Messages

106

Lenses / Re: Rebate Ending Soon? When's The Next One?

« on: January 31, 2013, 02:17:40 PM »

It's all speculation at this point.  But I would venture to guess that since the last rebate ran unusually long, we're not likely to see another before June.

Just my $0.02.

I felt so strongly about this guess that I pulled to proverbial trigger earlier than I had planned on the 85mm f/1.2L II.  My photography allowance is now in the red, but I saved $200, so well worth it.

107

Lenses / Re: Rebate Ending Soon? When's The Next One?

« on: January 31, 2013, 12:21:54 PM »

Straight from the front page:

"The various rebates that have been going on since before Christmas will expire on February 2, 2013. There’s no sign of an extension of the rebate program in the USA and we may not see another one until the spring."

108

Lenses / Re: Which 50mm (with AF) is best from f/1.4 - f/2.0?

« on: January 28, 2013, 04:59:00 PM »

I actually JUST had the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 delivered today.  I already own the Canon 50mm f/1.4, but just never fell in love with it.  I'm going to take some test shots on my 5Dm3 when I get home, and I'll post them here if anyone's interested.  But there's been a slew of comparisons.  I'm actually more curious to see how a new copy of the Sigma compares, as I've heard the newer copies of the 50mm fair better from an AF perspective.

109

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II is a Peerless Performer

« on: January 28, 2013, 10:32:32 AM »

Hopefully the price of this lens will drop to a more reasonable level in the next year or so.  Otherwise, the mark 1 will work just fine for me.

110

Lenses / Re: Grey (Gray) Market Advice

« on: January 21, 2013, 11:10:57 AM »

Thanks for the input, everyone.  I wound up ordering the 85mm f/1.2 from B&H for $1,799.  Apparently Canon's MAP has retailers showing the MAP until you add it to the cart.  I usually prefer ordering from Amazon (can't beat prime shipping), but was out of stock.  So B&H it was!

Now I just have to muscle through waiting six business days instead of my usual two day free shipping.  :-)

111

Lenses / Grey (Gray) Market Advice

« on: January 20, 2013, 08:00:37 PM »

Hello All,
So I'm getting pretty close to buying my next lens, and have narrowed it down to the 85mm f/1.2L.  Unfortunately, I missed out on the $1,799 deal amazon had around the holidays, but I noticed Adorama has the 85mm for $1,899 via "Grey Market".  So my question is: does anyone have experience with purchasing Canon gear over the grey market, and would you recommend it (or vice versa)?  It's a $100 difference, which would equate to a B+W filter I'd likely buy with it.  Or are there any rumors about the price dropping to the vicinity of $1,799 again?

Thanks!

112

Software & Accessories / Re: Hoya ND 400X vs B+W ND 1000X

« on: November 09, 2012, 12:11:56 PM »

Thanks for the reply, guys!  I picked up the B+W yesterday, and will be working with it this weekend.  I'll post my thoughts on it when I'm back from my trip.

113

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Are you maybe using any kind of screen-protector to your new 5D Mark III?

« on: November 08, 2012, 11:30:55 AM »

I use one.  Some people will tell you that you dont need one because you can easily replace the canon lcd cover that comes on the camera.  If you want to spend $100 and deal with the PIA that it is to change it then take their advice and do nothing.

If you want to do it cheaply and easily get XO skins. 

Works like a charm and you won't even notice it is there.   

http://xoskins.com/canon-5d-mark-iii-screen-protector

Happy shooting...

Another +1 on XO.

Though I've noticed the XO screen protector I have on my 5Dm3 smudges VERY easily.  Any oil, sweat, etc on my face seems to adhere to the darn thing.  I know this is normal, but I have a screen protector on my 7D which is very good at resisting oil, smudges, etc.  For the life of me though, I can't remember where I got it or what brand it is... Or I'd order another one of those.

And as for the usefulness of the protectors, it's all about piece of mind.  I realize the screens on the 5D are hard to scratch and easy to replace the factory protective cover, but I'd rather know that I have something aftermarket on there as an additional piece of protection.

114

Lenses / Re: How long do you think the 24-70 2.8 Mk 2 will remain over 2300.00?

« on: November 07, 2012, 06:05:58 PM »

Also given that Canon is now enforcing its MAP, it's unlikely we're going to see the occasional drops in price that often come a half year or so after new product launches.

If I could get this lens for under $1,800, I would.  But assuming I could sell my current 24-70mm for ~$1,300, I'm not really willing to pump anymore than $500 into a focal length I already am perfectly happy with.  I'd rather get a new lens.

Do you think you will be able to sell your used mk1 for 1300 if mk2 is "only" 500 more for a new one ?

Currently, yes.  I've seen them on craigslist for as much as $1,500 where I live.  I don't think I'd have much of a problem getting $1,300 for it right now.  (I've had good luck getting decent prices for lenses on CL in the past, as long as I'm willing to wait)  But the $1,000+ to upgrade isn't an option... so alas, the mk1 shall remain in my bag.

115

Lenses / Re: How long do you think the 24-70 2.8 Mk 2 will remain over 2300.00?

« on: November 07, 2012, 03:48:43 PM »

Also given that Canon is now enforcing its MAP, it's unlikely we're going to see the occasional drops in price that often come a half year or so after new product launches.

If I could get this lens for under $1,800, I would.  But assuming I could sell my current 24-70mm for ~$1,300, I'm not really willing to pump anymore than $500 into a focal length I already am perfectly happy with.  I'd rather get a new lens.

116

Software & Accessories / Re: Hoya ND 400X vs B+W ND 1000X

« on: November 07, 2012, 01:36:33 PM »

Thanks, neuro!  Somehow I knew you'd be the first to respond.  ;-)

I tend to prefer warmer temperatures to my photos anyway, so the warming cast isn't an issue... and easily corrected in PP if it's too strong.

I was more concerned about localized color casting, evidenced by:

http://ih1.redbubble.net/image.10891529.8309/flat,800x800,075,f.jpg

Which was referenced in an article discussing ND filters:

http://www.redbubble.com/people/peterh111/journal/4421304-the-ultimate-guide-to-neutral-density-filters

As the article states about the above photo, the problem was encountered with an aperture smaller than f/22.  While I don't plan on using such small apertures (diffraction), it still gave me pause in purchasing the B+W outright.  Not to mention the author clearly favors the Hoya, which seemed to work well for him.

Either way, given that I won't have the necessary amount of time to appropriately test the filter before heading out to the East Coast, I wanted to get some opinions before sinking money -- and photography time -- into a filter I didn't have any experience with.

Thanks for the replies!

P.S. I wish you hadn't posted a photo using your 24mm TS... That lens is next on my wish list, but a ways off from the reality of owning in.  </jealous>

117

Software & Accessories / Hoya ND 400X vs B+W ND 1000X

« on: November 07, 2012, 11:17:13 AM »

Hello All,
So I've decided to invest in an ND filter for a trip I have this Friday to NYC.  I want to do some daytime city shots, but want to use a slow shutter speed.  After a recent trip to the Caribbean where I would have loved to slow down the ocean waves against a dock in later afternoon sun, an ND filter seems like a decent investment.

I've narrowed my choice down to two filters: The Hoya ND 400X (9 stops) and the B+W ND 3.0-1000X (10 stops).  I'll bet getting the filter for my 24-70mm f/2.8L (mk1) and 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II USM (so obviously 77mm filter).

I'm leaning towards the B+W, but I'm curious if anyone has experience or opinions on either of these filters.  If you had a choice, which would you choose?  I've read the B+W is more prone to color shifts, is $25 more, but offers an extra stop of ND.  The Hoya build quality isn't as good as the B+W, and offers 1 less stop of ND... but seems to be better reviewed.

So... opinions!  Go!  :-)

118

Canon General / Re: Amazon policies.

« on: November 06, 2012, 01:24:35 PM »

Totally reasonable on amazon's part.  The fraud prevention part aside, they are a highly mechanized and automated service.  It's not like the CSR is going to run back, grab that lens, and stick it on a shelf with a note that says, "hold for sanj".

Sorry, but if this is the type of service you expect, you should probably stay away from the Internet and stick to brick and mortar shops.

119

Lenses / Re: Canon Announces New Lens Caps!

« on: November 05, 2012, 11:53:57 PM »

Wow!

Sorry but looks like a Nikon cap... only ugly 

What the hell is Canon thinking?! 

That pinch caps are largely viewed as functionally superior?  They could have been thinking that... ;-)

I couldn't care less how they look. A more secure cap that I can use with a hood on?  I think I'll be purchasing a few of these.

120

Pricewatch Deals / Re: EF 24-70 f/4L IS & EF 35 f/2 IS Preorders

« on: November 05, 2012, 11:48:02 PM »

Huh... I was expecting a much lower price for the 24-70.  I can safely assume this effectively kills the 24-70mm f/4 as any sort of kit lens.

Why, its only a few hundred more than the retail of the 24-105. I actually can't see the logic of having both this and the 24-105 at the same time, so, I'd imagine this will be the kit lens of the future as well.

Yeah, well I don't see the logic behind this lens period.  There are MANY other lenses canon should have addressed before this one.  The lens itself doesn't make much sense, so I suppose the price shouldn't either.