Messages

751

Site Information / Re: Should karma remain on the forum?

« on: February 20, 2012, 03:11:42 PM »

Keep it.  The only people who get bad karma are those who doubt Canon's superiority in every field.  I've even seen some people suggest that Canon could do some things better.   Recently, there was even somebody complaining about noise on a 7D!!  We need a way to identify such fifth columnists!

Great point! Since the D800 was announced on 2/8, and I've expressed positive remarks about Nikon's latest effort, my negative karma has gone from 5 to 15. I could be wrong, but I don't ever recall being uncivilized in any way. I actually find it comical that people take someone else's admiration of a non-Canon camera so personally that they can't resist hitting the smite button.

752

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D Mark III/X Variation & New Flagship Speedlite? [CR1]

« on: February 18, 2012, 06:12:35 PM »

But i think you misinterpret some people who are advised they may get a 1D4 or 1DX AF system. If they're told it enough times they'll get to believe it and get disappointed if it doesn't happen.

Very true. DSLR's are ultimately expensive electronic gizmos that naturally appeal to tech geeks. That's why specs are more important to some people than how a camera actually performs in the field.

A pro tog reminded me that i should learn to manually focus  like in film days properly before relying on AF points. I pondered on that statement for a bit, then remembered why i was good at focusing manually in film days.

This is a whole 'nother can of worms. I'm actually dumbfounded that people start shooting without learning something as basic as manually focusing, but with as dummy-proof as today's cameras are, it's not surprising.  On that note, I recommended people learn to shoot color slides before even buying  a DSLR for the sole purpose of learning how to properly expose on image.

I get a good laugh from beginners with Rebels that brag about "how they only shoot RAW," ostracize anyone that shoots jpeg, then post images of how they were able to salvage a badly exposed shot of their cat thanks to the extra latitude of the RAW format. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with shooting RAW, but how about learning how to expose properly so you don't have to waste time in post production?

There's been talk lately criticizing Canon's metering system. Yes, better metering systems are welcome, but have these people ever heard of bracketing? It was a pretty standard technique back in the film days, but unlike the film days when it required wasting money on film and lab fees, taking additional exposures, s is now free. Plus, these days you can bracket in 1/2 and 1/3 stop increments to nail the exposure more accurately than ever before. So other than being lazy, what's the excuse for not doing something so basic and getting the shot right in camera?   

753

EOS Bodies / Re: Announcement Soon [CR3]

« on: February 18, 2012, 03:53:50 PM »

Very valid point and would be forced to agree with you.  I am a mere hobbyist at best so my photography is a money pit.

It certainly wasn't meant to be a criticism in any way. There's just no way I'd put up with the hassle and cost of switching systems unless I was chasing some money at the end of a tunnel. If you're shooting for fun, how much does Brand X's marginal advantage in tech specs really affect how much you enjoy your shooting experience? 

754

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D Mark III/X Variation & New Flagship Speedlite? [CR1]

« on: February 18, 2012, 02:22:03 PM »

There was a clamour for the 7D AF and now the 1D4 AF is on the horizon everyone is after the 1DX AF - no pleasing people

Amazing how Nikon has upped the bar, isn't it  ? Prior to the D800 announcement, some fan boys were in outright denial of its specs, and many said they'd be content with a 9-point AF system in the 5DIII, as long as they were all cross-type points.  Now they expect a 1Dx or 1D4 AF system.

What happened to all the "My skills are so pimp that I just manually focus, so I don't care about AF specs" and the "Just focus and recompose" people?

755

EOS Bodies / Re: Announcement Soon [CR3]

« on: February 18, 2012, 01:54:20 PM »

've been trying to add up how many people on this site are jumping to Nikon "if the 5DMIII/X..."

I doubt many people that say they're switching to Nikon will actually do it. Expanding upon that, I'd say less than 50 percent of the people on here that are contributing to the 5DIII hoopla will actually buy one for various reasons. Maybe the product won't be what they're expecting. Maybe it will exceed their expectations, but when push comes to shove, they'll find a better way to spend $3,000. That's why it's called "hype," after all

I've got a D800 on pre-order, but if Canon counters with a competitive 5DIII, I'll cancel it and stick with Canon. However, if I didn't make a living with my images, and photography was just something I did for fun, it wouldn't be worth the hassle of switching systems.

756

EOS Bodies / Re: Announcement Soon [CR3]

« on: February 17, 2012, 09:21:34 PM »

I have a D800 on pre-order, so a February 28 announcement will give me plenty of time to cancel it if the 5DIII is up to snuff.

757

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D Mark III/X Information [CR1]

« on: February 14, 2012, 09:18:46 AM »

I've done my share of D800 humping lately, but a 22 mp 5DIII with a 61-point AF system and 6.9 FPS would be one heck of a camera. Throw in one or two additional stops of DR and ISO over the 5DII, and this sucker will be irresistible. Do it, Canon My Canon glass gives me wood every time I use them, and I really don't want to switch systems.   

The interesting thing about a 22MP 5DIII is that once again the budget full frame is divided by two completely opposite camera models that essentially swapped places compared to the last generation. Nikon is now big MP game and a landscape/studio dream, canon is now fast fps game which should keep a lot of action/sports guys happy.

The funny part is that despite the role reversals, both the Canon and Nikon fan boys are still waving their Canon and Nikon flags. If you're a Nikon fan boy that loved the D700, and gladly sacrificed resolution for FPS and ISO, it would seem odd to embrace the D800, but they do anyways. If you're a Canon fan boy that went poo poo on speed in favor of resolution, it would seem odd to embrace a 22 mp 5DIII with vastly improved AF and FPS, but they will anyways.

758

EOS Bodies / Re: When will Canon Meet The Market Demand?

« on: February 12, 2012, 05:42:10 PM »

Now, if I'll allow myself to wear the conspiracy hat for a moment I'd venture a theory that this reversal of philosophies between Canon and Nikon is arranged between the companies. A roughly equal number of people switching sides means people buying new lenses and accessories more than they would had they stayed put. A win-win situation.

I think you're onto something. Maybe it's a three-way conspiracy with ebay in on the action, too. Imagine all the money in seller's fees they stand to make

759

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Development of 5Dmk2

« on: February 11, 2012, 12:45:14 AM »

Back when the 5D Classic came out, people were so pleasantly stunned that Canon crammed a full-frame sensor into a body roughly the same size as a 20D, at less than 1/2 the price of a 1DsII, that no one dared complain about the AF system. Back then, if you wanted a full-frame sensor you had to pay $8,000 for a pro body. People are pretty spoiled these days and come to expect cameras like the 5D/5DII and D700/D800, but Canon pretty much invented the affordable, light-weight, full-frame camera. Plus, the AF system wasn't that bad by 2005 standards.

On a side note, anyone that shot Nikon back then was an idiot That said, it's nice to see how much the competition has stepped it up since then.

760

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: D800 - Sample Photos

« on: February 08, 2012, 09:52:12 PM »

Soooooo...

where did all the Oh no current lenses cant resolve more than 20MP crowd go to?
looks to be resolving plenty fine to me. Nikon on are going to stuggle to keep up with demand on these for a year i think the waiting list is going to be Loooooong

When the 1DsII came out, people said: "16.7 MPs is too much, it's going to take up too much card space, the lenses can't keep up." Somehow the photographic world managed.

When the 1DsIII came out, people said: "21.1 MPs is too much, it's going to take up too much card space, the lenses can't keep up." Somehow the photographic world managed.

I have a hunch that history will repeat itself with the D800.

761

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: D800 - Sample Photos

« on: February 08, 2012, 09:24:32 PM »

Pixel count aside, the dynamic range in these files, particularly the library shots, is stunning. The books in shadow are clearly visible, yet the light coming through the ceiling doesn't blow out the highlights.

762

EOS Bodies / Re: Latest Canon disappoints wants me to switch over to Nikon.

« on: February 08, 2012, 07:34:10 PM »

2.8 glass works well for me 

5DII, 400 f/2.8

If I shot scantily clad women in low light, I'd opt for f/2.8 glass, too Back in the days of color slides, I was scared to shoot with anything other than 100 speed film, so f/2.8 or faster glass was necessary, but it's a very nice luxury these days to crank up the ISO far beyond what anyone could have dreamed of 15 years ago.

763

EOS Bodies / Re: Latest Canon disappoints wants me to switch over to Nikon.

« on: February 08, 2012, 03:34:11 PM »

So, 2.8 or below is useless for anything else than propping up your online ego? That's a bit harsh k.

Absolutely not, although I do see people spending a fortune on fast glass all the time, yet there seems to be of no benefit of that speed when looking at their images. When I'm on assignment, I can't tell you how often some hobbyist with a Rebel asks me why any working photog would should with a 24-105 instead of a 24-70. I guess to them f/2.8 is synonymous with pro gear, regardless of the shooting needs.

My statement was in response to Maui5150, who for some reason seemed puzzled that I don't own anything faster than f/4 glass. Perhaps he knows something about my own shooting needs that I don't?

764

EOS Bodies / Re: Latest Canon disappoints wants me to switch over to Nikon.

« on: February 08, 2012, 03:18:23 PM »

I thought you had some fast glass.   Nothing below F/4???

What on earth would make you think that? I never made such a claim. If I needed to bulk up by internet street cred with f/2.8 glass, I'd buy it for the sole purpose of listing it in my sig. It just so turns out that with today's ISO capabilities and my shooting needs, f/4 glass is plenty fast.

765

EOS Bodies / Re: When will Canon Meet The Market Demand?

« on: February 08, 2012, 03:09:15 PM »

I'll give Canon until the end of the month to announce the 5DIII. If it doesn't, I'm putting in a pre-order for a D800 and putting 10 years worth of Canon gear up on ebay.

Can you give us a list of your gear so I know what to look for?

Sure:

- 1DsIII (tentatively sold)
- 1D Mark II N
- 5D Classic
- 17-40L
- 24-105L
- 70-300L
- Three 550EX flashes
- Remote release
- B&W 67mm circular polarizer