Messages

76

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Anybody upgrade from a 7D to 6D? What are your thoughts?

« on: December 10, 2012, 04:55:00 PM »

I've been using my 6D for a few days now.

The image quality and increased DOF is phenominal.  Being able to shoot respectable photo's at ISO 6400 is amazing.  I can't wait to take it out for a serious shoot.  Sharpness with the 70-200 f/4 IS is incredible.  The 40mm is also quite surprising.

For shooting events, the silent shutter option will come in very handy as well.

Some things though are really bugging me as an ex 7D user.

The zoom button is killing me.  It's taking me forever to get used to.  The buttons that simply don't exist I got used to easily as they aren't there anymore.  The AF-pattern button is still there though, so I hit it out of habit.

The DOF preview button is also moved which is tougher IMO to press.

Depending on your shooting, not having a hardware button for FEC may be annoying as well.  I'm currently in that boat.

I'm getting used to the AF system not being as good.  The points do seem to be clustered near the center.  The low light performance of the center point blows away the 7D's though.

The drop in FPS didn't affect me as much as I don't shoot sports or birds.  If you're coming from a T2i or similar though, it will still be faster.

77

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: CompactFlash vs SDXC (Effectively 5D3 vs 6D)

« on: December 10, 2012, 04:45:57 PM »

The cards were formatted by a 7D, and 6D respectively.

The BlackMagic test as far as I'm aware uses raw video files to test speeds.  So it should be close to what one would see using a DSLR for video.

The BlackMagic test I was using was using 1TB files.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: CompactFlash vs SDXC (Effectively 5D3 vs 6D)

« on: December 10, 2012, 04:29:38 PM »

My concerns about speed were generally unfounded.

I just tested my memory cards for speed:

Card Type	Card Write Speed	Card Read Speed
SD - SanDisk 16GB Extreme Pro UHS-1 95MBps	70.5MBps	87.5MBps
SD - Transcend UHS-1 32GB	35.0MBps	84.5MBps
CF - Transcend 16GB 600x	26.9MBps	78.7MBps

The SD UHS-1 cards truly surprised me!  I also learned that the SDXC readers in Retina MacBook Pro's are direct to the logic board and transfer at 2.5GT/s, which is well into the GB/s range.  The old MacBook Pro's used to have their SDXC readers attached to the USB 2.0 bus, so they were limited to a theoretical maximum of 60MBps.

I'm quite happy with new SDHC cards!

So I'm guessing you got the 6D? Or are these speeds with your MacBook Pro? How did you come up with the CF card speeds? With my 32GB Transcend I've gotten >100MB/sec sustained via the Lexar CF/SD Pro USB3 reader to my mSATA SSD on my laptop (after recent Lexar firmware update). Sure that's reads, but writes are supposed to be a good bit higher. Or was your OP about whether the SDXC/UHS-1 cards would be significantly slower than modern CF cards?

The test was with my MacBook Pro, I did get a 6D too.

I used a Delkin USB 3.0 reader for the CF cards.  And I reran the SD test with the Delkin and got numbers that were statistically identical.

I used BlackMagic's Disk Speed Test app for Mac to test speeds.

I had assumed that the UHS-1's wouldn't compete with the modern CF cards.

79

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: CompactFlash vs SDXC (Effectively 5D3 vs 6D)

« on: December 10, 2012, 02:46:50 PM »

My concerns about speed were generally unfounded.

I just tested my memory cards for speed:

Card Type	Card Write Speed	Card Read Speed
SD - SanDisk 16GB Extreme Pro UHS-1 95MBps	70.5MBps	87.5MBps
SD - Transcend UHS-1 32GB	35.0MBps	84.5MBps
CF - Transcend 16GB 600x	26.9MBps	78.7MBps

The SD UHS-1 cards truly surprised me!  I also learned that the SDXC readers in Retina MacBook Pro's are direct to the logic board and transfer at 2.5GT/s, which is well into the GB/s range.  The old MacBook Pro's used to have their SDXC readers attached to the USB 2.0 bus, so they were limited to a theoretical maximum of 60MBps.

I'm quite happy with new SDHC cards!

80

EOS Bodies / Re: 6D's Wifi Drain on Battery (?)

« on: December 08, 2012, 02:12:18 PM »

Acquisition time is actually not bad.  It's been within 30 seconds when I have been outside.

Prior to the 6D, I used my old blackberry with the cell-radio turned off as a GPS logger.  I'm hoping I don't need to do this anymore, but I'll need to take a trip to Disneyland to really find out    Disneyland will really show how fast it regrabs GPS after leaving a building or ride.

81

EOS Bodies / Re: 6D's Wifi Drain on Battery (?)

« on: December 08, 2012, 04:07:25 AM »

Most Panasonic Lumix's with GPS have a feature where the GPS turns off when the camera is powered down.  They call it "Airplane Mode" strangely enough.  When the camera is switched on, the GPS kicks back in.

If it's a warm-fix, the time delay is quite small, if you've moved a lot and caused it to have to do a cold-fix the time is quite a bit longer.

The 6D's GPS appears to pull location non-stop until the GPS receiver is turned off, not if the body is switched off.  Therefore, if you are storing your 6D, you should turn off GPS before switching it off.  I plan on testing mine for battery life in detail over the next few days.

82

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Canon EF 50 f/1.4 for $299 at B&H

« on: December 04, 2012, 11:29:12 AM »

Please consider I'm on crop sensor. Should I go for it? The two extra stops over my 17-55 f2.8 would be nice, but if I have to stop down to f2.8 to get decent results, it may not be worth it... if the AF will fail me within two months, it certainly wont be worth it. On the other hand, I really like the alternative of low light shooting.

The other option is wait 6 months or so (perhaps even more) and get one of the 35mm options that would be a bit more of a 'normal' lens on my T2i (the Sigma 35mm f1.4 appears to be a FANTASTIC lens... everyone is jumping through hoops for it!).

I owned a 50mm for a few weeks for my 7D.  I found it too narrow for my shooting, keep in mind I do not shoot portraits though.  I bought a 35mm and loved it, although I still longed for the 24L.  The 35mm seemed even a hint narrow for my liking.

If I were you, I'd wait for the Sigma 35mm to be reviewed.  The easiest way to think about which focal length, is go  shooting with your 17-55 with the zoom ring gaffer-taped at full-zoom.  Then do another shoot with it gaffer-taped at 35mm.

IMO, the 35mm is too narrow for non-portrait / indoor sports purposes on the crop sensor.
My thoughts though are: Are we about to see a 50mm 1.4 replacement?  If so, might it be a 50mm f/2.8 IS?  If it is a 2.8 IS, I don't think it's fast enough for most users of this lens.

I just bought a 6D, and will be in the market for a fast 50 to complement my 35/1.4 and 40/2.8.  Don't know if I should wait or not...

83

EOS Bodies / Re: First Round of EOS 7D Mark II Specs [CR1]

« on: December 03, 2012, 12:15:31 AM »

True but you can put the grip in another pocket too and just add it when you need it...or leave it off if you need less weight.  Ideally it's the best option to have it removable.

I find it easier to stash a 5DIII body in my coat pocket than a 1DX. 

I wish they would build it with the battery grip, however I know that would be very inconvenient for many folks that don't like it or it's too large for.

I don't see why anyone would want the grip to be built in and not removable.

Ha, ha!  True, but not if the 5d3 is gripped East Wind!  ;

Granted, it's a limited and self-selecting population, but in the recent Custom Brackets poll, more people have gripped bodies than not, and the majority of people who have a grip on their body use it frequently.

A fully integrated grip allows better weather sealing, improves stability and rigidity, and can allow better placement of additional or secondary buttons and functionality than a removable grip. For those types, such as myself, that pretty much always use a grip anyway and never remove it, an integrated grip is ideal.

The real key point to having an integrated grip though is better weather sealing...you just plain and simply can't seal a removable grip the same way...and weather sealing is one of the key selling points of the 1D line.

Your comment about weather sealing is very true.  I was shooting during 1 inch per hour rain in Florida with my 7D gripped, after about 4 hours, the buttons on the back of the 7D died which is usually a good indication that the 7D has been liquid damaged and is dead.  However, I decided to component isolate and remove the grip, turns out the grip had died but not the 7D.

Turns out that the Canon grips are not weather sealed.  If the camera/grip are in the rain, the weather sealing of the body is moot.  With a permanent grip, the weather sealing would be much better.

84

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Canon EOS 6D Shipping Shortly from B&H Photo

« on: November 30, 2012, 12:00:15 PM »

Has anyone's order from B&H shipped yet? 
I submitted my order yesterday and the status is processing.

85

Lenses / Re: Our 70-200 fell; Canon says they will just need to repair a few parts...

« on: November 30, 2012, 02:44:32 AM »

I'm insured with TD Meloche Monnex home insurance, and they'll cover any of my camera gear for all-perils, (excluding things like, acts of war or God) for only a $500 deductible.  I didn't even need to add a rider.  Just call and ask!

I will add that this is only for personal gear, not professional.

86

Lenses / Re: EF 40mm STM Pancake Problem Acknowledged

« on: November 30, 2012, 02:00:41 AM »

I have the problem on my Elan 7.  I'll post an update after I upgrade it next week.

87

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: EOS 6D with 24-105mm f/4L IS pre-order, already with a $200 instant rebate?

« on: November 29, 2012, 12:39:00 PM »

Is it really wrong to want to have the latest and greatest as long as it's in your budget?

Although, I for one am quite excited to see that B&H and Adorama are both apparently selling the 6D w/24-105 kit for $200 under original suggested price.  I was planning on going body only, and picking up a used 24-105mm, but with the price drops, it's better to buy new.  Or even just buy the package then sell the lens on eBay.  It's nice they are helping out early adopters somewhat.

88

Lenses / Re: 70-300L vs Tamron 70-200 2.8 for Outdoor Sports

« on: November 28, 2012, 09:07:14 PM »

     I tried the 70-200 2.8 IS II and really liked almost everything about the 135 better so it's no more.

If you didn't like the 70-200mm 2.8 IS II, I'm not sure why you would consider the 70-300mm, unless the weight was your concern.  Maybe another prime or two are in your future.

There's the 200mm f/2.8 and the 100mm f/2 to consider in the prime range.  Maybe even the Sigma 85mm would be worth considering.

89

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Use a Canadian or USA Canon Dealer?

« on: November 28, 2012, 04:12:29 PM »

Hello everyone,

I am going to pre-order a 6D. However, I don't know whether to order it locally or through B&H, Amazon, or other US dealer.

Speed in arrival is my key concern.  Do Canadian stores usually receive cameras the same day as a company like B&H?

I understand Canon's no shipping to Canada policy, but I have a USA forwarding address I'm thinking of using.  I have Amazon Prime shipping to this address as well.

In your previous experience, would I get it faster if I ordered from a USA store, or a Canadian store?

90

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: CompactFlash vs SDXC (Effectively 5D3 vs 6D)

« on: November 28, 2012, 03:33:38 PM »

I appreciate the concern with data integrity, but it could be possible for the camera to verify the copies with an MD5 or SHA-1 process.  I think you would also design it to maintain the CF copy as a master.

That aside, thank you everyone for your comments on the benefits and cons of CF vs SD.