Threads

adhocphotographer · Dec 21, 2014

I picked up a Helios 44-2 58mm f/2 earlier this year and loved it... I also inherited a Pentacon 50mm f/1.8 with an old Prakitca MTL3.

Since then I have had my eyes open for other great value old MF lenses and am will soon be picking up a Tair 11A (135mm f/2.8, with 20 bladed aperture) and a Carl zeiss 35mm f/2.4 Flektogon MC.

I'll let you know how they do and will post some images.

Have you guys got any other suggestions from personal experience? Maybe something in the macro genre?

pgsdeepak · Dec 20, 2014

CR friends - I got rid off my beloved 100mm macro lens(non l) due to fungus problems. Adorama accepted the lens and offered me a small price (not worth talking about). I told them about the fungus before sending it in. Unsurprisingly their test showed more than what I thought. Anyway I felt better even though I did not get much for it.

Now the question. I ordered the L version mainly because I did not want to take a chance again with the non L again. I will take possible precautions against future fungus problems (thanks to you folks for the advice ). Is the L lens worth the extra money? I feel the pain of shedding the extra $$$( bad news is my old lens did not help cover much, I missed the refurb deal by a few seconds. The good news is I got a 10% discount from best buy and there is $50 MIR). I read a lot of reviews and blogs and everyone have only good things to say about the lens. The only other fast lens I own is the 50mm 1.4 (canon). I like the lens except the slow af. So could this be a good multi purpose lens (for portrait and a little bit of action photography). My non L AF was slow? Is this one better?

Tinky · Dec 20, 2014

Here's something thats always troubled me...

Ever since my Old minolta sr-t's I've really appreciated the benefits of having a dop preview button, my first eos lacked it (1000fn) but my 2nd EOS had it (my 5, or A2e) albeit enabled via custom function on the ae lock button, or via ECF (I loved...)

On my 3 it's on the grip side, I know from the number of 1d's I sold over the years that they kept that layout, yet my interim cameras, the 300x, the 10d, the 20d, the 400d, the 7d, the 550d, the 600d have all had the dop button on the lens release button side, but my 60d has switched back to the grip side...

I find the mount side marginally easier, I've always found the grip side very cumbersome, even with the 3's very pronounced button, most of my cameras are gripped except the M's . Is there a specific logic to why canon place it where they do on certain cameras?

EDIT. I should point out, I actually really liked the use of the AE lock button CF on the 5/A2e best... would ML let me reconfigure anything?

infared · Dec 20, 2014

OK....I noticed this "issue" when testing my Sigma Art Lens (I won't go there right now..this is a totally different issue related to my 5DIII body only), and wondered if anyone else is experiencing this phenomenon. I experience the phenomenon with both my Sigma and my Canon L lenses, so I believe it is a camera-body issue not a lens issue.

I have AF Point Display enabled in the Playback menu on my 5DIII. So when I focus on something with a particular focus point, the red focus point square will show when I view the image in playback mode. (when you zoom the image the FP disappears). See second image below to enable the feature on your camera.
So my playback focus points do not correlate with my shooting experience. On playback my focus points are ALWAYS shifted to the right from where the FP was in my VF at time of shutter actuation. I would say about 1/2 to 3/4 of a focus point shift to the right (see image below). This is a consistent shift. No variation.
When I shot the image below (don't laugh...I could only find a stuffed stationary model for the shoot!!! LOL! with bad lighting I might add..very cloudy here today), the FP is bullseyed on the eye. The eye was directly in the center of the FP box when shot.

Furthermore, when I use the "Show Focus Point" Plug-In for LR (actually this is where I noticed the phenomenon as I can view my images at 100% in LR and see where my focus point was when I shot the image), they are shifted exactly the same. I also get the same exact results in Canon DPP (latest version).
I also have to thank Dustin Abbott for mentioning the LR plug-in in a recent lens review he did. It is a helpful little tool! I never noticed the shift as the FP are so small on the back LCD as my eyes are old an struggling. (Like the rest of me! :

)

So I guess I wanted to open a discussion to see if anyone else is having this phenomenon....and what might be causing it. ..and of course I am wondering ...when I focus the camera are my focus points in the VF "lying" to me. Are the real points on the sensor actually all shifted slightly to the left????
Its a can of worms!!!!!!

Under my "model" I posted a pic of the menu screen where you enable the Focus Point to be seen in the playback image to help anyone set it who does not have it activated. (Its a helpful tool in the field!).

It doesn't make my camera useless....but it is a concern.

Canon Rumors · Dec 20, 2014

HTML:

<p>Photozone.de has completed their review of the brand new Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II and they like it. They like it a lot.</p>
<p><strong>From Photozone.de

</strong><em>“The king is dead, long live the king! Seems as if Canon wanted to show the new mirrorless kids who is still the boss around. The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 USM L IS was already good but the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 USM L IS II is even better. Canon managed to improve the image sharpness substantially. The image center is now dead sharp and the borders and corners are easily very good at the mainstream settings. The very low amount of CAs (at and beyond 200mm) is highly impressive. The vignetting remains rather typical for a lens in this class, so you will be able to spot some light falloff at fully open aperture (300/400mm). Image distortions are well controlled. The quality of the bokeh is good although the best prime lenses continue to have an edge here. Bokeh fringing is not an issue due to the relatively small max. aperture.”  </em><strong><em><a href="http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/896-canon100400f4556is2" target="_blank">Read the full review</a></em>

</strong></p>
<p><strong><strong><strong>Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II $2199: <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1092632-REG/canon_9524b002_ef_100_400mm_f_4_5_5_6l_is.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296" target="_blank">B&H Photo</a> | <a href="http://www.adorama.com/CA1004002U.html?KBID=64393" target="_blank">Adorama</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PF39PEY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00PF39PEY&linkCode=as2&tag=canorumo-20&linkId=DR7JYMNZQZ4LVBHE" target="_blank">Amazon</a></strong></strong></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

Pitbullo · Dec 20, 2014

If/when canon brings out a FF mirrorless, would it be possible to have a built in adapter for EF lenses? Compact cameras have "telescope" lenses that collapse into the camera when turned off, would this technology be possible to implement in a mirrorless camera? Would be great if we could mount an EF lens, and the camera would automatically adjust to the correct flange distance.

xps · Dec 20, 2014

Review of the Nikon D750 on DPreview.com

90% Score.... Highest I have seen there

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-d750

sakirose · Dec 19, 2014

Canon T5i - How would I turn continuous AF in movie mode? My current settings require me to push the shutter button to adjust focus. I can also push the video screen to adjust the focus point, but then I still have to push the shutter button. Thanks!

rado98 · Dec 19, 2014

Hi guys

Ever since I got my 7D a coupel of months ago I started using mRaw almost exlusively. I figured that I might as well save the storage, I rarely print anything bigger than 5x7, I look at photos on a 1080 display and if DXO is right my camera and lenses combinations peak at 10Mp so on paper at least I am not losing anything.
Doing some very quick numbers I figured at since sRaw is about 1/4 of full resolusion the camera can simply delete 3 out of every 4 pixels and keep the 4x6 ratio without having to "manipulate" any pixels to get there, therefore maintaining their raw status.
If what I am thinking about sRaw is right, the principle could not be apllied to mRaw ang some sort of pixel manipulation/blending would be required.
The question then how much "quality" adn on what am I losing by processing mRaw files vs processing Raw files and then downsampling to mRaw size?

papa-razzi · Dec 19, 2014

I was getting ready to sell my 7D and pick up a 7DII in the spring. Pretty much every review I have seen has been favorable.

Not so much this one.
http://www.ronmartblog.com/2014/12/review-canon-7d-mark-ii-oh-no-not-again.html

So, who is right? Should I just hang on to the 7D, or upgrade to the 7DII. I use this camera for sports shooting. Night football games, basketball, volleyball - all could benefit from the higher FPS and improved high ISO performance on the 7DII - if in-fact there is improvement in the high ISO performance.

Has anyone had both a 7D and 7DII? What are your experiences?

Is Martinsen way off in his review? His is know for being candid and speaking his mind - and he is a Canon shooter. But he seems to be a lone voice with such a negative review.

AlanF · Dec 19, 2014

The review I have been waiting for:
http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/896-canon100400f4556is2

The measured MTFs are just so good. It is exceptional in the centre at 100-300mm, and still very high at 400mm. At 200mm, it nearly out resolves the 5DII sensor with a score of 3700 LW/PH out of a maximum of 3800, far better than the 70-200mm IS II. At 400mm, it resolves 3450 LW/PH. The sharpest aperture is f/5.6.

http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/896-canon100400f4556is2?start=1

Comparing with the Mk I, it is way ahead for 100-300mm and significantly better in the centre at 400mm.

http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/609-canon100400f4556ff

http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/609-canon100400f4556ff?start=1

It's even better than the 400/5.6.
http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/612-canon400f56ff?start=1

Admin US West · Dec 19, 2014

My new 100-400mm L was shipped last Friday, and I am enjoying it.

Though not a fault of
Adorama's, UPS messed up on the overnight delivery, it was over a weekend, so they really messed up.

I emailed Helen Oster late Thursday night, and there was a shipping refund when I fired up my computer this morning. Thanks Helen.

I know how UPS works, but there is no excuse for not putting it on a plane Friday night, they obviously never opened their van until Sunday, when the finally scanned it. Then, they sent me a Monday delivery notice, but missed the flight, so they did not put it on a plane until Monday. Then, it barely made it. It arrived at 6:15 Tuesday morning and someone apparently delivered it to the driver later in the day. There was no status saying it was on the truck like we usually see.

UPS has missed 2/3 of their delivery dates in the past 3 weeks, I'd have thought they would have learned last year. Most of my deliveries are routine, so its no problem.

I'm looking forward to pre-ordering that new 50MP camera from Adorama when it arrives!

ahsanford · Dec 19, 2014

http://www.slrlounge.com/pricing-availability-tamrons-new-15-30mm-f2-8-vc-announced/

Is it just me, or is Tamron about a year late with this? Haven't many Canon UWA zoom folks (save perhaps the event folks) migrated to the excellent and somewhat fairly priced new 16-35 F/4L IS?

- A

surapon · Dec 19, 2014

Dear Friends.
I love my awesome Canon Lens MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo, But this Lens is very difficult to use = Manual focus and Very Shallow DOF.
Yes, Here are my DIY.
Enjoy.
Surapon

Glenn Bartley · Dec 19, 2014

Greetings everyone,

I spent the past three weeks travelling around Cuba. What a fantastic country!

I thought I'd start with the national bird of Cuba the Cuban Trogon or as it is known locally "Tocororo".

What makes the Cuban Trogon so distinct from other trogons is its crazy tail. In this image the bird was hanging out in a tree calling. All of a sudden another male flew in to the same tree and the bird I was focussed on did this crazy threat display showing off his tail feathers incredibly well. Awesome!

Looking forward to sharing more from Cuba soon!

Happy holidays everyone.

On a side note this was my first trip with the new 7D mark II and it performed really well

Camera Model: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Shutter speed: 1/400 sec
Aperture: 5.6
ISO: 800
Lens: EF600mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4x III

antonioleandro · Dec 19, 2014

Canon CN-E prime lenses may be used in Canon full frame cameras as the Canon EOS-1D C. These lenses are said to produce extremely good images. I would like to know if they could be used for stills and how they compare to Canon lenses and maybe other high tier lenses (Zeiss Otus or Sigma Art lenses, for example). Has anyone tried to compare these lenses yet?

Canon CN-E 14mm T3.1L x Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II x Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8
Canon CN-E 24mm t1.5L x Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II x Zeiss Distagon T* 25mm f/2.0
Canon CN-E 35mm T1.5L x Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L x Zeiss 35mm F/1.4 x Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM
Canon CN-E 50mm T1.3L x Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L x Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus x Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art
Canon CN-E 85mm T1.3L x Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II x Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4
Canon CN-E 135mm T2.2L x Canon EF 135mm f/2L x Zeiss 135mm f/2

[]´s
Antonio

surapon · Dec 19, 2014

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/education/tipsandtricks.do?utm_source=newsletter_december_3_14&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter

Enjoy.
Surapon

Canon Rumors · Dec 19, 2014

HTML:

<p>Roger at LensRentals.com has done a quick comparison of the EF 400 f/4 DO IS and <a href="http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/canon/lenses/supertelephoto/canon-400mm-f4l-do-is-ii" target="_blank">EF 400 f/4 DO IS II</a> as well as the EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS and <a href="http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/canon/lenses/telephoto/canon-100-400mm-f4.5-5.6l-is-ii" target="_blank">EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II</a>.</p>
<p><strong>From LensRentals.com on the EF 400 f/4 DO IS II
</strong></p>
<table id="wp-table-reloaded-id-104-no-1" class="wp-table-reloaded wp-table-reloaded-id-104">
<thead>
<tr class="row-1">
<th class="column-1"></th>
<th class="column-2"><b>400mm DO mtf50</b></th>
<th class="column-3"><b>400mm DO II mtf50</b></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="row-2">
<td class="column-1"><b>Center</b></td>
<td class="column-2">1190</td>
<td class="column-3">1490</td>
</tr>
<tr class="row-3">
<td class="column-1"><b>Weighted Avg.</b></td>
<td class="column-2">970</td>
<td class="column-3">1350</td>
</tr>
<tr class="row-4">
<td class="column-1"><b>Corner Avg.</b></td>
<td class="column-2">740</td>
<td class="column-3">1100</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><em>“The difference in Canon’s computer-generated MTF charts for the 400mm DO and 400mm DO II is pretty striking, and I think our results confirm that difference shows up in actual optical testing as well as in the computer ray tracing.  Canon also says the new design has much greater contrast, and I tend to believe that too, although we’ll all want to see images in a variety of lighting conditions.”</em><strong>
</strong></p>
<p><strong>From LensRentals.com on the EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS II</strong></p>
<table id="wp-table-reloaded-id-105-no-1" class="wp-table-reloaded wp-table-reloaded-id-105">
<thead>
<tr class="row-1">
<th class="column-1"></th>
<th class="column-2"><b>100-400mm mtf50</b></th>
<th class="column-3"><b>100-400 II mtf50</b></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="row-2">
<td class="column-1"><b>Center</b></td>
<td class="column-2">1300</td>
<td class="column-3">1380</td>
</tr>
<tr class="row-3">
<td class="column-1"><b>Weighted Avg.</b></td>
<td class="column-2">980</td>
<td class="column-3">1020</td>
</tr>
<tr class="row-4">
<td class="column-1"><b>Corner Avg.</b></td>
<td class="column-2">680</td>
<td class="column-3">760</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><em>“The Canon computer-generated MTF charts suggest that the center of the image should be similar in both the old and new versions, but that the Mk II should be noticeably better off-axis and particularly in the corners. We do see that difference in the resolution tests, but I had expected the difference to be a bit larger. It’s certainly not nearly as dramatic as the DO difference.”</em><strong>

</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2014/12/a-brief-400mm-comparison" target="_blank">Read the full comparison at LensRentals.com</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

Tinky · Dec 19, 2014

Anybody else morbidly curious? The 50mm f1.8 is so cheap that it's almost worth a punt to see how bad (or otherwise) it could possibly be....

The model it's cloning, is for some of it's range at least, the best canon 50mm in some performance regards, this clone adds an extra couple of aperture blades possibly adressing the common bokeh criticism, anybody used? Anybody tempted?

Of course, the f1.4 is possibly of more interrest once they get round to shipping it...

On another note, I'm looking for a second 430ex... Am i better to buy a used one with a guarantee, or is there a Yongnuo one that will work happily alongside my existing 430 as a slave (to my camera, I know the 430s don't do commander)

Leadfingers · Dec 19, 2014

My wife has $600 of corporate "use it or lose it" money that she needs to burn by the end of the year. She'd like to spend it on a new lens.

They use their current setup to film video interviews in a well-lit studio. (So they don't need lights...) They currently have a T3i, with the 18-55 and 55-250 kit lenses. She would prefer to upgrade the body next year.

So with a pretty hard ceiling of $600, what lens would you get? Used is ok, if it's from a reputable source.

Thoughts?

cellomaster27 · Dec 18, 2014

Hello!

This is my 85mm 1.8 lens that I bought from Canon as a refurb lens. It's still under warranty but I wanted to ask you folks if this is something off the internals. I have never opened up a lens so I have no idea.. Basically, I was doing a family photosession and after the shoot, I noticed that a black strand was showing from the side of the lens. I just shook the lens and twisted the focus ring a few times and there it is. I would be shocked if that came from the outer environment as I take very good care of my lenses. I have not had any issues with refurb lenses so far and so this is disappointing. Especially since I have not had this lens for more than 6 months now. Would you guys recommend opening and cleaning it myself? Maybe its an easy fix? Thank you!

J.R. · Dec 18, 2014

Mine is on order and will arrive today. Unfortunately I'm out in the wild away from home and will be able to get my hands on it only on Christmas day. I must say I'm looking forward to shooting with it.

Your feelings about this lens?

PS: I voted for option 1

YuengLinger · Dec 18, 2014

Have you tried any of the older AF speed demons, such as the 85 f/1.8, or the 135 f/2? Newer lenses such as the 24-70mm f/2.8 II?

Slower AF, such as the 85 f/1.2?

The newest, the 100-400mm 4.5-5.6 II?

Standbys such as the 24-105 f/4?

Details, please.

Thanks!

Komodor · Dec 18, 2014

Hello everybody

Those two is new and ı added some free license youtube soundtracks.

I used LR Time Lapse and took the JPG files and procecssed again in Lightroom. And finaly use Premiere Pro CC

http://youtu.be/L2wrFzJvEeY

http://youtu.be/1stZfV93_H0

pdirestajr · Dec 18, 2014

I love the simplicity of one light / low-key portrait photography. Here are few shots I took of my wife last weekend. One light, no backdrop (my walls are grey). I think the style works nicely with maternity shots as it brings focus to the belly, and helps the self conscious wife feel good to be "covered" in shadows.

All images were shot on a 5D mkII + 85mm 1.2II or 50mm 1.8II, and a Bowens Gemini Monolight (not sure of model) shot through a Bowens Luminair Octobank 120.

85mm | f/5.6 | 1/160sec | 100iso

Lex 38 weeks by Philip DiResta, on Flickr

85mm | f/5.6 | 1/160sec | 100iso

Lex 38 weeks by Philip DiResta, on Flickr

And then some shots of her goofing off...

50mm | f/4.5 | 1/160sec | 100iso

Lex 38 weeks by Philip DiResta, on Flickr

50mm | f/4.5 | 1/160sec | 100iso

Lex 38 weeks by Philip DiResta, on Flickr