I am currently on a landscape photography workshop lead by Andy Biggs and Joshua Holko and alongside a lot of very cool people from around the globe. The landscape is absolutely stunning to say the least.
When I came to Namibia, I decided I wouldn’t carry a ton of gear, so I went for a pair of Canon EOS 6D camera bodies, the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS, EF 24-70 f/4L IS and the Zeiss 15 f/2.8 Distagon. So far I’m extremely happy with my selection of gear.
Internet access hasn’t been the quickest, that’s why I haven’t been updating the site as much as usual. I still have a 5 more days on this safari and then I’ll begin the long trek home.
There are a few images from the trip after the break.
Quiver Tree Forest, Keetmanshoop, Namibia | Canon EOS 6D & EF 24-70 f/4L IS
Kolmanskop, Luderitz, Namibia | Canon EOS 6D & Zeiss 15 f/2.8 Distagon
Kolmanskop, Luderitz, Namibia | Canon EOS 6D & Zeiss 15 f/2.8 Distagon
Namib Desert, Sossusvlei, Namibia | Canon EOS 6D & Zeiss 15 f/2.8 Distagon
Sossusvlei, Namibia | Canon EOS 6D & EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS
Namib Desert, Sossusvlei, Namibia | Canon EOS 6D & EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS
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I have finally purchased the Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 and will be putting it through paces on a two week trip to Namibia beginning on April 6. For filters, I’ll be using the Sigma 95mm DG Circular Polarizer, as well as large Singh-Ray grads when needed.
My immediate first impressions are quite good, amazing build quality, great zoom ring and the silly test shots looks terrific. I’ll be shooting exclusively with the EOS 6D on this trip.
Justin has received the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 DG OS for review and he’ll be putting it through the paces with the EOS-1D X. He’s already shocked at the size and weight of the lens. No, it’s not a “hand holding” lens for most people. The first 2 negatives you can give the lens is the heavy and unnecessary metal lens hood and the equally enormous tripod foot. Third party accessory makers could surely knock a pound off the lens replacing both parts with lighter weight materials.
Optically and AF wise the lens is very good with initial test shots, Justin has the USB dock and will also put that through its paces.
Both reviews should be online some time in April, though I’ll be posting images from the Zeiss 15mm as the trip progresses.
Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 | Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 DG OS
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From The-Digital-Picture
Bryan from TDP has completed his review of the highly regarded Zeiss 15mm f/2.8 Distagon lens. His thoughts on the lens match mine, it is simply the best full frame ultrawide lens available for Canon DSLRs.
Says Bryan
“As I just said, I regard the Zeiss 15mm f/2.8 Distagon T* ZE Lens as the best-available ultra-wide angle landscape lens available. This lens is also an excellent choice for architecture and other confined-space photography. The Zeiss 15mm f/2.8 Distagon T* ZE Lens offers very impressive build quality and excellent prime lens image quality in a made-for-landscape and architecture focal length.”
Read the full review | Zeiss 15mm f/2.8 Distagon at B&H Photo
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From POTN
A forum thread on POTN talks about a replacement for the EF 16-35 f/2.8L II being due based on past history..
Quote from the thread
- FD -> new FD = 6.2 years
- new FD -> EF = 5.5 years
- EF -> EF USM = 6.5 years
- 17-35 -> 16-35 = 5.7 years
- 16-35 -> 16-35 II = 5.3 years
- As of today (August 2012) we are 5.4 years from the release of the 16-35L II
There has been lots of talk about an EF 14-24 f/2.8L since Nikon launched such a lens. I wouldn’t think this would be a replacement for the 16-35 f/2.8L II, as I can’t see how it can be easily filterable (without large and expensive third party solutions).
If a 14-24 does indeed become the new f/2.8 ultrawide zoom in the Canon lineup, then I expect a 16-40 f/4L IS type of lens to come quickly for the landscape world and for people that need an easy filterable ultrawide. However, the Nikon 14-24 is a monster of a lens, and would be an awkward replacement for a 16-35 at weddings if you currently shoot with one (just my opinion). The widest screw-on filter lens I have seen is the still to be released Carl Zeiss Distagon T* ZE 15mm f/2.8, which has a 95mm filter thread.
There’s enough chatter about a new wide angle zoom, I think we can start to expect one sooner than later.
Source: [POTN] via [NL]
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