Messages

1576

Lenses / Re: 70-200 2.8 II vs. 85mm 1.2 II - general opinion

« on: July 26, 2012, 07:04:36 PM »

I own both.  I've taken shots with the 85L that I could have used a zoom and I've also taken shots at 85mm with the 70-200L zoom.  Both are great.  If I want great shots, I'll shoot with the 70-200L for versatility.  If I want magical shots, I'll put on the 85L.  If you need flexibility and don't need to go below f/2.8, get the 70-200L zoom lens.  If you need below f/2.8 and you don't need flexibility, the 85L is magical, especially on a good body.  For consumers, both are great and at the consumer level, are equal. 

1577

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 1DX err80

« on: July 26, 2012, 06:48:27 PM »

Alright, I have the 1D X, would it help if I went and shot quite a bit with the 85L?  I have an event this weekend that I can certainly do that at, and I'll see what I get to happen.  Stay tuned.

1578

Lighting / Re: When do you use spot metering?

« on: July 26, 2012, 01:49:20 PM »

@bdunbar79

Correct.  NEITHER the 1V nor the EOS-3 has AF point-linked spot metering.

Corr-wrong!

I don't know about the 1V, but the EOS-3 does.

Custom function 13.

Focusing Point-Linked Spot Metering.
With Custom Function CF-13, you can limit the manually- and eye-selectable focusing points to only 11 of the 45. This makes focusing point selection faster.

Spot metering (about 2.4% of the viewfinder area) is also linked to the eye-selected or manually-selected focusing point.

&

The selectable focusing points are limited to 11.
This makes focusing point selection faster and links spot metering to the focusing point you select.
This setting is effective for spotlighted subjects on-stage, etc., when you want to maintain the framing of the subject.

From pages 56 & 119 of EOS 3 manual.

Interesting.  I'm reluctant to shoot film in difficult or harsh conditions where I'd even need spot metering, but I'll have to try it out.  I did not know about this custom function. 

1579

Technical Support / Re: DIY sensor cleaning - what to buy.

« on: July 26, 2012, 01:44:34 PM »

If you only have had your camera for a year, Canon will do it for free.  My 1Ds Mark III just went in 2 weeks ago, still for free, for a sensor cleaning.  Doing it yourself with a puffer usually doesn't work very well.

1580

Canon General / Re: "Time for a Change at Canon?" -Barons

« on: July 26, 2012, 12:41:45 PM »

I'm not a chairman of the board of a major Japanese corporation, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last  night. That qualifies me as much as anyone else here to comment on this stuff.

+1e6

Unless you are a significant stock-holder (like a pension / superannuation fund), or a senior executive of Canon, it would be hard to provide a qualified opinion of what the qualities of individuals in leadership roles of Canon should be.

I have posted before, that if you are unhappy with Canon's offerings, you should not whinge about them, rather, do not buy them.

Vote with you wallet! It's by far the most effective management and strategy tool in the market.

Just what I'm doing, Canon don't have an up to date semi-pro 1.6 crop camera so I'll stick with what I have. 
 
Canon needs a 7d MK II, not every one wants a full frame jobbie.

Cheers Mike

I agree.  I'd rather see a 7D Mark II.  Hey you know what, I might even buy one!

1581

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Lovin' my 5d Mark III

« on: July 26, 2012, 12:34:28 PM »

I have had my mark III for about two weeks now and have been shooting a lot of hummingbird and macro shots.  My previous camera was a 40d which I thought took excellent pictures.... that is until now!  While I still think it takes great pictures, the 5d is just amazing.  I was really worried about losing the crop factor for some pics, especially the birds.  However, the Mark III more than makes up for this with it's low light capability and the substantial bump in resolution.  I have been amazed at how much I can crop some of my full frame pics and they remain excellent. I am getting shots now that I never dreamed of with the 40d, and the 61 point autofocus, don't even get me started on how much I already love that!  Anyone with a crop body that has concerns about upgrading and losing the crop factor, don't worry about it if you upgrade to the Mark III.  I can't pick up my 40d anymore, it just can't compare. I was going to keep it so I would have two bodies, but I'm starting to think that it may go and I may buy another full frame, possibly a Mark II. 

It's actually great for sports too.  You have to use center AF point, but set it to spot metering, Tv= 1/500 to 1/800, Av= 6.3, ISO = Auto.  It's pretty good in an indoor gym at those settings with decent DOF and sufficient shutter speed to stop action.  A few of my shots went to ISO 12,800 but it didn't matter because I applied NR post processing and it looked fine.

sorry but saying you can only use centre af point for sports is absolute nonsense yes metering is linked to cantre af point but once you work out you exposure in the general area you can shoot sports fine with off centre af points

You can't SPOT METER THROUGH THE ACTIVE AF POINT!  What good would it do to shoot sports in Av mode with Auto ISO if you are not using spot metering?  It wouldn't.  So, to do so, you use the center AF point, because you can't spot meter through any other point.

1582

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Canon EOS 5D Mark III Price Drop

« on: July 26, 2012, 12:26:16 PM »

This price slide only makes sense. I guess they figured that the first wave of buyers who are ready to pay whatever for the "latest and greatest" is now depleting, the 800 is getting more in stock and its bugs are being taken care of, so its time to move on with getting the price down to the actual market value.

Canon could make a bigger splash in consumer world with original MSRP of MKIII under $3K, with MKII as an entry level body for another year and with $3800 high megapix model. Instead they decided to milk a certain consumer group and only after that to adjust the price. Disgusting but quite predictable corporate practice.

Personally, I'm waiting for the 800 price slide.  Just a thought of having a 36MP body with high DR for studio work for around $2700 makes me hyper. 

You won't see any difference in IQ among the D800, 5D Mark III, or 5D Mark II.  You're paying for larger files is all.  Especially so for studio/portrait work.

1583

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: What CF card for 1D X?

« on: July 25, 2012, 08:13:10 PM »

I do shoot pictures of running horses often so I need to clear buffer as fast as possible. Coming from 1D Mark II N I am sure I'll be happy with this upgrade. I want to use full writing speed of the camera..

I hear ya!  Try shooting rapid fire on your 1D Mark II or worse, the 1Ds3, rapid-fire RAW.  I locked mine up once for 30 seconds while the buffer cleared, lol!

1584

EOS Bodies / Re: Another Spec List for the Entry Level Full Frame EOS

« on: July 25, 2012, 07:15:57 PM »

I DO NOT want the 7d's crap AF system. Instead of shooting with my 7d, its been a glorified paperweight for 6 months. Been back to canon 3 times. Refuses to consistently focus. That system sucks.

the 7d has a great form, and is a joy to use, but those high noise images and af trials have me ready to trade it in.

Wait wait wait wait wait wait.  7D crap AF system?  Then you mention high noise images?  Well, I hope you are not linking the AF system with high noise images?  The AF system is spectactular on the 7D.  High ISO is not.  The two are not related.

1585

Lighting / Re: When do you use spot metering?

« on: July 25, 2012, 06:38:11 PM »

I use center-weighted average mostly.  In landscape it doesn't matter, so I usually use evaluative or center-weighted average.  In sports however, I find spot metering with the 1D Mark IV very useful!  Imagine a track meet or football game with sun overhead, and the player's jersey is shadowed.  Select spot metering, meter on the jersey, use Av mode with ISO safety shift and auto ISO and you've got it.  Make sure you're shooting in RAW though because the exposure won't be exactly perfect, but it'll work.  Another instance is bird photography whereby you want a bird shot of a flying bird with a bright sky behind it.  Spot meter on the bird itself with a bit of EC and again, you've got it.  Portrait photography for sure as I find that preserves skin tones, but you again may have to play with EC to get it just right.  Hope this helped.

1586

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon's Next Full Frame Camera [CR2]

« on: July 25, 2012, 04:50:45 PM »

Well, there is a chatter about new high MPx body:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1210264

Ive read about above 32 MPx, 45 MPx and 47 MPx. Im sure there is market for such product and I think it could be a new line with 5D-like body. Probably announced sometimes early next year (I wont guess availability with Canon after 1D-X announcement/availability). It could have 4K video with high MPx.

Yeah, and the guy also said it was going to be a 1Ds Mark IV.  That sounds plausible.

1587

Lighting / Re: When do you use spot metering?

« on: July 25, 2012, 12:57:36 PM »

Correct.  NEITHER the 1V nor the EOS-3 has AF point-linked spot metering.

1588

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon's Next Full Frame Camera [CR2]

« on: July 25, 2012, 12:43:22 PM »

Apart from the new entry level FF camera, I would someday like to see Canon's true replacement for the 1Ds Mark III.  I don't think the 5D Mark III necessarily needs a replacement, since if you upgrade the metering, it's effectively a 1D-series in all likelihood.  How about a 3-series? 

1589

Lenses / Re: Refurbished Lenses from Canon

« on: July 25, 2012, 11:33:32 AM »

Bought my 50L refurbished from Canon for $1295.  Love it!  No problems at all.

1590

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Post your custom shooting settings

« on: July 25, 2012, 11:17:31 AM »

1D Mark IV
Indoor Basketball C1: 

Av Mode, f/6.3
ISO Safety Shift:  ON
Minimum Shutter Speed:  1/500
ISO:  Auto
Exposure Compensation:  +1
Center AF point or Center + surrounding
Spot Metering (linked to active AF point)