Messages

5071

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS "Soonish" [CR2]

« on: November 16, 2011, 12:16:31 PM »

With the current 100-400L model, what is the minimum shutter speed you need at 400mm with IS to get a decent keep rate for your picture?  I assume it would be less then 1/400.  Maybe 1/200 with the current IS?  Any thoughts as to how much of an improvement a new IS version would make using these parameters?

I was always afraid that at 400mm and f5.6, even with IS it must not be always obvious to get great shot on a cloundy day?

I've used mine hand held at 1/25 sec out my back window.  contrast was poor, but the image was usable, even if not in the excellent range.  It amazed me that it did so well at such a slow shutter speed.

I saw our baby goats pllaying king of the mountain on our horse, and the camera had my 100-400 on it, so I just took the image less than a second before the horse rolled.  No time to properly set up for the shot.

1/25sec, f/11, ISO 800.  Obviously, if I had time, I'd have set a wide aperture, faster ISO, and had a faster shutter.



The other day, our young baby goats ambushed the horse as he walked by their 3 ft high house where they were playing, and one jumped on his back while he was standing by them.  He immediately started walking so no chance to get the camera.  The horse loves his goats, and they love him.

5072

PowerShot Cameras / 20% off Canon Powershot Refurb Cameras

« on: November 16, 2011, 11:42:19 AM »

While they last, Canon USA has a 20% off sale but you need the coupon code, and it can only be used once.

As I write this, they have S95 and S90 cameras in stock, 20% off seems like a good deal.  $256 plus tax and shipping for the S95, less for the S90.  You will see the regular price online, the code will get you the discount at checkout for one camera.  Signup for their e-mails and you will get the offers directly.

http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/subCategory_10051_10051_-1_12163?WT.mc_id=EM1111ES07013&RID=1-3UJPWW&CON=1-31YX-1996&PRO=&CID=1-3PHX49

If you want to buy, send me a PM and I'll give you my code.  Unfortunately, its only for US customers.

5073

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D Mark II reliability

« on: November 15, 2011, 01:55:18 PM »

One issue is that new users inadvertantly depress the depth of field review with their left hand, and this will freeze the controls.  After doing this a few times and determining what it was, I never had the issue again.

5074

Lenses / Re: Sigma 17-70

« on: November 14, 2011, 06:20:18 PM »

A Canon 17-55mm or 15-85mm is the best option.  There are different versions of the 17-70(OS and non OS, they are different optically).  As a low cost lens, its fine.  Some of the limitations that caused me to quickly upgrade to the Canon 17-55mm lens were

   Stiff focus ring, useless for manual focusing, which was my primary usage

   Very poor resolution at close focus distances, which was also my primary use (Product Photography with manual focus)

For normal photography using autofocus, it was fine.  Mine was the non OS version, the OS version is not noticibly better, just has OS and costs more.

I do not have personal experience with the other lens, but I do with the lenses I've mentioned.

Here are some normal images taken with my 17-70 a few years back on my 30D.

5075

Lenses / Re: Best place to sell used gear?

« on: November 14, 2011, 04:30:28 PM »

I used Craigslist, advantage is face-to-face, cash transactions (unlikely to be scammed).  But the B&S board of fredmiranda.com is quite popular.

I use Craigslist or ebay.  Generally, my lenses sell on ebay in a day or two as long as I have a reasonable price.  I get the top end of the selling price range for mine because I tell all about the lens and don't sell a bad one as good.

I get tons of emails from scammers and lowballers when listing a high value lens on Craigslist, but I only meet a buyer face to face at a local bank or business and have had no problems.

I'd not let someone meet you at your home to buy a high value item, they might be casing it for a later robbery.  Just meet them at your local bank or other secure place.

5076

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS "Soonish" [CR2]

« on: November 14, 2011, 03:30:33 PM »

It certainly can be better, but mine is pretty good.  The attributes I like are the close focusing, and the small size when telescoped in.  It fits nicely in my camera bag.  The push pull doesn't bother me, but a twist zoom is better.

I'd be disappointed with one that had a 15 ft minimum focus distance, and was too long to easily put in my camera bag with my other lenses.  Thats one of the reasons I don't like the 400mm f/5.6, its a great lens, but takes up too long of a storage space.

If they can keep it shorter like the 100-300mm L and have a similar close focus distance, I'd go for it.  It likely would not accept TC's if it was configured like the 100-300L either.

5077

Lenses / Re: IQ reduction with higher shutter speeds?

« on: November 14, 2011, 03:21:55 PM »

Why not post them along with all the info about how they were taken. 

There may be some things that can affect IQ such as having IS turned on as Nuero mentioned.

A failing shutter is another one of the possible issues, it usually starts to impact images at high shutter speeds.

5078

EOS Bodies / Re: Book about 5D mark III

« on: November 14, 2011, 12:00:14 PM »

Some writers do get advance information, but if they leak anything, they are cut off forever, so they are very careful.

Its likely a publisher error, and they will get a stern letter from Canon in short order.

The time frame seems right for a early 2012 release of the camera, thats what many now expect.

5079

EOS Bodies / Re: Sudio pictures

« on: November 14, 2011, 11:54:06 AM »

There is probably not enough difference to bother changing bodies. 

I used my 1D MK III and 5D MK II in my studio interchangably.

One thing to consider is the long battery life of the 1 series cameras if you use liveview, and I always use live view in my studio, the 5D MK II battery will expire long before the 1D MK III, so you will need to spend $200 for a AC adapter.

My 1D MK III included a AC adapter, but I usually did not bother, since the battery would last for 2 hours of liveview use and a lot more.

5080

Lenses / Re: telephoto

« on: November 14, 2011, 11:48:04 AM »

A Canon TC will physically not fit with it, and, it will not autofocus with a TC unless you have a 1D series camera.  There is no real reason not to consider a Tokina TC.  They are excellent, and will fit the lens fine.  You can attempt autofocus, but it may or may not work with your camera, and will be very slow at best, so just figure on manual focus when you use a TC.

Either get the 70-200mm f/4 non IS, or step up to the 100-400mm L where you won't need a TC.

Another option is the 300mm f/4L which takes a TC just fine, and has excellent resolution, far better thann a zoom.  It focuses very closely as well, which allows you to fill the frame with small birds.

5081

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D Mark II Firmware 2.1.1 Sighting

« on: November 13, 2011, 11:26:47 AM »

I only did one firmware update to my 5D MK II, and that was about December 2008 or early 2009, not long after I got it.  Nothing else that affected or interested me has happened since, so I missed out on the updates that caused user issues as well as the ones that subsequently fixed them.  If they ever release a update that affects me, I can jump straight to it and I'll get all those updates made over the last three years with it.

5082

Lenses / Re: Gear Acquisition Syndrome: please help!!!

« on: November 11, 2011, 11:51:18 AM »

I've the same Syndrome.  I usually buy used equipment locally when I see a deal good enough that I know I can resell it without losing money.  I then use it for a month or a year, and sell it to buy a new toy.

When I buy new, its for a specific purpose, and I keep those.

5083

EOS Bodies / Re: An Official Canon EOS-1D X AF Article & Cinema EOS FAQ

« on: November 10, 2011, 08:31:44 PM »

I only use the center AF point, so all the complexity is wonderful, but I doubt if I will ever use it.  I did not on my 1D MK II, 1D MK III, 7D nor 5D MK II. 

I'd be happy to have a 5D MK III with the new sensor.

5084

Lenses / Re: Two lenght or not two lenght

« on: November 09, 2011, 12:20:29 PM »

After many years, I have recently taken up photography again.  The last camera I shot on was a Canon F1, which I still treasure to this day.  I picked up a second hand 20D coupled with a starter kits of a 17 - 55 mm and 70 - 300 mm. 
I shoot a lot of moto x, rugby and live music along with landscapes and seascapes
Now here is my big question, next year, when Canon release an updated version of either the 7D or 5D, I plan on going all out and getting pro / semi pro kit together.   I wish to buy what ever body is released, ( until then I am happy with the 20D ),  a 24, 50 and 85 mm f 1.8 lenses and a 10 - 22 mm.
Finally, the question, I am dwelling on either a 24 - 70 mm 2.8 and a 70 - 200 mm 4 or 24 - 104 mm and 100 - 400 mm.  What would ye choose?

I'd wait until you get your new camera.  New lenses may appear in the next year, and buying a lens that you don't actually need for your 20D could be costly.  You will Need much longer lenses for the same composition on FF.  The 300mm would need to be 480mm, for example, and a 500mm lens is pricey.

5085

Lenses / Re: Changing lenses quickly or safely in the field

« on: November 09, 2011, 12:06:40 PM »

I generally use zooms in the field, even taking two bodies to avoid changing lenses.  If the wind is blowing around here, dust and debris from the hundreds of miles of farms is everywhere and can blow right into the camera.  Its not that bad all the time, but when the plowing is done in Spring and the Fall, the sky turns brown.