Ken Katz

I just shot a lovely photo of the package of bulbs we installed in our outdoor porch lights, so I get the same color temperature bulb to replaced the light on the pole outside. I also have really wonderful images of my new guitar amp's serial numbers, the serial numbers inside my Taylor guitar, the numbers on the back of some cable boxes being returned (because they are just too small to read, even with my progressive lenses), and I keep a photo of my car's license plate as a favorite, when I need it for a parking payment machine.

Thanks. My FD 35mm F2 concave lens is a long gone memory, but its still good that someone tested how to reduce the yellow "radioactive" affect. Does the repaired lenses now transmit more light?

You can also backup your Apple devices using iTunes and your computer for free (except for the value of your hard disk space). For me, $.99 per month means that it is one more thing I don't have to think about.

Sigma and Tamron just announced a number of lenses that will become available for Canon RF mount cameras. News here is that Canon, up to now, has been blocking the sale of third party AF lenses for the RF mount via legal entanglements. The announced lenses are licensed by Canon, and for now, are only for APS-C cameras. Sort of tells me that Canon is unlikely to be developing many APS-C RF lenses in the near term, and the availability of Sigma / Tamron lenses could improve the marketability of their APS-C R cameras. It is unclear if and when Canon will allow FF third party AF lenses, or if it will only allow those FF lenses for which Canon will not have a competing product.

FYI the iCloud data plan can be shared with family members with different Apple Id's. Phones come with 5gb, which isn't going to do very much these days.

It would seem to me that anyone who really needs a quiet camera for professional use (getting paid), should get a mirrorless camera (one that can use their current DSLR lenses with an adaptor) for use in such environments. No mirror and E shutter should produce zero sound, and is better than wrapping your camera in a towel to silence it. If you don't want to give up your DSLR's that's fine. Just get a older used mirrorless for use just in these quiet venues.

You can get the manual here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/camerareviews/pentax-electro-spotmatic.html That website says it has a few manual / mechanical shutter speed settings, for B, 1/60th, 1/125th, and a few more. It looks like it will require extensive surgery, and as stated above, the camera may be terminal. If you like the camera, and/or have applicable lenses, I'm sure you could find another model or similar model in working order for not a whole lot of money.

I am no expert on all things Apple, but I will try. I simply use iCloud to back up my Apple devices if they are lost, damaged, or get sucked out of an aircraft plug door when it blows out at 16,000 feet. The backup includes all data and photos on my devices. I managed to fit the backup of my 3 Apple devices on their 50 gb plan, which costs $0.99 per month. You can also decide what data you want backed up, and toggle the switch to not back up your photos on iCloud. I don't do much with iCloud except for data backup. Occasionally, I will get on the account using a Windows 11 machine and download photos onto my hard drive in order to load them in Lightroom. They don't make it that easy, since I want to get full resolution files, without any Live View data to muck things up.

Assuming you want to use either a fully manual flash or an "old school" auto flash with a built in sensor, there are a whole bunch of these adaptors available: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1650186-REG/vello_hsa_pcu35_universal_hot_shoe_adapter.html/?ap=y&ap=y&smp=y&smp=y&lsft=BI%3A6879&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwrIixBhBbEiwACEqDJax1BtR_NouXuWnaCU32wwMWAX94XWH3hcAMz97k_Q6OyJMwV6ES5RoCP5EQAvD_BwE or https://www.amazon.com/JJC-Connection-Connecting-Additional-Accessories/dp/B073WVW9XM/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.m-WCYtE-3DzubuMEY3NGb9Eio0L2V0Zha7takykPUGs2K4YfnoFj8CEc90mUjAspXQHUIFNbuThPLESW9cbPJpdhWHdAEY2P8IWX2Qp2P9c6Tv9zGWqPN6rA4PNuGgqQt0nrAAd8a8Q4uXKaxIBwMcC06GMGS3st8dulba4HElxCJNzKiaKRC0wpFsB0LgVYvCw7uKjRC6ikBSPZAanc--j-EjOEwHrzBEMiEywrwdM.KGTJ4oxyrT_PLim3xKUYKzVeqrHY8mh00ORryG3NiJg&dib_tag=se&keywords=hot%2Bshoe%2Bsync%2Badapter&qid=1713538564&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1 Personally, it would be more fun to use that little camera without a flash unit sitting on top. I have a black body QL17 (new version) that I inherited, and its lovely to look at. Haven't used it a few decades since it needs these chemical based sensors, that come in 24 or 36 exposure containers.

I would bring along the Lumix, mostly for the 486mm (FF equivalent) lens, since your phone does not seem to have a telephoto camera. In most other areas, I would expect a modern smartphone to outperform a 14 year old, small CCD sensor point and shoot, especially how a smartphone handles low light with computational HDR tech. I have seen a vast number of people use smartphones in almost any light (in sunny Croatia and the beach in San Diego) without much difficulty. Its also useful if and when you need to use Google maps, find a good restaurant, text a friend, or even make a phone call.

TTL used flash meter sensors that measured light reflecting off of the film during exposure to determine when to shut down the flash output. I don't think that works well if there is a sensor instead of a piece of film. Of course Canon introduced ETTL when the Elan II was introduced, so they had other reasons for introducing the pre flash system during the film era.

While Canon started to produce the EX line of Speedlights around 1995, which will work on all DSLRs, the performance was mostly based upon the camera it was used on. My 550EX plus the D60 (not the 60D) was a PITA, requiring flash AE lock and flash exposure comp to work decently. The 5D mk I provided much better consistency.

"But you lose a lot of light at those speeds" Absolutely, but the camera can shoot at around 51,000 ISO, so it may work. Frankley, I have no need for such capabilities, but thought your comparison to the performance of leaf shutters was interesting. I have shot my granddaughter (and some bears at the Bronx zoo roughhousing) at 10 fps using an E shutter on my tiny Olympus EM-5iii, but I think I will pass on the new Sony global shutter (and the $15K investment including a few lenses) for now.

Sort of, since a leaf shutter can sync with flash at all shutter speeds and I believe is not subject to rolling shutter distortion. Of course the Sony has a maximum shutter speed of 1/80,000 second with 120 frames per second bursts. That is of course you need this kind of performance, but since I missed my chance to photograph Taylor at the Super Bowl last Sunday, I think I can wait on buying the new Sony, at least until next year.

Perhaps you will get lucky and person who actually used the lens will respond on PN, but given the lower traffic and more limited EOS users (than previously on PN), that may not happen. My thought is that it is likely to be quite sharp for a superzoom, and it is surprisingly light, about 3 lb, similar to the 70-200 f2.8L. Unless you plan on using it on a tripod or only in bright light, the lack of IS would have a significant impact on its usage. Alternatives would be the Canon 70-300 f4-f5.6 IS, 70-300 f4-F5.6L IS, or the 28-200 IS. All have IS and the 70-300 lenses are very good optically, the EF 28-200IS has a less stellar reputation. There is an EF 28-300 f3.5-f5.6L IS, but it likely to be more expensive and it is quite heavy.

The 80D and 90D appear to use Canon's latest APSC sensor tech and they are clearly the last of the Canon DSRLs that will be developed, so I don't know why they would not be viable for long, long time. Besides some specific feature differences, the 90D's resolution is certainly a standout, at a somewhat higher cost (used?). Used 6Dii are also being sold at attractive prices if you wanted to have all FF cameras, but no pop-up flash and I don't think the build is any better than the 6D. If you wanted be a little adventurist, the Canon R50 sells new for about $650 (plus about $130 for the EF adaptor), and you can see how Canon's latest AF tracking and subject recognition works. I believe the rear screen is fully articulate and it has a pop up flash! I would expect the image quality to be similar the 80D.

I can’t thank of any reason why that lens shouldn’t work on your 70D. Try it on the D Rebel, and if you get the same result then it’s definitely the lens that’s the problem.

Its been a few decades since I used Tri-X (or any film), but I would probably meter the darkest area that you would want to see detail and let the latitude of the film take care of the highlight areas. Obviously, printing will require appropriate dodging and burning in. You may have a dense negative but all the detail should be there.

What type of film? How will you display the images (printing / web / screen?), how will you process the images (wet darkroom, third party lab, scan negatives and use imaging software?). I'm not an expert on all this stuff, but it may help getting an answer you can use.

The EF 70-200 f4L is an excellent lens. The IS version is even better optically than the original, even when using the Canon 1.4x converter. I have owned both, but I don't have an opinion about the Mk II version of this lens. For me it's not the price that mattered between the f4 and f2.8 L lenses, but mostly the weight difference.

I would think that if you have subjects that are moving, and you don't have enough DOF to cover the likely focus error (old school), then if your camera is sufficiently capable, why not.

You are probably aware that Canon is no longer developing DSLRs or EF lenses, as the market has moved significantly to mirrorless cameras. That said, DSLR's are still available, and there is no reason why you can't buy one and use it for a very long time. To replace a 600D, I would look at the Canon EOS 850D/Rebel T8i, 2000D/Rebel T7 or 800D/Rebel T7i. All similar to your 600D, with 24mp with better performance all around. The xxx models have more features and may have a somewhat better sensor than the 2000D, but look at DPreview.com for specifics and of course price differences. Going with a mirrorless replacement would not be very painful since with an adaptor, your EF lenses work just fine. The advantage of getting an Canon R50 instead of a DSLR is that Canon included a really good version of its subject recognition and AF tracking tech in this camera, if you are shooting things that move. The adaptor is about $130, and you need it to use EF lenses. Again, spending some time with DPreview.com would be helpful. Also, while EF lenses can be used on R bodies, RF lenses cannot be used on Canon DSLRs.

In September 2023, my EM-5iii fell about 1.5 feet inside a camera bag. The IBIS module was damaged, and the camera was inoperable until fixed by OM. My well padded camera case fell out of an aircraft overhead bin, and the Canon 70-200 F4L's AF module was damaged, and never actually fixed correctly by Canon USA. Anything mechanical, electronic, and made with glass can break. I have never broken a phone, and they have been dropped a few times (never fell out of my hands.) Every digital camera has plenty of plastic inside notwithstanding the exterior finish. Canon "L" lenses have plastic inside. Most smartphones are well made, from quality materials, and are not a plastic POS or flimsy, as has been described multiple times in the PN forums. We actually use our phones in actual bright sunlight, in really sunny places, including beaches in San Diego (where the sun almost always shines). Sometimes you have to shade the screen a bit if the sun is shining at a difficult angle. Not a big deal at all. Your photos of Iphone users struggling with their screens would be most welcome! Like it or not, the people who are not professional photographers or serious amateurs will not be buying dedicated cameras. Pros and serious amateurs also take great images with them, as displayed in PN and elsewhere. I am not ready to give up my so called "real" camera yet.

I spend a plenty of time in sunny San Diego visiting my grandchildren, and with a modern (glare resistant) Iphone screen, only occasionally do you have to shade the screen to see. It sure helps my ageing back to hold the phone at a 2.5 year old level instead of bending down and trying that with a viewfinder. I have had Iphones for about 12 years and have never broken the phone. Get a case with grippy sides, or one of those knobs on the back if you need it. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but the latest top of the line Iphone (and Samsung I believe) main camera sensor is 71 sq mm. Compact p&s cameras used to have sensors between 25-45 sq mm and the big sensor in Sony's RX100 series is only 116 sq mm. My m43 sensor is a whopping 225 sq mm. I guess you have not recently picked up an Iphone. Try titanium and ceramic (gorilla glass?). Rated water resistance is 6 meters for 30 minutes. 3 Iphones in 12 years. No plastic in any of them. I don't really care what anyone thinks of smartphones. I use them along with my "big" (m34!) cameras including pro zooms and primes. I have used EOS DSLR's and SLR's previously and of course film for about 40 years . After a trip, I load the files from the EM-5iii and 2 phones into LR. Sometimes the phone images are better (more appealing, more interesting, more spontaneous) than images from my "big" camera. Sometimes the Olympus images are better.

With respect to smartphone's takeover of photography, for most people (who aren't a PN member or read DP Review), this has occurred. Late generation phones are capable of taking really good images when used within their performance envelope, which is increasing each year due to improvements in the hardware and computational advances. While an experienced photographer may be able to exploit the benefits of a high end compact zoom camera, like the Sony RX100's, the current top end Iphone has focal range coverage of 13mm to 120mm (FF equivalent), and the main 48mp camera has a sensor size of 71 sq mm, which is larger than most compact zoom cameras, except for the 116 sq mm Sony 1" sensor used in the RX100's and other high end compact cameras. Most consumers are quite happy with the output. A few years ago we were taking our granddaughter for a stroll on the La Jolla Coast Walk (where the sea lions are), shooting on a bright sunny day with my Olympus EM-5 and now obsolete Iphone 12. Both cameras provided very good images, but with the Iphone 12 images, with its auto HDR mode, a light touch of levels in LR was all I needed to do. The Olympus images had milky white backgrounds, for which the blue sky could be extracted, but needed far more processing and masking in LR to get them to look as good as what the Iphone produced without any intervention. Not a bad performance for the vast majority of parents and grandparents.