Messages

1

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 1V Film SLR

« on: March 29, 2013, 03:47:06 PM »

They seem to be readily available from the used camera dealers in Japan.  I poked around a bunch of these shops on my last work trip to Tokyo, and I was extremely tempted to pick up a mint-looking EOS 1vHS I came across.  (Only reason I didn't was because I have decided to use my medium format gear for film and stick to my 5D2 for 35mm format for now.)

The 1vHS was priced somewhere between $400-$500, so not a bargain, but the Japanese do tend to look after their gear.  A lot of these shops sell through eBay as well so you may find something there, but pay attention to the shipping costs which can be significant.  Unfortunately the exchange rate between the Yen and the dollar is not so good right now for those of us in the US.  It may be a different story for other countries.

If you do ever find yourself in Japan, I would strongly recommend searching out a few of these dealers, just to browse if nothing else.  The quantity and variety of used gear is staggering, despite the tiny size of most of the shops.  They are often very hard to find but the internet comes to the rescue - try a search for "Japan Camera Hunter shopping guide" for example.

2

Lenses / Re: 24-70 IS ii v 70-200 IS ii

« on: March 21, 2013, 07:14:27 PM »

I have the 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II and I would agree with many others that this is an excellent choice to widen your range of focal lengths.  You already have the wide to mild tele range covered with your 24-70, so unless you want to go ultra-wide or super-tele this is a good pairing.  I would go with the 24-70 II only if you are finding the mk I inadequate for your purposes, which you didn't mention.

I also had concerns about the weight after reading the reviews.  Although I am not particularly big or brawny I haven't found it to be a problem.  In large part I think this is down to the bag and strap I use.  Based on advice from this forum I got a BlackRapid RS-4 strap, which I love.  I also acquired a messenger style bag just big enough for my 5DII, 24-105mm f/4 L and the 70-200 (I think the 24-70 would fit fine in place of the 24-105).  Along with a 1.4x III TC for greater reach, and an extension tube for occasional close-ups, this forms my "light" travel kit for trips when I am toting baggage and a computer around as well.  The messenger style bag keeps the weight close to your body, reducing back strain, and the bag will also slip over the handle of a standard aircraft roll-aboard case for easy carrying in transit.

Once I am at my destination, I put the bag over one shoulder and the camera over the other.  The BR strap allows the camera to hang upside-down at the waist, and the weight is balanced by the lens and accessories in the bag.  I find I can walk or hike for quite some time without tiring or experiencing muscle strain, as I used to before I got this bag and strap setup.

As someone mentioned, the 70-200 f/4 L IS is also an excellent lens with significantly less weight and cost than the f/2.8 version.  It is comparable in sharpness, has a slightly lower minimum focus distance, and is fine as long as you don't need the extra stop or narrower depth of field.  For greater reach, there is also the 70-300 L to consider.

3

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Finnish wearing on my 5D Mark III

« on: March 01, 2013, 03:25:54 PM »

Interesting that all the replies are saying this never happened with a 5D mk 2 or other earlier body.  I have owned my mk 2 for just over a year, and I have similar wear in an isolated patch on one of the bottom corners.  It appeared rather suddenly a few months after I got the camera, and it does not seem to be getting much worse since I noticed it.  I'm glad to have found this thread since I was wondering if this was normal.

I had assumed that I had somehow managed to jam the camera against a lens or something in my bag, although I'm always very careful when I put it in there.  This 5D2 replaced a 20 year old EOS 10S and represents several times what I have ever paid for a camera before, so I tend to be rather protective of it.   I have around 4000 actuations on the camera, which gets used mostly for travel photos and at home.  It is certainly not subjected to heavy professional use.

The references to BlackRapid might explain how this happened.  Now that I think about it, the wear probably appeared a while after I bought a BlackRapid RS-4 (which I love by the way).  So my best guess is the bottom corner of my 5D2 is brushing against my clothing as I walk or hike with it hanging by my hip.  Its not really a big deal - my only concern is that I have been rather tempted to sell it and buy a mk 3, and it might have some impact on the resale value.  But I've decided to stick with it for a while until I feel I have a better handle on digital technique after decades of shooting film.  I want to be ready when I step up to a 5D3, 7D2, or whatever Canon has out there in the future.

4

Lenses / Re: Glacier National Park - New lens?

« on: January 03, 2013, 03:02:48 PM »

As for the extender, I highly recommend the 1.4x III.  It works well with the 70-200 f/2.8 II with wildlife and will be effectively 420mm at f/4 with fast AF.  I cannot comment on the 2x because I don't have one.

280mm f/4, you mean.  We may all wish the 70-200/2.8 was a 300/2.8, but it's not.   

Perhaps he was thinking of the equivalent FF focal length on the OP's T4i?  Though that would come out to be 448mm (200 x 1.4 x 1.6).  A pretty decent reach for the investment anyway.

5

Software & Accessories / Re: Do It Yourself Black Rapid type Strap

« on: November 19, 2012, 12:29:04 PM »

I'm not worried about the BR lugs unscrewing on my setup.  If you moisten the rubber washer a bit before screwing it into the tripod mount, you can get it pretty tight with your fingers and it has no tendency to back out.  I check mine often as I'm still a bit paranoid about have that much valuable equipment dangling upside-down, but I have never once found it to have loosened.  There really is not reason for it to do so as there shouldn't be any rotational force from the swivel bracket.

What does concern me is the possibility of the swivel separating.  I looked at a lot of user reviews before buying the BR, and I found a couple of references to the mushroom-shaped part that stops the swivel pulling out of the bracket deforming until it could or did pop through.  As I recall the negative comments largely referring to older versions of the BR hardware, so maybe they have improved the design.  Regardless, I do inspect it regularly for any evidence of this happening (did I mention I'm paranoid?  )

I hadn't really thought about the possibility of the tripod mount pulling out of the camera body (great, another thing I can be paranoid about...).  This definitely seems like a good reason to use the lens tripod collar as the mounting point whenever you have a heavy lens attached, as well as to reduce stress on the body's lens mount.  I'm hoping that the tripod mount is firmly attached to the metal body of my 5DII.  Not sure I would trust it so readily on a plastic Rebel series camera.

Would BR really pay out if their swivel bracket failed?  A lot of warrenties limit the liability to replacement of the purchased product, with consequential damages being specifically excluded.  I certainly wouldn't rely on them to cough up without going to court.  Better to have separate insurance for your gear.

6

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Photos of film's demise

« on: November 16, 2012, 05:28:33 PM »

But you are right, I'll give the C41 a try for my 4x5, I'll buy a box of Ektar as well as a Portra 160 to compare. My fear is with Kodak on the bad slope, these films will likely disappear as well.

symmar22, if you wouldn't mind posting your experiences with the above it seems there are at least a few here who would be interested. 

I understand your view on Fuji chomes, it is a very subjective thing and everyone has their own favorites.  One of the great things about film is the ability to match a particular formula to your subject.  I suppose it must be possible to do something similar for digital with post-processing, but I'm just starting out and haven't tried messing with any of my shots yet.

As films gradually get phased out the number of options will decrease, and that will be a shame.  I'm actually rather pleased to see how many choices are still available for MF, as I have decided to stick to that format for my film shots.  Digital does what I need it to do for 35mm and will become my workhorse, and I'll break out the MF equipment when I feel like doing something different.

I've had a Bronica ETRSi for a long time, and it has now been joined by a mint GS-1 and a decent Pentax 67.  I'd like to add a nice rangefinder option and perhaps a TLR at some point.  The crazy Fuji GX680 appeals too, as does the oddball Noblex.  So many cameras, so little time...

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Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Photos of film's demise

« on: November 15, 2012, 06:36:20 PM »

Now the EPP (for the 4x5) and the E100G for small format has gone, there's not much left for me. I can deal with the Velvia 50, but it's a bit over-saturated for my taste.

Have you tried Provia 100F?  B&H has it in 4x5 sheets.  I've used it in 35mm format and find it to be a good landscape and general purpose film.  Definitely less saturated than Velvia.  I haven't seen Velvia in sheet form recently, can you still get it?

8

Canon General / Re: Canon launches their own official forum and one of the first posts is...

« on: November 14, 2012, 11:03:38 PM »

I am totally convinced that everyone on this forum is incapable of understanding humor/sarcasm.  I would suggest going out sometime.  The social experience is invaluable.

On the contrary, I'm sure most of us understand sarcasm just fine, and many even embrace it   Reading minds, and inferring the precise intent of a written post, eludes me, however.  Had I assumed you were being sarcastic when in fact you were not, you might quite rightly have taken offense.  I generally find it better to take statements at face value unless I have good reason to do otherwise.  On the rare occasions on which I am forced to leave my basement, that is...

9

Canon General / Re: Canon launches their own official forum and one of the first posts is...

« on: November 14, 2012, 04:17:40 PM »

Answer:  Because none of our cameras have the sensor of the D800.  We will never have a camera as good as the D800.

You really think so?  That would imply Canon has decided their current range of sensors is perfect and no improvement is possible or necessary.  That seems highly unlikely to me.  Canon's sensors were way ahead of anything Nikon had for years, so you could have said the same thing about Nikon until their recent models came out.

Nikon may have leapfrogged Canon for now and caught them napping, but I doubt the Canon execs are saying, Oh well, they beat us - time to throw in the towel and give up our multi-million dollar business.  The apparent sightings of a high MP Canon in the field, supposedly sporting advanced new sensor technology, would seem to bear that out.

10

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Photos of film's demise

« on: November 12, 2012, 12:42:04 PM »

I too hope that film will continue to be available for many years to come.  I only just made the switch to digital early this year with my "serious" camera (although I've had digital PS cameras for a while).  So the experience of film is still very fresh in my mind.  I must really miss it apparently, since I've bought two antique film cameras in the last few months.  Both are 6x7 medium format, which in my opinion represents the pinicle of (relatively) portable film cameras, and they are so cheap now that even most professionals have moved over to digital.

My family also has very recent experience of my slide shows, something I think digital has yet to fully replace.  With an old but decent projector I can display huge high resolution images in my living room, whereas with digital I am currently limited to a 27 inch monitor which cost several times the slide projector's price yet is tiny by comparison.  Affordable digital projectors just don't have the required resolution from what I've seen.  My teenage daughter is unusual therefore in having seen film in action, and indeed has used it herself extensively.  Although she now has a T3i, she is still interested in film and is planning to take one of the few darkroom photography classes still available.

I waited this long to make the switch partly because it took me a while to accept that digital was really a viable replacement for film in terms of IQ and resolution, and partly because I didn't want a crop body; the 5DII price finally dropped to the point where I considered it affordable.  I'm very happy with the 5DII and will continue to use it as my main camera, but I also plan to haul out one of the film cameras from time to time when I feel like doing something different.  Especially with large medium format cameras, photography becomes a slower and more reflective art for me.  Rather than pointing the camera at anything that catches my eye, I have to really think about the image I'm trying to capture.  I know there is nothing stopping me from doing this with my DSLR too, but the film setups inherently impose more discipline.  This makes them unsuited to sports and wildlife subjects, but I think of it as an advantage for landscapes.

Film is still readily available even in 120 roll format, although the range of choices is shrinking.  At any sign of that changing I will likely order a large bulk shipment and freeze it for my future needs.  But my hope is that it will remain available to those who appreciate its qualities.  I expect the price will climb as the volume drops, and the most likely outcome to me is that high quality film will continue while any cheap stuff that remains (Wallmart film as sandymandy mentioned) will be discontinued.  Low-end digital is so inexpensive now that there really is no need even for the cheapest disposable cams, and film will be produced in low quantities to satisy conoseurs and weirdos like me...

11

Lenses / Re: New Lenses in January [CR1]

« on: September 27, 2012, 02:19:43 PM »

A new 400 f/4 would seem to me to be a replacement for the largely unloved 400 f/4 DO, which sells for a little over $6K in the US.  It would make sense to price it at somewhat more than the 300 f/2.8 IS II, but not too much more or they might lose sales to the 200-400 f/4 1.4xTC.

The 400 would likely appeal to those who need the reach, don't like the IQ of the old DO model, and can't afford the 400 f/2.8.  Those who need the flexibility of a zoom and built in TC would go for the 200-400, but for ultimate IQ the 400 f/4 will most likely deliver in the way that the other recent big white updates have.

This would mean there is still a need for a 400 f/5.6 replacement, finally with IS.  If they could deliver that for under $2K I would think it would be a big seller.  Currently there is a huge gap between relatively affordable prosumer teles like the 300 f/4 and the cheapest serious pro models.  The aging 100-400L and 400 f/5.6 are the only options if you need more than 300mm, unless you slap a 1.4xTC on the 300 (as I do).  A 400 f/5.6 with the latet IS and high IQ would be a nice option, especially if used on APS-C for more reach.

12

Canon General / Re: How do you sell your gear?

« on: September 26, 2012, 02:44:39 PM »

What about KEH?  I have had only positive experiences both buying and selling used gear with them.  Their buyers visit cities around the US from time to time, so it may be worth checking if they will be coming to your area anytime soon.

I attended one of these sessions, and they surprised me by offering more than I expected for the items I brought - more even than their automated website valuation tool quoted.  Of course they have to make a profit so they will turn around and sell for more than they paid me, but I was very happy with their valuation.  They pay in cash on the spot, so there is zero risk and you always have the option to say no if you think you can do better elsewhere.

The gear I sold was all old Bronica MF stuff in very good condition, mostly ETRSi E or EII lenses that I was upgrading to the PE series for those that know this manufacturer.  I'm not sure how their valuations for recent Canon equipment would stack up against CL or fleaBay, but if they set up shop close by it certainly is convenient.

13

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D Mark II eyepiece

« on: September 24, 2012, 12:01:35 AM »

They have a fix!

The EP-EX15-II will reduce magnification, and provide a longer relief, and (help) keep your nose off the screen.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/547886-REG/Canon_3069B001_EP_EX15_II_Eyepiece_Extender.html

Thanks, that looks pretty useful.  I do wear glasses, and I'm also constantly having to clean nose prints off my display so I can review my shots.   It is even cheap enough (at least by Canon's recent standards) to buy it and risk finding that I hate it.  But of course it is now showing out of stock on B&H...

14

EOS Bodies / Re: 6D or 5D Mk II

« on: September 17, 2012, 06:39:11 PM »

(apologies for the cross-post)

The 5D c was "the original entry-level full-frame camera"

The 5DII was the upgrade of the original entry-level FF camera, to which they added movie mode almost as an afterthought & turned the cinematography world on its head.

The 5DIII is clearly *not* an entry-level FF camera; it's very much a professional camera that sits in the lineup with cameras like the 1DIV.  It's got professional AF, professional construction & sealing (which is why it doesn't have built-in wi-fi & gps; the signals won't go through the all-metal body).  And a professional price...

But the 5DII is still selling like crazy several months after the 5DIII was released, because you can get a brand one now from reputable shops for a little over half the price of a mk3 (or a guaranteed refurb for ~$200 less than that, putting it comfortably under half the cost of its "replacement").

As noted here the other day, the 5DII just hit four years old.  The supply contracts on some of the components are probably running out soon, which means that some of the parts needed to make it won't be available anymore (or at least not in the prices & volumes that they're used to).  This would require redesigning circuits (& possibly firmware) to use newer components that replace the discontinued ones.  I'm sure Fukushima didn't help the supply contract situation much either.  The end result is that they have a near-obsolete camera (from a manufacturing perspective) that is still selling like crazy, which is not really a situation they've been in before in recent memory.

So they would be braindead not to replace the "just under $2K" full-frame position in their lineup with something in the segment that will continue capitalizing on the demand for an FF camera in this price range. 

And it'll appeal to a wider audience than the 5DII it replaces.  It's smaller, lighter, takes the SD cards that the cameras that a lot of people upgrading to it have, and has better low-light performance & better AF (which is why I'm getting one).

I think it's clear by now that the 6D is *not* in fact a reaction to the D600; if it was they surely would have put at least 7D-grade AF and the LCD viewfinder overlay screen in there.

The 6D is the replacement for the 2012 5DII.

I strongly agree with this view.  The 6D seems very much aligned with what the 5DII was when it came out - a class leading landscape and low light camera with great IQ but lacking the FPS and AF required for sports and action.

While it is hard to argue that the original $2700 cost made the 5DII an entry-level camera, it was most likely not possible to build anything FF worth having for much less.  Buyers would have expected semi-pro construction at that price point.  The 6D is much closer to what I would consider an entry-level price, certainly in Japanese Yen, although the weak dollar means it is not as attractive to hobbyists as it might be.  It looks to have been designed specifically to appeal to Rebel users moving up to FF.

The 5DIII by contrast is a great all-round performer, with excellent IQ and AF.  It is an altogether different beast, only lacking some high-end professional features and the bulletproof build quality of the 1DX.

I strongly suspect that Canon's main motivation for designing the 6D is to continue to sell to the 5DII crowd with a camera they can build for a lot less money.  The 5DII was probably not designed with such high volume sales in mind, and in any case advances over the last 4 years may reduce the manufacturing costs significantly.  Pros and serious amateurs now have the 5DIII as an upgrade option, whereas in the past you had to go to a very pricey 1D series if you wanted to move up.  Canon also needed a replacement for a long in the tooth model; add to that the need to cut costs because of the exchange rates and it makes perfect sense.

15

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: What does the future hold for Wildlife photographers ?

« on: September 16, 2012, 12:42:22 AM »

It seems odd that that canon does not have a camera that can focus at F8 I was thinking this probably wont last long as they just redesigned there 2x extender I am sure that cost them a bit in R@D and doubt they would do that if they where not going to have a camera that would work with it in the future.

The 2x TC still works with faster lenses such as the 70-200mm f/2.8 L, 300mm f/2.8 L and 400mm f/2.8 L.  Having said that, it does seem like a step backwards to launch a new top of the line pro camera that can't do f/8 when the previous models could.  I would guess they felt they had to release the 1DX as it was in time for the Olympics, but it is still not clear if they will be able to add this capability to the cameras they have already sold.