Messages

181

EOS Bodies / Re: The Canon 5D line and AF...

« on: January 26, 2012, 11:27:12 PM »

People aren't buying the 5D from Canon, and Canon makes no profit from 5D sales today.  It's not a meaningful factor for them.  If they stop producing/selling the 5DII, people won't be on the fence between the models (from Canon's perspective), they will be on the fence about buying the 5DIII or not. 

Does the used market cut into sales?  Not significantly - principally, only to the extent that people quit photography znd dump their gear onto the market.  If, after the 5DII is discontinued and the 5DIII comes out (and judging by other releases, that is the correct order of events), if you decide the 5DIII isn't differentiated enough and just go get a 5DII, odds are you'd be buying it from someone who bought a 5DIII or 1D X - which means Canon still gets some of your money, albeit indirectly.

True, and also that "used gear" is good enough for someone.

Good enough to not buy new, if new is an option financially and if the product is available.

182

EOS Bodies / Re: The Canon 5D line and AF...

« on: January 26, 2012, 07:49:37 PM »

Maybe we'll all find out in a couple of weeks, eh?   

183

EOS Bodies / Re: The Canon 5D line and AF...

« on: January 26, 2012, 07:35:01 PM »

I would disagree.

I would suspect that there are many people sitting on the fence for a 5DII purchase, waiting for the 5DIII.

If/when the 5DIII comes out, one would assume that there needs to be enough differentiation between the two models to push people to buy the III. People are still buying the 5DI.

If the III is plenty more $$$ than the II, then there needs to be a reason why.

For those that own the II, there needs to be a reason to buy the latest one, unless money isn't part of the decision making process.

Even if the 5DIII is given the 7D AF system, there is still the 1.6 crop thing. I can take pictures with a 7D + 200mm, but I would need at least 320mm with the 5DII. Others have said it before, the 7D is like a really nice teleconverter. Wide angle shots do not look "right" to me on the 7D, so there is the "need" for a full frame. Selling both and replacing both with a single FF body doesn't really work the same. I use my 5DII much more than the 7D, but I see no need to sell it right now (big hit on the used market).

Buying one of those $10k lenses isn't an option for me, either.

So, unless the 5DIII is a game changer, I'm keeping what I have until the next product cycle. I suspect I am not alone. I hope that someone at Canon feels the same.

My 20+ year old film camera works just fine. As a hobbyist, I can't justify $2 to $3k every few years unless there is a *really* big improvement in the product or my wallet.



 

Will it?  Playing devil's advocate here - I woner what percentage of 5DII sales came from 5D upgraders?  Probably high at first, but sales of the 5DII have been strong since its release.  I would think the 5D owners who were chomping at the bit (similar to many 5DII owners here) got their orders in fairly quickly, given the limited initial supply.  At this point, how many people who don't own a 5DII are just waiting around for the newest 'affordable' FF camera rather than buying one that was released in 2008? Even if it's only a little better, they'd likely buy it.  Plus, many people seem to still be buying the 5DII!  In other words, there may not be a tremendous desire/need on the part of Canon to make the 5DIII a game changer.

184

EOS Bodies / Re: The Canon 5D line and AF...

« on: January 26, 2012, 01:53:41 PM »

An OEM Canon split screen is what I would like. Far as I know, this is only available through 3rd party vendors.

The 5DIII will need to be a game changer. I don't envision many people upgrading for incremental improvements "just because".

It will be interesting to see what is released.

185

EOS Bodies / Re: The Canon 5D line and AF...

« on: January 26, 2012, 01:40:14 PM »

I don't shoot sports or birds and for me, the 5DII AF system seems to work OK so far.

If I did shoot sports or birds, it sure seems that the +1.6x on my EF lenses would be nice on the 7D, which has a nice AF system (that I do not know how to use about 90% of).

Something between the current 5D and the 7D would be nice.

One thing I am sure of, is that it will take a LOT for me to move to the 5DIII and even more to move to the 1Dx.

New AF by itself won't do it.

It would take a new AF system and weather sealing at a minimum for me to move up. Even then, it needs to be priced no more than 1/2 of a 1Dx.

The 7D and 5DII take some pretty damn good pictures as they are right now.

I would really like a split focusing screen for the 5DII...

$.02

186

Macro / Re: Water macro

« on: January 03, 2012, 03:07:12 PM »

Very nice!

Here's mine:

Showoff... 

very nice.

187

EOS Bodies / Re: 7D sensor poll

« on: January 03, 2012, 08:15:40 AM »

If there's a new H sensor camera announced in the next 12 months, I'll file down my old digital rebel and eat the dust.

Duly noted.

I assume there will be a video of this event, if it happens?

 

188

Software & Accessories / Re: Airtravel experts

« on: January 01, 2012, 07:58:00 AM »

I am not a travel expert, but Red Oxx has some nice travel and general purpose bags that are worth checking out.

189

Lenses / Re: Ultrawide | Prime or zoom?

« on: December 30, 2011, 10:57:19 AM »

Samyang/Bower/Rokinon/etc 14mm f2.8?

Can't get more moderate than that.

Lens has excellent reviews.

I am considering it myself.

190

Lenses / Re: Lens recommendations for real estate interior photography please

« on: December 27, 2011, 06:16:19 AM »

Exactly the right way.  So, I'm not sure why you're having difficulty with MF...

Me neither.

Could be as simple as more practice.

I'm probably not the only one that has difficulty focusing on these matte screens. The DSLR viewfinder is so much different from my plain old EOS 620, and I never had any issues with that- despite never owning any L or fast glass.

Maybe an aftermarket split screen is the answer, or a viewfinder magnifier. I have spent a lot of time researching both from a couple of screen vendors and the Nikon magnifier adaptation vs the commercial aftermarket product, and the results are inconclusive for the screens and magnifier. Each seems to add some solutions and new quirks.

Unfortunately, it looks like I'll have to buy it and try it.

As I mentioned earlier, I rented a Zeiss ZE 35mm f1.4, and I could not focus it unless I was in live view. I had it only for a few days and this was my first real effort at a manual focus lens.

The other possibility is the 20+ year time span between my EOS 620 and now, and maybe my eyes suck, even with glasses.

191

Lenses / Re: Lens recommendations for real estate interior photography please

« on: December 26, 2011, 03:04:34 PM »

The Eg-S screen would be of little benefit, given the relatively narrow max apertures of the wide TS-E lenses.  But...is your viewfinder diopter set correctly? 

I think so.

I adjusted it until the viewfinder info was clearest, which puts me about 4 clicks away from the "-" endpoint.

I also tried it without a lens, adjusting until the AF points were sharpest. Seems to be about the same spot.

Right way? Wrong way?

192

Lenses / Something about TS-E lenses...

« on: December 26, 2011, 01:28:33 PM »

I have a TS-E 24mm L, and while it is very nice, I can't focus it through the viewfinder, even with the EgS screen.

I rented a Zeiss 35mm, and I couldn't focus that one, either. Live view, yup. Viewfinder, nope.

An aftermarket split prism screen is something I need to try.

I would make sure that you can focus a lens with your eyes and camera before buying a TS-E lens.

I wear glasses, and my eyes aren't bad.

193

Lighting / Re: Color temp of pictures using flash

« on: December 26, 2011, 06:24:49 AM »

Im sorry to be out of topic here, but what strobe technique is this? This is amazing! I cant think of what the WB would be if what the flash fires is blue and the natural light is orange 

Assuming you are referring to the light fixtures in the photo... those are just different bulbs (lamps) in the fixtures. Possibly sodium vapor (reddish) and mercury vapor (blueish) lamps. The "daylight" flourescent lamps also give off a blue color.

The couple in front of the tree appears to have been illuminated with the camera flash.

Probably a long exposure for the scene and a strobe to illuminate the couple for proper exposure.

194

Lenses / Re: Canon 10-22 vs Canon 17-40

« on: December 24, 2011, 08:12:24 AM »

Those 2 lenses are completely different.

The 17-40 or 16-35 is a nice all around lens on a crop camera.

I chose a Tokina 11-16 over the Canon 10-22.

Essentially, the 11-16/16-35/17-40 on a full frame is comparable to the 11-16/10-22 on a crop.

I would suggest both.

I am at a cross road and need some advice.  Currently shooting with a 7D.  I have the 24-105 and 70-200.  Looking for my third len and was looking for a wide angle.  Both the Canon 10-22 and 17-40 are at an incredible price at the moment.  10-22 at $649 and 17-40 at $705.  I do plan going to FF in  about two years.  I was thinking of going with the 10-22 for now and when I do upgrade to 5DIII then sell it and get the 17-40.  Or I can go with the 17-40 and be FF proof.  Any comments/advice are greatly appreciated.
Thx.

195

EOS Bodies / Re: What do you do with old bodies?

« on: December 22, 2011, 07:48:44 AM »

I still have my first 35mm film body: EOS 620. Paid a lot for it at the time, and now it isn't worth much, so I just keep it. I have not shot film for a long time, and have been thinking about it again.

My first digital was a Canon G2. I still have it for pretty much the same reasons as above. Having it converted to IR has crossed my mind. I replaced the G2 with an Olympus Stylus that is water, dust and shock proof.

I also have a Nikon EM that belongs to my mom with a 50mm f1.8 lens on it. This camera does not work, I tried a new battery. Not worth fixing (I think) and can't bring myself to toss it. 

As far as the new DSLR, I'm not sure what I would do with it. Depending on the replacement product cycle, residual value and desire to upgrade, that would determine sell or keep. The 7D makes fine pictures as does the 5DII. It would take a lot to upgrade just to upgrade. Both current models do more than I know how to use. I could fill up 32GB flash cards and keep buying new ones for less money than getting film developed- even at maximum size RAW+JPEG.

At current projected prices, I would have to sell the 5DII and add about $4k for the 1Dx, which is the next step from a 5DII unless the 5DIII is something extraordinary. Same numbers to go from a 5DII to a 1DsIII, which in some ways is a downgrade. Out of my budget for a camera. I would rather spend the $4k on lenses.