Messages

121

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.

122

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.

123

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>

124

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!  :-)

125

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.

126

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.

127

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.

128

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

« on: November 05, 2012, 11:23:46 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.

This and the 24-70 2.8 mk2 are really making me feel better about my decision to keep my 24-70mm f/2.8 mk1.

Another crappy Canon announcement.

129

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Canon 600 f/4L IS II in Stock at Amazon

« on: November 05, 2012, 04:15:34 PM »

Now all I need to do is find a buyer for this spare kidney, and the 600mm will be mine!  ;-)

130

Lenses / Re: EF 24-70 f/4L IS & EF 35 f/2 IS

« on: November 05, 2012, 11:14:33 AM »

I'm none too excited about either of these lenses.  I already own the mark 1 version of the 24-70mm 2.8, and don't have any plans in the near future to upgrade, since it's an extra $1,000.  I get that the new 24-70mm f/4 is likely to be angled towards a kit lens with the 6D/5Dm3, but I doubt many will buy this lens outright.

Wish it would have been a 14-24mm, 135mm II, or 50mm II.

131

HDR - High Dynamic Range / Re: Post your HDR images:

« on: November 04, 2012, 09:46:27 PM »

Very nice results.  It hardly looks like an HDR shot, which is a compliment.  I love the exposure and not overdoing the colors/strength as most (myself often included) tend to do with HDR.  Just a really great photo.  :-)

I too use Photomatix 4, so I'll have to keep that in mind with water.  I've been reluctant to shoot water, given the ghosting obstacles that need to be overcome.  Looks like photomatix handled it like a champ.

132

Lenses / Re: Two Lenses to be Announced Shortly.....

« on: November 04, 2012, 06:34:06 PM »

Want want want WANT 14-24mm f/2.8L.  I'm sick of Nikon owning this range, and would love for a good IQ UW.

I could easily make a 14-24mm my next lens purchase if it came to fruition.

133

HDR - High Dynamic Range / Re: Canon 5D mark 3 in-camera HDR shots

« on: November 04, 2012, 06:23:50 PM »

#3 is a great shot.  I'm not sure if that's ghosting in the ferris wheel or just how it lit up, but either way it's a nice effect!

I'll probably never use in-camera HDR.  It's a point and shoot gimmick that found its way into SLRs.  I do like HDR, and it certainly has its uses... but the shot needs to be properly processed, and there's just no way to do this with the camera taking wild stabs at what it thinks the best exposure/values should be for HDR.

If I ever need to get a quick HDR shot in the field, I'll just use my iPhone + app.  Results will be MUCH better, given that you control them.  Otherwise, it's bracketing and PP HDR for me.

134

HDR - High Dynamic Range / Re: Post your HDR images:

« on: November 04, 2012, 06:13:38 PM »

jwilbern, very nice photo.  How did you overcome ghosting in the waterfall?  Was that a single exposure blended with others?

135

Portrait / Re: Political Portraits - Warts and All

« on: November 04, 2012, 01:35:21 AM »

It might have been counted as a humor if it was properly executed.

I do not know who will win, but this photograph and the associated humor surely wouldn't......

+1

Poor photograph, even worse joke.  And I'm a republican!