Review: EOS M System

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Kind of an FYI / update. Took my M to see the grandchild this weekend. The IQ was what I expected and I used, at various times, the 22, the 40+adapter and the zoom. Did pretty well with existing light. The "lag" between shots did make photos of an active young child challenging but, in balance, the lightened load of not bringing my big kit was still worth the tradeoff. Maybe next trip I'll bring the big guns......

That bit of "lag" is the primary reason why the M is really only appropriate for situations where you are, essentially, doing one shot type work. It does work fine with bracketing exposures, but when you are shooting and looking for any kind of feedback between shots it is limited.

I've tried the Image Review "Hold" workaround suggested by another poster, but I didn't particularly like it myself and didn't feel that it solved the problem suggested here. I've tried turning image review off, but that doesn't eliminate the black screen lag between shots when the shutter fires.

 

[wickidwombat]

nice shots frank,

you dont happen to have an IR filter you can try a few shots with to see if the lens has hotspot issuesor not? ;D

i'm really hoping not

 

[wickidwombat]

dustin you should get your distributor to give you an 8mm to review on the EOS-M it'd be interesting to see your comparison and also give mor info to the crop shooters out there.

It really is amazing how good this samyang glass is for what it costs

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

dustin you should get your distributor to give you an 8mm to review on the EOS-M it'd be interesting to see your comparison and also give mor info to the crop shooters out there.

It really is amazing how good this samyang glass is for what it costs

Is the 8mm the fisheye? I've never really had any strong desire to shoot fisheye distortion.

Agreed on the Samyang glass. I have actually requested to do the Rokinon 24mm tilt shift next. I've read a few conflicting reports on its sharpness, and so I am looking to trying it for myself.

 

[fotorex]

nice shots frank,

you dont happen to have an IR filter you can try a few shots with to see if the lens has hotspot issuesor not? ;D

i'm really hoping not

Hi wickidwombat,

unfortunately I do not have an IR filter.

Frank

 

[bholliman]

Kind of an FYI / update. Took my M to see the grandchild this weekend. The IQ was what I expected and I used, at various times, the 22, the 40+adapter and the zoom. Did pretty well with existing light. The "lag" between shots did make photos of an active young child challenging but, in balance, the lightened load of not bringing my big kit was still worth the tradeoff. Maybe next trip I'll bring the big guns......

That bit of "lag" is the primary reason why the M is really only appropriate for situations where you are, essentially, doing one shot type work. It does work fine with bracketing exposures, but when you are shooting and looking for any kind of feedback between shots it is limited.

I've tried the Image Review "Hold" workaround suggested by another poster, but I didn't particularly like it myself and didn't feel that it solved the problem suggested here. I've tried turning image review off, but that doesn't eliminate the black screen lag between shots when the shutter fires.

My experience with the EOS-M and our active toddler has generally not been positive. I have some great shots with it when I can catch him sitting relatively still at play or on somebody's lap. But, trying to get an in-focus shot when he is playing actively is a real challenge. Lag between shots can be frustrating as well, as great expressions or interaction with other kids always seem to occur while I'm waiting or the camera to process the previous shot and be ready to fire again.

My 6D in AI Servo mode with the 24-70mm 2.8 or 50 1.4 are my tools of choice for active kid shots. While the 6D isn't noted for its AF prowess, I've found it does a really good job with kids.

I still love my M for other purposes. Its a terrific portable camera with high IQ to take with you for general purpose photography - pretty much for anything not moving quickly or randomly.

 

[wickidwombat]

dustin you should get your distributor to give you an 8mm to review on the EOS-M it'd be interesting to see your comparison and also give mor info to the crop shooters out there.

It really is amazing how good this samyang glass is for what it costs

Is the 8mm the fisheye? I've never really had any strong desire to shoot fisheye distortion.

Agreed on the Samyang glass. I have actually requested to do the Rokinon 24mm tilt shift next. I've read a few conflicting reports on its sharpness, and so I am looking to trying it for myself.

yeah it is

trust me i think you will have some fun with it on the M

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

dustin you should get your distributor to give you an 8mm to review on the EOS-M it'd be interesting to see your comparison and also give mor info to the crop shooters out there.

It really is amazing how good this samyang glass is for what it costs

Is the 8mm the fisheye? I've never really had any strong desire to shoot fisheye distortion.

Agreed on the Samyang glass. I have actually requested to do the Rokinon 24mm tilt shift next. I've read a few conflicting reports on its sharpness, and so I am looking to trying it for myself.

yeah it is

trust me i think you will have some fun with it on the M

That very well may be. Tell you what: if they offer it, I won't say no ;D

 

[lw]

dustin you should get your distributor to give you an 8mm to review on the EOS-M it'd be interesting to see your comparison and also give mor info to the crop shooters out there.

It really is amazing how good this samyang glass is for what it costs

I had the Samyang 8mm and really liked it but when I got my EF-M 11-22mm I decided the Samyang was so poor in comparison, I sold it.
Of course I lost the novelty factor of 8mm, (which my wife always hated for some reason), but it couldn't hold a candle to the sharpness of the EF-M @ 11mm in comparison and I decided I was not going to be using it much as a consequence, not when I could pack a 11-22mm zoom that was better optically, and less than half the weight and size, and has AF and IS to boot. So off to ebay it went.

Unless you really need 8mm and the fisheye effect, the EF-M 11-22 is a much better buy IMO

Compare these two crops. Now admittedly they were taken on different occasions with different cameras - an EOS M and a EOS 600D, but both very similar 18mps Canon APS-C - Both RAW optimized through LR. But they were both cropped from about the same place - towards the corner - from photos taken in the same place with the same perspective. (and repeated in other images I compared)

See http://www.flickr.com/photos/lozwilkes/sets/72157603270433799/ for the non-cropped images. IMG_0418 is the Samyang.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

dustin you should get your distributor to give you an 8mm to review on the EOS-M it'd be interesting to see your comparison and also give mor info to the crop shooters out there.

It really is amazing how good this samyang glass is for what it costs

I had the Samyang 8mm and really liked it but when I got my EF-M 11-22mm I decided the Samyang was so poor in comparison, I sold it.
Of course I lost the novelty factor of 8mm, (which my wife always hated for some reason), but it couldn't hold a candle to the sharpness of the EF-M @ 11mm in comparison and I decided I was not going to be using it much as a consequence, not when I could pack a 11-22mm zoom that was better optically, and less than half the weight and size, and has AF and IS to boot. So off to ebay it went.

Unless you really need 8mm and the fisheye effect, the EF-M 11-22 is a much better buy IMO

Compare these two crops. Now admittedly they were taken on different occasions with different cameras - an EOS M and a EOS 600D, but both very similar 18mps Canon APS-C - Both RAW optimized through LR. But they were both cropped from about the same place - towards the corner - from photos taken in the same place with the same perspective. (and repeated in other images I compared)

See http://www.flickr.com/photos/lozwilkes/sets/72157603270433799/ for the non-cropped images. IMG_0418 is the Samyang.

There's definitely a very noticeable difference there. Score one more for the new 11-22mm.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I went on a walkabout the other day with the M and an EF 85mm f/1.8 as a second body with me. I was actually very pleasantly surprised with the combination. Really nice image quality, and a field of view very similar to the 135L on my FF bodies. I shot it wide open basically the whole time, and came home with several images I was really happy with, including this one:


Miyabi by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

 

[Rienzphotoz]

dustin you should get your distributor to give you an 8mm to review on the EOS-M it'd be interesting to see your comparison and also give mor info to the crop shooters out there.

It really is amazing how good this samyang glass is for what it costs

I had the Samyang 8mm and really liked it but when I got my EF-M 11-22mm I decided the Samyang was so poor in comparison, I sold it.
Of course I lost the novelty factor of 8mm, (which my wife always hated for some reason), but it couldn't hold a candle to the sharpness of the EF-M @ 11mm in comparison and I decided I was not going to be using it much as a consequence, not when I could pack a 11-22mm zoom that was better optically, and less than half the weight and size, and has AF and IS to boot. So off to ebay it went.

Unless you really need 8mm and the fisheye effect, the EF-M 11-22 is a much better buy IMO

Compare these two crops. Now admittedly they were taken on different occasions with different cameras - an EOS M and a EOS 600D, but both very similar 18mps Canon APS-C - Both RAW optimized through LR. But they were both cropped from about the same place - towards the corner - from photos taken in the same place with the same perspective. (and repeated in other images I compared)

See http://www.flickr.com/photos/lozwilkes/sets/72157603270433799/ for the non-cropped images. IMG_0418 is the Samyang.

There's definitely a very noticeable difference there. Score one more for the new 11-22mm.

+1

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Here's another from the 18-55mm. I'm actually surprised by how good the lens is - this is the type of lens that I have avoided like the plague since shooting DSLR's. My original kit lens (on a Rebel) lasted for no more than a month before I sold it.


Brushstrokes of Autumn by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

 

[noncho]

Nice picture, 18-55 IS STM is an impressive kit lens.

Here is one from me with 22/2 @2:

 

[Zv]

I took my M on a recent trip to Kyoto as my second camera. I have to admit the images turned out alright, better than I expected. It works well in combo with my Mk II + 135L. Sometimes you just want something wide just incase, for a quick snap etc. couldn't be dealing with switching the 17-40L every time.

Here's a link to one with the 22mm. I'm at work and can't download and downsize etc.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zanjum/10904046594/in/set-72157637761257506#

 

[Rienzphotoz]

Here's another from the 18-55mm. I'm actually surprised by how good the lens is - this is the type of lens that I have avoided like the plague since shooting DSLR's. My original kit lens (on a Rebel) lasted for no more than a month before I sold it.


Brushstrokes of Autumn by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

Impressive ... I got a really good deal for the EF-M 18-55 IS STM lens ($90), so I just ordered it ... should be arriving by Sunday.

 

[noncho]

And somebody said that the M + 85/1.8 was a great combo.

Here are some metal concert pics with M + 100/2:

More: http://www.nonchoiliev.com/blog/647

 

[Too_Many_Hobbies]

Kind of an FYI / update. Took my M to see the grandchild this weekend. The IQ was what I expected and I used, at various times, the 22, the 40+adapter and the zoom. Did pretty well with existing light. The "lag" between shots did make photos of an active young child challenging but, in balance, the lightened load of not bringing my big kit was still worth the tradeoff. Maybe next trip I'll bring the big guns......

That bit of "lag" is the primary reason why the M is really only appropriate for situations where you are, essentially, doing one shot type work. It does work fine with bracketing exposures, but when you are shooting and looking for any kind of feedback between shots it is limited.

I've tried the Image Review "Hold" workaround suggested by another poster, but I didn't particularly like it myself and didn't feel that it solved the problem suggested here. I've tried turning image review off, but that doesn't eliminate the black screen lag between shots when the shutter fires.

My experience with the EOS-M and our active toddler has generally not been positive. I have some great shots with it when I can catch him sitting relatively still at play or on somebody's lap. But, trying to get an in-focus shot when he is playing actively is a real challenge. Lag between shots can be frustrating as well, as great expressions or interaction with other kids always seem to occur while I'm waiting or the camera to process the previous shot and be ready to fire again.

My 6D in AI Servo mode with the 24-70mm 2.8 or 50 1.4 are my tools of choice for active kid shots. While the 6D isn't noted for its AF prowess, I've found it does a really good job with kids.

I still love my M for other purposes. Its a terrific portable camera with high IQ to take with you for general purpose photography - pretty much for anything not moving quickly or randomly.

I also have been using the 6D in AI Servo model with the 50 1.4 and 24-105 (usually with the 580EX II flash). and have been very pleased with the results. Since we are shooting pictures of our active toddler more than anything we grew too frustrated with the M and I ended up selling it (although I kept the 90EX flash). Overall I loved the IQ for the size/weight but I guess I was being unrealistic with what the firmware update would do for action. Still looking for a small replacement camera I can keep in a pocket that can shoot active kids.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I took my M on a recent trip to Kyoto as my second camera. I have to admit the images turned out alright, better than I expected. It works well in combo with my Mk II + 135L. Sometimes you just want something wide just incase, for a quick snap etc. couldn't be dealing with switching the 17-40L every time.

Here's a link to one with the 22mm. I'm at work and can't download and downsize etc.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zanjum/10904046594/in/set-72157637761257506#

Very nice shot. Great colors and textures. I too took the M on a recent trip to Israel and Italy as a back-up/light option to my bigger kit. It is a great tool for that type of use, and I even carried it in a jacket pocket on one day in Rome when I didn't want to carry my larger setup.

 

[Rienzphotoz]

Installed Magic Lantern ... did a time lapse a few minutes ago ... excited, can't wait to edit it ... will post the results either tomorrow or the day after.