Messages

271

Lenses / Re: Choosing a kit thinking long term

« on: November 02, 2012, 09:54:05 AM »

While it seems the crop sensor is holding you back and should get get a 5d series, ideally a mark iii, but the mark ii is just as capable and you can invest the difference in a good FF lens.  you really don't have anything other than the 50 right now that is suited for low light so maybe stick with the 60d for a bit and buy some faster glass. If you reach that limit and aren't happy then maybe it's time for a ff camera.

272

Canon General / Re: Canon's MAP Pricing Goes Into Full Effect Today

« on: November 01, 2012, 06:51:30 PM »

Goodness some of you need to calm down. The world has not ended. Canon has just decided to enforce their policy which simply means authorized retailers cannot advertise (in print, online, etc) a price below their msrp. That just means the price you see in the official canon online store will be the same across the internet.  If they do advertise it lower then they risk losing canon as a supplier. Secondly those of you who think canon makes any more or less money off the msrp are dillusional. They sell it to a retailer who in turns sells it to you for msrp or whatever you agree upon.  That transaction is between you and the retailer not you and canon. If you don't like it please feel free to check out Sony and Nikon who do the exact same thing just have actually been enforcing their policies unlike canon. Sony is notorious for their map pricing requirements across the entire gambit if their electronics empire. this doesn't mean the end of all "deals". The unauthorized sellers don't care about map pricing, and if you don't care about warrantee issues or have done business with that shop (or better its your local camera store) and know they will honor any issue then you are golden. In the end this is much ado about nothing.

Lastly, I know this will drive some of you bonkers, the big stores (BH, adorama, best buy, ET al) love this. It means no one can undercut them on an advertised price if they are an authorized seller.  It means your local shops who doesnt have the buying power to get better deals out of the supplier are squeezed even further likely requiring them to either drop authorized status or raise their in store price which in turn drives more customers to the big stores who are happy making more money off you when you don't bother to negotiate price. You feel good because you saved money over local camera store, but realistically you just made the big box store very happy because their margin on this item is twice what the local stores is and you still think you got a super deal. It's sad, but it's crony capitalism at its finest.
[/



Well if B&H "loves it" then they will really love that I will not be buying the Canon- 24-105mm f/4L IS EF USM AF Lens USA OR the B+W- 77mm UV Haze MRC 010M Filter to go on it OR the B+W- 77mm Kaesemann Circular Polarizer MRC Filter to go on it OR the Bower- CS77 77mm Pro Snap-On Lens Cap to go on it OR the Sensei- 62-77mm Filter Wrench (Set of 2) to undo any stuck filters.

I had planned to buy all the above items next week, but I won't now. They are probably rolling on the floor laughing insanely, right?

 

Somehow I don't think BH is going to lose much sleep over your decision, thousands of others aren't too likely to get upset over a 100 difference here and there on a 1000 item especially when the past price is no longer good (sorry my flux capacitor bit the dust and my dolorian has been totaled). And at some point you'll bite the bullet. Or maybe you bought one off of big value inc sale today on eBay. So you traded a warrantee for a lower price. Everything has its price.

273

Canon General / Re: Canon's MAP Pricing Goes Into Full Effect Today

« on: November 01, 2012, 11:59:49 AM »

Goodness some of you need to calm down. The world has not ended. Canon has just decided to enforce their policy which simply means authorized retailers cannot advertise (in print, online, etc) a price below their msrp. That just means the price you see in the official canon online store will be the same across the internet.  If they do advertise it lower then they risk losing canon as a supplier. Secondly those of you who think canon makes any more or less money off the msrp are dillusional. They sell it to a retailer who in turns sells it to you for msrp or whatever you agree upon.  That transaction is between you and the retailer not you and canon. If you don't like it please feel free to check out Sony and Nikon who do the exact same thing just have actually been enforcing their policies unlike canon. Sony is notorious for their map pricing requirements across the entire gambit if their electronics empire. this doesn't mean the end of all "deals". The unauthorized sellers don't care about map pricing, and if you don't care about warrantee issues or have done business with that shop (or better its your local camera store) and know they will honor any issue then you are golden. In the end this is much ado about nothing.

Lastly, I know this will drive some of you bonkers, the big stores (BH, adorama, best buy, ET al) love this. It means no one can undercut them on an advertised price if they are an authorized seller.  It means your local shops who doesnt have the buying power to get better deals out of the supplier are squeezed even further likely requiring them to either drop authorized status or raise their in store price which in turn drives more customers to the big stores who are happy making more money off you when you don't bother to negotiate price. You feel good because you saved money over local camera store, but realistically you just made the big box store very happy because their margin on this item is twice what the local stores is and you still think you got a super deal. It's sad, but it's crony capitalism at its finest.

274

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Alaska: 5D2 or 1D4

« on: November 01, 2012, 09:54:16 AM »

As another California kid do you really think you'll be venturing out in the weather all that much?  I've been to Fairbanks once, its was cold and wet, it is the second coldest place I've ever been (the first being any summers day in San Francisco). So definitely 1d series, but ideally what you should convince Dad is that you need a new lens instead (70-200 f2.8IS ii) and then just buy a bunch of garbage bags and you're golden. After all in college you are going to be more busy drinking beer and (trying) picking up chicks, and lets not forget that school thing you should attend every once in a while. My recommendation, the university of Arizona, yes it's in the desert, but that does mean the coeds wear next to nothing most days and keep themselves in good shape as there is no "winters coat" to put on. It worked out well for me, married 15 years and she still looks as good as the day we met.

275

Canon General / Re: Canon's MAP Pricing Goes Into Full Effect Today

« on: November 01, 2012, 09:41:28 AM »

In the USA manufacturers can implement MAP's but - "when implementing a MAP policy, it is critical to establish a policy that controls the price at which products can be advertised but not the ultimate price at which the products may be sold."

This quote if from an article concerning U.S. Antitrust Laws (Sherman Act)

Link:   http://www.scottandscottllp.com/main/minimum_advertised_price.aspx

I have purchased equipment from retailers below the MAP several times. I call them and ask for best prices, package deals, etc. The MAP price is for advertising, not for the ultimate selling price.

Regards,

-R

Exactly, those that are smart enough to realize this just have to haggle a little. Essentially this is just an msrp, how many of you have bought a car at msrp?

276

Canon General / Re: Canon's Minimum Advertising Price to go into effect Nov 1

« on: October 31, 2012, 07:27:21 PM »

Everyone does it. If you want to carry their gear (what camera store wouldn't want to carry cannon?) then you agree to their terms. Ever seen the new pair of Nike sneakers priced differently at different stores...nope. Generally it applies to a few items and sets a floor. Not sure if it applies to the electronic store fronts which is why you see deals pop up on eBay etc however I assume those agreements have been modified in the digital age to include those so my guess is there will not be any more stellar deals coming from authorized sellers, everything now will be grey market.

277

EOS Bodies / Re: Official DXOMark Sensor Score for the EOS-1D X

« on: October 31, 2012, 11:04:28 AM »

That's it I'm moving to Nikon 

278

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 24-70 f/4L IS Coming [CR3]

« on: October 30, 2012, 03:54:43 PM »

This does seem silly, can't see why anyone would want this over the tamron f2.8 vc. I assume it will become the new kits lens and the 24-105 will fade into obscurity. Which i guess may make some sense especially if canons marketing shows a lot of folks don't buy a 70-200, 70-300, or 100-400 if they already have the 24-105 and are happy.  Could be a plan to sell a few more 70-200's etc.

279

Lenses / Re: New camera or new lens? Need advice

« on: October 30, 2012, 12:44:04 PM »

oh I also forgot, regarding f2.8 zooms, the new tamron 24-70 is every bit as good as the canon 24-70 mark i plus has VC.  It is a bit slower to focus I found, but nothing I can't live with.  The new 24-70ii is for big boys only, it's super sharp and really rather stunning in every department, but is it worth another $1000 over the tamron?  Unless you are making the big bucks, probably not. 

280

Lenses / Re: New camera or new lens? Need advice

« on: October 30, 2012, 12:40:20 PM »

I vote for new lenses over new body unless the 5diii is in your price range.  Unless you are making loads of money at this, or need to shoot totally wide open, I would not bother with the 50 or 85L.   the normal EF equivalents are more than adequate for most uses.  Of your choices, I'd shy away from the sigma, that lens normally needs some AFMA, and I don't think the 5d classic has this feature (although I could be very wrong).  So that leaves you the 50 1.4 which if you read lens rentals battle of the 50mm is a pretty fantastic lens for the price.  I am a big fan of the 85 1.8 for it's performance and value, you do need to be careful not to shoot it wide open in high contrast situations or else you'll get purple halos at the transition points, however I generally live at f5.6 for portraiture so I don't see the purple fringing some complain of.   Even if you do it's easily correctable in post and it's generally no longer a concern by f2.2 and smaller.  The 135L is an animal, nothing quite like it out there, quick to focus, super sharp wide open, if you can afford it, get it.  If money is a concern then get the 85 1.8 over 135 L, if not then the 85 1.8 and 135 L.  If I had to only have 2, then it would probably be the 50 1.4 and 135L. 

281

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS M or ...???

« on: October 30, 2012, 12:17:38 AM »

Someone else mentioned it, have you given any thought to a Sony nex?  If she just wants a point and shoot the iPhone 5 is probably the best bet, but if she wants something more I'd say get a nex. Plus then you can have fun looking through eBay for some great old m mount lenses to play with. I'm debating a nex for the wife for Xmas just for that reason alone.

282

Software & Accessories / Re: Supplies for beginners?

« on: October 29, 2012, 06:10:54 PM »

As someone stated above a speedlight, the 430 is reasonably priced right now, and also pick up the Ef 50mm 1.8 as its great for the price. Maybe invest in adobe's Lightroom or apple's aperture depending on your flavor. Read as much for free on the Internet and also buy some books, Brian petersons "understanding exposure" is ubiquitous. Since you want to photography newborns see if you can rent a macro lens, newborns are so small it's nice to be able to get in close. If you like it then you have what you'll want as your next lens purchase when you can afford it. Otherwise have fun.

283

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L IS [CR1]

« on: October 29, 2012, 11:48:06 AM »

Finally a $3500 zoom for the video crowd

284

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: FoCal likes the mk3 AF

« on: October 29, 2012, 12:55:40 AM »

so it looks like FoCal is pretty much a go on the mac as long as you can deal with it not being full auto on the 5diii and 1dx.  I was a bit confused by their last post which, at least to me, read that focal running on OSX and the 5diii weren't yet talking to one another.  If I'm wrong, as it seems I may be, I'm ordering tomorrow. 

285

Lenses / Re: Your technique for switching lenses in the field?

« on: October 26, 2012, 07:29:09 PM »

I think you are thinking too much about this.  Yes you can probably do a few things to minimize sensor dust, but if you think pointing the camera down or any other silly maneuver is going to keep dust out then I have a bridge in Brooklyn you can buy. A camera is a tool, use it.