I bought a new canon 24l 1.4 ii last week and found the AF to be wildly inaccurate.

AFMA adjustment of +15 made it better but I still found at anything further away than 50cm it was very hit and miss.

I'm going to send it back for a refund. but I'm wondering if I just got a lemon, or are all canon 24L 1.4 ii like this?
Anyone experience anything similar?

THanks
Alex

Hello!

Where would be the best place to pick up an EOS 1V? I want to find one in a good condition that will last a while. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

I know this is a crazy question about 2 lenses that have very little in common. I'm looking to make my next lens purchase, and I'm deciding between both of these lenses. I eventually plan on owning both but can't figure out what to purchase first. I have a trip to Italy coming up in a month where I'll be in Cinque Terre and Tuscany for a large portion of it, but I also have an active 1 y.o baby that I love to take pictures of. I have used the 24 TS-E II and was a huge fan, but I am worried it's a high price to pay for such a specialized lens. And then I'm worried that the 135L is too much like the 85L or the 70-200 f/2.8L II (granted the 70-200 is much more conspicuous and a huge burden to carry). In general, I shoot a little bit of everything from landscapes to candids to street to my family. For those of you who own both or have tried both, what are your thoughts?

I feel like an idiot asking this. It seems like I should be able to figure this out on my own, since I'm a long time Canon user, but for the life of me, I can't figure out why I am getting two horizontal lines, like video safe lines, embedded into the photo at the top and bottom.

They are not there when I use the viewfinder, which is why I haven' noticed until now. I never use liveview, but I turned it on to let my teenage son take a few snaps out the passenger window and when we played them back, the lines were there. Several test shots later revealed the same result, and I cannot find a way to remove them.

While we're at it, can anyone tell me how to enable hi and lo mode? I can't to ISO 50 for landscape shots. Gonna dig into the CD-ROM manual shortly.

With the release of the Canon 100D on the horizon. I wanted to know what is the best super-zoom to buy that my girlfriend could use. She likes photography, but she hates the gear that comes along with it. I'm fine with carrying 3 lens (UWA, 50mm, Tele) but she wants to just have one lens that does it all. She does want the best quality from her gear so I wanted to know which super zoom has the best quality. I understand the negatives of a super zoom lens. So I'm asking everyone out there if they have any recommendations.

NO. The Canon 28-300L is not going to be an option

Hi Everyone,
So I received my first Einstein and Cybersync Commander today, and I'm trying to trigger a 580ex ii as a slave. However, I'm reading that the 580ex ii can't be triggered as an optical slave by a non-Canon flash. So my question(s) are: 1) Is this true? And 2) If so, how can I trigger the 580ex ii as a slave? Can I use the cord from the Einstein to the 580ex ii or do I pretty much have to pony up for another PCB wireless trigger?

Thanks in advance for the help!

I am looking for two compact manual flashes for a poor-man macro DIY setup. I ordered two 270 EX II's just to find out that they can only be manually controlled from the camera (it is quite obvious by just looking at their pictures, I do not know what I was thinking). Any suggestions? Cheap would be good. Light and small is essential.

On the other hand, any idea how to control manually two 270 EX II, if I keep them? I also ordered an YN-560 II flash which can be used as an IR trigger (not sure how well this will work in a macro setup), and four YN-603C. Camera: 5D2. I want to avoid the use of YN-622C triggers - I need to buy three of them, and they are too big for my needs.

I'm mostly a video shooter with my 60d. I'm on a tight budget so I've been considering old manual lenses, although I'm having a hard time finding reviews for them. Therefore I'm always hesitant to press the buy button, I don't want to end up buying a complete piece of junk.

Are there any manual lenses or brands that you guys enjoy using (for either video or stills)? Any lenses you would stay away from? Thanks for your help!

Hi,

I am selling my 24-70 and 17-40 end getting a 17 TS-E and a 24 1.4.

And I want to buy a 105 mm Circular Polarizer and to mount it with one of these solutions:

http://www.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.linsenschuss.de%2Findex.php%2Fblog%2F79-canon-ts-e-17mm-f4l-filterhalter

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/792161/0

My question is, if I make that Cokin X PRO solution, will I be able to use the filter holder on my 24 1.4 or 70-200 2.8?

Thank you!

In a focal-length limited situation, would I get better IQ out of a 400/5.6L on a bare 7D (640mm/5.6) or the 1D3 + 1.4TC (728mm/8)? Put another way, would the extra focal length from the 1D3+TC make up for the difference in pixel density from the 7D when cropping is likely required? I am aware that the 1D3 will only have the central AF point usable in this situation. Will this affect AI-servo performance for BIF significantly enough to minimize any potential gain?

Although this particular setup is for birding, I also shoot gym & field sports. I'm trying to figure out whether it would be worth it to sell the 7D before a rumored replacement actually hits the shelves. Prices for both bodies are only a few hundred away from each other, and I will not be able to afford a 7D2. My current 7D isn't necessarily lacking for me in any obvious way, but I feel that the 1D3 prices are likely as low as they will go, whereas the 7D prices may have farther to fall in light of rumored replacements (70D/7D2). Or would making this switch be a "downgrade" in any relevant departments (video/flash control being irrelevant)?

ok just wondering what peoples thoughts are on this...
take a look at my sig for my current lenses. notice the widest lens i have is my 50mm. I need to rectify this.
now what would you do in my position:

A) 24-70 f2.8L II
B) 35 f1.4L + 24-105 f4L IS

note I can get either option for essentially the same money.
oh yeah.. will be used mainly on my 5D MKIII.

Today the shutter suddenly hangs in Av and Tv mode. When pressing the shutter it stays open until pressed again. Has anybody a good idea why this happens. Shooting in live mode is OK and also in Automatic mode.
Have tried to reinstall firmware and taken the batery out with no luck.

Lots of discussion about this spec. WOndering how the camera (granted this is a rumor and the camera is not real) could be improved.

I undecided between more AF Points and a second card slot. Thus I am allowing 2 votes per person (plus I live outside Chicago were everyone votes early and votes often).

Hi,

I read that the new Sigma Art-Line 35mm F1.4 DG HSM is delivered with a software which would allow to setup the AF similar to AFMA - how does this exactly work?
Is it better / worse compared to just using the camera's AFMA?
Does that USB dock software for the Sigma work with softwares like Reikan FoCal?

I'd be glad to hear your experiences and knowledge.

Has anyone used the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 for video?

For DSLR, the Zeiss 35 f/1.4 appears to be the reigning 35mm champion for video (with a price to match). The Sigma, on the other hand, is known to be an incredible bargain and top IQ/AF performer. But I haven't been able to find much on the Sigma, as it relates to shooting video.

Which lens do you love the most, even if it is not the most practical to use? How does it inspire you? If you could choose to own any lens, what would it be? I recently bought the 135 f2 just because I loved photos using this lens that were posted by members of this forum. No regrets, it was refreshing to take a step away from the always useful zooms, and I purchased it for me, just because I wanted it

I've just ordered a Zeiss 15mm f2.8 and I'm after suggestions for the UV filter (it takes a 95mm). I usually go with B&W filters for my gear, which I'm happy with, but does it need to be a slim filter?

Not having one of these beasts before, I presume it does.

After weeks of debates, I finally bought my first Full Frame Camera. The 5D Mark III. I got it today!!Hurrrraayyyy!! Thanks everyone who patiently responded to me, when I asked several questions like FF or Crop, 5DIII or 6D etc etc and multiple times too . It was hard to shed $1000 extra on 5D compared to 6D, but since this might be my camera for a long time to come and since I really liked the Speed, AF (I tried the 5D through CPS loan) and ergonomics and ofcourse 50% more shutter life, I went for it and I dont regret .
I got the Kit Lens 24-105L as well. I am keeping my 40D as a backup and also for Telephoto reach due to the crop factor. I am also keeping the 17-40L and 100mm Macro Non-L. Sold my 28-135. I am debating whether to keep my 70-300mm Non L lens or upgrade it to the L version. I tried the 100-400mm, liked the lens and the IQ, but its a bit heavy and is making me visible to the crowd ;D . So at the very best I am thinking to stretch the budget and get a 70-300mm L and sell my Non L lens.
Please share your thoughts on my lens kit and whether the Non-L 70-300mm be good enough on the 5D or whether the camera will show the flaws of the lens. Also is there any other "must have" lens out there which I should go for instead of the 70-300mm L.
Once again thanks for helping me make the decision on 5D.

So if I use my 70-200 2.8 but it's a little far so I crop it how does that compare to a natural 400 2.8 or for that matter the 200 end of the 70-200 with the 2x teleconverter? Iq? The 400 2.8 is massively expensive so to spend 11,000 vs a crop or a 2x is a tough decision. Thoughts?

ok,so Canon lens codes let us see year of manufacture - e.g. Z denotes 2011

my question is what's "normal" for a new lens ?
i.e. if I go into a store to buy a 85L II , what should I expect to see as the code - 2013 or is 2011 normal ?

I know it doesnt REALLY matter for the lens use, but I do notice when it comes to selling/trading people will try haggle a lot saying the lens is x yrs old etc

Hello there,

I Have now a 50 1.4 and thats the length that I love most for portraits. I tried more 50L but I dont fell them that much better than my 50 1.4.

What do you guys think? When will a new 50 1.2 be released?

-Nate

My 1DX is exhibiting some sort of white residue buildup on the top dial, but it stays clean on the ridges where I touch it the most.

Is anyone else experiencing this? I'm going to send the camera in for service anyway, but I was wondering if this is something else that others have seen. It seems like it might be related to the problem that caused T4i's to be recalled.



Thanks!

Trevor

Here is my dilemma. I am a generalist..no.... not an architectural photographer but...it does come up.
I am not shooting northern lights...so I do not definitely need the 2.8, but......(LOL!)
The filter thing is not going to sway me..what is available at 95mm anyway?????
I shoot a lot of set up shots inside with models and props. I do shoot buildings... Occasionally tabletop product...but not shooting professionally any more....just what I like, when I like.
... it could be nice to shoot some handheld shots at times in low light. (I know that is a crap shoot).
Both of these lenses are awesome...and I am just wondering if anyone has used both and could give me
some insight as to sway me one way or the other. I have to admit...it is a wonderful problem to have ....so I am enjoying the ponder....
I definitely want to order one or the other in the next week or two....
Any thoughts?

I know this question has been asked many times already, but I would like to hear a new answer

I currently have a 7D and some (mostly L-) glass (8-15, 16-35, 50 f/1.4, 100 f/2.8 macro, 24-70, 70-200f/2.8 IS, 2xIII). I am a hobbyist with enough money to spare to get these lenses 2nd hand (I was very happy to see that this in the end almost comes cheaper than getting lower-quality lenses AND gives you higher satisfaction... If you have enough money on the side ), and in some cases new.
I mostly take pics of moving things (sports, children, animals - BIF in particular), but also portraits and stills at times. I sell nothing, but I obviously like the highest possible quality.

So here is my question: Assume I have up to 10k that are just sitting on the bank and I want to invest into photo gear, what would you do with it?

Basically I have two problems:
I really want a 1DX. It is total overkill, and I would only use some of the features - I know that. But I really want the AF system (the 7D is somewhat limited for my use), I like the speed, the high ISO, FF, etc., etc.
And I had rented a 300 f/2.8 IS II a couple of times and was blown out of my pants by the IQ and focusing speed of this thing. I would never have expected a lens to be so good, and I finally understood why people are willing to pay that much for glass. And now I want one.

The solutions would be
1. get a 1DX and be happy with it. That leaves money to either buy a used 300 f/2.8 IS Mark I, or to rent the Mark II for several weeks.
2. get the lens and be happy with the 7D.
3. get a 5Diii, admit that there is absolutely no need for 12 fps, and add a 300 f/4.0
4. save some more money and get a 400 f/2.8 IS II
5. keep the gear I have and get my wife a diamond ring (that she would hate, actually)

I look forward to your opinions.