Messages

76

Reviews / Re: Review - Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM

« on: April 12, 2013, 05:26:55 PM »

Please, please rework the 85 into the art line. Then they can do a 24...

77

Lenses / Re: Which Lens ... 24-70 II or primes?

« on: April 10, 2013, 10:55:48 PM »

Another possibility is, if you should happen to miss the long end of your 105, you could pick up the 135. That combo would add some versatility.

78

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Anyone compared sirui and benro carbon tripods?

« on: April 08, 2013, 05:43:42 PM »

I have a Sirui P-326 carbon monopod that is extremely well made. I like it so much that I have a Sirui T-1205X tripod for packing very light on the way...

79

Software & Accessories / Re: Ballhead for a RRS TVC33

« on: April 08, 2013, 05:19:07 PM »

Hi guys   I'm an amateur photographer who's interested primarily in portrait photography, but also in some macro and landscape photography (as a hobby). I'm planning to buy my first and hopefully the last tripod  but unfortunately I'm not very knowledgeable in this area. So far I'm going to order a Really Right Stuff TVC-33 tripod and I'm choosing a ballhead. Based on what I've read, it seems BH-55 ballhead is the way to go. But I'm wondering if any of you have had experience with Arca Swiss C1 cube? It's much more expensive but the few reviews I could find seem to be excellent (although I'm not sure it's the right choice for portrait photography). My heaviest camera set is Canon 1dx + 200 f2. I'm 5'10" (178cm). ANY feedback will be much appreciated. Thank you very much! 

You can't go wrong with any of that gear. Personally, I picked up a Gitzo GT3542XLS (that was returned to Adorama, so got it for under $700). It goes to 79". So normally I never extend the fourth leg section. But if I need to set up on very uneven terrain (stairs, rocks, etc) I'm covered. I have a Markins Q10 ballhead on top and it is smooth, light, rock solid and beautiful. If you are looking at the Arca Cube, may I suggest you have a look at the Manfrotto 410 or 405 geared heads. They would most likely do what you want for a lot less money. Happy shooting!

80

Lenses / Re: ok so i did it and bought into FF... now i need a good standard zoom

« on: April 07, 2013, 07:51:12 PM »

until you decide to purchase a TS,  pick a lens for all around use, like a 24-105mmL or 24-70mm.

well that´s what i wrote.

i like to know which standard zoom you guys recommend, as freelancer wrote.
don´t know why his postings were deleted, at least his post was a bit helpfull.

There are four standard EF Zooms that Canon makes.  The best is clearly the 24-70mm f/2.8 MK II.
The 24-70mm f/4L and the 24-105mm f/4 L are pretty much equal.  The EF 28-135 brings up the rear, only use it if thats all you can afford.
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup
 
 
You have to decide which suits your budget.  I can recommend the 24-70mm f/2.8 MK II its the best, but its also expensive. 
The Tamron 24-70 F/2.8 has lots of fans and a history of failures, if you are careful with it and don't treat it roughly, it should be fine.  Its resale value in the future is still unknown, and probably depends a lot on its long term reliability, and whether Tamron fixes the flaws.
 
There is a very good article here.
 
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Canon-General-Purpose-Lens.aspx

Would you mind pointing me to where you got this info? The only negative I have ever seen was by Roger @ LR mentioning a weak glue connection of the front element on the first batch of lenses.

81

Site Information / Re: Love or Hate Canon Rumors Forum

« on: April 04, 2013, 05:28:05 PM »

I agree with all of your likes. I can deal with most of the dislikes, though I am in particular agreement by your last two comments. I have seen quite a few posts, which may not have been particularly "helpful", but were not offensive and were at least slightly amusing, get deleted. I think the whole community could have a better sense of humor-both moderators and posters alike. And yes, some of those deleted posts were mine There is much bad advice and even worse critiques, but this is not a classroom, it is a forum. Though I have been snapping pictures for years, I have only relatively recently begun learning how to take good photos, and I find this forum to be an excellent resource for general learning, photographic tips and gear evaluation. There are some trolls and some folks who just take everything too seriously, but, for the most part, I find this to be an agreeable diversion.

PS  I am particularly tired of some frequent posters frequently posting how posting is a waste of time and advising everyone to "go out and shoot." Thanks for allowing me to share in your little rant and have a nice day...

82

Lenses / Re: Advice on replacement/upgrade for my kit 18-55 Ef-s kit lens

« on: April 03, 2013, 07:17:12 PM »

For a single lens solution, my vote goes for the EF-S 15-85 IS. The previous posters have already explained why very eloquently...


http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_269486_-1

83

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon Announces the EOS T5i

« on: March 31, 2013, 12:35:32 PM »

I feel confident that they won't be manufacturing or releasing any sub $1000 Full Frame cameras... ever, why would they have too?

They'll do it when the competition forces them directly, or indirectly.   Its an inevitability.  Many makers fighting for market share makes for good competition, and also makes for good value in the product.

Its only a matter of when, not if.

Well, I agree it will happen, but what will they release? Something like the 6D or the EOS-M, "me too" products arranged just to give some bland competition?

Yes. They will release the most basic models that their marketing division deems necessary to maintain market share. Eventually, mirrorless will be the real game changer. For now, I am extremely interested to see the performance of the sensor in the 7D's replacement.

84

Canon General / Re: Think I need a 12 step program

« on: March 29, 2013, 10:10:41 PM »

Forgive me bank account for I have sinned.
This year I bought A Sigma 1.4, an EF100-400L, an EF70-200L 2, an EFS15-85, a Tokina ATX16-28FX and a Gitzo GT3542XLS with a Markins Q10 to put on top.

My name is Brad and I have a problem...

85

Lenses / Re: New 100-400 to Launch with EOS 7D Mark II [CR2]

« on: March 28, 2013, 12:49:19 AM »

"A very solid source says as it stands, a new 100-400 will be announced alongside the EOS 7D Mark II in the late summer/early fall. Even if the availability of the 100-400 is not immediate, Canon feels the two products will fit extremely well together from a marketing standpoint. Just a hunch about pricing, it won’t be cheap."

 

So 7Dll released around the same time as the 200-400, and the 100-400 sometime after that...

86

Lenses / Re: Lens recommendation

« on: March 28, 2013, 12:37:48 AM »

If you don't need IS and you don't need to shoot between 40-70, then go for the Sigma. The Tamron is excellent, but the Sigma is "best in class".

87

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 DG OS HSM Delayed

« on: March 28, 2013, 12:19:25 AM »

It'd be kind of funny if Sigma came out with a 200-400 f/4 OS...

88

Lenses / Re: Need your opinions on selling my 50L and 24/70L

« on: March 25, 2013, 04:24:28 PM »

Thank you For all of your responses. I guess my real question for all the 50 mm L-series users out there was: is the 50mm 1.4 not enough. I could sell my 50 L and my old version of the 24 – 70 to purchase the newest version of the 24 – 70 and still have money left over to buy the 50mm 1.4.

Thanks again.

You seem to be quite fond of your present 50L. Have you considered selling your Canon 24-70 and replacing it with the Tamron SP24-70 Di VC? Cost should be pretty much a wash, so you could keep your 50. You'd be getting a sharper lens (though not as sharp as the vll) and great VC (IS). There's not much the Tamron and the 70-200L v2 can't handle. I have them both and the versatility is great. I usually bring my 35 & 85 if I need more isolation, but those 2 zooms can do pretty much anything...

89

EOS Bodies / Re: Big Megapixel Development Announcement in the Fall? [CR2]

« on: March 24, 2013, 08:03:31 PM »

Yeh, you can get it with the kit lens, the 200-400 f4 + inbuilt 1.4 TC!

The kit comes with a free unicorn. Pre announcing a development announcement 7 months early sounds desperate.

This.

Announcements of future announcements is getting kind of stale. Canon needs to release the 70D so everyone can bitch about its rehashed, milked for every drop sensor. Then Canon can announce the upcoming announcement of the 7Dll (or whatever). Interesting that many here think the new tech will cost under $2000...

90

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Will Sigma make a tele "S" lens as good as its "A" lens (35 1.4) is?

« on: March 24, 2013, 01:09:05 PM »

Another question is will they work on the next Canon DSLR? 
 
Twice now, when Canon updated lenses on their DSLR's, Sigma lenses stopped working because of errors in the way they reverse engineer Canon's lens system.  Those that had current production lenses could send them in for a upgrade.  It cost me over $100 to upgrade my 105mm macro, but my other 4 lenses could not be upgraded and became paperweights   They just gave error 99.
 
 
Since then, I've been very reluctant to invest big $$ in Sigma lenses.  Its not a savings if they will not work on future cameras.

Hopefully such a circumstance would be overcome with the USB hub. It should be able to update firmware as well as fine tune focusing...