So, given that Magic Lantern is running (sorta at least) on the 5d3, do you think it could manage to do MJPEG, or manage to capture the JPEGs fast enough (and then write fast enough to the card) as separate JPEGs at 24/30/60 fps? Or do you think the JPEG engine would be a bottleneck? Or more likely, the sensor readout for processing? It's just a crazy thought, don't really know if ML has tried to do anything like that with a previous camera, but if you're in a 'video' mode it uses a digital shutter, couldn't you simply throw the frame (even if it's just the 1080p) through the JPEG engine?

I recently purchased a Manfrotto tripod - model 785b - a seemingly attractive light duty version with an interesting
pistol grip ball head. Within weeks one of the cheap plastic leg logs was broken. While it's still useable - albeit missing one of the segments, I am disappointed by the lousy quality of what I had previously considered a
reliable brand. Even worse than the product quality is the customer service of Manfrotto. There is no repair service, no replacement service and you get basically a "should have bought a heavier duty model so live with it"
answer. Anyone else have trouble with this company? Any recommendations on a better light duty tripod?
Thanks
Dick

My 100-400 is not focusing consistently specialy when the light is not optimal. I have done the MA three times now and I am not happy with the results. There does not seem to be a consistent behaviour if the light is not optimal. If I shoot a subject in sunlight, it is sharp and focuses correctly. When I shoot say a hawk in a tree with the sun at 11 o'clock and the sky seen through the branches, although the bird is clear and I shot the bird with centre point focus (and I am quite still - shot over 3000 shots of black kites with my rebel and the same lens) and I can swear I did aim right the camera somehow does not focus on the bird...

When I shoot with my 24-105, the camera focuses correctly. So the camera does not seem to be at fault. It just occurred to me that I should probably clean the contacts. However, if that does not fix the problem, I am thinking of taking the lens to the Canon repair centre and have them look at it. The lens is almost 5 years old and has never been serviced.

Does anybody have any other suggestions? Has anybody experienced anything similar?

Look forward to your advice.

Thanks in advance.

Hey Everyone! I'd like to show off my work a tiny bit. Anyone with tips and advice is welcome! (but don't be mean ) and please bear in mind that I'm only photographing since November 2011, and only had a macro lens since February this year. Everything is shot with a Rebel t3i and a 100mm f/2.8 USM lens (the 500dollar one)

This shot is one that I'm the most proud of
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And I have lots more, but lets not make a huge topic here. I hope to get some feedback from you guys!

You can find more of my work here:
Deviantart
Flickr
My Website

Hi everyone

Just wondering if anyone knows about that...

Dionysis

So the 50L and 5DM3 is a winning combo but has anyone been able to use other focus points on the 5dm3 because i dont feel comfortable using it with anything other than the center since the other focus points don't accurately focus it seems. I wonder if there will be an update to the 50L since i don't think its going to work well with the 5dm3... I wanted to shoot a wedding with it but now i am not sure i want it to be my main lens on the 5dm3 because focus recompose is a pain when doing journalism action type candids. I used the 5D and the 70-200L II and it focuses very accurately. The 24-70 hasn't had much time on my 5DM3 but it seems ok.
Has anyone else been able to get accurate focus with the 50L on the 5DM3?

there seems to be a fair bit of interest in the shorty 40 (love that name!)

so will this be the start of a series of pancakes? I'd be pretty interested in a 20 or 21mm f2.8 pancake of similar design and price

The emporers new cloak by shhflights, on Flickr

Too long; didn't read: what are some important/useful pieces of gear to purchase for a person who is getting their first DSLR? Do lens filters affect video quality in any signicant way? What is a nice hard or soft case for a DSLR body + lens?

Hi everyone, first time poster and long-time lurker of the forums here.

To keep this as short as possible...I'm going to be getting a t4i as soon as it is available. What I'm wondering is, are there any important investments I should make for my first DSLR? I mean besides multiple batteries and multiple SD cards.

I'm planning on getting a tripod/shoulder mount, too, as well as a battery grip and lens filter (I know nothing about lens filters)

I'm a poor college student (hence getting a Rebel and not a 5D3 or a C300 ) going to school for video production. I don't know a whole lot about photography, just the basics. And I know about b&h, but I'd like to hear from some experts.

Thank you kindly for all advice...please enlighten me!

The 5Diii is my first camera with dual card slots, and I'm trying to figure out my work flow. Here's my thought process:

I'll record jpegs on one card and RAW on another for my "everyday shooting." That way I can upload my jpegs into Lightroom 4 and keep my snapshots with minimal storage usage, and then pull out the few that I'd want to really process and potentially enlarge, and then grab those RAW files.

Questions: If this workflow makes sense, do you recommend CF vs SD for RAW (and how about for video, SD or CF?)? Does Lightroom 4 have a way to convert the original RAW files to jpeg rather than just exporting and making duplicates so that I could only shoot RAW and then just easily convert my snapshots to jpeg for storage purposes?

(CF - SanDisk Extreme, 16GBs, 60MB/s //// SD - Trascend 32GB, class 10)

Does this even make sense?

Having read about the new 40mm pancake and considering getting myself one, I wonder if the MKIII supports the STM function in that lens? I am vey new to video having only so far shot family and golf in automatic settings only. If anyone could enlighten me I would be very thankful. Also, does this mean that it will refocus on new objects? Thanks in advance!

Can anyone who owns a 5DIII and the new Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 VC confirm if the 5D recognizes the Tamron as a f/2.8 lens to use the 5 dual cross type focus points? Given that even the original Canon 24-70 mk1 does not, this had me a little worried.

I've been shooting with a Rebel XTi for as many years as it's been out now and have been quite happy with it. I've somewhat outgrown it however and have been itching to dive into full-frame for some time. I withheld grabbing a 5D Mark II in anticipation of the Mark III. Now the Mark III is here. It looks like a wonderful camera- definitely an upgrade from the Mark II. But I'm still finding it hard to get past the sticker shock of $3500.

I know the Mark III is a class ahead of the Rebel line, but I'm curious as to just how much. Is it really 4 times better than the Rebel? Is there a huge difference in IQ between L-glass on a Mark III and L-glass on a 4Ti? What are the main, must-have features that would make the Mark III outclass the 4Ti? I know it comes down to what your specific camera needs are, but I'd really like to hear some ideas. Thanks!

I'm looking to snag a BG-E11, but the big guys all seem to be sold out (Adorama, BH, Amazon, etc.). There are a bunch of random shops that claim to have it in stock - but I've never dealt with any of them, and the majority seem to have hit-or-miss experiences in their Google reviews.

Should I trust these small guys, or wait for the big names to get more stock in?

Hi,

is it possible to add a device to 580EXII, so it can be RADIO triggered with an ST-E3 or an 600EX?

Thanks,

Ben

Right now, I have a 50mm f/1.4 USM and a 15-85mm f/3.5-56 USM. Both are great, but I'm finding myself wanting to do a lot of indoor wide angle shots with relatively low light. The 50mm is too tight, and the 15-85mm is too slow.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a fast, relatively affordable wide-angle lens for a 60D that might fit the bill? It need not be a zoom lens, but I would like it to be very fast (faster than f/2 if possible; definitely faster than f/3). I know Canon has a 28mm f/1.8 USM, but I've read a couple of mixed reviews about its performance.

I shot these photos this weekend. If you look at the second photo you'll notice a fly in the damselfly's mouth.
Canon T2i + Tamron 90 mm.

I have been very heart set on the purchasing the canon 60d until I saw this t4i. I will be using the camera mainly for film and am wondering how the video quality compares. I am very cautious since for me the video quality of the t3i didn't seem as good to me as the 60d. Which should I get?

So, I get that that Mk3 AF is very advanced vs. the Mk2, etc... what I am finding, however, is that during low light wedding receptions (dancing) the AF takes a second or so longer to lock on that the Mk2 or Mk1 did. I've changed the settings to release priority vs. focus priority so I can at least get the shot even if focus is not locked, but I am somewhat stunned that this advanced AF takes so long to lock in these reception situations. First, I am wondering if there is a setting I am missing, and also is anyone else seeing this? My second shooter and I are both having the "problem", so I thought I would ask. Thanks all!

Megan and Cameron // Wedding Highlight Film // First Baptist Church, Dallas Texas

My 7D handled 60fps pretty well. Edited in Adobe Premiere CS5, color graded in Magic Bullet Looks.

Do you have experience that might guide my decision regarding choice between Canon’s Extension Tubes (EF 12 II or EF 25II). I will probably use the extension tube for semi-macro work and birding. Some of my lenses that it might be used with are 50 mm f/1.4, 85 mm f/1.8, 400 mm f/5.6L,
70- 200 mm f/2.8L IS II, 24-105 mm f/4L IS, and 16-35 mm f/2.8L II. I suspect that my major use of the extension tube will be with the 70- 200 mm f/2.8L IS II and the 400 mm f/5.6L. I am leaning towards the EF 12 II, because of working range, but recognize that I will give up magnification to achieve that. Cost is not an issue. My Canon bodies are the 50D and the 5D Mark III.

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Predictions based on generalized long-term knowledge of the history of technology with neither scientific basis nor specific speculation. Intended only to provoke thought and discussion. If you're response is that I'm an idiot, fine, I'll say that right up front and save you the trouble. So...

1. The Canon EOS 1DX (if it ever becomes reality) is the last 1-Series flagship DSLR Canon will ever make. Like the EOS 1V was/is the last 35mm film SLR from Canon, the 1DS will be the last DSLR. Like the 1V it will be around a long time. Its "obsolesence buffer" will be plenty of room for "upgrading" through software application.

2. A new "flagship" version of the APS-C line will be introduced (e.g. a 7D2), and like the 1DX it will be the final flagship of the APS-C line. It also will be around a long time and see upgrades through software. Given Canon's predilection for super pricing I predict it will be over $2500 U.S. And most people who have a 7D today will buy one! It will seem spectacular.

Meanwhile, Canon will lead a transition to new formats that require far less mechanical apparatus than the tradional SLR. I'll leave speculation about exactly what that may be to others.

The fundamentals of a camera are pretty simple. A lens focuses light on a sensor (chemical using film previously and now a light-sensing semiconductor) and there has to be a means for recording and converting what is sensed into something the human visual apparatus can discern. What we consider a "camera" is a device that enables and manages operator variables between that lens and sensor. Photographic composition drives the decisions that create those variables. Few people buy a camera and just start pressing the shutter button with no concept of a "picture" in mind. That's where need for most of the mechanical and electro-mechanical stuff originates in today's cameras. The operator directs all that electro-mechanical stuff to do different things to fulfill his "vision."

The "mirrorless" design concept has already begun to transform the mechanics inside cameras. I think it will not be long before the flapping mirror and mechanical shutter will be seen as whimsical relics of a primitive age. Since we seem addicted (many of us anyway) to seeing exactly what is seen through the lens (in contrast to rangefinders and today's electronic "viewfinders,") manufacturers may adapt this in new ways. A shutterless camera, for example, might have nothing between the lens and the sensor-- except for maybe a lens cap. When power is turned on, the operator sees exactly what the sensor is seeing (ala today's "live view" projections). I can see this being done through a classic viewfinder and/or using an extremely hi-def display that is part of the camera body as we now have. Pressing the "shutter" would only tell the sensor to save that particular instant. This will likely require different and better sensors than we are using at the moment, and some lens "focus" adaptations may have to be made. I'm guessing most of the fundamental research has already been done, allowing this to be seen as viable options for a camera manufacturer.

I don't know that any of us can predict exactly how this future technology will work, but I do believe it will happen sooner than most us us can imagine. It was less than 15 years ago when I was recording visual images chemically. I could then see that the silicon revolution was going to somehow overwhelm this process just as surely as it was doing with audiotape and videotape and print media, etc., etc. I couldn't
say how, but I knew, sure as shootin', that is was coming.

Perhaps 20 years from now there will be discussions on these kinds of forums about how the old shutter and mirror systems "couldn't be beat" as a recent poster here has posited about film. And ebay may be full of old 1DX cameras for those who want to try their hands at old style picture taking. And, as always, there will be old timers telling newcomers how tough things were in the good old days. "Why, we had to manually clean the dust off our sensors in those days. We didn't have that refractive oxidation process you take for granted today!"

Anyway, that's my sunny Sunday afternoon contribution to the intellectual process here at CR. May the force be with you!