Messages

46

Lenses / UV filter for 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II?

« on: April 07, 2011, 09:54:37 AM »

Yes, I filter my lenses, and I'm looking for one for my 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II.  Do you guys have any recommendations or favorites when it comes to UV filters?  I've been looking at the B+W F-Pro filter.

Thanks!

47

Canon General / Re: APS-C 11mm f/2 Patent

« on: April 04, 2011, 11:30:22 PM »

Excellent!  I think I'd still rather have a 15mm EF-S f/2-ish, but this could work quite nicely.  If nothing else, it could be a nice replacement for my 10-22mm, which stays plastered at 10 most often.

48

EOS Bodies / Re: 7D MK2 APS-H??

« on: March 29, 2011, 04:31:08 PM »

Well it is interesting if they move the 1D up to FF. The APS-H format seems to be a big seller for Canon. I find it hard to believe they would just trash it. Though, rebranding three established camera lines is a little strange too.

However, is the APS-H a big seller because photogs like that specific sensor size and crop factor or is it a big seller because it's what Canon has put in their pro journalism/sports bodies?

I can understand some of the allure of APS-H, but as someone who loves wide-angle perspective, it seems like the worst of both worlds.

Of course, YMMV.

49

Canon General / Re: Canon falling behind in sensor performance

« on: March 22, 2011, 03:03:31 PM »

Hmm...I don`t understand what you are thinking about here. We are talking about sensor performance. JPEG is derived from the raw file. It does not matter how powerful computer and clever noise reduction software you have access to, you can`t eliminate read noise. Only the sensor can do that. Canon set a threshold with DIGIC 4. "The best we could achieve so far", according to the developer team. If you read the article the team leaders admit that more complex algorithms is needed to combat sensor noise ( read noise ) but that will lead to another problem, more processing power.

Sony has developed and implemented complex algorithms into their latest Exmor sensor. That is why they have lower read noise, which leads to better dynamic range and cleaner shadows.

I`m quite sure Canon can do this too. After all they are a technological giant. The question is if and when.

DIGIC is the digital image processing system on board the camera, not the sensor itself.  The DIGIC processor takes the signal from the sensor, then processes it (imagine that), to output a file.

The idea of using RAW data is that you get the original, pixel-level data without additional processing.  Therefore, you theoretically are bypassing the DIGIC noise reduction, allowing you to use various PC-based noise mitigation solutions.

50

EOS Bodies / Re: T3i vs. 60D

« on: March 03, 2011, 11:28:39 AM »

For me, it's mostly a matter of ergonomics and usability between the two.

60D has a pentaprism finder with more coverage and better magnification.  This translates into a bigger, brighter viewfinder image.

I prefer to have a top LCD for my shooting style.

I like the control wheel on the back of the camera for changing settings and playback of photos.

I prefer the bigger grip (this is a primary reason why I won't buy a rebel - it's not comfortable for me to hold."

The specs are fun to sift through, sure, but to me, actually using the camera, and it's in-hand feel, are most important.

Of course, the reasons why I love the 60D may be the reasons you hate it.

Dustin

51

Lenses / Re: EF-S 15mm F2.8

« on: February 28, 2011, 03:29:45 PM »

Hmm ...

I'd love a prime 15mm, but I'm afraid by the time IS is added, Canon will find a way to create a lens priced too high.  I'd love a faster, non-IS prime, but I know the IS is great for shooting video.

I'd like the lens, but I'm afraid Canon wouldn't position it to my liking in the price/features/quality triangle.

$.02

52

Lenses / Re: Lens Price Increases Taking Affect

« on: February 28, 2011, 12:52:01 PM »

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.

Wow, I wish I could find one that inexpensively.

I'm debating the Mk. II version, but now I have a wife who needs convincing.  I suppose I shouldn't sit on the sidelines, or I'll get priced out entirely (See: My experience with Gibson Les Pauls).

53

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon 40D Shutter button **FAILURE**

« on: February 26, 2011, 02:15:22 PM »

The number of failures like this are pretty low, I've had a dozen or more Canon DSLR's with no issue, and I have friends with many more that have never had it.

That is no consolation for a owner that gets the problem.  Switches are by nature unreliable, they can create their own failures and oxidation, no need for external debris.  However, switch technology has greatly improved over the past years, computer keyboards are a example.  They used to have switch failures frequently, but now they are improved, even though the price has been driven way down.  They just learned how to make them better.

I have had both a 30D and a 40D develop shutter issues.  The 30D did it after a couple months, the 40D had about 35K actuations when its problems developed.  Of course, this is all anecdotal, but my experience with XXD shutter buttons has been less than stellar, FWIW.

54

Lenses / Re: Your lenses wishlist for 2011.

« on: February 15, 2011, 12:11:43 PM »

Not quite as wide as you'd like, but Sigma makes a 20mm f/1.8 that would give you 32mm FF-equivalent and faster than f/2...

I've looked at that as an option, as well as sacrificing a stop or so and going with the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8.  As it is, there's no perfect solution yet, so I guess I'll wait. 

Thanks for the reminder - I may have to set my 10-22mm to the 20mm setting and see what I think ...

55

Lenses / Re: Your lenses wishlist for 2011.

« on: February 15, 2011, 11:46:08 AM »

I'd really like a prime, wide-angle (in 35mm-E terms) EF-S lens.  Somewhere in the 15-17mm range.  F/2 or faster.  I love the 28mm-E focal length, and if a fast prime of this lens existed, it would rarely leave my camera.

However, I'm afraid I'm the only person on the earth who wants such a thing.

56

Canon General / Re: Photographer Profile: Drew "Rukes" Ressler

« on: February 15, 2011, 10:07:03 AM »

Some cool photos and I was even turned on to some new music!

Very cool.

And I'm not sure why anyone feels the need to "coach" a guy who makes a living not only doing what he loves, but shoots in his own, deliberate style.