Messages

1

Software & Accessories / Re: Searching for a light-weight-carbon-fibre-tripod-without-center-column?

« on: June 09, 2013, 07:41:41 AM »

My sirui came with long and short centre column. Shot is really short

Thank you about your advice to looking into the Sirui tripods! The Sirui has recently being sold even in the Sweden from this year! What tripod from Sirui do you use sir? What is the exact type or model and are you happy with the functions=? Thank you in advance! Wish you a lovely weekend and Sunday! // All the Best! ///Charl

2

Software & Accessories / Re: Searching for a light-weight-carbon-fibre-tripod-without-center-column?

« on: June 09, 2013, 07:39:23 AM »

Gitzo GT1542T -- the center column can be removed.

Thank sir for your advice! I really need a light rigid tripod to be with me on a longer backpack on a hike into the wilderness of the Swedish fells up north! Thanks a lots for the information! /All the Best wishes for you sir! /Charl

3

Software & Accessories / Re: Searching for a light-weight-carbon-fibre-tripod-without-center-column?

« on: June 09, 2013, 07:37:11 AM »

I just saw that you are in Europe.

In that case the European link for the same series is:

https://www.photoproshop.com/index.php/cPath/135

I have not used one. Instead I made my own combination by getting a (now discontinued) Gitzo Systematic 3541LS with a Markins M20 head (now Q20).

The tripod weighs 1.7Kg and the head less than 600gr.

Hi tron! Thank you very much for sharing this for me the unknown "Check the Magica M-Series"! And thank you for even finding a European link for me! Much appreciated! Wish you Tron a nice weekend!/ Charl

4

Lenses / Would there be any chance that EF 200mm f/2L IS USM will be upgraded?

« on: June 05, 2013, 11:10:39 AM »

Hi all here who knows better than me about the future upgrades!


I wonder if there might be a small  or any chance, that Canon may or will produce an upgrade of the white Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM in near future?


Wishing you all happy shootings!


Greetings from Europe and Sweden!


C

5

Software & Accessories / Re: Searching for a light-weight-carbon-fibre-tripod-without-center-column?

« on: June 04, 2013, 11:06:59 AM »

RRS' TQC-14 is quite light, and the center column can be removed.

Big thank to you Neuro! Yes RRS is valid choice and the quality is one of the best found on market - even when looking into the smallest details! I will check out RRS' TQC-14!
There is at least one net-retailer selling RRS equipment in Europe! THANKS!
/C

6

Software & Accessories / Searching for a light-weight-carbon-fibre-tripod-without-center-column?

« on: June 04, 2013, 08:15:00 AM »

Hello Forum Readers [/size][/color]![/font]
[/size][/color][/font]
[/size][/color]May I ask you for some advice and help to find a light-weight carbon fibre tripod without a center column.[/font]
[/size][/color][/font]
[/size][/color]So I simply wonder if someone might have a pleasant and a satisfied experience by using for you a good working tripod in your practical photographing from a "light-weight-carbon-fibre-tripod-without-center-column"?[/font]
[/size][/color][/font]
[/size][/color]Looking for the Sirui TX-models, but the problem with this model is, that I do not wish to have center-column and Sirui has centre column![/font]
[/size][/color][/font]
[/size][/color]I already have a heavier one Gitzo GT3541 XLS (that has no centre-column) but wish to have lighter tripod that is more easier to carry outdoors, for mainly very low-macro-levels-photography (wild flowers often quite tiny and low and small in size). (Therefore I do not wish to have any kind of center-column!)[/font]
[/size][/color]I already have the RRS BH-40 ball head.[/font]
[/size][/color]And I also have their TFA-01 tablepod´with the very small ballhead BH-25, but the "problem" with this tablepod is that it mainly works when the three legs are fully splayed. so it will be sometimes TOO low.[/font]
[/size][/color]( I had tested to put a tilthead on the BH-25 and a side-kick but that makes it a bit heavy with a 5DMK3 and sometimes I use a long lens so the rig has total weight about 4kg. The BH-25 is said good for 4kg load.[/font]
[/size][/color]But - maybe a tripod would be the best solution but which one?[/font]
[/size][/color]I also have looked at a low-sized monopod but the lowest is about 38cm that is too high for coming low enough in order to get the right level for low growing flowers and plants.[/font]
[/size][/color][/font]
[/size][/color]Anyhow maybe someone of you have already done a thoroughly research among tripods and can maybe leave me some advice or suggestion as being a decent alternative to an [/font]"light-weight-carbon-fibre-tripod-without-center-column"?
[/size][/color]Looking forward to your advice![/font]
[/size][/color][/font]
[/color][/size]Zoe[/color][/size][/color][/size]Please note that I am not living in USA so some tripods could be hard to find on European market that is easy to purchase in USA![/color]

7

Lenses / Re: Help with Long Lens + Backup Body choice for Iceland

« on: May 28, 2013, 05:21:39 AM »

I took a 7D with a 100-400mm L, and got a couple of bird keepers. Here is a tern feeding its young.

Hello Alan! Excellent Photo of yours! Enjoyable capture! Very good!

8

Lenses / Re: Focus and recompose related question

« on: May 27, 2013, 05:18:21 AM »

http://www.visual-vacations.com/Photography/focus-recompose_sucks.htm

+1 Big THANK to you Neuro! Illuminating article! Enjoyed to read the content!/All the Best to you Neuro!/C

9

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x Availability Info

« on: May 27, 2013, 05:12:06 AM »

I ordered mine through the guys at Cathay Photo in Singapore where I buy all my gear, I've been advised they have 2 Lenses Due June 10th, One earmarked for me, hopefully the info is correct as I head out to Tanzania on June 15th.

Hi I hope you will get yours before taking off to Tanzania! Will you also bring the zoom to Iceland later=?
Happy Shootings sir!
/Charl

10

Lenses / Re: Canon Tele lenses vs Nikon tele lenses ( both with converters )

« on: May 18, 2013, 04:40:50 AM »

Yes the 300/2.8mk2  from  canon looks very good in the MTF lab and Hasselblads measurements

and much more importantly it works well when you use it to take real photographs. 

Had a good time with mine today.

Do you use it with the 2x converter at times?

Also im close to ordering the 500 lens foot to put on the 300 for comfort!, i hope that it will fit....
Since the 500 comes with both a small and big foot , and the small one looks identical to the 300 foot I am kinda anticipating it will!

Will provide a bit more comfort for handholding with my hands

I've used the 2x TC with the EF 300mm f/2.8 L II, and the IQ is phenomenal. Even with the 2x TC, it is still one of the sharpest lenses on earth. Sharper than my 100-400mm at is BEST, by a long shot. Background blur is also dependent upon the ENTRANCE pupil, so even with a 2x TC, your background blur is effectively the same as an f/2.8 lens...so it is a fantastic combination. You really couldn't go wrong with it.

Dear Sir,
Thank you for this posting! I really needed to hear this from someone using the EF 300mm f/2.8 L II together with the 2x TC.
I was reminded that Bryan C in TDP maybe for first time admitted that the 2x TC III from Canon together with this lens was useable.
Of course that is based in the top-notch optical quality from the lens itself because we all know that all flaws and weaknesses from the lens that is in front of the TC will be also magnified.
Thank you jrista for all your postings!
Wish you a very good weekend!
All the Best!

C

11

Lenses / Re: Canon Tele lenses vs Nikon tele lenses ( both with converters )

« on: May 17, 2013, 08:14:07 AM »

REGARDING  TESTPICTURES I have seen he's test pictures before, http://www.the-digital-picture.com, totally out of control  and no declaration in how many meters etc to the test  target, different combos are optimized for different distance.Different super telephoto lenses are optimized for different distances


So here are a real measurements from real MTF test, and by Hasselblads MTF lab IN GOTHENBURG  and for  the magazine  Foto here in Sweden. They conclude , there are no difference between for example 400/2.8 , 500/4  600/4 FROM NIKON AND CANON,   (sorry Krille you can sue me for showing this sides from your excellent Photo magazine FOTO)
THE 4 TESTED LENSES ARE EQUAL  NOW you  can believe in what you want regarding one or others companies sovereignty and about  for example  fluorite glass and there are a lot more companies than Nikon, Canon  how can build decent lenses . example Zeiss.Leitz, Sigma,Pentax, Tokina,Tamron  etc etc
Im sorry that Im  erasing yet another myth
And if Jrista or Neuro  want to discuss Hasselblad credibility in their measurements, I suggest that they directly address Per Nordlund  via e-mail, he is the lens expert  expert at Hasselblad

pictures taken from the magazine with a iPhone

Hello sir!
Thank you for publishing this page from the "FOTO" magazine! Excellent and I hope no one will sue you for this! :-)

So from this page I can read that the EF300mm f/2.8L IS II USM is "one of the very best lenses we (ever/so far) tested" freely translated from the page.
Not really understanding the concept of what this is about: " the higher frequency 40 cycles/mm" where the page text tells that for both 500 mm -tele lenses the curves are substantially lower than for the 300 mm - lens.
The test shows that the EF300mm f/2.8L IS II USM also gives a better IQ with a small amount and also giving better contrast (compared to the Canon 500/4 II and Nikon 500/4 (10 cycles/mm),  but the differences are not significantly big between the 500/4 and the EF300/2.8L II.

In addition the text from this page also, states that the 500mm and 600mm lenses from both Canon and Nikon are optically totally like-valued (lik=same + värdiga=value) [when translated from Swedish.]
I hope my short direct translation from Swedish language into English, might help you native English speaking  in order to convey what this magazine FOTO test, is stating in their test with only short text.

Wishing you all the very Best and happy shootings!

C

12

Lenses / Re: Andy Rouse Reviews the EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x

« on: May 17, 2013, 06:09:52 AM »

Another review on the Lens from an Aussie Pro Photographer, Joshua Holko, some interesting comparison comments regards the 200-400 and the Series 1 300f/2.8 & 400f/2.8


http://blog.jholko.com/2013/05/14/canon-200-400mm-f4l-is-pre-production-sample-lens-review/

A short note - about the Joshua Holkos, comparison seems to be between the new Canon EF 200-400mm/4L IS USM vs "300mm F2.8L IS" and so I suppose he is comparing the new zoom with the version I 300mm F2.8L IS? The new 300mm F2.8L IS II USM is to a degree better than the version I according to Bryan C (the-digital-picture.com)

13

EOS Bodies / Re: EOS 70D & EOS 7D Mark II

« on: May 17, 2013, 05:49:41 AM »

Sales drive revenue. Revenue drives profit. Profit is a major driver of share price and shareholder value.  Share price and shareholder value determine whether a public company thrives, survives, or fails.

Betamax was better quality than VHS.  VHS sold better. Betamax failed and was abandoned.

On a more DSLR related note, Olympus came out with 4/3 format. It was going to be a worldwide standard. Many things about thier cameras were ahead of what the Canon and Nikon crop bodies offered at the time. They had beter user interface, beter weatherproofing, arguably better sensor performance, and faster autofocusing..... and where is it now? ( 4/3... not micro 4/3 ).  Sales sucked, product not stocked by retail stores, death spiral, gone.

Well, the Olympus E5 got a DxOMark Overall Score of only 56.  That must be why it didn't sell. 

Personally, I've never paid a lot of attention to Dx0Mark scores. A lot of people fixate on sensors, but it seems far more important to deal with more important stuff first. I tend to shoot in good lighting conditions so I don't have a fanatical worry about ISO scores.

To me, the most important aspect of a camera system is the AF system. An in focus picture beats an out of focus picture. I don't care how much dynamic range or megapixels are involved.... Focus is of paramount importance.

My second criteria to look at is the glass. It does not matter if you are shooting anything from a rebel to a 1Dx, the resolution of the glass has to exceed the resolution of the body if you are going to push things to the limit. With the higher pixel density, this is far more important on crop bodies than FF bodies, but when a high megapixel FF body comes out, make sure you have top notch glass of you will get soft pictures. Stick a 100L Macro on a Rebel and it will take pictures so sharp it will amaze you.... put a $200 kit zoom on a rebel and you get mush.

My third criteria is good user interface.... gotta be able to control things on the fly and in a panic.... stepping through menus does not cut it.

New sensor? Yes it's important to me, but it is far from being everything to me. I use camera systems, not components in isolation. It is very important to me that whatever system I am using comes from a stable and profitable company. If they are loosing money, they run the risk of going away, and that leaves me with a shelf of orphan glass.

+1

A short-note!
As always, the greatest image quality will quickly be negated by focusing errors. AF accuracy is extremely important for the the combination of DSLR and the lens in use - especially AI Servo AF accuracy.
And not to forget especially with a shallow DOF (Depth of Field), even small focusing errors will ruin the shot.
Also - if you need to use a Extender with your lens - Canon has stated this: " "These new extenders (version III) have been designed to provide faster autofocusing and improved autofocus precision with compatible EF lenses" and "Each extender also features a newly developed microcomputer that increases AF precision when the extenders are used with a IS Series II EF super-telephoto lens." [Canon USA]
So then - we should bear in mind that the Canon USA press release does not specifically say that the series III extenders would deliver better image quality (though features were added that could) - but that they would deliver better AF performance.
-  Although the AF improvement will not result in better than the optical capability of the lens-plus-extender combination, better AF performance does indeed deliver better image quality overall and that is crucial!
Happy shootings to you all!
C

14

Lenses / Re: Canon 500 F4 IS vs Canon 300 f2.8 IS II

« on: May 12, 2013, 05:40:57 AM »

Hiya,  I think you made the right choice with going with the 300mm f/2.8L IS II.  I had the 500mm f/4L IS for about 2 years and it was good, but the 300mm f/2.8L II has a clear advantage in IQ.  The new IS is awesome and there is a new mode 3.  The AF speed is stellar with the new Mark III teleconverters.  I use the 2x III on the 300mm and the images are super sharp at f/5.6 (wide open).  Pared with a crop sensor camera and you have a beastly setup.

Needless to say...I also picked up a 600mm f/4L IS II which mostly lives with a 1.4x III or 2x III on it.  It works great too, but I still think the 300mm f/2.8L IS II is the sharpest.  I don't think I will ever get rid of the 300mm unless for the replacement version. 

Best of luck and happy shooting!

+++1
Thank you sir for this enlightening notes from your experiences from using the EF300/2.8L IS II USM! The combination of EF300 II with both Extenders III and with the addition of the remarkable sharp EF600mm f/4L IS II USM is so far the ultimate combination to capture birds and wildlife.

(As a little side note - of course we might wait and looking for, if Canon will upgrade - the old EF800/5.6 I to maybe a optimized new Canon EF800mm f/5.6L IS II USM? ... but today these two new version II lenses mentioned above, is maybe the best options to bring outdoors, with you for the best results also together with the both Extenders version III!

Wishing you all the very Best and many many great keepers!!

Spring Greetings from Sweden!
C
(PS. BTW, I have recently placed an order for the new EF300/2.8L II)

15

Lenses / Re: Canon 500 F4 IS vs Canon 300 f2.8 IS II

« on: May 11, 2013, 09:12:39 AM »

I think I'd opt for the 300/2.8 II with the pair of TCs.  Only thing I'd consider is if the loss in FL means you end up with too few MP for your output format if you crop (e.g. 420mm cropped to the FoV of 500mm).  AF tracking will be better, you have a lot of flexibility, too. 

Caveat on my advice is that I've no direct experience with either lens (except a few shots taken with a friend's 500/4 MkI).

+1

(my 2 cents)
The new Canon EF300/2.8L IS II USM is maybe one of the best lenses to be combined with Canons new versions III of their TC ´s, and also according to the comparison you already made between 300 II / 500 I in regard of IQ, the IQ will be in favour to the new version of EF300/2.8L IS II USM, which also have the autofocus module optimized, and it give you a much lighter rig, and therefore also more easier to transport, and handholding, and has better flare resistance etc I would also opt the same, as Neuro said, and go for the EF300/2.8L II before choosing an old version with old IS etc.

I have been using the version I of the EF300/2.8L IS USM with both versions-III of the Canons new extenders and I am quite pleased with the results - and having the new version would certainly be even to a degree better even if you use the new extenders with the lens. Other comparisons shows that the EF300/2.8L II is even sharper but not by much than the new EF400/2.8L IS II USM and that goes to the favour for the 300/2.8II when the extenders are used.

But you might need to test this combination first sir!
Also to maybe take into consideration, is that, the MFDs (Minimum Focusing Distances) is 78.7" or 2000mm for the 300 II vs 177.2" or 4500mm for 500/ I. This is important if you are really close to birds for example in a blind or hidden in a vehicle.

I wish you many exciting and great coming shoots!
All the Best!