Messages

31

EOS Bodies / Re: 1Ds Mark IV in 2011 or 2012 [CR2]

« on: September 10, 2010, 05:52:46 PM »

As far as "radical" developments go, I'm hoping it's programmability. That would be quite the departure from existing cameras and would require that Canon document hardware and firmware in a way they haven't done before.

Think CHDK for SLRs. Hacks built in and encouraged!

32

Lenses / Re: Canon Announces 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS

« on: September 09, 2010, 09:52:15 PM »

I confused about the information that the 70-300 IS is not listed on the Canon page anymore.

It was a Canon USA website error; the non-L version disappeared from the lineup for a few days. That happens sometimes when new lens pages are posted.

33

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon Announces EOS 60D

« on: August 26, 2010, 09:12:26 PM »

Naturally, Canon can spec their cameras however they want. They'll just get an upgrade sale every 6+ years instead of every 3 from the installed base. If that's part of their plan, then fine. But the SLR and SLR-like market is already pretty mature, so how much new blood does Canon seriously think they can attract? And this does target newer buyers, in some weird way that seems to ignore Sony and m4/3. It offers fairly little to their existing customers.

It's not like I'm being melodramatic and claiming that I'm jumping brands. I'm not. Bodies come and go. I'd say every manufacturer intentionally cripples their products in some way, but it's not too often that a company shoves it in your face.

34

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon Announces EOS 60D

« on: August 26, 2010, 06:50:01 PM »

My personal 60D dealbreakers are: no AF Microadjust, shift to SD cards, keeping the 40D/50D 9-pt. AF sensor, single-axis electronic level, and single Speedlite commander. The first one and the latter two seem like mere deliberate crippling, it's not as if Canon would save any money by doing that.

This hits home with me. AF microadjust doesn't cost them any physical parts. The crippled commander is especially puzzling as it means Canon deliberately deviated from their existing designs to make it. But not only that, but wouldn't supporting more Speedlites encourage more Speedlite buying? You'd think so, right?

35

EOS Bodies / Re: *UPDATE 2* Canon EOS 60D Specs [CR2.5]

« on: August 26, 2010, 12:14:13 AM »

AF microadjust:  No

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Um, wow. As if it wasn't fail enough I suppose.

At least it has my flash commander. But only 1 Speedlite? Wow. Total fail.

36

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 60D Specs [CR2.5]

« on: August 25, 2010, 10:48:33 PM »

muteteh, many thanks for the link. I've been looking for an at-a-glance timeline like that for a while. It was most enlightening. I wonder what this year's EF-S will be?

Also, the Canon museum is a site that I easily forget exists.

cdpage, T2i does not have internal flash commander. Only 7D for now.

The greedy part of me wishes the 60D really just has gimmicks added, specifically flipscreen and flash commander. Then Canon will lose enthusiast sales and will drop their prices to get volume. Perfect for vultures.

37

Lenses / Re: Which Lens Are You Looking Forward To?

« on: August 25, 2010, 10:28:20 PM »

Not on the list, but I'd like an EF-S 15-55mm f/2.8 IS USM. That puts me in the minority here though; no EF-S are listed in the poll and nobody seems to care.

Barring that, EF 20-60mm f/2.8L IS USM. Something wide enough that I can use it on crop. The only full frame I can afford is film.

38

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 60D Specs [CR2.5]

« on: August 25, 2010, 10:18:40 PM »

but over the past decade Canon has release roughly a new kit lens a year, so I think there's place for hope.

I'm not questioning the claim, but mind listing off a brief timeline? I'm kind of curious about the kit lens history.

39

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 60D Specs [CR2.5]

« on: August 25, 2010, 09:50:52 PM »

Well, look on the bright side: if 60D is truly a marketplace dud, it will see quick discounts and/or the 70D will be introduced that much earlier. The xxD series was on a 12-18 month release cycle before the 50D after all.

40

EOS Bodies / Re: when to expect a price drop on T2i

« on: August 25, 2010, 09:40:58 PM »

Body prices naturally drop over time, not really a strong pattern to it other than "it's gradual". Even if the 60D is announced tomorrow, it won't actually show up in stores for another month or so anyway. That would probably be the next drop for the T2i, if there is one. Otherwise, expect reductions during holidays (like 3 day weekend sales) or after a new Rebel announcement.

That said, Canon offers rebates around the holidays and spring/summer. They are extra generous if you buy lenses with the body--for a Rebel, expect bundles with one of or some combination of the consumer zooms: 18-55mm, 55-250mm, 75-300mm, 70-300, possibly 15-85, 18-135, 18-200. If you are in the market for these lenses anyway, you'll probably want to time your purchase with these promotions.

41

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 60D Availability

« on: August 22, 2010, 05:19:40 AM »

Most often camera companies introduce interesting new features/processors first on lower level DSLRs, even on compacts ad only then after "real-time" testing they bring these features onto higher grade bodies.

There is some truth to this. Canon's first IS lens was the consumer-grade 75-300mm. The 70-200 L's didn't get that upgrade until 6 years later. Also, the defunct camera feature eye-control focus was steadily working its way upward in the EOS line as well, stopping just short of the professional 1-series.

I will admit that the long life of the 50D (the longest reign as a current xxD so far) can imply that there's some serious development going on for the 60D. But it could have also been the 7D stealing development resources.

More recently though, Canon introduced video on the 5D2, which while not a 1-series, is certainly more on the professional side, if only because of the cost.

My personal wish list contains a flip screen (I don't like kissing the ground) and a flash commander. If the 60D includes both, I'm getting it. Though if the 1Ds5 turns out to be programmable, maybe I'll just wait for a 70D. My current camera still works after all...

42

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 60D Availability

« on: August 21, 2010, 01:42:21 AM »

Last times there were sounds of Digic 5 was 7D then 1D4. Canon is getting a lot of mileage out of 4; it must have been quite a solid design.

I'm thinking 60D is more 4; I don't expect the camera to do anything beyond what Canon has already released. 1Ds4 as the first 5 is my guess--a new processor to match a new cutting-edge sensor. Perhaps updated to be programmable even?

43

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 60D Availability

« on: August 20, 2010, 06:04:08 PM »

My point about making things easy on retailers was that every time a big new product comes out, certain things happen at the store level. Salespeople need to be trained, initial orders need to be tracked, promotional materials need to be distributed, ads need to be arranged and a lot other small hand-holdy details need to be addressed. You can lose a lot of sales from pissing off a "normal" customer--like if you missed an advertised launch date. Can't sell what you don't have. It's best to launch at a slow time when retailers have the manpower to spare, like right before the holiday season.

And personally, I purchase cameras during sales and rebate periods.

Oh! Both happen to be present during Christmas! Who'd have guessed?

44

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 60D Availability

« on: August 20, 2010, 02:53:00 PM »

I think it is pretty dumb of Canon to release a new camera when the nothern hemisphere (where the most sales are going to be made) is entering Autumn/Winter.

So all of a sudden Christmas doesn't count?

Introducing early gives Canon wiggle room if there's a manufacturing problem, something that would happen behind the scenes. This also makes things easier on retailers, who are busy enough during the holiday season to worry about having to launch a new product too.

45

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 60D Notes [CR2]

« on: August 12, 2010, 05:53:58 AM »

Re: Canon and Nikon swapping build quality

1 step forward, 2 steps back?