Messages

166

Lenses / Re: Grand Canyon Lens suggestions

« on: February 17, 2012, 06:51:01 AM »

I went and brought a 7D, 16-35 II, Tokina 11-16 and a 70-200.

I found the Tokina to be a little too wide and the 16-35 to not be wide enough. It doesn't make much sense writing it, but the pictures look different. Probably because the Tokina is made for a crop frame and the 16-35 is not.

I do not have a 14mm.

There were times when the 200 was not enough on the 7D, but the 16-35 stayed on the camera the most.

167

Lenses / Re: Macro Lens recommendation

« on: February 12, 2012, 09:09:43 AM »

I appreciate all of the shared knowledge and insights exchanged here. I’ve learned a lot from reading many of your posts.

First, I Recently bought a 7D to replace my Rebel T1i.  I thought it might be the best “all around” camera for me at this time. (Looking forward to FF in the future.) 

Now, I’m looking to add two more lenses to my gear before budget restraints prevail. I’ve decided on the Tokina 11-16 2.8 for my widest angle shots, but does anyone have any recommendations for an “all around” Macro lens which could be used in conjunction with a Kenko 1.4x Teleplus pro 300, if needed? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

You know, with the increasing cost of lenses, and as I gradually pursue better ones, eventually I can see myself going to “L” in a hand basket. 

I'm no expert, but the EF-s 60mm macro seems to work pretty nicely and you can use it for other stuff.

60mm x 1.6 = 96mm full frame equivalent.

100mm x 1.6 = 160mm full frame equivalent.

You do not indicate *what* you want to take macro shots of, but if your budget only allows for 2 lenses right now *and* you need "all around", then I suggest the EF-s 60mm.

The EF-s 60 is also optimized for the APS-C sensor and the 100mm macro is not.

I will add that I think 96mm is a little long for lots of indoor stuff.

You will need a Speedlite (or two) for that Tokina 11-16. The on camera flash will cause lens shadow. The 7D can control a 430EXII (or two) and you do need lots of light at the wide end of that lens unless you are outdoors and it is sunny.

I would strongly suggest the EF-s 17-55 f2.8 as the go to "all around" lens on a 7D.

168

Lenses / Re: 24-70mm 2.8L V1 or V2

« on: February 08, 2012, 06:24:51 PM »

I hear that the III version will be even better.

 

169

EOS Bodies / Re: When will Canon Meet The Market Demand?

« on: February 08, 2012, 03:41:25 PM »

I would like a 14mm f2.8II.

Also looking for a cheap 400mm f2.8 IS... might as well ask for the II version also.

 

170

Lenses / Re: Poll on new 24-70 f/2.8L mk.II

« on: February 08, 2012, 11:12:47 AM »

The 70-200 IS II is pretty darn nice.

This 24-70 could also be pretty darn nice.

I'm reserving final opinion until some reviews come out.

If it is internal focusing, it moves up a notch on the want list. I haven't been able to figure that one out yet.

171

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D X or Mark III Specs & Release Date? [CR1]

« on: February 02, 2012, 12:29:14 PM »

Maybe Canon fears that by continuing to offer sub-optimal AF system in a camera like the 5D they will start loosing customer to Nikon.  Now that we can assume Nikon would be close to or on par to the 5D like camera for the video feature (a major differentiator of the 5D) they cant continue to give us a crappy AF system.  I think a 61 points or 45 points AF is very much possible to level the playing field with Nikon.

Could be.

I haven't really looked into how economical it is to switch from Canon to Nikon.

New customers without any lenses, sure.

172

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D X or Mark III Specs & Release Date? [CR1]

« on: February 02, 2012, 12:17:29 PM »

Exactly! Thats how I see it as well and why I'm so excited about the whole year.
We reached a certain point in digital photography where every major camera manufacturer has very good models allready. The only way to get the most people to buy it, is by making the III almost perfect.

I think Canon knows this.

Very few will upgrade just for the 7D focus system.

The differentiation between 5DII to 5DIII will need to be a lot, simply because the 5DII is so good as it is.

I also think that the product cycle changes as a whole will show smaller improvements without huge price increases, driving the "new and better" lens versions. People may keep their 5Dc or 5DII for a while but want new lenses. Just another way to keep revenue coming in.

173

Lenses / Re: Upgrade choices- full frame; wide prime or zoom; 135f/2

« on: February 02, 2012, 12:12:51 PM »

Thanks- what do you use for low light and wide on your 5dMkII?  I thought that you couldn't use ef-s lenses on a full frame body.

16-35II

That said, f2.8 isn't the same as f1.4. Big difference.

f1.4 would be a prime lens, 24 or 35mm for wide and low light.

174

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D X or Mark III Specs & Release Date? [CR1]

« on: February 02, 2012, 11:47:48 AM »

Well, I still think the 5DIII will have to be a game changer for many, if not most, current owners to upgrade.

Yes, Canon will sell lots to those that are using the 5Dc and skipped the 5DII plus those that have been holding off for the last year or so.

I happen to like my 5DII and it is way better than I could have imagined. Compared to P&S digital cameras, which became my only cameras since about 2000, the focus system on the 5DII is way better. The 5DII focus system seems to be no worse than my EOS 620, which also worked just fine.   

Unless used prices hold and the 5DIII is an order of magnitude better, I don't see a reason to move up.

Even if the implement the 7D AF system... what else will Canon throw in? I couldn't justify selling the 5DII at a loss compared to what I paid and more than likely paying an additional $1500 or so just for the 7D focus system.

Canon will have to improve the sensor (which isn't necessarily more MP), give me weathersealing at least on par with the 7D and give me some type of remote flash commander at a minimum. And even then its iffy because I don't *need* it. Want? Sure, but not need.

I think Canon would have to deliver close to the rumored spec list and keep the price to no more than 1/2 of 1DX MSRP for these things to fly off the shelves. I bet that Canon knows this.

I don't think my observations are particularly unique.

175

EOS Bodies - For Stills / 7D ISO 80, 160, 3200... vs 100, 200, 400...

« on: February 02, 2012, 08:09:06 AM »

Not too much of a tangent...

But, what about the 80, 160, 320 and so forth ISO settings that are supposed to be better than shooting 100, 200, 400 etc with the 7D? Is there any truth to this?

176

Software & Accessories / Re: Sling Straps: Black Rapid, Sun Sniper

« on: January 31, 2012, 07:26:55 PM »

Just a little heads up on the security of any of these systems.

It's a natural instinct to tighten these up very firmly. I was stunned how easy it was to dislodge the thread on a 5D grip. The small metal insert actually broke away from the body. And I'm definitely not Mr Muscles. It was a $110 fix. Could be that these threads were never intended for the stresses that a BR or similar system will impose.

Not clear. Did the grip get damaged, or the body?

177

EOS Bodies / Re: Can someone debunk this Peter Lik picture... PLEASE!!!

« on: January 31, 2012, 11:39:18 AM »

Yup.

My attempt at this sort of thing.  Moon rolling down the mountain!

Looks good.

Could be worth a million to the right buyer

178

EOS Bodies / Re: Can someone debunk this Peter Lik picture... PLEASE!!!

« on: January 31, 2012, 10:45:29 AM »

I wouldn't call the image "poor taste" or kitschy... but, in my opinion, if it wasn't so processed (for lack of a better term), it would look better.

I'm no expert in taking pictures, but even I can quickly see that there is no way that the image is just one shot. The moon would blow out the stars.

I think the backstory on the webpage takes away from the image. It leads to questions. Just give it a title and a price.

One thing is for sure, he is getting lots of free publicity here

179

EOS Bodies / Re: Can someone debunk this Peter Lik picture... PLEASE!!!

« on: January 31, 2012, 10:18:21 AM »

As something to look at, I like it. But, at the same time, it seems overdone. Too much.

The "story" does not help. It sounds cheesy.

One thing is for certain, he is doing much better than me in the selling pictures department More power to him.

180

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Flip out displays -- why the resentment?

« on: January 30, 2012, 04:37:09 PM »

I wouldn't mind having a flip screen.

Have one on my G2, and it has been useful.