Messages

196

Lenses / Re: 16-35 maybe 17-40

« on: March 09, 2013, 09:03:00 PM »

Neither 16-35 II nor 17-40 are particularly super sharp lenses... Canon struggles with their UWA zooms and I will rate them both at about B+....not at all bad, but not exactly great either.

Keep expectations down and you will be happy

Don't get me wrong, I love my 16-35 II...relatively compact, a "good" performer, and very versatile. In balance, it does it for me.

197

Lenses / Re: 16-35 maybe 17-40

« on: March 09, 2013, 08:55:04 PM »

Neither 16-35 II nor 17-40 are particularly super sharp lenses... Canon struggles with their UWA zooms and I will rate them both at about B+....not at all bad, but not exactly great either.

Keep expectations down and you will be happy

198

Lenses / Re: Any news about the 200-400

« on: March 09, 2013, 08:39:30 PM »

I can't afford it...why bother when it is released...

199

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Sell canon 5d3 and return new macbook pro retina to buy the 1d x

« on: March 09, 2013, 08:33:30 PM »

If you have never owned a 1 series body, go to a shop, hold the 1DX and play with it a bit...

Yes, 1DX is a outstanding camera, but it is also large, obvious, and hefty. Unless photographic needs actually exist, it really would be an overkill for most nonprofessionals. For you 5D3 probably will do 90% of what 1DX will do and you could spend the extra cash on some nice L glass.

Cheers.

200

Lenses / Re: Are recently made lenses better?

« on: March 09, 2013, 08:26:17 PM »

Newer is always going to be better when it comes to lenses.
........
Generally you will benefit from improved weight, weather coating, durability, performance etc.

This is not always true. Perhaps the newer L lenses in general and Version II  L's in particular offer better optics, sharpness, and weather sealing...even this is not universally true as 85L II is not weather sealed and is a "relatively" new lens and is a version II.

Some of the older consumer-level lenses I would argue are just as good if not better in manufacture, overall quality, metal parts and heft than the new pasticky ones.

Older lenses that are still kicking and are still highly regarded include the 85 f/1.8, 35L,  and 135L just to name a few. So much so Canon is still dragging its feet in renewing them in spite of active competition.

If image quality and build truly goes up with newer versions, so will their price.

201

Canon General / Re: crap portraits of me

« on: March 09, 2013, 08:09:22 PM »

1) First set the AF to one of the "zone" modes and ask them to keep the "orange squares" on your face. Certainly do not use spot or single point. If they are really inept, perhaps even the 61-point automatic slection mode (large "tampon" shaped indicator) In the latter case the camera typically chooses the closest subject so hopefully you are that object. I personally prefer zone AF I mentioned first in these cases. 

2) I think Tv mode might work bettert than even P mode, crank up the shutter speed to a reasonably high level as lighting will allow... with higher shutter speed works with wide open apertures giving you good bokeh and also minimizes the shake issue (get a sense of how fast the shutter speed should be using AV metering first wide open).... Increase ISO as needed to set shutter speed to minimize shake.

3) If lighting is particularly challanging, consider using a flash, if only as a fill. One assumes these are snaps and not studio level portraits in which case you hopefully won't be asking people who can't focus to take the picture.

4) Ask Gomer to take several shots so you get a few good ones

Cheers

202

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 7D Mark II Spec List [CR2]

« on: March 09, 2013, 09:01:10 AM »

Specification list
http://camerarumors.blogspot.in/2013/03/7d-mark-ii-will-have-32mp-sensor.html

Bwahahahahahaha! 32 MP ....thanks for starting my saturday right with a laugh   

203

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: First flash unit advice?

« on: March 08, 2013, 08:21:03 PM »

430ex II...control from menu in recent bodies...more than enough power for standard indoor use...can still fit in a multi-flash setup should you go that way down the road....and...priced well. Not sure 5D mark II offers menu control though. 430 original in that case would do just a well.

204

Lenses / Re: Best lens for baby portraits?

« on: March 08, 2013, 06:59:47 PM »

135L is good with kids on a full frame. I don't use 85L usually given the minimum focus distance and the hit-or-miss nature with children....keepers with 85L are usually stunning though. 
 

205

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 7D Mark II Spec List [CR2]

« on: March 08, 2013, 05:03:27 PM »

I'll be rushing out immediately to pick up a new 7D MK II.  What all the hub-bub is about regarding the original 7D is that the complete lack of any high ISO usage, renders images useless and totally unusable for any purpose, as this sample taken at ISO 3200 on my original 7D, clearly shows...  7D MK II please get here soon! 

EOS 7D
EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6mm L IS USM
1/1000 sec
F/6.3
ISO 3200
400mm

Not to mention the fact that you are using that completely useless, worthless, good for nothing, sub-standard, totally blah, chuck-it-in-the-dustbin-already old clunker of a 100-400L zoom...barf, barf!!! No picture of any use whatsoever could be taken untill that day the new 7D2 and 100-400 version II arive. Then, and only then, will all be well and good in the world.

206

Lenses / Re: Review of my bag - help me to reduce weight and overlap

« on: March 08, 2013, 09:07:09 AM »

Looks like a nice sensible collection, just leave at home what you dont need...for a single flash setup 580 is ok I think...not glamerous, but does the job.

Ugh...after reading your list I feel like a complete undiciplined hoarder...I should cull at least my zoom overlaps in the 70-400 range.

207

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 7D Mark II Information [CR1]

« on: March 08, 2013, 08:34:51 AM »

Neither can I see the APC sensor matching the current FF in noise quality.

Oh no, you didn't...you just got jrista's dander up...he's gonna beat you up 

208

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 7D Mark II Information [CR1]

« on: March 07, 2013, 05:08:45 PM »

At this stage I don't necessarily need a replacement / upgrade to my 7D....

Paul

That's what they all say at first... keeps the wife from poisoning them till it is too late 

209

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 7D Mark II Information [CR1]

« on: March 07, 2013, 04:51:12 PM »

It is amazing how continued feeding and responding to aspects of a thread that have gone off on a tangent only results in comebacks that never end. Just saying...

210

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 7D Mark II Information [CR1]

« on: March 07, 2013, 03:56:26 PM »

Nikon would Just love the 7D mk 2 to be 3k, would make the d400 pretty easy to sell (and yes I am a Canon user, but also a realist!!!!!!!)

Canon knows which side of their bread is buttered... for reasons I discussed few posts earlier, it is likely 7D2 will come in under 3K...well under probably.

If Canon priced their cameras based on clueless fanboys drooling over gear while living in their parents' basement playing dungeons and dragons and wondering about Taylor Swift's bra size... we would be living in an alternate universe with Minolta as king of the market