erik_ingvoldstad

<p>I took the lens to an authorised repair shop here in Singapore, and he told me they see this thing often. He attributed it entirely to the weather, and said it happens after being in the heat for a few years. He urged me to keep it in a place that doesn't get so hot. He will replace the cover (US$ 130 or 200 including internal cleaning), and the lens will be as good as new. Thanks again for all your help. </p>

<p>Erik</p>

<p>Thanks everyone, it makes sense that it's some form of solvent, I just can't figure out what. Unlike my more utilitarian lenses, I've treated this baby like it's porcelain. Trying to think if I ever took the lens to India, which is the only place I really use insect repellant. Also, it seems evenly distributed across the whole rubberised paint, not just where my hands have been. Anyway, it's not a huge problem, just leaves my hands black and sticky, like touching fresh tarmac on a hot day. I'll pop by Canon, and see if there's anything that can be done.</p>

<p>And one more</p><div></div>

<p>And another</p><div></div>

<p>Here is a photo</p><div></div>

<p>The lens looks great cosmetically, save for a few cracks in the coating behind the groves on the lens barrel. The front focusing ring is absolutely fine, no stickiness at all. I guess it should be possible to replace the outer barrel, which is kept in place by 6 small screws.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I live in a hot climate (Singapore), and recently, my 85 1.2 (first version) has started to give of black sticky marks on my hands every time I use it. The whole lens seems sticky, it's like the rubbery paint has gone permanently soft. I'm sure it has something to do with the heat, but I keep it in a room that holds normal room temperature. Also none of my other lenses do this.<br>

Has anyone experienced something like this. and is there a safe way to clean it? Obviously, the lens is out of warranty, but I am considering taking it to Canon.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>That's great news. Too bad you didn't post it back in October last year when it was in fact NEWS...</p>

<p>There's always the third alternative, which many (including myself) have chosen before you: The 300 4.0L IS and a 1.4 Extender. Gives you more flexibility than the 400, a slightly longer reach (420 mm), IS plus a stop better when using it as a 300. It is also lighter than the zoom, the combo is about the same weight as the 400. Will set you back around 1259+299=1558.</p>

<p>A few more questions:<br>

What kind of portrait? Head shot, upper body? Full body? Studio background? Environmental?<br>

How big is the studio? (i.e. how far from your shooting position to your subject?)<br>

I'd say the 70-200 f/2.8L on a full frame camera with some distance to your subject.</p>

 

<p>Clearly, Canon now how no structure in their naming conventions anymore. I know they've been inconsistent in the past, but this is getting a bit desperate.</p>

<p>Another great iphone app is f/8 http://www.apptism.com/apps/f-8</p>

<p> </p>

<p>No batteries are included. Most users (I have the CP-E3) will put 8 rechargeable Ni-MH batteries in it – although it of course works fine with regular AA's as well.</p>

<p>No they are different and not compatible. 1ds (and 1d, 1ds II, 1d II and 1d IIn) uses NP-E3 Ni-mh batteries. 1ds III and 1d III use the new smaller and lighter LP-E4 Li-ion. Cheers.</p>

<p>Looks like I'll be looking for a new camera... I don't think there's anyone who does Rollei repairs in Sydney anymore. Thanks for your help. Erik</p>

<p>Thanks guys, both sounded like plausible explanations. Unfortunately, neither the mirror button nor the battery seemed to be the problem. You did get my hopes up though... thanks again Laurent and Tak. Cheers, Erik.</p>

<p>I've never had any real problems with my 6006 – until now. The mirror is stuck in the up position, and when I try to shoot the motor keeps going until I switch the camera off or pull out the battery. I have not tried to pry the mirror down, don't want to apply any force to delicate mechanisms. When a lens is in place, the shutter works as it should. Any ideas?</p>

Built-in wi-fi and GPS would be nice. Expanded dynamic range mode, so you could do HDR in-camera in one single shot, which I guess would also require a new metering system. Auto distortion and CA correction, based on the connected lens? However, based on the AF issues with 1D3, I doubt that the next 1D series will have any revolutionary features - it is first and foremost a tool for professionals, not a technology showcase.

The 85/1.2 and 180/3.5 Macro are my favourites, although I use the 24-70/2.8 and 17-40/4 more.

Hey Joe, no need to be patronising. I'm well aware of the history of Rollei, Hasselblad et al and the demise of traditional medium format. As an owner of a Rolleiflex 6000 series system, I've got extensive experience with these systems. My whole post was completely tongue in cheek, especially the 'not so long ago' comment – but I guess that's wasted on people who're only looking to pick other posters apart (BTW, my original post has been thoroughly picked apart already, I'm a keen photographer, not a keen mathematician/technology expert/optics engineer, LOL.) My intentions were merely to start probing into the future (which none of us can predict), in a fun post. Not to speculate if Canon would be releasing such a camera tomorrow. Anyway, thanks for the history lesson, mate! Cheers, Erik ;-)

 

PS. Just realised that you might not get the friendly banter in this posting – keep your blood pressure under control and have a laugh.

So, I just drew it up in Illustrator. You're all right of course; 30 mm square would be maximum, and the mirror thing (which I should have thought of) pretty much kills it off... Told you I was tired.

 

When it comes to using another lens mount, I doubt it. Canon likes to run proprietary technologies, they haven't really championed open platforms – and they want to sell lenses, not help Zeiss sell theirs.

Ok, so hear me out… We’ve all heard wild rumours that Canon (or the others) could move in to medium format. I

guess it’s not crazy, but very unlikely in my opinion as it requires a new lens mount, new lenses etc. But how

about moving into a new relative format. The traditional 35mm format is of course 2:3 or 24x36 mm. Using the

current lens system, that means that Canon could ‘easily’ move into 1:1 (36x36 mm) square format, the relative

format Hasselblad and Rolleiflex ruled the pro world with not so long ago. Alternatively, they could go 4:3

(36x27) mm like medium format 6x4.5 (and most P&S) or even 6:7 (36x30.8 mm) like Pentax and Mamiya 67 cameras

used to have (again relative). Even better, they could go 1:1 with user selectable formats.

 

Ok, I know the camera might look weird, we’d have some prism issues, and we'd need new lenshoods for a few

lenses. But it would give us the opportunity to utilise the full lens (and the wonderful 1:1 format) without

having to crop. Alright, I’m being crazy (it’s late Friday night in Australia and I’m tired), but at least admit

it’s an interesting thought? No? Well, thanks for listening anyway... ;-)

Ilkka, you're right – but oh so wrong. The way the market works is that a market leader would have little incentive to bring out quantum leap technology, because they can make a larger profit by putting incremental improvements on the market. So there's your "those horrible large corporations" spiel. However, the best thing for the consumer is actually that the manufacturer restrains from putting the most cutting edge technology out there, because we all need cameras that work. The environmental impact is then actually lower, because tested technology often lasts longer than more experimental technology. In fact, according to a report by the New England-based environmental organization Clean Air-Cool Planet, Canon tops the list of 56 companies the survey conducted about climate-friendly companies (Wikipedia). And their Kyosei philosophy (living and working together for the common good) keeps them focused on sustainability.

 

In this day and age where internet based recommendations has taken over, releasing faulty or buggy technology has huge implications. Just look at the AF issues with 1D Mk3. Not only did it have massive impact on people buying the camera, it made potential 1Ds Mk3 buyers think twice also, and perhaps even potential buyers of other Canon products. The bad press from one 'minor' issue on a camera with a very limited target group gained a momentum that hurt the whole Canon brand. So by holding back, they make sure that the technology is useable not just desirable.

 

The original article, however, refers to pushing high MP over high IQ, a problem that is somewhat different – and very much connected to marketing. If you were the decision maker at Canon, you could either release a low MP camera with outstanding dynamic range, low noise etc. or participate in the MP 'arms race'. What would YOUR decision be? You would probably place your bet on the camera that will sell the most, and put Canon in front of the technology race? A lot of people will disagree, but the fact is that Canon has a long-term objective to make money. They're not making these decisions to upset their core user – quite the contrary. So by releasing a high MP 5D2, they're meeting customer demand – wether it's the 'right' or 'wrong' thing to do.

 

The good thing here is that by developing both high MP and high IQ sensors, as technology moves on, they merge into one (which we're starting see with the ISO setting of the 5D2). The future of digital imaging will be large sensors, high MP, high ISO, high dynamic range and high IQ. We can have it all, it just takes investment in technology.

 

P.S. I still have my trusted 1D2, with no plans (or money) to upgrade quite yet.

 

P.P.S. I also think the original article is bogus, it's just not the Canon way.

Of course they are, they'd be stupid not to. Canon is a corporation with one of the largest R&D budgets in the world, and also amongst the ones with most patents registered. A lot of the technology they develop will never see the light of day; it contributes to the further development of parallel technologies. Also, being a market leader they can control when they release technology in response to the competition, a little step at the time. I actually think Canon has shown enormous restraint by waiting 3 years to upgrade the 5D (look at how often they upgrade their PopwerShot line). Still, they have to be careful not to come on the defensive like Sony and Microsoft did with the launch of Nintendo Wii. Sometime a smaller producer can come up with a quantum leap that appeals to the public, I think especially a niche company like Nikon (yes I know they're huge, but compared to the multi-conglomerate Canon they're niche) can end up changing the whole game of dSLRs, by introducing a radical new technology and/or way to use that technology. On a less revolutionary scale, the launch of the D700 and A900 will probably force Canon to up their release tempo.

 

When it comes to sensor resolution, it seems they can't win. With 21.1 MP it's too much, if they had released another 12 MP camera there’d be an outcry. My guess is that it will keep on going for a long time, just look to P&S again with 10 and 12 MP being the new 5 MP. Do people need that much? Probably not, do they want it? See, that's a different story.

 

Canon is also holding back on price. They have the mass production capacity to lower the prices and still maintain a healthy margin; they pretty much take whatever they can get from the market – no more, no less. Thankfully, they have a pretty good record of ploughing much of that profit back into R&D, which I guess benefits us all in the end.

 

Now if they could just release that 45 MP 1Ds Mark IV with 10 FPS, usable ultra-high ISO setting, built-in GPS, Wi-Fi and removeable vertical grip like the 1VHS, I'd be happy ;-)

From the specs: Compatible Lenses:Canon EF lenses (35mm-equivalent focal length is approx. 1.6x the lens focal length)

 

;-) Someone has been using copy/paste