Messages

211

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D III - Camera of the year 2012

« on: December 12, 2012, 02:08:10 PM »

ChilledXpress, I agree with you.  I used to buy the 1D series for weddings, but no longer need to.  The 5D series now has what I needed from the 1D series; and it's cheaper and easier to carry.  People who think the 5DIII is just a 5DII with the AF "fixed" don't realize that it's an entirely new camera, with upgrades throughout (100% viewfinder, shorter shutter lag & mirror blackout, quiet shutter mode, better high ISO, etc.).  I think the 1D series still shines for high speed action such as sports and in really harsh environments that break lesser cameras.  And I believe the 1D series still offers some extra performance at the high ISO end.

212

EOS Bodies / Re: 6D vs 5Diii vs 5Dii - Speedlite AF Focus Beam Assist Tests

« on: December 12, 2012, 02:27:42 AM »

I don't have a 1D series camera currently, but in the past I always had the feeling that the 1D series had a bit of extra lag when using flash compared to any of the xxD series.  I believe this wasn't the case with the original 1D, but started with the 1DII or 1DIIN.  It may be that the 5D3 has inherited this from the 1D series, along with the AF system generally, perhaps trading speed for accuracy.

213

EOS Bodies / Re: black focus points on 5Dmkiii

« on: December 12, 2012, 02:19:46 AM »

It's a minor issue for me in low light.  I set the camera to only use 9 AF points anyway and would do this even if the problem didn't exist.  When set to 9 points, there is just the right combination of simplicity and functionality, and all are cross-type.  I can always touch the AF point selector button with my thumb to light up the active point.  If shooting in a very active situation, set it to the center and leave it there.

214

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Am I the only one without 5D3 Problems?

« on: December 11, 2012, 06:55:50 PM »

Here is what I love about the 5D3 ....

Am I just oblivious to problems or a lot of people just suffering from "the grass is always greener" syndrome because of the rave reviews the D800 gets on websites like DXO?

You've summed it up very well.  I don't have problems with the 5D3 either, other than the black AF points.  It is the best wedding camera I've ever used.  DxO doesn't shoot weddings, so their ratings don't reflect important camera features that matter to me.  I have lots of D800 files from a 2nd shooter and they are wonderfully detailed (if you make giant-sized prints), but the color is not as pleasing as from the 5D3.  And Nikon doesn't have the medium raw file size option or the new flashes with built in radio.

215

Lenses / Re: EF 24-70 F/2.8L II USM on 7D

« on: December 11, 2012, 10:51:17 AM »

17-55mm all the way cracking lens. Unless you plan on going full frame, then i would say get the 24-70mm MKI because the MKII IMO isnt worth another £1000!!!! Insane. Regardless how much better it is it isnt £1000 better.

I had bad luck with the 17-55 as the IS motor failed while still under warranty.  Image quality was excellent, but my impression was that the lens didn't seem to have a build quality to match its price.  The new 24-70 II is expensive, but both image quality and build quality seem to be a match for the price.

216

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Only 1 lens

« on: December 10, 2012, 10:40:02 PM »

Your current 5DII + 40mm f/2.8 pancake makes a great package.  That is a very sweet lens and only $149.  Baby and family photos will look just as good with the little 40mm as with the big 24-70/2.8.  The 40mm is great for landscape too (if you like the focal length).  Also, Rebel T4i with kit lens for $599 can do a lot.

217

Lenses / Re: Best Value "Normal" Lens for 6d?

« on: December 10, 2012, 06:46:43 PM »

No votes for the 40mm f/2.8? Talk about "best value", that lens is awesome.

One more vote for the 40/2.8 STM.  It is the BEST value, currently $149.

218

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Anybody upgrade from a 7D to 6D? What are your thoughts?

« on: December 10, 2012, 05:55:58 PM »

Maybe it is pixel peeping, I don't know but I know with the full frame sensor I am much more satisfied in the pictures I get.  I feel they are more, film quality.

Film quality?  35mm film was never that good. 

219

Lenses / Re: 16-35L or related primes

« on: December 10, 2012, 02:23:09 AM »

Keep the price out of this equation. I have just decided that if photography is what I want to do as much as I can, even if it's purely as a hobby, why not invest more in fast lenses, since I love the aperture versatility of 1.4s (and 1.2s for that matter).

Generally speaking, for landscapes, night skies and actions sports, the aperture versatility of f/1.4 does not add much.  But for environmental portraits, a 24/1.4 or 35/1.4 can be quite nice. 

220

Lenses / Re: 24-105 or 24-70 for weddings, events, travelling (priority in that order)

« on: December 08, 2012, 10:05:18 PM »

DOF control is important but i see myself using this particular lens for group shots

If used for group shots, the 24-105/4 is perfectly good.  Many group shots require f/4 or smaller anyway.  But occasionally a small group is in the same plane of focus and can be shot at f/2.8 - f/3.5 (or even f/2 with a prime).

However, for general use at weddings, I much prefer the new 24-70/2.8 II — in addition to primes.  It is more compact and overall better than the original version.  F/2.8 allows for much less use of flash than an f/4 zoom.  An f/2.8 zoom will also focus better indoors than an f/4 zoom.

that being said, i would not trust anything slower than a 2.8 in really low light situations so any of the F4 glass wont make it into my bag. 2.8 just lets you see better and auto focus seems to benefit from the extra stop of brightness.
....
the last thing i would point out is that on a full frame camera the difference between 70mm and 105mm is minimal imo. if you are concerned about lack of reach on full frame for weddings then you really should be looking at the 70-200mm 2.8. its an absolute star performer!

Good points!

221

Lenses / Re: Best lenses for canon 5D mark iii or 6D

« on: December 06, 2012, 11:14:37 PM »

5D3 + 24-70 II + 70-200 II

Those are great lenses, but also a great deal of weight to carry.  One has to be really committed to carrying that much weight and bulk.  I do it for weddings, but more out of necessity.

If not into carrying that much, consider:

For street photography:  28/2.8 IS (new this year) or 35/2 IS (should be out this month) or 40/2.8 STM (delightfully small!)
For portraits:  50/1.4 or 50/1.2L (great lens but a bit chunky) or 85/1.8

Those would result in a smaller kit, and save money too.

222

Lenses / Re: New Sigma 35mm f/1.4 for Canon getting awesome reviews

« on: December 06, 2012, 10:38:36 PM »

I've been a big fan of the Canon 35/1.4L, but I'm actually very interested in the new Canon 35/2 IS due to its smaller size and weight.  It is listed at $849 but I suspect the price will drop to under $700 like that of the 24/2.8 IS and 28/2.8 IS. 

However, I'm very impressed that this new Sigma 35/1.4 does look sharper at f/1.4 and f/2 than the Canon 35L:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=829&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=121&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0
The Canon seems to be sharper in the corners (at f/1.4 and f/2), but the Sigma seems to be sharper at center and mid-frame.

I wonder how the Sigma does in bokeh and autofocus speed?

223

Lenses / Re: Ef 24-70mm f/4.0 L IS availability????

« on: December 06, 2012, 07:10:29 PM »

I have searched all over and can't find a release date.  Anyone know?

According to DPReview.com:

"Canon has announced two lenses for its EOS system. The EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM is designed as a relatively compact image-stabilized standard zoom for full frame SLRs, and will be offered as a kit with the EOS 6D. It  includes a Macro setting offering an impressive 0.7x magnification, backed up by Canon's Hybrid IS that promises increased effectiveness at close distances. It's also weather-sealed, and will be available from mid-December at an RRP of $1499 / £1499.99 / €1459. Meanwhile the EF 35mm f/2 IS USM features an all-new optical design, and includes image stabilization and an ultrasonic focus motor. It will be in on sale early December for $849.99  / £799.99 / €849. Both lenses will work on full frame and APS-C cameras."

224

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon 6D Wifi Linking with iPhone 5

« on: December 06, 2012, 05:30:41 PM »

I used 2 cameras, a 5D MK III handheld and a 60D on a tripod. At our Church the parish priest does not allow photographers to come behind him (while the couple are facing him) during Mass, offertory and other Catholic rituals (which goes on for about 90 minutes). So I got the priest's approval to set a tripod (with my 60D) discreetly placed behind him. I used a 10 inch Asus Iconia tablet connected to my 60D with a 20 foot USB cable (running under the church carpet) and remotely triggered the camera with an android program called "RYC USB Pro". I chose a wide angle lens so I could change the AF to capture the couples expressions and sometimes the audience expressions. I took over two dozen memorable photos the professional photographer (who was hired to do the wedding photography) could not capture because the priest would not allow him to be at certain places. I would have preferred if it was totally wireless, like the WiFi feature on 6D, so I didn't have to worry about someone tripping on exposed parts of the USB cable.

Way to go!  That is awesome!  I haven't decided whether I'll be buying a 6D, but you've given a real example of what can be done with a remote camera and can't be done by a photographer holding a camera.  It could be done before with Pocket Wizards and other gadgets, but now it can be done even more easily.  Being able to set up something like this quickly and without wires is very nice.

225

EOS Bodies / Re: Asking for 5D III firmware improvements

« on: December 06, 2012, 02:31:55 AM »

but I don't see the advantage of using Auto ISO in Manual mode even if it had exposure comp.

I do: With a dynamic lighting scene you can pre-select your aperture (dof) and shutter speed (stop motion) while keeping the lowest possible noise level (= auto-iso). But with auto-iso you rely 100% on camera metering, and w/o expo-comp you cannot do anything about it even if you know that the camera has a tendency to over/underexpose or you know the scene is such the camera will get it wrong to one side.

OK, I can see using it in that way — when the light is changing and you want to keep a certain aperture and shutter speed.  You can almost achieve the same goal by using Av mode and a minimum shutter speed setting for Auto ISO, along with any exposure comp that's needed.  The only problem may be that the minimum shutter speed goes no higher than 1/250th, which is usually fine for me, but not fast enough for some sports and other action.  Perhaps Canon can add higher minimum shutter speed options to Auto ISO.  Ideally, exposure comp in Manual, if added by Canon, would be something you could enable or disable in a menu setting so people who like it the current way can keep it that way (and avoid accidental mis-setting).