Messages

241

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D MKIII vs 1Ds MKIII

« on: April 06, 2012, 07:40:06 PM »

Perhaps you are thinking of the 1D3 AF problem - the 1DS3 has always had good AF.

I always knew about this problem with the 1D3, but read in a forum elsewhere that the 1Ds3 also had this problem - it's possible that that person didn't have their facts straight.

The 1DS3 is a straightforward stills camera with no video etc - but the IQ is stunning. It has a shutterlife expectancy of 1/4 million so should last a long time.

For a landscape camera it has all the features you want including firstclass weather sealing, it is also pretty good at sports and fast moving subjects.

Arrghh now I really don't know what to do!   

Useable ISO1600 images are fine for me, and I have NeatImage Pro for anything a bit too noisy.

242

EOS Bodies / Re: Anyone shooting film?

« on: April 06, 2012, 07:23:07 PM »

I still shoot film regularly - I developed a roll of B&W film just a week ago.  Since I have plenty of developing chemicals and don't need to buy any more for a while, it's the cheapest way for me to go full frame, and I get to use a 1-series body that's the same size as a 5D. 

Right now I'm experimenting with different B&W films.  I mostly use Ilford branded (HP5+, PanF 50, Delta 100 Pro), but the other day I loaded in some Kodak 100 TMax.  It's a lot cheaper to buy than Ilford, but I've read good things about it.

As for the above films I mentioned, I've had (by far) the best results from Delta 100.  It has 14 stops of dynamic range, which I understand to be the same as the Nikon D800's sensor.  You can see so much detail in the shadow areas, it's mind blowing.  Not bad for $12.

243

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D MKIII vs 1Ds MKIII

« on: April 06, 2012, 05:54:29 PM »

This is the exact same dilemma I've been facing these past few days... whether to upgrade my 40D to a used 1Ds3 or a 5D3.  To compound the issue, my wife/financial controller said that if I wanted the 1Ds3 I could buy it now, but if I wanted the 5D3 I'd have to wait a few more months (because the 1Ds3 was on auction).  She actually wants me to get the 1Ds - because she knows I won't be satisfied until I have a 1D-series body!

Currently I'm leaning more towards the 5D3, because the used 1Ds3 I was looking at has never been serviced and I don't want to spend such a huge amount of money on something that could have the dreaded 1D AF problem (or the shutter problem, for that matter).  You'd think that anyone who owned such an expensive camera would get it serviced...

Regardless of which body I get, I think I'll have to sell my 10-22mm EF-S lens and replace it with the 17-40mm (can't afford to stretch to the 16-35mm).

244

EOS Bodies / Re: any screen protectors for MarkIII?

« on: April 04, 2012, 09:07:21 AM »

Its made for taking pictures. There will be wear and marks, no matter how hard you try to avoid it.
Its like... a woman. Having real fun leaves minor or bigger scratches, sweat, sticky blotches,...depending on your preferences, perhaps. But unavoidable. 
I hope for your girlfriend that you don't think about her value after a possible breakup when you turn off the light in the evening

Worst analogy ever, ha ha.

245

EOS Bodies / Re: My first real shoot with the 5DIII

« on: April 03, 2012, 06:00:41 AM »

I enjoyed these photos... so after your first shoot, what would you rather own, the 5D Mark III or a 1Ds Mark III? 

246

EOS Bodies / Re: Another "5D Mark III or used XX" topic!

« on: April 01, 2012, 11:05:20 PM »

What are you currently shooting with? You can't go wrong with any of the options you presented. I suppose budget, and how your prioritize factors such as resolution, ISO, and handling will be the determining factors.

Thanks for your reply, V8, it's very helpful.  At the moment I shoot about 70/30 between a 40D and a 1V.  The 40D is used for travel and action photography, and the 1V is mostly used for portrait work (I discovered the joys of developing black and white film a few years ago).  As much as I love developing my own film, I'd be prepared to go entirely digital if I could settle on the right replacement for these cameras.  The 1V is about the same size as the 5D Mark III, but has all the benefits of a 1 series camera... if only that existed in a digital version! 

The 40D is only 10MP, and I've always been quite happy with that, so resolution doesn't seem to be an issue for me.  In terms of ISO performance, I'd love to have access to usable ISO1600 images.

As for the bulk of a 1 series digital, does it help with stability, or is that cancelled out by the fatigue caused by the weight of it?

247

EOS Bodies / Re: A Day At The Track 5DIII

« on: April 01, 2012, 07:25:38 PM »

Photo #1 looks heavily edited with blur - or did it just come out that way?

I like the contrasty look you've achieved in post-processing.

Yes, Photo 1 has a "tilt shift" blur applied to it. I actually took this shot knowing I was going to add it. It really draws the eye in to the car. 

Yes, it certainly does draw the eye.  The car looks very very sharp in that image; how does it look at 100%?

248

EOS Bodies / Re: A Day At The Track 5DIII

« on: April 01, 2012, 07:00:41 PM »

Photo #1 looks heavily edited with blur - or did it just come out that way?

I like the contrasty look you've achieved in post-processing.

249

EOS Bodies / Another "5D Mark III or used XX" topic!

« on: April 01, 2012, 06:58:36 PM »

Hi All,

I'm getting nearer to making a purchase decision around my next EOS body.  Obviously the 5D Mark III is the flavour of the month, and I've tried it out a couple of times at camera shops and been very impressed.  However, the price is very high (US$4200) for this body in New Zealand, so I'm considering the following used alternatives:

1DS Mark III - the previous 'big daddy' of the range.  A mint condition used 1dsIII is a couple of hundred dollars cheaper than a new 5D Mark III.  It's only 1fps slower than the 5D, but has better shutter response and weather sealing.  Does its image quality hold up well against the 5D?  And could you use its 5fps for sports/action photography, within reason?

1D Mark III - For the price of a new 5D Mark III, I could buy TWO of these second hand, plus a nice quality prime.  Obviously it's a crop body, but with the right lenses I'm sure it wouldn't matter too much, would it?  How high would you say you can crank up the ISO before it becomes unusable?  I'm used to being limited to ISO800 on my 40D, and wouldn't mind having access to another stop.

5D Mark II + 7D - This is another option that's being thrown around a lot these days.  5D for resolution and image quality, and the 7D for action.  I could buy both bodies brand new and still have change left over, compared with the price of the 5D Mark III.  Has anyone opted for this combination over the 5D Mark III?

I shoot a wide range of subjects, from sports to landscapes to families and weddings.  Good weatherproofing is important to me (been caught in the rain too many times) - video is not.  It's quite possible that the only camera that will suit my needs is the 5D Mark III (I can't afford the 1DX), but I'm interested to hear whether any of these others might be worthy options.

Thanks

250

EOS Bodies / Re: is the 40D still a good one for 400$

« on: March 31, 2012, 07:28:30 PM »

I've owned the 40D since it was released in 2007, and while it does have its limitations (poor ISO performance at 800 and higher), I really love it.  Its strengths are build quality, frame rate, and image quality at ISO100-200.

Build quality: alloy frame, some weather sealing - although when shooting in the rain a couple of times I've had some of the controls cease up on me.  (Canon has never suggested that it could be used in such weather).  It's always come back to life after a bit of drying, and the whole camera still looks like new after five years.

Frame rate:  6.3fps is a nice frame rate for the types of photos I like to take: triathlon events, kids running around, wildlife... the AI servo mode suffers a little bit because of the camera's weak AF system though (but I'm comparing it with my lovely 1V, which isn't really fair).

Image quality: at ISO100-200 this camera produces really nice clean images that can be blown up reasonably large.

It is still my main digital camera, and it's only now with the release of the 5D MkIII that I've seriously considered replacing it.  I almost bought a 5D mkI last year (to use for 'wider' angled shots), but it felt so *old* next to my 40D that I spent my money on a new 10-22mm EF-S lens instead (which was the same price as a used 5D).

251

EOS Bodies - For Video / Re: Philip Bloom's Review Canon 5d Mark iii

« on: March 29, 2012, 12:21:07 AM »

That's a very different New Zealand from the one I can see out of my apartment window!

252

EOS Bodies / Re: Ken Rockwell Updated 5D MK3 Review

« on: March 28, 2012, 11:48:43 PM »

Ummm when I looked at a M9 it had no auto focus so how does its auto focus never miss?  I couldn't get on with the M9 when I tried it out.  The lens quality is amazing on Leica glass and the M9 certainly is a very capable camera but it doesn't have auto focus just all the other rangefinders. 

Either that or I'm very very wrong and a fool.  But I certainly didn't find any autofocus on the M9 or I probably would have bought it.

You are quite right, and when KR wrote his review for the M9, his statement about it having 'autofocus' caused a stir then, too.  It just appears that he doesn't quite understand the meaning of the word 'automatic'.  What he means is that the M9's focus-assist system makes manual focussing very accurate - as opposed to 'it focusses the lens for you', which is how most of us would interpret the word 'autofocus'.  It may be a private joke on his part, created to gain attention.

Most amusing for me in the 5D III review was the comment about how it doesn't have wifi, unlike his iPod Touch which has had it for years.  I'm just wondering if he's going to complain that he can't play Angry Birds and listen to his music collection on the 5D as well? 

I'm convinced it's all just tongue-in-cheek.

I actually agree with his opinion of the 'rate' button, and thought his comments about the 'zoomed-in histogram' were quite valid.

253

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D Mark 3 Queue @ B&H

« on: March 24, 2012, 02:17:07 AM »

It appears that the 5D Mk III is a bit too expensive for most New Zealanders.  I went into two camera shops in Auckland today and they just had stacks of them available for sale off the shelf.   No queues here...  but who wants to pay US$4200?  I handled one for a little while - it feels so sturdy and well built - can't wait to buy my own.

254

EOS Bodies / Re: grip gives fps boost on 5D3 to 6.7-6.9fps????????

« on: March 20, 2012, 03:27:19 PM »

LOL. Canon isn't Nikon. They don't make you get a grip to get another .7-.9 FPS out of your camera.

Um, I have an EOS 1V film camera, and the battery grip is exactly how to get an extra 4-5 fps out of the camera. 

Yeah but it comes with the body!

Unfortunately not - the grip only came with the 1V-HS model.  I've been looking for a grip for my 1V for ages, but nobody sells them anymore.  It doesn't really matter now, since I'm looking at replacing all of my bodies with the 5D Mark III.

255

EOS Bodies / Re: grip gives fps boost on 5D3 to 6.7-6.9fps????????

« on: March 20, 2012, 05:23:51 AM »

LOL. Canon isn't Nikon. They don't make you get a grip to get another .7-.9 FPS out of your camera.

Um, I have an EOS 1V film camera, and the battery grip is exactly how to get an extra 4-5 fps out of the camera.