Messages

4786

EOS Bodies / Re: 2 Small or 1 big pixel is better?

« on: February 02, 2012, 04:45:38 PM »

What you are referring to is called pixel binning.  Its been used in camera sensors, but has not really caught on for DSLR's.  There is not enough imrpovement, if any, to justify the cost.

Fujii has used it in their digital cameras.

Google it!

4787

Canon General / Re: Should photographers hibernate?

« on: February 02, 2012, 04:28:12 PM »

I live up North of Spokane, Washington, and its miserable weather right now, it is snowing today, but was 46 degrees a day ago.  The ground is frozen solid, and we have huge puddles of water to wade thru two or three inches deep with a inch of ice on the ground underneath.  That ice does not melt because the ground is frozen two feet or more deep.  If I went walking around with my camera, as clumsy as I am, it would be smashed in 10 minutes.  We do have lots of evergreen trees, but no grass or other greenery left.  We have hay and grain for our farm animals, and shelter from the rain and snow, but you can tell they do not like it when its like this.   

There is lots of wildlife to photograph, deer come into our yard looking for any vegetation or food at all to eat, a squirrel and the magpies eat our cat food, eagles, vultures, and ravens and more gather along the roads to eat the dead roadkill, and there are some beautiful snow scenes up just a mile or two from here.

I was thinking I'd rather be in the South right now! 

4788

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: D800 WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE FIRST WEEK OF FEB.

« on: February 02, 2012, 01:34:03 PM »

Nikon D800 leaked sample image @iso 6400
http://fstoppers.com/leak-could-this-be-the-first-leaked-file-off-the-nikon-d800-dslr
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1021&thread=40479554
full size image:
http://d1ljua7nc4hnur.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/first-leaked-image-from-D800.jpg

If the sample is true than the new D800 will destroy the 5Dmk3 ( if the 5d will be a 22MP camera), even if canon will have 1 sop better ISO;  14 MP advantage will make a huge difference.

Hope Canon will go for the 28-32 MP sensor.

I looked at the ISO 6400 sample, with all the NR, there is lost detail, about the same as a 5D MK II at 6400.

I would expect it to have more detail at low ISO, but its not a high ISO camera.  It certainly does not blow away a 5D MK II.  For $1000 more, I'd pass.

4789

Lighting / Re: Macro Flash Recommendations

« on: February 02, 2012, 11:35:36 AM »

I've been considering the new Nissan MF-18 macro flash.  I' need to check for reviews.  It looks good for the price.

http://www.nissindigital.com/mf18.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/832691-REG/Nissin_NDMF18_C_MF18_Macro_Flash.html

4790

Lenses / Re: Upgrade choices- full frame; wide prime or zoom; 135f/2

« on: February 02, 2012, 11:24:37 AM »

On a 40D, get the 17-55mm EF-S.  Better than the 17-40L, and since it has IS, you will get more keepers than with a 16-35mm L .

Upgrade your 70-300mm zoom to a 70-200mm f/4L IS or a 70-300mm L  I use a 15-85mm EF-s as a walk-around on my 7D, I sold my 17-55mm when I sold my 40D, and I have a 5D MK II for low light and wide, so it works great for my use.

4791

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: EOS Bodies: Should I shoot in B&W? or shoot in Color then Convert to B&W?

« on: February 02, 2012, 11:16:14 AM »

The camera always shoots in color! 

Your question equates to:  should I let the camera convert it to B&W with its small and limited processor, or use a raw file to do it on a more powerful computer with better processing.

Take your choice.

Those who think a B&W comes right off the sensor have been misled somewhere along the way.

4792

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D X or Mark III Specs & Release Date? [CR1]

« on: February 02, 2012, 11:07:43 AM »

This would be basically everything I have wanted since owning both the 5D Mk II and the 7D and deciding which to keep.

What did you read in the rumor that said Canon would kill the 7D off?

The only ones who would kill the 7D off are the purchasers.  If they do not buy it, it will die.  However, its in a totally different market than the 5D MK II, selling for several hundred dollars less, and very popular.

4793

EOS Bodies / Re: 5DIII or 5DII wait or get a deal?

« on: February 01, 2012, 10:20:25 PM »

Not to be a jerk but even if the 5D Mark III has better ISO performance, I don't know any one that WANTS to shoot at high ISOs.  Thats something that you do when you HAVE to.  You want the best image that you can get, which today means using the lowest possible ISO.   In my experience, most people try to stay under 1600.  I might be missing something but 2 more stops is nice but not a "game changer" for most people that I know.   Am I missing something?

As far as I can see, if new camera bodies have better noise control at high ISOs, it also translates to better noise control at lower ISOs. For example, if 5D2's max tolerable noise control is at ISO3200, 5D3's might be at 12800. This may also bring more pleasant image quality to 5D3's images at ISO3200 as compared to the 5D2's.

It is not a game changer, but it's a good to have. What people are really looking forward to is a refined AF system. THAT, is a game changer and a head turner.

For some, higher ISO capability means being able to get a shot, or not.  You sre right, no one wants to use high ISO for the sake of high ISO, but when light is low, flash is not allowed, and the subjects are moving, you cannot have too high of a ISO capability.  Just last week, at our school play (I shoot images for the plays), there were lots of scenes with virtually no lights and dancers moving quickly.  ISO 6400 and F:/1.4 are no where near fast enough.

I had to throw out 90% of the action images due to motion blur, and those that remained were still a little blurred.  If I had IS) 51, 200, I'd be using it for this type of event.  I also took my 7D to a night time rodeo.  Really fast action and very dim light.  It was nearly impossible, once again to freeze the motion.

If you have a high ISO capability, it opens up possibilities that were just impossible with my 40D.

This photo was taken with my 5D MK II and 135mmL at ISO 6400, f:/2 and 1/125 sec.  The actor was not moving and the spotlight was dim, but it turned out.



This is a motion blurred image.  I needed a faster shutter speed, but could not get it without having a couple more stops of High ISO.

4794

Canon General / Re: What should be my first dslr?

« on: February 01, 2012, 09:39:11 PM »

You do not mention lenses.  Getting good lenses will cost much more than a camera body.  I'd go with a Rebel refurb from the Canon store and a couple of good lenses.  You will keep and use good lenses for many years, but bodies come and go.

You will be wasting your money to buy a 7D and then get a cheapo lens.

4795

EOS Bodies / Re: 5DIII or 5DII wait or get a deal?

« on: February 01, 2012, 05:41:52 PM »

Those rumors of gaining two more stops are misleading.  The two more stops come from better in-camera jpeg processing.  If you use raw, you have already gained about 1-1/2 stop due to better raw processing over the past 4 years, so it may very well equate to a 1/2 stop improvement for most of us.

Don't get caught up in the sales hype, wait and see actual performance.  There have been no big sensor breakthru's, there is lower noise in the digic V processor, and tiny improvements in the sensors, but a two stop better sensor?  No Way.

4796

Lenses / Re: What about DxO Mark?

« on: February 01, 2012, 05:03:30 PM »

Here's a great but totally meaningless comparison - EF 50mm f/1.8 II vs. EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II, both tested on a 5DII, a $100 lens vs. a $7000 lens.  The 50/1.8 II has a higher overall score (27 vs. 15) and better resolution (59 lp/mm vs. 49 lp/mm) - it must be better, right?   

Ha, I did not try that comparison.  It just confirms that their value rating point system is useless.  But then, most of us know that.  I much prefer those lens testers who add personal notes based on their actual use of the equipment along with their measurements.  Both are valuable, and one without the other is misleading.

I'd also like to see a database of lens focusing speed and accuracy.  I think its coming in the next year more or less.  Certainly, software like FoCal is providing a base for adding more and more lens parameters.  What is needed, of course, is a average of hundreds of tests, so we can begin to see if there is a particularly good or bad one with regard to focus accuracy.  Right now, its just individuals opinions or observations with one lens.

4797

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Upgrading my setup

« on: February 01, 2012, 02:11:14 PM »

I'd look at upgrading your lenses to ones that will match the quality of image you expect from a new FF body, and still be excellent on your crop as well as having a usable focal length range. 

I'd second the 24mm L as falling in that category.  A 16-35mm L might also be something to consider.  I would not recommend it for owning just a crop body, but since you plan to buy FF, so it would be excellent for both.

4798

Lenses / Re: What about DxO Mark?

« on: February 01, 2012, 02:03:38 PM »

...for example 70-300mm.
really, the SP lense from Tamron seems to own the Canon lense in nearly every way but cost only  ~330 €.
The Canon L-Lense 70-300 is about ~1250 €

Can you link to the DxOMark comparison between the Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS and the Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC, tested on the same Canon body?  Because I can't find such a comparison (the Canon mount of the Tamron SP 70-300mm is Preview, not Tested). FWIW, even though it's not really valid, the comparison of the Canon 70-300L on a 40D vs. the Tamron on a Nikon D300 (both 12 MP APS-C sensors) shows that the Tamron doesn't come close to 'owning' the Canon L.

It is tested on Photozone, and Klaus gives us a lot of insite into the little things that are important to photographers. On a CROP BODY (NOT FF) It compares well to the $600 canon 70-300mm USM IS zoom, but does not match the "L"

It is a good buy for those who want good value for their dollar, and well worth looking into. but not for those who want the best at any cost, or have a FF body.

From his conclusion. http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/592-tamron70300f456vceosapsc?start=1

"The most interesting question is, of course, how it compares to the genuine Canon lenses in this range. The Tamron manages to stay a little ahead of the consumer-grade Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 USM IS but it doesn't totally reach the professional-grade Canon L variant (especially in terms of bokeh quality). Even so it represents an excellent value offer in the APS-C market. "

Unfortunately, DXO assigns a numeric value to their rating which does not tell you all the things that might be important to you, and is of little or limited value to me.

4799

Software & Accessories / Re: Mac Book Pro or Asus N55SF or something else for photo editing?

« on: February 01, 2012, 01:45:21 PM »

If I had to get a new laptop anytime soon I'd go again for a Lenovo Thinkpad. Not only because I like the layout and the keyboards best (especially for non-photo applications if you do a lot of writing) but because I always liked the high resolution screens available. Not sure if the latest models live up to that but worth checking. I haven't really found anything else that works for me that way since (on a laptop) I prefer smaller screens with high resolution (and I'm glad that mine is still in the 4:3 format but that's a thing of the past). Macs don't really offer that last time I checked. I f things were more compatible and if CS5 worked across platforms I might consider an Apple desktop but the Macbook pros I find just too big and don't like the screens.

I bought a Lenovo X200S 4GB Win 7 64 bit with extra high resolution screen about two years ago.  Then, I added a SSD, so it runs photoshop, lightroom, etc quite handily.  The optional larger battery also lasts at least 7 hours while working, so that part is great.

BUT --- The 12 inch high resolution screen is horrible, colors are washed out, move even a couple of inches off center, and it fades, I have calibrated it over and over, and that helps, but I could never recommend that screen for image editing.

I noted that they have changed it on the newer models, but the only way to try one in my location is to buy and then return if its not right.

4800

PowerShot / Re: "Best compact camera" - DxO review G1X

« on: February 01, 2012, 01:36:47 PM »

I cancelled my pre-order for one a couple of days back, I will wait and try one out at the local best buy.  There are usually 10% off coupons available for Best buy, so my cost will be the same as mail order after taxes.

I'm looking at it as a replacement for my wife's G11.  She needs to be comfortable with carrying it around on her horse when she goes trail riding, etc.  The G11 works well for that, but even a bit larger might be a issue.