Messages

241

Lenses / Re: EF 24-70 f/2.8L II [CR2]

« on: January 16, 2012, 02:48:21 PM »

I was thinking the same way as you a copule of months ago. I have 450D and 2 lenses so swtiching to Nikon won't be so difficult. I started to think about D700 as a possible body for me. But...

When I've seen  1D-X specs and those high ISO samples I started to change my mind. Well, sure, I'm not in the market for 1D-X but this makes at least a clue for what could be new to lower models. I was also happy to see that this new 1D is not in the crazy MPx race and it will be focused more on IQ. Sure, it's not ideal for landscape/studio work/commercial shooting - it's camera for pros that want to capture THE moment (let's say a sports shooter or bird/wildlife shooter).

The line-up is clear:

If you want fast AF and reasonable IQ and good price go for 7D. It's a great camera. I had it for couple of days to test it. Lots of new and good features. IF there will be a Mark II it will be even greater - no doubt. For outdoor sports it's great. For indoor stuff you need a good fast prime to get good pics at usable ISO (by usable I mean less then 2000 at this camera).

If you want high resolution go for 5D Mk II. I've tested it on one Canon event and it's also a great camera. ISO performance is fine for me. For studio work and portraits it's great. For sports not. It's also good for gigs/concerts and DJ stuff. Center point od AF is great.

As for lenses:

Sure, there is a space for improvements. But check all lenses that were announced/released in last 3 years (new 100 macro, 70-200 IS II, telephotos, zoom fisheye), they all are great. For me I can think of updates for these lenses:

EF 50 f/1.4 USM
EF 24-70 f/2.8 L USM
EF 28 f/1.8 USM (better wide open results)
EF 35 f/1.8 USM (I can see a market for this as a replacement for 2.0)

...and I think that new lenses and bodies (at least 5D-like/FF camera) will be perfect for purposes they are made for. There is not a perfect camera or a perfect lens. It's all about how you can you their (and your) potential to produce beautiful images :-). That's the way how I feel about Canon now.

242

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS-1D X Battery Issues?

« on: January 15, 2012, 06:24:55 PM »

Still. Waiting for proper 5D successor.

Exactly !!!

243

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS-1D X Battery Issues?

« on: January 15, 2012, 05:06:59 PM »

Sorry for spam, but, no news about 5D Mk II (or whatever the affordable FF will be) ?

As for 1D-X, sure, that explains why there was no info about weight - issue with battery. I hope for firmware resolution of f8 for combination of TC and telephoto (for those who are professionals and can afford this body).

244

Lenses / Re: Help me choose! 17-40mm f/4L + Tamron 70-300mm VC vs. 24-105mm f/4L IS on 5mkII

« on: January 06, 2012, 08:11:32 PM »

My advice would be to step back and think about your intentions for the trip.  First and maybe last time going, or a biannual trip?  How important are photographic memories to you and your wife?  I wouldn't worry about the specific bag - decide what you want to bring, and get the right bag for that gear. A couple examples from my experience...

Next month, I'm going to California with the family. I grew up there and go back frequently.  This will be our younger daughter's first time meeting her extended family, something I want photo memories of for us and for her.  Not sure exactly what I'll take, but definitely my 5DII, 24-105L, and 430EX II.  Possibly the 35L as well.  So, pretty light.  Conversely...

Early last year we went to China for 3.5 weeks.  Photography wasn't the main purpose - we went to adopt our younger daughter.    In deciding what to take, I knew we'd be busy with procedures and of course with a new baby, not to mention dealing with our then 3 year old daughter.  But, a photo 'journal' of the trip was important, and I know it will be many years before we go back.  I took the 5DII, 16-35L II, 24-105L, 70-200/2.8L IS II, TS-E 24L II, 35L, 430EX II, and a PowerShot S95.  The S95 was great for times when a dSLR just wasn't practical to bring, great for another family member to use, and provided piece of mind as a backup - cameras do fail, usually at the worst time.

I just looked over the EXIF stats of the images from the trip. 50% were taken with the 24-105, 20% with the 70-200 II, and 20% with the S95, with the 16-35, TS-E 24 and 35L making up the remaining 10%. I didn't use the flash much at all, but I was glad I had it as the shots I used it for were as fill light for portraits of our daughters.  The % numbers don't tell the whole story - looking at the shots I consider my favorites (85 or so), relative to the totals a disproportionately higher number of favorites were with the 35L - it's great on the 5DII as a nighttime walkaround lens. Another point is that most of the 70-200mm favorites were portrait-type shots. There were favs from every lens.

So, my recommendation would be to take the 5DII, 24-105, consider renting a fast wide or normal prime if you don't have one, and maybe a 70-200/4 IS to keep it light. I'd also consider a good quality but small P&S.

Hope that helps!

Hi !

I want a bit of advice. I'm planning a trip to China this year in summer. I'm planning to buy a FF before my trip (either 5D Mk II or Mk III or whatever - depends on specs and price).

So my question is which wide angle lens to buy ?
I'm taking 85 f/1.8 for sure - as a telephoto. I need advice for some wide angle. Do you think that 35L will be enough (wide) ?

Issue is budget. When I pull trigger for FF I think there will be cash for 35L but I don't think, that there will be enough for another lens.

Thanks for response :-)

245

Lenses / Re: Lens Announcement at CES? [CR1]

« on: January 06, 2012, 06:31:07 PM »

"The 24-70 f/2.8L II is again the most talked about lens in emails I am receiving."

on a scale of 1-10 how like is this mk2 going to be? I am looking to buy the current version.
Some offer I have right now is $1000 for new condition, should I just pull the trigger?
Do I need the lens, no - it is more of a want, and will be my first L lens.
I am also considering the 35mm 1.4 mk1 as well, and think it is going for $1255.
Should I wait on both or pull the trigger which would be a better choice on first L?
Right now I shot everything, but mostly people in small room, and low light.

Thanks,

There is nothing wrong with current 35 f/1.4 L, maybe the weather sealing. In terms of IQ this lens is awsome. For your needs: low light and smaller rooms - it will be a killer lens for you. And after new one will be released I think that there will be enough on used market for a reasonable price. I'm waiting to see if improvements will be so huge to pull the trigger for new one. I need a fast prime for low light work too so let's see :-)

246

Lenses / Re: Lens Announcement at CES? [CR1]

« on: January 06, 2012, 03:20:33 PM »

Saving up for a 35 II right now.   Come on Canon.  Hope it is available before or when I have the funds.  Just bought 2 other Ls in the last 40 days so I've blown my photo money for now and could not take advantage of the 35's rebate (1 day left) if I wanted to.  Besides, I want/need the weather sealing.  I'll be real bummed if that is part of the upgrade.

Exactly as me. I'm holding for 5D Mk III (or Mk II depends on specs and funds) and 35 f/1.4 L Mk II . I have 85 f/1.8 and I want something wider for my future full frame. I guess that combo 35L and 85 will be ideal :-)

247

Lenses / Re: Lens Announcement at CES? [CR1]

« on: January 06, 2012, 02:55:51 PM »

I hope for new 35 f/1.4 L Mk II. I would rather buy a prime over 24-70 f/2.8 because of my low light work. In combination with FF it would be awsome :-)

248

EOS Bodies / Re: 7D2, 5D3 and Megapixel Insights

« on: December 14, 2011, 12:45:31 PM »

Thats exactly close to what I think. New 5D MK III with less MPx and less noise - same sensor as 1D-X is most likely to come true. Well, I was at one Canon event last week and one guy asked Canon rep about 5D Mk III and he mentioned that there is possibility that a completly new line will be announced with different AF from current 5D Mk II and higher MPx sensor. I dont know the reliabilty of that info but it makes sense to me - especially when D800 with 36 MPx will be announced.

Now based on CR's last post on 5D3 MP levels, there is more reason to believe what I suggested is possible with the 1DX like sensor being featured in the 5D3 replacement.  In speaking about 5D3 replacement, I mean a product that will target an "average" 5D2 customor who had bought 5d2 at about ~$3000 pricepoint give or take a few.

We are not talking about  the highly vocal fans who say they don't mind paying $4500 or more for more features and MP. Such a body is not a "direct" replacement to 5D2 price point.

It may well be that Canon can easily make a 36+ MP sensor, upgrade electronics to increase data flow, engineer moderately higher ISO performace in a body. Perhaps we can wish in our wet dreams that it will shoot at blistering 12fps, upgraded AF,  in a weather sealed body, that dances a jig when we whistle...such a body is likely to target a higher price point as previously noted by some good heads here.

Using 1DX -like sensor will save Canon R&D dollars. By using 1DX like sensor, Canon can quickly deliver a new FF body with lower features than 1DX for about~ $3000 or so. They have used similar sensors in higher/lower end bodies before ....no reason to believe they won't do it again.

But keep your chin up MP folks! Based on what Nikon does, a higher MP version may well follow, but at a higher price point or with limited features to maximize profits.  Best!

249

EOS Bodies / Re: 7D2, 5D3 and Megapixel Insights

« on: December 14, 2011, 12:07:00 PM »

Well, I dont think Canon will announce both of them at the same time. I bet on 5D Mk III announced around summer time and 7D Mk II announced in september (if it will be).

I think that 5D Mk III wont be announced in January - before 1D-X becomes available. Depends of course on specs but it doesnt make much sense for me. They need to roll out 1 pro camera and see the numbers and response to know when they should pop out with new "affordable" FF - even if this is case when 5D Mk III will be 30+ Mpx and worse AF from 1D-X. They need to figure out with which specs (especially sensor) to bail out into production. Also they still have good numbers on current 5D Mk II so there is no rush for them. Maybe Nikon will change the game a bit with D700 successor but there is no info on that body.

250

Canon General / Re: An EF 70-200 f/4L IS II in Mid January? [CR1]

« on: December 11, 2011, 01:28:37 PM »

I would rather see improved 70-200 f/2.8 without IS than 70-200 f/4 IS (which is already excellent).

251

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D mkII - 7D

« on: December 07, 2011, 02:20:33 PM »

I wish I could say to wait but then waiting you may be waiting a long time... probably as long as a good year... so as long as you're in no rush, then by all means... from a person that went from the xxd series to a 7d then 5d2... the files from the 5d2 are good... slightly better than the 7D but nothing to write home about... I really miss my 7d AF system, thankfully I still have my 7d as a second shooter but it'd be awesome to have that AF in the 5d... Other than the full frame sensor, it's basically a 50D with no pop up flash, a bigger prism, new battery, and video... (with minor orientation changes with the buttons)... oh yeah, the 50D also had a slightly better AF system than the 5d as all the sensors were cross type... But as long as you dont live and die by the AF system, it's a fine camera.

I guess we will see something next year, but question is what it will be. Im not really into 30+ Mpx, rather 21 or 18 with high ISO usable at 12 800 and 7-dish AF. But one guy at that Canon event told us to expect something different from current 5D line, maybe a whole new line. But this is something for another topic :-)

Im often taking photos with my friend and he wants to uprgade to 7D (also other friend of mine has this body) because of AF, video and build quality. So I guess a 5D Mk II will be fine for me with a possibility to borrow 7D when I really need/want it.

252

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D mkII - 7D

« on: December 07, 2011, 01:26:10 PM »

Im also considering an upgrade from my 450D to 7D or 5D Mk II. I shoot mostly concerts/gigs and DJs in clubs as long as portraits in studio and outside.

My friend lent me his 7D for a weekend and wedding shoot and I was pleased with AF performance of 7D especially this cluster-type-AF point-selection (1 center and 4 other points). After downloading pics to PC I realized that ISO performance is not something stellar. You can work around with noise reduction in LR3 (which was what I did) and dont care (unless you print large prints). With my 85 f/1.8 it was very good.

This week I attended one Canon event to finally get my hands on 5D Mk II and I was amazed by high ISO results from this camera. I took 1 pic at ISO 6400 and this looks to me like ISO (maybe) 800 from my camera. Mostly, I was using center point and there were no problems with AF. I also tried peripherial points in studio shoot under dimm lighting and it was fine.

For me there is no rush for buying new body now. There is only one question left (because I have cash for 5D Mk II). Wait for 5D MK III to come out or buy 5D Mk II ?

253

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 1D-X availability

« on: December 05, 2011, 02:46:06 PM »

An entry level FF with a revamped 28-135mm kit lens would be an excellent gateway drug... I mean camera.

Agreed :-) Quiet nice would be a redesigned 50 f/1.4 with ring-type USM - but this is for a lens topic ;-)

254

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 1D-X availability

« on: December 05, 2011, 02:10:21 PM »

So a 3D

The question is: will there be a FF entry model (5D MKIII) ? And what will be the specs and what is it's speciality?

There was nothing regards FF entry model (and yes, I want it too). This guy mentioned that when 5D Mk III wil be released (or whatever it will be called) there will still be market for 5D Mk II but...with lower price (which make sense to me, numbers are OK for Canon and margin on this unit is with a room for pricedrop).

255

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 1D-X availability

« on: December 05, 2011, 01:44:29 PM »

I guess it is the grow path for current 5D MK II owners. It closes the gap towards the 1D-X

Exactly this is what he mentioned, to push 5D Mk II succesor closer to 1D-X/1D-isch-type in some way. And we can expect it to be around 3300+ € (as 5D Mk II when it was announced).

My guess is that something big is comming. Something for landscape/studio shooters as 1D-X is made for sports guys.