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brian_potts

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Posts posted by brian_potts

    85/1.8 vs. 85/1.2 L

    in Canon EOS Mount

    Posted

    Each test and opinion is just one point of information. William does a very nice job. I can tell you from my experience that the 85 f/1.2L is very contrasty and sharp even wide open. I just took a few pictures just a few minutes ago with the 85 f/1.2L wide open (f/1.2). Here is a quick example.<br><br>

    <center>

     

    <img src="http://www.potts-family.net/test/kristen%20(ha3j2807)_std.jpg">

    <br><br>

    </center>

    Here is a 100% crop of the one eye again wide open at its softest point...

    <br><br>

    <center>

    <img src="http://www.potts-family.net/test/kristens%20eye%20(ha3j2807).jpg">

    </center>

    <br><br>

    This isn't by any means a good test. It was just a photo that I just took. It isn't even my best one from today. It was just the one I was looking at. I am in a bit of a rush to get out of the house right now or else my wife will kill me.

    85/1.8 vs. 85/1.2 L

    in Canon EOS Mount

    Posted

    I own both lenses. The 85 f/1.2L is very sharp and is more contrasty (I think this is the kick you are referring to) than the 85 f/1.8. Using the 85 f/1.2L wide open or close to it will give you amazing narrow DOF and wonderful bokeh. I primarily use the 85 f/1.2L for portraits.

     

    The 85 f/1.8 is much faster to focus and better for taking pictures with any action. I use it for gymnastics and dance. It is much cheaper, lighter and is still a very sharp lens. It doesn't have the same pop as the 85 f/1.2L though. You are comparing a really good lens (1.8) to a really great lens (1.2) though for this purpose. I wish that I didn't need to keep the f/1.8, but I shoot a fair amount of gymnastics and dance, so they are both good for their own purposes.

     

    I think you would be happy wither either on the 1Ds Mark II. Canon purposely is showing samples from the 85 f/1.8 on this body.

    Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L IS. Using IS on Tripod

    in Canon EOS Mount

    Posted

    The 70-200 f/2.8L IS is actually the third generation. The second generation came out with the superteles (300 f/2.8L IS, 400 f/2.8L IS, 500 f/4L IS and 600 f/4L IS). To more directly answer your question, IS can be used with second or third generation lenses on a tripod just fine. If the lens senses no movement, it shuts off IS. If there is some movement (a windy day), it will kick it in.

    UV Filter for Canon 135mm Lens

    in Canon EOS Mount

    Posted

    Andrew is correct that this has been discussed quite a bit.

     

    With this said, some simple answers:

     

    1) The Hoya HMC Multicoated filter is good, and would be fine. I prefer the Super Multicoated Filter which is in between the two that you are asking about.

     

    2) The Hoya Pro 1 is more about thickness than quality. It is the same quality as their Super Multicoated...just thinner. With either 135 lens (you don't state which one you have), you are fine with the standard Super Multicoated. This would be my personal recommendation.

     

    3) Canon does not have a good reputation for its filters. I believe they outsource this, and they don't make the filters themselves. The exception to this rule is their close up filters. These are high quality, and Canon makes these themselves.

     

    4) Do users leave them on all of the time? This is one of the most hotly debated questions. It is similar to asking is Nikon or Canon better? There are pros/cons on both sides. You need to do what you feel is best. If you want to know more about this one. I would do a search. This is a very, very long topic.

    EF L-Series Lens Packaging?

    in Canon EOS Mount

    Posted

    I don't have this lens, but normally the leather bags are flattened, and in one of the ends of the packaging facing out. The lens hood (I believe) is typically in its own plastic bag that isn't reversed on the lens, but more draped over the back of the lens (I think).

    EF 135 / F 2.0

    in Canon EOS Mount

    Posted

    It is a very nice lens. I wish Canon would make all of theirs up to this standard. It is well made, focuses fast, very sharp, takes Canon's TCs very nicely, reasonably priced, and is realitively small...especially compared to say a 200 f/1.8L which is your next step up in focal length for fast glass (faster than f/2.8). It is very nice for indoor shots with lower light.<br><br>

     

    Here is a quick shot that I just recently took with the 135 f/2L...<br><br>

     

    <center>

    <img src="http://www.potts-family.net/rachel/rachel%207-18-2004%20(ha3j0672)-dpp_std.jpg">

    </center>

    SIGMA lens...12-24mm for Canon...Is it any good???

    in Canon EOS Mount

    Posted

    I have been considering this lens. I tried one out the other day on my 1D Mark II (1.3 crop factor). I was actually fairly impressed with it. It was fun to play with at 12mm as well.<br><br>

     

    Here is a review that you might want to read...<br><br>

     

    <a href=http://194.100.88.243/petteri/pont/Reviews/a_Sigma_12-24_f4.5-5.6/a_Sigma_EX_12-24_f4.5-5.6.html>12-24 Review</a>

    Canon Zoom Lenses

    in Canon EOS Mount

    Posted

    I agree that I would get the two lenses. To make a minor correction, the EOS 3 autofocus is a slightly earlier version than what is in the 1V, 1D and 1Ds. The 1D Mark II has the latest autofocus. They are all very close, but there are some differences between them. The f/2.8 portion of the post is correct.

    200mm f/1.8L Filter Holder Question (newbie)

    in Canon EOS Mount

    Posted

    I have this lens as well. You do have the Drop-In Filter for Gelatin Holder. See here...

     

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=12548&is=REG

     

    The screw in filter holder is the standard one, and it comes with the filter. See here...

     

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=121960&is=REG

     

    Just for reference, since we have discussed the prior two filters for the 200 f/1.8L, here is the Circular Polarizer...

     

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=12319&is=REG

     

    I have all three for the 200 f/1.8. I have shot the lens without anything in the Gel Holder like Bob did. If there was a difference, it was very minor. I normally keep the screw in filter with the 48 mm filter in since this is what Canon suggests in the owner's manual.

     

    For what it is worth, you might consider getting any of these that you want now. They won't be making any more of them. It looks like B&H already has the screw-in filter as a special order item only. A couple of months ago it was a standard item.

     

    BTW: You will love this lens. I find excuses to use it...at least I do!

    Canon 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM - Version I vs. II

    in Canon EOS Mount

    Posted

    There wasn't any optical difference between the different versions. They just made an cosmetic change.

     

    Regarding the life of the lens, I really wouldn't be too concerned unless something happened to the lens. I would want to make sure the lens worked, and I didn't see any optical imperfections. Also, I would hope that you could return the used one if you needed to after looking at it yourself.

    17-40mm F4 L

    in Canon EOS Mount

    Posted

    It depends what you shoot. If you are using the lens to shoot landscapes, you will probably stop down to at least f/8 anyway. If you are using the lens to shoot indoors since you have limited space, f/4 will feel very slow. There are obviously mixes in between. It just depends on how you will use it.

     

    If you do need to shoot in less available light, you can also look at some of the faster primes.

    Help: Canon EF 100-400mm versus Sigma 80-400mm

    in Canon EOS Mount

    Posted

    There have been a number of threads like this on different boards. Everyone that I have read so far has ended up buying the Canon.

     

    I would give a different viewpoint of the lens. I think it is a great lens. Just for reference, I also own the 70-200 f/2.8L IS, 200 f/1.8, 300 f/2.8L IS and several other lenses in this range, so I am not unduly prejudice toward the lens. I have had mine for several years now. I love the push-pull many times, and I haven't found it awkward at all (my viewpoint -- others will say otherwise). If I was going to an air-show, this is the lens. If I am going to the zoo, this is the lens. I find the push-pull mechanism allows me to change focal lengths very quickly in times of quick moving action like at an air show. The auto focus isn't bad at all. It isn't going to compete with the 300 f/2.8L IS, but the 300 isn't as versitle as this is either.

     

    Regarding the Sigma, why would you buy it over the Canon? There would need to be a large price difference for me to consider it. I have also read (not personal experience) that the Sigma is very slow at focusing.

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