I've had a few issues with Amazon UK recently, mainly with delivery. I had a spate of orders that weren't delivered by my chosen method (first class mail, so that I can collect easily), when challenged, they saaid the item was too large for first class mail, but couldn't satisfactorily explain why I was given the option. Then I ordered the 24mm f/1.4 MkII, but it was returned, due to non-delivery. When I asked them why, their answer was "we can't determine the reason as we are an internet company" and they invited me to re-order. To say I was less than impressed and declined their offer was putting it mildly. The last problem was through their marketplace, so not really their problem, but I ended up getting completely the wrong item and in fact, the despatch note had someone elses details, yet I've been told that they have to inspect the item first (upon return), before they can issue the correct itme, despite receiving a photograph of the incorrect item. I am now very selective in what I purchase from them and they are usually the last choice.

Jimmy L said:

I couldn't work however without the 70-200, it became indispensable for me since I got it ! I rarely shoot wide open (especially the primes) as I like to get the sharpest results from my lenses (usually around f/5.6-f/8) and the 5D3 really helped me do this (I get usable shots at ISO 12800 and even 25600 on a couple of occasions)

Click to expand...

So you want the f2.8 of the 70-200 for faster af or a few wide open aperture shots? Else, it sounds like you might save some $$$ and weight and use a 70-200/4.

awinphoto said:

mbworldz said:

Ah ic, I wonder why that feature is only available on lower end model.

neuroanatomist said:

No. Only the T4i/650D has it, so far.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Ask any pro or indi videographer using DSLRs and 9 out of 10 will say it is a lower end feature

Click to expand...

In the same frame you would have subjects at different distances from the camera AND not at the position where the AF poins are and you want to focus on one and then the other...
Unlike stills you can't AF and reframe...

And oh! I am no pro...

Lee Jay said:

?????

I have $15k in camera gear, and I have an Elph 500HS in my pocket ... I think most people like me that also want a pocket camera to have with them at all times won't put up with a near-useless cell phone camera.

Click to expand...

Seems like you are a Photo Enthusiast, and not the target audience for camera phones. Just don't be under the illusion that Low Cost P&S cameras will be made forever. Once the market shrinks to a size that is unprofitable, these Low Cost P&S cameras will join the Dodo and Passenger Pigeon on the extinct list Those P&S cameras that survive will be like the $649.95 Sony Cyber-shot RX100.

I tested my 5D MK III with 2 TC's, and it worked with a 70-200mm f/2.8 but slowly. Other lenses ranged from not at all to unreliable AF. I also found AF to be inaccurate. The in focus light flashed and the shutter opened, but images had varying degrees of AF accuracy.
I decided it could not be trusted except on the 70-200mm f/2.8, and with 2 TC's stacked on it, IQ was far from what I'd want with a huge investment.
Also note that when you stack TC's, only the one closest to the camera reports, with Canon TC's, it reports the wrong aperture and focal lenght.

That's awesome Jax!

I too just placed a pre-order with Crutchfield yesteryda 7/12 - hopefully that means I'm near the front of the line! Keeping my B&H order as a backup though...

you have have that amount of quality gear and you're asking advice for which to take to hawaii!?

surely someone who's invested that kind of money should have at least SOME kind of idea as to what to take on a family holiday :-|

madness.

Drizzt321 said:

Ah yes, the great myth of "It's more expensive and labeled Pro so I must have it!" busted yet again

Click to expand...

Well, to be fair, there are all sorts of thing with a "pro" label that are justifiably expensive that are far superior to the alternatives; a 400 f/2.8 comes to mind.

But, in this case...yeah, a 4¢ Tyvek envelope beats a $40 WhiBal, and a 2¢ styrofoam cup beats a $60 SpyderCube.

Cheers,

b&

I received a survey from Canon for mirrorless technology. I have used several m43 cameras (now all sold as I prefer my DSLRs), so was able to give an opinion from personal usage.

wamsankas said:

i have 175$ credit at crutch field burning a hole in my pocket. figured why not get a flash? would the 430ex ii be a suitable flash for a somewhat beginner photographer in the flash game? I will be using it basically for recreational purposes. all around photo stuff. also can the flash stay lit up as an external light for video? is this recommended?

Click to expand...

Its a good flash to start on and later it can be a slave from a 580 EX. Its IR beam may not be enough to cover all the 61 AF points on the 5D3 though.

neuroanatomist said:

bdunbar79 said:

I checked out Bryan Carnathan's review of the 1D X (or partial review). I looked at the ISO charts and at ISO 6400 and 12800, the difference between the 1D X and 5D Mark III really isn't that signifcant and nothing that couldn't be quickly equalized with NR (which you'd have to use for the 1D X image anways). I don't really see a HUGE ISO advantage from these charts at least.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EOS-1D-X-Digital-SLR-Camera-Review.aspx

Click to expand...

Not sure I agree about the equalizing with NR - sure, you can NR the 5DIII image, but you can NR the 1D X image, too, and the relative difference will be maintained (or sharpness will go down if you NR the 5DIII image more).

But I do agree that while the differences there and visible, they aren't huge. However, IQ isn't intended to be a differentiator, any more than it was between the 5DII and 1DsIII. For that matter, in terms of ISO noise, the relative difference between the 1D X and 5DIII is similar to the relative difference between the 5DIII and the 5DII - so if that's the main concern, the 5DII is a much less expensive way to get there...

Click to expand...

I agree 100%. The other aspects of the 1DX do make it a better camera, overall, than the 5D3 for sure. I too want those advantages which is why I'm getting one. I also agree that applying more NR, even if just a few percent, will overall make the 5D3 image with less quality than the 1DX image, at the end. This was just a very narrow observation I had made.

UncleBob said:

I spoke with CPS, and they are going to take the camera in under warranty and fix it. I have two dead pixels as well, so I guess its better to just have them service the entire camera. I know I could glue the grip back myself, or just ignore it, but on a new camera, that just doest cut it for me.

My 5dII and 1dIII have 10x the miles and are holding up just fine.....Wish I could say the same about my 5D3.

Click to expand...

Please let us know how this turned out. The rubber on the bottom of my 5DMIII started to peel off yesterday. I definitely want to send it in for repair as well if it becomes worse.

briansquibb said:

dr croubie said:

Just though I'd add in an extra option, fwiw.
There are two Sigma 12-24 lenses, both work on FF, and both are probably the widest you can get of any lens on any (non-dedicated-panoramic) system. The mk1 version somehow manages to have almost no barrel distortion (well, a lot less than anything in the same focal length). The mk2 just came out last year, and is a lot sharper than the mk1, but has a lot more barrel distortion.
If you can put up with the barrelling of the 10-22, you can easily put up with the mk2 Sigma (at 12mm it's not much worse than the 17-40 at 17mm, at 17mm it's practically square). Resolution-wise for same-length-same-aperture, it's probably as good if not better than the 17-40, plus it goes a whole lot wider.
Also, it's only $100 more than the 17-40 (currently on sale for $874 at B+H). 17-40 is $780, 16-35 II is $1590.

Check them both out on Photozone Mk1 on 350D, mk2 on 5D2.

Click to expand...

For really wide landscapes - try panos. Taking in portrait mode and 4 wide you can get the 3:2 ratio with about 60mps

Here is the link to one of about 15k x 4.5k - zoom in to see the detail available

This is about 48mb so will take some time to download

http://www.squibb.org.uk/pictures/rochester.jpg

Click to expand...

That reminds me, i bought a Nodal Ninja off ebay a month or two ago, and haven't even had a chance to play with it to even find the nodal point of my Samyang 35. I've done some horizontal Panos before, i even bought the Arca Swiss Monoball P0 for sweeping panos, so trying a full 360 is my next big task to play with.
And i just got the Sigma 8-16, i'll have to compare that to stitching a pano as well one day...

bdunbar79 said:

Razor2012 said:

The IQ from the 300 ver I is outstanding from what I have seen, I'm not sure if ver II improves much in that department.

Click to expand...

From what I've seen and Bryan Carnathan's website, no the Version II does not offer an enchanced IQ; the selling point was updated IS motor and less weight. Here's what I did. I saw the price of the new one, $7299 at B&H. I then found a version I that was actually in great shape, including the lens mount and the glass was clean, and bought that for $4500. I don't mind the weight since I'm at a fixed sporting event site when using it. So I was able to save $2800 and am getting the exact same IQ.

For the 400 I did the exact same thing. Found a fantastic version I copy for $5999 vs. the newest price around $10,900 or some even for $11,400. Again, same IQ, more weight, $5k cheaper.

Since I saved $7800, that I'd say was a great deal. Not that spending that kind of money is a great deal, I'd just say relatively speaking $9500 is cheaper than $20,000.

Will I ever spend that much at once on lenses again? NO.

Click to expand...

That's great, you saved alot of money there and have a couple of awesome lenses.

Daniel Flather said:

If we knew the whole story, opinions would change.

Click to expand...

+1

Hi all,

I have a Canon 50d and during continuous shooting it stops and i get " error 20, turn on and off and reinsert battery"

This happens every time a try and shoot continuously and occasionally just trying to take 1 shot.

I'm panicking because i'm going on holiday in two days and i dont want a broken cam! I'm also doing 365 so it could well and truly mess things up!

does anyone have any suggestions? help me please!

James

The 1D IV street price did drop a little in the UK, but it took a while. I seem to remember it retailing at around £3600 initially, dropping to around £3200 just before it disappeared. The UK street prices do seem to drop quicker than other markets, probably so that UK based sellers can stay relatively competitive with the cheaper grey market imports. The price differential between grey imports and local initial and RRP prices is probably larger in the UK than many markets. At the RRP, it is even cheaper to import from the likes of B&H and Adorama quite often on first release (assuming they're available), even with taxes, depending on exchange rates, so once freely available, the price drops just enough to make the hassle of warranty issues less worthwhile.

Looks to me like an saving error. If it would be shutter it would be vertical..

I also like:

Deeee Thhreee

@ melbournite
Wow, great shots!
I'll be probably buying just that, composer (pro?) and the 35 optic, and maybe the 80 later on.

http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/cameras/Canon_rumours.html
http://www.canonwatch.com/rumor-canon-mirrorless-system-camera-quick-update/

Maybe an APS-C from 650D？

dryanparker said:

RLPhoto said:

25,000$ - 1 Leica M9-P hermes edition

or

4x Canon 1Dx's 8)

Click to expand...

Let's not miss the point here.

Those who are interested in this amazing camera can pretty well afford it. That includes 4x 1D-X and every lens Canon makes...in addition to the Leica. It's not about functionality, IQ or ISO performance.

This is about appreciating the craftsmanship of something extraordinary and having the means to enjoy it. A classic Ferrari, a Patek Philippe timepiece, a Leica limited release. It's not about the cost; it's about living life in a fulfilling way...whatever that means to you.

Click to expand...

I suppose, Might as well throw in the 10,000$ 50mm 0.95 as well.

A few weeks after I got my 7D, I was in Hong Kong Airport waiting for a plane, repacking my bag to find something. Put my camera on the chair, then went to pick it up, the strap got caught around the chair arm and sling-shotted back straight down to the floor. If i'd seen this video test first I probably wouldn't have shrieked like a little girl (although i was more worried about the IS in my 15-85, it made that 'twoinging' sound as it hit the ground). Still, both work fine.

(actually, it's probably a good thing i didn't see this video earlier, I might not have treated it as well as I have...)

nikkito said:

AmbientLight said:

Grüeziwohl! Lucky you! ;D

Initially I thought about preordering on digitec, but then they took the 1D X from their website and I decided to wait until arrival, giving me at least a chance to compare prices. I expect the last one or two months will pass as well, after having to wait for so long.

Click to expand...

Salü ;D
yeah, digitec had it at CHF 8000 but then it was taken down, probably because canon decided that only professional photo partners (whatever that is) would sell it.

I'm still waiting and i'm guessing i still have a looooong way to go since i payed it in profot in March

lg, nico

Click to expand...

Salamander mitenander,

Digitec had it, I told 'em if I can pre-order and they were like "as soon as we have the prices". They took down the 1D X and never put it up again.

However, I prefer to support local dealers anyway. Also, I think Canon doesn't give it to online dealers because they'll ruin the prices. As they always do. So in order to keep the local dealers alive, you really should order there
I only order >500 CHF lenses from Digitec, everything else I get at my local dealer.

By the way: You can find the Canon Professional dealers for Switzerland here: http://de.canon.ch/cps/haendler/

Griessli,
n0iZe

Meanwhile, in the first of those 'extra images' down the bottom, it must have been very very tempting to just smash the 1DX over the sales-chick's head and make off with that entire wall of M9s behind her...