Messages

451

Lenses / Re: Canon FD to EF

« on: February 05, 2013, 05:04:01 PM »

There are converters out there... I have an FD version of the 800 f5.6 at work with an EF converter on it..... can't remember the make but I will look it up tomorrow. The problem is that the converter is quite poor optically... the 100-400 and the sigma 120-400 both significantly out-resolve the 800 with the converter.

452

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon Confirms 70D; Future of Semi-Pro DSLR is FF

« on: February 05, 2013, 08:04:12 AM »

The problem with APS-C is that due to the high pixel density, you need Lglass quality to take advantage of that pixel density, yet the normal kit lenses offered fall far short of the required quality.

Compact cameras have far greater pixel density than APS-C.

I think it is fundamentally flawed to claim that "designing good lenses for high pixel density is hard/expensive". Just like it is fundamentally flawed to claim that "designing good lenses for large image circles is hard/expensive". What seems to be the case is that designing good lenses for high pixel density and large image circle simultaneously (i.e. "many megapixels") is hard.

I dont think that a good lense for a (12MP) 5D classic ought to be all _that_ different in price from that for a good (12MP) m4/3 camera (aside from economy of scale, shipping and such things). The FF lense would have to cover a relatively large image circle with moderate MTF, while the m43 lense would have to cover a smaller image circle with higher MTF.

-h

Take a peek at Jrista's excellent post above...

We have reached the point where the resolving power of high megapixel FF cameras and APS-C cameras are approaching the manufacturing limits of lenses. A series 2 prime chunk of Lglass exceeds this limit, most GOOD Lglass primes are around the limit, and just about everything else below.... with kit glass way below. We are using manufacturing tolerences and polishing techniques where it is getting down to the point where they are talking about layers of atoms being removed....it is almost insane how precise they can be made.....but it comes down to what cost...

To make a lens down to the level of a single layer of atoms would involve price tags of $100,000's.... more than the market will bear... They make them to resolution of tens of atoms and charge in the $1000's. Even at that "sloppy" level, expansion of the glass due to fluctuating temperatures and pressure of mounting it is measureable. There really is a reason why lens calibration is to be done at room temperature.. Even if you managed to make that perfect lens at a reasonable price, get to around f* or so and your limit will be the defraction of light... and as densities increase, that f number drops...

The higher pixel densities of cell phone cameras and p/s cameras has largely become meaningless. The resolution of the sensors far exceeds the glass (or plastic) and improvements in image sharpness actually decrease at a pixel level. Very few people in the mass market understand that a 5 megapixel sensor would out-resolve the lens of thier camera and the merrily buy into the more pixel hysteria... It has more... it must be better...

453

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon Confirms 70D; Future of Semi-Pro DSLR is FF

« on: February 04, 2013, 09:42:50 PM »

They can't swap lenses, the rebel's kit lens is EF-S =P Aside from my smart remark, +1. A better lens does make the entire, overall image better, even more so with an L prime.

As long as you stay away from EF-S, the lenses swap.. All my lenses, except an EF-S 18-200, work on a 7D and a 5D2.. Some EF-S lenses, not made by Canon, do fit on the 5D2, but the vigneting is phenomenally terrible. My friend tried a Sigma 10-22 on the 5D2....like looking through a porthole

The problem with APS-C is that due to the high pixel density, you need Lglass quality to take advantage of that pixel density, yet the normal kit lenses offered fall far short of the required quality.

454

Canon General / Re: Physical Ailments From Heavy Gear

« on: February 04, 2013, 09:28:14 PM »

Have you thought of running shoes? They are made for feet that take a pounding day after day after day... far better than shoes or sneakers. Where I live there is a place for runners called "the running room" with fantastic advice from the staff... but just about any city should have several places like that...

I have also seen some neat harnesses for cameras.... goes over both shoulders... camera hangs in front, doesn't bounce around, and easy access.

455

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: future of sigma art line

« on: February 04, 2013, 09:11:25 PM »

I really like sigmas new range coming out, but would love to see a 24 1.4, what is anyone else going for?

Maybe a llittle off but I would like a Sigma 600 f4...

I wouldn't even mind a 600 f5.6, for those of us without quite so deep pockets

456

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Using pencil eraser to clean Camera / Lens contacts?

« on: February 04, 2013, 09:01:41 PM »

As an electronics technologist, who has cleaned many thousands of contacts, i agree. The contacts inside your camera or on the lens will never get very dirty or corroded. Just go to an electronics store, get some contact cleaner, spray it on a Q-tip, and gently wipe.

The pencil eraser is a bad idea.... drafting erasers work better, but you only use them when there is a considerable deposit on the contacts and you WILL remove some of the plating... no matter how carefull you are... and there is not a lot on them to start with.. You will also introduce small abrasive particles into your camera.... BAD IDEA!

I have seen corrosion and deposits so bad that I have had to use knives and sandpaper... but these are last ditch efforts to get things running until replacement connectors can be found... you will not be replacing the connectors so you have to be carefull with what you have.

457

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon 6D for BIF

« on: February 04, 2013, 08:49:16 PM »

Has anyone tried the new Canon 6D for BIF. I am debating between the 6D and 5D MK3. I know the 5D AF system is better but for an extra $1000 is it worth for me to shoot the occasional BIF.

Thanks Bill Marsh

To quote Yoda.... "beware the dark side, for once you start down it's path. forever will it consume your destiny"
If you start with BIF, you are going to end up getting longer glass..... and in comparison the $1000 might not be that big afterall... The problem with BIF is that they are flying... moving... and sometimes quite fast. A quality AF system may turn out to be the single most important factor. The 6D is the Rebel of the FF world, I'd grab the 5D3 or a 7D over a 6D for BIF.

458

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: First big job using FF - for all the FF nay-sayers

« on: February 04, 2013, 08:10:24 PM »

-Rant- And there is no such thing as a FF nay-sayer. Some people think they prefer crop cameras over FF, but they just don't realize that their dinky toy sensors is utter crap in comparison to FF. I know this because I used to be one of them. .. Oh, those lost years.

I agree... I was one too lol.  I don't understand the "reach" arguement.  Your lens is what gives you reach.  A smaller sensor doesn't magnify what's in the frame, it crops.  Even if the cropped image is made up of more megapixels than the same frame cropped from a full frame image, wouldn't the full frame image still be better in terms of IQ, bokeh, etc ?(assuming all else is constant...)

The APS-C sensor is sampling the central part of the image with 1.6 times the pixel density of the FF sensor. If the glass is up to it and you are in the lower iso ranges you get better resolving power and equivalent noise out of APS-C (assuming same generation of sensors.... can't compare new to 4 year old...). Use poor glass and the FF outresolves... and at high ISO FF has less noise. Sampling the smaller area is problematic for wide angle shots but benificial to long shots... Lenses can be made smaller, cheaper, and lighter for APS-C, but at the cost of resolving power.... There is no easy answer, just a bunch of tradeoffs.

459

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: First big job using FF - for all the FF nay-sayers

« on: February 04, 2013, 07:54:05 PM »

I shot my first wedding with the paring of a 5Diii and a 5Dii

The 5D2 was generally accepted as THE camera for wedding photographgers.... until the 5D3 came out and took the spot... One would hope that it worked better than a general purpose intermediate camera and a sports/birding camera......

460

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon Confirms 70D; Future of Semi-Pro DSLR is FF

« on: February 04, 2013, 07:39:54 PM »

The simple fact of the matter, though, is the 7D gives BETTER IQ than the cheapest Canon APS-C. The notion that sensor is the sole factor in IQ is fundamentally flawed, and why so many on this forum do not understand the true value an APS-C camera like the 7D. There are numerous other features offered with the 7D, not the least of which are its superior AF system and higher frame rate over the xxxD and xxD lines, that lead to better results in more cases. An increase in the number of usable outcomes is a very valuable thing, and more often than not those features are in addition to the image sensor, not solely because of the image sensor.

Let's drop the notion that sensor is the end-all, be-all of image quality. It is not. I'd offer that frame rate and AF system are critical, if not the most critical, factors in IQ for a significant amount of photographic endeavors. Pretty much anything that involves automatically locking focus on non-stationary subjects, or requires actively tracking subjects in motion, can greatly benefit from the additional features the 7D offers over the xxD and xxxD lines. I'd also be willing to bet that the keeper rate for the 7D is far higher than that from either a 60D or 650D, or any other prior version of those lines, thanks to its superior features...despite the fact that the image sensor is the same.

Iv'e always regarded the lens as the most important factor in image quality.... It doesn't matter what camera you have, you need the right lens for the job if you are going to do it well. I smile to myself when I hear someone with a 5D3 and Lglass comparing themselves to a rebel with a kit lens and saying it's the sensor that gives them the better picture.... swap lenses and see what happens...

I did a bunch of comparison shots for resolving power about two years ago between a 5D2 and a 7D.... In poor light the 5D2 was always the winner. With good light and a crappy lens, the 5D2 gave better resolving power, but with a good lens, the 7D out-resolved the 5D2.... Different tool... different strengths... different weaknesses.
If one tool did it all, Canon would only have one model.... and it would be identical to the equavelent sony, nikon, panasonic, and Olympus model.

461

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon Confirms 70D; Future of Semi-Pro DSLR is FF

« on: February 04, 2013, 07:26:41 PM »

you'll know that there is NEVER any end to the need for reach. You can always, always, always use more reach.

+10 - As someone who finds 4000mm (through telescope) woefully insuffient, I agree with you...

462

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Donating 20D to charity

« on: February 03, 2013, 04:53:43 PM »

Good for you!

School photography clubs are a good choice.... I gave a telescope to the local highschool and they were very happy.

463

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Too good to be true?

« on: February 03, 2013, 04:51:07 PM »

need some flooring?

464

Lenses / Re: What's the best deal you've ever gotten on a lens?

« on: February 03, 2013, 03:43:57 PM »

50mm f1.8..... free..... he just gave it away.... as if after he bought the 50f1.2 he had no need for it

465

Software & Accessories / Re: Rain Covers

« on: February 03, 2013, 02:24:38 PM »

I have a home-made one....

Step 1 - get a drybag about 1 1/2 times the length of the camera and lens/lenshood... cut bottom out of drybag. Sew bottom edge of drybag so it does not unravel.

Step 2 - find a large rubber band. You are now done....

I stick the camera into the drybag with the edge of the drybag at the edge of the lenshood, and hold it tight with the rubber band. The other end fits over the camera with enough "slop" that I can still tripod mount if I have to.... I can use the plastic buckle to seal it better around the tripod.... or open it up if I need to see things. The fabric is thin enough that I can press the shutter with it still in the bag.