Messages

31

Lenses / Re: Speedy Manual Focusing?

« on: April 17, 2013, 06:13:19 PM »

The EG-S is great and I leave it in my 5DMkII all the time. Viewfinder brightness is comparable to that of the 7D and I don't ever find the viewfinder to be too dark. IMHO these FF camera's should come with the EG-S as standard.

How does the EG-S screen work exactly?  I'm only familiar with the split prism manual focus screen.

Is the EG-S difficult to install?

Thanks!

The normal EG-A screen has micro lenses that are aimed at the center of the frame to produce a bright viewfinder (but also too much DOF), the precision matte is more like ground glass and much more diffuse. I can't quite explain how it works optically, but when you look through the screen it is much easier to see what is in focus and what isn't. The EG-S effectively shows a shallower DOF.

This site ( http://www.focusingscreen.com/work/5d2en.htm ) shows how to change focus screens, I would recommend a Canon EG-S over a third party one as a third party screen may interfere with the metering accuracy of your camera (notice that you need to change a setting in the camera to account for the different screen in use).

32

Lenses / Re: Speedy Manual Focusing?

« on: April 17, 2013, 03:42:23 PM »

How do focus screens work on newer body? Are they like the old split prism from the film-era? Any recommendation on which is the best for the 6D? Thanks a lot!

I'd also be interested in some experiences with these, there only seems to be one option left (no katzeyeoptics for ff, brightscreen seems to be out of business). As far as I understand it they screw up spot/partial metering, at least with fast lenses?

http://www.focusingscreen.com/index.php?cPath=21_135

The 6D has an official "user changeable" focus screen, so you can buy the precision screen from Canon..  However, it's not a split prism (or a microprism) focusing screen.  It's just a matte screen that shows focus significantly better.  But it's only like $35, so it's a good start..  It's called the Canon Eg-S precision focusing screen.  I've never used it, so I can't say how dark / hard it is to use if you are using slower lenses with it..  (ie, you're switching out lenses and not switching out the focusing screen..).  I surely wouldn't want to swap the screen out a lot..

The EG-S is great and I leave it in my 5DMkII all the time. Viewfinder brightness is comparable to that of the 7D and I don't ever find the viewfinder to be too dark. IMHO these FF camera's should come with the EG-S as standard.

33

Lenses / Re: One lens for vacation

« on: April 17, 2013, 03:37:33 PM »

May I suggest a 24-105 F/4 L IS, it's the best general purpose lens I can think of on FF (and the basis of my vacation lens set, I usually also bring a 50 mm f/1.8 MkI, a17-40 F/4 L and a tamron 70-300 USD. Wide open the 24-105 is sharp enough, and in the longer focal lengths you can get enough bokeh when needed High iso's and IS make up for low-light use.

34

Canon General / Re: Why do you do Photography?

« on: April 17, 2013, 03:08:51 PM »

Seems a lot of us are the same, willing to spend (a lot) money for a hobby. Cool

Yes, and it gets worse if you have multiple (expensive) hobbies, like me...

35

Software & Accessories / Re: PP for realistic look - is DPP the best?

« on: April 17, 2013, 03:05:08 PM »

I always use DPP. One of the advantages is that edit data is stored within the image files so no need for a database or extra data files that might get disassociated.

Recently I adopted Lightroom for post-processing of my Sony NEX raws because the Sony raw processor is dog-slow. I continue to use DPP for my Canon photo's though.

36

Lenses / Re: Speedy Manual Focusing?

« on: April 17, 2013, 01:08:07 PM »

Oh, and Don, I think you are right. Most MF lenses back in the day, even less expensive models, had a longer and more precise focus turn. Every once in a while I see it referenced on a high end AF lens in a review, but I know the lenses I own don't have that same precise feel.

In fact, modern MF lenses also have a longer 'throw' in the focus ring as do my Samyang 14mm and Voightlander 40mm (both are EF mount).

37

Canon General / Re: Why do you do Photography?

« on: April 16, 2013, 11:58:53 AM »

Because it relaxes me.
Because it gives me something to do whenever I go somewhere.
Because it is a reason to go out and see stuff.
Because it is something I can take my girlfriend along with (unlike mountain biking).
Because it allows me to express myself artistically.
Because I like the technology.

38

EOS-M / Re: To buy M or not to buy M?

« on: April 14, 2013, 01:27:23 PM »

None of the mirrorless cameras are compact with anything other than a pancake lens on them.  It's a segment I don't quite understand, and I think a lot of canon users are the same when it comes to the M.

It does make sense if you have a little kit limited to about 2 or 3 small lenses that'll fit in a tiny bag and allows 'real' photography none the less. A nice quality alternative to a DSLR that you can take on almost any occasion where you don't want to bring the big SLR, or just want to shoot some casual photo's. The 'M' does that, and so do its rivals.

I must say such a mirrorless kit makes more sense when you compare the size of the system to a kit consisting of (semi) pro bodies and lenses rather than a little XXX(x)D with a mega-zoom lens. But that suits a different target audience IMHO.

I've a tiny 2-lens selection for my Nex-6 at the moment: the Sony E PZ 16-50 mm F3.5-5.6 OSS and the Sigma 30mm F2.8 EX DN. This combination will squeeze into a Lowepro Compact Courier 70, External Dimensions: 16.5 x 8 x 20.5 cm (6.50 x 3.15 x 8.07 in). I've no real ambition to use tele-lenses on this kit. The EVF however good it is, is a little too detached for fast work and the relatively fast AF on the Nex-6 is slow compared to a good DSLR. I do have a NEX-FD adapter though that allows me to use some old FD stuff I have, i.e. 70-210 F/4 FDn and 135 mm f/2.5 FL. The latter I still have to give a try.

39

EOS-M / Re: To buy M or not to buy M?

« on: April 14, 2013, 11:37:33 AM »

I like the form of the N cameras, but I just can't imagine being able to find an E mount lens in 10 years time, or an f2.8 telezoom just now.

I wonder how relevant that is, really. Camera systems come and go (except Nikon F mount).

Relevant now because there aren't decent fast aperture zooms in E-mount.  ...

It's not going to happen because of the size of such fast lenses. Compactness is more important in mirrorless-land and with ever higher quality iso's, who needs a fast zoom?

Keep the fast stuff for the DSLR's

40

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: "I am boycotting Nikon" campaign

« on: April 14, 2013, 10:47:58 AM »

It just occurred to me: maybe we should all go out and buy Nikon camera's, increasing Nikon revenue so much they can close shop on the hunting sights 

41

EOS-M / Re: To buy M or not to buy M?

« on: April 14, 2013, 04:51:04 AM »

I like the form of the N cameras, but I just can't imagine being able to find an E mount lens in 10 years time, or an f2.8 telezoom just now.

I wonder how relevant that is, really. Camera systems come and go (except Nikon F mount).

42

Lenses / Re: I bit the bullet!

« on: April 14, 2013, 04:48:28 AM »

Cropped to fit size requirements.  Hand held 400 mm at 1/30!  Please don't critique the exposure or composition.  Not my point for posting this.  I was worried about getting a refurb, and now I am not.  In the end, I think the 100-400 was the right choice for me.

To get critically sharp photo's from this lens when shooting little critters I'd suggest shutter speeds of at least 1/400 and aperture of f/6.3-9. High iso and short shutter gives the best result for anything that moves.

43

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: "I am boycotting Nikon" campaign

« on: April 14, 2013, 04:38:47 AM »

The diffraction of the water might compensate for the crappy optics...

I don't think it's fair to bash Nikon's optical know-how like that, they have some stunning optics. A friend of mine has the 200-400, oh how I wish that would be a Canon.

44

EOS-M / Re: To buy M or not to buy M?

« on: April 13, 2013, 10:56:07 AM »

I know this is a Canon users site but in my opinion the EOS-M is an overpriced mirrorless with poor features.

I would suggest getting a NEX-5N instead, you can get the kit with 18-55 and flash very cheap (around 450$)
I you do not need the lens/flash you can sell it for 150$+ and you have a very cheap mirrorless.


There are NEX-EF adapter on ebay for around 250$, the electronic one can use aperture and IS and some of them offer AF capabilities. I am going to use my MP-E and a EF-S 60mm macro on my NEX-5N with one of them

NEX-5N vs EOS-M

- Better sensor (better DR and lower noise)
- Better AF (Af is fast on the NEX)
- Much longer battery life (twice us much)
- Half the price

Lense choice for the NEX system is better than for EOS-M

You have the cheap sigma 19/2.8 and 30/2.8 which are tack sharp, 150$ on BHphoto
The new 35/1.8 OSS gives you a 50mm standard with IS, a bit expensive though 400$


The 22/2 canon is sexy though ;-)

Yes, go 'N'

I love my little kit (and have the Sigma 30mm f/2.8 in E-mount, a great little lens).

45

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: What made you choose Canon in the first place?

« on: April 13, 2013, 08:43:27 AM »

I don't like to be asked to lend lenses. That's another reason. 

I agree on this, I'm kinda anal about my equipment so don't like to lend out lenses - also to avoid getting into uncomfortable situations if there is a (minor) issue with a lens after it's returned. My best photographing friend shoots Nikon, so no issue there!

My first SLR was an old Canon EOS 50e that I got for free during a company internship; it was a company camera but it (and several others) had been sitting on the shelf since they had been using digital camera's instead for several years already. It came with a Metz flash and a kit lens. A nice gift and I was lucky to be there when they were cleaning out the old stuff.

I checked out Nikon when I decided to go digital but Canon appealed to me a little more, especially because I already had some experience with the system and the 'cleaner' design of its controls. Of course I had the Canon compatible Metz flash to boot.