Messages

16

Reviews / Re: Review - Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS II

« on: January 18, 2013, 11:11:32 AM »

Without reading the review, just give me this lens and 24-70 f2.8 II on FF...........I'm done

No need to carry: 24L, 35L, 50L, 85L, 135L, and 200L

Do you care about IQ?
70-200 II is not able to replace 85/135/200Ls in many situations...

I wouldn't spend my money on 24-70 f2.8 II & 70-200 f2.8 IS II, if IQ is not important in photography.

Thus you are lucky man not seeing the difference of 85,135,200 vs 70-200 - all @ 2.8 and your bag can be pretty light.
But I can clearly see that zoom @ F3.5-4+ can match (contrast + sharpness) the prime @ F2.8, but @ F3.5-4 there is less subject/background separation, thus If I want best IQ, I take only 24-70 II + longer primes.
(BTW: 24-70 II is nothing special till F3.5-4 too.)

17

Lenses / Re: 135L vs 85L vs 70-200L II

« on: January 17, 2013, 12:39:56 PM »

There is no way 70-200 II at 135@2.8 = IQ of 135/2@2.8.
I own both (+85/1.4, 200/2) and all those primes render better contrast and sharpness across the frame...

Actually, the 135mm f2 @f2 (wide open) carries simular sharpness, contrast and colour to the 70-200mm f2.8 L IS II when shot in the 135-200mm @ f2.8. It's surprising but true. The prime flares more but has slightly less fussy bokeh wide open, but the 135L when stopped down to f2.8 the 135L renders worse. The non rounded aperture blades are pretty obvious where as the zoom stopped down a stop or two looks nicer.

It's easy to split hairs when trying to see which is sharper. For my lenses, there is little difference between them. Yours might be different.

It is not much surprising that that both wide open are similar...
But I need to use F3.5 - 4 on 70-200 II to get the same IQ as 135 @ 2.8. (BTW: The same apply to the 300/2.8 IS I.)
Problem with flare + yellow cast on 135 I have only in direct sun light in the frame or near the frame.
Bokeh: it is hard to tell, but I did not notice any problem with 135/2.8+ vs 70-200/3.5+

18

Lenses / Re: 135L vs 85L vs 70-200L II

« on: January 17, 2013, 07:25:37 AM »

I completely agree. I'm also a wedding photographer, with a simular range of lenses. My opinion of the 135L is that it's a prime equvilent of a 70-200/2.8. It's a bit brighter, a bit lighter, lacks IS but is equal in IQ. It can melt backgrounds just as easier, although with a little less working distance. It's less obtrusive too. Most 70-200mm lenses are closer to 135mm at their min focus distance and the focal difference is usually less than the figures say in real world use. Although I take my 70-200 for wedding receptions, I rarely use it. I really prefer using my 85L or 135L.
These days there is more choice in the Canon range. The 100mm L IS macro and the 135L offer overlapping abilities in terms of focal length and IQ. While the 135L offers simular overlapping abilities with the 70-200. Most natural light photographers would choose a prime over the zoom. But many event photographers would probably choose a zoom over the prime due to its increased versatility.

Unless the OP is engaged in a specific professional need to shoot with both the 85L, 135L and 70-200 then I would suggest sticking to just one in that range. Let's face it, it's expensive kit and very simular in function and there are better things to spend money on...like a second camera body.

There is no way 70-200 II at 135@2.8 = IQ of 135/2@2.8.
I own both (+85/1.4, 200/2) and all those primes render better contrast and sharpness across the frame...

19

Lenses / Re: 135L vs 85L vs 70-200L II

« on: January 16, 2013, 05:48:28 PM »

I never had much problem with the 85L II on the 5D II if I only used the center point for single shot.  Using the outer points usually returned blurred images.  But yes, the 5D III's focus accuracy makes it much more of a joy to use.

I find the 85L and the 70-200 II to be a good combination and that the 135 to be close to the 70-200.  The 135 has a 1 stop advantage and is smaller, but usually the 70-200's zoom versatility trumps those advantages.

135 delivers far better contrast and sharpness.

20

Reviews / Re: Review - Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS II

« on: January 16, 2013, 07:50:26 AM »

Without reading the review, just give me this lens and 24-70 f2.8 II on FF...........I'm done

No need to carry: 24L, 35L, 50L, 85L, 135L, and 200L

Do you care about IQ?
70-200 II is not able to replace 85/135/200Ls in many situations...

21

Lenses / Re: January 8, 2013 Announcements?

« on: January 04, 2013, 01:41:27 PM »

Not really. The 35L is just fine.
It is better if Canon fill the holes in their lineup, before upgrading an already great lens like the 35L.

I have to disagree.  Based on TDP's ISO 12233 charts, the new 35mm f/2 IS is sharper than the current 35L with both shot wide open, right out into the corners.   I'd like a refreshed 35/1.4L with improved optics (sharper than a lens that costs half as much would be nice), and weather sealing. 

As I've stated before, every L-series prime of 100mm and shorter has been updated or newly released in the last 6 years...every one except the 35L.  It's overdue...

I have to disagree - 34L is quite OK and there are other primes needing refresh more.
+ I do not see any reason to compare wide open lenses - why don't you protest that 50/2.5 wide open is visibly better across whole frame than 50L wide open?

22

Canon General / Re: Single point auto focus

« on: January 04, 2013, 08:20:54 AM »

1D4 - single point (not central and enabled only cross type) without any expansion - all the time - on static and moving subjects.
(Automatic restore of AF point selection on camera orientation change helps a lot.)

23

Lenses / Re: The great battle: primes vs zooms

« on: December 18, 2012, 09:28:18 AM »

Yes, I'm comparing because OP asking to compare primes vs zooms and I choose primes 98% of the time.
I do not usually shoot architecture, thus I can use "feet zoom" and pick up 85,200 anytime against 24-70 + 70-200.
I tested new 24-70 taking several shots and difference between 2.8 and 3.5 was clearly seen on the camera display...
So, there is no FF AF prime wider than 85 matching the IQ 85+ (only TS24II w/o AF), thus I use 85+ 98% of the time...

Everyone can say my lens is SUPER sharp at bla-bla-bla....it's difficult to debate when there no hard facts included.

I do not need to convince anybody to use any lens, I'm only saying what I found out and what I use the most...
You can try yourself and if you do not see the difference, you will be happy - carrying less weight and keep zoom versatility...
BTW: http://the-digital-picture.com/ database of the lenses is pretty good - I usually compare the IQ here before buying lens and than my test shots confirm almost all the time match the conclusion I did online. (DB is correct at least for Canon and Sigma, some Nikkor lenses I own are better than seen there...)

24

Lenses / Re: The great battle: primes vs zooms

« on: December 18, 2012, 02:40:10 AM »

I'm assuming you already compared(hand-on) your primes Vs 24-70 f2.8 II?

How do you recomp....f1.2 lens at 1.2? not saying you can't with crop in pp

Yes, I did - with my hands and my eyes. 24-70 II is sharp @ F3.5. But, 85/1.4, 135/2, 200/2 are far better @ F2.8 than 24-70 II @ F2.8.
I do not recompose with any lens, because the right moment of a shot is lost and sometimes correct focus is lost too.

24-70 II can only reach up to 70mmm and you compared to 85, 135, and 200mm?

What I'm seeing in my 24-70 II is extremely sharp at f2.8....I haven't shoot at f3.5 or smaller yet.

Pic below was taken inside a pre-school classroom. I cropped nearly 70%, no flash of course @ f2.8. You have any pic at f3.5 on your 24-70?

Yes, I'm comparing because OP asking to compare primes vs zooms and I choose primes 98% of the time.
I do not usually shoot architecture, thus I can use "feet zoom" and pick up 85,200 anytime against 24-70 + 70-200.
I tested new 24-70 taking several shots and difference between 2.8 and 3.5 was clearly seen on the camera display...
So, there is no FF AF prime wider than 85 matching the IQ 85+ (only TS24II w/o AF), thus I use 85+ 98% of the time...

25

Lenses / Re: The great battle: primes vs zooms

« on: December 17, 2012, 07:42:15 PM »

I'm assuming you already compared(hand-on) your primes Vs 24-70 f2.8 II?

How do you recomp....f1.2 lens at 1.2? not saying you can't with crop in pp

Yes, I did - with my hands and my eyes. 24-70 II is sharp @ F3.5. But, 85/1.4, 135/2, 200/2 are far better @ F2.8 than 24-70 II @ F2.8.
I do not recompose with any lens, because the right moment of a shot is lost and sometimes correct focus is lost too.

26

Lenses / Re: The great battle: primes vs zooms

« on: December 17, 2012, 07:04:57 PM »

I'm saying regardless of cost, I'm asking would you prefer to carry around one set or the other. Is the weight worth the sharpness

You seem to miss the point of using prime lenses.  Its more depth of field, and low light needs that drive users to primes.  Sharpness has less to do with it.
If I'm shooting in very low light, I have little choice.  Same if I want very shallow depth of field, f/2.8 might not be enough.
Many primes are as sharp or sharper than zooms, not a big issue for me.

Sharpness and overall IQ is the main reason to use primes for me. (even in "enough light" situations)
Zoom I use only in a situation I know I do not have enough time / space / clean place to exchange lenses.
Thus "...weight worth..." - yes it is! ;-)

My 50L is not sharper than my 24-70 f2.8 II @ 50mm f2.8 nor f1.2

Better bokeh is what we looking for in primes

Than go and buy a better prime... I do not prefer the whole picture blurred against sharp isolated subject.
+ all my primes used for stills are sharper @ 2.8 than 24-70II@50, F2.8...
PS: Your 50 is only acceptable in the center, but I usually do not prefer center composition...

27

Lenses / Re: The great battle: primes vs zooms

« on: December 17, 2012, 03:24:32 PM »

I'm saying regardless of cost, I'm asking would you prefer to carry around one set or the other. Is the weight worth the sharpness

You seem to miss the point of using prime lenses.  Its more depth of field, and low light needs that drive users to primes.  Sharpness has less to do with it.
If I'm shooting in very low light, I have little choice.  Same if I want very shallow depth of field, f/2.8 might not be enough.
Many primes are as sharp or sharper than zooms, not a big issue for me.

Sharpness and overall IQ is the main reason to use primes for me. (even in "enough light" situations)
Zoom I use only in a situation I know I do not have enough time / space / clean place to exchange lenses.
Thus "...weight worth..." - yes it is! ;-)

28

Lenses / Re: 50mm upgrade or 85mm coverage?

« on: December 12, 2012, 09:55:21 AM »

Having FF with 35L, 50 1.5 and 135L, I'm thinking in:
1) selling the 50mm 1.4 and buy the 50L
2) buying the Sigma 85 1.4
3) buying 85L (more difficult due to the money involved)

Anyone had a similar debate?

Having 1.3x with the same lenses and question some time ago.
I owned 85/1.8 and upgraded to S 85/1.4.  (C1.8 = too much violet fringing and inconsistent AF)

29

EOS Bodies / Re: Memory Cards--What is the absolute best?

« on: December 11, 2012, 05:45:23 AM »

Is there any card with better parameters than Lexar 1000x 128GB?
(http://www.lexar.com/products/lexar-professional-1000x-compactflash-card?category=77)

30

Canon General / Re: Is it worth it...for me?

« on: December 02, 2012, 09:17:02 AM »

Don't worry about whether someone else will notice differences in the finished results - better equipment is more enjoyable to use (some of us like the actual process of *using* a camera) and if you find a camera and/or lens more enjoyable to use you will likely end up taking better photos anyway.

If you don't know someone with a FF camera, do what I did and rent one (ditto lenses you're interested in); doing so isn't exactly free, but you may end up saving money (or not!); and there's no substitute for hands-on experience.

One last thing - if you like portraits with blurred background, consider going longer (esp. if you end up FF); 135L is not only fantastic in its own right, but considerably less expensive than 50L or 85L.  Or try a good zoom such as Canon's 70-200 f/4 IS (or a 70-200 2.8 - needn't be Canon).  If you want 85, consider the Sigma.

Have fun!

+4 ;-)
enjoying, longer FL, 135/2, 85/1.4