Messages

346

United States / Re: What should my first prime lens be?

« on: October 04, 2011, 01:19:49 PM »

I own the EF 50mm f/1.4 and use it on a 5D Mark II (Full Frame).

The advantages of the EF 50mm f/1.4 over the EF 50mm f/1.8 II:

• Two-thirds of a stop faster, so it lets in a bit more light when shot wide open.  This helps to blur the background more, but the difference isn't huge.
• Has an 8-bladed diagram versus 5-bladed, which makes for more pleasing* bohkeh (out of focus objects are a bit rounder).
• Somewhat better build quality.  The f/1.4 can be a bit fragile, because of it's "micro" USM motor (try not to drop it!), but the f/1.8's body is completely plastic, including the mount.

Another option is the original EF 50mm f/1.8, which was made from 1987 through 1990 (often referred to as the "Mark I").  It has better build quality than the current version, including a metal mount, plus it has a distance scale.  You can find them for sale on ebay and other places (fredmirdanda.com, for instance).  Don't go paying $200 for one, though.  I got one for my cousin last month for $120.

Do some searches on each lens (dpreview.com, fredmiranda.com, etc.) for reviews and sample shots.  Go to a camera shop and try 'em out.  No one else can tell you which will be best for you.  Just remember:  a "better" lens (or camera) doesn't take a better picture.  It's what you do with it! 

As for lens compatibility, if you think you may go to "full frame" in the future, then buy "EF" mount lenses, instead of "EF-S."  Canon's EF lenses will work on any "EOS" SLR, film or digital, while EF-S lenses work only on APS-C digital SLRs, like the 60D, 7D and all the digital Rebels.  The only issue there may be if you want something "ultra-wide" (less than 24mm).  Due to the 1.6x crop factor, EF lenses don't provide as wide an angle of view on a APS-C body, as they do on a full frame body.  For example, a 20mm EF lens is equivalent to 32mm on an APS-C body (20 x 1.6 = 32).  Therefore, all the EF 50mm lenses are 80mm on the 60D!

* - Everyone's opinion is different.

347

Canon General / Re: Photography - Equipment or Skill ?

« on: October 03, 2011, 11:11:58 PM »

This bickering is pointless!

Every photographer has a different level of expertise and will therefore have different requirements from their equipment.  For a "true artist," the camera is probably no more than a canvas and the lens, their brush and paint.

Trying to explain the relationship via percentages is like ... trying to explain why the sky is blue.

This just in!  Scientists discover why the sky is blue.  Film at 11.

D@MMIT!

Fine, here's a percentage.  It's 100% Art.   

348

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon 650d or 70d

« on: October 01, 2011, 03:28:08 PM »

Canon is very tight-lipped about new releases, so there's no way of knowing when the next xxxD or xxD body will come out.  However, as you pointed out, the xxxD line has consistently been on an annual update schedule, so the next one will probably come out early next year.  IMO, I doubt the releases of the pro bodies (xD) is going to affect the "consumer" ones (xxxxD and xxxD).  The "pro-sumer" line (xxD) is another story, as it may have switched to a 2 year schedule, irregardless of the xD schedule.

-------------------------------
When the original 5D came out, I decided to wait, because it didn't have a feature that I wanted (live view).  I ended up waiting 3 years for the 5D Mark II to be released.  Of course, I had a 35mm SLR that I was happy with, so I could afford to wait.  In the end, I was glad I waited; you're actual happiness may vary...
-------------------------------

Have you been to a camera shop to try out the 60D or perhaps even rented it?  Maybe it does everything you need it to do?  Remember, no camera will be perfect.  There will always be a new one with some new feature down the road...

A common recommendation you'll see here is that if you need it now, buy it.  If you already have a camera and you are okay with using it for 4-6 more months, then perhaps you can afford to wait.  Maybe there's something happening in the next 3 months (vacation, someone's wedding, etc.) and you can't wait.

So, ask yourself:  do I need it now?

349

EOS Bodies / Re: A Loose Roadmap [CR1]

« on: October 01, 2011, 11:48:21 AM »

A new 50mm 1,4 (with a real USM) would be quite nice...

+1,000,000! 

The 50mm f/1.4 is one the older lenses in Canon's lineup and, yes, the micro USM really needs to go (had mine repaired last summer).  I'm also hoping, as with most of the updated lenses released in the past few years, that it gets a shorter MFD.  The 28mm f/1.8 and 85mm f/1.8 are of similar ages (all three are in the 1992-1995 range), but at least they have ring USM and better build quality.

The 35mm f/1.4L is the most likely candidate, as all of the other sub-telephoto "L" primes have already been replaced/updated.  The long-rumored update to the 24-70mm f/2.8L is another possibility.

As for the non-USM EF lenses (35mm f/2, 24mm f/2.8, etc.), I don't see them getting updated anytime soon.  They certainly don't qualify as “higher end short focal lengths," as the posted rumor states.

350

Canon General / Re: Post a cool B/W!

« on: September 30, 2011, 11:51:45 AM »

I've long been uncertain about this picture. I can give you 10 intellectual reasons why it should work, yet I don't think it does and I'm not sure why.

IMO, the subject is too close to the center of the frame (brush up on the "Rule of Thirds").  Also, there are objects (table, windows, light fixtures) that don't belong or aren't needed.  By cropping them out and moving the subject off-center, it can become a much better composition.

351

Canon General / Re: Nikon's FB Page "A photographer is only as good as the equipment he uses..."

« on: September 30, 2011, 12:41:21 AM »

Give a novice a 300D with kit lens (55-250 or 75-300 III) and ask him to use Auto mode/P mode (like P&S) and ask him to take a portrait at 100mm. Using a tripod and natural light coming from a window.

Give the same guy a 7D and a 100mm f2 or f2.8 with the camera on the same tripod and all he has to do is pull the trigger in auto mode.

Which one will be better?

Did he need to understand it to the maximum? All he did was pull the trigger.

Even for complete noobs, better gear will make a difference... some difference 

I whole heartedly agree with this.  It is (or at least can be) similar to golf.  I suck at golf.  I will always suck at golf.  However, buying a good set of clubs helps me to suck just a little bit less at golf.  Similarly, I may never be a great photographer, but decent equipment can help some of my pictures to suck a little less.  I doubt anyone on here woud say a photo out of kit lens is going to match the exact same photo taken with L glass.  Without changing the composition or the lighting or anything else, it should be sharper with better color, etc., all the great things that L glass can give you.

Yes, it might be sharper with better colors with an "L" lens versus a kit lens.  Unfortunately, those are not the ultimate determining factors of whether or not a photograph (or any work of art) is "good."  A good photo doesn't even have to be in focus, so why should making something that's poorly composed/exposed even sharper help?

    "I wasn't sure before, but now that it's sharper, I can clearly see that it's lousy..." 

Think about it:  seventy/eighty years ago, pro photographers were shooting amazing pictures using equipment that was considered ancient decades ago.  They were able to do it not because they were using the latest digital cameras with modern auto-focus lenses, but because they understood composition and exposure.

352

Canon General / Re: Improving composition - photography skills

« on: September 26, 2011, 12:31:11 AM »

Thanks for starting the thread, a much more humane topic...
But, neuro is right (as almost always)- in this world of ubiquitous high-end or near high-end gear I saw my photos always lacking pop, sense, message, etc UNTIL I found what Good Gear can do to them: a fast prime lens for instance makes you think about composition more, the price of it makes you jump out of bed in twilight to chase the time, add manual focus and LifeView and you are doing already better than 90%, and take it to a place noone has been before (not geographically but in you surrounding space eg shooting at flowers from low to sky, like an ant) and you start searching for Yourself in the world of light...
So, follow neuro and look through fast and sharp glass - the rest is readable and seeable on the net.

Yes, a fast prime is a great tool (especially for learning exposure), however (for those who may not have "gotten" it) neuroanatomist was being sarcastic when he said "Well, we all know that the best way to improve your photos is to buy better gear."  Learning how to take good pictures is more important than the hardware you're using. 

353

Canon General / Re: Improving composition - photography skills

« on: September 25, 2011, 10:29:05 AM »

Can't give specific advice without having seen any of your photos, so here are some basic rules that helped me when I was learning:

• Get closer: don't try to "get it all in."
• Simplify: if it's not a part of your composition, then what's it doing in your photo?
• Two-thirds rule: here's a simple explanation; you can find plenty of info online or in books.
     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds
• Read books/articles that target the types of photography (landscapes, portraits, macro, etc.) you're interested in.

354

EOS Bodies / Re: How many people just want Canon the 5DIII and 24-70mm f/2.8 IS already?

« on: September 25, 2011, 01:26:36 AM »

I eagerly await the 5D Mark III, however I'm more interested in a 50mm f/1.4 II that replaces the "micro" USM with "ring" and decreases the MFD.

For those wanting an EF 24-70mm f/2.8L with IS, just remember that Canon has yet to release an EF (not EF-S) lens with IS that does not reach at least 100mm.  I'm not saying I think they won't add it, just don't assume they will.   

355

EOS Bodies / Re: New Processor for EOS line [CR3]

« on: September 23, 2011, 02:17:35 PM »

[CR3]

He must've forgotten the minus sign between the R and the 3.     Or that the CR ratings are for the site's moderators to rank the Rumors that they post, not for everyone else to use.

356

EOS Bodies / Re: Ball pitching speed / Shutter speed accuracy experiment

« on: September 22, 2011, 05:06:56 PM »

Have you tried doing a similar test using an automobile, traveling at a predetermined speed?  When you compare the results from the 2 bodies, the results should be identical (if they're both working properly), since the speed of the car is now a constant.

You could also do that to test your radar gun.  If it is off by a certain factor (the percentage difference is the same, even at different speeds), you could then factor it in when using it on the pitchers.  Or possibly (I don't know anything about radar guns) use it to calibrate the radar gun?

357

Sports / Re: New Member ;-)

« on: September 22, 2011, 01:23:30 PM »

The 24-70 f/2.8L might be a better choice for indoors, instead of the 24-105mm f/4L, as it's a stop faster, and you already have the 70-105 range covered with the 70-200mm.

An ultra-wide angle, such as the 16-35mm f/2.8L (the 17-40mm f/4L, is a cheaper, slower alternative) is another must:  group shots, interior shots of the church, etc.

The 15mm fisheye is also popular.  For instance, in posed shots of the bride (with the train laid out in front), it helps to exaggerate the train.

And don't forget a flash!   

Here's an article I just found on the subject:

http://www.slrlounge.com/6-must-have-lenses-for-wedding-photography

In the end, do lots of research.  I'm sure there are plenty of books and articles on the subject.

358

EOS Bodies / Re: Big 5D Mark II Price Drops in Canada & USA

« on: September 22, 2011, 09:48:41 AM »

that mean something new coming?

Not necessarily.  Most of the folks here are hoping it does, because it's been 3 years since Canon last announced a new Full Frame dSLR (3 years since 5D Mark II; 4 since the 1Ds Mark III).  There is a "Pro" announcement scheduled for today (see link, below), however we don't know which products will be announced.  Just have to wait and see.

http://www.canonrumors.com/2011/09/canon-pro-announcements-on-september-22-2011/

359

Lenses / Re: New L Series Lenses coming out with the 5D Mk3?

« on: September 21, 2011, 10:20:41 AM »

That's one of the advantages of investing in an EOS system. Every single EF lens ever made, for example, will work on any new Canon EOS DSLR you buy today.

Interesting that you bring that up as a positive to buying Canon when Nikon and Pentax have a backward compatibility that spans 50 years or more. While Canon's is only 20 or so.

However, I don't disagree with you. I find that 20 years is plenty.

I don't think I'd wave the canon flag when it comes to discussions of lens back-compatibility.  especially not to anyone who had to go through the FD-to-EF sea change.  I hope that canon's learnt that lesson and we won't see that happen again in our lifetimes.  a lot of the higher end glass canon produces is stuff that's meant to last a lifetime, so a 19-year life span for a lens mount is absolutely unacceptable.

At the time (mid 1980s), Canon was trying to keep up with Minolta and Nikon.  The FL mount was mechanical and needed to be replaced to outpace the competition.  Was it risky?  Yes, but if you want to be successful in business, you have to take risks.  Since they now have an electronic mount, it's highly unlikely that Canon will have to replace it anytime soon.

It's now 24 years later and Canon has sold more lenses (EF mount) than Nikon has in 50 years, so I would have to say yes, Canon has learnt their lesson. 

360

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF50mm f/1.4 USM

« on: September 21, 2011, 09:29:27 AM »

Truly loving this lens!

Kev

+1 

All shot with the 5D Mark II.

(With extension tubes)