There is some fantastic technology out there and our DSLRs can do some very spectacular things. Our phones can too. Here's the rub: When I get a phone, all I really want is a phone; something to make phone calls with. I personally don't like taking photos and video with the phone, surfing the internet with it, playing games on it, etc. I think it is great that the phones can do that, but I don't use those features. I know people do, and it is great for them. I'm happy for them. But haven't you ever just wished you could just buy a phone without all that?

I have both a T5i and a 70D. They both take great video as far as I am concerned, but it is something I never use.

Have you ever just wished you could buy a DSLR that wasn't an attempt by the manufacturer to develop a "jack of all trades" camera? I'd like to be able to buy a Canon DSLR that focused purely on being a picture taking instrument. I'm wondering whether or not what we use today to take photos would be leaps and bounds further along the evolutionary trail if so much extra technology didn't have to be crammed into such a small case.

Don't misunderstand, please. My 70D is a technological wonder. It is. Thing is, I only use it for photos. What if there was a model segment in the Canon line that just focused on being great cameras? Not cameras and video cameras, but just cameras? Does anyone else wonder this or long for this? Not saying Canon should scrap the cameras that try to do it all (I like them)... but just maybe there should be "L" bodies that focus just on photography. I do not know if the Canon Cine Cameras take photos, but aren't they sort of an "L" video camera?

Hi.

I really love the results from my 600mm mk2 together with my 5D mk3 BUT I find it very hard to focus with. Like yesterday for an example. The main target was about 30m away. I had the setting on "16m and further away" because there would be no objects closer than that. But when I try to focus on the trees in the background that was about 200m further away it had big issues to find focus even though I think that the background had some contrast. I needed to use manual focus first and then it did focus properly on that distance. When I then wanted to set the focus again on the subject 30m away from me I again needed to use manual focus first. I tried several solutions by using more or less autofocuspoints and change the settings in the camera but I feel that the lens or the camera is struggling more than I expected. I have no friends with a lens like mine so I have no one to ask or compare to. Maybe the camera and lens is no better than so and that is what to expect but I find that hard to believe. Trying to catch flying birds is also really hard because I often need to focus manually first to somewhere close to the distance of the bird and then I can use autofocus. Can someone with own experience write about how it works for you? The examples are many when I have had a hard time getting the object in focus.

Thanks.

The 50mp Canon announcement and the 12 fps rumor of the 5d4 has gotten me thinking: What would the 1dx replacement be like? What do you think? How would it beat the 5ds and the rumored 5d4? It has to be something great..

Any birders getting the 5Ds R and worried about moire with the feathers?

I'm going on a cruise this summer that starts and ends in Venice and stops at a couple ports in Greece. We will also be taking a train to Rome for a couple days before coming home. I'm trying to pack light but also get great images. Here is my current lens/camera gear:
Canon 6D
16-35mm F4 IS, 35mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8, 135mm F2, 70-200mm F4 IS

The 16-35mm will definitely be coming and possibly the 70-200 (haven't decided yet). I'm wondering what low-light lenses to bring. I'm also considering switching out the 35mm 1.4 for the newer 35mm F2 IS. I love having lenses with IS. Anyone made that switch? Should I consider bringing the 85 or 135 or will that be too much gear? Thanks for your feedback in advance! If anyone can recommend a good bag to carry everything that would be helpful as well.

maybe I missed it but can't find anything online that discusses the effective resolution of the 5Ds when shooting in mraw and sraw. i.e. something akin to the charts in this page:

http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2011/eos_qt_small_raw_images_article.htmlp

if anyone's seen it or knows please put in a link. Thanks!

Hi all,

I am relatively new to DSLR. I understand the relationship of aperture, iso and shutter speed, but when comparing a couple of lenses I've run into something that doesn't quite add up.

First a bit of background. I have a 6d and my only lens so far is a 50L. I know that this is a "challenging" lens but I chose it deliberately because I thought it would be good to learn on before branching out into other lenses. I figured the 50mm length would force be to learn good composition, while the 1.2 aperture would allow me to get "artsy" with my dof. As a side benefit, I've come to quite enjoy the ability to shoot hand held in low light with this combo.

My buddy lent me his 70-200 2.8L to try out. My impressions are that it is good and sharp, but I was having to use much, much slower shutter speeds and/or higher isos than I expected, even with the benefit of IS.

I decided to do a scientific comparison, so I set up a tripod, a focusing target, and some lights. Of course comparing 1.2 to 2.8 is not fair, so I tested both lenses at 2.8, and at 4.0 (since 2.8 stopped down vs 2.8 wide open might still not be a fair comparison, given the influence of the aperture blades). The end result was nonetheless consistent, the 70-200 was metering a full 2/3 of a stop less light than the 50 at the same settings.

What gives? The 70-200 has a bigger front element. How can it transmit less light at the same aperture?

This also raises the question, if I'm shopping for lenses that will be good in low light, what qualities other than aperture do I need to consider?

Hi all! I'm 16 years old and am just starting my business as a portrait photographer. I'm unsure about my next equipment purchase. I currently own a Canon Rebel XS camera body and I shoot with a 50mm 1.4 lens. I'm considering purchasing a Canon 70D, although the cost is out of my current budget. I'm wondering if it would be best to stick with the Rebel XS and purchase a new lens or if I should invest in the new body? If I go the lens route first, should I go with a 35mm or an 85 mm prime lens next? Any and all recommendations/feedback will be appreciated. Thanks!

I have trield 2 charged batteries that worked in another camera. I removed the memory card.
I am baffled...anyone know abouut this?

Susan

Hi all! I'm 16 years old and am just starting my business as a portrait photographer. I'm unsure about my next equipment purchase. I currently own a Canon Rebel XS camera body and I shoot with a 50mm 1.4 lens. I'm considering purchasing a Canon 70D, although the cost is out of my current budget. I'm wondering if it would be best to stick with the Rebel XS and purchase a new lens or if I should invest in the new body? If I go the lens route first, should I go with a 35mm or an 85 mm prime lens next? Any and all recommendations/feedback will be appreciated. Thanks!

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/education/technical/inside_the_eos_5ds_and_eos_5ds_r.do

More details given. For instance: "This can be combined with Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) to capture two, three, five or seven-shot sequences at different exposures".

Edit: I believe that we were expecting just 3...

Hi everyone. I've just started the review process on the new 50mm f/1.4 and 135mm f/2. The optics on the latter are extremely impressive.

Here's a first look at the lenses and some general impressions.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MKq0mwAqAII" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

http://bit.ly/1B27acl

P.S. I'd appreciate some feedback on how to actually embed the YouTube video here to make is easier for everyone.

Being owner of Canon 1DX and Sony a7s + Sony a7r I found review below interesting for me , maybe it would be interesting for others

http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/a7s-voigtlander-nokton-35mm-1-2-field-test-by-daniel-cook
"The legendary high-ISO handling of the A7S is just amazing, whilst I use my Canon 5D Mark III for professional work if I need to shoot in low-light the A7S will do a much better job."

I've checked a mass of test sites and thinks that the 70-300L should upgraded soon, it's a ”L” after all. Anyone knows anything?

Obviously, a change in (the type of) light source needs adjusting the color temperature.

Just a theoretical question: imagine a subject being lit by a single light source only in a completely dark room. If you calibrate your camera to this light source and you change the subject, does the color temperature then needs to be readjusted? In other words: does the 'correct' color temperature only depends on the light source or also on the (color of the) subject?

After much research, I bought the Commlite adapter, but other users' input regarding others would be appreciated.

-----------------
The current EF to FE adapter situation is very mirky. I would like an adapter with better AF speed than ones on the market right now, even Metabones III, now IV. Also, even the better-reviewed ones like Metabones and RJ adapters are supposed to not work well with third-party lenses especially Sigma, which is disappointing since the advent of Sigma ART 35 and upcoming ART 50mm lens. My research so far turned up the following.

The ones without AF are pretty cheap, but there are quite a few that preserve AF, IS. From researching these in an effort to find a reliable one, the user experience seems to be that AF is similarly slow via all of them, and each has different electronics/software leading to one working better with some lenses while another adapter may work better with other lenses (Canon or third party).

Metabones Mk III adapter seemed to be the most popular with most user reviews but also the most expensive at $400.
Metabones Mk III's AF speed is slow and typical:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UTdyG3YLJA" rel="nofollow">www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UTdyG3YLJA</a>

*Edit*
It's since been updated with Metabones Mk IV, but disappointingly, according to Metabones, there has been no AF speed improvement from Mk III to IV, just bigger opening to accomidate tilt-shift lenses and anti-reflective coating inside:
<a href="http://www.metabones.com/products/details/MB-EF-E-BM4" rel="nofollow">www.metabones.com/products/details/MB-EF-E-BM4</a>

This Youtube video comparing Viltrox, Metabones IV, and Commlite also seems to indicate Commlite may work even better than Metabones IV:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrrmPDEkuVI" rel="nofollow">www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrrmPDEkuVI</a>

Mk III did not work with all lenses, only Canon-branded lenses introduced in or after 2006 are officially supported. Autofocus may be disabled for older Canon lenses and most third-party lenses, including most Sigma, Tamron and Tokina lenses and all Contax N lenses. A lot of users are reporting internal reflections causing funny colors and CA at edges, and there is a DIY fix using adhesive-backed velour to cover up the adapter internals.

However, Metabones IV is reported to be too tight on lens side fit along with other issues. The video also shows why non-smart adapters like Vello can't be used:

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrJd2CmYNuM" rel="nofollow">www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrJd2CmYNuM</a>

My next choice would be RJ Electronics one which is cheaper with good user reviews available. Some claim it gives sharper results than Metabones III (how?) and works with older Canon lenses unlike Metabones. RJ admits it does not work well with Sigma lenses. I read one user who said that Canon 100L Macro did NOT AF when focus limiter was set to 0.3-0.5m (Macro range) but AF was fine at other settings.

<a href="http://www.rjcamera.com/ocart/index.php?route=product/product&amp;path=20_63&amp;product_id=81" rel="nofollow">www.rjcamera.com/ocart/index.php?route=product/product&amp;am...</a>

This Viltrox zinc-alloy one seems okay as well. I have a Viltrox Canon EF to M adapter which works OK though a bit loose on camera end. One can find a couple of user reviews on line, so at least you know it &quot;works.&quot;
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/VILTROX-EF-NEX-II-Cameras-Adapter/dp/B00MN7M4WA/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1424544685&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=viltrox+ef-nex+ii" rel="nofollow">www.amazon.com/VILTROX-EF-NEX-II-Cameras-Adapter/dp/B00MN...</a>

I found a video on Youtube that shows AF speed with Viltrox adapter:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZXz2tD2vwA" rel="nofollow">www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZXz2tD2vwA</a>

<a href="http://www.ebay.com/...=item2a37fba755" rel="nofollow">www.ebay.com/...=item2a37fba755</a>

Fotodiox Pro adapter, at similar price to Commlite. The lens side is metal, but camera side seems plastic.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Pro-Mount-Auto-Adapter/dp/B00D9BKLX8/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1424544990&amp;sr=8-4&amp;keywords=EOS+E+adapter" rel="nofollow">www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Pro-Mount-Auto-Adapter/dp/B00D9BK...</a>

AF speed seems similar to others.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEwzoV4rdZU" rel="nofollow">www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEwzoV4rdZU</a>

TechArt version II adapter.

It's thought TechArt and RJ adapters may be from same oem, sharing the black finish on the camera side and also sharing the inability to recognize focus-limiter on Canon lenses. It's selling a little cheaper than RJ.

<a href="http://www.techart-logic.com/EOS-iNEX2.html" rel="nofollow">www.techart-logic.com/EOS-iNEX2.html</a>


Deo-Tech Falcon adapter
<a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1071789-REG/deo_tech_deocef2semk2_canon_ef_lens_to.html" rel="nofollow">www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1071789-REG/deo_tech_deoce...</a>

This one also looks to be the same adapter as RJ and TechArt
Upon further research, some users including Fred Miranda are reporting that RJ/TechArt/Deo-Tech adapters are softer with more CA in the edges compared to Metabones III.

Deo-Tech now makes Mk III, which now shows the label &quot;Tech-Art&quot;!
<a href="http://www.deo-tech.com/products/deo-tech-canon-eos-ef-sony-alpha-e-af-adapter-mark-3-falcon/" rel="nofollow">www.deo-tech.com/products/deo-tech-canon-eos-ef-sony-alph...</a>

*Edit*

Well, I ended up returning the Sony A7r but recently bought it again with the Zeiss FE55 f/1.8 lens. The adapter I did end up getting is the Commlite FE-NEX adapter. Based on reviews I read, none of the adapters, even the pricy Metabones, auto-focuses fast, so I bought one that is reported to have AF at least as good as others with least reports of issues.
This Youtube video comparing Viltrox, Metabones IV, and Commlite also seems to indicate Commlite works even better than Metabones IV:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrrmPDEkuVI" rel="nofollow">www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrrmPDEkuVI</a>

Commlite FE-NEX adapter:
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Auto-Focus-Mount-Adapter-EF-NEX-Canon/dp/B00DW0EV2I" rel="nofollow">www.amazon.com/Auto-Focus-Mount-Adapter-EF-NEX-Canon/dp/B...</a>

Good news first. Its build quality is quite good with nice metal contact areas and sturdy-feeling switch and smooth mount/unmount. AF speed was surprisingly fast with Canon lenses I most likely would want speedy AF from, e.g. Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8 II, Canon 35L.

BTW, It's a joy to use the Canon T-SE 24mm II with its fabulous MF ring with this adapter and Sony's focus peaking. Fantastic!

Now bad news. Longer focal length lenses don't AF as well with lots of hunting issues. Canon 100L macro was especially slow with no useful AF to speak of. I expected better, but Canon 70-200 f/2.8 II did not AF well at all with the adapter setup. Pity that... To add to the insult, Canon 85L II would not even mount physically on the Commlite adapter. Something catches mechanically and the 85L cannot be screwed on all the way.

All in all, I got pretty much what I expected going in, with nice build quality for the low price I paid.

Hello everyone,

I was able to find a way to fit my Canon 1.4X Extender to my Tamron 150-600. I have a full Flickr Album dedicated to this project here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/116743473@N04/16568698096/in/set-72157650431848270

JG

Good morning Ive been upgrading my canon slr every couple of years xti .. xsi .. t3i.. time for upgrade..
I was thinking about purchasing 70d (new) or getting a 5d mark ii ( for $850.00 ) witch is from a friend who is going to upgrade to the mark iii ...most of my lenses are EF... camera is photos ...being that I have a video camera... ????

Hi,

im not sure if to buy the ef-s 60mm for my APS-C or the EF 100mm.

pro thing would be that i could use the 100mm on a FF camera too. contra perhaps that 100mm on APS-C is really shaky. but i wanna use a monopod anyway.
price wise they are not so much different. so which one should i go for? thought im gonna go with the YN 14 EX flash. original canon flashes are like extremly expensive for macro shooting...

Hi,

I was filling the Rebate form, I noticed "Limit 1 Claim per eligible product per household, except for residents of Rhode Island – Claim form may include separate purchases of different eligible products." I had delivered the item to my work address where few hundred people work and was about to give the same address for American Express Card delivery. I can't use my residence (billing) address because I'll change residence in near future.

Will there be any problem to use work address? I'm doing Mail In Rebate for the first time, so I am taking precaution. Please advise.

Thanks.

Hi all

Short version - should I switch out my 70-200 4L IS, or even my 70-200 2.8L IS II, for a 135L?

Longer version ...

Over the last 12 months I have bought and sold a few lenses and I'm generally pretty happy with my kit now. I have a 6D with:

35 2 IS - general walk around / street / indoors / low light / shallow depth of field / wider portraits

40 2.8 pancake - haven't used it much since I got the 35 2 IS but for the price useful when you want the camera to be as compact as possible or to have in a pocket as a wider option if carrying a long zoom

85 1.8 - portraits / low light / shallow depth of field / occasionally as small and light short telephoto for travel (esp if hiking long distances)

24-70 4L IS - general walk around / travel zoom, landscapes, some close up ability (I know it's not really a macro despite its macro mode, but I've never got into macro photography). I know the 2.8L II would be "better" in most respects but I find the 4L good for travel, especially when doing a lot of hiking, and the 35 2 IS gives me better low light ability than the 2.8 zoom.

70-200 2.8L IS II - portraits / events / general purpose, especially outdoors, when I'm doing something where the weight/size is not an issue / anything and everything which works in that focal range

70-200 4L IS - travel telephoto zoom / general purpose, especially outdoors, when I'm doing something where the weight/size of the 2.8L is an issue. Either 70-200 is great for landscapes, but I tend to use the 4L more for that, because it's the one I'm more likely to carry to places which have nice landscapes!

I would quite like to add a fast 50 to my kit, and otherwise I'm not keen to add more lenses to my kit - I think I have more than enough already! I do occasionally think about the 16-35 4L IS, but am trying to resist. Don't think I'd make enough use of the 16-24 range to justify it.

So, the question is whether any of you would recommend a different travel telephoto option? In particular, I'm thinking about the possibility of switching out my 70-200 4L IS for a 135L. Good idea or bad idea? I've also considered switching my 70-200 2.8 for a 135L, but in the end I think the 70-200 2.8 is probably too good and too useful to part with.

The 70-200 4L IS has the advantages of the flexibility of a zoom, weather sealing, and IS.
The 135L has the advantages of being easier to pack/carry (it's shorter), draws less attention (being black and shorter), two stop faster aperture, and being a fantastic portrait lens as well.

I've also thought about the 70-300L, but I've used it a few times and just never been taken by it. It's not the photos it takes - they're great - but I just didn't enjoy using it that much. Maybe I just need to use it more to get used to the reversed placement of the zoom and focus rings but ... well ... I think I'd rather keep my 70-200 4 than switch to the 70-300L.

Obviously this is a question I will have to answer for myself in the end, but I figured if there was anywhere I might get some useful advice, it's CR ...

Thanks for any thoughts!

http://sigma-rumors.com/2015/02/sigma-24mm-f1-4-art-sample-images-canon-6d/


That makes no sense. The samples are meaningless as a result.