Messages

61

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 14-24 f/2.8L [CR2]

« on: June 16, 2012, 12:29:54 AM »

I've been waiting for this lens for some time, the 16-35mm lens has lots of distortion and the corners are crap. The good part is that the front lens element sits nice and safe behind an optional protective uv filter. The front lens element on Nikons 14-24 has no protection. I've seen a few of them get banged up. One part of me wants the lens and another part of me thinks that I'll spend all of my money on it, put it on a second body, and then I sling the camera to my side as I always do with my 5D2 and 16-35 and I bump a table. The hood and filter on the 16-35 saves me all the time but the protruding element on a 12-24 would be at a high risk. The lens would definitely be around 2k so this is a very tough call.

62

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: New Canon Speedlites and ST-E3!

« on: June 15, 2012, 09:28:57 PM »

I currently have 3 600EX-RT units and I am in love with them. I'm working up a review right now but here's a quick post for naysayers.

Shot with 5D MK II
Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS II
Two 600EX-RT speedlites flashed at full power, I left them in the frame for you to see their exact location
Triggered with 1 600EX-RT on the hot-shoe
HSS was enabled
Shot in broad daylight
1/8000 sec, f/3.5, ISO 100

This setup took only a couple minutes and weighed far less than my Elinchrom Ranger RX Speed AS kit and was much smaller. The lights work great despite a few limitations of using an older model body.

63

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: 600ex-RT AF assist power

« on: June 15, 2012, 08:49:54 PM »

The 600EX-RT doesn't seem any better from my testing with the AF assist over the 580EX II. I tested with my 1D MK IV, 5D MK II, and even the 5D MK III and a variety of lenses. I still works ok but I would like a little better range with the assist as well. The 600EX-RT is worth the mulah for all the feature upgrades and once I finish writing my review you will probably want a few of them! Tested high-speed sync in full daylight at 1/8000 sec, ISO 100, and f/2.8-4.5 which gave me some gorgeous shots. I'll post them soon enough.

64

EOS Bodies / Re: CANON 1Dx - Action images - UEFA EURO 2012™

« on: June 15, 2012, 04:23:06 PM »

I just do not understand what is so special about these photos!!!!!!!!!!
I have seen such pictures 20 years ago.

When you read you'll find that he got the shot of the goal when many others did not.....

I see your point. 

(working from memory here, so details may not be perfect.  Apologies in advance if I misrepresent anyone's opinions.)

This reminds me of an interaction on the CR forums some months ago between a guy with an S95 and a (former) CR member named Macfly.  The person had taken a very nice photo of, I believe, motocross, with his S95.  Macfly, who is an extremely accomplished and experienced high-end pro, found it very difficult to believe such a nice photo had been taken with an S95.  The S95 photographer clarified that not *all* of his photos came out that good and, in fact, most did not.  He had found that if he carefully set up the shot and anticipated, that some percentage would come out OK.   Of course, with a 1D-series you'll get a lot higher percentage

Certainly, photographers in the past got some great shots.  The purpose of the 1DX is to increase the percentage of great shots and to encourage the photographer to try shots that wouldn't previously have been within reach.

I wish I could afford one.

Well said! Shooting a football player jumping in the air to catch a pass lasts only a second. Shooting with a 5D MK II gives you 4 photos and a super slow AF which gives you about a 10% chance of catching the shot, shooting with a 5D3 with a good AF and 6 fps should give you a 40% chance, the 1D MK IV has lots of speed but a jumpy AF so I would say around 60% chance and with the 1DX with amazing speed and blazing fast AF you should have at least 80% chance of getting the shot. I've attached an example of this from last year using the 300mm f/2.8 matched with a 1D MK IV. I believe I got about 3 frames in focus, two were useable and I cropped the other into a vertical to add variety. I had a good read on my target this time but I have missed other similar shots which required a quicker reaction time due to jumpy AF on the 1D4 or slow AF on the 5D2.

Here's the shot: http://markwebbphoto.com/p225432823/e3b84f559#h3b84f559

65

EOS Bodies / Re: CANON 1Dx - Action images - UEFA EURO 2012™

« on: June 15, 2012, 03:57:04 PM »

I know I am going to be pounced upon for saying this, but I cant help it:

I just do not understand what is so special about these photos!!!!!!!!!!
I have seen such pictures 20 years ago.

[Not saying anything against 1dx or the photographer, but these photos are NOT great for ME.]

Then I guess you haven't need to upgrade in a two decades...

I am a relatively new photographer, unlike a pro like you. I have been a motion picture cinematographer for 15 years and have done several major movies but not done much still photography. I bought a 5d2 three years ago now the 5d3 and have pre ordered the 1dx.

I will upgrade to the best available so it helps me create better photos easier.

BUT the posted photos fail to show me any super technology. Again, I am NOT saying that 1dx will not have super focus etc... Or that the photographer is no good. Just that these photos fail to impress me. Photographers have managed to take such photos for decades... IMHO.

Sounds like you have great gear but I wouldn't say that buying a more expensive camera would be hitting the easy button, in fact you are probably going to make it harder on yourself by buying a 1DX. You might want to look at the modes as you will notice that there is no fully automatic mode, rather the 1DX is stripped down to the bare essentials: Program (PE), Aperture Priority (AV), Shutter priority (TV) and Manual (M). The modes I use on my 1D MK IV are Manual (75%), AV (20%), and TV (5%) for when I want to get some motion blur with action photos. The feedback from a top notch action photographer is all the proof I need that the technology is advanced from the previous models. I'd like to get my hands on one but there is not a store around me that would carry one if they could even get it in stock. If the specs of the camera don't impress you then stick with the 5D3 which should be good enough as a main camera for any semi-pro and a second body for most professionals. The 1DX is marketed primarily for journalists, sports photographers, and wedding photographers. Lots of nature guys are waiting for f/8 AF but I would trade f/8 for better low-light AF any day!

66

EOS Bodies / Re: CANON 1Dx - Action images - UEFA EURO 2012™

« on: June 15, 2012, 12:12:10 PM »

I know I am going to be pounced upon for saying this, but I cant help it:

I just do not understand what is so special about these photos!!!!!!!!!!
I have seen such pictures 20 years ago.

[Not saying anything against 1dx or the photographer, but these photos are NOT great for ME.]

When you read you'll find that he got the shot of the goal when many others did not. In fact be claimed it was so fast that he got several frames and they were mostly tack sharp. The ability of the AF to stay locked on your subject and get closer to 12 fps is important. The 1D MK IV is claimed to be 10 fps but the AF is so jumpy that it feels more like 7-8 at most times unless your in single shot mode.

Photogs are going to be limited as to what they can post with pre-production models but sure enough we should see lots of great samples when the production models start shipping.... Hopefully next week for Japan

67

EOS Bodies / Re: CANON 1Dx - Action images - UEFA EURO 2012™

« on: June 15, 2012, 05:07:29 AM »

If what he says about 1DX tracking compared to the Mk IV... wow.  Awesome.

Yeah I have never felt confident with the AF of the 1D MK IV. It is very jumpy and i tend to overshoot everything in AI servo just to make sure that i have something in perfect focus. I need a solid and dependable AF for sports and weddings. While the 5D3 is supposed to be good at tracking, it lacks the speed I want.

68

EOS Bodies / Re: 1DX on preorder

« on: June 14, 2012, 08:54:06 PM »

Most of those who would order a 1D X are pros, and are busy earning a living.  I'm retired and can't afford one.  Unless there is a specific need for the features, or a person is able to afford it for a hobby, you can do very well with a 5D MK III series.

Yeah I make my living on photography so I'm going to pass on the 5D3 for the 1DX. The 1DX has many advantages over the 5D3 such as weather proofing, durability, two CF card slots (the SD card in my 1D MK IV slows things down for me), the higher speed will be appreciated for sports (I will even use 14 fps for golf and baseball when I want the ball moving in the frame), useable images at ISO 25k, slightly better x-sync speed, and most of all the amazing AF. A friend of mine used a 1DX and said the AF was much better than the 5D3 which is already pretty darn good.

People keep yapping about how long the camera is taking to come out but you gotta realize that they have lots of new tech in the new body including the change to a carbon fiber shutter which they want to ensure is durable enough for folks like me who shoot thousands of photos in a single weekend.

I want this camera to be perfect and I don't want to have to send it back in for repair like many have done with their 5D3. Professional quality products take more time to make and quality control is going to be much tighter on a 1DX than a rebel or even the 5D3 which is why they were able to hit the market so early. It is frustrating and I tell myself all the time that I really could have used a 1DX on this shoot or that shoot.

Canon is unleashing a lot of new tech this year and it makes me glad to be a Canon shooter. The 1DX paired with 3-4 600EX-RT's is going to be an amazing setup for weddings and photojournalism.

If I buy the 1DX, already having the 5D Mark III, would you sell your 1D Mark IV, or keep all 3?  I'll be shooting a heck of a lot more sports, only in winter and spring though.  Summer and fall probably no sports.  Too bad Canon didn't already have a 1Ds Mark IV (22mp with dual digic 4's) that was newer than the 2007 tech of the Ds Mark III, or I'd have a 1Ds Mark IV, 1DX, and a 5D Mark III in my bag

When my 1DX arrives I have a tough call to make, keep the 5D MK II or the 1D MK IV as a second body? I have definitely exceeded the rated 150k shutter durability but never had any problems with my 5D MK II. Ideally I would like two 1DX bodies but it will be a long time before I can afford that. The 1D MK IV works great but I don't care for the color or the crop sensor since I shoot with primes mostly. What would you keep as a second body between the two? 1DX will be the workhorse but when you have a bride coming down the isle and need to switch to a wide angle lens....

69

EOS Bodies / Re: 1DX on preorder

« on: June 14, 2012, 08:35:58 PM »

Most of those who would order a 1D X are pros, and are busy earning a living.  I'm retired and can't afford one.  Unless there is a specific need for the features, or a person is able to afford it for a hobby, you can do very well with a 5D MK III series.

Yeah I make my living on photography so I'm going to pass on the 5D3 for the 1DX. The 1DX has many advantages over the 5D3 such as weather proofing, durability, two CF card slots (the SD card in my 1D MK IV slows things down for me), the higher speed will be appreciated for sports (I will even use 14 fps for golf and baseball when I want the ball moving in the frame), useable images at ISO 25k, slightly better x-sync speed, and most of all the amazing AF. A friend of mine used a 1DX and said the AF was much better than the 5D3 which is already pretty darn good.

People keep yapping about how long the camera is taking to come out but you gotta realize that they have lots of new tech in the new body including the change to a carbon fiber shutter which they want to ensure is durable enough for folks like me who shoot thousands of photos in a single weekend.

I want this camera to be perfect and I don't want to have to send it back in for repair like many have done with their 5D3. Professional quality products take more time to make and quality control is going to be much tighter on a 1DX than a rebel or even the 5D3 which is why they were able to hit the market so early. It is frustrating and I tell myself all the time that I really could have used a 1DX on this shoot or that shoot.

Canon is unleashing a lot of new tech this year and it makes me glad to be a Canon shooter. The 1DX paired with 3-4 600EX-RT's is going to be an amazing setup for weddings and photojournalism.

70

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS-1D X - June 20, 2012 in Japan

« on: June 13, 2012, 06:56:37 PM »

1Ds3 ISO1600 = 1DX ISO12800 

Exactly! I have to shoot indoor sports and never seem to have time to set up lights so I often have to shoot at super high ISOs. Most high school gyms in my area are extremely dark. I am often pushing it with my 1D MK IV at ISO 8,000 at f/2.8 just to get a shutter speed of 1/400 sec. If I want a higher speed I often have to shoot with my 85mm f/1.2 II which lets me get shots under the basket and the 3-point line if I do enough cropping.

And yeah that seems to be going too far it but a little noise reduction and I still get an ok photo.

From what I have seen with the 1DX I should be able to get a rather clean photo up to about ISO 25k. I'm also excited to try the camera with the new 600EX-RT.

Hey Mark if you are on a Mac using Photoshop try NeatImage.com. The best NR plug in... Works very well and 10 times faster than the others... I also have a 1D IV...

I'm on a PC and still using Noise Ninja, it is starting to seem a bit outdated but I haven't tried any other noise reduction software really. I'll take a look to see if they have a trial for PC.

71

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS-1D X - June 20, 2012 in Japan

« on: June 13, 2012, 04:26:11 PM »

1Ds3 ISO1600 = 1DX ISO12800 

Exactly! I have to shoot indoor sports and never seem to have time to set up lights so I often have to shoot at super high ISOs. Most high school gyms in my area are extremely dark. I am often pushing it with my 1D MK IV at ISO 8,000 at f/2.8 just to get a shutter speed of 1/400 sec. If I want a higher speed I often have to shoot with my 85mm f/1.2 II which lets me get shots under the basket and the 3-point line if I do enough cropping.

And yeah that seems to be going too far it but a little noise reduction and I still get an ok photo.

From what I have seen with the 1DX I should be able to get a rather clean photo up to about ISO 25k. I'm also excited to try the camera with the new 600EX-RT.

72

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS-1D X Manual Posted

« on: June 12, 2012, 08:38:06 PM »

Jax, those lenses are extremely slow. They will most definitely shoot at a slower speed since the AF will take longer to lock on. And while I know my 1D MK IV never really gets 10 FPS unless I hit have the camera in one shot, I can use the AF stop button on my super-telephoto lenses to get the max burst speed. This works great for baseball if you want a shot of the ball leaving the bat. 12 FPS just means that I should get at least 10 in AI-Servo. I also noticed a frame rate increase when I updated my 70-200 f/2.8L IS to the newest version. The 70-200 f/2.8 IS II seems to give me an even faster frame rate than my 300 f/2.8 IS or 200 f/2.0 IS but maybe that is just me.

The buffer should hold around 50 RAW images, the 30 image buffer must have been an early model. Keep in mind we are still dealing with pre-production bodies. Lord knows what is inside those.

People are still comparing the 5D MK III to the 1DX, they are completely different monsters. In my testing I saw only a little more than 1 stop improvement in high ISO with the 5D3 over the 5D2. I've downloaded and played with several 1DX files and they look absolutely phenomenal. The 1DX probably has at least a 3-stop advantage over the 5D2.

This is a great year for Canon and I'm excited to finally get a camera body that combines my favorite features of the full frame bodies with the pro sports bodies. At one point I almost switched to Nikon but this is truly the year the be a Canon shooter. I'm already in love with the radio capabilities of the 600EX-RT.

I know I'm a noob to the forum but here are my credentials
http://markwebbphoto.com/

I am sorry Mark, but your assumption of 50 RAW files until buffer stops on 1DX is wrong, read my post and watch my video. Buffer stops camera from shooting after 35-36 frames. I wish it was twice as big.

Also, I have tested the 1DX and compared it to my 5D3, 5D2, and the D4, D800,D800E.
No way if the 1DX has a two stop advantage on the 5D3 as you claim, the 1DX has maybe 1/2 stop
advantage on the 5D3. And even if this is good, and just as good as the D4, I was hoping for more from the 1DX. I have lots of RAWs from all cameras, even underexposed to try to lift shadows and check DR in post.

Some beautiful photos at your webpage, great work btw!

Yeah maybe that is just wishful thinking on my part. Canon often understates their buffer capacities so I was hoping for a higher buffer rating with better cards but maybe since it is a pro body they assume you are using pro-grade memory cards. The-Digital-Picture.com lists it as 180 for JPEG and 38 for RAW and maybe after some firmware updates and some faster CF cards hit the market we may slowly be able to approach 45-50 RAW photos which is still quite wimpy. The JPEG buffer is definitely large enough for me and I never seem to have a problem with the buffer of the 1D MK IV when shooting in RAW or JPEG. If I do fill the buffer, I keep a second body handy!  For me, its RAW for weddings and portraits; JPEG for photojournalism and sports.

1DX overview: http://the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EOS-1D-X-Digital-SLR-Camera-Review.aspx

73

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS-1D X Manual Posted

« on: June 12, 2012, 06:25:21 PM »

Jax, those lenses are extremely slow. They will most definitely shoot at a slower speed since the AF will take longer to lock on. And while I know my 1D MK IV never really gets 10 FPS unless I hit have the camera in one shot, I can use the AF stop button on my super-telephoto lenses to get the max burst speed. This works great for baseball if you want a shot of the ball leaving the bat. 12 FPS just means that I should get at least 10 in AI-Servo. I also noticed a frame rate increase when I updated my 70-200 f/2.8L IS to the newest version. The 70-200 f/2.8 IS II seems to give me an even faster frame rate than my 300 f/2.8 IS or 200 f/2.0 IS but maybe that is just me.

The buffer should hold around 50 RAW images, the 30 image buffer must have been an early model. Keep in mind we are still dealing with pre-production bodies. Lord knows what is inside those.

People are still comparing the 5D MK III to the 1DX, they are completely different monsters. In my testing I saw only a little more than 1 stop improvement in high ISO with the 5D3 over the 5D2. I've downloaded and played with several 1DX files and they look absolutely phenomenal. The 1DX probably has at least a 3-stop advantage over the 5D2.

This is a great year for Canon and I'm excited to finally get a camera body that combines my favorite features of the full frame bodies with the pro sports bodies. At one point I almost switched to Nikon but this is truly the year the be a Canon shooter. I'm already in love with the radio capabilities of the 600EX-RT.

I know I'm a noob to the forum but here are my credentials
http://markwebbphoto.com/