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Messages - sagittariansrock

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Canon General / Re: seeimpossible.usa.canon.com?
« on: October 05, 2014, 07:13:59 PM »
Or an price increase?

LOL, an impossibly high price increase! That will get a lot of people REALLY pissed, especially if advertised in this manner... ROFL!

But seriously, this could be a message from Canon USA to Canon Inc.

Photography Technique / Re: Filters
« on: October 04, 2014, 06:17:55 PM »
While the (Lee) square filter system is more versatile it is also much more cumbersome.
I wouldn't use it just for the sake of using CPLs.
I have the Lee filter system but for polarizing, I use screw-in B&H filters.
1. For dedicated CPL use I would use screw-in filters.
2. I suggest keeping both 77mm and 82mm filters- I have done so as I cannot use the 82+step up ring with the hood (necessary for protection and flare for my 70-200).
3. Lee is a great system for long shutter speeds.
4. I have used the ND grads less mostly due to my unfamiliarity and the somewhat steep learning curve (in terms of practice needed). It is less of an issue with solid NDs. However, I think I need a screw-in 6 stop or so will make shooting wide open with my primes a lot easier- square filters, again, are too cumbersome.
5. The first filter I would buy for the Lee system is indeed the big stopper. Second choice would be the new little stopper (6 stops I think).
6. People recommend 2 stop hard ND and 3 stop soft ND to begin with. I found that was sufficient for me, but then I don't use ND grads that much yet.

Great pics! Would love to see someone use a TS-E to change the depth of field too.

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Nikon 20mm f/1.8
« on: October 03, 2014, 02:24:40 AM »
Well, once again Nikon is ahead of Canon in offering modern upgraded lenses, like the 35/2, 50/1.8, 50/1.4, 55/1.4, 85, 16-34/4 etc etc etc etc. And now it's this great looking 20/1.8. What a great astro photography lens, not to mention landscapes.

Go shoot Nikon, you say. I don't want to. I like my 6D and 70-200/4is. I just wish they'd make a 20 like this Nikon.

While I really wish Canon makes a 20mm/1.8 I think saying Nikon is ahead is a bit much of generalization.

They only just caught up to upgraded f/1.4 lenses a few years ago. They didn't even have a f/4 IS tele zoom.
Your examples are only partly correct as well.
Canon did just offer a 35/2 IS AND a 16-35/4 IS that kick ass, and the Nikon 55/1.4 was very poorly reviewed. You also forget the STM line that works great with video AF. 

Canon General / Re: Site trolling
« on: October 02, 2014, 02:09:55 PM »
It is a question of capability, not intent.

Maybe the patent game backfired on Canon and now they may not use that great sensor they just developed?

You mean the Intellectual ventures thing? It's not a biggie- they are patent trolls- they bother everybody and basically want the money.

Canon General / Re: Site trolling
« on: October 02, 2014, 12:19:41 PM »
You can tell from their interviews that they just don't feel like spending the money, so nothing less than people going on and on and then starting to buy other stuff and suggest other stuff will prod them into action.

You are deluding yourself if you think for a second that Canon isn't spending money on sensors because they don't feel it is important, merely based on that interview by Mr. M. I am certain the bottleneck is that either they haven't developed a better sensor (in terms of DR) yet and it is a work in progress, or they haven't been able to find a way to produce it profitably, and/or they haven't been able to form a collaboration as Nikon has (or decided not to).
It is a question of capability, not intent.
Knowing the resources Canon has at its disposal, I will also speculate it is only a matter of time until we see some great stuff coming out. But only time can confirm that.

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: 600EX-RT now $499
« on: September 29, 2014, 11:09:58 PM »
Just saw the $50 price drop this afternoon on Amazon... thought I'd share the savings...


Maybe Amazon is starting their Xmas pricing early. :)

Last year IIRC they all had it for $449, and best of all, Adorama had 2x 600s plus ST-E3-RT for $ 1020.

Wow, looks nice and quite expensive (did a bit of research)
Are you sure you just want to give it away? I sure can't afford to buy it, but definitely can pay for shipping!
Btw, which size is this one?
If still available, will you message me you Paypal id?
If you don't use Paypal I can also create a shipping label if you give me the address and weight, dimensions etc. and email the PDF to you.

So i have this plume wafer softbox thing with a speedotron head mounting plate. it's in pretty good working order, i just don't need it. If interested PM me. I'm not selling it, i'm giving it away, so i hope it's okay to post this here. (couldn't really find a freebie area!) anyway, i only ask that you cover shipping.

I'm definitely interested in a softbox and of course will be more than happy to cover shipping. But is there anything unique about this I should know beforehand, or is it just like any softbox I can use my speedlites with?
Thanks for the nice gesture, by the way!

« on: September 25, 2014, 06:31:16 PM »
Back on topic: I don't see why people are venting because of the interview. The gentleman that was interviewed was allowed to give the interview because he has the one required skill - he can talk for hours and say nothing.

It is hilarious that pages after pages are being filled discussing some predictions that can be guessed by anyone with half a brain and some claims any big market leader is bound to make.
It is also quite disappointing to see some of the best contributors of this forum argue for argument's sake.

Lenses / Re: EF 24-70mm
« on: September 25, 2014, 01:59:57 AM »
just checked out their website. Sounds pretty straightforward and legit. Anyone who has direct experience with them?

I have not bought through street prices, but here are some things that they advertise and these are easily verified (and should be verified, IMO):
1. You will be dealing directly with the dealer.
2. It will be the same as buying from the dealer with warranty, returns, etc. as applicable.
3. Only authorized Canon dealers participate.
The reason for street prices to exist is the dealers cannot advertise the discounted prices openly, so CPW acts as a middleman bringing in potential buyers at the actual discounted price (or maybe a bit higher, taking commissions into consideration). So you are not buying from CPW.

There have been two recent threads discussing the street price with actual buyers reporting that they were happy with the deal.

Doesn't surprise me. As I said CPW is very transparent about their business and all the factors are easily verifiable, and you deal directly with the seller.
I haven't had the need to use their street prices, but I wouldn't hesitate to do so if needed.
I have benefited several times from their alerts (or lost money to G.A.S., depending on how you look at it, ;D)

Ah, thanks Mt. Spokane!

I checked out prices for the 50 and 35 Art lenses...  The 50 is not available at all.  The 35 Art is available for $679, but.... it's only available in the Pentax mount!  LOL

So I guess we still haven't figured out where all those returned Canon mount Art lenses are going.

Perhaps the percentage of returned lenses is much less than what one would guess from reading online reviews and blogs?

I had bought a Sigma 35/1.4 from their outlet store.
As MtS said, these lenses sell out in minutes. Especially since popular Sigma lenses are rarely on sale.

« on: September 24, 2014, 11:24:31 PM »


That would kick ass! Especially if it was paired with 20 stops of DR. I could use that all day long. :D

And probably spend all night transferring to your hard drives.

« on: September 24, 2014, 11:21:16 PM »
Take whatever he says with a lump of salt.
"We select the best sensor, whoever the manufacturer is. That’s our policy."- right. If that was true, using the Exmor in their dSLRs would have reduced R&D expenses and helped boost sales (with other long term trade-offs, of course).

"when it comes to dynamic range for example we consider image quality as a whole, from low to high ISO sensitivities and on balance we consider our sensors to be the best." Even if you consider the difference between Sony and Canon sensors very small, that is BS.

"We considered adding this feature to the EOS 7D II but the body material presented challenges. But we have a solution with the optional Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E7A." Yeah, the challenge was losing a source of money. Plus, the external wireless transmitters are much better than the internal one in 6D I hear, so probably more appropriate for professionals.

"I will ask our engineers! But basically we reviewed the entire design and architecture of the camera, and we improved every part of the autofocus system. This all takes time."
Sure, the question has just occurred to him. This is exactly the kind of hollow but substantial sounding phrases that mean nothing. The first part (reviewing) results to no action being taken or mentioned. The second part (AF) is a work in process. It could be the reason for the delay, or so could be a million things, such as early adopter rush for the 70D.

Anyway, these interviews are rarely informative. When they want to say something, they make announcements. They don't wait for interviews to impart information. It doesn't require an interview to gather Canon will make efforts in high megapixel and mirrorless markets some time or the other, unless they completely want to cede the market. The rate limiting step must be R&D and/or making the product commercially viable.

Lenses / Re: Inexpensive standard walk around lens question
« on: September 24, 2014, 10:30:41 PM »
I'm surprised someone hasn't mentioned the 17-40, not bad for the price.

Another angle is a 40D and a 17-50; the Tamron non-VC one is pretty good and you could get both for under $500.


Thanks for the suggestion, Jim- but I might be buying the 16-35/4 after a year or so (when it shows up for Canon refurb or the prices come down maybe and after I am certain there won't be a 11-24 or whatever).
40D plus 17-50 will also be a more expensive option and I really don't need 3 dSLRs given my usage. For those with high usage it does make sense to have an APS-C dSLR option.
