Messages

1

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Sensor Cleaning experience on 1D X - Sharing results

« on: December 06, 2012, 03:36:58 PM »

I have cleaned both my X sensors a couple of times. The tools I use are all Visible Dust products. Don't know if anyone else is experiencing this, but the X sensors seem to get filthy in a hurry. I also see a lot more silicone spots on the sensor, probably due to the speed at which the mirror slaps around at max frame rate. Over the past 10 years I have had every pro body Canon has mad, in multiples, and none of them have gotten as dirty as my X bodies.

I'm about to launch into a couple of hours of cleaning because at f/11 and above the images are so cluttered with crud, they're worthless.

2

EOS Bodies / Re: [Poll] Canon Reign Supreme Again?

« on: November 05, 2012, 03:01:00 PM »

I currently own two 1D X's, with a third one coming, and two D800's. Nobody is going to reign supreme anytime soon.  Both these cameras are wonderful, each is just a different tool. I now shoot almost all my residential and commercial architecture with the 800, most anything that moves, with the X bodies. The X has considerably less noise at iso's from 400 up when compared to the Nikon. The Nikon's dynamic range and megapixel count make it an exceptional tool for certain assignments.

I've solved the fanboy thing by having two rolling LowePro cases, one filled with Canon, one filled with Nikon. These are tools, great tools, but nothing more than that. As they say, "I ain't married to any of it!"

3

EOS Bodies / Re: Big Megapixel Talk [CR2]

« on: October 10, 2012, 01:15:02 PM »

The issue isn't that people think they will be better photographers with a larger mp camera. The reality is that it's a tool, you'll be the same photographer you were with your previous camera, but with additional capability for specific needs. Nikon demoed a D800 to me in early spring, I loved it and added two of them to my gear roster. They have consistently proven to be the right tools for specific assignments in comparison to my Canon 1DX bodies (which I love as well). Canon will most likely produce something in the next 18-24 months and I'll probably buy that body when it comes out. In the mean time Nikon has produced a winner, I've put them to work and paid for them several times over in the first few months of ownership. Didn't buy them to be "a better photographer", bought them because they made sense for me.

Seems like it's a bit arrogant to presuppose why an individual makes one choice or another in equipment purchases. Did we ridicule the Hasselblad shooter who bought a 4x5? Don't think so, and isn't that exactly the same thing? True enough that if you shoot crud on an 18 mp camera, you'll just shoot bigger files of crud on a D800, but what motivates a person, or gives them a right, to make a knee jerk judgement call about any of that?

JW

4

EOS Bodies / Re: 1dx a compromise?

« on: July 08, 2012, 06:10:50 PM »

I picked up my 1DX Friday and headed to my first assignment, a fast paced air show, to break it in. Looking at the results my first impressions are, this camera is no compromise. The auto focus is faster and more accurate than anything I have shot with up to this point. The buffer, using 32 gb 1000X cards at 1155 images each, just keeps on rocking. The camera is slightly heavier than my 1Ds III's but nicely balanced. BTW, the light I shot in was low contrast muted light, the kind AF has difficulty with, the "X" didn't break a sweat. My second one is due to arrive in a week to 10 days, and the third will be here in a month or so.

I feel like Canon did themselves a considerable disservice what with all the delays and disorganization, that aside, this is one heck of a camera any way you want to slice it. I shoot Canon and Nikon, so I think I can be pretty objective.

5

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS-1D X Availability in North America

« on: July 03, 2012, 11:47:11 AM »

My first one is on a plane headed for a Thursday delivery in Dallas.

6

EOS Bodies / Re: Why so many different camera bodies?

« on: June 29, 2012, 11:09:55 AM »

That pretty much sums it up Ramon!

7

EOS Bodies / Re: Would you do this for a Nikon?

« on: June 20, 2012, 11:32:37 PM »

Why you guys wouldn't be "profiling" would you?!

I have a concealed carry permit and a Beretta always within reach, but unless they are there just to mess with me, they can always have the camera. I figure when they pull up, the camera becomes State Farms!

8

EOS Bodies / Re: CANON 1Dx - Action images - UEFA EURO 2012™

« on: June 16, 2012, 10:24:02 AM »

The 1D MK IV is claimed to be 10 fps but the AF is so jumpy that it feels more like 7-8 at most times unless your in single shot mode.

I've not spotted this problem before - how does it manifest itself?

Nor have I. My IV's have operated flawlessly through tens of thousands of exposures. While I'm miffed by the endless delays in bringing the X to market, I'll get a pair of them to replace my 1Ds mkIII's because I'm sure they'll be a worthy successor with a much faster buffer and better focus tracking. Every little bit helps in the final product.

9

EOS Bodies / Re: 1DX on preorder

« on: June 13, 2012, 01:43:16 PM »

I find it really interesting that discussions are popping up indicating that Canon is rethinking it's stance on "the big sensor" camera, due to the overwhelming interest in Nikon's D800. Am I to understand that Canon didn't realize most pro shooters were expecting the next flagship body to be a 35-40 mp sensor full frame? Am I to understand further that the minds at Canon have been awakened by the fact that their major competitor actually produced a 36.6 mp camera, and even more amazingly, is sending it to retail shelves for people to actually buy? If there's a shred of truth to any of that line of thinking, someone should line Canon upper mgmnt. up and tell them to "seek other opportunities". That doesn't even address the fact that Nikon did this all at a street price of $2995.00.

As a two decade Canon devotee, with enough invested in bodies and glass to choke a horse, I'm more than a little disillusioned by their current seeming lack of strategy.

Ahhh, so your need for high resolution must have driven you to abandon Canon long ago, in favor of medium format?  Right?!?

What makes you think Canon lacks strategy?  They dominate the dSLR market for a reason.  Objective reviewers who have compared the D800 and 5DIII have concluded that the 5DIII is a better all-around camera, although for landscapes the D800 is better. So, it sounds to me like Canon's strategy is right on track - and that strategy is, of course, to make the most profit possible.

I have north of 100K invested in Canon gear so I'm not abandoning the brand anytime soon. Canon has served me well. My aviation and architectural work really lend themselves to larger mp sensors, but it's not practical to invest 49K in one body, lens and back with Hasselblad. So, I've been biding my time hoping the rumors of a 35 to 40 mp Canon body would come to fruition.

I'm just saying that Canon appears a bit confused at this point. When a company with the history of Canon is relegated to talking about the release of the manual for their flagship camera, but can't get one to a retail shelf within 9 months of the announcement, it makes a loyal user like myself a little curious as to where it's all going.

If you don't know a single professional shooter that is jonesing for the next sensor mp bump, your circle of pro friends and acquaintances  must be a bit small. Once again they are just tools to do a job, and everyone's perspective, preference and budget, is different.
.

10

EOS Bodies / Re: 1DX on preorder

« on: June 11, 2012, 08:36:43 PM »

I find it really interesting that discussions are popping up indicating that Canon is rethinking it's stance on "the big sensor" camera, due to the overwhelming interest in Nikon's D800. Am I to understand that Canon didn't realize most pro shooters were expecting the next flagship body to be a 35-40 mp sensor full frame? Am I to understand further that the minds at Canon have been awakened by the fact that their major competitor actually produced a 36.6 mp camera, and even more amazingly, is sending it to retail shelves for people to actually buy? If there's a shred of truth to any of that line of thinking, someone should line Canon upper mgmnt. up and tell them to "seek other opportunities". That doesn't even address the fact that Nikon did this all at a street price of $2995.00.

As a two decade Canon devotee, with enough invested in bodies and glass to choke a horse, I'm more than a little disillusioned by their current seeming lack of strategy.

11

EOS Bodies / Re: 1DX on preorder

« on: June 10, 2012, 04:33:27 PM »

I've had two "X"'s on order since they were announced in October. Like many people, I was a bit miffed by the fact it wasn't the "big" sensor camera, but figured the refined sensor and buffer speed would make it worth adding a couple to my equipment list. The fact that it seems to be an imaginary camera at this point led me to do something that I really hadn't anticipated, that's buy my first Nikon in 20 years, a D800. I'll use the 800 for architecture and air to air aviation work. Nikon has really done their homework, the D800 is a joy to shoot with and the images must be seen to be believed.

I'll probably still take delivery on an "X", if they ever really release it, but the bloom is off the rose for me, too many delays, to much uncertainty.

12

EOS Bodies / Re: Just called Canon... (5dm3)

« on: March 20, 2012, 04:54:02 PM »

Canon's website confirms their March 26th date.  I have talked to two 'local' camera shops here in the San Francisco Bay Area who have some now and are getting more today.  For me, I can wait another day or two and wait for my orders from B&H and Amazon to arrive and save me $$$ on tax.  I'm guessing they will both be here by Friday March 23rd.

Which SF stores have them? I'm not in any hurry & placed my order with Amazon pretty much immediately after they listed it. Just curious.

Has anyone heard anything definitive from Amazon? Mine still says:


We solved that quandary in Texas through a court challenge. If you are a pro all the gear that goes into your product (except cases for some odd reason) is tax exempt. This includes computers, cameras, lenses, software, office supplies, the works.
Not yet shipped.
We'll notify you via e-mail when we have an estimated delivery date for this item.
It will ship separately. You can cancel at any time.