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Should I buy a lens or sell the ones I own?

HughHowey said:
There doesn't seem to be anything in the 5DIII for me other than existing lenses and familiar UI.

I'm sorry, I just don't understand posts like this. I don't have any digital full frame cameras, so I'm not responding as a 5D champion.

The camera isn't even out yet but there are countless posts complaining about spec wishlists that Canon forgot to add to the 5DIII, followed by threats about switching to Nikon or Sony. Artists have been using light capturing boxes to create beautiful images for generations. Every photographer has different needs in their camera. I'm sure there is something that exists on the market that will satisfy your needs.

Since you are using a very nice Rebel camera, I can only assume you are not a professional that demands the highest performing device available. Since posts like yours are very common, out of curiosity, what would satisfy your needs?

I'm not a pro, and I'm not writing this to be nasty or attack you, I'm just trying to understand where people are coming from. In my opinion, ALL of these modern cameras are capable of capturing beautiful images.

Good luck in your quest to find that unicorn :)
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Upgrading from "x" to the 5D3

jalbfb said:
5D2. My plan last year was to wait for the III to come out-rumored to be in Q3 2011. When the tsunami hit everything changed and I got the 5D2. Glad I did, I was really able to grow in photography with it. Now I'll sell it once I get my itchy hands on the 5D3.

Sounds like a good strategy. I am definitely one of those who have been waiting for the eventual release of the MK3.

The MK2 came out when I was still in college and had zero money to buy it. I ended up getting a T3i when they came out knowing it would tide me over until know. haha. ;D
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help me decide! 5d mark 3 vs Other

I think as car as a camera, the 5d2 will be a very comfortable upgrade to the rebel, similar AF and accuracy, probably similar video capabilities however the 5d2 will be full frame and produce better images and cleaner video with less DOF if that's your thing... The 5d2 also has been used to make movies and TV series shows... As far as video, the 5d3 will have upgrades in that is has less moire, less rolling shutter (big issues with the 5d2 at times), and audio out for monitoring. It also has 720 HD however if you're serious in video, i'm sure you would rather shoot 1080, but it's an option, also a built in level may or may not be of benefit for you if you want level scenes and incredible ISO capabilities. Most of the other upgrades are all "photo" camera relating including AF, HDR, etc...

It all boils down to how much capital you have (money) and also realize you may use this as a write off on your taxes (if you live in the USA) as a business expense, but if you get into that, a good accountant/CPA is recommended to keep you from getting audited. I'd go with the 5d3, personally, but if that leaves you only with 1 lens, the 17-40, that may or may not be enough to get you going as it will be wide angle and not a general purpose lens like it is on the rebel. Depending on your cashflow, if you are starting out with a tight budget, I'd say 5d2 and 24-70 or 24-105, and build up your lens collection and when you got extra funding, then get the 5d3, but if you got plenty of cash flow, then maybe the 5d3 and lenses.
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Mini Workflow - Straight to USB?

Trevor said:
Is there a way to attach a USB stick directly to a 1DX or 5DIII and copying jpegs to it?

I'd love to be able to shoot RAW, do in camera RAW conversion, copy straight to USB stick ... Hand stick over ... No PC in the loop.

This is for very specific situation when clients/journalists/editors are screaming for a quick pic.

One way you can try is by using Eye - Fi card (http://www.eye.fi/how-it-works/basics) to move the pictures from your camera to the computer but you need Wi-Fi network for this.

If Wi-Fi is not available where you shoot and cell phone network is available then you could use your cellphone as hot spot and move your pictures from your camera to computer or a memory stick in your computer directly

I don't know how fast this setup will move the pictures to your computer or memory stick
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Some unanswered Mk III questions

nightbreath said:
The most interesting question for me remains camera's dynamic range. Does anyone have any idea on precise EV numbers of DR?

That is my area of interest too - particularly in the 50-400 range. I would love to see a scientific comparison between the 1DS3 and the 5D3. I am planning on an eyeball test next week but that will only really be a 'pleasing to the eye' test
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Using the Built-in Flash

neuroanatomist said:
As bycostello, the pop-up flash is already pretty weak, and adding a diffuser will cost you a stop or more. A pop-up flash diffuser will certainly soften the light, but for it to be effective you'll have to practically shove your camera into the subject's face. About the only place a pop-up flash is useful is for fill light outdoors.

... or with macro shots! Until your lens shadows the in-built flash, it's great for additional fill, and then a diffuser will make sense for reducing the shadow. I'm mostly taking my macro shots with 2 flashes: in-built for fill and external (430ex2 via infrared remote) for directional or bounce.

Even if the effect of the in-built flash is very tiny when the ambient light is brighter, it still can make a difference in postprocessing, so I wouldn't disregard it as many people with full frame bodies (and no pop-up flash) do.
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ef 35L on crop - experiences?

Daniel Flather said:
Problem with the 35L on a crop and using it as a normal lens is you retain the wide angle perspective of the 35mm.

I never thought of that, but just assumed it would be the same as a 50mm ... is the effect so strong that it's very different from the "normal" perspective? Otherwise it could be corrected in postprocessing without anyone noticing and look like a "real" normal if needed.
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Zeiss lens wipes

Roger Cicala of LensRentals.com in his blog on cleaning lenses (http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2011/05/the-lensrentals-lens-cleaning-methods) lists the Zeiss Lens Cloths for use if after blowing, brushing, blowing, and a lens pen have not succeeded in getting a lens clean. Like others have said, I would double check the packaging to make sure they are safe for multi-coated lenses. They may have an expiration date to check as well.

Good Luck
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24mm f/1.4 II or 24mm TS 3.5 II

I owe the 17 TS-E and my office has the 24 TS-E II.

The bad news about using these lens is you have to be patient and spend some time getting used to the perspective-control concept. Actually, let me take that back - even after investing the time in learning the lens, you'll probably need to spend a lot of time on the "setting up the gears/take the shots/dissembling the gears after the shot." cycle. :P

Like what Neuro said, investing in these lenses usually means that you'll also need rock-solid tripod/head too, so you'll have to add that into the cost. And being Manual-focus lenses, it's not a lens you can just take quick snapshots with, so it's usually in your bag when not in use. Finally, there's the problem of maintenance - the 17 TS-E cannot use a filter, so if you want to cut down your worries go for the 24 TS-E.

The good news? You have the keys to a totally different world in landscape/architecture photography.
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5d mkiii or 1dx? lens help?

So, decided to try a $650 used Tamron 200-500 first before blowing $13 on the 600f4 is ii, so I could afford a 1 dx and a 24-70 ii. I felt $20 was too much for a hobby when I drive a $3k car. Is this a crap lens?

I thought $13k lens with a 7d? No, I just can't swallow spending that much cash on any one thing. My most expensive car was $3500.
1dx with an old hard to find 600f4 is USM for $7,000 ea -good, but then no 24-70 $ left
I like the 5d mk iii, but I wonder what it will lack for $3k less. I am still tossing and turning at night debating this.

The smart thing would be to not buy any of the above and wait until after I replace my '00 Toyota Echo car, but I love the mpg. It has 160,000 mi on it.
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Buying a 5DII on a whim

V8Beast said:
I met up with a buddy of mine this weekend who is the editor of a big muscle car magazine to cover an autocross event together. He's a very accomplished photographer and does some outstanding work. During the middle of the autocross, his 1DsII - which has seen a ton of mileage over the last 8 years - took a dump. It's nothing terminal, just the dreaded "Error 99," but something that couldn't be fixed in the field. I let him borrow one of my backup bodies to get him through the event, but he jumped on the phone ASAP to order up a replacement body for another shoot he had the following week.

Him: The guy on the phone says he has a 5D Mark II, is that what you have?

Me: No, I use 5D for statics, and a 1DII for action. I'm getting a 5DIII any day now, but it hasn't been released yet.

Him: What's the difference?

Me: Better AF, faster burst rate, cleaner high ISO files, dual card slots.

Him: Well, I hardly ever use AF, and don't need fast FPS. I really like the IQ of the images you send me with your 5D, so I'm sure the 5D Mark II will be more than enough for me.

Me: Yeah, IQ wise the 5D Mark II is a great camera. That's what Bobby (a mutual friend and fellow photog) uses.

Him: OK, then I know for sure that I'll be happy with the 5DII's IQ.

Me: You can get them for around $2,000 right now because the 5DIII's are about to be released. The 5DIII is hard to get right now and costs $3,500.

Him: I don't want to spend that much. This is just going to be my personal camera until I can get company approval to expense on new body. I'll go with the 5DII.


I know this is an extreme example, but our conversation lasted two minutes at most. I just found it funny how people can deliberate/argue/scream/cry for months on which camera to get, mulling over specs and sample images (I'm guilty of this too!). On the other hand, I watched as a working pro reached a purchasing decision in two minutes based solely on the quality of images submitted to him from other photographers using the body he's interested in.

... your mate sounds like a dude to me. No nonsense sort of a guy - I dig that. Like you said, he's a pro that knows how to shoot and could probably get awesome results with a rebel body. All he needs to know is 'is this camera good'? Referring to the MkII: Yes it is, and no doubt he will continue to take fantastic photographs.

You're absolutely right, people do deliberate for too long sometimes. I used to play guitar in a touring rock band and it's a similar thing with gear there: Some people will spends weeks, months even years testing out different amps to try and find the holy grail. A couple of times on tour when equipment broke, it was more often simply a case of finding the next best music store and getting an amp that could get the job done. Very little deliberating went on there.

The show must go on!
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Nikon D800 test samples - dpreview

Comparing the raw ISO 6400 images to the 5D MK II, the D800 looks close to the same, more noise in the white areas, but maybe a tiny bit more detail. About the same story at higher ISO's.

Thats not a bad thing, the camera is obviously intended for high amounts of detail at low ISO.

Maybe we will have some 5D MK III to compare soon.
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