Messages

16

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: What is the 6d actually good at (*positive* fact list)?

« on: December 01, 2012, 08:00:12 PM »

What I like about it

Over the 5DIII - It is cheaper (and I am realistic enough that this means certain features are given up)

Over the 5DII - It is newer.  It is smaller. It is lighter. Has GPS and WiFi. And I know it is still not proven but I am sure better IQ. Takes my SD cards (I do not have CF cards)

Over the D600 - Well it takes my EF lenses and EX flash  , so really the rest of the spec list is a moot point

Over the 7D - it is FF

Over my 500D - it is FF.  better sealed. better IQ. better focus. better view finder.

17

Software & Accessories / Which iMac

« on: November 30, 2012, 06:04:55 PM »

This might have been asked before, but I would really like some advice on which iMac, from those models just launched, to get.

I am looking at the 27" Desktop and I am going to configure it to at least include the 3TB drive.  I will upgrade the memory (2 extra 8GB = 24GB total) after market as it is cheaper.  Now I can just upgrade everything, but I would like not to if there is really no need or real world impact.

So, I need the community's advice for the CPU and GPU specs to lead me in understanding where my money will best be spend
1 - CPU > Taking into account my usage, is there any need/benefit to upgrade from the i5 2.9GHz to the i5 3.2GHz or i7 3.6GHz --- each step = $200
2 - GPU > Taking into account my usage, would I benefit from the increase the 512MB to 1GB memory ---- $150 upgrade

My Usage (None for professional purposes):
Photo Editing
 - Aperture.  I have also recently started to work more with RAW files and my current 2009 MacBook does feel the punch.
 - Photoshop Elements (rarely)
 - NIK HDR
Video Editing of family videos using iMovie
Family Computer usage: Word, Excel Internet, e-Mail.

Cameras: Hopefully Canon 6D and 12Mpix Panasonic GF3

PS - let this not be a discussion about Mac vs PC or Desktop vs Laptop.  Those choices are settled

Thanks

18

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon 6D pricing... so much difference worldwide

« on: November 28, 2012, 10:57:33 AM »

One reason is VAT.  In EU and most VAT countries, my understanding is that you have to advertise INCLUSIVE of VAT.  The US does not.

If you strip out the relevant VAT charge, you will be closer.  Now the fact that the US has lower sales tax or no sales tax at all (depending on where you live and how you buy), that is what each country/state votes for I suppose.

Now this is not the only one reason.  There are a myriad of others, like import duty, business tax and payroll taxes etc.  Take for instance the female employee at Canon USA. Canon has relatively no legal obligation towards her if she wanted to go on maternity leave, while the Scandanavian employee has a mandatory 2 years (if I recall correctly).  Regardless of who pays for that directly, the money has to come from somewhere.

Then last but not least is volumes and turnover.  Not a lot of countries beat the USA on this one.  Especially not us here in Canada where bodies are beginning to  come on par but not lenses.

19

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS M or ...???

« on: November 27, 2012, 01:06:48 AM »

I had the same questions when my wife's older canon P&S broke.
Canon was not yet to marked with the M and I got the Pana GF3. Here's why and thus why I recommend it

1) Bigger sensor with its advantages
2) Small enough to fit in her handbag. This was a BIG must and the retractable zoom makes it possible. I really think Canon missed the boat not making there zoom retractable. The zoom range is perfect for her application being that of an all around daytime snapper
3) Built in flash. None of these packaged flashes are strong, thus not having a fidly one you can lose was important
4) 20mm f1.7 - did not know that beforehand, but what a lens. I bought it for those night time out and abouts where you just look like an idiot with a DSLR, but now it hardly leaves the camera

So I recommend the m4/3 as in my opinion its the only system that delivers as a package. Small, flexible, quality, choice, price. Maybe not the best in a single category but as a whole pretty damn good.

20

EOS Bodies / Re: Possible positive 6D surprise? Should I wait?

« on: November 24, 2012, 03:16:29 PM »

Manufacturers have to differentiate their products somehow.  We do it as a photographers.  We differentiate our products according to size, hours, materials, etc., and yet we don't say our cheaper products are deliberately crippled.

Very Good Point and fresh way of looking at it.  Not a professional photog myself, and I am glad our wedding photog had different packages.  And our package was not lacking in quality at all.

21

Lenses / Re: 6d Kid Lens

« on: November 21, 2012, 10:52:59 PM »

Here in Calgary, a very reputable store is listing the 6D effectively with 3 choices
1 - Body Only     > $2,099 (pretty much the same as BH price)
2 - 24-104 Kit    > $2,899 (also in line with BH prices)
3 - 24-70 F4 Kit > $3,299
https://www.thecamerastore.com/mainproducts/canon-eos-6d

Now in Canada, higher end bodies are getting to par with the US - finally, however lenses still have a (unexplained?) premium.

So the same store lists the
24 - 104  @ $1,368 = $568 discount to Canadian lens prices (BH price = $1,149)
24 - 70    @ $1,587 = $387 discount to Canadian lens prices (BH price = $1,499)

So the kit is $400 more for a lens that is only $220 more when bought individually.  Thus, although this is an indication, it is difficult to understand pricing strategies and how they will translate between countries.

22

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Upgrade advice: 6D or 5D2/3?

« on: November 15, 2012, 02:04:15 PM »

I have the same considerations at hand as the release date of the 6D approaches.

This is how I aproached the dilema:

For me the 5DIII answer is simple (assuming that money IS a consideration).  It is as such a performance orientated machine built from the input of many a professional, that the mere fact that you are "wondering" about this camera means it is probably more than what you need.  In general, I think you will know that you need a 5DIII and thus not consider any other class.

5DII is old.  I know a lot of people say that it is still a great camera, and it probably is, but I just can't look past that fact.  It is difficult for me to believe that the 6D will not be better than the 5DII as an overall package even if you exclude the GPS and WiFi bells.  Technology just does not work like that.  And from what I understand from this forum, the AF cannot be worse than the 5DII.  Yes, some people are upset about what is deemed to be only an "incremental" increae in ability, but then I come from a 500D and I am sure it will be huge. (One advantage of not upgrading every time)

So I am satisfied with my conclusion > 6D.  For me it only lacks a built in flash which I will solve with a 270EXII when the 430EXII is to big.

23

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Help me upgrade my 550d

« on: November 14, 2012, 04:03:14 PM »

The 5d III offers everything I want of course and is FF, but the price is very high and the camera is basically overkill for my purposes.  I don't care so much about the super robust build, dual card slots etc, and would gladly pay less to give up these features.

Same boat as you with a fairly similar kit (I have the 500D).  I can wait for the 6D as I also think the 5DIII overkill and I can thus not justify the price.  I also do not care for those added features, but I do understand more pro orientated users' need for it.

From all my reading here and questions asked, I think full frame is the way to go, so I cannot wait.  So I will also sell the 17-50 and 11-16

24

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Help me decide: 270EXII vs 90EX

« on: November 14, 2012, 11:21:59 AM »

If portability is a must then get the 270ex ii.

You'd be nuts to buy a 90ex -too weak, and optical/IR is a no-go. Line of sight trigerring is totally unreliable. Get RF triggers.

Thanks for the info power and line of sight triggering.  This makes the decision easier

25

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Help me decide: 270EXII vs 90EX

« on: November 12, 2012, 05:00:55 PM »

Honestly, this is a stupid question.
If you really need a second master flash, go for a 580 ex ii, or get ome pocket wizards.

If you really want to add a second flash to your line up, you need to fork in some money. A 580 ex ii is about $400, or a 430 and the pocket wizard flex and mini with etttl capabilities are aroun $550.

As a pure hobbiest, I generly do not jump into any new avenue of photography with both feet. I do not know yet if I want a second flash, thats what I am trying to figure out. So a 580EXII is way to expensive for me at this point.  If I like strobist work, yes maybe I overspend by one cheap flash, but if I do not, I did not overspend on an expensive additional BIG flash, and still have nothing to put on my 6D when traveling.

The 90EX is too weak, worst than the pop up flash on your 500D.

Get the 270EX II and a remote trigger if you want it off camera.

Thanks, I did not know that the 90EX was that weak.  Seeing that the "fill flash" options is of greater importance than the master function I need to consider whether this is enough, seeing that flash transmitters are not that expensive as I thought

26

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Help me decide: 270EXII vs 90EX

« on: November 12, 2012, 02:01:05 PM »

And really... if weight/size is a main concern, maybe a magnesium alloy full frame body isnt the correct choice...

The 6D is actually just 2% heavier than the 60D and basically the same dimensions according to this http://camerasize.com/compare/#100,380

So I feel comfortable with the size of this FF option (as opposed to a 5DII or III).  I just do not want to make it overly big when just strolling along city streets etc.

For travel I guess I will not do off camera flash, and then maybe the more power of the 270EXII might be better.
New to this, so did not know you can get triggers for that price. (RF603 for $30)

27

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Help me decide: 270EXII vs 90EX

« on: November 12, 2012, 11:54:49 AM »

I am deciding whether to go for the 6D when it becomes available.  Not having a pop up flash was a bit dissapointing so now I am trying to figure out what the true cost of the camera would be.  Considering that I do own a 430EXII, currently my greatest use of a camera is on holidays and travel, but there is kids on the way and thus potraitures and candids would become more important.

So to add fill flash to my 6D (or 5DIII) without lugging the 430EXII around which one will be best.
270EXII                                         90EX
+More Power                                 +Small and light
+Titable head                                +Optical Master for 430EXII
-Larger                                          +Wider @ 24mm
-No optical master                          -Low power and no tilt

At first this was an easy decision but the Optical Master is intriguing as it would allow me to start experimenting with off camera flash.  I do want to limit my cash outlay, so if the 270EXII is, in your opinion, overwhelmingly better for the intended main use, what "cheap" offbrand controller would you recommend. Maybe something that goes beyond line of sight.

I know most will say it depends on yout intended use, but if this is not clear, qualify your recommendation then

Thanks alot

28

Pricewatch Deals / Re: EF 24-70 f/4L IS & EF 35 f/2 IS Preorders

« on: November 06, 2012, 01:30:25 PM »

In the article that DPreview published:

"....we've been told that the RRP will be $1499 / £1499.99 / €1459"

Can someone explain to me why they convert 1:1? I find it disgusting

November 6th:
Interbank typical creditcard conversion takes  + 3% on $1499 makes

1135,40 euro !
and
908,87 britisch pounds !

I agree that this is somewhat worrying.  But for starters, EU and GBP countries are on a VAT system, which means that generally their products are quotes INclusive of sales taxes, which are generally higher than in the US.  After stripping this out it would make more sense to compare, however other business costs, import duties and volumes then start to play a role.

29

Lenses / Re: looking for equivalent to efs 17-55 f/2.8 in EF line

« on: October 23, 2012, 08:11:00 PM »

The FF equivalent of the 17-55mm f/2.8 is a hypothetical 27-88mm f/4.5 lens.  So, compared to the 17-55 on APS-C, the 24-105 on FF is wider, longer, and the aperture is 1.3 stops wider in terms of DoF for the same framing.  Yes, it's still f/4 for exposure, but the FF sensor also has at least 1.3 stops less ISO noise (more like 1.5 going from 40D to 5DII), so you can bump the ISO to make up the stop and still be ahead on noise.  Overall IQ of the 24-105 on FF is better than the 17-55 on APS-C, and you keep IS. The only thing you're giving up is the activation of the f/2.8-sensitive center AF point.

Thanks Neuro, answering my question even before I asked it as I am also considering the 6D and my most used lens is the Sigma 17-50 OS HSM

30

EOS Bodies / Re: mhm... open letter to canon?

« on: September 26, 2012, 11:29:56 AM »

I am an owner of a 500D and a 450D before that.  I upgraded solely to give my the 450D to my sister as I could get the 500D at a bargain price. Performance difference - almost none

For me, the 6D would be an improvement in ALL departments. FF, ISO, DIGIC, FPS, AFS, OVF, LCD, GPS, WIFI. Bonus is my SD cards are still usable. And I understand its is me that Canon is targeting with the 6D

My point is yes, if you bought a 60D or 7D last year, you might be dissapointed. Even a 5DII owner might be. But I am sure that the 5D owner sees the same upgrades as I do.

It's very much like the iPhone 5.  Coming from a 3GS I think it is an awesome phone, while many of my 4S friends are dissapointed.

If you buy a camera/phone/TV/you name it every year, the incremental upgrades will frustrate you to the point of shear dissapointment