I wasn't sure which gallery to put this in, but HAPPY NEW YEAR to one and all. Let's make great photos in 2018! (Pictured is one of several favorites from 2017; feel free to post a favorite of yours from the year just ended).

canonnews said:

DO doesn't make a lens that much lighter because the aperture defines the weight more than the length. Consider that a DO lens has the same diameter of elements, and usually at least similar quantities, it's simply squished because DO elements allow the lens to be shorter.

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The main element is 100mm, but the thing that makes the DO lens special is that it effectively has a much higher refractive index than a normal refractive glass lens. Glass has a RI of ~ 1.5, and this limits how short you can make a lens in large part. A DO lens can have an effective RI even greater than diamond which is ~ 2.5. This allows to come to focus much shorter distance than a normal lens of the same radius of curvature. The rest of the optical formula will also be much different to a standard refractive lens.

So you are right that a DO can be much shorter but the weight saving will be limited by how much weight the lens barrel weight can be reduced for the most part.

Interestingly when DO was first shown with the original 400 f/4, Canon claimed a real refractive 400 f/4 would weigh 3kg, so ~ 50% than the DO version. However I believe that was a worst case scenario and if Canon made a 400 f/4L now with current tech, it would be close to the 300 f/2.8L IS II in weight, but of course longer, maybe 2.5-2.6kg.

IMO a 600 f/4 DO in the future could weigh maybe 3kg so maybe 20% lighter than the current lens. Also note that Canon stated the next gen mk III superteleles will be even lighter based on advanced materials for the body, so we may see a 600 f/4L III come in at under 3.5kg, if the DO lens gets the same treatment it might also be a bit lighter, say 2.8kg.

Anyway all fascinating and if they can deliver a 600 f/4 at close to 3kg, I'll sell my 500 in a heartbeat.

Yes the kingfisher shot is beautiful.

Still no micro USM, fixed aperture zooms or 'fast' lenses other than the 22 pancake.

I know those things are a step towards larger lenses, so you'd might as well just adapt your older EF-S or EF glass. But even something modest like be a 15-45 f/4 IS would be a fine option.

- A

I really like the cat picture.

Happy New Year, ahsanford.

If you dare to risk opening up the camera, the video shows how to replace the joystick.

https://youtu.be/cEtloREF2LA

Re: Canon Mirrorless FF 2018 or 2019

john kriegsmann said:

Sony cameras also lack easy to use manual controls and depend on complex multi layer menus to get to basic camera functions

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That may have been true in the past, but it’s certainly untrue with its latest entries.

The A7Rii for example has a significant number of functions mappable to buttons, and custom menu accessible from the Fn button. A7riii doubles down. If there is a function you can not map I haven’t found it and probably wouldn’t want to*. I for example have the EyeAF function mapped to a back button, and AFon mapped to the center press (i.e. what sets the AF point back to center on canon bodies) of the joystick, so I need not toggle anything, and if I’m not using EyeAF I need not lift my thumb after selecting a point. I have a dedicated control for each exposure component, including exposure comp (which I don’t use). I have a toggle to change drive mode, a toggle to change metering mode, a toggle for silent shutter, a toggle for exposure preview, etc. They also added a custom menu (like canon’s) to dump other commands to.

The ergo could be better (taller grip, more spacing to lens mount), but controls aren’t so much a weakness as they are a selling point. In my experience it is unmatched, but I’ve not used a canon newer than my 5d3.

*I wish I could put ISO in the rear dial, but it’s doable on the rear wheel.

Don Haines said:

I assume that you mean a 1.4X tele......

and any sport that you are more than 50 meters from the athletes....

and skunk racing..... you REALLY want a long lens for skunk racing.....

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;D LOL

When rumours were posted on this site several years ago about possible new Tilt Shift lenses being in the works from Canon I was hoping that they would eventuate and was really pleased this year when the rumours proved to be correct. I have owned the TS-E 24 II for some time and it is a fine lens. I value the added flexibility/possibilities that tilt and shift offer and enjoy the processes involved for the photographer in using a tilt shift lens.

Normally I wait for plenty of reviews, particularly from Bryan at TDP and aim to rent and try before I buy. However Canon Australia had a good December discount going and surprisingly to me included the new TS-E lenses. Having read the very positive ePhotozine review (thanks to CR for letting me know about this review) I decided to take the plunge. I have been using the 50 TS-E lens over the last couple of days when family Christmas festivities have permitted.

Some images I have taken are in a new thread for this lens in the image gallery.

My first impressions are:
• The look and feel of the lens body is very similar to the Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II
• The size of the lens is very similar to the Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II, the 50 being a bit longer
• Ergonomically both lenses are similar to use as regards organisation of the Shift, tilt and rotate functions.
• The MF ring has a nice feel, smooth but with enough resistance which suits me fine as it minimises the possibility of accidentally changing focus when making other adjustments.
• Full marks to Canon for the larger knob on the Tilt adjustment. This is much easier to use. Great that it is on the tilt adjustment since this is the one I am more likely to be making fine adjustments too.
• The weight specifications say the 50 is 945 gm (v 780 for the TS-E 24 II) which ephotozine described as hefty but well balanced on their 5DS R. I think weight is a very subjective/relative topic. If your normal setup is an EOS M plus EFM 22 then hefty would be right. If like me you regularly use fast primes with a DSLR then 945 is within a familiar range and equally so if you regularly use one of the Canon f/2.8 zooms. I like the feel and balance of the 50 TS-E on my 6D and have carried it in my hands and used it for 3 hours several times without discomfort. Since a tilt shift lens is going to see plenty of tripod work then weight is less of any issue then anyway.

Overall I have loved using this lens so far. It is a good looking optic and feels well balanced on my 6D. Of the images I have taken so far I like the colour and rendering of the lens. I will leave others to fully test the lens optically but I have not picked up any issues yet.

Tripod - 10 Sec timer - Mirror Lockup - Shift 10, f11 13th ISO100

Dylan777 said:

"Patent: Canon Stacked Image Sensor Technology"

Sounds like Sony A9 technology.

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it's similar. Canon has been doing a ton of work with stacked sensors in the past 18 months.

the concept of stacking wafers,etc isn't new 3D chip stacking has been out for a long time now.

Mt Spokane Photography said:

As I read the patent, its a manufacturing method, not a new coating. I believe that the existing method for applying the coating is difficult, many complaints have been posted about the coating of the 24-70 F/2.8L II coming loose. This appears to be a improved manufacturing method that may reduce defects or cost less.

OPTICAL MEMBER AND MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR OPTICAL MEMBER
(57)AbstractPROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical member having an anti-reflection film with high strength, uniform refractive index distribution, and low scattering, and a manufacturing method for the optical member.
SOLUTION: A manufacturing method for an optical member includes: a step of applying dispersion liquid containing particles and dispersant on a base material; a step of, after applying the dispersion liquid, applying a solution containing a binder forming component and causing the solution to enter the space between the particles included in the dispersion liquid applied previously, so as to form a single layer having the binder filling the space between the particles; and a step of drying the layer to form an anti-reflection film. The solution contains a silane alkoxy condensate with an average particle diameter of 8 nm or more and 60 nm or less. The solution contains 70 mass% or more of a solvent whose water solubility is 10 wt% or less.

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it's both. it says so right in the title without even reading further.

OPTICAL MEMBER AND MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR OPTICAL MEMBER

not to mention under problem to be solved:

To provide an optical member having an anti-reflection film with high strength, uniform refractive index distribution, and low scattering,

Usually with canon's element designs, they design both an optical element and also a method of manufacturing. they go hand in hand. as a optical element that is difficult to manufacturer wont' go anywhere.

Also the 24-70 doesn't have ASC coatings. ASC coatings were developed and originally released just a few years ago with the 100-400L II.

Any "coating" that would come loose and be visible or external on the lens and noticeable would be the fluorine coating and entirely different thing all together.

yeahright said:

ok the manual says (on p. 407, bottom) that zooming to the focus point/area only works in FlexiZone-Multi AF-mode. But I can't understand why that's the case.

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I doubt if anyone here can tell you why, but you might get guesses. I'd like to do a updated autofocus while zoomed in, but that does not work either, for manual focus, no problem.

The touch screen and live view is wonderful, but there are things that could be improved. Its light years ahead of the competition.

AvTvM said:

Ryananthony said:

I wonder how many people own 6+ current Tamron lenses.

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why 6+ lenses? It clearly says 4 (four) Tamron lenses bought between May 2011 and Jan 15 2018 ... could be 4 versions of 18-200/300 consumer zooms ... i guess quite a few people will fulfill the condition.

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It also clearly says,

TAMRON PLATINUM TIER
Tamron owners who have purchased and registered six or more (6+) lenses during the time-frame of May 2011 and January 2018 are eligible for these 2018 membership perks:

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This is my first real attempt at a star trail shot. I set up my intervelometer and snapped away for 2 hrs. However, the time between shots was too long (3sec if I recall) so my stack was a series of dashes...I could not find any way to blend them until I tried the "Path Blur" tool in Photoshop. It allows you to draw paths that follow the star trails and I think it turned out ok. Its not a perfect process, as some of the trails end up a bit fuzzy if they aren't lined up with the path, but I don't mind the softer look to these trails.

What are your thoughts? Anyone else use the "Path Blur" tool for this?

BTW - this is Nakusp, BC, Canada.

CB

I used my 6D as my second camera for wedding in combo with my 5D IV for primary. Still a great camera for low light.

May I am a bit late to comment here, but I finally tested 6D Mk II for around 10 minutes.
Coming from a 6D user, I can immediately felt the improvement that have been done and delivered by Canon. Not sure about the dynamic range, but so far my 6D delivered the results I want, I assumed the new camera should perform similarly.
Great improve on the AF system, but still not wider / about the same than original.
As an 6D user, still looking at 5D Mark IV for my upgrade path.
Anyway, 6D Mark II still a great camera for a first full frame from Canon line.

Re: it's a bird, NO IT'S A PLANE!!!!

8)

steveningle said:

I actually find the 6D MKII great for video, i've used it for several projects at my work as a Campervan Conversion specialist. I get the feeling it's geared towards Vlogging.. Here's a little video test from it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceOYf6QfwWI

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You've impressed me for what that's worth!

Jack

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

This discussion has certainly got my interest. 2 x 1DX before and DX2 now. Never seen a single splatter issue but will be looking for it in the future. I always attributed those to the other persuasion, D600 etc

If only the 5DIV had 10 fps I would be down that route in a flash.

I have taken many pictures of the holiday lights near the city hall in Honolulu, but I won’t get them edited and posted until I get back home.

I did some bracketing, and it appears that about one stop underexposed on my G7X II is about right to keep down the spreading of the images of the lights themselves. I shoot RAW, so pulling the highlight slider to the left will likely help that, too. I probably am not losing any shadow detail in the process, not any I care about. From experience I think I am likely to pull the black slider left a maybe even the shadow slide a little left rather than right. Much of the time in editing, I’m aiming to make the picture look like things looked to me at the time I took it.

Very nice set of pictures.

I have an Paul Buff Einstein 640 ($500). Can be used with their Vagabond battery, but then no modeling light. Powerful? Depends on what you shoot. Recycle time? Depends on power setting and what you shoot. Has radio control option and built in slave; not sure what you mean by integration with the 600 RT. Be aware that any pre-flash will be a problem with any slave sensor. changeable bulb, diffusers etc.: check. Durable? I'm happy with it, but have heard some people complain about the plastic foot.
I think Buff only sells direct, so your B&H gift card is not going to work.

Maybe you have to turn off automatic sensor cleaning when you turn on a camera?