Messages

4216

EOS Bodies / Re: Pretty sure this guy is a time traveler

« on: March 05, 2012, 12:30:30 PM »

So, he said it would be announced on a Saturday??

I don't think there is anything amazing about that, there has never been a new Canon product announced on a Saturday. 

Its only a remore coincidence that he was a day off.  Given enough monkeys and enough time, eventually, they will type the works of William Shakespear.

4217

EOS Bodies / Re: Observation on the D800: Only 1 lens in Nikon's lineup can remotely resolve 36mp

« on: March 05, 2012, 12:25:06 PM »

As an engineer I realize that there are several positive side effects to having more megapixels. However, I think the main reason people are buying the D800 would be for the resolution.

I've spent the better part of the day researching the resolving power of Nikon's entire lens lineup and I've come to an interesting conclusion.

Asside from the super telephoto primes, Nikon only has one lens in it's lineup that can actually resolve 36 megapixels, including their primes etc... the Nikkor AF-S 85mm f/1.4 G.

So in effect the actual resolution of the D800 is a useless figure. The biggest benefit will probably be the side effect of having enough resolution to remove the AA filter.

It will be interesting to see if the 5D3 with super sharp lenses like the new 24-70mm f/2.8 II or the D800E without an AA filter and less sharp lenses will actually be able to deliver the higher resolution. It seems to be anybody's race.

Just trying to to prompt some interesting discussion. Feel free to comment.

Show us your calculations and assumptions. I'm pretty skeptical.  How did you test or get resolution figures for the lenses?

4218

Lenses / Re: Lens Recommendations - Crop (7D) to Full Frame (5dMk3)?

« on: March 04, 2012, 11:04:48 PM »

Look at the focal lengths you use now and multiply by 1.6 to get the equivalent FF focal length you will need.  If you use 24mm, for example, you will be using 38.4mm on your FF to get the same image at the same distance.

I'd not buy ultra wide lenses until you try the ones you have first.  24mm is pretty wide on FF.  You may want longer lenses though, if you now use 200mm, you will have to have a 300mm lens to get the about same fov.  The 100-400mm L is a good choice for a long telephoto on FF.

4219

Lenses / Re: Best time to buy Canon lenses?

« on: March 04, 2012, 10:57:01 PM »

The economy has depressed prices somewhat.  If things improve, prices will rise, if the economy goes South, none of use will want to spend $$$ on lenses, even on sale.

I'd buy from Canada, or at least compare, the dollar goes a little further in Canada right now.

4220

EOS Bodies / Re: 40D vs 5D3: ISO and lens question

« on: March 04, 2012, 10:53:35 PM »

The 24-105mm f/4.0 IS would look cleaner on the 5D3 than the 17-55mm f/2.8 on the 40D, if the DOF is the same. However they would be about equal with the 5D2, with only a slight improvement.

What makes you think that? On the surface it doesn't make sense.

I would say my 40D is 2 stops worse than my 5D2

I see close to 2 stops looking at my old 40D 1600 ISO jpeg images versus my 5D MK II raw images at ISO 6400.

 Unfortunately I was using jpeg much of the time with my 40D because I did not have a good processor for raw.  I did look at some ISO 800 images taken using the 40D and Raw, and they are at least 2 stops better with the 5D MK II ISO 3200, maybe a bit more.

I have not tried to match my 17-55mm EF-s at f/2.8 ISO 1600 with my 24-105mm L ISO 6400 on the 5D MK II.  ISO's, I don't think its worth it to track them down, and I now use primes in low light with a wider aperture than f/2.8.

4221

EOS Bodies / Re: Can a full frame mirrorless be as good as a full frame DSLR?

« on: March 04, 2012, 10:36:19 PM »

A Canon FF DSLR with live view locks the mirror up and, in effect becomes a FF mirrorless body.  The newer ones use slow phase detect AF or they drop the mirror to do a quick af anf raise it again.  You must use the lcd as a viewfinder.

The image is the same quality in liveview.  A mirrorless body would, be the same net effect as the mirror lockup, except we hope that there is some sort of viewfinder, and fast AF.  Therein lies the problem.

4222

EOS Bodies / Re: Buying from overseas

« on: March 04, 2012, 10:27:48 PM »

I believe that the European Union has rules regulating warranties, it can result in a better warranty than the 1 year US warranty. 

Maybe someone knowledgable with the specifics can comment.  If you buy from the USA, you might have to return it for repairs and pay postage both ways, but a receipt from a Authorized dealer should help get service in Europe.  Its frustrating to have to deal with this.

4223

Lenses / Re: extenders: 1st generation canon ef 1.4x versus third generation (ef 1.4x III)

« on: March 04, 2012, 10:17:08 PM »

Thanks! And what about the difference between version 1 and 2 of the ef 1.4x extender?

Version II is the same optically as version I, but it adds weather seal.  Version II of the 2X had a optics change plus weather seal.

Version III had new optics for both, and doubled the price.  I'd only upgrade if I had a New Big white at $10K and more, its pocket change.  If buying new, its your choice.

4224

EOS Bodies / Re: Is '22' the magic number?

« on: March 04, 2012, 10:13:03 PM »

Is anyone else betting that the new crop of APS-C DSLRs (pun noted) will feature a 22MP sensor? It would be in the ballpark for previous percentage resolution increases and is about the bare minimum that most people can notice.  It would also tie in nicely with the 5D MkIII's resolution for marketing purposes.

If they want to give them the same quality movie mode then my guess is yes.
but they might be willing to stick with 1dx quality movies (well with more noise of course due to a smaller sensor)

You are likely right about the video, but those who hsave tried video with it say its not a huge improvement.  You might try Vincent Laforet's blog for some insite to what he thinks.  He is a Canon Ambassador, but he is not bubbling over with enthusiasm over it.

4225

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: A dilemma - 7d -> 5d mk ?

« on: March 04, 2012, 10:07:49 PM »

It is a big step to go FF.  all your EF lenses are suddenly shorter, so you need longer ones, and your EF-s lenses won't fit either.  So, Its a difficult decision. 

The 5D MK II is very good, IMHO, you would need to want that Better AF and / or the better high ISO to justify the difference.  I have both right now, 7D and 5D MK II.  I just got home, and had to use ISO 6400 tonight with my 35mm f/1.4 lens to shoot my sons photo in his costume for a college play.

I will buy the MK III because one plus stops of High ISO make such a big difference to me, and the better metering and AF are a welcome bonus.  For many, ISO 3200 is just fine.

4226

Site Information / Re: More broken stuff: RSS Feeds?

« on: March 04, 2012, 09:59:02 PM »

Posting here might not be read by CR.  There are hundreds of posts a day right now, and he can't possibly read them all.

 Send a message to him using the link on the Canon Rumors page and he will get it.

4227

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D Mark III High-ISO raw files

« on: March 04, 2012, 09:48:33 PM »

When a raw converter doesn't have a supplied profile, what does it do, just assume a standard bayer pattern of RGB and size it for the frame?

Each Raw image file also contains a jpeg file that is used for a thumbnail.  It will show that jpeg thumbnail if it can't convert.  The jpeg thumbnail is most likely what you are seeing.  Some raw converters will try, and you get really weird images.

Just view out of camera jpegs like those on DPR.  They are very carefully exposed, and are about the best high ISO images at full size we have.

4228

Lenses / Re: 16-35 f/2.8II vs 17-40 f/4

« on: March 03, 2012, 07:30:05 PM »

Wide angle lenses seem to be a weak spot in Canon's line up for FF bodies.  They are good, but...

I sold my 17-40 L and ended up with a small cheap tokina 17mm f/3.5 prime that cost me $150.  I like it much better than the zoom, even though its not perfect.

Canon's TS-E 17mm is supurb, but MF and $$$$.

Of course, if you have a crop body, just get the 10-22mm zoom.

4229

EOS Bodies / Re: AF question

« on: March 03, 2012, 07:24:01 PM »

Thanks for the help.  Right now I am just trying to learn the mechanics of cameras and lenses, and their various interactions, from a strictly technical standpoint (as opposed to artistic).

Another question, I know AF points are specified for various f-stops.  1 at 2.8, 4 at 5.6, etc.  Why is that?  and if the lens is focused at the maximum f-stop, why do they do that?

To understand this, you first need to understand how phase detect autofocus works.  Its basically a rangefinder, and larger lens openings can have a longer baseline for more accuracy.  Thus, there are two rangefinders, one for smaller apertures and one for wider apertures.  Since you need better focus accuracy with wide aperture lenses, this makes a difference.

Try searching for phase detect autofocus and get up to speed on that.

4230

Lighting / Re: Learn More about Dodging and Burning

« on: March 03, 2012, 07:17:09 PM »

Does anyone know of any resources which can help me learn more about dodging and burning?  This seems to be part of the formula for sucess in the discerning eyes of timeless photographers and I would an opportunity to learn more about the correct use of these processes.  Note, I do most of my PP on Lightroom3.

Thanks!

I'd get a good LR 4 book.  Its a easy technique, and most of the time there is no need to use photoshop since you can have multiple layers in lightroom as well.  A wacom tablet can be a handy tool for dodging or burning as well.