Messages

16

Lenses / Re: Please help me decide between the EF 300 f/4 L and the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 L

« on: December 14, 2012, 08:51:20 PM »

I really enjoyed using the 300mm f4L. It has quick accurate focusing and is very sharp. The 1.4xII (not III) is a perfect companion with it. I purchased both items used for less than the cost of the 300 new.

Go for the prime, you will not be disappointed

+1 on the 300 F4 L IS. IQ ia significantly better than the 100-400 (I had a good example). The 300 takes the 1.4 extender very well. It can also (in good light) produce passable images with the Canon 2 x Mk3 extender but you may have to resort to live view focus.

17

Canon General / Re: Is canon going to come back?

« on: December 01, 2012, 09:43:08 PM »

The D800 offers the highest resolution currently available in 35mm format, but do you need it? I certainly don't!
There is another issue - reliability. Have a look on Twitter at Andy Rouse's posts. He has a tump of Nikon gear so why is he moving back to Canon? Well it's simple his D4 and D800 don't always work - not a good situation for one of the worlds top wildlife photographers! I was at a talk given by him on Friday and he was very cagey about his shift back to the bright side but he couldn't praise the 1DX highly enough (pity about his D4/D800 sitting at home).
The bottom line is that he has 2 of Nikon's top cameras that have problems that Nikon cannot fix - if the OP wants to go there then be my guest!
Now if he were advocating a D7000 that would be a different story, in it's class it is a cracker!

18

Lenses / Re: 600mm Lens serial number

« on: November 21, 2012, 07:40:24 PM »

Try Adorama or B&H.  I think B&H has two used for sale E rated...and you can return it within 30days if you dont like it.  Sometimes its worth paying a little more for some assurance you wont get ripped off.

Ha Ha! It's disappeared off the auction site! Not even view able in the Completed Listings section and gone from my watch list. Looks like they listened.
1 Brownie point to me!

I wasn't after the 600 for myself (as I already have one) however a friend is looking for something in the 400 + range. I spotted this one and was not quite happy with the listing so I sent a message to the vendor. Their reply suggested (to me) that it was an obvious fraud, but then it would - I did anti fraud work for 10 years.

19

Lenses / Re: 600mm Lens serial number

« on: November 20, 2012, 08:43:29 PM »

Ha Ha! It's disappeared off the auction site! Not even view able in the Completed Listings section and gone from my watch list. Looks like they listened.
1 Brownie point to me!

20

Lenses / Re: 600mm Lens serial number

« on: November 19, 2012, 06:30:48 PM »

I have reported my concerns to the auction site - now it's up to them.

I'd say that was the best action to take.

I spent 10 years doing anti-fraud work for a major international bank so I have a bit of a nose for these things. I just hate seeing people getting ripped off - still I could be wrong, but it smells iffy to me.

21

Lenses / Re: 600mm Lens serial number

« on: November 18, 2012, 07:08:49 PM »

Thanks for the reply and advice, I hoped there might be a database like the one for date codes.. I the payment method requested is outside the auction site's approved methods, namely by bank transfer (non reversible in UK) the payment method preferred by fraudsters. I have reported my concerns to the auction site - now it's up to them.

22

Lenses / 600mm Lens serial number

« on: November 17, 2012, 06:15:13 PM »

I am looking at a Canon 600 mm lens on a certain auction site. I have sent a message to the vendor and his/her reply makes me think it is a bit dodgy. They quote the serial number as 20224. Is there anywhere I can check this is, at least, possibly valid?
I am not trying to buy the lens as I already have one, but I am trying to stop someone getting ripped off!

23

Lenses / Re: Should I get 1.4x III or 2.0xIII extender - please help.

« on: November 16, 2012, 08:59:14 PM »

I can only speak for the Mk3 2 x extender (as my 1.4 is a Mk2) which I am using on a 1 D4 with 300 F2.8 L IS Mk1 and 600 F4 L IS. On my gear it is significantly better than the Mk2 I owned and I would expect the difference to be greater on the Mk2 IS lenses.

24

EOS Bodies / Re: Has Canon entered the Graveyard Spiral?

« on: November 16, 2012, 08:43:38 PM »

he now shoots Canon 

His gear list is all Nikon, save for the G12.

Yes that is true. He is begging borrowing Canon stuff as his D4 and D800 do not work properly/reliably. Nikon cannot fix these cameras.

as his D4 and D800 do not work properly/reliably?

in what way?


Here is a true story, on a long-term phenomenon and who many seems to have forgotten


Beijing Olympics.
One of the best sports photographers seek Canon service tent for the third time, the photographer does not get  as sharp images as his colleagues who use Nikon equipment. After visit the service tent 3 times  he got a straight answer, what do you expect, it's a Canon.
The photographer wanders off to Nikon and  borrow 2 x D3 house with lenses.

After the Olympics, there was a massive  switch to Nikon, which still persist in Europe,today many of the major newspapers, photo agencies use D3s D4.

So do not talk too loudly about an AF point who  is not working as it should in a semi pro camera and from the first series
As I understand it, the problem is solved

Ei vittu järjestely voi hyvinkin yksinkertaistettu viestiä

I believe he describes it as stalling/coughing. Andy switched to Nikon a few years ago due to the introduction of the D3 and he had always wanjted the Nikon 200-400. On his last few international trips he has borrowed 1Dx's and an IR adapted 5D (Mk2 I think) + lenses, don't think he would do that unless he had to.
I am going to one of his lectures on the 30th, it will be interesting to see what he has to say.
Have a look at his Twitter/Facebook pages.

25

Lenses / Re: Which extender is best

« on: November 15, 2012, 09:15:41 PM »

Ok, so I am look at the samples  from cyberphoto.se, and the Sigma 2x converter looks considerably sharper than the Canon 2x III both at f/5.6 and especially at f/8. Do my eyes deceive me?

I tried the Sigma 2x vs the Canon Mk2 and found the Canon noticeably better in colour and contrast though pretty similar in sharpness. I later traded The Canon Mk2 2x to get the Mk3. Basically My Canon Mk2 2x was staying at home as I felt cropping was better (remember I found the Sigma significantly inferior to the Canon Mk2) in other words it was a waste of money giving mediocre results on my 300 & 600mm lenses. The Mk3 2x however is enough better to make it worthwhile (it is VERY good on F2.8 primes) to use and carry around. Though very expensive the 2 x Mk3 is significantly better than the Mk2 which was significantly better than the Sigma. Though the Sigma wins hands down on price!

26

EOS Bodies / Re: Has Canon entered the Graveyard Spiral?

« on: November 15, 2012, 09:00:54 PM »

he now shoots Canon 

His gear list is all Nikon, save for the G12.

Yes that is true. He is begging borrowing Canon stuff as his D4 and D800 do not work properly/reliably. Nikon cannot fix these cameras.

27

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Conversion to Nikon

« on: November 15, 2012, 08:56:05 PM »

If Nikons are so good then why does Andy Rouse have to beg/borrow Canon cameras and lenses to do his job? Simple his D800 and D4 are not reliable and Nikon cannot make them so. Only one example but food for thought! I think he is regretting moving away from Canon, except of course for the Nikon 200-400 F4 - Canon get a move on and don'y put a stupid price on it!

28

Software & Accessories / Re: Canon car charger CBC-E6

« on: November 14, 2012, 01:41:19 PM »

Mmmm...Jameson's.  Good idea. Back later. Maybe.

Bushmills when it's on offer!

29

Software & Accessories / Re: Canon car charger CBC-E6

« on: November 13, 2012, 09:02:02 PM »

Hey! Neuro was obviously joking 
[/quote]
Think I missed the sarcasm there! I shouldn't have done as I am a bit of a sarcastic git myself!
I will put this one down to It being late and too much Scotch Whisky - I can't afford Irish Whiskey!

30

Software & Accessories / Re: Canon car charger CBC-E6

« on: November 13, 2012, 08:46:27 PM »

The AC/Mains charger must be able to take alternating current of a wide voltage range and two different frequencies and convert it to direct current of 8.4 V (for an LP-E6). Obviously, you fail to understand the engineering complexities of producing a car charger that must be able to take just a single input voltage that's already direct current and step down the voltage a little bit.  For them to charge only 3 times as much for a device that sophisticated, why...it's a real bargain!!   
[/quote]

The inverter produces standard Uk voltage and AC frequency + accepts standard UK plugs. So you just plug in your charger as if it were a mains socket. Other than the rather long leads hanging about in the car  I cannot see what the problem is. I have tried my Canon LP-E4, CP-2LWE and LC-E4 chargers on in car inverters with zero problems. As I said at the price for the Canon lead (which will ONLY work on my LC-E4) it's a no brainer.
As to Canon chargers being sophisticated? Only the 1 series chargers allow balancing of the individual cells, and then they take forever to do it! With Lithium cells periodic balancing is important to get the most out of your batteries. The Canon 3 cell charger/balancer Lc-E4 is over 300 GBP in the UK, yet I have far more sophisticated chargers that cost less that 30GBP - pity I cannot work out how to connect them. The Canon/Nikon etc Lithium battery chargers are poor at best and WAY overpriced.
P.S. With my interest in electric powered R/C aircraft I am critical of batteries and chargers