Messages

91

HDR - High Dynamic Range / Re: Canon 5D mark 3 in-camera HDR shots

« on: January 17, 2013, 03:06:05 PM »

None of these shots do much for me. I know it's said if you can't say anything nice at all then don't say it but HDR makes me break those rules every time. The halo around the building, the gamma-ey nasty clouds, the OTT colours etc etc - just not for me. Sorry.

The last one works OK for me though - was that taken with a 24-70ii? Sunburst looks familiar...

92

Lenses / Re: Canon 85mm f/1.8 vs Other L and non-L Canon Primes

« on: January 17, 2013, 02:58:14 PM »

I upgraded to the Sigma from the 85 1.8 - agreed they are in different leagues entirely. The Sigma is a more practical and versatile lens given its still very good AF whereas the 85L is sublime but seemingly far more specialized. The IQ between it and the Sigma is also pretty damn similar, at least in 'real world' outcomes, IMHO.

It's all been said before and I would agree with it

And my Sigma needed 0 AFMA

93

Lenses / Re: Canon 85mm f/1.8 vs Other L and non-L Canon Primes

« on: January 17, 2013, 02:53:13 PM »

Or get the Sigma 85 which has both.

94

Reviews / Re: Review - Canon EF 50 f/1.2L

« on: January 16, 2013, 10:00:41 PM »

Agree with the above. Mine's decently sharp at 1.4 too.

95

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

« on: January 16, 2013, 05:21:57 PM »

I have the 70-200 and agree it's awesome - in a 'meat and potatoes' sort of way. It doesn't have the uniqueness of the 85 lenses (I have the Sigma and I'm very happy with it) but it's obviously very good. I'd vote for an 85 and the zoom. Not sure just how useful the 135L is alongside the zoom - there are benefits (focussing distance, extra stop etc) but I consider it a luxury add-on from the zoom whereas an 85 is quite a different sort of lens.

96

Lenses / Re: Canon 24-70 ii - another superlative

« on: January 16, 2013, 03:43:48 PM »

The other great thing about the 24-70ii is its weight. Heavier than my heaviest prime but not by much. It certainly narrows several gaps between zooms and primes.

97

Lenses / Re: Canon 24-70 ii - another superlative

« on: January 16, 2013, 02:00:56 PM »

As I said earlier too, I prefer the primes for other stuff - the DOF and better shutter speeds make a difference to me. As much as the new zoom is wild, nothing matches the 24L for crazy amazing portraits or the lush bokeh of the 50s. But that's me, YMMV.

The new zoom has more going for it than sharpness though - it has a sense of dimensionality and depth that I'm not seeing in the older model. When Zeiss owners wax lyrical about the 21 ZE I often roll my eyes but I'm now thinking perhaps there's something to it.....

And the starbursts out of this lens are out of this world!

98

Lenses / Re: Your favorite lens is?

« on: January 16, 2013, 08:36:22 AM »

24L2

Not the most practical lens, but the most unique.

99

Lenses / Canon 24-70 ii - another superlative

« on: January 16, 2013, 07:59:45 AM »

Yet another ringing endorsement on the new Canon zoom. I upgraded with a touch of uncertainty after selling off my old version simply on account of not using it much - but since that time, I was finding myself increasingly zooming to 40 whilst using my 17-40 as a street walk-around/night lens and so the new 24-70 seemed a good fit.

After a night of shooting tonight in the city, I am astounded at the sharpness, clarity and sense of dimensionality inherent in the images. The starbursts are so punchy and spikey - they resemble F11 or higher (I shoot usually at F8) and are clean and virtually flare free.

People may complain about the price but I tend to see why now - with a slightly heavy heart I agree this lens is worth every $$ - and as a tripod or day walkaround architectural lens, it's superb. I'm still not convinced about it as a people/portrait lens - for that I prefer the primes - but for everything else, it's fantastic.

100

Lenses / Re: Quick decision help: canon 24 vs zeiss 21

« on: January 15, 2013, 03:14:37 PM »

The 24L ii is a great lens - superb for landscape stopped down but probably not as useful with the advent of the 24-70 ii which appears to match it. For me, where the 24 is simply unmatched is low light bokeh portraiture wide open. Something the Zeiss won't do as effectively. On that rationale, I prefer the L simply for the flexibility however if its purely landscapes the Zeiss is probably slightly ahead.

101

Lenses / Re: List of rumored lenses

« on: January 11, 2013, 07:53:56 AM »

Is the 16-35 ii good sharp at edges at F8 at 16? I'd be surprised.

I've been using one for 4 years now....have you tried one? I hope you aren't basing your opinions on forum chatter. Please take a look at my flickr page and see if there are any landscapes where the 16-35IIL is found to be lacking...then again, I never found the 17-40L particularly lacking either. Both are excellent lenses.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23849425@N06/

I haven't used one but I've read reviews to suggest its still a bit soft around the edges at F8, just as I feel the 17-40 is. I love the 17-40, I think it's dead sharp across most of the frame but certainly is far from perfect around the corners. I always took the 16-35 to be optically pretty similar to the 17-40 after about 5.6... I assume yours is sharp to the edges from the sounds of it.

102

Lenses / Re: List of rumored lenses

« on: January 11, 2013, 04:14:58 AM »

Is the 16-35 ii good sharp at edges at F8 at 16? I'd be surprised.

103

Software & Accessories / Re: Manfrotto 055 vs 190, 498 vs 496

« on: January 10, 2013, 08:16:47 AM »

Being 6 foot 2, I chose the taller 055XPROB. I rate it highly - it's heavy but I'm used to it now and in many ways its weight is reassuring. It's been going strong for 18 months and I've bad to tighten one of the legs once - which was easy.

104

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: introduction to speedlights/off-camera flash?

« on: January 08, 2013, 02:41:27 AM »

+1 again for the Speedliters handbook

105

Lenses / Re: Your "precious" lord of the red rings is?

« on: January 07, 2013, 10:06:09 PM »

That's quite a furnishing ...