Messages

91

Reviews / Re: Review - The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS

« on: April 23, 2013, 04:17:20 PM »

here is the conclusion:  I like the lens...a lot

...

* Close up performance is nice when not wanting to change lenses (I took some surprisingly good butterfly shots with it), but it in no way reaches the performance of the 100L macro lens. Another issue with the 70-300L is that it is missing the focus limiting switch of the 70-200L and 100L (thanks, Canon!), so if the af misses it takes a lot of time.

* The IS on the 70-300L is really good (at least 2ev) and the lock is instant and nearly not noticeable - but there's a catch since it still needs a little time to be most effective. So for quick point & shoot it's nice to have a stable viewfinder and being able to set the af precisely, but in my experience waiting for a second is a good idea.

A focus limiter would have been nice.  No, it isn't close to the 100L's performance, but that is not surprising.  I haven't tried it with extension tubes, but I suspect it would do pretty well.

Bryan Carnethan at the Digital Picture rated the IS at actually better than 4ev, but testing IS is pretty subject.  I am very stable, myself.  This sample was taken (also yesterday) with the extender attached (420mm) at 1/15th.  That's pretty impressive.  I suspect that with a static subject I could pull off a 1/5th at 300mm.  I haven't actually experienced the lag that you describe for the IS to kick in, but I am rarely a speed shooter so it may be possible.

92

Reviews / Re: Review - The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS

« on: April 23, 2013, 04:12:05 PM »

here is the conclusion:  I like the lens...a lot

... me, too, and I bought it back when it had a reputation as being an overpriced version of Canon's non-L lens - but it's interesting to see how it gained much more recognition since then. I esp. like the still handholdable weight for ext. periods of time and walking around vs. the 70-200Lii (ymmv).

Just a some random additions to your again very nice review:

* The 70-300L's white paint is just for show, there aren't lens elements that would heat protection like in the 70-200L. One drawback of the extending design is that you cannot camouflage and protect the lens completely with a neoprene hood.

* I really doubt Canon will add f8 af for the 6d and wouldn't advise anyone to gamble on that. On my 60d the Kenko likes to hunt on low contrast objects when using single point af, and for multi-point the 9 af points usually is spread too far apart - so while 6d/5d3 might do fine, on crop it's rather for static objects.

It actually focuses pretty remarkably well on the 6d.  I am attaching a photo I took yesterday at 420mm while quickly tracking.  I had very little warning for this shot.  There are scenarios where it will hunt, but that tends to be in darker areas.  I was actually surprised at how well it did.  I shot with that combo exclusively while exploring a marsh yesterday.

93

Reviews / Review - The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS

« on: April 23, 2013, 03:00:13 PM »

Hi again!  For those interested in reading a review of this excellent lens along with a lot of sample images taken with it, I have just posted a review to my website at:  http://www.dustinabbott.net/2013/04/canon-70-300mm-f4-5-6l-is-review-the-ultimate-zoo-lens/

Among the things I address are its use with teleconverters (sample images included).  A lot of you are now familiar with my review technique, but in case you aren't, this is a real world review with pictures of things as opposed to charts.  I am a part time professional photographer with a lot of real experience.  If you don't care to look at the review, here is the conclusion:  I like the lens...a lot

94

Lenses / Re: EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x Available Mid 2014?

« on: April 23, 2013, 11:29:59 AM »

great idea for a lens. too expensive for me.

But Sigma will probably have one out and available for $3500 before this hits the street.

+1 - EXACTLY what I was thinking.

95

Reviews / Re: Review - Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM

« on: April 22, 2013, 07:47:56 PM »

With all due respect to the direction this thread has taken (talk about getting off topic!), Canon is still the leader in both patents filed and overall profit.  It is a highly rated corporation that has a legacy of success that continues into the present.  Do they frustrate me at times?  Sure.  Do I agree with every one of their priorities? No.  But I love my Canon gear and it continues to provide me with great images that pleases my clients, stock agencies, and even magazines.  I highly doubt bankruptcy is in their near future.

I hope that wasn't directed at me. On previous pages I tried contribute to the discussion. Maybe I should have added 'sarcasm' to my last note.

It was more directed at the general tone the thread had taken, which was, in my opinion, getting a bit absurd.

96

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: 135mm f/1.8 DG OS ART Next from Sigma? [CR1]

« on: April 22, 2013, 09:55:33 AM »

.
Much as I love the Canon 135, GMC is probably spot on about a next generation version. However, with the stellar performance of the newest 70-200, would they sell any at the $2K price they'd tack on?

The Canon ef primes have been a nice earner for Canon. Many wedding photographers have stayed in the Canon fold (when Nikon had better DSLR specs) becuase of the 35L, 85L and 135L. No other band (other than Sony) had a simular array of bright primes. But as usual Canon were unaware of the need to develop the next gen of fast primes. The 35L is a fantastic lens, but flare control isn't great, it's AF in low light is erratic and it's not weather sealed and it's number of aperture blades is an even number. The 135L is an awsome lens, but it's an old design, flare could be better, MFD could be better. It could do with newer coatings, it's aperture blades are not circular (stop down and look at the out of focus blobs). It's not weather sealed and Sony has an f1.8 variant, which means that it's not the best of the breed. Popping IS on it would really make my wedding work easier too. It's AF is good but not as good as the newer 70-200 f2.8 L IS II. It#s a great lens but there's quite a lot of room for improvement.
The 85L is a quirky lens and I'm quite happy with it as it is. It's not easy to use, and it's dof is so slim it requires a well honed AF technique to get consistent results. I use this lens a lot and I love it.

I own the current 135L, and, at a 2K price tag I would have no desire to move to a newer lens.  And, yes, I would definitely choose the 70-200L II if price were equal.

97

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Sigma Announces 18-35 f/1.8 DC HSM Art for APS-C

« on: April 22, 2013, 09:47:57 AM »

The sample images at that site look pretty good.  Resolving power looks pretty impressive.  If I were a crop user I would be getting very interested about now.

98

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Sigma Announces 18-35 f/1.8 DC HSM Art for APS-C

« on: April 22, 2013, 09:42:46 AM »

If nothing else, the new Sigmas are beautiful looking pieces of kit.  I love the look compared to the old "crinkle finish" design.  The new lenses are so clean and professional looking.

99

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS USM

« on: April 22, 2013, 09:38:42 AM »

I will write a full review of the lens soon, but here's a good, a bad, and an example.  The bad is that the lens focus breathes really heavily.  I was disappointed at the lower maximum magnification that the 70-300L produces vs. the Tamron 70-300 VC although the Canon has a bit closer minimum focus.  I would estimate the focal length at minimum focus to be not much more than 225mm.  The good news:  the same floating elements that produce that effect also produce very high resolution at minimum focus range (to be fair - I found the Tamron quite good in situations like this, too - just not quite to the Canon's level).  Here's an example:


April Showers #1 by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

100

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS USM

« on: April 21, 2013, 05:54:20 PM »

Dustin: Great photos!

Question to Dustin and everyone: I have the 70-300L and plan to take it along with my 24-105L on a safari to Tanzania. My bodies will be a 6D and a T1i. I've been trying to decide which lens to put on which body. I was thinking of putting the 70-300L on the T1i for reach to get longer distance animal shots and the 24-105L on the 6D for closer up animal shots and for landscapes. But given Dustin's photos, is that still the best approach? Given the dust in August, I'm going to assume that once I put the lenses on the bodies, they will most likely stay there for each game drive if not the entire day. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

reach, reach, reach - 70-300L on the T1i (unless the MFA is off and you don't have time to send it for calibration)

I think I would have to agree here.  If the lens isn't dialed in, then put it on the 6D and dial it in before you.  I found a huge difference at 50 ft+ after AFMA.  But 300mm isn't very long on FF.  The positive is that I find I can do 100% crops and still have nice looking results for web use.  Big prints might be another story, though.

101

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: April 21, 2013, 05:51:18 PM »

Lovely tits!


Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) by alabang, on Flickr

The Little Egret is more delicate-looking than any other heron-like bird which occurs in Britain. It is much smaller than a Grey Heron, with snowy white plumage, a long pointed black bill and black legs with strikingly yellow feet.
Habitat

Feeds by the edges of lakes, reservoirs, rivers, brackish lagoons and saltpans. Breeds in waterside trees and bushes.
Behaviour

The plumes which are present in spring serve to emphasise the threat and appeasement gestures given at the nest.
Migration

Most of the European population migrates west and south, mostly to north Africa but also, to an increasing degree, to the european side of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coasts. After fledging, juveniles disperse almost randomly from July to September. This movement is presumably governed by prevailing feeding conditions.

Source: http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=20023

Location: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muntinlupa

EXIF: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alabang/8573613369/#meta/

Philippine birds

That is one gorgeous image.  The color is just fabulous!

102

Reviews / Re: Review - Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM

« on: April 21, 2013, 03:02:23 PM »

With all due respect to the direction this thread has taken (talk about getting off topic!), Canon is still the leader in both patents filed and overall profit.  It is a highly rated corporation that has a legacy of success that continues into the present.  Do they frustrate me at times?  Sure.  Do I agree with every one of their priorities? No.  But I love my Canon gear and it continues to provide me with great images that pleases my clients, stock agencies, and even magazines.  I highly doubt bankruptcy is in their near future.

103

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS USM

« on: April 21, 2013, 02:13:42 PM »

Absolutely loving all the photos being posted showcasing this lens, only thing is guy’s I think your all pushing the price of it up especially you Dustin and I’m still saving, now stop it and post some duffers   

+1

I really like what I am seeing here

I often zoom into 100% with this lens and my jaw drops (kind of like zooming into a lot of 135L pics).  For example, I was practicing AI Servo with the 6D with my cat in the backyard.  He stopped for a minute, and here is the full shot out of camera along with the 100% crop

104

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: 135mm f/1.8 DG OS ART Next from Sigma? [CR1]

« on: April 21, 2013, 01:00:02 PM »

Go Sigma!  This will have to a pretty fabulous lens, though, as the 135L is easily my favorite current lens from an IQ perspective.  Still, the thought of having a good stabilizer in a lens like that would be huge.

I'd love to see a great 50mm f/1.4 from them, too.  I'm not even using a modern 50mm right now, as it isn't a huge need for me.  I use either a 55mm f/1.8 SMC Takumar M42 lens or a Helios 58mm f/2 lens when I am shooting portraits/narrow DOF shots in that range and just use my Tamron 24-70 VC for most times.  Every current 50mm lens for a Canon mount has one quirk or another.

Exciting times.  I really, really love that Sigma and Tamron are actually producing some lenses that are pushing Canon and Nikon right now.  That will help all of us.

105

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS USM

« on: April 21, 2013, 08:52:25 AM »

Here's a duffer for you:


Sunbather by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

Or not...