Posts

Grumbaki · Mar 19, 2014

From what I read, Mophie Juice Packs are the best quality on the market. Their stuff frequently gets positive reviews on Ars and Wired. I'm in the market for a good one too as my generic chinese cheapo one is dying on me.

Arctic Photo · Mar 19, 2014

Thanks for sharing this story. There's about ten years between us since I was a teenager during the 80's, but my Canon story is much shorter, i only started with Canon in 2006 I think, when I picked up the then brand new 400D with two lenses.

My parents are retired since long and they have converted thousands of images fromfilm to digital, I haven't gotten them over in my computer yet but your story makes me realize I need to do that before it's too late. I want to be able to have time to go through them all with them.

Again thanks and all the best!

CarlTN · Mar 19, 2014

Re: IS Versions of the 50mm, 85mm & 135mm Coming? [CR1]

Zv said:
privatebydesign said:

Canon have always put two main reasons for putting IS in the lens.

First, the IS is custom made for the specific focal length and lens characteristics.

Second, for optical viewfinders lens based IS steadies the view through the viewfinder, this is not the case with IBIS systems with optical viewfinders, it is true for EVF's though.

Click to expand...

Thanks for clarifying. I had forgotton about the second point.

So the IS in the lens is designed to compensate for movement in ways that a sensor just couldn't do? I imagine a sensor can only move in certain ways - for example up down left right and maybe tilt? And maybe not all at the same time right? That would be some clever sensor acrobatics if it could!

The in lens is basically a series of small optical elements that move in response to the way light enters the barrel, right? Meaning there is more than just one thing moving. So is in lens IS more acurate too? And what about Hybrid IS? Could a sensor mimic that too or not?

A moving sensor is never going to be able to mimic what in-lens IS can do. However, a stationary sensor with "digital IS", as found in compact cameras, does seem to work pretty well (in my experience). In any case though, IS is a bandaid for people who like to shoot slow shutter speeds hand-held, or on a monopod (like me). Mode 2 IS for panning, is very useful, but stationary IS, is simply a compromise for when your focal length is long, the light is low, and the aperture is not big enough. Sure it comes in handy, especially if you want really deep focus even in bright light...but really the reason you're using it, is because you're too lazy to use a tripod. The final result will never be as sharp as it would have on a tripod, at least with proper technique. But who has time to use a tripod? I usually don't. I use mine mostly for long exposure night images.

Aglet · Mar 19, 2014

and at a considerably lower (half) price

www.dpreview.com/news/2014/03/19/samsung-announces-tiny-nx-mini-mirrorless-camera?

same size sensor, slightly faster 22 fps framerate, plenty of useful features.

MLfan3 · Mar 19, 2014

if you can wait, I am also waiting , the current one is not a very good lens, and its IS is really dated old tech.

expatinasia · Mar 18, 2014

BL said:
Not sure what there's left to improve besides weight to be honest.

The biggest improvement over the MKI was the much improved MFD and updated IS imo, but either version shoots wide open all day long leaving folks more than happy with the results.

They could always add Stabiliser Mode III and I guess a few other little tweaks.

Mar 18, 2014

ajfotofilmagem said:
The reason must be that the camera launched two years ago, continues to outperform new D4S. :

;D

brad-man · Mar 18, 2014

drjlo said:
brad-man said:

Marsu42 said:

brad-man said:

When I removed the spent batteries, a small piece of plastic followed the batteries out the door.

Click to expand...

Where exactly did that come from - anything you suggest to prevent this from happening?

As for the reliability: Just from a couple of posts in a forum - no matter positive or negative - we'll never get a good survey, esp. there's a bias against 3rd party manufacturers: If Sigma/Yongnuo/... breaks it'll be on the Internet as a systematic failure, when Canon breaks it's an isolated case covered by the warranty. Still, I do regret ordering the Trigger as cheap as it comes from an obscure eBay seller as I doubt he'll make good on the warranty (if there's any).

Click to expand...

The piece came out of the guts of the camera. Nothing extraordinary caused this to happen. I can see nothing broken/missing when I look inside the door. There is another piece rattling around inside the transmitter that just wont fall out. The unit still works fine, but it will drain the batteries in about a week even when powered off. I have been in contact with hkyongnuophotoequipment and have sent them pictures/descriptions of the problem. They have asked me to send the unit back to them for a refund or replacement, so they appear, so far, to be handling this in a professional manner. I have since picked up a Canon ST-E3-RT as I already have 2 600EX's and so am committed to the system. I'm not sure whether I want a refund or replacement. I still use a 5Dll and a 7D, and I also find the focus assist light occasionally useful. I will probably go ahead and get a refund for now. The price of them has gone down to $138 on ebay and I suspect they will drop further, so I may pick up another one in the future.

Click to expand...

Are you stuck with return shipping fee back to Hong Kong?

When I replied that I would be happy to return the transmitter to them, I asked them what would be the best method. When they reply, I will find out. If they do not offer to cover return postage, I will bring the matter up.

EricFiskCGD · Mar 18, 2014

mackguyver said:
It sounds like you ran into some rude people who happened to use Nikon. Most Nikon shooters I know are good people, but some amateurs have an attitude that Nikon is "better" than Canon, just like their Leica counterparts.

I think it's a reflection of the individual (and their obvious insecurities) and why they chose their gear, not a reflection of owning the gear. I'm sure there are plenty of Canon snobs who thumb their noses at Panasonic, Olympus, and Sony shooters as well.

Mack

There were two really great Nikon users who were really great to chat with and I got some great tips on focusing and how and why they choose their lenses for the shots they take. Again, those people I could have chatted with for hours.

I'm not in a place where I can look down at other Camera owners yet. You like what you like and that's the end of it - the Nikon user interface isn't to my tastes. I could talk to anyone about lenses, period.

Ajfotofilmagem:
In retrospect, - I think you're right because they didn't seem to know too much about their rigs.

slclick · Mar 18, 2014

going crazy standing in the B&H queue for this!

Valvebounce · Mar 18, 2014

Hi Don.
Thanks for that.
I will have to see if I can try both before I commit to buying one based on this information, you may have saved me from making a mistake.

Cheers Graham.

Don Haines said:
Valvebounce said:

Hi Don.
What is the reasoning with not bothering with the 2X converter on a crop body, a 1.4X would only give me 448mm equivalent, a 2X would still only give me 640mm equivalent, whereas I am already used to running out of zoom at 800mm equivalent.
If for some reason it would degrade the image below the quality of the Sigma then it would be a waste, if it is only (only ha) for the 2 stops of light lost with a 2X converter, that would make it the same as the Sigma at 150mm and a whole 1/3rd of a stop better at full reach all be it less reach than the Sigma!
What I'm trying to say is that I'd love the extra reach but I'm open to reasoning on why not to?
Here I am debating something that could be months away! : Aaah the planing stage!

Cheers Graham

Click to expand...

I tried an experiment where I placed a target 25 feet away and took pictures with the 70-200, with the 1.4X, and with the 2X on a 60D and a 5D2 and then pixel peeped to see how much detail I could see in the final image. On the 5D2 the most detail was with the 2X, then the 1.4X, and then the bare lens. On the 60D the most detail was with the 1.4X, the the 2X, then the bare lens.

A crop camera, with the smaller pixel size, is more sensitive to lens resolution than a FF camera. Adding in a teleconverter adds in distortion, and with crop cameras teleconverters do not work well unless you have a very sharp lens.

Mar 18, 2014

gshocked said:
I just want to say that the Canon 24-105 f4L was my first L lens. I thought it was fantastic from day 1.
Can I ask why are some internet reviews giving it so many average reviews?
Is the Canon one really that average?

It's a very good lens, but for an L-series lens calling it 'average' is reasonable. It has pretty bad distortion at the wide end, and is decently but not exceptionally sharp wide open.

Sporgon · Mar 18, 2014

When you need to control extreme highlights. ETTR inevitably reduces DR at the highlight end because you are sitting the exposure further up the response curve.

traingineer · Mar 18, 2014

Re: Upcoming Lens Reviews of Sigma & Zeiss Glass

W00T! Can't wait for that review. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

9VIII · Mar 18, 2014

jhpeterson said:
DRR said:

The sensor is still the one thing that bugs me the most. It's not even m43 sized. It's TINY. If Canon were able to do this with an APSC sensor it would be an incredibly impressive camera.

Click to expand...

Even better if they were to put it into a weatherproof, drop-proof and water-resistant body. Now, that would be something I'd seriously look into.

Yup. I'm pretty much waiting for the AW2 unless they drop the price of the V3 by a few hundred dollars.
That 300mm zoom lens also needs to be fantastic for the system to be worth getting.

switters · Mar 17, 2014

ajfotofilmagem said:
Sigma has announced a new lens "50mm Art" which is due in stores in April. Rumor has it that image quality equal to or better than "35mm Art".

Wow! Somehow I missed that. Thanks for the heads up—I'll be first in line.

Grumbaki · Mar 17, 2014

Grey sky and fake western/euro architecture. Welcome to China!

Joke aside the grey sky is a real pain in the pigu (yeah that's the chinese word for it). First because it's grey but even more because if fucks up exposure when it's sunny (behind the clouds with low EV on the ground and burnt sky. Grrrrrr. Where I live we are statistically considered to have 20 blue sky days a YEAR.

But no I won't move out just because of that.

Harv · Mar 17, 2014

To be fair, I remember when Canon did NOT HAVE AN ISSUE with the 1D3, even though mine was included in a later recall to deal with some AF difficulties.

Marsu42 · Mar 17, 2014

Ivan Muller said:
IS THE SHADOW NOISE REALLY BETTER ON THE 6D THAN ON THE 5d?

YES IT IS BUT ONLY AFTER RAISING THE SHADOWS A LOT ... wupps, my caps lock key was stuck, sorry.

mackguyver · Mar 17, 2014

mackguyver said:
I'm still trying to find a reason not to sell mine - other than trying it out when it arrived, I have used it exactly zero times since I bought it in November. I agree that it makes no sense to put a filter on it as the only real draws of this lens is its small size and low price and spending any extra money on it negate both.

Still haven't used it so it's up on eBay...I'm sure it's a fine lens, but I never found a use for it.

Rienzphotoz · Mar 17, 2014

nlrela said:
So I suppose the rumor of a new 100-400 has died by now ?

Looks like it ... but I just bought my 100-400 L IS about 1 weeks ago ... this is my second 100-400 L IS lens ... the first one was sold in 2012 to fund the 5D MK III+24-70 ... despite its "old age", Canon's 100-400 L IS still packs a punch and not far behind the latest 80-400 VR lens from Nikon (in fact the build quality of Canon's 100-400 L IS is better than the latest from Nikon

sanj · Mar 17, 2014

jrista said:
neuroanatomist said:

The 300-600 MkII supertele lenses were something like 18 months from development announcement to launch. Hopefully Canon can do better...

Click to expand...

Canon did have earthquakes, tsunamis and melting nuclear power plants to contend with during the creation of the Mark II series as well. Gotta take that into account.

True.

Tugela · Mar 16, 2014

garyknrd said:
privatebydesign said:

When I lived in Thailand (2004-2006) high end electronics were way more expensive there than in the USA. Has it really changed that much?

Click to expand...

No, everyday consumer electronics are more expensive. I wait until I am in America to buy pretty much anything else. But, Canon is not moving the cameras here at all. It is stale and they are cutting prices here to help sales. So only the 5DIII and 1Dx are being heavily discounted. Although I don't want either camera they are for the taking if I wanted one for that price.

www.fotofile.net This is where I buy my gear here. The Canon prices are shown on there web site.

All of their cameras are being heavily discounted. Most likely because many of the lines are going to be replaced in the near future and they are clearing inventory.

Mar 16, 2014

Each pixel has an R, G or B color filter over it (and there are twice as many G). The spatial resolution is based on the actual pixels, but the color value ultimately assigned to each pixel (done when the RAW capture is converted, either in-camera or on the computer) is interpolated based on neighboring pixels. The demosaicing algorithm basically guesses the actual color of the light hitting a pixel based on the pixels in the local area.

Your eyes are analogous, with red, green and blue cones, and your brain interpolates the actual color.

tron · Mar 16, 2014

hello all,

I just found out the shutter count of my new 5D3. After taking enough pictures and playing with it the shutter count was 132.

So it was new after all.

I found out by installing Magic Lantern which became available for 5D3 firmware 1.2.3 with bootflag removal capability

http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?topic=11017.msg106909#msg106909

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