Messages

46

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM

« on: December 29, 2012, 11:09:53 AM »

Dylan ... thanks for kind comment

I still have my 16-35 II...but I have to drum-up a reason to use it now...

for me...my kit changed with this 14 II lens...I love it.....still learning too
I use the 14 II   more than my macro now.. had the orig 100 macro... swapped for 100L macro..
and that was what I did most...

now I go for walks with
14 II (whole cities, bridges, crowds, etc)
and macro.... portraits, bugs, long candids

prime-wise I will use :  14 II, 35L II (coming soon) then  ...... THEN either 85L II, 100macro or 135 f2
I don't use a 50 .....
a travel mix will be :  14 II, 24-105, 135 f2 (w/tam spPro 1.4x = 189mm)
or
14 II, 24-70 II, 135 f2 ....this sort of thing...
the problem is the 24-70 I bought was not so good @ 70mm ...so I returned it

I just sold my 35L ..and will get the 35L II ...or..... 24-70 II
but my point is the 16-35 II has to go........the 14 II extended the kit wider and better...

just how I see things... but 16-35 II was a very good lens for me..

and I rented the 14 II ...two or three times...I forgot ...
and I like the small size ...against the never-fits-anywhere 16-35 with hood...

smaller, wider, better .... more $$ whoops!

I could see a complete kit with 14 II,  24-70 (if they give me a good one) and 100L macro...
maybe I'll keep the 70-200 II...... likely sell the 85L II .... not as used anymore

I need a smaller lens set.... tried a lot...all good

maybe add the samyang 24 TSE as a fun if it is good... and cheap

47

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Yet another second body/backup camera question

« on: December 28, 2012, 02:20:03 PM »

I have a 5D3 and just sold my 1D3 and 5D2....

5D2 was a good camera...

my own feeling is that two 5d3s make sense.....

if any of your future (or current) lenses are zooms ... you get better micro adjust
the 5D3 wide AND TELE micro adjust (2 points) was a good improvement over 5D2...

also if you have the same cameras you will refine your understanding of ops/function together
...faster ... sharing settings /questions - IMO

finally when one camera seems to have an issue...the two can be compared..
much like working on a stereo amplifier... you have a working reference to compare to.. L or R channel

I dont see 6D as viable... the focus systems are too different ... 5D3 versus 6D (not strong enough)

maybe 2 ... $2800 purchases are steep...but if it is a 'near option' ...
then just stretch into it (...not having to pay myself ......sorry)

or WAIT for a new Canon 2013 body....but a long wait maybe...


the 1Dx is to far away to get 5D3/1Dx combo.... I am sure

just my opinion...not having to live with your budget....

TOM

48

Lenses / Re: 100mm macro VS 180mm macro

« on: December 06, 2012, 06:03:22 PM »

I had both 100mm macro ...and 100mm L macro..
they have  about the same quality...

I sold the non-I.S. ... non-L....  because I walk around to shoot bugs.. I.S. is useful to me
the original ...... @ $450 or less used...is just fine if you do NOT want I.S.  ...

a little more $$ gets you to the L - new- with I.S. ...
maybe the I.S. is useful for you ...you decide
New one is a good , tough product.. so maybe worth it for the feature you MAY use...

--

whatever your choice ....they are very close in performance...
My I.S version (L) is worth it to me because I need the I.S. to stretch the shutter speed limits...while walking in the garden

on a tripod..
the original could sit there and never show any diff from the 'L' version..

No one in my family wanted an slr macro lens... so I just sold it..
they missed out.... as a gift
a..VERY nice deal for someone...
get one of those for close to $400...

but both are workable
--

I never used the 180..it is welded to a tripod - IMO
I will buy a new 180/200 Macro if it has I.S.


also a great portrait lens ...either model
so useful for lots of things
once you are within the focus range... approx... it snaps into focus.. NOT slow like ALL the other macros...

either one is like this ..................new one is  even faster...

3 portraits from the OLD non-L model...

and on the NEW I.S. 'L' model
one Hummer shot at 4000 ISO ..
so the I.S. is useful to ME here...


TOM

49

Lenses / 24-70 II tested at SLR gear

« on: December 05, 2012, 11:42:23 AM »

I looked at SLR gear site....where they tested the 24-70 II ...
http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1494/cat/11

I collected the graphs and compared with ....
 the 24L, 35L 50L ...and for lack of something better ...the 70mm position of the 70-200 II.

looking at chromatics also....

seems to do fairly well....
(MAYBE the 35L is ready for a replacement ....with these chromatics and with Sigma release - IMO
But I do love my 35L)

would liked to have seen better performance at 70mm..   and especially I.S.  ....
(I guess we are spoiled by the recent Canon lens releases)

but for this difficult range...it compares pretty well......to the overall quality of the 70-200 II
(well ...really..... very little compares to the 70-200 II)

thought it would be of interest to know that this test is up....

TOM

UPDATE note:

the 24mm L prime and 35mm L prime  sharpness graphs are swapped ... (24mm is under the 35mm  zoom column)

50

Lenses / Re: Just pulled trigger on 70-200 2.8L IS II USM - NEW - $1625.99

« on: November 28, 2012, 01:59:02 PM »

that is an amazing buy ...is this hollow?...or is there glass in it?.. just kidding....
the price is so low...

this lens is a real gem.... as everyone knows

it solves so many issues... except weight....
when you are going to be @ f2.8...or above....

that -again - is so way below what I paid... and I accept my price for the performance I get....
well done

enjoy it

TOM

51

Lenses / Re: Visualising focal length perception.

« on: November 28, 2012, 01:53:14 PM »

plus these four.. from ...I believe the same post...
wish I had the link to the discussion... good points there


they really tell the story with these - IMO
sometimes...a picture is worth a thousand words....

I try to see...and think like this when I have my 14mm,  35mm and 135mm with me..

52

Lenses / Re: Visualising focal length perception.

« on: November 28, 2012, 01:46:47 PM »

I saw this collection of faces...
I saved it because the person that did this ...did it right - IMO
I would give credit if I had the link...

this shot(s) explains a lot...

-----------------------

53

Lenses / Re: 135L vs 70-200 IS MK II - real world opinions and experience needed

« on: November 27, 2012, 09:15:16 PM »

I was using these various lenses yesterday on a shoot for a musician's cover art
mostly because I did not know what I faced.... until I arrived

I had the 85L, 135L and 70-200 II with me ...
I did try a few shots with the 85L wide open ...and also some stopped down...
the f5.6 shots were very nice...

the 135 didn't get to the table... just because of the setting...

the real keepers came as I worked in the 70-200 II..
mostly wide open

this seems to happen a lot with this lens

IFF you have very low light situations.. or need the big-time background blur...and real bokeh quality...
these two 85L and 135L are the ones..

but the absolute quality of the colors, stunning sharpness, fringe-free shots....
the I.S. ability, zoom flexibility ...and even good bokeh quality
.... ALL come in the package ........the 70-200 II..

it amazes me each time... what it delivers..
and I love those primes ........for the specialty shots...
but that zoom is so great ...
I dont ever want to carry it .... but when I feel I MIGHT need it...it goes

I have to say it is a very special tool that brings it all to the table..
short of the f1.2 or f2.0  aperture....

I cant imagine NOT owning the 85L and 135L because of what they  CAN deliver....BUT
the 70-200 f2.8 II is a VERY powerful addition to a kit - IMO

I am a hobby shooter...but weddings seem like they would be a perfect fit for this lens
(and yes...the primes might have to come out for a special shot)

just my experience ...having all these .... at-the-ready
and having the 70-200 II ...do so well.......again

TOM

54

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Sigma 35 f/1.4 DG HSM First Impressions

« on: November 22, 2012, 10:02:31 AM »

I have only Canon L  lenses at the moment...
am considering a wide, manual focus  like a distagon...

I USED to have a sigma 30mm for a 20D..
it got played-with by Sigma and became fairly accurate..in focus
I remember loving the look...and the bokeh from this lens
(one shot I found - attached)

I have been waiting for a replacement to my 35L (good.. but some CA, etc)

this Sigma 35  looks interesting to me ...since the 30 f1.4

I actually HOPE this pushes Canon to immediately release the 35L II ...and that it is PERFECT
 ...I dont use 50mm...35 is normal for me.   

interesting to see the report on this lens,,,need to see some hard tests from others though

TOM



SIGMA 30mm f1.4

55

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM

« on: November 17, 2012, 04:44:43 PM »

these are the first few shots from the lens...
and with my new 5D III too...
one of my favs
only the 100L macro gets as much attention from me..
I take them both for a walk ...wide....long/close...what else do I need

well the 14L and 85L II in the morning's first sun...
are another pair that seems made in heaven

I sure like some of the new lenses from Canon in the past few years...
the 70-200 II ... is amazing....       the 24-70 ...pretty good
100L macro  wonderful with I.S.

56

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM

« on: November 17, 2012, 04:25:04 PM »

have the 16-35 II and 5D3...
as others say most shots were on 16mm..
so I knew I wanted 14mm

got the 14mm II
love it

some Portland shots a few days ago
just snapshots...
I can spend the day with JUST this lens in a city

small, compact, sharp, low distortion, good colors...a little CA... needs correction OVER the 16-35 II

57

Lenses / Re: Advice 5d3, wide angle

« on: November 16, 2012, 08:31:53 PM »

Hello Half-way
I had a 50D (sold) with a Canon 10-22...which revealed to me ...I wanted wide lenses...good ones...

some thoughts for what they are worth..things I have tried...
I am suggesting the 14mm f2.8L II
(maybe try the Samyang...but the Canon is very small  and autofocuses...
this is a great difference IMO)


I also have a 5D3...sure is a good camera
I have had 16-35 II for a couple yrs now (used on 5D2)
...recently got the 14mm f2.8 II... just WOW..

the 14mm II is my new fav lens..
no distortion...very sharp...small and handy..
a little more CA than 16-35 II but corrects in LR

for me I plan to use it in 2 ways
as the wide add-on to the bottom of a zoom
...24-70 or 24-105 (I have this one)
and with something longer on top if needed ......like a 70-200 f2.8 II (love this one)

ALSO
the 14mm fills the widest end of a prime kit in my mind
 ....  14L, 35L,  85L/100L/135L/    arrange the tele end .. any way you want (I dont do 50's)
I have the 24L mk I, but I find that lens less useful than my 35L which I think of as the 'normal' lens for a kit...

all this seems to 'bump' my 16-35 II .....as useful...as good as it is...
but not really...  the 16-35 is a very fine lens... IF you want that zoom in that range...
I have neglected mine...and take it out...occasionally...

but
my ideal kit will end up
14L 24-70 II (with the fast 35L II (waiting) in the middle... if needed)   
then a specialized longer lens above 70... like 85L, 100L macro or 135L (they do different things)

I like the 24-105...but want the f2.8 aperture(wish it had I.S.)

so all this talk..back to my point
the 14L is big-time quality and crazy fun .....if you want REALLY wide

the 16-35 is MAYBE more useful IF you want zoom in the range
(I used mine at 16mm mostly ... and thus KNEW I wanted the 14mm)

as you choose variations...
I recommend you keep the 24-105... for now
I keep going to mine IN SPITE of all the others ...
when I want a simple ... camera-at-side..... 
add the 14mm to get real width..... or 135 f2 to get  lovely fast reach.....

so again for ME 14mm ...if not the SOLE LENS....is the first hitchhiker...it rides 'shotgun' ...
when I go out... with 24-105 (future 24-70) or other primes...

a few recent 14mm shots....
you cant really see the amazing detail, sharpness and pop....here...
so download the samples... they are just snapshots on a walk thru the city

I see the 14L as my main walk-about ...in the city....

in the dark mornings as the sun rises...
I FIRST use the 85L f1.2 II for the weakest light... shoot at f1.2
then as the sun spills...... out comes the 14L....

those two are just great!

rent a 14L II.....

TOM

58

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

« on: November 15, 2012, 08:50:36 AM »

the Canon 10-22 is likely the best ef-s lens they have made... even though one it was one of the first   .....   solid, sharp...accurate, repeatable focus

when I left the crop world, I sold mine for more than I paid for it.....
I had sold all the other consumer lenses.. but the 10-22 stayed on my 50D for a while....

the 16-35 II on a 5D II was a little better....
but the 10-22 is the best Canon wide for the 1.6 crop cameras
I loved mine

As far as I am concerned it should be the kit lens for the more expensive crop cameras ...
because wide is so hard to come by for them.

59

Software & Accessories / Re: Need great Photo editing monitor

« on: October 24, 2012, 11:24:10 PM »

I had a dell 2407 for a few yrs...it was a good product
still works great.. I calibrated it once... ..
but lost interest in chasing all that... it is close enough for me....
I just compare to the 4-5 local photo print places ...and check if it is about right

then a few months ago upgraded to a U3011...2560 x 1600
it is more accurate.. and fits well into my needs
comes with a little 'certificate' like color test...
....seems like the old days when you got a freq response curve/plot with an amplifier or a microphone... seems believable ...photos look great

anyway this monitor is just fine....
and I like the extra space..
I did run the 2407 alongside for a while as an experiment.. but that is gone now

I bought mine at FRY's...and got the same   dell 3 yr exchange warranty..for ANY dead /brite pixel
I registered online for that

and the monitor was $50 cheaper than DELL direct

I now typically re-size or crop the 5D3 shots....to the native 2560x1600 size ....
for my day to day walkabouts....

30" is fun

so...I think
the top Dell stuff is.... a little .....better..

by the way:
NONE of this... stuff .....is perfect anyway...
cameras, monitors, Windows etc..
and Guitars too..I might add....

I finally learned to just go with it....


just my experience ... with this particular monitor

60

Lenses / Re: 85 1.2 L2 not sharp at 1.2

« on: October 23, 2012, 06:34:12 PM »

85L mk II...........

I find it pretty sharp' at f1.2....getting very sharp .....quickly on the way to f2...

I use it at ....below f4...maybe f2 .........mostly f1.2...for effect....
------
it has to be MA'd just right in the distance you use it...AND you may as well take a few shots....
for each sample...because it is hard to repeat the shot-and focus point...

as Menace says...dial it in ...really try to get it on-the-money ...
then use it there...
if you dont see the sharpness... send it back....

like an x-15 with a micro-crack in the air-frame....
it wont ever get there...with some small limitation built-in


I really love it...
it sleeps for weeks...then it awakens....

14L II, 35L, 85L II, 135L .... yummy