serendipidy said:

privatebydesign said:

Steve Erwin really was a very unfortunate accident, stingrays are incredibly docile and rarely use their stinger, even when attacked by sharks. I have taken many nervous divers right up to them and stroked their noses, but you must never, ever, swim over them. I believe that is what happened to him in murky poor visibility water.

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Yes, that was my understanding too. An extremely rare and tragic freak accident. Ironic that after being around deadly snakes and crocs so many times , he was killed by such a docile fish. I watched his show without fail. He was so enthusiastic about nature and such a wonderful person.

"Crikey"!

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Totally agree...sad that he had young kids too.

AF an tracking would have worked better, no questions that's why your keeper rate got better - not saying that you don't have good technique, but I think is safe to assume the without the servo mode and AF itself, your rate might have been lower.
The shots I took at still subjects were fine - anything that was moving or I had to take the shot with short prep time...was not
I find the Zeiss 135 f/2 to be a wonderful lens, but not for street photography - so my fault, not the lens
Yes, I would still buy if I did not have a 80-200 2.8L which for me works better in street photography.
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I totally agree with you Phil regarding moving targets, manual focus and my experience with the 85 1.2 II. The few times that I have tried to manual focus on a moving target have usually been a disaster -- manual focus on a static subject not too bad.....getting off a shot with short prep time -- also very very difficult with MF on the 85.

I guess my main reason for considering the Zeiss would be for shots that I have reasonable time to prep for rather than the impromptu shots that are usually required in street photography

Found attached picture on tastefully offensive. Thought I needed to share

I finally bit the bullet and just shelled out the big bucks for a gura gear 22+ and i have to say these are THE last word in camera bags. Personally I dont know how people manage with the bigger ones as mine is full and it is HEAVY.
I am going to do a full review on it sometime ... but probably not this month. Been travelling in china the last months and gonna be here for a while still and travelling ALOT so its always full of stuff camera stuff computer stuff macbook pro drobo mini etc

take my advice as someone that has spent alot of time and money searching for the right bag and save yourself alot of money just get the gura gear. I also got the little bags they sell free on a sale and they are great for keeping chargers and cables neat and tidy in the bag.

Well I did eventually buy the lens in the US on Ebay and a friend brought it down to Panama. And I just ordered a refurb 6D at Canon Direct. Hopefully they will not cancel the order. I called via Skype and the body is to be delivered to my registered CC address in USA. I called the CC company 30 minutes after the order was made and Canon had already charged the card and it was authorized, so maybe I will get this one.

As someone said, canon is playing it safe by not filling any non US based orders. It would be nice if they posted that on their website to say a lot of grief to people like myself...

Thanks for all your comments.

Jim Saunders said:

brianftpc said:

I got my Canon 1Dx December 31, 2012 and the right grip is turning white. I had read about this happening on the 5D3 but not on the 1Dx. Is there a recall on this problem?

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If it a rare occurrence then they'll likely just fix the ones which get sent in; If it is widespread then they'll likely recall them. If it is worth doing for a T4i then it is absolutely worth doing on their current top-of-the-heap pro body.

Jim

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You are correct...it was the T4i...idk why I said 5D3

My point is both were shot with a 10 stop ND3.0. I've shot up to 30 minutes with an ND3 filter. I recall the hot pixels became an issue.

Sporgon said:

My main use of the rear LCD display is to view the exposure via the histogram. As many have found, judging the exposure from the picture can be very misleading, but 'blinkies' can be helpful. However the histogram is always very small, and subtleties regarding small amounts of data at either extreme end can be inconvenient if not nigh on impossible to see.

I'd like an option on the higher end camera where you can select the whole, or virtually the whole of the rear LCD to display a large histogram - so I can see it properly. With this enabled you could then toggle to the picture via the 'info' button or what ever. The extremes of the histogram could blink if the data is beyond the sensor.

This would be very useful to me. Anyone have thoughts on this facility ?

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Makes sense, anything that helps on fhe fly is good. I've been too close to screw up a couple of times doing outdoor portrait sessions because I didn't pay enough attention. With this highlighted, I think I would have discovered it earlier.

It's likely that there are too many counterfeits out there.

Genuine and decoded third party batteries are fine on my 5DIII.

It's a smurf booger - gross.

Unless you LOVE the 14mm FOV, which is noticeably wider than the 16mm, or shoot detailed photos for huge prints, the 16-35 is about 1000x more versatile. It's bigger, not as sharp, mostly in the extreme corners on FF, has less CA, but takes filters, doesn't have fragile glass dome, zooms, and can be used to shoot just about everything from landscapes to portraits to architecture.

I'd suggest renting the 14mm if you really think you need it. I was underwhelmed by it, but others (who love 14mm) consider it irreplaceable. I'll trade 2mm, and a bit less corner sharpness for a lens that I can use for tons of stuff.

Of course, the dark horses in this are the Nikon 14-24 (w/Novoflex adapter) or the Zeiss 15mm, but you really have to love wide shooting to consider those...

There are also other issues related to fast lenses and bayer sensors, CA for example: http://www.flickr.com/photos/genotypewriter/6147351879/#

The one lens that has been quickly gaining in popularity for both video and stills and also as an excellent walk around lens is the 18-135 IS STM. Yes, it's variable aperture (so is the 15-85), but other than that it may be the only video lens you will ever want. It's $549 but you can get it for less used.

AvTvM said:

fxk said:

They *might* just sell one. The rest of us will settle for a bit less and save a dime or two. :-\

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don't think so. Sony was apparently able to sell some RX-1 cameras @ 3k ... and the RX-1 is a far cry from the hi-end mirrorless system camera described above, which I would love to buy from Canon.

Of course one can spend less money - like USD 299,- - and settle for even less ... e.g. the current Canon EOS-M.

Yes, the current EOS-M may be a very good choice for many. But for me it is simply no option, irrespective of its (deservedly low) price. The older I get, the more I try to avoid spending money and time on gear which evidently is inadequate or unsuitable for what and how I want to work. One of my knock-out criteria for a camera is a "look-through" viewfinder. I only ever take pictures squinting at an LCD on a device I have to hold with stretched out hands if I have absolutely no other choice in view of a really appealing photo opportunity.

Therefore, neither the current EOS-M or an ever so slightly improved EOS-M II [e.g. 70D sensor w/ dual-pixel-AF] without an excellent viewfinder are of any interest to me. I will eventually replace my bulky APS-C DSLR plus lenses with a smaller, lighter AND more capable mirrorless camera system with 35mm "FF" sensor. But only once I can do so without any sacrifices ... except the change-over from a reasonably good, but not top-notch optical viewfinder [7D] to a truly excellent electronic (or hybrid) viewfinder.

This is my highly subjective view on the "state of mirrorless affairs" ... and I know, I'm not the only one.

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On a decent (or superior) (E)VF, we can agree. Arm's length is neither natural nor condusive to good good, fast, steady, sharp photography. :
As far as a sensor, APC-C is wholly adequate (for me). With the various rectilinear ultra-wides available, FF is not nearly the issue it was for me. Assuming the current M lenses DO have an image circle to cover FF (which l'll bet they do not), I would not cough up a $1K premium for a FF sensor, though some premium for the larger sensor (yes, very, very desirable) would be considered, now that I'm invested. Of course, if the image circle only covers APS-C, then the FF point is moot.
At the current $300 price point, the M was an obvious choice for my M/C travel camera - space is at a premium. At the original price, the current camera was not even on the radar.

My take is the M photographing experience is less than satisfying - quite frustrating in many respects, but it does produce some nice images, due to decent optics and a good sensor. Far better fro me than a P&S.

I can say after a very short time of using the current M, the screen only view operation is wholly inadequate, and the always-active touch-screen is a real PITA, especially on such a small body. Like the dial lock on the DSLRs, there needs to be a screen-lock. They need to make use of the existing buttons and dials better (make them able to access more functions).

One addition I purchased and makes the body so much more stable is a Fotodiox Pro Thumb Grip http://fotodioxpro.com/index.php/fotodiox-pro-thumb-grip-for-mirrorless-digital-cameras-type-b-black.html. The accessory adds greatly to the stability of the camera, but unfortunately eats up the hot shoe, and makes the ON switch nearly inaccessible.

On my wish list would be the means (a second shoe? add grip to the body? (and PLEASE don't cover it in plastic!!)) to use this type of grip with an EVF AND flash.

And ask to keep it ~$1K... (we all can wish...)

In the meantime, I'll make lemonade.

sandymandy said:

Rienzphotoz said:

Mt Spokane Photography & sandymandy,

Those pics of the bread loaves look very yummy ... they truly have the "MMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmm" factor.

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Thank you! Altough my bread is more arabian than german

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Nice photos and i love BW. Still, I think Macros seem more interesting in color. BW macros work well with really closeup abstract objects e.g.

http://pelfusion.com/media/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/macro_photography_25.jpg

mrsfotografie said:

This is nonsense, check this out and tell him to get a 300D instead!

http://www.saratogaskies.com/articles/pattern-noise/

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aj1575 said:

I completly disagree with the noise in the 350D; the 350D is quite awfull when it comes to noise; but hey, this is an 8year old design. Otherwise I have no quality issues. The eyepiece fell of twice, so I needed replacement. The grip starts to loose its texture, and the screen has scratches (so it is even harder now to really see something); but everything is still working, and it reminds me that the most important part is the photographer. I have to work a little harder, and I have to understand a little better what I'm doing than the other guys with new gear.
My conclusion is, that the equipment is not the most important thing; and yes, upgrading from one consumer camera to the next is a waste of money; wait a few years so that there is a bigger improvement. Upgrading to a semipro or pro camera is also a waste of money, when you are not using the camera often.
The real luxury is not having a 1Dx with 10 L-lenses, no it is having time to make good photgraphs whit any decent camera.

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I'm sorry guys I meant to say he had a 300D (orig Rebel). My mistake.

Weird, very weird, and I know I'm in the minority. But hey if this person can make a few bucks teaching others how to use their iphones more power to them.

Camera phones are great for snaps and capturing simple images, period. I believe its a trend (that's not going away) and largely generational. To me its no different than listening to great music. Many people are satisfied with their ipod and earbud speakers. Myself, I run my music through a HQ multi-channel audio system. Sure, sometimes I have to settle for portable audio and sometimes I have to settle for my P&S camera, and sometimes I have to pull out my phone.

This describes my use of a phone camera very well:

captainkanji said:

My iPhone definitely has it's uses. It's great when I'm at work and I need to take a quick photo of a machine part and can text it to my boss on the spot. It will never replace my beloved 6D.

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Marsu42 said:

neuroanatomist said:

If you mean 1:1 macro, the 1.6x effect on DoF doesn't apply.

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I meant macro as in "very close up" like in the "macro" focus limiter range of the 100L - I very seldom really shoot at max. mag 1:1, too short working distance and too long exposure times for handheld or anything that moves. But for "just" close up macro the shallow dof is also a problem, so I was wondering if the same effect as in other shooting distances apply (i.e. higher iso capability gets nullified by the need for smaller apertures).

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As I understand the explanation of our friend Neuro, to fill the frame with a pair of rings (maybe 0.5X magnification), full frame oblige you get closer to the object, and use more closed diaphragm to match the depth of field of APS-C.

Dear Robboesan
I have only EF 135 MM. F/ 2.0 L USM = Great Lens and super sharp one, and do not know about canon 135 Softfocus. But Please read the Review at below

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-135mm-f-2.8-with-Softfocus-Lens-Review.aspx

Good Luck
Surapon

About all you can do is to try resetting the camera to its default settings, just for the remote possibility that settings are a issue. If you can establish that its a shutter button contact issue, they can be cleaned by a do it yourself method, or perhaps by a local repair dealer for a low price.

Otherwise, wait until its bad enough that the issue is repeatable and Canon can possibly fix it.

Be aware that the camera is likely not worth any major repair bill, since you can sell it for parts for about $125-$150, and a working one might bring $250 - $350. So a $200 repair bill is about the max you'd want to deal with.

You can buy a refurb T3 body with 1 year warranty for $359, and if you use the CLP and trade in a old broken 35mm slr or powershot, you can get up to 20% off the body, and sometimes extend that discount to refurb lenses that you buy with it. They charge sales tax, but canon must also charge it on repairs.

Regarding remote shutter release or timer remote, you could install Magic Lantern and have that capability without additional hardware.

fxk said:

UrbanVoyeur said:

Any word on:
- Flip up screen
- WiFi
- GPS
- Built in flash

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Current M camera can utilize Eye Fi cards, so Wi Fi is solved. :-*

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Eye Fi just gives you file transfer... many like WiFi for the remote control abilities.

CarlTN said:

If it just wouldn't avoid the center point with all points active as often as it does, it would do better.

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This sounds really annoying, maybe you should try posting this in the official Canon forum, bugging Canon about the 5d3 af assist beam bug worked and they released a fw update.

Unfortunately Magic Lantern won't be able to help here, Canon removed some firmware hooks from the 5d2->6d as they obviously really intended to "distinguish" (nice phrasing...) the 6d from other models designed for af tracking.

awinphoto said:

In studio, my lens of choice is the 100mm L BUT due to lack of space, I often swap out for shorter lenses and use this lens for newborns, or head/shoulders or 2/3 view. I use the 5d3 and so I do not focus/recompose, but my hit rate is usually very high... I may get the occasional 10% every now and then that are just a hair off. I also check AFMA every 1-2 weeks to ensure it's dead on. Since the 60D doesn't have AFMA, could that be a factor? I do notice however that if I get a nice tight headshot or head and shoulders or whatever, focus is extremely reliable, but if i back up to the point where I'm doing a 2/3 or full body shot, focus maybe drops to that 10% miss rate give or take...

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Agree. Without AFMA, you're asking for trouble. One of the many reasons I never liked the 60D. My 50D had AFMA and it worked great, so the 60D was not an upgrade in my opinion (other than its video ability...which most 60D owners seem to use often, to good effect). I upgraded from the 50D after 4 years, to the 6D. I absolutely loved the 50D, but it does not really compare favorably in any way to the 6D. On occasion it could probably focus my 135 f/2 lens a bit faster than the 6D does, but for all other lenses I've used on both, the 50D's AF was not quite as good. Both bodies needed AFMA for my 135L...the 50D's was "+2" and the 6D's is "+3". This 135L can wayyy out-resolve the resolution of the 6D (and could go past the 50D's too). But with the 6D it's still more than enough resolution considering the wider FOV and a few extra MP in the tradeoff. The 100L is known to AF slower than the average lens, but for portrait photography I suppose that's less of a factor.