Comments on Amazon from the first months after release refer to overheat throttling and the success of the firmware upgrade in avoiding shutdown was 50-50 in the small number of comments offered. It occurs to me I should see if B&H have sold more... therefore might have more comments.

I have a Phottix three-Odin set and one Strato2 rcvr to round out the kit. I have used these for several different setups. I am considering buying one Mitros+ flash to stay on my camera during events at which I have placed flashes (maybe my Einsteins) at one or more remote perches. It is a biggish commitment ($400) but you could say the transceiver is valued at $150 alone.

Private by Design once made the point that this price rises to the same range as good deals on Canon 600 pieces. I agree but have the investment in the Odin kit and a 580EX and a 550EX. I also do interiors where there are needs for a less-bright light in a small room off the main area we are lighting. Optical slaves can be finicky. I like having a LOT of flexibility when working in unpredictable locations.

So, are these delivering the benefits Odin installed features should allow?

jonathan7007

The idea of being able to do this is absolutely drool-worthy.
Will be interesting to see how well it performs and how much movement range it will have on a FF.

www.imaging-resource.com/news/2014/08/14/hartblei-introduces-hcam-master-ts-14-24mm-tilt-shift-optic-for-sony-e-moun

Dang! Sony's the only system I don't carry... yet.

Hi folks, attached is an image i took for a test to see if the sensor had in fact been cleaned after my 1DX body was repaired and "sensor cleaned." Can you let me know if I am imagining things or is this a dirty sensor? Any other possible explanations? I have zoomed in and cropped each shot to emphasize the debris. Thanks for your feedback.

Folks doing all the work that makes the world go round.

The last one is a local farm worker picking flowers for sale.

Is possible to say how big is the power loss of a flash while using HSS compared to sync speed?

Hi Folks,

Whew...been a long time since I posted last, been a busy year.
I just posted my latest YouTube episode of my cooking video series:
CWI: Cooking While Intoxicated.

I think I'm surely but slowly making progress in composing, lighting and editing.

This was shot on my 5D3, I used a Rode Videomic on camera and this was the first time using the Rode smartLAV hooked to my iPhone in my pocket for better sound.

I ran into hiccups with my usual workflow...due to versions of FCPX going to latest version, and having to run on Maverics (upgrade, ugh), and also with Davinci Resolve from 11beta to regular v11.

Anyway, this was also only my 2nd dive into try to use After Effects in a meaningful manner, I used this for the time-lapse segment at the end, and also for the motion tracking parts where I attacked ingredients graphics.

Anyway, I had a LOT of trouble with color, for some reason, Resolve now...shows one thing on its screens but when rendered, it looks MUCH lighter on any other playback system and I cannot figure it out. I have to really overdo things in resolve with a final node at the end of each clip to overdo saturation, etc...to get it to look normal in FCPX or even just paying quicktime on my desktop.

ANYWAY...with all that, I am happy with this result....and do check out the outtakes/bloopers I added on after final credits, I didn't color correct those, so you can see how the shots look coming out of my camera Flat using Marvel's Cinestyle.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated!!

cayenne

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTA9yQrAwQM

I recently did a review/video review of the filter system made by Samyang for the 14mm f/2.8 lens from Samyang, Rokinon, Bower, etc...

The system works well, although Samyang's distribution in North America is basically nonexistent. I had to use Ebay to get mine even though I work with the Rokinon distributor in North America. I still have been unable to get the solid ND filter, but the ND grad is a treat for it.

Anyway, here's a link if you are interested. http://dustinabbott.net/2014/08/samyang-14mm-f2-8-filter-system-review/

I'd be interested in reading any of your own experiences with both getting and using the system.

I recently did a review of the new Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di VC PZD lens (someone posted a link here, but if you didn't see it you can find the review here: http://dustinabbott.net/2014/08/tamron-28-300mm-f3-5-6-3-di-vc-pzd/). It is an obvious choice for travel, but I hadn't actually traveled with the lens. I just spent 4-5 days traveling to the beautiful Quebec City and used the Tamron almost exclusively. This is a companion article with a lot of photos that show off the range and image quality of the lens in a variety of settings. It is also a bit of a travelogue on Quebec City.

http://dustinabbott.net/2014/08/quebec-city-and-the-tamron-28-300-vc/

Enjoy.

Is Canon working on another mirrorless camera to replace the M2 (even though the US doesn't officially have it)? The hybrid sensor in the M2 that had better high ISO capability and a good EVF would be enough.

My only lens for macro is a 180mm which manages to cough out superior images in spite of my ineptitude.
What would be the results if I were to use that lens on a new 7D Mk2?
Things like...minimum focusing distance, increased magnification due to smaller field of view, and whatnot.

This is the kind of trickle down I like.

Will we see higher bitrates and choice of gop patterns in next rebels? Canon have the video dslr market... Sony are very interesting, and well priced....

Anyone else here a member? I mailed away a money order (how quaint) and received a membership card in the mail; is that the norm? I ask on account of people joining and getting some interesting stuff for their trouble.

Jim

Is there any talk or thought to Canon coming out with a 100 or 150 to 500 or 600 lens. These lenses are on the market for less than $2,000.00
Seems like there is a market for them
Unless someone wants to go to a 500 mm prime or the 200-400 with the 1.4 teleconverter, which are north of $9,000.00, there doesn't seem to be a lens in that neighborhood
Your thoughts ?

I’m starting this thread to tell of my recent Canon Canada (Mississauga Service Center) experience with not only two of their top-of-the-line products, but with their customer service as well. I apologize for the length, but I'm trying to provide context to the story.

EF 24-70 f/2.8 II Story

Last year around September I purchased a Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8 II. At the time it was the most expensive lens I owned. After using the lens for about a week I noticed something wasn’t quite right. Unfortunately I made the purchase at an extraordinarily busy time and didn’t have the forethought and time to immediately test the lens. My big mistake. When I eventually got around to running the lens through FoCal software to check aperture sharpness I was amazed at the wonky curve I was getting. It was behaving very much like it had a decentered element. I tried the lens on both my 5D2 and 5D3, and even had a friend come over with his 5D2. All of the test results were roughly the same. I immediately packed the lens up and sent it to Canon. Since I was not a CPS member at the time I got stuck in the 4-6 week return cue, which in my opinion is disgraceful for a company like this when both Tamron and Sigma offer far superior return-time estimates. Anyways, I waited patiently. I also took the opportunity while the lens was away to sign up for the gold CPS membership, thinking that it would be $100 well spent for a six day return around-time in the future.

I received the lens back with a note saying it was adjusted and cleaned after about four and a half weeks. I ran it through my software again. Whatever they did to it made it even worse. At this point Canon had already had the lens longer than I had and I was quite upset with the results of their work. I had even included a note with the lens and a FoCal chart to detail exactly what was wrong. I called CPS Canada and spoke with a young lady there; she couldn’t have been any less friendly or unsympathetic. She told me that if I “wanted” I could send the lens back but that “they probably won’t do anything to it because it’s within their specifications.” I told her I had done extensive testing and that there was something very wrong with the lens, to which she told me that my testing wouldn’t have been nearly as thorough as Canon’s technicians.

I was completely aghast but her lack of regard and complete dismissal of my problems. I even asked if I could speak to a technician to which she replied “Nope.”

Realizing I wasn’t getting anywhere with this lens I decided to sell it. I sold it at a massive loss, detailing to the buyer what I had experienced. Thankfully the purchaser was a good chap and said that arguing with Canon to get it right under warranty was worth it for the savings, and also he had the Platinum CPS membership for an even faster turn-around time. Unfortunately he never contacted me again to let me know if the lens got sorted out.

I had sold my trusty 24-105 to help fund this lens, and now this new lens was gone too. I still needed a lens in this focal range. I made up my mind that I would still get a 24-70 II. I went to the local camera store and purchased another one. I immediately brought it home, tested it, and found it too was giving me a wonky curve; albeit a much better curve still than the last one. I immediately returned it to the store this time. I received my second lens from the store (third over all), brought it home, tested it and found it tested really well but had that weird clicking noise while zooming in and out. Back it went to the store. Thank God for the wonderful people at the store; the manager came out carrying six unopened boxes of this lens and told me to go through them all to find one that didn’t click and that looked good. I finally found one where I couldn’t hear any apparent clicks, signed the exchange papers and went home. The lens also tested well and it’s the copy I still have to this day. Unfortunately, there is still a faint click when zooming, but it’s not that bad and I was unable hear it with all the hustle and bustle in the store at the time. I’m just living with it.


Lesson learned: Check lenses immediately after purchase and return if necessary. Canon technicians won’t help.



EOS 1D X Story

As some of you may know I purchased a 1D X recently; June 16 to be exact. The first two weeks of using the camera were absolutely amazing. This thing produces images like nothing I have ever seen before, and functions like spot-metering linked to each AF point is a God-send. The problems started almost exactly at the two mark, however. I was out shooting with a friend in the country side and I started noticing these little black specks all over the viewfinder. As the day wore on the specks started accumulating more and more around the edges and even towards the center of the frame. When I got home I immediately lowered the focusing screen and blew it off with my rocket blower. I put the screen back and all the specks were still there. I did some research online and what I found is that if the specks are visible and well defined they are either on the bottom of the pentaprism or within it (apparently Canon doesn’t seal 1D pentaprisms for whatever reason). I also found a whole slew of people who were experiencing this problem with their 1D X cameras. Many of these people reported Canon telling them that they’d either need to pay $300 for a clean or $300 + $500 for a new pentaprism. I was quite alarmed that I might have to fork out more money on an extraordinarily expensive camera to get it back to normal. I called CPS and told the lady on the phone, who this time was very pleasant, what was happening. She told me to send it in right away and she’d make a case for a new pentaprism to be installed free of charge since the camera was so new.

I sent it in and got an e-mail saying they were indeed having to replace the prism. I got the camera back within six days, as per CPS Gold standards, and turned it on, excited to have a clear viewfinder. Unfortunately there was still some debris in the finder. I also took a shot and heard a “clink” sound. I took off the lens and the focusing screen bracket had dropped. Horrified that it or the focusing screen may have hit the back element of my lens I did a quick inspection. Thank God nothing seemed to be touched. I used my focusing screen pincher tool (comes with all focusing screens purchased separately) from my 5D2 to push the bracket back into place. I then checked to see if the latch was too loose. To my dismay it wasn’t, it was too tight. Whoever pushed the bracket back into place did not push it in hard enough for it to click in, and now that I had push it in properly the little tongue/catch would not release the bracket properly. I had to manually pull the bracket down, thus causing either the focusing screen to drop down abruptly or for it to stick in place above the bracket and not come down at all.

I called CPS and immediately told them. The gentleman I spoke to said that shouldn’t happen and to send it back. Unfortunately I had a photography job on the weekend so I told him I’d have to wait until the following week. The camera still worked alright once the bracket was in place properly, and despite the dust in the viewfinder. Using the camera during the job, however, yielded even more particles entering the prism and viewfinder. How the hell does this camera have so much crap inside of it? I never change a lens when it’s windy outside or dusty. In fact I usually carry two cameras just to avoid changing lenses outside. I also mostly shoot indoor events. So what gives?

I sent the camera in as soon as I was able. I included another letter detailing the issues and explaining exactly what I wanted done. I even called CPS to make sure that the same information be added to my account. I received an e-mail from CPS once the camera arrived telling me they were graciously doing a one time cleaning of the viewfinder and that they were just replacing the focusing screen. I was so annoyed! The focusing screen was not the issue, it was the bracket, and there is a serious problem inside the camera for that much debris to be forming in the viewfinder.

I called CPS, and they told me the technicians never got my notes added to my account because the camera received a new repair number. I then had to explain again, in detail, what I wanted done to the camera. I even said replace the prism if necessary, as I have insurance that I purchased with the camera that covers cosmetic repairs. The CPS lady, who again was very pleasant (unlike the lady I spoke to over the 24-70 issue), assured me they would fix everything and to call back if I wanted to check on the repairs. I did, twice. The next time I spoke with nice lady CPS agent she said the repairs were completed and she had inspected the camera herself and everything looked good. The viewfinder was cleaned she said and did not need replacing.

I received the camera back with debris in the finder, albeit not as much. The focusing screen bracket was still stiff and not operating normally. AND the most glaring issue was a finger print right on the mirror that was completely visible when I took the body cap off.

I called CPS and they were quite apologetic for the fingerprint. I asked them why, after the CPS agent said she had inspect the camera herself, had they thought it was acceptable to send a camera back with debris in the finder and a finger print on the mirror, while at the same time not even bothering to fix the main mechanical issue I sent it in for. I got no response other than “send it back.” I told her that sending it back is a nuisance because I’m without the camera for a week and I need it for jobs occasionally. The agent told me they’d send me a loaner 1D X until the repair was completed, and that they normally don’t do that for Gold members.

After stewing on everything for about three hours after that phone conversation I got my sensor cleaning kit out with swabs and solution and gently cleaned the mirror myself. I also took some screws out above the focusing screen bracket and adjusted that myself too, bringing it back to how it once was. I called CPS and cancelled the loaner. I did the cleaning and repair in roughly ten minutes. Unfortunately I’m just going to live with debris in the viewfinder because obviously Canon won’t do anything satisfactorily for me on this issue. If it ever gets bad enough I have insurance for a new prism to be installed again.


It annoys me to no end the trouble I have had with these products. The level of service is quite laughable and upsetting when you’ve spent thousands of dollars on their products.

I’m aware debris in a viewfinder is just superficial and doesn’t affect the end product. I also get that these are tool cameras and meant to be used and that things will happen to them in the course of their lives. What I have trouble with, however, is that this is a problem that started almost immediately after purchase and continues to persist. Again, it’s not a huge issue, but it’s still annoying.

The fingerprint and focusing screen bracket issues are unacceptable from a repair standpoint. There’s no excuse in my opinion.

Lesson learned: If you buy Canon, or any product for that matter, check it thoroughly and use it as much as you can immediately after purchase. If there’s something wrong, return it. Getting satisfaction from repairs is a futile effort.

-------------------------------

Canon’s customer service, while greatly improved from the time I dealt with them over the 24-70, still leaves a lot to be desired. The phone agents are all friendly and willing enough to help. However, they aren’t the ones doing the repairs, and from my experience with both the lens and camera, it’s Canon’s technicians who need a lesson on how to do their jobs.


Will I switch brands? No. Where would I go? Sadly, Nikon is worse, and what other companies are out there that offer similar performing products to Canon? I also have close to $20,000 worth of Canon gear at this point…so, it’s not realistic to make a change. Like I said above, I’ll just be thoroughly checking every purchase I make in the future and I will immediately return it to the retailer if something is amiss. It’s hard for the retailer, but as a customer it’s the only safe way of truly protecting myself if I want to continue playing the game.

I was at a major retailer today (I will leave their name out but it rhymes with 'chest guy') and I was asking them to price match the 5D3 for me. While they were looking it up they pointed out that their system indicated Canon is discontinued.

The system said they will still have the 5D3 in stock through 2017, but could the fact that they are no longer manufacuring new units be an indication that a 5D4 is coming soon than expected? Is this just an errorr on thier part or is this something that is already known to everyone but just news to me?

Along the Alaska Highway, near the B.C. & Yukon border




This cub was very blonde and stayed close to mom



This cub not as blonde and very much a rascal as it kept running far from mom


See more images of Yukon & Alaska at http://yukonsights.ca/

Hi people..
I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for continuous lighting for macro video?
Specifically filming using the MP-E 65mm Macro Photo lens. I'm experienced with taking still shots with this tricky lens, but just getting round to thinking about filming with it on my 5DIII.
I have the MT-24EX Twin light macro flash and wonder if adding either a Manfrotto ML120 or ML240 led light to the hotshoe mounts on the flash head lens bracket from this would work?

Anyone do the same sort of thing? Or have alternative suggestions?

Hi all,
I have 600D and in my few tries I noticed video recording stops abruptly.

Last time I tried to see what's is happening
First one stopped at 36sec
Second one at 6 sec
Third one at 2min, 16sec
Camera was on tripod, using manual focus lens (m42)

I'm using 16 GB Sandisk ultra 30MB/s class10 SD card.

Can you please tell me what is happening.

Thanks all

Hi All,

This is my first post, although I have spent quite a bit of time looking at older threads and gained some very useful information. I am currently considering going full frame and would like some input from those that have gone before me. I currently own the following equipment:
Canon 550D
Canon EFS 18-55
Canon EFS 55-250
Canon EFS 10-22
Canon EFS 18-135 STM
Canon EF 50 1.8
Canon EF 85 1.8
Canon EF 70-300 L (on order awaiting delivery)
Canon 430EX flash
Manfrotto Tripod
Sounds like a lot when I write it all down. So a bit of background. I started with the 2 kit lenses (18-55 and 55-250) and quickly found that when I was out walking around on holidays taking pics I didn't want to be carrying multiple lenses and swapping them out all the time (also the wife doesn't really like hanging around whilst I swap gear adjust settings etc - sounds of "can't you just take the picture and lets get going"). So I got the 18-135 which suits me just fine in terms of a walkabout lens. This lens is on my camera most of the time for holiday type pics (50%) and the other 50% of the time if I go out to spend some time doing creative photography (without the wife in tow) I will take additional lenses and will use them as needed.
With the current setup I have been a bit disappointed with the sharpness of the 18-135, think the 10-22 is a good lens, don't use the 18-55 and 55-250 really, and use the 50 and 85 when I want to do shallow DOF or low light stuff (not often).
I also tend to take a fair bit of low light stuff with my 18-135 when doing holiday pics - an hour either side of sunset - usually when doing these pics I am not wanting to carry multiple lenses.
So my current issues are:
1) I want a general improvement in the sharpness of my pics as I tend to like having them printed reasonably large and I think the current EFS lenses just won't give me the image quality I would like.
2) Shooting around dusk with my 18-135 walkabout (even in dark shade sometimes), I am either getting blurred photos due to having to drop the shutter speed to low (even with IS) or bumping the ISO too high and getting unacceptable levels of noise.
I have been purchasing my recent lenses with a view to eventually going full frame (can't wait to play with the 70-300 - my first L lens)
My thoughts have been to upgrade to a 6D with a 24-105 as a walkabout, use the 70-300L as my long lens, a 16-35 F4 as my wide angle and keep the 50 1.8 and 85 1.8 for portraits and shallow DOF as well as low light. The 6D will solve my issues with noise and ISO whilst the L series lenses will solve my sharpness problems. I have read about the 6D AF issues, and don't think that will be an issue for me as most of my shots are static and for the odd shot of action I can use the centre point and crop later.

The area I want some feedback on is the 24-105. From all that I have read the newer 24-70 is lots better, but I won't go with that lens as that would give me a similar range on FF to the original 18-55 on crop that I found too limiting initially. I know that the 24-105 will be shorter than the 18-135 (equivalent approx. 216 mm), but I think I could live with 105, but definitely not 70 on the long end. I have read plenty of reviews and opinions on the 24-105 to believe that as an L lens it is pretty average and has a lot of distortion at around 24mm.

So my questions are:
1) Will the 24-105 provide a significant IQ improvement when used on FF compared to using the 18-135 STM on a crop. I am not interested in using the 24-105 on a crop camera, so many of the comments I have read which compare using both on a crop camera are not applicable to my scenario as in that case they would only be using the centre of the 24-105 not the full view.
2) Should I stick with the 18-135 STM and wait for the 7D mkii which I expect will also have significantly improved noise / ISO and will solve that problem for me, but will then still leave me with the image quality issues from the EFS lens, as I don't see any better quality walkabout lens that will suit me if using a crop sensor. (The 24-105 would not be wide enough for me on a crop).

So what do you think - 6D, 24-105, 16-35 F4, 70-300L or 7D mkii, EFS 10-22, EFS 18-135 STM, 70-300L.

I can't see any other scenarios that would give me the walkabout options that I want and also achieve the IQ I want.

Sorry for the long post - I thought too much info is better than not enough. I look forward to hearing your thoughts especially if you have been down the same path as I am going.

Rob

With all the talk about the 7dii, I grabbed my previously trusty 7d only to find it won't boot. Tried multiple otherwise good batteries (tested in 5diii also) and replaced the clock battery, so it is not the battery. Also tried to reboot by holding down the shutter button while empty of battery and cards. Also tried cycling all the door buttons, no joy.
My summary is that I've done all I can and it needs a trip to repair, for out of warranty repair, unless anyone else has a shining idea.

So these thoughts come to mind: Is there a current loyalty program to trade broken bodies towards new? I could not find one but it may be a well kept secret. Or rephrased should I plan to use this body to apply to loyalty program.

Is it worth it to fix this body given a guesstimate that it will run $350 + even with CPS or should I save toward a future new body?

If there was only one axis of decision fix or not it would be an easy decision. The other considerations make it interesting as a decision.

If you fancied a Canon EOS-M when it first came out in the UK just 2 years ago, you'd have forked out a hefty £770.

From launch, the EOS reviews were very mixed - the lenses were really great, the feature set good, the IQ decent, but the focusing time absolutely shocking. As a result, it totally slipped off the radar and last week I bought one for £199 at Argos (it came with an 18-55 STM kit lens, and Speedlite 90EX).

In recent months Canon have launched the M2 but not in Europe, and released new firmware that dramatically speeds up the autofocus. I've now had the chance to use one for a week or so and here are my initial thoughts.

POSITIVES

+ From a sensor and IQ perspective it's exactly the same as my 650d, which is a great little camera
+ Touch screen - takes some getting used to but it's brilliant when you do. I still maintain that even the pro-level cameras will have touch within the next 4 years.
+ It's absolutely tiny. Just look at it.
+ Despit its size with a £30 adaptor from Amazon I can use it with every single one of my normal Canon lenses (it looks a little odd with a 70-300L on it). It's like a spare Canon body that's no bigger than a wallet.
+ The lenses are really great, but due to the poor initial sales you can pick them up for a song. I got the awesome 22mm f/2 STM lens for just £75 brand new on Ebay. It sold for £230 just 2 years ago.
+ The build quality is great - all metal with a beautiful finish
+ It's £200 for an 18mb 'mini SLR'!

NEGATIVES

- Oh god, it's horrible not having an optical viewfinder. The LCD screen is great, and I'm sure I'll get used to it but it just feels wrong and I feel out of control
- Even if the AF is zipped up it's still slower than you'd like.
- There's no way on earth you could describe this as a primary camera for an enthusiast. It's got far too many quirks and frustrations.
- Battery life's not great (though again you can pick up spare batteries cheap on ebay)
- It's hit or miss - whilst in theory you can get great shots, you need patience or for the shots to not be critical if you miss them.

In general, my views are that this is one hell of a Marmite camera. There are times when I absolutely love it and think it's the coolest thing ever. Times when I want to throw it into a ditch.

However after a week of using it I've decided that - for ME and what I do - it's going to be a hell of a lot of fun. It's so blooming tiny I really can take it anywhere. If I'm going out for a long cycle I can shove it in a small saddlebag - I'd never dream of taking my 6d or 100x in circumstances like that. Even if I take my whole 'kit' (camera, 18-55, 22mm f2, flash) I'd struggle to make it take up more space than a large book. And if you want to take a tripod with you, you only need the smallest size Gorillapod.

In short, I'll find myself in places I'd never normally have that 'level' of camera just because it's so portable and because being small and relatively inexpensive you'll use it in places where you wouldn't wave your DSLR about (sandy beaches etc). I'll miss a lot of shots, and I find the absence of viewfinder really frustrating, but at the end of the day I'll get shots I wouldn't have got.

Also, if you stick Magic Lantern (a free 3rd party firmware on it) it's absolutely amazing for video. 4k raw footage, with stepper lenses for smooth focusing. It's a better video camera than some of the specialist kit we use at work that costs 3x the price.

The other interesting fact for me is that the lenses are really great, but the prices are so low because of low demand. If Canon make an EOS-M3 (and I'm sure they will) then those prices will skyrocket again.

So - in short - consider with care. It's not for everyone. On the plus side, it's so small that if you do end up kicking it into a ditch you're unlikely hurt your toe.

(Please note, the images below aren't particularly illustrative or good - they're just a selection of samples intended to show bokeh, general IQ and the benefits of having full shutter control etc.)

I am being plagued by GAS again . I am looking at the Mindshift r180 Professional camera backpack as an option for an upcoming trip. I've looked at many reviews. There are no dealers in my area that carry the product so I'd have to order one to see if it works for me. If any of you have any experience with this bag, I 'd appreciate some insight. My questions:

-Can I fit a 5Diii with a 25-105 and a 17-40 plus a 70-200 F/4 IS into the rotating lower bag / fanny pack part?
-Anyone take it aboard an airliner as carry on and how did that work out?

Thanks in advance.


JPAZ