New Lytro Review

Wall Street Journal has a new review on the latest Lytro camera, the Illum:

http://online.wsj.com/articles/review-lytro-illum-camera-focuses-on-everything-1406735646?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsTop

So they've gone from a $300 toy to a $1600 real camera, of sorts. It does sound interesting, though. It's ability to provide refocusing in post is obvious, but the ability to provide a means to display a photo interactively, kind of like a hybrid still/movie camera could be a way to its future --but not for $1600, at least for me.

Canon Wide-Angle Zoom Comparison by Roger Cicala

I've been waiting for Roger's testing for a few weeks. It's finally here.

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2014/07/canon-wide-angle-zoom-comparison

Quote: "I set a high bar for new Canon lenses. I expect them to be excellent and generally their recent releases have been. Since this was a wide-angle zoom, though, my expectations were lowered a bit. Canon has always struggled with wide-angle zooms. The 17-40 is a good, not great lens. The 16-35 f/2.8 II is better than the Mk I replaced, but I’d consider it, at best, adequate considering its price.

The 16-35 f/4 IS changes that. It’s a superb optic — as good as anything else available. Of course, a lot of people want an f/2.8 zoom. But for many, like me, f/4 with IS is just fine for wide-angle shooting."

Lomography Petzval Lens

Received it about a week ago. Really difficult to work with. The focus knob only goes 1/4 turn to go from 1M to infinity. And it's in a really awkward position; especially if you try to take a vertical. Which is why I've pretty much only taken horizontals with it.

Focusing with the Mk III's screen is about hopeless. I use Live View with my Zacuto finder and zoom in. This can be quite successful. The depth of field is very shallow. Surprisingly so, considering that I shoot my 85 f/1.2 wide open most of the time, so I know what to expect, normally.

The lens is very, very sharp dead center. Even at f/2.8. But you don't buy such a lens for sharpness. You buy it for its character, and it has character in spades. What's so interesting is how quickly the image starts to diffuse once you start to get away from the center. Look at the hands in some of the pictures.

I wish they'd built this lens more conventionally. Helical focusing and an AF-confirm chip would be such a huge boon. If they wanted more authenticity, I think it would have been neat if the lens elements were uncoated.

Anyway, I love the images. So I'll be using this lens a lot. It makes me slow down and compose, and I wind up shooting just a few images, generally. I realize this seems rather contradictory. This lens is definitely
not for everybody. It's slow to use and a bit frustrating at times. But the images...

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Bird photography in Halifax Nova Scotia - Advice please

Finally packing to go to Boston then Halifax next week. I was given helpful advice of places for bird photography and nature in http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=19255.msg360984#msg360984

Any updates, more help and advice of where to go would be much appreciated.

I don't know whether to take my 300mm f/2.8 II plus extenders or settle on the Tamron 150-600mm for lightness and versatility at the expense of IQ at 600mm. What a terrible dilemma!

Canon to Make a Big Splash at Photokina? [CR2]

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<p><strong>*UPDATE*

</strong>The something “big” teaser from Canon India turns out to be a photo contest. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/canonindia/photos/p.798948450135433/798948450135433/?type=1&theater" target="_blank">See it here</a>.</p>
<p>We’re told there are tons of new DSLR products coming for Photokina this September. The announcement for the new stuff should happen on September 4th or 5th, depending on where you are in the world. Our source has mentioned a DSLR body as well as a host of lenses for various budgets.</p>
<p><strong>What will be announced?

</strong>First up, the successor to the EOS 7D will be announced. We’re told that there’s “a lot of the 1D X” in the new camera. As well as some revolutionary sensor technology.</p>
<p><strong>What about lenses?

</strong>We’re getting more confirmations that the EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS will be replaced by a new version with a rotating zoom instead of the push/pull design that the lens currently uses. It looks like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/canonindia/photos/a.131759853520966.14154.128718407158444/797938930236385/?type=1&theater" target="_blank">Canon India is teasing a new “big” lens</a> on their Facebook page.</p>
<p>The following lenses I’d rate as [CR1], as they’re the first time I’ve heard about them for Photokina this year.</p>
<p>We’re told that at least one EF-S lens is possible, most likely a replacement to the EF-S 18-200. The lens could be replaced with an 18-300 IS STM.</p>
<p>Another lens we’re told to expect is targeted at the EOS 6D user. It will be a “cheaper version of the 28-300L” lens. Canon is lacking a big range non L zoom for full frame cameras.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

A7cna? C)anon N)o A)dapter

Am I the only one who would be interested in a "pie in the sky" Sony A7 variant that:
  • directly accepted Canon EF lenses as native
  • no adapter involved, even with retro-focus wide angles
  • good-as-Canon 5d3 AF, AE, and high-ISO ... few or no compromises
  • good as Sony follow focus video, maybe with 4k, and maybe with enhanced Dual-Pixel
  • no issues with "filter stack thickness" (see LensRentals blog article)
  • ...
  • MagicLantern-like built-in Dual-ISO for astonishing DR near human eye (might require new RAW format?)
  • Other ML-like features, especially Auto-ETTR, RAW histograms, RAW video, motion detect, flexible intervalometer, enhanced Bulb, Auto-Dot-Tune (if applicable with mirror-less), several focus aids, programmable "P" mode, scripting, etc. Hire A1ex.
  • ...
  • Shutter shake issue resolved
  • Adapter to allow Sony E-mount lenses as non-native (but see below)
  • Depth-optimized power-zoom and/or power-prime wide angle that extends just as deep as possibly revised grip, to improve pocket-ability. To me, the grip and least-depth lens should be related, if not a match.
  • Reasonable price, such as existing A7r
  • ...
  • While I'm dreaming, retractable-prime lens available that was flush with a small-or-no-grip body so dimensions getting small enough to integrate smart-phone capabilities and Android.
  • Another dream: hybrid mount that accepts both EF and E-mount as native
  • Other?

Maybe Sony should buy Canon and release the SoCan?

Maybe Canon should buy Sony and release the CaSon?

Maybe they should merge, and develop a 5d3 size hybrid of the above with Exmor, and also the A7 size mirror-less A7cna describe above?

GB Shaw: I hear you say "Why?" Always "Why?" You see things; and you say "Why?" But I dream things that never were; and I say "Why not?"

Manual Focus using 700D - Wow!

So I got myself a part time shooting client on weekends in the park.
I like the simplicity of a prime lens so I got 35mm IS and 85mm 1.8. - plus one body 6D.
To avoid changing lens all the time, I decided to get another body.
with low budget I only get to choose crop body. - I got a brand new 700D with 18-55 stm at bargain price.

On the first night, testing view finder AF - its so cheap that I could not use it professionally, plus no back button focus, very hard to choose af points - i was like holding a toddler's toy camera. Live view auto focus is good but I could not find myself moving my hand here and there while taking shots. So I post it for sale on the next day.

Nobody confirmed to buy it. So I play it on my second night.
Trying my best to give it a place on my shoot.
Mount my 85mm. and say I might as well try Manual Focus on this thing.

Suddenly, bam! bam! Its so easy and fast to nail manual focus on this thing using live view. And the swivel screen was perfect for this.

I suddenly fall inlove with manual focus, not the 700D. lol. :)
big problem with 700D, exposure setting. - NO MINIMUM SHUTTER SPEED AND ISO step is 1 STOP?????!!
so now im keeping 700D for a while, upgrade to 70D later.

now its the lens issue. 85mm on crop is to narrow for me.
looking on a good manual focus prime now!

Neutral Density Filters - HELP !

Hi there
Looking at buying my first batch of ND filters. Thought that a Hoya 3 stop and 6 stop would be a good start. My question is - can I stack these to achieve 9 stops using either a 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM or EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM.

I understand that the 16-35mm might vignette badly with stacked filters. Does anyone have experience with this ?
Also that many lenses you can't actually go up to 9 stops as wide angle lenses sometimes will give you an x in your image at much lower than 9 stops.

Help and feedback please. Maybe the slim B+W might be an option, but any better with vignetting ? Can u stack a hoya + a slim B+W on top (as I understand the slim B+W doesnt have the thread on top)

Testing my new 24-70 2.8 II and 6D

So I just bought a brand new 6D + 24.70 2.8 II and after doing some quick tests I'm not sure if this is it or I was expecting too much. I definitely haven't seen the WOW factor from the 24-70 II that I was expecting after reading several reviews and observing others pictures.

I have purchased Reikan Focal to test and set the lens and it suggested +3 AFMA on both wide and tele. I am attaching my results here and can someone comment if this is good enough or not ? I saw others posting over 2,000 quality of focus results with this lens but I'm not sure what exactly this means?

24_bef.jpg

http://s18.postimg.org/7ljmkrf6x/24_bef.jpg

24_aft.jpg

http://s23.postimg.org/qby7k22cb/24_aft.jpg

70_bef.jpg

http://s7.postimg.org/5ay8x16yj/70_bef.jpg

70_aft.jpg

http://s15.postimg.org/uleu445p7/70_aft.jpg

I definitely haven't tested this lens enough to come to any conclusions but I did notice it seems a bit too soft at 2.8 and 24mm - 35mm. Will post some real life images as soon as possible.

Photos from Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve

Yes, I have not been posting pictures for a while. Well, I was is Costa Mesa, California for 4 weeks and discovered in the third week that the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve was just 15 minutes walking distance from my hotel. Luckily, I had taken my 5D3 with the kit lens, my 100-400 and the 1.4x. So I went over to the preserve a few times - four or five I think. There is a good amount of wildlife there. This is the first tranche of pictures. The important thing I want to share with you is that I have been using MagicLantern for several months now - only for Dual ISO. I find it is great! You guys should try it. There is a request. I am lousy at identifying birds let alone birds from another continent. I would appreciate if you guys would educate me :)

So here goes:
*Edit: redid the sizes...

#1.

RPT_7478-dualiso by Rustom, on Flickr

#2.

RPT_7305-dualiso-a by Rustom, on Flickr


#3.

RPT_7310-dualiso-a by Rustom, on Flickr


#4.

RPT_7319-dualiso-a by Rustom, on Flickr


#5.

RPT_7333 by Rustom, on Flickr


#6.

RPT_7368-dualiso-a by Rustom, on Flickr


#7.

RPT_7435 by Rustom, on Flickr


#8.

RPT_7439 by Rustom, on Flickr


#9. Yes, it has motion blur and is out of focus but I like it :)

RPT_7446-dualiso-a by Rustom, on Flickr


#10.

RPT_7453-dualiso-a by Rustom, on Flickr


#11.

RPT_7464 by Rustom, on Flickr

Canon Announces the PowerShot SX520 HS & SX400 HS

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<i style="color: #000000;">With an Impressive 42x and 30x Optical Zoom, respectively, Canon’s new PowerShot SX520 HS and PowerShot SX400 IS Digital Cameras Provide High-Quality Imaging Tools to Meet Varying User Needs</i><span style="color: #000000;"> </span></p>
<p style="color: #000000;"><b>MELVILLE, N.Y., July 29, 2014</b> - Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced two new compact, super-zoom cameras: the PowerShot SX520 HS and the PowerShot SX400 IS digital cameras. Designed to give users the versatility and telephoto reach they need to capture subjects from far distances, these new cameras are packed with impressive features. The new PowerShot SX520 HS digital camera includes a high-powered 42x Optical Zoom lens (equivalent to 24-1008mm) and the Canon HS SYSTEM for clear sharp images and Full HD Video. With a 30x Optical Zoom (equivalent to 24-720mm), the PowerShot SX400 IS digital camera allows photographers to capture the moments that mean the most to them quickly and easily, even at long range.</p>
<p style="color: #000000;">“Our goal is to provide people who are passionate about photography with the imaging tools they need to capture the moments that inspire them,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “The PowerShot SX520 HS and PowerShot SX400 IS digital cameras offer users features that help produce high quality-images and video with ease allowing them to capture their most creative shots.”</p>
<p style="color: #000000;"><strong>Preorder: <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1068608-REG/canon_9544b001_powershot_sx520_hs_digital.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296" target="_blank">PowerShot SX520 HS at B&H Photo</a> | <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1068606-REG/canon_9545b001_powershot_sx400_is_digital.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296" target="_blank">PowerShot SX400 HS at B&H Photo</a></strong></p>
<p style="color: #000000;"><!--more--></p>
<div style="color: #000000;"><b>The PowerShot SX520 HS Digital Camera</b></div>
<p style="color: #000000;">Building on the features of the PowerShot SX510 HS digital camera, the PowerShot SX520 HS digital camera incorporates a 42x Optical Zoom with Canon’s Optical Image Stabilization, ideal for active families that want to take high-quality close-up shots of their children’s soccer game or dance recitals. In addition to featuring a powerful optical zoom range, the SX520 HS digital camera combines a 16 Megapixeli High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor and Canon’s DIGIC 4+ Image Processor to create the Canon HS SYSTEM allowing for excellent low-light performance.</p>
<p style="color: #000000;">Giving users the ability to capture life in motion, the camera features a dedicated movie button so users can easily record 1080p Full HD video utilizing the camera’s full 42x optical zoom capability. The camera also features an enhanced grip for added handling comfort. Additionally, the camera’s Intelligent IS automatically chooses from one of eight modes to help optimize image stabilization for virtually shake-free images in various shooting conditions. The camera’s High Speed AF allows users to achieve fast autofocusing speeds to help capture every shot with ease. The PowerShot SX520 HS digital camera’s advanced Zoom Framing Assist feature intelligently controls the lens, making it easy to locate the main subject by zooming out, and then zooming back in quickly and automatically for dramatic close-ups with face detection where applicable.</p>
<p style="color: #000000;">Upgraded from its predecessor, the PowerShot SX520 HS digital camera features Canon’s Creative Shot mode that uses a combination of lighting, color and composition from the original image to create unique, artistic images. Smart AUTO technology selects 32 different pre-defined scenes for still shots and 21 scenes for video without the need to switch modes, making it possible to take beautiful images and video in a variety of situations. The Hybrid AUTO mode featured in the PowerShot SX520 HS camera creates a beautifully stabilized HD video clip (up to approximately four seconds) every time a user shoots a still image, then compiles the clips into a single movie that forms a “highlighted reel” for the day. This new camera is equipped with a built-in mini-HDMI port that makes it easy to connect to an HD TV set at home or on the road so everyone can comfortably enjoy viewing the footage.</p>
<div style="color: #000000;"><b>The PowerShot SX400 IS Digital Camera</b></div>
<p style="color: #000000;">With a compact design and a powerful 30x Optical Zoom range with Optical Image Stabilizer, the PowerShot SX400 IS digital camera is a versatile camera that can be used daily anytime, anywhere. The 16 Megapixeli CCD sensor and DIGIC 4+ image processor combine with Canon’s Intelligent IS system to provide users with outstanding functionality, while the updated grip design improves handling comfort. With Smart AUTO, the camera identifies an ideal image setting by intelligently selecting from one of 32 pre-defined modes for still shots and 21 scenes for video.</p>
<p style="color: #000000;">The PowerShot SX400 IS digital camera is always ready for action with a dedicated movie button to easily stop and start recording 720p HD video. Additionally, like the PowerShot SX520 HS camera, the PowerShot SX400 IS camera can record even far distances through the use of the camera’s full 30x zoom range. The PowerShot SX400 IS digital camera’s High Speed AF, upgraded from the previous model, helps to reduce lag time so that the perfect shot can be captured quickly and with ease.</p>
<div style="color: #000000;"><b>Pricing and Availability</b></div>
<p style="color: #000000;">The PowerShot SX500 HS digital camera will be available in September 2014 for an estimated retail price of $399.99.</p>
<p style="color: #000000;">The PowerShot SX400 IS digital camera will be available in August 2014 in black or red for an estimated retail price of $249.99.</p>
<p style="color: #000000;"><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

What do you Cheap Out on?

I'm not posting much as my air conditioning has been out for 5 days and it was 100F here in Florida today. Only 92F in the house at least >:(

On to the thread: All of us cheap out on some of our gear - whether it's memory cards, camera bodies, or other stuff.

What do you cheap out on?

I'll start:

1, Tripod legs - my carbon fiber dreams have been shattered (2x) so I stick with my scratched & dented Manfrotto 055XPROB aluminum legs

2. Intervalometer - I had the Canon release (only) and it sucks, so I bought the Vello intervalometer and it works perfectly for $30

3. Travel tripod - I don't travel a ton, so I bought the aluminum MeFoto Roadtrip Travel Kit and love the little thing.

4. ND Filters - I bought the Tiffen 82mm ND set and so far, so good

Of course I'll follow this up with a what do splurge on thread...

Patent: Canon EF 180mm f/3.5 DO Macro

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This is the first I have seen this sort of patent. Canon has filed an optical formula patent for a diffractive optic macro lens. What better lens to upgrade with a DO version than the long-in-the-tooth Canon EF 180 f/3.5L Macro?</p>
<p style="color: #444444;"><strong>Patent Information (Google Translated)

</strong></p>
<ul style="color: #444444;">
<li>Patent Publication No. 2014-137484
<ul>
<li>Publication date 2014.7.28</li>
<li>Filing date 2013.1.17</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Example 1
<ul>
<li>Focal length f = 180.00mm</li>
<li>Shooting magnification ∞ 0.5x 1.0x</li>
<li>Fno. 3.50-4.50-5.20</li>
<li>Half angle ω = 6.85 °</li>
<li>Image height 21.64mm</li>
<li>The overall length of the lens 202.38mm</li>
<li>BF 52.18mm</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Source: [<a href="http://egami.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2014-07-29" target="_blank">EG</a>]</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

New Canon L Primes, but Not Until 2015 [CR2)

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<p>We’re told to expect new Canon L primes, but none will be announced in 2014.</p>
<p>The first one we can expect is a new 35L in early 2015, this has been rumored since the 24L was announced. There have been lots of patents for the optical formula, but nothing has come of it.</p>
<p>The second is a new 50L in late 2015. The new lens is said to be a lot smaller and lighter, perhaps a drop to f/1.4?</p>
<p>There may have been development delays in L lens development as Canon has been working hard building a cinema lens lineup.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

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