keeping all the boxes, instructions etc and barring accidents making sure I never put a mark on them.

251

Lenses / Re: Lens Price Increases Taking Affect

« on: February 28, 2011, 09:21:57 AM »

I'm less convinced that lenses retain their resale value. I'm considering swopping my existing EF70-200 f/2.8L for the new mark 2 IS version and have been only been offered a low £410.

The problem is probably due to the very lens I'm thinking of buying. When a better lens appears, however good they are the previous version (or in the case of the 70-200, versions) must be devalued.

My non IS f/2.8 version cost £936 in November 2005, so it's dropped 56% in that time. That's despite still being in excellent condition.

252

United Kingdom & Ireland / Re: Web store in the UK First Cameras

« on: February 24, 2011, 08:37:43 AM »

Absolutely, but where do we report them? Is there a Government organisation that is enpowered to close scam sites?

If not there should be. Although if this particular scam is Russian, it presumably gets a bit more problematic.

253

Canon General / Re: Canon forecast income to grow 26% in 2011

« on: February 21, 2011, 10:25:44 AM »

A 26% increase on a sales growth of 11% can only mean they have made significant savings in manufacture, distribution and advertising. Either that, or its simply that sales need to exceed a certain critical point?

I suspect much of Canons forecast is based on the hope of a global recovery. I have been following the thread about the promised 200-500L and note the "significant" prices being touted, I suspect that the fragile state of the western economies is part of that as well. Once Japan starts to see exports are selling, then maybe we will see prices return to more traditional levels. Note I did not say affordable!

It would be interesting to know what export market is Canons biggest. I imagine it's the US, with Europe as a whole being less important. So currency exchange rates have a major impact, I can see why smaller manufacturers avoid exporting like the plague, it must be a nightmare.

Late breaking news:

According to AP, Canon have pulled out of "Focus on imaging", due to start in a couple of weeks time here in the UK. I guess that means Canon are still feeling fragile. 

254

United Kingdom & Ireland / Re: Best place to buy photographic equipment in the uk?

« on: February 21, 2011, 08:18:43 AM »

I'm very lucky here in Salisbury having a good relationship with the manager and staff of Castle Cameras. I know they will never be as cheap as the web based businesses, but value the honest advice and friendship they freely offer - as well as the ability to try out kit (for as long as a week in one case) before buying. Local shops do need supporting in order to survive, we will miss them when they are gone.

London Camera Exchange is very variable. One in Southamptons Below Bar area is excellent while the Salisbury outlet is so unfriendly I refuse to walk through the door.

Jessops is a business in trouble. I hope it survives and I do buy small consumables from them once in a while, but would not dream of ordering anything or indeed spending large amounts there. A great shame to see a once well respected business so badly managed. They seem to show images of cameras in the window rather than the real thing, a sign of a cash-flow crisis I imagine.

For on line purchases I tend to use Warehouse Express as they have always treated me fairly.   

255

Software & Accessories / Re: 580EX II Faulty by Design?

« on: February 17, 2011, 05:29:09 PM »

PW should be congratulated for putting so much much effort into this research. Yes of course, it's driven by self-preservation, but they have gone well beyond proving that it's not their own product causing the failures without flinching at the costs involved.

Not all companies are like that, believe me.