Messages

16

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: 135mm f/1.8 DG OS ART Next from Sigma? [CR1]

« on: April 24, 2013, 04:34:41 PM »

I'm very much interested in this new lens from Sigma.  If it is anywhere close to what I see with the new Art 35mm and the previous 85mm, put my name on the list of proud owners.

As much as I love my L's, Sigma and Zeiss and are making me think twice.

Has anyone heard of a release date?

17

Software & Accessories / Re: Are there any Redged Monopod RMC-532 Users

« on: April 24, 2013, 03:02:38 PM »

I've got the Redged carbon fiber tripod: RTF-428 which I use with my 5D3 and a list of lenses and I love this tripod. I've also got a carbon Gitzo and a Manfrotto but find I'm always grabbing the Redged.  One particular quality I like about the Redged is that you can loose or tighten the legs without the other portion of the leg spinning. It is a one-handed operation.

I'm using a RRS BH-55 ballhead also.  For me, this is the best package.

18

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 7D Mark II Test Camera [CR1]

« on: April 03, 2013, 01:57:27 PM »

Canonwatch.com has noted these spex for the new 7D II:

24.1 megapixel APS-C sensor
New 61 point AutoFocus system
Larger 3.2” screen with 100% coverage
Dual DIGIC V processors
10 fps continuous shooting
Dual Memory Card slots
ISO and build quality close to the 5D Mark III
GPS and Wi-Fi built in
Around US$2,200

While I'd much prefer dual memory slots and ISO 'close to' the 5D III, I realize this too is only a rumor.  Take it for what its worth. I would consider replacing my 1D4 for the new 7D II if proven to have better IQ. The frame rates are comparable and I've got plenty of batteries that would fit the 7D....if they use the same as the previous 7D.

Your thoughts?

19

Canon General / Re: Which eye do you shoot with?

« on: March 13, 2013, 03:36:47 PM »

BOTH EYES but LEFT EYE on the VF.   There must be a correlation with the handedness of the shooter.  I'm a LEFTY and shoot left-eyed. 

Curious what the relationship is with other shooters.

20

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Obama using Canon!

« on: March 01, 2013, 01:23:36 PM »

Hey, is that a BorrowLenses sticker on the bottom side of the lens??? 

21

Canon General / Re: How well do you see color?

« on: February 25, 2013, 03:51:36 PM »

I see it well but its all a matter of interpretation, is it not?

Took the bloody test, scored 16 which is not bad IMHO for a 57 year old gentleman.  I suggest others take the same test. 

JR got a ZERO which is a perfect score! WAY to go JR!

22

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D III or 1D IV for sports!

« on: February 16, 2013, 04:31:45 PM »

I used a 7D for two seasons for sports and it was great.  I've got a 5D3 but haven't used that and don't intend to.  I bought a used 1D4 last year that had 100K clicks.  The shutter has a 300K life but two months after my purchase, it crashed. 

I'm a CPS member, so I had it replaced out of warranty in 3 days for $300.  To me, its now like a new camera even with the extra $300 paid for the new shutter.  Honestly, the body is a bit beat up but the end result is whats really important to me and my viewers.

The 1D4 iso performance and fps is so much better than the 7D imho.  I wouldn't go back to the 7D however I might consider adding the new 7D2? when it gets released depending on spex. in addition to the 1D4.  Would love to have the 1DX but its not really in the budget yet.

As you know the 1D4 has a 1.3 crop and the 7D has a 1.6 crop so you lose a little distance with the 1D4.  1D4 batteries are still very expensive.

23

Lenses / Re: New Wide Angle Lens Ideas, please!

« on: February 14, 2013, 06:55:04 PM »

With regard to an earlier comment about Sigma's version l and ll of their 12-24, I just purchased the ll last week for use on my 5D3 and returned it yesterday. Still too soft in the corner for my use.  I did then just receive a Samyang 14mm today so we'll see how that compares.

24

Lenses / Re: New Wide Angle Lens Ideas, please!

« on: February 14, 2013, 04:29:48 PM »

Well I sold it though because I loved wide angle so much I decided to get a 17-40 4.0L for it has got autofocus and is affordable. Maybe upgrading to 16-35 later or lets see how much a 14-24 will as soon as it comes.

How does the Canon 17-40mm compare to the Samyang??? I have been debating a 17-40 for traveling, but I am worried that after getting used to the IQ of the Samyang, I will be left wanting more out of the 17-40mm.

By the way, I really enjoy the pictures you have taken with the 14mm!

You can get dandelion chips to mount on most any manual lens but I don't just how accurate they are for focus.  Of course you can get a Nikon mount of this lens and buy the N-EOS mount that will provide focus confirmation however it is an additional cost to this setup.  From what I've read, with such a wide angle a focus  confirmation is not really applicable and the best way to confirm focus with live view X10. 

25

Lenses / Re: Anyone Want an Improved 16-35mm over the much requested 14-24mm?

« on: February 12, 2013, 03:02:24 PM »

Absolutely agree.  I started a forum topic on this very subject a few months ago asking who was using the Nikon 14-24 on Canon EOS.

Waiting for Canon to develop, test, manufacture and deliver on a new product is a missed opportunity.  I've got the 16-35 and 24TSE II and Zeiss 35mm for landscape, but I really need an ultra wide. 

I just returned the new Sigma 12-24 II for Canon.  Big mistake on my part, the corners are still soft and un-usable in my opinion.  The Samyang 14 is calling me but I need an adapter with a chip for focus confirmation.

What has your research found for UWA?  ...besides 14-24?

26

Lenses / Re: 16-35L or related primes

« on: February 12, 2013, 02:57:25 PM »

Thought I'd chime in here too as I'm in a similar situation looking for an ultra wide angle of decent quality.  I too have the 16-35L, 24-70L II, 24 tse II  and a Zeiss 35mm f2.0 for landscape work but have been looking for that ultra wide lens for greater FOV without sticking a pano.

I have rented the new Zeiss 15mm f2.8 and it is spectacular.  I didn't care for the ergonomics of the 96mm front filter size. This lens is a monster and expensive.  I just couldn't justify the cost.  If price is not an issue, this Zeiss 15 is hard to beat in IQ and corner/corner sharpness.

As for the other Canon's 14L and 24,  I've never used the 14L and cannot comment but the 24 i've had and sold since I purchased the 24 tse II.  The 24TSE II is extremely sharp and lightweight in comparison to any Zeiss lens.

One of the big differences, IMHO, is manual focus vs AF for portability and getting critical sharpness.  Anytime I'm going to use manual focus I always set up on a tripod and X10 the image in the VF.  Obviously, any shot OOF is a waste of time and energy.

Best of luck.

27

Lenses / Re: Exposure and focusing help with tilt/shift lenses

« on: February 08, 2013, 11:39:41 PM »

While contemplating throwing an assist at a friend by photographing his business for marketing purposes, I thought I would see what info CR had to offer with regard to TS-E lenses.  Wow!  You guys are having way more fun with them than I was hoping for shooting a boring oil change place!

So my question:  Am I correct in assuming that if I were to rent a TS-E lens to shoot a basic building type shot, is the popular Canon 24 TS lens the one to go for?  Any other tips?  I know the basics but otherwise I've never shot with one and thought this would be a nice little learning adventure.  I figured I would test it out, shoot his business, shoot some friends, shoot the dog's butt, you know all the must have shots.  Thanks.

Shoot the dog's butt....too funny but sounds like a challenge and maybe someone should start a posting some results..!

28

Lenses / Is anyone using Nikon 14-24 on 5D3? Set up?

« on: January 13, 2013, 02:57:37 PM »

Wondered if any Canon shooters are using Nikon's 14-24 wide angle lens and their thoughts on this lens?

29

Canon General / Re: How many clicks in 2012?

« on: January 04, 2013, 04:10:29 PM »

My conservative estimate of 60,000 using 5D3, 1D4, 7D, 60D, RX100, S110, S100....Excludes iPhone. What takes the most time is selecting images after the shoot and PP the keepers. 

30

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Hand on SONY RX 1.............AMAZING

« on: December 22, 2012, 03:11:07 PM »

I've just rented the RX1 for 'testing' for the next two weeks.  I have a RX100 and the UI is pretty much the same.  The RX100 is a 1/5 of the cost of the RX1 and you've got a decent zoom range.  While the RX1 is really incredible I feel it is grossly overpriced for the moment.
Given there is little to compete against it now, I suspect competition will drive this price down significantly in the next year. 
The RX1 has a great feel, is very fast and solid.  A zoom range on this camera would be the only initial request I would ask at this point to send it to my wish list.
I'll try to post some images in the next few days from the RX1 and my RX100 for comparison.

As far as where this camera fits in my photographic life, it doesn't really replace my 5D3 and its a bit big for a P&S.  The RX100 is about the biggest P&S POCKETABLE camera I feel comfortable with.

More to follow later as I get time to shoot with the RX1.