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bholliman · Mar 1, 2014

Cory said:
To see what you might be in for feel free to check out my Alaskan pictures at www.flickr.com/photos/corysteiner/
Sounds like you're off to a good start.

Awesome eagle shots, what camera and lens did you use? What parts of Alaska did you see?

JPAZ said:
Depending on whether your budget allows, I can heartily recommend Camp Denali Lodge. You cannot drive into the park on your own. The interior buses are an option but the Camp Denali bus is more comfortable and less crowded and is art of the package. The place is spectacular and even the views from the place are amazing. Add a few of the included outings (multiple hikes with naturalists every day) and you will be in photography heaven. A 3 or 4 day adventure there will really give you onsite into the tundra and mountains to add to the typical southeastern water based adventures. Do bring a tripod and CPL's for your gear and consider ND filters. And bring something longer because there is an incredible amount of wildlife in Denali, but they are not too close. Found myself using the 100-400 (sometimes with a 1.4x) on the tripod a lot. If I were to do it again (actually that should be "when" not" if"), I'll rent a 300 f/2.8 with a 2x or longer prime like a 500 or 600 with IS.

Camp Denali Lodge looks like a great option, we will have to see if we can fit that into our trip budget; I hope we can.

I'm still debating long tele lens options. A 300mm f/2.8 II and 2x III would be awesome, but renting for two weeks would cost as much as it would to buy 35mm f/2 IS (on my short list of desired lenses). I may rent one for a shorter stretch or settle for an f/4 tele. I'm also considering buying a Tamron 150-600, which should be long enough.

apersson850 · Mar 1, 2014

That does of course not help, since he never asked about that.

Anyway, it's true that the exposure meter isn't displayed in the top display. But it's displayed in the viewfinder and also on the information display on the rear LCD, if you enable that function. Thus you can see it regardless of whether you use the normal viewfinder or not.

sunnyVan · Mar 1, 2014

JustMeOregon said:
At one time or another I think that I've gone with all of the tour operators that have a tribal permit for Upper Antelope. I really like the guys at Overland Canyon Tours, check'em out and don't forget to make reservations well in advance:

http://www.overlandcanyontours.com/upperant

A few things to keep in mind are (in no rational order):

Don't freak-out over the crowds at Upper Antelope. I've seen pro-level photographers (who were not "emotionally prepared" for the throngs) curse their guide to the bone, throw gear in frustration, & storm out of the canyon.

Most all of the tour guides work together incredibly well. The "regular tour" guides do a great job of keeping their tourists moving quickly past the tripods on the "Photo tours." So well in fact that a 30-second exposure (standard stuff in the slots) will generally do a good job of making all the people disappear.

If you are still frustrated by John-Q-Public getting in your shot, just tilt your camera up a bit. Without the canyon floor in the shot, there will generally not be any obvious horizon or "proper" orientation, so just go ahead & tilt your camera in any way necessary to get Little Timmy out of the shot.

Remember, your basically taking pictures in a cave. Your eyes have adjusted, so you can see just fine, but it really is pretty dark. So under-expose accordingly. That's how you get the deeply saturated dramatic photos you see everywhere.

Don't forget Lower Antelope Canyon! It's smaller, tighter, and you don't have the "light-beams" of its big brother (the more famous Upper Antelope), but it's less crowded and more relaxed. Also, at Lower Antelope if you can convince the caretakers that your gear is "Professional" enough, you can be allowed to enter on your on without having to be part of a guided tour. And before you ask, I have no idea how they judge gear to be professional-enough. I'm generally dragging-ass with more than $20K of gear, while my wife is happily bouncing around with a 5-year-old Rebel, and we both have always been waived in without any problem.

Finally don't go just once and think that you've seen it all. The light in the morning, mid-day, and afternoon is dramatically different. Pictures of the exact same sandstone formation will look completely different taken at different times of the day.

Enjoy...

Thanks so much for taking the time to write such a detailed response. Really appreciate it. Hope it'll be a fruitful trip.

TheJock · Mar 1, 2014

This was the first image taken with my 70D, I really think the IQ of my Sigma 150-500 is better than on the 550D, the settings were a bit mad (ISO 1000, f8, 640sec at 500mm), but hey ho!!
In LOVE with the 70D

This is a juvenile male Sunbird

CarlTN · Mar 1, 2014

dtaylor said:
CarlTN said:

This is why I have said (and got pounced on for it), that a future 50+ MP full frame camera, is rarely if ever going to fully resolve detail on all of its pixels on most every lens there is...

Click to expand...

I wouldn't "pounce" on you for this, but I would disagree. If we were to scale up current APS-C densities they would equal 45 MP or more on FF. The number of lenses and aperture combinations that yield excellent detail and sharpness on my 7D and M are quite large actually. Granted it's more challenging to hold that across the frame on 35mm, but I don't doubt that a 50 MP FF body would prove excellent with good glass and a tripod or IS. I think we would be looking at 75-100 MP before there would be hardly any lenses or apertures that benefit.

Here is one of my favorite images that I shot with it. It's not full size, because I try not to show those. Camera was the 50D.

Click to expand...

Beautiful.

Thanks very much! I still think I have to disagree with you though. There aren't that many lenses that are sharper than the 200 f/2L, but yet the 70D can't use but about half its pixels to resolve detail through it (at least when wide open at f/2). And the 70D is equal to the middle of about a 50 MP full frame's...frame. I'm not saying you couldn't appreciate the sharpness of the world's best lenses with such full frame sensors...it's just that you could only appreciate it in a small part of the center at wider apertures, and perhaps up to maybe 65% of the sensor area when closed to optimum arperture (especially if we go to 60+ MP).

When you discuss how sharp your results have been with an 18 MP crop sensor, you're forgetting just how much softer the lens becomes once you go larger than that sensor, it seems to me. Discussing the current 22MP 5D3 sensor, has nothing to do with what a 50MP sensor would look like on the same lens.

This surely is one reason why Canon has expressed interest in medium format. I suspect that 10 years from now, medium format will be what we are all using, or beginning to use. And full frame digital cameras will be priced like the Rebels of today (adjusted for inflation of course). But this assumes we will still have a currency, or even a civilization then, and there are no guarantees of that.

StudentOfLight · Mar 1, 2014

As a side note, if you need to take shots freely between the two bodies then using speedlites can be tricky because of their slowish recycle times. A useful accessory will be CP-E4 battery packs which will speed up recycle time. And in terms of camera settings you can also use higher ISO and wider apertures to reduce the flash output requirements.

Let us know how you setup and what the results are like. Best of luck

verysimplejason · Mar 1, 2014

neuroanatomist said:
verysimplejason said:

It seems D4S is now a worthy competitor to 1DX.

Click to expand...

It seems you're jumping to conclusions…

From the original article in which those comparison pictures on NR were posted: "The following pictures are all 100% crops of straight out of camera jpeg fine."

So the real conclusion is that the D4s has a better JPEG conversion engine than the D4. BFD. If you want to draw any conclusions about IQ, you need to compare RAW images.

Maybe you are right, it's too early to tell but somebody tested it already albeit they didn't bother to expound more on the matter. They even didn't bother to say if they tested using RAW or JPEG. We'll see then...

http://www.reddotphoto.com.sg/content.php/422-Nikon-D4s-VS-Canon-1Dx-Comparison?s=3c4abbbc78994d484fa75f6279bd078d&

jdramirez · Mar 1, 2014

I'm not sure if they sent it to me because I sent back a lens where the box was damaged... but I don't think i'm going to make a purchase from Adorama in the next 2 weeks (claims it expires in 15 days)... so I'd rather it not go to waste and I'd really like to get a little cash back.

I only have one... so message me... or just respond here..

No biggy either way.

distant.star · Feb 28, 2014

.
No surprise!!

Congratulations to all at Canon.

jeffa4444 · Feb 28, 2014

We have a rental business where we have Canon 5dMKII, 5dMKIII, 1Dx and I have a 6d personally. There is no doubt that the 5dMKIII is a better overall package to the 6d its AF system is far superior as is its construction and user menus, the joypad & jog stick are also far better. What is not so clear cut using the same lens is the IQ and in every technical test we have performed they simply cannot be seperated apart from low light where the 6d actually pips the 5dMKIII.
This is looking at both from a purely technical standpoint as each user will hold different views on ergonomics, weight etc. The 6d is not a camera for rental its simply not robust enough for everyday use or customisable enough but if this was a test simply about IQ they are equals but then why should that be an issue?

nicku · Feb 28, 2014

Impressive features....

key features:

Shoots 4k, 2k, 1080 all simultaneously
Can be used for live events
Wireless transmission of video
120 fps in 4k
14+ stops of dynamic range

details:

http://blog.planet5d.com/2014/02/new-panasonic-varicam-35-announced-competition-for-redalexacanon/

jdramirez · Feb 28, 2014

mackguyver said:
alexturton said:

canon 50 1.4 - sold for 50L 1.2. Best decision I ever made. Wish I did it 3 years ago. It now lives on my camera.

Click to expand...

I agree 100% and actually sold my 50 1.2 and missed it so I bought another one

Also, I posted a similar thread a while back, that you might be interested in:
http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=17987.msg333569#msg333569

I did that with my 100L... fortunately I didn't lose any money on the deal.

Viggo · Feb 28, 2014

Sweet! Thanks for posting! It looks pretty good

If anyone is around these parts, please go and film the AF speed on the distance scale and tell us!

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=9171

Mt Spokane Photography · Feb 28, 2014

Based on the Moire Method! Many who have used that method know that's its virtually impossible to get any useful or repeatable results. I did not see any acknowledgement of the issues or what he might be doing to solve them.

the folks at Reikan FoCal found so many gotchas in the Nikon and Canon AF systems over the past two years that I'd even put dot tune as a small step above it.
Of course, if your AF system is grossly off, anything that gets it closer will seem to be wonderful.

CarlTN · Feb 28, 2014

Viggo said:
David Hull said:

With regard to the 400k ISO, IMO the real question should be "where does the ability of the AF to work crap out?" Super high ISO isn't of much use if you can't focus clearly.

Click to expand...

I've seen this comment by others also and one answer could be, and this goes for me, it's not about the pitch black use of it, it's about shutter speeds. I often use ISO 5000 outdoor in not too low light to get my 1/1000s-1/4000s shutters. When shooting sports indoors and you want some dof for example, it makes sense to have a very high iso. Have I ever needed above 51k on my 1dx, no, but I like to shoot with the widest of apertures.

Well said. I'm really just curious how the rest of the ISO noise levels compare to the 1DX, which I assume we will see in the coming weeks when the tests start getting posted. It's entirely possible the D4S could pull ahead, even though its normal range still does not extend to 52k like the 1DX's. Time will tell.

I personally could make use of, and have used, ISO 102k with my 6D...but of course the noise is not good, and this was with positive exposure compensation. Not sure it would work at all with no compensation.

But yes, you could not use the D4S for say a 1/5 second exposure at ISO 400k, with a fast aperture lens. Its autofocus wouldn't work, in any case...neither would the 6D's. Although just recently I was able to get my 6D to AF with live view in very dark outdoor conditions, with my Sigma 24mm f/1.8...where the phase AF would not work at all. Obviously this is not a technique that would be useful/reliable for servo tracking, though. But then there are those that think servo AF can't even be done with the 6D in bright noontime.

privatebydesign · Feb 28, 2014

acafinecon said:
privatebydesign said:

acafinecon said:

1/ Canon has ALWAYS been inferior to Nikon in terms of sensor quality. especially DR (I have seen at least 3 professional lab tests including the famous DXO). 2/ Why do so many pros (more than 50% in a recent poll) own Canon bodies?

3/ If Canon does not release a new camera with better DR, I'll switch to Nikon forever.

4/ Canon fanboy of 25 years (FD, EOS, EOS-digital systems + 20 lenses)

Click to expand...

1/ No they haven't, they wiped the floor with Nikon sensors for years, now the seesaw is the other way. Heck for years Nikon said there was never any point to a FF sensor!

2/ Because taking the images that put food on the table is abut a lot more (a hell of a lot more) than one sensor metric. The difference in DR pales to insignificance when you need in focus images, for instance, ad Canon AF still beats the pants off Nikon AF, apart from that damn 1D MkIII mess up, which temporarily gave Nikon a sales boost.

3/ Bye, nobody cares, especially Canon. They have bean counters that work out how many people are expected to leave over any feature or non feature, you have been accounted for and ignored.

4/ So what? You don't owe Canon anything and they don't owe you anything. If more DR, or whatever you feel would serve you better by another manufacturer, is critical for your images get something else.

Click to expand...

ok, guys, I should have said that Canon has been lagging behind Nikon/Sony in the last 5 years (a long time) or so in sensor DR. I have seen too many published articles bashing Canon sensor technology and am upset becuase I have invested thousands of dollars in Canon gears. It is a shame that even the 1DX has a sensor much worse than Nikon/Sony cameras half its price!

I vote to have you promoted Director of Canon USA Customer Service (**).

For every article published bashing Canon sensors I can link you to thousands of professionally shot and published images shot with that very gear.

Do you want to talk about it or use it? If you want to use it then show me some of your images where the DR of your current Canon sensors has seriously let you down where you have used the gear to its optimal capability. I am not talking flash misfires, incompetent use of M mode or exposure compensation, straight honest images you have shot that are ruined by the difference between Canon and Nikon DR. Until then grow up.

Now, after you have shown me your multitude of ruined images because you can't take a good shot with Canon sensors, I will point out that both Getty and Reuters, the two main shooters of the Olympics, use Canon cameras. I will then ask you how they manage to get better than good images in the highest pressure environments for sports shooters possible, yet you can't in everyday circumstances, what could possibly be the difference between the two?

As for calling me "Director of Canon USA Customer Service", why? Because I agreed with you that Nikon have "better" sensors? Because I said if Canon gear doesn't cut it for you go to a different manufacturer? Sounds kinda lame when put like that doesn't it? I am hardly pitching for Canon with those two comments

jmphoto · Feb 27, 2014

Lens Foot Non-Skid

Added non-skid (no grit) tape to foot and grip feels more secure when carrying. Clear (don't be fooled by white backing), 1" was narrowest and least aggressive of three, by-the-foot, options at local hardware store. 99 cents per foot.

Northstar · Feb 27, 2014

drjlo said:
Rienzphotoz said:

Tamron's VC or Canon IS will not help with people photography in dimly lit indoor situations ... coz people move

Click to expand...

At say 50 mm focal length, with adults "trying" to pose and not move, what minimum shutter speed would be typically required for subject motion?

Looking over my shots, I actually got some very sharp photos at around 65 mm at 1/30th.
Some of the moderately blurred photos were for example 61 mm at 1/16 th ! Didn't even realize how slow shutter speed was due to trying to run after people. So in these situations, IS/VC would not have helped anyway?

It would help at those slow shutter speeds, but it doesn't help if people are moving...only if YOU are moving.

regarding your question about at 50mm focal length....I would say shoot at 1/100 for sharp shots without IS...if that requires you to bump up ISO to 3200 or 6400, so be it. The noise is easily removed in post processing, or if shooting JPEG, the 5d3 does an awesome job at noise reduction if you turn it on in the camera settings.

brad-man · Feb 27, 2014

wickidwombat said:
i paid $25 for a pu120 for the tamron 150-600

another annoying note on the tamron is that the foot only have 1 hole for a lens this size i would have prefered a double hole for mounting the arca plate

Easy. Drill another hole in the foot with an 11/64" drill bit, tap it with a 1/4-20 tap (use wax or other lubricant) and you will have a two screw connection. I don't think it's necessary though. I've carried my EF 70-200L IS II around on a sling extensively using the one screw plate attachment and have never had any issues. But if two screws or LockTite will put you more at ease, then it is certainly worth doing.

ftico · Feb 27, 2014

Got two 50 1.4 and tested them in order to keep the best w respect to focus shift. However, they behaved pretty much the same on my 70D. Interestingly, perceived accuracy from results w standard AF were better than results w precise manual focus or dual pixel AF.

I ended up keeping the one w better clarity, and AFMA for most used aperture/distance.

AlanF · Feb 27, 2014

hoodlum said:
The Digital Picture has posted their initial test results.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=9162

I have posted a series of links to different comparisons in the "Shallow review" thread

Aglet · Feb 27, 2014

some impressive looking AF tracking and fps videos on this page but I'd really like to see how well it would track AF and shoot with something like a 50mm or longer with f/2 or wider aperture.

www.dailycameranews.com/2014/02/sony-a6000-af-test/

edit - add another video link:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2f9ue2FJB4

slclick · Feb 27, 2014

If I had mass disposable income, I'd spend it on Stanko Abadzic's work. He channels Moholy-Nagy and works shadows like no other living artist.

ClayStevens · Feb 27, 2014

Buying it is just like to buy a lottery. Will you?

expatinasia · Feb 26, 2014

Re: Canon Announces New Firmware Updates for Cinema Cameras & Camcorders

JesseKorgemaa said:
It most certainly won't come to the 1dx as its a different sensor. The C100/C300 share the same sensor and the technology for it was already built on the sensor, however it wasn't finished until implemented with the 70d.
This video should help you see its quality. https://vimeo.com/87006298

Thanks for sharing the video, I had not seen it. It is an excellent promotional video and plants the seed of me wanting one, as even though I do not do weddings I can see how useful it would be in different circumstances.

Let's hope Canon does not make any other similar videos but with a more general theme. ;-)

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