Messages

1

Lenses / Re: EF 800mm f/5.6L IS II [CR2]

« on: April 30, 2013, 08:07:21 PM »

Maybe people are reading too much into fanboy reviews.
The new Mk2 Superteles are undoubtedly better than their predecessors but these improvements are incremental and not dramatic - with the exception of the very welcome weight reduction!
When I purchased my 800 the 600 Mk2 was not an option as it was twice the cost! Yes I would prefer a 600 mk2 but is it worth twice what I paid for a mint 800? I have not had the opportunity to try the 600 Mk2  in the field (though I have had a play in a shop) but I have (as stated above) tried the 500 Mk2 in the field and it is excellent, though it certainly did not put my Mk1 lenses to shame or make me want to upgrade due to the silly prices.

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Lenses / Re: EF 800mm f/5.6L IS II [CR2]

« on: April 29, 2013, 07:25:08 PM »

I am really looking forward to the new 800 Mk2!
When Canon brought out the other Mk2 Superteles the Mk1 versions were/are selling for what they cost new (often more). As I got my 800 for little more than a 300 F2.8 Mk2 I could make a real killing, though I would not be tempted by an 800 mk2 as I am so pleased with the IQ on my existing model. I managed to have a go with a 500 F4 Mk2 a little while ago and found it excellent (and VERY light) but compared to my 300 F2.8 IS and 800 F5.6 IS Mk1's I did not see enough of an improvement in IQ to justify the excessive costs of this Mk2 lens - good though it was it cost more than I paid for both my 300 F2.8 IS and 800 F5.6 IS lenses. Admittedly they were second hand but in near mint condition.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: White residue on 1DX top dial?

« on: March 27, 2013, 07:27:33 PM »

Not seen this myself but I do have something similar on the focus/zoom rings of some of my L lenses

4

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

« on: March 11, 2013, 09:32:37 PM »

What's the approx weight of this lens? Looks to be at least 4kg?

Apparently it is around 3Kg or so I am told. There is one not far from where I live but have not had a chance to play - must catch him on a good day!
Due to current Canon pricing I don't think I will be interested as I already have 300 & 800mm lenses and am simply not willing to pay (at current rumors) nearly twice what I paid for a near mint 800 for a little 200-400 f4.

5

Lenses / Re: Any news about the 200-400

« on: March 11, 2013, 09:23:35 PM »

There is one of these 200-400 lenses "In the wild" near me and the user regards it very highly indeed. However at the likely retail price it is a complete irrelevance as far as I am concerned - I will just have to make do with my 300 F2.8 and 800 F5.6 cheapies!

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Lenses / Re: I'd love a little adivce...

« on: March 11, 2013, 09:17:42 PM »

This site has some useful compatibility data on lenses:http://www.pebbleplace.com/Personal/Contax_db.html

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Film EOS Body

« on: March 11, 2013, 09:08:22 PM »

You could always get an old Leica M3
I picked up a minty 1957 M3, Summicron 50 F/2 and Summaron 35 F/35 with goggles and a light meter for $750!
I liked it so much I bought a 2011 Leica MP and new Summicron 50 F/2.

There's something about street photography with a film Leica that has to be experienced...

ET

I tried street photography with my Leica iiig + 35mm and 50mm lenses. I love the build quality and size of my Leica but the photos? No thanks!
It was great in it's day but compared to my most basic EOS cameras it leaves a lot to be desired in my opinion.
Still everyone to their own!
Leica iiiG + 4 lenses + filters and other kit will be going soon if anyone is interested

+1 For the ELAN 7  Nice little camera.  I still have a bit of 35 film in the freezer and I can use all my Canon glass with it (50 1.8 II, 85 1.8, 24-105).


The pre WWII Leicas are ok but they're no match for the M body Leicas like the M3 which were produced from 1953 until now.  The M3 - M4 bodies being the most popular among film shooters and street in particular. 
I have a M5 3-lug and I love it.  It's larger than the other M bodies but it was the first camera that Leica integrated TTL with a light meter in the body.  Like the saying goes: "There's Nothing Like a Leica" -- at least for 35mm film      Having said that, some people just never take to a rangefinder, especially one like the Leica iiiG.

You either love rangefinders or you hate them.

I have no problem with rangefinders and agree the M series are considerably more user friendly than my old iiig. However I far prefer to use my EOS3, 33V or 5D for this sort of thing. The 5d is the best for convenience but you can't beat good high contrast B&W film for this sort of photography IMO. I have recently been playing with a Contax-Zeiss 25mm F2.8 manual lens for street/landscape work and am loving it - I find the field of view just right for my tastes, though my Canon 17-40 (at 17mm) can be great fun!

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Film EOS Body

« on: March 02, 2013, 11:21:14 PM »

You could always get an old Leica M3
I picked up a minty 1957 M3, Summicron 50 F/2 and Summaron 35 F/35 with goggles and a light meter for $750!
I liked it so much I bought a 2011 Leica MP and new Summicron 50 F/2.

There's something about street photography with a film Leica that has to be experienced...

ET

I tried street photography with my Leica iiig + 35mm and 50mm lenses. I love the build quality and size of my Leica but the photos? No thanks!
It was great in it's day but compared to my most basic EOS cameras it leaves a lot to be desired in my opinion.
Still everyone to their own!
Leica iiiG + 4 lenses + filters and other kit will be going soon if anyone is interested

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Film EOS Body

« on: February 20, 2013, 09:47:00 PM »

IMO the EOS 3 is the best bang for buck (pound) Film camera going!
It has a reasonable frame rate, excellent AF(even at F8), well built and is very simple to use.
About 20 months ago I shot off the last of my Kodachrome 64. I was taking pictures of Herons with my 600 F4 L IS - 37 shots gave 37 keepers - wish I could do that with my 1D Mk4!
The camera cost 85 GBP and is in very nice condition - just wish it could store more than 37 images!

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Canon 2x and 1.4x mk3 extenders

« on: February 20, 2013, 09:31:15 PM »

Must try that setup on my 800mm!

11

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS USM (I)

« on: February 06, 2013, 08:30:40 PM »

An acquaintance of mine is heavily into Rugby photography (I live is Wales we don't mention the game that uses round balls). He uses a 1D4 and a Canon 300mm F2.8 L IS Mk1 (I have the same combination for wildlife), he reckons the 300 is about as good as it gets. Though the 400 F2.8 gives more range he takes the vast majority of his shots with the 300 as it is much more maneuverable. He also has a Canon 70 -200 F2.8 for closer shots - but rarely gets the chance to use it as the action is frequently too fast to change to the shorter lens. He tells me that, if you are on the touch line, then the 300 F2.8 is the way to go - the newspapers seem to agree with him - they like/publish a lot of his work.

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Lenses / Re: African Safari Lens Help

« on: February 06, 2013, 08:17:06 PM »

I have lurked on CanonRumors for a couple of years and learned a lot from reading some of the forum posts.  I am hoping some of those that have been on an African safari can provide insight on what lenses to take.  I am taking my son for his high school graduation in August and will spend one week in Zambia (Vic Falls and South Luangwa) and then a week in the Masai Mara for the migration.  I have a 7D and my new 5DIII is on its way from B&H today.  So obviously taking both cameras along with the G15.  I am trying to figure out what lens combination to use.  Lenses include 100-400, 70-200 2.8 ver 1, 24-105, 17-55, and the new Sigma 35 1.4.   I can borrow a friend's 300mm 2.8 ver 1 with extender and am contemplating buying the 70-300L for travel as it is smaller then the 70-200.  I can't really afford for a 500mm lens at this point and I don't see a new 100-400 on the horizion. 

Given the weight limits on some of the African flights what would you recommend as combinations for the 7D and 5DIII? 

I am thinking - 7D with 17-55 and new 70-300L.  5DIII with 24-105, 300 2.8 and 100-400.  I would also probably take the Sigma for low light.  Any thoughts?  Too many lenses?  Thanks in advance.

You have a very good friend if they will lend you a 300 F2.8!
My suggestion would be to keep things simple, light and cheap!
Firstly take both bodies - they are both good or very good and give you greater framing and iso versatility.
As to lenses - take the 24-105, it is useful on the 7D and excellent on full frame - the 17-55 is only duplication (though faster). If you can manage the weight take the 70-200 F2.8. If yours is like mine then it is an excellent lens, though I must admit I rarely use these focal lengths. The one lens you simply must take is the 300 F2.8. Even without extenders it beats the 100-400 (I have had both) in all departments except weight. With extenders it will out range and give better images than the 100-400 - it is simply a far better lens.
Note I have never been on a photographic safari - these are just my suggestions from my experiences of the cameras and lenses you mention.
Hope it helps.

Whatever you decide take the 300 F2.8!

13

Lenses / Re: So, I'm ready for the new 600... What is the best head, support, foot?

« on: January 05, 2013, 09:00:15 PM »

Do you mean the 600mm F4?
If so then (IMO) it's the Wimberley 2. I have tried a few types of head with my 600 F4 IS Mk1 and can find nothing (in the UK) to beat the Wimberley 2. There are some good looking alternatives available in the US but we don't see them over here very often, though from what I have seen/tried the Wimberley wins. The only improvement I would like is for it to be a little lighter - so long as that does not compromise strength/rigidity.

14

Lenses / Re: Converters on a 7D

« on: December 14, 2012, 09:13:54 PM »

You can tape pins, get a non reporting extender, focus in live view etc etc. When I had the 100-400 I tried extenders and, frankly, it was not worth it IMO. You really need an F4 lens or better if you want to use extenders. My 1D4 will af at F11 but generally it's a pointless exercise as you won't want to keep the image.

15

EOS Bodies / Re: 6D Top Focus Point Light Bleeding Issue

« on: December 14, 2012, 09:07:20 PM »

Looks to me like it is just an internal reflection, as such it shouldn't show on the image. Annoying but not a matter of concern.