Messages

1

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: New Canon 5D Mark III

« on: May 19, 2013, 02:38:37 PM »

Welcome.  The biggest issue with your new toy is that you have lost your alibi.  Now when I have a photo that comes out poorly, I can no longer blame my camera.....it is my fault!  I am looking through some recent pictures from my son's graduation taken indoors at 400mm f/8 with iso 12800 and they are pretty decent even before PP.  These would never have been at all possible with my 50D.  Some of the "non-keepers" are the ones where I inadvertently focused on the podium instead of him as he walked across the stage!  I've got to work on using focus points and the AF scenarios" better.  An ongoing learning experience.  I am still amazed by the look of pics I have been getting.

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Canon General / Re: Beach Vacation in a month... & I'm scared for my gear.

« on: May 19, 2013, 02:17:43 PM »

FWIW, we obtained our gear to use it.  Common sense should prevail, however. 

For a beach vacation, I'll take my kit if I am walking or sitting but if I know I am going in the water (even up to my knees), the gear stays securely locked up and I take my old D10 P&S.  In good light, the pics out of that are OK and the camera can go underwater to 14 feet without worry.

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Lenses / Re: I have a weight limit....what would you bring?

« on: May 17, 2013, 03:36:16 PM »

All good thoughts.  I am basing this on my past use when I had a crop.  The 10-22 was my "go-to" very often indoors, and this almost corresponds to the 17-40.  My most used lens was the 15-85 (almost corresponds to the 24-105) and I sometimes used the 70-200.  When I used my 15-85, however, it was at 70-85 a lot. 

I am just trying to think through what my usage with FF will be.  I figure the 17-40 will be used mostly indoors and the 24-105 most of the time (albeit with some cropping).  I know I can "zoom with my feet" and crop in PP but just want to be ready for what I'll see.  Sure, I could just bring the 14 and the 40, but I know I'll be wishing for the others....

Re: a vest.....I have been trekking in 110F with a bigger kit and my personal items on my back.  I live in the desert. The temperatures where I'll be going will be quite warm.  I'd rather not wear a vest or carry a backpack. Anyway, I'll continue to think about this.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: my new 5D3 battery life

« on: May 17, 2013, 12:41:00 PM »

FWIW, I have taken hundreds of shots on a battery that said it was less than 20%.  I am not sure how useful the actual battery readings are other than to warn you to have your spare ready.

Also, I believe there is circuitry in the charger to prevent "over cooking" of the battery.  When I recharge the battery, I just leave it for a while, sometimes overnight, unless I need to use that battery again quickly.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: F/8 Autofocusing impressions

« on: May 17, 2013, 12:35:34 PM »

I don't like being an "early adopter" (although this firmware update is not exactly a totally new thing), but reading these comments has convinced me to go ahead and install it.

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Lenses / Re: I have a weight limit....what would you bring?

« on: May 17, 2013, 12:29:30 PM »

Yeah, I get your thoughts about a fast lens, 7enderbender.  I could bring my 50 1.4, but would not be using it wide open and the 40 is so small and light. Plus, I like the IQ out of the 40

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Lenses / Re: I have a weight limit....what would you bring?

« on: May 17, 2013, 10:18:54 AM »

All interesting and thanks for everyone's thoughts.  Today I am leaning towards the 24-105 + 17-40 + "Shorty 40" (for low light situations) in my Retrospective bag.  I love my 70-200 but on past trips, based on EXIF on LR, rarely used it (this is my first trip with the 5D - my old kit was a crop with 15-85 + 10-22 + 70-200).  I did use the WA zoom for interiors.  I know that I'll miss whatever I leave home, but I've lugged a heavier kit in temps over 100F and it is no fun.

The Samyang 14 is a great thing but I don't know how often I'd feel the need over the WA zoom.  I can always stitch in PP. 

Maybe the ultimate answer is to bring a personal porter!   

8

Lenses / I have a weight limit....what would you bring?

« on: May 17, 2013, 01:02:17 AM »

This is the kind of post for which there is no single best answer, but I am curious as to other opinions.  I will be traveling through Central Asia.  I am limited by weight restrictions and it will be quite hot so I am trying to limit my kit.  Right now, I am planning to bring my 70-200 f/4 IS, my 24-104, and my 17-40.  While I may want to do some building interiors, I am not gonna carry my 14mm and the 100-400 is just too big and heavy for this trip.  The 40 would be nice but redundant.  My high iso shots have been OK, so I think that I can get by without a lens that fast.  I have a Jobey that can squeeze into my bag, so that might be worthwhile.

My questions....anyone traveled through the 'stans before?  Does my logic make sense to you?  Would you do anything different?  Maybe I just want some re-affirmation of my logic (or lack of) here.  I tend to do "people" shots with some scenery.  Thanks.

9

Lenses / Re: When is the New 100-400 Coming?

« on: May 16, 2013, 07:13:52 PM »

If they produce a 100-400 that's a "twist" and is as light and small as my 70-200 F/4 IS with 4 stop IS and IQ as good as what we've got now, and if the price is less than $2000, I would jump.  But, that is impossible form an engineering and design and financial perspective.

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Lenses / Re: 17-40 f4 L discontinued???????

« on: May 08, 2013, 04:42:48 PM »

Still on the Canon USA website

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Lenses / Re: Would you rather buy used or refurbished?

« on: May 08, 2013, 04:39:56 PM »

I've purchased used on eBay, used from Adorama, and refurb from Canon.  Of the 3, I would say that eBay was the "riskiest" but have had no problems, so far. In reality, I don't think I'd buy a used expensive lens on eBay, unless it was through an eBay listed reliable retailer.

 The eBay lens purchase was an EF 28-105, so, in a "worst case" scenario, I would not be out the price of a 100-400 L.  Still, I did my best to do research before the purchase and wound up with a good lens for about $100.

12

Lenses / Re: A Walk Around Lens for a Trip

« on: April 30, 2013, 12:00:00 PM »

Looking back through my many years of crop photos while traveling, the (originally 17-85) 15-85 was my "go to" for over 80% of my photos.  My entire kit was 10-22 + 15-85 + 70-200 but the 70-200 stayed at home a lot.  I concur with everyone's thoughts about the 15-85.  You will find Israel fascinating.  Have a great trip.

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Lenses / Re: EF 100-400 Replacement in 2013? [CR2]

« on: April 29, 2013, 11:25:06 AM »

So, let me be sure I understand this (of course it is all speculation).  My recent $1100 refurb 100-400 will be obsolete once this is released and I'll run out and spend 3 times that much for the replacement?   

Somehow, I don't think so.....

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EOS Bodies / Re: Download Firmware 1.2.1 link for 5DIII

« on: April 26, 2013, 12:08:21 PM »

Anyone have a chance to try the f8 autofocus capability?  Any change in the viewfinder focus points (red)?

Will take whatever the update gives us, but wondering if it is all we were expecting.

JP

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Lenses / Re: Need help choosing lenses.

« on: April 24, 2013, 07:36:40 PM »

I've been happy for 2+ years with my 60D, 17-55mm, and Tamron 70-300mm VC (later added a 100L). If you can't swing the 17-55, look at the 15-85 which is probably the better pure walk-around. Tamron also makes a zoom in that range if I'm not mistaken. An alternative to the Tamy would be the Canon 70-200 F/4 non IS.

+1 on the 15-85.  It will give you a reasonable "walk around" range and has decent IQ.  A 24-105 or 24-70 might not be wide enough for you.  Then, if you can afford it, add a 70-200 as your choice/budget constraints allow.