Messages

16

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: No Focusing Screens for 5D MIII?

« on: March 09, 2012, 08:08:11 AM »

Why do you say the viewfinder does not go wider than 5.6? I thought until the time of the shutter, the aperture is fully open and so should be at the F level you are trying to use.
Maybe i am mistaken, but can you explain a bit more please.

That statement isn't really correct for the aperture - it's actually f/2.8.  The focusing screens in modern dSLRs are laser microetched to make them brighter, so they work better with slow lenses which are common these days.  One consequence of that is that the viewfinder shows the DoF of an f/2.8 lens even with lenses that are faster than that.  If you have a fast prime, test it yourself - use the DoF preview button as you stop down from wide open, and you'll see that the VF doesn't start getting darker until you hit ~f/2.8 (or f/2.5 with some lenses).  The high-precision Eg-S screen for the 5DII is a 'brighter' screen that shows the true DoF for fast lenses (but f/5.6 lenses are pretty dark, unlike with the stock screen).

I use an Eg-S on the 5DII, and the lack of a similar option for the 5DIII is very disappointing.  It's true that there will likely be 3rd party screens as there are for the 7D, but the focusing screen on the 7D is not considered user-replaceable, and doing yourself is a challenge, so most of the vendors that sell 7D screens also offer a service to swap them out.  Personally, I prefer the flexibility to easily change them out on-the-fly - Eg-S when I'm going to be using a fast prime, Eg-A (the stock screen) when using a slower zoom, like the 28-300L where I might be outdoors or inside.

Per Chucky, the f2.8 isn't accurate either; it's actually f4.0.     Regardless, having used the 7D quite a bit over the past couple years and finding manual focusing with wide apertures to be an exercise in frustration, this is probably a deal breaker for me.

I had completely forgotten about this (even though I started the thread - lol) until this thread got resurrected.  While I've indicated in other threads I was leaning towards getting the MIII over the 1D X simply because of cost, I've decided to cancel my pre-order and wait for the 1D X.  Manual focusing is too critical for me and I'm not interesting in having to pay attention to the aperture I'm using and then adjust metering compensation accordingly.

17

EOS Bodies / Re: POLL: Potential 1D X buyers - still 1D X or 5D Mark III now?

« on: March 08, 2012, 08:11:39 AM »

I haven't had this much indecision in a gear purchase ever.  I'm considering four options right now:

• Purchase the 1D X
• Purchase the 5D MIII, as well as the grip and new flash system
• Purchase the 5D MIII, as well as the grip and a new lens
• Purchase the 5D MIII and the ID MIV (more pricey in total, but an interesting option none-the-less)

I'm leaning towards on of the 5D MIII options, simply because there are some other things I'd like to get as well as I could use my 1D X fund to fund those purchases.  While I could, I'm not terribly interested in dropping 10K+ right now.  The only things I'd really miss are the flash sync speed and moveable spot metering.  I figure if it drives me nuts, I'll just flip the camera and buy the 1D X after all.

Edit - you'd think an Actuary could count...

18

Software & Accessories / Re: Before you upgrade to Lightroom 4...

« on: March 07, 2012, 07:40:24 AM »

I have not done the jump myself but there is a thread on FM that mentions some issues with Tone Curves:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1092153/0#lastmessage

A PM was sent to me on another forum stating:
To paraphrase: it seems that LR4 does not import Tone curves properly when upgrading a LR3 catalog to LR4. Photos with Tone Curve adjustments will look different in LR4 even if you don't employ the "2012 process".

This is something you may want to be aware of when upgrading.

Thanks for that link.  I suspected there may be some glitches with the import of LR3 catalogs since we couldn't actually  test the functionality with the beta.  I'm holding off on upgrading until they have that bug free.

19

EOS Bodies / Re: No f/8.0 autofocus with 5D Mark III

« on: March 05, 2012, 07:40:26 AM »

D800 has AF with f/8.0 lenses. And they charge more for the 5D3. 

To early to say what the street prices will be

Street price will be MSRP for at least 6 months. After which I do not really expect it to lower any further.

Historically the street price usually is 20-30% below msrp - and that is what I expect from the 5DIII

Historically the 5D Mark II's pricing would disagree with that.

Current UK msrp is £2300, street price £1500 which is now over 30% off.

While this is true, the 5D Mark II was released in late 2008 (over three years ago).  If I recall correctly, most companies were selling it as MSRP for the first several months, if not the first year, as it was in high demand and availability was limited.  If would expect the Mark III will be just as difficult to find during the first several months and the price of it to stay pretty firm.  If you want to get it lower than MSRP, you will likely have to wait until late this year or early next year (at the earliest; it could be an even longer wait).

20

EOS Bodies - For Stills / No Focusing Screens for 5D MIII?

« on: March 02, 2012, 08:16:18 AM »

From the specs it appears that the new 5D essentially shares the same viewfinder as the 7D and that interchangeable focusing screens will no longer be available (they also don't show up on the Canon site as they do with the 1D X). 

This is likely a deal breaker for me as manual focusing through the viewfinder with the standard focusing screen, and the 7D focusing screen, is practically impossible to do accurately with fast aperture lenses.  Specifically, Zeiss lenses will be much more difficult to use.  Anyone who claims otherwise isn't as critical of focus as I am, because when a viewfinder can show a DOF no wider than f5.6, getting critical focus at f1.2 requires trial and error at best.

Yes, you can still use LiveView, but that is only practical when shooting from a tripod (landscapes, for example).  It's too awkward to use LiveView in normal shooting conditions (for me anyway).

I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but I find this to be a bummer.

21

EOS Bodies / Re: Is the watch party working for you?

« on: March 01, 2012, 11:29:30 PM »

http://www.canon-asia.com/mastercraftsman/




While your waiting.

22

EOS Bodies / Re: What's the big deal with the AF?

« on: March 01, 2012, 08:22:50 PM »

I'm on my 3rd EOS digital body now with virtually the same AF - 30D / 5D / 5D2 and I've NEVER had cause to complain about the AF. It works just fine for me for candid portraits, street, landscape and some amateur wildlife stuff.

I use centre point only and recompose. I use this method solely because I want to be 100% sure that the camera focuses on where I want it to focus. I like shallow depth of field stuff and so the focus point has to be perfect.

I'm interested to know what people will do with more than 60 AF points because aside from sports and some wildlife where you switch to servo I can't fathom the reasoning.

I think you kind of answered you own question.

why do you use the center point only? its because the other points are unreliable isnt it hence center point focus and recompose this method works.

however if you have a good AF system with a broader spread of points and good outer points you get to select the point more appropriate for you composition and compose focus and shoot. If the AF system is up to it this method is both faster and more accurate. I you get to use a 1D and try this method you will understand the massive difference in this regard.

as to the 61 points, the more points the more accurate the AI servo will track and hand over from point to point
number of points is all about focus tracking. the 9 point system is really not very good when it comes to focus tracking.

As neuro has also said the fact that the 1D meters where you have selected the AF point is also great (and essential if you are shooting in aperture priority or shutter priority however if you shoot manual and meter first its not really an issue as long as you under stand where in your frame the camera is metering)

Its all about fully understanding how your particular AF system works and where its limitations are. as soon as you try to exceed any limitation its going to cause frustration. If you know the limits and work within them then everything is fine

Your last comment is spot on.  You must understand and work within the capabilities of your AF system.  If you are willing to put the time into understanding how certain 1D AF settings work in certain situations you can really get incredible results.

23

EOS Bodies / Re: What's the big deal with the AF?

« on: March 01, 2012, 08:20:13 PM »

I shoot with a 5D, mostly landscapes. I do on occasion shoot fast indoor sports with AI focusing and never had any trouble. Those who clamor for multi-point focus points tend to forget that in an action scene the more focus points they have the more likely the camera will focus on the wrong subject.

Just out of curiosity, have you used a 1D series camera in the same situation?  I agree the 5D can handle it, but I think a 1D does better.  To be honest, I find the view finder blackout period and slow frame rate to be more annoying on the 5D than the AF in these situations and would always reach for a 1D series first. 

24

EOS Bodies / Re: What's the big deal with the AF?

« on: March 01, 2012, 08:04:19 PM »

I think you answered your own question.  Basically, improved AF is very important/useful for those of us that photograph sports, wildlife, and other moving objects (my little kids who can't sit still, for example).  Focus and recompose won't work in these situations and manual focus is very difficult with lower hit rates.  Even for weddings I think it is important.  While the movement is slower, it is critical that focus is dead on because the moments of the ceremony go by quickly and aren't repeated.

In short, certain situations can be photographed much easier with better hit rates if the AF system is accurate.

25

EOS Bodies / Re: 1D X Delay, Weight, Number of Shots ***Official***

« on: February 28, 2012, 05:56:37 AM »

I've always gotten many more frames per battery cycle than specs when it comes to Canon cameras, so I'm not overly concerned about the frames/battery specs yet.  The fact that they have added an additional chipset is likely affecting battery life, but I wonder how much the new battery regulations in Japan are affecting it as well.

At this stage, I know enough about the overall specs that I am only interested in hearing two:  final price and firm release date.

26

EOS Bodies / Re: The new 5D Mark III ?!?! PICS!

« on: February 27, 2012, 07:49:17 AM »

I was 90% sure it was going to be 5D Mark III, but I wasn't saying anything until it was 100%.

I have the high res files with me and it looks pretty legit

All I need to do is to convince him to give me the specs

Has he said anything qualitative of it?  In other words, how does it perform?  Will he be getting one?

27

EOS Bodies / Re: The new 5D Mark III ?!?! PICS!

« on: February 27, 2012, 07:47:48 AM »

Can someone identify the lens on the 1DX? Great photos!

Yes, it is the 85mm f1,2L II. But i was wondering first, too. It looks unfamiliar from this angle.

Gracias; I think you are right (holding mine at that angle as we speak).  I'd never seen it at that angle I guess, ha.  I knew it had to be something relatively fast given that big front element.   Thanks again. 

28

EOS Bodies / Re: The new 5D Mark III ?!?! PICS!

« on: February 27, 2012, 07:35:47 AM »

Great find!  I guess this debunks the "confirmation" on kuaDDro.com that it would be called the 5D X.  How reliable is that site, typically?  I hadn't heard of them before seeing them referred to on the forums here recently.

I'm with Rexepic though; what is the lens on the 1D X? 

29

Lenses / Re: What happened to the DO lenses?

« on: February 26, 2012, 10:28:01 PM »

Long-story-short, the trade off of image quality for smaller form factor isn't worth it.  The form factor really isn't all that much smaller and the optical design results in weird bokeh and lower contrast.  To top things off, they are expensive.

I've used the 70-300 DO lens and found it to have unacceptable image quality for the price.  I wanted to like it, but couldn't. 

30

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon 5D Mark II Price Drops March 4, 2012

« on: February 26, 2012, 08:32:31 PM »

I'm hoping this is a sign that the 5D X will be available relatively soon after being announced (not the 6+ month wait that we are experiencing for the 1D X).  Time will tell.