skip hansen

Since I have a bag-full of Canon EF lenses (for my 20D and EOS-3), I would be

able to use them on my XL1 camcorder. Anyone have a line on a less-expensive

adapter system? Evidently, it is quite costly? And, anyone have any experience

with using something like this? There is a 7.2x conversion factor involved,

so...it would help on the telephoto end, but certainly not on the wide-angle

applications. Thank, Skip

To Jim larson: "...snobbish hooey..." Nice touch! You finally hit on an accurate description of some of the...well, snobbish hooey you find here...and I do mean 'snobbish'.

 

To Savas: I hope you are able to sort through all this...well, stuff. I use a Canon 20D right now. The on-board flash may help in well-lit, sunlight situations as a fill light. Use it indoors in low ligh and it makes your photos look like they came from a disposable camera (I think you can buy them for about $7.00). At 1600 ISO, (and an IS lens) a 20D (about $1300 or so) should suit your needs.

 

I doubt anyone in a blind 'taste test' could tell the difference between a full sensor and no full sensor on any given print comparison. Wait...I here the snobs stirring again!

 

Good luck.

Any advice or opinions regarding a first-time medium format buyer and

the Pentax 645...ie, versus a Hasselblad, Mamiya, Bronica, etc.? Thanks.

P.S. (post script, not photoshop this time).

 

Tiffen has been around a long time and is the brand most cinematographers use in film making.

 

http://www.tiffen.com

 

BTW...there is not a foot of feature film shot without some sort of filter.

There is some useful info as well at this well-known filter site.

 

http://www.singh-ray.com/index.html

 

You'll find opinions all over the spectrum about on-camera filter use especially considering the things you can do with digital (ie, PS and other programs) RAW editing. The Singh Ray products may seem pricey compared to other screw-on filters, but they seem to be quite popular with working photogs, especially the Grad/ND filters for landscapes.

 

Yes, find a good UV filter(s) for lens protection at the very least.

I agree with Vandit, at least it's an L series lens! Maybe the photog is working on a celebrity nose hair portfolio.

You still may have to download a plugin from Adobe, I needed that to view and edit RAW files on PS CS for some reason. BTW...the PS CS2 plugin won't work, make sure it is the plugin for CS version. I have a 20D and use a cardreader as well. Good luck.

You can get the same results from the little bulb thingy...a buck or so vesus $23.95 for that thing. Don't use the canned air, they usually contain an alcohol based propellant that you don't want on your sensor. If you change lenses at all, you are bound to get some dust on the sensor once in a while...fact of life. Blow it out on a regular basis with the bulb.

Hey Swapan...take a pill! Why would anyone berate someone for asking an honest question? Why would you waste your time typing a response? It's a wonder why any newbies at all join in on these forums with responses like that! Get a life.

Russ...just starting out in digital? Those lenses will most likely suit you just fine for now...I have owned both with my 20D and have since sold them and purchased several L series lenses that reach beyond those focal lengths. You have most focal lengths covered for what you stated your needs are. If you get into landscapes, you'll want something below 28mm...nature stuff: something bigger than 300mm. That inexpensive little 50mm f/1.8 is a nifty little thing to have (for portraits) as well though! Good luck.

I agree...stick with B&H. Also, these so-called kits may not always give you anything near the extra value they purport. Just check the individual prices for lenses first. Some kits actually put L series lenses with them...make sure you're not paying a fortune extra for "junk" accessories not worth the extra money, ie, lenses cleaning kits, crappy tripods, etc. Good luck...welcome aboard the digital train. You can't go wrong with a 20D at this point in time...priced right around $1190. I have one and just upgraded to L lenses after a year or so with entry level stuff, most of which worked well for what I needed.

Thanks Mark! That was the ticket...the one thing I missed. Skip

Help! Today, I discovered a couple of small, dark, sharply defined

specks in the middle of my viewfinder. They don't appear on any images

and they are there with every lens in the same position. Like I said,

they don't appear on images...I have cleaned the sensor, the

viewfinder mirror, the eye piece, both ends of the lenses (although

since they are there with every lens, that shouldn't matter anyway).

Any suggestions? Thanks.

My point is: the reviews and comments I have read included trying to get some sort of satisfaction from whence it was purchased, ie, "sent it back to us" (you pay shipping), etc. The main issues seemed to be that it didn't seat tightly on the 20D and didn't provide a stable platform from which to mount longer lenses specifically. Hope that makes it clearer. I plan on getting one anyway since it will provide the additional shutter button for rotated camera angles and a longer battery life. HS...I didn't mean to seem like a whiner! Looks like someone needs a nap...maybe another pill or something.

I've read nothing but bad reviews and comments about this battery

grip. Before I buy one...any suggestions, further warnings, or

encouragement? I use a 20D with a multitude of lenses including a

100-400mm.

Steve...I have found the same affects with my 75-300 (and my 20D). One of the reasons I recently purchased 2 new L lenses (17-40 and 100-400). I hope the added cost is worth it...I'm told it is. I hear the difference in clarity is quite noticeable...let's hope.

Thanks to all. That 46 point AF system evidently takes some getting used to. But they say the viewfinder is nice and big and bright. I don't anticipate switching back to film completely...but you never know. Should be fun.

I normally use a 20D...I am buying an EOS-3 to run some Velvia film

(just for fun) on some landscape projects...actually I will use both.

Anyway, will my Canon USM/IS/L series lenses (17-40 and 100-400)

function with the EOS-3, ie, AF and IS? I've heard otherwise, maybe

just with older EOS-1's. Thanks.

The question should be: Why would you use a 4, 6 or 8 gb microdrive? They are fragile, they are a mechanical device, they are expensive. I would recommend staying with solid state CF cards (1gb or so). The likelihood of a micro drive going south is many times higher than a solid state CF card.

 

Do you value your photos?

 

I get about 75 shots of RAW, yes, RAW+Jpeg images on a 1 GB card. I wouldn't run the risk...so say most of the photography shop guys I have spoken with recently. It sounds cool (to have a huge micro drive), but it is not worth the risk.

Ah yes...to have a Zeiss lens in the Canon line!

Thanks for all the comments and advice. I just forked out the $$$ for a Mk I (more than a new one). I'm looking forward to seeing the results from a Canon "prime" lens versus the telephotos.

What is the difference between these two versions? Is it only the

plastic versus the metal mount? Is the glass similar, etc.? I know the

plastic one is cheaper. Are my Kenko extension tubes compatible with

either? Thanks.

Being a new owner of my first IS (the new Canon 70-300mm, replacing my Sigma 70-300mm)...I have been very pleased with the results with my 20D. Basically, it can add greatly to focusing and exposure results. You should get about 2 to 3 extra stops of light with the IS, sharper pictures in hand-held situations and anything else involving motion (nature stuff for instance). I'm saving my lunch money for its bigger brother!

I just added the new 70-300 lens to my bag a couple of days ago. Simply put, depending on your applications, the "IS" function more than makes up for the lack of "L" glass...I've used it for 3 days now and am extremely happy with it (on my 20d). Skip

I say: Post away...and ignore these uptight so-called 'photo experts' who think that this is their own private reserve...reserved for seasoned 'pros' who have no patience for newbies! Get a life!