neuroanatomist said:

verysimplejason said:

It's not how many AF points you put but how sensitive they are. As only the center one is a cross-point, I can only hope for the better for the other AF points.

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Actually, for tracking moving subjects, a lot of it is how many there are, and the more of them, the more densely spaced, the better.

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Correct but I'm just hoping for a few very good points in 6D since it's already advertised that it'll only have that many AF points. That said, I'd rather have few good points than many but isn't sensitive enough.

Maybe for 2013 with the 7D mark II ;D

Random Orbits said:

The 50 f/1.2 is not focus-by-wire.

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Whoops, learned something new today, it's apparently only the 85L which has that.

Random Orbits said:

It's only disadvantage compared to the 300L is losing a stop at 300mm, which isn't too bad if you're outside.

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It's not only the 1 stop more light (= lower iso), but imho f5.6 is the absolute minimum @300mm most of the time to have even a small object in focus unless it's in a right angle to the lens. Actually I'd like to shoot @f8 more often, but am limited by the mediocre iso capability of the 18mp sensor - the bokeh is still beautiful and pretty blurred.

So to me the disadvantage of the 70-300L is that focusing gets harder @f5.6, and even more so with a tc @f8 - and of course it's less sharp than a tele prime which is to be expected.

You all rock. I lean toward the 2X after seeing Neuro's shots. I think 95% of the time, it'll be on the 70-200 2.8 II.

haha thanks

Dylan777 said:

Sell your 5D(I or II), 7D and all crop lenses. Use that money for 1D X or 5D III.

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Are you referring to the OP? I don't think he has any of those bodies. Or did you mean in general? I have thought about it and I'd rather have two cameras bodies - one crop and one FF - than have just one FF body. I like the flexibility of having both.

The build is not the issue, it will prob be the amount of flaring, CA and purple fringing. It should be sharp at all apertures except wide open, and you should see improvement in IQ when stopped down a bit to around f/2.8. Also the AF speed should be really fast and accurate. If it performs better than all this you have a great copy, if not maybe you could swap it for another one.

Don't be shocked if it doesn't perform well at f/1.8, though it should at least be useable.

If you're on budget and you think you have already some of the lightings that you need, you can also rent some small vacant warehouse or unoccupied small old building. And they're right. Always bring someone with you, preferably, someone whom both of you can trust.

Northstar said:

Update 2:
Got the email from B&H. Essentially states that I will be allowed to exchange my 1D X within 30 days even if it has over 200 actuations. Also states that B&H will cover shipping both ways via overnight delivery. Thank you to the phone rep I spoke to...Adrian x.4616 and to James F. for sorting out this "issue". Color me happy. Now I can finally shoot in peace!

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That's great news! Put that baby to work!
[/quote]

Thanks, Northstar! I have no doubts that you're enjoying and working yours! Although, obviously, you're way ahead of me now, despite getting our cameras almost at the same time!

Hello everyone! Just wanna give back to this great forum of which I've been lurking for several months now, but only joined a few days ago, and share a nice accessory I saw online a couple of weeks ago, decided to order a few days ago, and received today.

I've been a "SpiderPro Dual Camera System" user for several months now. It's a great back-saver. I've also been a "BlackRapid RS-2 Sport 2 Camera Strap" user for a couple of years now. It's an easy way to transport and a quick way to shoot with your DSLR. To me those two accessories are indispensable for comfort and efficiency.

If you're like me and have been looking for a solution to use a SpiderPro System with an arca-swiss L-bracket or plate, here is a necessary accessory to pick up. Does it have the same quality as Kirk and RRS arca-swiss products? I'd say it's pretty close. Would I have total confidence that this can hold up the weight of my camera, zoom lens (and perhaps a flash) combo? Only time will tell. IMHO and limited experience, so far, so good. Will update this post as I get more field-time with it.

Check it out! http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/26662953_GDf2hz

If you want to use a BlackRapid strap with the above accessory, SpiderPro has an adapter http://www.spiderholster.com/arca-swiss-adapter.html so you can use, say a Kirk QRC-1 or a RRS B2-FAB-F, and not have to unscrew the SpiderPro clamp.

I am not, in any way, related to SpiderPro. I'm just a customer sharing a good find to everyone here.

Mods, if this is in the wrong forum, I apologize and please feel free to move it to the pertinent forum. Thanks.

bycostello said:

just bought a fuji ex1... voted with my visa card... AF was just not good enough...

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pray you never have a problem with it and have to send it back to fuji for dis-service

Happy to hear about this one. Have some older gear to sell and consider buying this one to keep in the car ready for shooting anytime. Been looking around for some reviews but they are coming very slow. Would be nice to get some more of your experience/comments/pics. Thanks.

paolotaverna said:

Good day,

1- I imported RAW in LR4 (in camera I used camera standard...but you will agree that it is useless as LR4 does not keep this)
2- Used LR4 default raw interpretation of the Canon 1Dx raw file (also default sharpening values)
3- I exported jped - large- no resizing and no output sharpening!



regards

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paolotaverna, try DPP and see if there's any difference. When shooting RAW, I always use "Neutral".

I can't imagine the focus on the MKI as it's absolutely hideous on the MKII.

They say slightly better CA and flare control, but the MKII is still bad for both. Purple fringing is just a fact of the matter at F1.2 with the MKII (in high contrast) so you have to shoot to control it.

East Wind Photography said:

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.

johnf3f said:

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!

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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.

I never used the Live View until I started shooting with TS-E lens. It allows for fast, easy and effective metering (the tilt shift lens do not allow for the camera's standard metering).

Yeah... and I've used my 35L over 2.8 about 10% of the time !

Denisas Pupka said:

New Wi-Fi "EOS Remote "Demo straight from Japan. Nice how fast wi-fi really works.

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Yawn ... does what is supposed to to (the mobile interface was already in screenshots).

It would be much more interesting to know how long the battery lasts with wifi on (or gps) and if there'll be a sdk so 3rd parties can program apps that go beyond the basic focus & shoot of Canon.

The center point of the 5DII will focus better than the 40D's center point in very dim light. In most other ways, it's a downgrade. But for landscapes mostly, the 5DII AF is great. With moving subjects, your keeper rate will drop - learn to shoot bursts. But...the images that are in focus will be much better than the 40D - a worthwhile trade, IMO.

I just became a Gold Member (no request of for SSN or TaxID) last month so have not had the need to use service yet. I have enjoyed their equipment evaluation program as I am trying to build my kit and it is a great perk to be able to request L glass to try out prior to purchasing.

Re: February & March are Announcement Months for Canon [CR2]

neuroanatomist said:

x-vision said:

Aah. You must have missed the discussion about the last quarterly results from Canon and Nikon.
DSLR sales at Canon were down for the quarter (compared to 2011), while Nikon's sales were up.

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Ever heard the term 'outlier'? One quarter doesn't make a trend. Do you make a lot of your financial decisions based on results from the most recent quarter but ignoring the results from the previous several years? If so, how's your portfolio doing?

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Thank goodness most people on here are photographers and not financial advisors.

Let me preface my next comment with this: I have not been a huge fan of Sigma. I've owned a couple of their lens, but I'm not personally a fan of the "crinkle finish" look. That being said, from a purely aesthetic point of view I have to say that this new 35mm Sig is a beauty. I love the very clean, almost Zeiss-like design. I am very intrigued in reviews of both it and the new 35mm f/2 IS. The winner in image quality is going to end up in my bag. I recently sold my 35mm f/2 that I was very fond of despite its flaws in anticipation of one of these lens (or a 35L if neither of them is amazing).

Julie G. said:

Random Orbits said:

Julie G. said:

Why do you need a FF? What are you missing on your current camera? The 60D is a great camera. Especially if you don't have the option of buying and selling used equipment, going FF is going to be expencive.

What I think you are missing is something in the wider end and something in the tele end. You should definitely keep the 50. My experience is that F4 is not fast enough for low light indoor photos. But again I live in Norway, and I'm guessing Brazil is a bit lighter
1. You can go for the 17-40 (it's a great value), but you don't have the big aperture
2. Get a wider prime (ex. around 24-35mm) like the Sigma 30mm F1.4 and get the 70-200mm F4L NON-IS. The combo is slightly more expensive, but both are pretty good lenses. The 70-200 is really sharp and the 30mm has a wide aperture.

The 50 you've got is a good portrait lens.

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The 60D lacks AFMA. Getting fast primes to match it well is hard. If he is looking to use fast primes, a different body (crop or FF) with AFMA would be important. I did not realize how much sharper my lenses were until I switched to a body that had AFMA. It mattered with f/2.8 lenses and it definitely matters more with f/1.2 or f/1.4 lenses.

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Ah, that explains it. I usually focus manually, so I haven't felt the need to adjust the AF.

So camera body choices would be: correct me if I'm wrong
- 7D
- 5D Mark II
- 1D Mark III
- 6D
- 5D Mark III
- 1D Mark IV

The final choice is personal and depending on budget, AF needs, weather sealing, ISO, Crop or FF etc. If you can't buy used, some of these will be out of the question (5D2, 1D3, 1D4).

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as i were you, i would not list 1d mark iii as an option, but 1ds mark iii

ZoeEnPhos said:

neuroanatomist said:

dr croubie said:

But with the 600mm + 1.4TC delivering almost as good IQ, there's not going to be many more sales of the 800mm (except for those who 'must' have 1600mm).

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Actually, I think the 600/4 II + 1.4xIII actually delivers slightly better IQ than the 800/5.6, and the 600/4 II + 1.4xIII delivers better IQ than the 800/5.6 + 1.4xIII, as well. In both cases, in addition to better IQ, the 600+TC is lighter, cheaper, and slightly longer in focal length. So, the 800/5.6 really has no remaining advantages, except as you note to achieve 1600mm (at the cost of loss of AF at f/11 and a big IQ hit, such that cropping from 1200mm is probably better).

Personally, I think it's likely we'll see an updated 800/5.6 sooner than expected, and the main reason is that the current one cannot compete with the new 600 II (and secondarily, because Nikon is releasing one).

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Hello Neuroanatomist!
Thank you again for your very good thoughts - as always coming from you sir!

Expecting a brand new and also better Canon EF800/5.6L that has the new sophisticated/complex optical design(as in EF600mm f/4L IS USM II),
that features (2) fluorite and UD lens elements to tackle aberrations and distortions,
and also features a lightweight magnesium alloy and titanium construction,
which reduces weight without compromising on strength and build quality - so I think I rather wait to maybe purchasing this new EF800, instead of one of the existing new ones version II super-lenses from Canon?

Let us see what the future holds!

Happy shootings!

C

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hmm...I think the only major improvement Canon can make on the 800mm is reduce the weight tremendously. No reason why it could not weigh around what the 500mm II does. The third IS mode and removal of the protection glass element would make it in to a new 800mm too. As far as optical design though, the current 800mm already has 2 fluorite elements and super UD elements.

One other welcome change would be to better balance the lens...try making it a 55/45 weight distribution. That is really my only complaint with the current 800mm; it's very front heavy.