Messages

256

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Should I buy the 60D or wait for the 70D?

« on: March 17, 2013, 12:26:04 PM »

Thanks Nishi Drew for making my decision more difficult. 

The 5D MKII is too expensive for me. When it's cheaper, I will get one.
I think I'll wait a few weeks and save more money. Maybe it will be enough to buy a FF, otherwise I will buy a 70D (if it comes).

I went from a Canon XS to a 60D and I will be upgrading to a 5d mkiii later this year.  As you go along the rebel line... there are marginal improvements, but none that really warrant the incredible price jump.  and while the 5d mkii is out of your price range, that is definitely what you should be targeting because anything less won't be worth the price. 

257

EOS Bodies / Re: just got a 5Diii, and wow!!

« on: March 17, 2013, 12:21:33 PM »

One advantage the 5DII still has over the Mk III is the possibility to change the focus screen, something I find absolutely necessary for MF purposes.

Wonder what's up with your 7D, I have no complaints about mine - even with a 5DMkII in my collection. Did you try a factory reset? Maybe you've got some settings/color profiles all wrong.

Change the focus screen??? Does that mean being able to switch to live fiew and zoom in on your subject while manually focusing to ensure that your subject is locked in exactly where you want?  I use that on my 60D often enough and it isn't something I would want to lose. 

Or are you talking about something else?

258

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Should I buy the 60D or wait for the 70D?

« on: March 17, 2013, 09:26:43 AM »

I don't see the low light performance of the 70D being THAT much better than the 60D.  And I agree with what others say... to really see a difference, you have to go full frame.  5D mkii body you can find for around $1400 new, probably a bit cheaper used.  I've seen a a 60D with a 18-135 lens for $900 recently (maybe less), which means around $600 for the body after you sell the lens.  A new 70D will probably be around $1300 new with an 18-135 (which is roughly what the 60D cost at launch and shortly thereafter).  So about $1000 for the 70D body.

If I were to talk about value, I think the 5D mkii is the best value between the three, the 60D being the next best, and finally 70D simply because it will be over priced initially.

As for AFMA, you can send in the camera and lenses to Canon and they will AMFA the body to your lenses.  So there is that option. 

259

Lenses / Re: Tried Canon 200-400f/4L IS today & asked the price, told it didn't exist :-)

« on: March 11, 2013, 11:10:13 PM »

Wow.  I thought... eh maybe if it comes around 5 or 6K... I might be able to swing it... but that is just crazy big. 

260

Portrait / Re: Bikini girl in my studio with my first scenic bacground

« on: March 10, 2013, 11:17:38 AM »

You had me a bikini... but lost me at a dearth of front meat.

261

Lenses / Re: Are recently made lenses better?

« on: March 09, 2013, 11:18:29 PM »

I know some fd lenses are highly regarded, but the proof is really in the pudding.  Not all lenses are made at the same standard deviation, so there are some 24-70's mkii that are AMAZING... and some that are merely great.  So it depends on where in the spectrum that lens falls.  If you can try it out for a week and compare and contrast... do it. 

262

Lens Gallery / Re: Samyang 8 mm f/3.5 fisheye lens

« on: March 04, 2013, 01:53:26 PM »

JD - To de-click, remove the mount on the rear of the lens.  Lift up the aperture ring and remove the tiny detent ball and spring and reassemble.  I'd recommend doing this over a container, once that detent ball is dropped it's gone forEVER; I disassemble lenses inside a large plastic container for just that reason.  I stuck it to a small piece of tape and left it inside the lens under the mount just in case I want to reinstall it.  I have a collection of old lenses sans detent ball from the days before I had the good sense to disassemble inside a container.

Thanks... seems easy enough...

263

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Amazon vs B&H for purchase?

« on: March 03, 2013, 11:07:52 PM »

Amazon has the sales tax issue for me... so unless their deal is outrageous... I'd lead towards B&H.

264

Lens Gallery / Re: Samyang 8 mm f/3.5 fisheye lens

« on: March 03, 2013, 01:24:52 AM »

I have the Pro-Optic flavor of this lens and find it fun to play with, both stills and time lapse.  I de-clicked it for video.  A fisheye is something I would not want to spend a lot of money on but I was happy with the price. 
I used it with a 40D to take a time lapse of my homemade motorized slider in action, which was carrying a 60D with a Tokina 11-16/2.8 attached.

I don't know the policy on linking to / embedding youtube videos here on CR, so change 'yertube' in the pseudo-links below to 'youtube' to make them work

Text from fisheye video, which is at

yertube.com/watch?v=KHzBE5y08DQ   

Home made slider running for about 7 hours.  Taken with Canon 40D and RokSamBow 8mm fisheye.  One 15 second exposure every minute.  On the slider is a 60D taking three 15 second exposures per minute.  Note my neighbor's TRULY ANNOYING security light, I'll have to ask her nicely to aim it in a different direction or shield it.  The timelapse made with this setup is at      yertube.com/watch?v=WBwNGcLGH1g

I don't know that I want to, but how do you de-click it?

265

Lenses / Re: Samyang 14mm T3.1 for still photography?

« on: March 03, 2013, 01:13:05 AM »

Hi

I just tried the 25mm T1,5 cine version, and i was really satisfied with that one. The build the price, the picture it can make.
Yes it has no eletronics in it, and the focus ring is designed for movie-like slow but steady moves, so its a bit harder (but fluent!) to turn, than a regular photo lens.

In a fast/random changing situations i would miss the lack of autofocus, since its hard to keep in focus, especially for someone with no experience, but other cases i wouldnt think its a problem.

One more thing: of course the camerabody (5dmkIII too) couldnt communicate with the non-existing aperture motor, it asked for verifying if there is any lens attached every time i turned it on again. Not a big issue eithet.

Thanks Kankalin. When you change the aperture value on the lens using the aperture ring, does it show the changed value in camera's viewfinder, quick menu? Also did you have to do any AFMA or was I sharp out of the box.

On my Rokinon 8mm, the aperture value doesn't show in the camera, but when you put it on manual and adjust shutter speed, the exposure setting does give an estimate.  I can't say about the 14, but I know around f/8 or so the focal ring becomes useless since EVERYTHING is in focus.  At f/3.5 depth of field comes into play, but it is still substantial.

266

Lens Gallery / Re: Samyang 8 mm f/3.5 fisheye lens

« on: March 02, 2013, 11:07:03 PM »

This is a busy thread... I got my fisheye today... and for the most part it has been underwhelming because of my lack of understanding... but I like where I'm going with it.

267

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Samyang (Rokinon) 8mm fisheye version 2 (HD8M)

« on: March 02, 2013, 10:56:51 PM »

I got it today for my birthday.  I've played around with it and I like it... for what it is.  It is remarkably sharp and at f/22... it almost becomes a macro because EVERYTHING in frame is in focus and basically eliminates the point of the focus ring.  I don't love all the shot I've gotten with it... but that's the way I am with all my lenses... so it isn't the fault of the lens.  I hear it get soft at 3.5 but I haven't had any need to shoot at that.  I think a fisheye is supposed to be more interesting than it is commonplace.

It looks a little blotchy at 100% but I think that may be more my post production than the lens.

268

Lenses / Re: Two Lens or One? Which to get.

« on: February 26, 2013, 11:25:51 PM »

The IS on the 24-105 will be huge.  There are plenty of videos out there showing its prowess.  I think the 17-40 might be a touch redundant... and it a little soft for photos until it is stopped down to f/8 or so... I'm not sure about video, but usually the 17-40 is a stepping stone for people interested in L quality... but it isn't really a good L lens.

You can find the 24-105 for around $750... and then save up for the 70-200mm f/4L IS.  I haven't used it... but it has a great reputation.

269

Lenses / Re: Help Me Build My Lens Stable!

« on: February 17, 2013, 10:28:45 PM »

What I'm looking at...

(sell 60D, 10-22, 70-200, keep 50 b/c why the hell not?)

5D III (toying with the 1D IV for build and speed but perhaps as a second body next year?) - I understand there is a value to the 1 series, but I think the 5d will suffice and exceed your needs.

16-35 II (traveling, street, some landscape, group or environmental portraits even) - I've heard from others, and I personally have no experience with the lens, that it is a bit disappointing and it doesn't really have quite the POP of other L lenses.  I think it is a fine option and much better than the 17-40 (which should go without saying), but I'd lean towards no.  Maybe considering some wide angle primes as an alternative...

70-200 2.8 IS II (everything...weddings, events, portrait, some closer wildlife) - I've been disappointed with the 70-200mm f/4L USM and the f/2.8L USM... but I know the 70-200 f/2.8L IS ii is king... and for your needs, I would think it would be a great addition.

135L (covers my portraits, some street stuff, events/stage stuff) - I want it... I don't have it... I know it is better than the 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS for portraiture.  And while the 70-200mm f/2.8L is II covers the focal length, I think the 135 is a hard to put into words, but worth getting because it is individually worth it.

24 1.4L (not as good as the TS but it's more versatile. churches, markets, lowlight, astro) -  I don't have an opinion, but I did suggest a complement of primes rather than the 16-35... so sure.

100 Macro (L or not? IS can come in handy and its only a $240 difference, weather sealing is a selling point) - I have this lens and I'm in love with it... I don't do much macro, but I really like have that as an option when the situation arises.  Having said that, I want the 135 and I have a difficult time rationalizing have both lenses in my bag.  I think if I get the 135L I'll wind up selling the 100. 

50 1.4 (better bokeh than the 1.8, which I'd keep as backup or lightweight setup) - That should be a no brainer.  I know there are some who like the f/1.2 but put a hood on the 50mm and don't drop it and it should be fine for you for a long time.  The f/1.4 is sharper than the f/1.2 and it is just a great value.  I owned the f/1.8 and I really like that lens and while I don't like admitting it, the f/1.4 is much better.

MAYBE a 600-RT but that likely comes last - Get a 2nd 430 and a few umbrellas.  Then you can play with the light in different ways to really bring out the detail of your shots.

270

Lenses / Re: How do yall compose a shot using a fisheye lens?

« on: February 15, 2013, 08:42:05 PM »

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SALE-BRAND-NEW-SAMYANG-8mm-f-3-5-FISHEYE-DSLR-LENS-for-CANON-DETACHABLE-HOOD-/330815197919?pt=AU_Lenses&hash=item4d061f52df

pretty decent price
if its gonna be used on a crop that is

I think I paid 245 from Buydig.  There was a coupon so I was able to pay less.  Brand new... full warranty... all very happy with the price.  I get to play with it in two weeks when my birthday comes.