Messages

46

Lenses / Re: Sigma 30mm f/1.4 or Canon 35mm f/2?

« on: August 14, 2012, 12:05:47 AM »

I was facing the same decision about a year ago.  I heard about the focus issues with the Sigma, so I rented it first.

My personal experience with the Sigma lens on a 7D was that it was hit and miss with the AF.  Sometimes it hit and was one of the sharpest lenses I have used.  But I was averaging about 20% hit rate.  I rented it from Lens Rentals and I know they test out the gear, so the lens itself wasn't malfunctioning.  If I had a better experience with the lens I would have purchased one, because it was a very sharp lens.

I ended up getting the 35 f/2.  It is a solid performer.  For the money you really can't beat it.

47

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: 5D II or wait for new entry level FF camera

« on: July 28, 2012, 06:49:49 PM »

If a new entry level FF comes out with similar IQ to 5DII, better AF, swivel screen, pop up flash, perhaps not as solid in build quality for $2,000 USD, and the 5DII is discontinued .....

What happens to the price of the 5DII on the used market?

If it drops to $1,500 or less, it might be worth waiting even to get a 5DII.

48

EOS Bodies / Re: advice required

« on: July 27, 2012, 11:37:25 AM »

The 7d is a sports/action camera. It doesn't fit what you are doing, so you would be paying for a lot of features you don't need.

The 7d has great AI servo AF, and can shoot 7 fps.
However, the IQ has its limitations in low light in terms of being grainy and having noise.

If you want to stick with a crop camera, look at the 60d or T4i. These cameras will get you the 18mp sensor, video, etc. and save you a few hundred dollars.

If you want FF, then the 5DII is a great camera, or wait and see if Canon offers an entry level FF and decided between the two.

49

Lenses / Re: Advice before buying used 15-85 EF-S

« on: July 26, 2012, 12:30:08 PM »

Sounds like you have your mind made up on the 15-85.  It is a great lens, lots of good reviews, etc.  If you can buy it used from someone who will let you look at the lens and test it on your camera, then you should be fine.

You should strongly consider the 17-55 f/2.8.  If you are doing indoor shots and flash always isn't an option, then this lens will make the difference in getting the shot and not getting it.  As far as image quality, I would say the 17-55 and the 15-85 are close enough to each other to not make much difference in real-world shooting.

In general, you have a decent kit that covers a wide range, including a fast prime.  Therefore, you should be buying new lenses with a specific purpose or type of shooting in mind.  Also, I agree with others that suggest saving up for exactly what you want.  Lenses outlast several body generations so you will live with what you get for a long time (or constantly end up buying and selling lenses).

50

Lenses / Re: sigma 30mm f1.4... anyone used?

« on: July 21, 2012, 05:36:16 PM »

I rented this lens from lens rental.com because I really wanted to buy it, but has heard of the focus issues. Lens rentals tests all their equipment so I was confident I would get a good copy of the lens to try.

The lens is crazy sharp. Very impressive. However the auto focus was hit and miss. About 1 in 5 shots were in focus on my 7D.  When it hit, it was super sharp, beautiful pics. I so much wanted this lens to work for me, but I couldn't live with the random AF.  I bought the canon 35 f/2. It doesn't have the something special the sigma 30 had, but it has accurate AF and is a sharp lens - much less expensive too.

I also have the Canon 50 f/1.4, and it always feels soft to me. I did some tests using a tripod and mirror lock up with both manual and AF at different F-stops with the 50f/1.4, the 35 f/2, and my EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 (which is very sharp). All the lenses were fairly sharp with no real stand-out from the others.

I concluded that I rely on the IS of the 17-55 and most of my shots with the 50 f/1.4 are wide open, hand held, and a shutter speed that is pushing being too slow. So I had developed a bad impression of the lens, but it was really me, not the lens.

Maybe the Sigma 30 is good on other bodies, but no luck for me with my 7D

51

Portrait / Re: What did I do wrong?

« on: July 18, 2012, 12:26:41 AM »

For example, if they are standing close to things, they will be more in focus and less blurry.  If you have a good amount of distance between them and any background items that will be in the frame of the shot, the background will be more blurry, giving you more of the look you want.

In your photo, I would have your subjects move away from the BBQ grill and the tables in the background, and frame them with the trees most distant as the background.  See if you like how that looks.  At least with the other stuff out of the picture your subjects will stand out and not have to compete with the visual noise you have in there.

52

Portrait / Re: What did I do wrong?

« on: July 18, 2012, 12:23:47 AM »

DOF is impacted by focal length (longer focal length = shallower DOF), by f-stop (bigger aperture = smaller DOF), and by distance from the subject (the closer you are, the shallower DOF).  You can experiment with these variables and see how they impact the bokeh of your shots.

You will be limited by f-stop and how close you stand to the group in order to get everyone in focus and in frame.  So, the other variable you might try is how close to any background objects your subjects are.  For example, if they are standing close to things, they will be more in focus and less blurry.  If you have a good amount of distance between them and any background items that will be in the frame of the shot, the background will be more blurry, giving you more of the look you want.

53

EOS Bodies / Re: Should/can Canon keep making its own sensors?

« on: July 17, 2012, 09:11:27 PM »

CR Forum Logic.
1. 5D2 IQ = Praiseworthy, even today. (general agreement)
2.  5D3 IQ > 5D2 IQ (general agreement)
3.  5D3 IQ = unsatisfactory

Prior to the 5D3 and 1Dx, we had lots of forum posts/threads of how Canon shouldn't chase high MP sensors any longer - who needs more MP!  Canon should focus on better high ISO performance.  Nikon is winning in high ISO performance we say.  Then Canon do exactly that by keeping the MP down and improving high ISO performance in the 5D3 and 1Dx, but Nikon releases a MP monster.  Now we complain about not having a high MP camera.

Most of you seem to feel that if Canon doesn't provide you with exactly what you want, then they don't know what they are doing.  Markets do not equal 1 person.  Canon is building products for markets, and you may or may not fall into the target market for a product.  And, at any point in time, Canon may not offer exactly what you want in any product.  But, that does not mean Canon is stupid and Nikon is brilliant.  You (what you want in a camera system) may not be part of a very sizable or profitable market.  Not a happy place to be.

For me, the 36MP sensor with poor ISO performance at the high end is useless - I don't care how good the dark shadow detail is or how many stops I can push it in lightroom.  Others feel the opposite is true (for them).

Objectivity is not a strong point in CR Forum logic.... 

54

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 7D Mark II

« on: June 28, 2012, 12:57:55 AM »

With new firmware coming out for the 7D in August that adds a number of features and performance enhancements, it is unlikely that a 7DII is coming any time soon. 

Canon wouldn't release a significant firmware update for a camera it was replacing in the very near future.

55

EOS Bodies / Re: LightRoom...HELP!

« on: June 24, 2012, 03:06:19 PM »

Lynda.com - a couple of good tutorials.  Try Jan Kabil.  Chris Orwig is a little long winded, but ultimately goes into more depth.

I have the Scott Kelby Lightroom 3 book, and it is very good.  Simple, how to get the job done, with lots of little tips and insight.  Not a lot of theory and background on how the database works, etc, but very practical usable advice to get you going.

Adobe TV has a really good video on how the database is structured.

Good luck!

56

EOS Bodies / Re: Will there be a 7d2 at all?

« on: June 10, 2012, 11:39:05 PM »

I've been very happy with my 7D. For me the only thing lacking is the IQ at higher ISO.  I don't need more Megapixels, FPS, newer AF system, etc.   I've been tempted to add a 5DII as a second body along with my 7D, but I've been focusing on building up my set of lenses first.  I am also waiting to see if there is an entry level FF that replaces the 5DII or if a 70D or 7DII comes along that solves my better IQ desire with one camera.  I expect to sit tight with my 7D for another year before making a move.

I would be disappointed if Canon jacked up the price of a 7DII like they did going from 5DII to 5DIII.
If they improved the sensor and threw in a few other improvements and kept the price close to what the current 7D came out at, I would strongly consider upgrading.

57

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Is the IQ from the 5d3 really as bad as everyone is saying?

« on: June 05, 2012, 11:50:16 AM »

Looks like the IQ is fine Gary.  Could possibly use a bit more post processing as the background needs to be pulled away from your subject a bit more since they are similar in color but other than that the image appears fine.

Actually, I kind of like it the way it is.  One of the nice things about this shot is showing how well this bird blends in with his environment.  For me, that is what makes the shot.  To each his/her own.

58

Lenses / Re: Buying/Selling/Renting Lenses

« on: June 03, 2012, 12:59:28 AM »

I have rented the 135 f/2L to shoot volleyball games (on a 7D).  It is wonderful.  A great lens.  I am hoping to be able to buy one before next season starts.

Basketball is another thing entirely.  The action is both far away and close depending upon the end of the court you are on.  Also, with HS, it depends upon how much freedom you have to walk around the gym.  You might be able to get fairly close, and the 135mm on a crop camera might be way too much.  You might also have to be in the stands, and then it would be ok.

For the money, the 85 f/1.8 is a great sports lens.  Quick, accurate focus, very sharp, and a fast lens.

Given what you have said, I would rent.  Lens rentals is excellent.

59

Lenses / Re: 24-105mm f/4 L IS on a crop camera

« on: May 17, 2012, 03:16:50 PM »

I have both the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 and the EF 24-105 f/4 with a 7D

For indoors, I will put on the 17-55.  It is a bit wider, and one stop faster.  Most often I can get away without using a flash.  Plenty wide enough as well.

For outdoors / walk-around, I use the 24-105.  On the wide end I am never constrained (easy enough to take a step back if needed), and the longer reach is preferred for me.

Like Nero I would first recommend the 17-55, however, since you have the tammy in a similar range, I would definitely go with the 24-105L

Although the 15-85 is a very sharp and well made lens, I do not recommend it for a few reasons.
- Inside it is not very fast - unless you don't mind using a flash all the time (I had a friend that sold his after trying my 17-55 at an indoor event)
- outside I would rather have the reach on the long end vs a bit wider, and weather sealing.
- As you mentioned, an EF format lens will carry over to FF if you go that way

60

Lenses / Re: First dSLR, lens recommendations

« on: April 20, 2012, 03:17:14 PM »

I'm sure the 60D is a nice camera.  However, the difference between the 60D and T3i is about $300 USD.
If you needed to "compromise" somewhere on budget, that is where I would do it, not on the lenses.  The other option is to get a used body.  Body's lose their value quickly.  Good Lenses do not.  I promise you will outgrow your first body in a year or two if you shoot much at all.  My first body was an XSi, and it takes amazing pictures.  You could pick a used XSi up very cheap - and it will get your through your first year as a DSLR shooter.

Some really great suggestions have been given.  Here are mine.
1) Most important and priority #1 - you want a good "general purpose" lens.  I suggest the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS.  This is a fantastic lens.  I love mine.  You will wish you had a lower f-stop if you shoot much indoors and you go with the EF-S 15-85.  The 24-105 L is good, but you will need a wide angle lens to go with it.  24mm is not wide enough on a crop camera for what you want to do.

2) Next, you want something really fast to learn about using shallow depth of field, and if you get in really low light situations.  Nothing beats the EF 50 f/1.8 for value here.  In my opinion, the EF 50 f/1.4 isn't worth the extra money - especially on a crop camera. (I have the 50 f/1.4 and my Daughter has the 50 f/1.

3) Last, you want something on the telephoto end.  I would go with the EF 70-200 f/4L IS.  To me, IS is very important in a hand-held telephoto lens - therefore it is preferred over the non-IS f/2.8 in the same range.  This is a very good, affordable L lens. 

If the EF 70-200 f/4L IS exceeds your budget, then go with the EF 70-300 IS non-L.  This will do just fine and give you experience.  Then you will really know what you want when you spend the big bucks on an L-grade telephoto lens.

I also highly recommend getting a good flash.  I recommend the Speedlight 430EX II.

Today's B&H Pricing
EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 - $1179
EF 50 f/1.8 - $119
EF 70-200 f/4L IS - $1349
(EF 70-300 IS non-L) - $549
Speedlight 430EX II - $299
Rebel XSi (450D) ebay - $250 - $300

Good luck!