The canon 14mm is a gem. Auto focus, wider the either the 17 TS-E or the Zeiss 15. No filter though

dolina said:

200mm & 800mm do not have Power Focus. I have both and the feature is not present. I use 300/400/500/600 Series II Super Teles and they have this feature. In fact the 400's in my drybox with the 200/300/800.

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You and I may be thinking of other features. When you say "Power Focus", I am thinking of the focus preset feature. Set a certain focus, save it, then have the ability to return to that focus with a twitch of the focus preset ring. The lens will return to your saved focal plane automatically. I believe this setting can be set with fast or slow focus return, allowing for nice, smooth focal transitions when recording video.

The 800mm f/5.6 L IS DOES have that feature. I know for a fact the Mark II 300mm, 500mm, and 600mm lenses have that, too, as I've used all of them as well. The only one I have not used is the new 400mm II, however based on photos of these lenses, it appears to have all the same controls as well. According to the US manual for the EF 200mm f/2 L IS lens, it also has the focus preset feature. See page 8 in the following manual:

http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/0/0300003440/01/ef200f2lisusm-en.pdf

If this "focus preset" feature is not the same feature as "Power Focus", then I am not sure what you are talking about.

dolina said:

Printed user manual states 5-stops of IS.

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I think there are differences between UK and US markets. On the US web site for Canon, it clearly states 4-stop:

This ultra-fast telephoto, a new member of Canon legendary L-series lenses, has totally new optics to provide better image quality. It uses fluorite and UD lens elements for excellent chromatic aberration correction and consists of 17 elements in 12 groups. The built-in Optical Image Stabilizer gives it up to 4 stops of stabilization correction. The inner USM and optimized AF algorithms result in fast and quiet autofocusing, and the circular aperture can even produce beautiful out-of-focus images. This ultra-high-performance lens also improves its durability - better dust- and water-proofing. The EF 200mm f/2L IS USM is outstanding for many available-light applications, including indoor sports, theater work, fashion, and candids at events.

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The exact same lens on the UK site is listed as 5-stop:

Five-Stop Image Stabilizer

Canon’s five-stop compensation Image Stabilizer technology allows the use of shutter speeds up to five times slower with no perceptible increase in image blur. Automatic panning detection automatically turns off the Image Stabilizer in either the horizontal or vertical direction when following moving subjects. Tripod detection automatically switches off IS when the camera is supported.

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Either way, I don't believe Canon has DIFFERENT IS systems for both markets. It is the same IS system, regardless of whether it is marketed as 5-stop in the UK or 4-stop in the US. It's all just marketing. It is also very likely that the chances of getting up to five stops of hand-holdability at 200mm on a system designed for four stops at 800mm is just a happy coincidence. At 200mm your angle of view is much wider, so camera shake is magnified by a much lesser degree. As I've mentioned, most reviewers seem to get around 5 stops or more of hand-holdability anyway with ALL of Canon's lenses that use the 4-stop IS system. It's all just marketing...but that isn't my point.

My point is, Canon's current IS system was originally designed for the EF 800mm f/5.6 L IS lens. The technology was innovated with that lens. It is now simply being propagated to the rest of Canon's line of modern white telephoto and supertelephoto prime lenses as part of their current refresh. There haven't been any significant advancements in image stabilization systems in the 3-4 years since it was first introduced. It was over a decade since Canon first introduced their 2-stop IS system before they first introduced the 4-stop IS system.

dolina said:

You are taking about exposure. I am more interesting in freezing a football player in full run vs having a slightly blurred football player in full run. You obviously do not shoot action photography where a fast aperture is ideal and often required for shutter speeds of 1/1000 or faster.

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Your now claiming you are talking about exposure in terms of quantity of light on the sensor. I know what your talking about, and I am saying it does not matter. Not when we are talking about a third or a half or even two thirds of a stop. It would matter if we were talking about differences in exposure of over a stop. If we were debating the merits of exposure value (as determined solely by shutter and aperture, i.e. quantity of light at the sensor), the difference between an f/2.8 and an f/5.6 lens is very significant. But we aren't talking about that.

What you are actually talking about, and the point I was always discussing, is the ability to achieve a faster shutter speed. The argument was that only an f/4.5 lens would allow you to achieve an additional two thirds stops faster shutter speed. I'm saying that is wrong. ISO is one of TWO factors that affect shutter speed (which is what we are really talking about here, not exposure value.) I shoot birds, which most is most definitely action, and most definitely requires high shutter speeds. I'd argue that I need higher shutter speeds to freeze the constant micro-motion of a bird than is necessary to freeze a running baseball player or leaping basketball player. Even at 1/1600th, I often capture motion blur of small passerines...even just turning their head, they can move half a centimeter or more in a tiny fraction of a second.

When I need a high shutter speed, I either open up the aperture, OR I increase ISO. BOTH allow the use of a faster shutter. In the context of the current discussion, your statement is that you would only buy a new 800mm lens if its max aperture was bumped up by a third or half a stop, so you could get faster shutter speeds. If THAT is your argument for a new lens, then you don't understand the purpose of high ISO, or why Canon put more effort into achieving cleaner high ISO settings in the 5D III and 1D X instead of improving DR at the lowest ISO settings. Increasing the ISO setting by a third or half a stop is TRIVIAL...you won't notice any additional noise, especially with one of Canon's newer DSLRs. If you are at 1/1000s at ISO 1600, and you need 1/1250s or 1/1600s, you don't absolutely require a lens with an f/4.5 aperture. You can jack up ISO to 2000 or 2500, and achieve the necessary shutter speed. Your EV will be different...lesser by a one or two thirds of a stop...but again...trivial difference, it doesn't matter.

If you were arguing for an 800mm f/2.8 lens...that is a significant difference. Bumping ISO up by two stops will probably have a visible impact on noise, and your EV would change by a significant amount. But we aren't talking about that. We are talking about changing the max aperture of an 800mm lens from f/5.6 to...f/5, f/4.8, maybe f/4.5? Not worth it. Not worth the cost, when you can get that extra few thirds stop shutter speed with a trivial increase in ISO (which, for all intents and purposes, is free...or maybe requiring the sale of a current camera and the purchase of a 5D III or 1D X.)

dolina said:

High-end white telephoto prime lenses with fractional f-number stops.

http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/lens/ef/data/telephoto/ef_200_18l_usm.html
http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/lens/ef/data/super_telephoto/ef_500_45l_usm.html

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You keep bringing up decades-old lens designs. I mean, 20 years or older. I don't see how those are relevant to a discussion of MODERN prime telephoto lenses...or even the last generation...? I mean, you might as well drudge up some old FD lens designs while your at it...I'm sure we can figure out a way to blend them into the conversation somehow...and you could probably find some f/6.3 max aperture ones...

dolina said:

If you can't afford a $80,000 lens then you're not the market for it.

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Erm, its not an $80,000 lens...its a $13,500 lens. And, as it stands, I AM in the market for it. Actually, I'm in the market for the EF 600mm f/4 L II and a 2x TC, which is just as good if not better than the 800/5.6. Which is also a $13,000 lens. You get what you pay for. I WANT the EF 600mm f/4 L IS II. It is pretty much the pinnacle of lens design right now, in my opinion. Superb IQ wide open, very light weight, optimally balanced for excellent hand-held usability, incredible image stabilization (which seems capable of at least five stops in my personal experience with this lens and the and 500mm f/4 L II, and over five stops in my personal experience with the EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS II).

I'm honestly not sure of the practicality of an 800mm f/4 L IS...the thing would be a beast, would be very heavy, would be difficult to balance with such a huge front element, etc. etc. I'd be curious to see how an 800mm f/4 DO lens performed...I believe such a lens might be hand-holdable and decently balanced. I'm not sure a DO lens can perform as well as a standard L series lens...but, maybe 15 to 20 years from now, we might all get a chance to try one out.

x-vision said:

My crystal ball tells me that the 70D will be a lighter, slimmer 60D - and will be announced at $999 body only.

And that the 7DII will be a 7D with a new sensor and the same 19-point AF system - but with higher sensitivity and accuracy.
Announced at $1700 or maybe even $1600.

Those hoping for a 1DIV replacement will be disappointed.
That's what the crystal ball says, don't shoot the messenger. 8)

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Based upon Canon's recent price history (some what driven by the formerly strong Yen) prices are likely to be higher. I would not be surprised if the 70D comes in at least $1299 and could be as high as $1599 with the 7D M2 could easily approach, if not top $3000.

rmblack said:

try cleaning off puke from your 5dmkII from an early aviation expedition gone wrong

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Cleaning puke is child's play compared to removing paint stain off your camera :

atvinyard said:

Also, it's my understanding that with video, since you're recording at a resolution of 1920x1080, sharpness isn't such a big deal. The samyangs are pretty nice too. and it takes great pictures. It's huge though.

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+1

polarhannes said:

I see, so the Sigma USB dock enables you to AFMA non-AFMA bodies, but you can just use the regular AFMA on the 5d3 and forget about Sigma's solution.
Thanks!

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No, it adjusts the lens. Since not all bodies are identical, the best match will come with the body that you set the lens to match.

Canon's AFMA adjusts a body, and it does not care which brand of lens is on it, as long as the lens is a autofocus lens that works on Canon.

This means you can tweak a Sigma lens and still fine tune it on a Canon body.

Nice!

I sold the 60D I had in hopes of getting a decent amount for it before the 70D came out. I love the additional reach of crop but the mediocre high ISO performance (above 1600) was really becoming a drag. That's when I decided to spring for the FF 5D. I haven't gotten to use it too much (winter, etc.) but when I did, the IQ was amazing. The last straw with the 60D was shooting an outdoor nighttime sporting event - I had the 5D at the time but elected to take the 60D for the extra reach (I knew it would come in handy). I put the 70-200 2.8 lens on it and the show lighting was absolutely atrocious. This resulted in vastly underexposed/ISO 3200 shots at the shutter speeds I needed to freeze the action, and the resulting noise stripped so much detail out of the photos that I think I may as well have taken the 5DIII and cropped after the fact...and my hit rate probably would have been higher too. (this is noise that's visible even in 640x480 crops!)

Anyway, I still want a decent APS-C camera to supplement the 5D. I'm hoping for a beefed up 70D (7DII probably will cost too much/have to wait too long) that will have better AF tracking for sports. Still cheaper - and lighter! - than one of those massive 400mm or 500mm behemoths...

Excellent info. Thanks, neuro!

Congrats, It seems like everyone has covered just about every lens but here is just one more vote for the EF 100L IS Macro, a great portrait lens with lots of scope for the little things in life.

I was out this afternoon playing with my new 70-200 f/2.8 MK II to see how well it worked with TC's for hand held photos in low light. Its a very dark day, so the ISO on the images is high. Before I started using the 2X TC, a thunder storm hit and ISO's went up to 10,000 so I'll try again tomorrow. Each TC I add reduces the IQ, but the new 70-200 takes TC's very well, so it is quite usable with a 2X TC, but far from pixel sharp.

The first is at 200mm + 1.4X







This one has the 2X + 1.4X. AF is slow, but works.

It is just sweat on the dial from your finger... just clean it off with some rubbing alcohol or water and a washcloth/toothbrush and your good to go!

I am upgrading to a 5d mkiii and I shoot sports both indoor and out. I realize ten shots per second is much better than 6, but outside of that, I am guessing its performance is close to being on par with the 1dx. or am I wishful thinking.
[/quote]

Not wishful thinking at all - I used the 5d3 all last spring and was generally happy with its' performance (c/w the 7d I used the past 2 yrs). I did use concurrently with the 1d IV last yr, with different lenses on each to add to my flexibility / readiness. With knowledge of the game, nailing focus on a serve, dig, or block was rarely a problem for the camera. Planning the background (when possible) and controlling DOF is more 'operator-dependent'.
While I clearly prefer my 1-series now, I'd easily be able shoot all day with my 5d3 and my client's would probably not notice much difference. But as for all the conveniences / customization / durability of the 1-series, shooting matches 2-3x/wk is more pleasant (? reliable) over the long season.

Nate said:

Hello there,

I Have now a 50 1.4 and thats the length that I love most for portraits. I tried more 50L but I dont fell them that much better than my 50 1.4.

What do you guys think? When will a new 50 1.2 be released?

-Nate

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I don't think there will be anything like that any time soon. Others may know more details and history but it's my understanding that basically there are only a few lens designs really and most of them go back many decades. So the question is what exactly they should improve in your opinion. Touching the lens formula would simply result in a different lens which can be a good thing or not depending on what you like or do not like about the 50L. The rest is physics and I defer to the experts here to explain it. But from what I understand making some of the stuff go away that some users (or non-users probably) complain about, such as the "front focus issue" would result in a lens with different bokeh. Same with the CA from what I remember. These "flaws" are there for a reason.
If you don't like it then there is the very old and successful design that is also part of the 50 1.4 and others like it.

What else could be done? Better build quality perhaps. The 50L is very solid but there are probably a few little details that could be improved. Preferences there also will vary. I'd like to have it as an all metal construction for example and the front part where the hood screws on not just glued in. The 50 1.4 could use an overhaul in that respect. Not sure if that's happening though when the entire industry (with the exception of Leica I suppose) is moving towards more plastic not less.

Leaves us with better coatings or other glass types. Not sure how much room there is for improvement without totally breaking the bank.

In other words: I'm overall quite happy with my "old" lens and so will likely most users be. The situation I think is different from zooms. Zooms overall are still comparatively new and it's only been in the last 20 years or so that they perform really well. 50mm lenses on the other hand I wouldn't expect to change much.

Canon 1.4x EF Extender II

Having both the 1D2 and 1Ds2, you're going to want the 1D3. I loan out my 1d2 with my 100-400 for crew rowing, and it works great for their needs. If I were to purchase today, 1D3 all the way.

Interesting pic ... but no boredom here on a Sunday, coz Sunday is the first working day of the week here in the middle east (i.e. our Sunday is your Monday).

neuroanatomist said:

caruser said:

• Give ISO the same importance as time and aperture (e.g. put aperture on one wheel, iso on the other, and time in auto).
• Sometimes I want to simply change a custom-mode from e.g. Tv to M or similar, which doesn't seem possible (please correct me if I'm wrong).

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The first is possible now. Av mode, and Custom Controls to switch the QCD to ISO (see p. 341). With that, ISO is set during metering only. With that setting in M mode, you set aperture/shutter when metering is inactive, and once you start metering you can adjust ISO.

You can't change the base mode of a C# setting. Canon could fix that for the 1D X, it seems to be a legacy of having a mode dial (the 1D X is the first to have C# settings and no mode dial).

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Thanks for the hint regarding the ISO controls, that will be useful, and I'll read the manual again for other treasures that I might have missed. (All in all the customisability of the 1DX is really good compared to what I had before, and I'm glad to have made this upgrade.)

I haven't used the canon 1.4, but my sigma 1.4 is awesome - now that it's on a FF. On the 7D it was so-so, with some awesome shots, but too many soft or poor focus photos (about 30-70). Now on a FF, it's spectacular. Focus is spot on every time, maybe a little soft a 1.4, but even at 1.8 it's superb - like a completely different lens. I was always having to redo the AF cal on the 7D, but haven't had to touch that since going FF.
I also like that it's a 77mm filter size - since most of my other lenses are the same.

tomscott said:

Ye but you give a pro a 300D and he will make incredible pictures with it. What I meant was the best camera is the one you have with you as in being comfortable carrying and using it. Getting the shot is more important IMO. everything is a compromise and just because you can afford to doesn't necessarily make it a good value purchase for you. But then again life is short so do it while you can on the flip side.

Many pros work in this way, unless you are a sports or wildlife shooter it is cheaper to rent for when you need. I understand that shooting with the white primes is better but comparing the zooms to point and shoots just isnt correct. Although the MKI 70-200mm IS is the least sharp of the 2.8 70-200mm zooms its still a quality piece of glass. But the 24-70 MKII and the 70-200 MKII have many a time been comparable or better than their prime equivalents.

Again same with the 1DX it is more than twice the price of the 5DMKIII but the 5DMKIII is 90% of the camera. 6fps is nothing to be sniffed at either, 14 is incredible but in most situations overkill. As a gear head and lover of new tech I completely understand the want but what about the need? IMO the 5DMKIII is the best all round camera ever made and it surprises me everyday. Again it is a lot more useable and easier to travel with than the beast 1DX.

As a pro weight is a huge concern, with having two bodies and lenses that cover a broad range lugging it around can juts be inconvenient. But that is my personal preference.

If the best is all you can have then go for it, but there are other options that will create a similar result but cost a weigh a lot less.

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Yes, that is what I meant - I am fully aware that me with a 1DX would never shoot pictures as amazing as some pros do with much less sophisticated equipment. And it is certainly also true that not everything I could afford would make a value for me.

I guess my comparison with the iPhone was a bit silly - but I was trying to avoid the classic "VW vs. Ferrari"... But you get what I mean; when I first used the 300/2.8 (being the first time I was using one of the white primes) I really did feel that everything I had been using until then was cheap. But of course, "cheap" is at a very high level here. I started buying L-glass after having used a Tamron 28-300 (I think) on a 500D for a while and always being frustrated because the pictures never seemed focused. This is when I got the 24-70, and then also the 7D. While of course my qualities as a photographer did not change at all, it gave me way more pleasure looking at these pics than the one with the old combo. And then, when I mounted the 300/2.8 I had the impression that the difference in terms of sharpness and colors was again the same as with the first switch. That is basically what I meant when I mentioned the iPhone.

What you say about the 1DX and my lust for it is precisely it. I realize that the 5Diii delivers everything I need and then some, and the 10% extra from the 1DX would just be because it is cool. No, I don't need it. But then again, since I am not a pro I would not need any camera at all. I also still have a Canon F1 in a cabinet somewhere that I could use, and maybe the pictures would come out the same as with the 5Diii (even though I would have a hard time getting the pics developed, or taking any at ISO51k... ). And for the same reason - pro vs. amateur - I can to some extent adjust what I take pictures of to the amount of gear that I want to lug around, rather than the other way around.

Anyway, these are just some of my thoughts/reasonings. I will get a 5Diii now and keep on renting the 300/2.8.
And maybe donate some to charity - after all, my wife also has all she needs

Dianoda said:

AudioGlenn said:

I love my 40!

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Same here, it's such a perfect pairing for unobtrusive general photography on my 5D. I think it and a 6D would make a wonderful compact/stealth kit. Canon really needs to make an equivalent lens for EF-S mount, the shorty 40's just a bit too much telephoto for my tastes on APS-C.

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Felt the same with my 60D. I like it much more on FF

Is already released together with SX270.

...but Craig missed this one:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/03/21/Canon-announces-SX270-HS-20x-superzoom-and-SX280-HS-with-GPS-and-Wi-Fi

Interesting specs:

Self Timer
Approx. 10-sec. delay/approx. 2-sec. delay/custom*

*Delay time (0-15 sec. (in one-second increments), 20/25/30 sec.) and number of shots (1-10 shots (in one-shot increments)) can be specified.

Continuous Shooting
1) Normal: Approx. 3.8 shots/sec. (in P mode)
Approx. 14.0 shots/sec.* (in High-Speed Burst HQ)

2) AF: Approx. 1.0 shots/sec. (in P mode)
Approx. 5.1 shots/sec.* (in High-Speed Burst HQ)

- Under conditions where the flash does not fire automatically
- Differs depending on the zoom position.
* The maximum continuous capture is 7 frames.


...also it says that it works till 6400 ISO - but I wonder with which noise...

Has anyone used the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 for video?

For DSLR, the Zeiss 35 f/1.4 appears to be the reigning 35mm champion for video (with a price to match). The Sigma, on the other hand, is known to be an incredible bargain and top IQ/AF performer. But I haven't been able to find much on the Sigma, as it relates to shooting video.

It depends on the inventory that Canon has, and that the dealer has. If Canon has 5 months Inventory, and the Dealer has 2 months of inventory, the lens might be from last fall.

My 16-35mmL that I bought last July from Newegg had a October 2011 date code, or about 7-8 months old. I'd suspect that's typical for a high end lens that is not a popular new model.

I have bought new lenses that were only 3 or 4 months old.

It would be possible to find one with a 2013 date code, but unlikely, Canon makes lenses in Batches, so you'd have to hit a new batch where the dealer was out of stock and just received them.
For slow selling lenses, a year or two is not uncommon.

my new 16-35 in the real world tonight. the photograph was turned upside down as the reflection on the water was far more exciting....Cheers, Pedro.


Z96A3584b KELIN ALT2TLDEF by Peter Hauri, on Flickr

If you can only have one multi-purpose lens for the 5DIII, the 24-105 would have to be it. It's probably the best standard zoom combination ever made for any format, ever. Yes, it'd be nice if it was faster, but it's got a fantastic focal length range, image stabilization, and awesome optics.

As has also been mentioned, the original non-IS 70-200 f/2.8 is another superlative lens, probably second only to the new IS version amongst telephoto zooms.

You might also want to put some thought into your preferred holy trinity of primes. You could do a lot worse than to get either the 28 f/1.8 or the 35 f/2 plus the 50 f/1.4 plus either the 85 f/1.8 or the 100 f/2. It depends a lot, of course, on what, exactly, you're shooting as well as your style.

Cheers,

b&