bob_king2

<p>It would be interesting to see how the IQ of the XZ-2 compares with the Oly Pens.</p>

<p>Cheers, Bob</p>

<p>Hmm, I shoot RAW a lot on my m4/3 bodies and the art filters can be applied in PP using Oly's software. My E-PL2 wouldn't let me apply art filters in RAW while shooting so I just do it afterwards. It also allows the original image to remain untouched in case you don't like the art filter later down the track. I made that mistake when I first got my E-PL2... How big is the XZ-2 compared with the E-PM1? That's my go-to compact cam with the Panny 14mm f/2.5.</p>

<p>Cheers. Bob</p>

<p>I have both the 7D and 5DII. I purchased the 7D solely for its AF speed, tracking, frame rate and buffer. It has not disappointed. I upgraded from a 40D, which I still have. The 40D is no slouch but the 7D is better. If IQ is the main criterion then I use the 5DII. It has slightly higher resolution than the 7D and I find the images are cleaner, especially at higher ISO. If I want AF performance and speed generally, I use the 7D. The 5DII's AF is not bad. They both have sensor cleaning which works well. Both are excellent cameras.</p>

<p>Cheers, Bob</p>

<p> Photozone have reviewed it here</p>

<p>http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/741-tamron2470f28eosff</p>

<p>they seem to think its better than the original Canon 24-70 but haven't tried the MkII version as yet.</p>

<p>Cheers, Bob</p>

<p>Modern? EOS 3. Classic - OM 1. Medium format - RB67 - is it still modern? If not, then Mamiya 645 Super.</p>

<p>Cheers, Bob</p>

<p>Geoff, I'd say go ahead and get it! About 9 months ago I thought about upgrading my 400D with a new 600D, but decided to go the m4/3 route instead. I'm glad I did. The Oly kit is much smaller and lighter than my 400D and basically has similar IQ. I find the Oly to have more shadow noise and is not as good for action stuff - my 400D is a more capable camera but the Oly is far more portable and discreet.</p>

<p>But hey, for sheer convenience the m4/3 kit is fantastic. I recently bought a new Oly 14-150 superzoom at half price, and it came with a free new E-PL1. I've also got the Pany 14mm f/2.5 prime which I like a lot. </p>

<p>You need to be aware the m4/3 is a complete system with a variety of bodies and lenses available at a fraction of the size of their Canon equivalents. Check out the Pany GF3 with the tiny PZ 14-42-X lens - as small as it gets. Or the Oly EM5 with the new Pany 12-35 f/2.8 zoom or fast primes now available. They can be expensive though.</p>

<p>To summarise, for me, I use my 5DII and L lenses where IQ is the main concern, my 7D for action and long telephoto and the m4/3 kit for everything else.</p>

<p>Cheers, Bob</p>

<p>I had my 17-85 fail and chose to have it repaired - problem with the AF motor ribbon. Luckily I wasn't traveling at the time... Perhaps you could take a 18-55 kit lens as a backup? They are small and light, and cheap.</p>

<p>Cheers, Bob</p>

<p>The *only* reason I got my 7D was for its handling, AF and frame rate, otherwise I use my 5DII or Oly E-PL2. If I didn't need the 7D performance I wouldn't have bought it. If you don't need its performance then maybe you don't need the 7D. From what I've read the OMD has a lot of bases covered, except for the sort of action shooting I use the 7D for. YMMV.</p>

<p>Cheers, Bob</p>

<p>While your lenses are mostly EF and will work on the 5D their FOV will change and become more "wide angle". Your 16-35 is a normal zoom on the XTi but is a wide angle on on the 5D. However, I agree with the others - for low light work a 5D would be better - I have the Xti, 50D, 7D and 5DII. The 50D performs much better than the XTi but I wouldn't say the IQ is significantly better.</p>

<p>I like the 85mm f/1.8 a lot on the FF camera but it won't be as "long" as it is on your XTi. Perhaps a lightly used 5D with a 24-70 f/2.8 or 135 f/2?</p>

<p>Cheers, Bob</p>

<p>Do you think its back-focusing a little...</p>

<p>You would not get a great deal. A quick check on eBay revealed completed listings from $40 to $130 for 50E camera kits (body + lenses). A body only went for $25. Maybe hang on to it? I've kept my EOS film bodies which I use for B&W, which I process myself.</p>

<p>Cheers, Bob</p>

<p>I would be surprised if Canon didn't make a higher mp camera. They could easily make a full-frame 40+ mp sensor by scaling up the current 7D one, as far as pixel density is concerned - a new camera line such as a 3D with 45 mp full frame sensor designed for users who want resolution. Lower frame rate than a 5DIII, some weather sealing? </p>

<p>It would appear that the 1D line is designed, among other things, for people who want outright performance and ruggedness. Perhaps Canon realizes that not all professionals want or need the cost and heft of a 1D camera. The fact is many professionals and enthusiasts use the 5D series, hence the 5DIII with its enhanced AF, frame rate, high ISO performance etc. So who knows, maybe a high mp 3D is in the pipeline, along with a new 7D, a new Rebel, etc.</p>

<p>One thing is sure, I won't be dumping Canon and rushing off to buy a D800. A stated earlier, Canon and Nikon leapfrog each other, so to answer the OP's question, I would say yes, a high mp Canon is in the pipeline. How far along? Who knows, maybe by September?</p>

<p>Cheers, Bob</p>

<p>For weddings I use my 5DII with 24-105, 17-40 L's together with my 85mm f/1.8. On my 7D I use my 70-200 f/2.8 L IS. I find this dual format kit very flexible. I do use my 580EX flash when needed - usually as bounce fill indoors. I find the f/2.8 ability of the telezoom invaluable, not only for low light but for narrow DOF when required. I also have the Canon 70-300 non L zoom - I've used it on the 5DII for indoor shooting but usually with bounce flash - its maximum aperture at the long end of f/5.6 is too slow for me, even though the high ISO IQ of the 5DII is very good.</p>

<p>The importance of backup redundancy cannot be underestimated. I had my 24-105L fail on me during a shoot with my 5DII. Luckily I had my trusty old Canon 28-135 in my bag as a backup. The client was totally unaware and was very happy with the final product. Since then I now even carry a third body (50D) with spare lenses and flash in my car when doing a shoot.</p>

<p>Cheers, Bob</p>

<p>I have all three - 40D, 50D and 7D. Given the choice I'd take a 50D over a 40D - it's an evolutionary improvement rather than revolutionary. OTOH the 40D is a nice camera and I still use mine. You can't go wrong with either, especially if its only a backup.</p>

<p>Cheers, Bob</p>

<p>A friend of mine wanted to adapt his medium format Contax lenses to his EOS DSLRs. He did it by cutting a neat hole in a body cap to fit the lens - he said it worked well. You may be able to do the same with m4/3 and making it permanent by gluing the lens to the cap.</p>

<p>Cheers, Bob</p>

<p>Another vote for the EF-S 10-22</p>

<p>Cheers, Bob</p>

<p>Short L primes should be shiny black... It wouldn't make a good coffee mug, unlike the 24-105 f/4 L I've got...</p>

<p>G'day Richard</p>

<p>I understand what you are saying, but for me the m4/3 kit I have is to supplement my DSLRs not replace them. I have an E-PL2 with two kit zooms, an Oly 9-18, a VF-2 and FL36R flash. I bought this to replace my Canon 400D instead of trading the 400D for a new 600D.</p>

<p>I have found the Oly to be not quite as good as the 400D in DR and noise, so I've decided to keep the 400D for now. If I want IQ that is superb then I'll use my 5DII; if I want fast and accurate AF with a high frame rate then I'll use my 7D. If I want to travel light and small then I'll use the E-PL2. In this context the IQ of the Oly is acceptable - I shoot RAW and avoid high ISOs and high contrast scenes with deep shadow.</p>

<p>If I could only have one camera body and one lens it would be the 5DII with the EF 24-105L, no questions. If the E-PL2 rig was my only setup I'd be disappointed. However, if I use it as a tool in my arsenal and understand its limitations then I'm quite happy with it. And yes, I do believe that m4/3 will improve their sensors so I'm not worried by the output of my E-PL2.</p>

<p>BTW I chose m4/3 over NEX because I wanted a small and light system (the NEX lenses put me off size wise) and I wanted a system camera with flash hotshoe and EVF plus the wide variety of m4/3 lenses available. I believe I have made the right choice in going with m4/3.</p>

<p>Cheers, Bob</p>

<p>Its interesting that Canon has reduced the pixel count to 18MP, compared to Sony introducing a 24 MP sensor in their APS-C NEX lineup. It seems cleaner lower MP images are better than noisy high MP ones. Someone has been listening....</p>

<p>Cheers, Bob</p>

<p>G'day Andrew</p>

<p>A tripod (I use Manfrotto legs with removable heads and quick release plates) together with a remote shutter release will open up a lot of new opportunities such as night and low light photography as well as helping with portraits and landscapes.</p>

<p>The 50mm f/1.8 lens is another inexpensive option which can be used for shallow DOF and portrait work. </p>

<p>A circular polariser filter is something I always keep in my camera bag - great for landscapes and contolling reflections (but not all).</p>

<p>A set of extension tubes (such as those made by Kenko) can enable great macro shots using your existing lenses.</p>

<p>The EF-S 55-250 IS is a good yet inexpensive tele zoom.</p>

<p>If you shoot in RAW you will find that you have a lot more post-processing options. </p>

<p>The Canon 430EXII is an excellent mid range flash which allows among other thinks full manual control and the ability to fit diffusers and to bounce.</p>

<p>All of the above options are relatively inexpensive and will add to your photographic experience, as would a good book on photography such as <em>Understanding Exposure </em>by <em>Bryan Petersen</em>!</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Cheers, Bob</p>

<p>G'day David,</p>

<p>I have and use both. Both are excellent and are capable of producing great images. For ultimate IQ I use my 5DII - it simply produces stunning images, especially at higher ISOs. I use mine for portraits, weddings, landscapes etc and as my main travel camera.</p>

<p>The 7D is a superb action camera - I use it for sports, active children, car rallies, air shows etc - it has fast and accurate AF and a fast continuous frame rate which has allowed me to get shots the 5DII wouldn't have.</p>

<p>So, I have the luxury of choice, though I have used the 7D for landscapes and the 5DII for action. There is a lot of overlap between the two bodies but enough of a difference to justify having both. My opinion is that together they give a more rounded overall kit than would be the case in having two identical bodies. If you want another APS-C then perhaps a 60D with its less expensive lighter body and tilt screen?</p>

<p>Cheers, Bob</p>

<p>G'day Josh</p>

<p>I've got stuff from B&H before - they are very reputable and I find them very good to deal with. It usually takes less than a week to get a parcel from NYC USA to rural NSW - not bad. I've never really worried about warranty and you shouldn't need it with one of Canon's best L lenses!</p>

<p>Just be aware that customs/import duty is liable if the cost plus shipping exceeds $1000AU, but I bought a 7D body from Hong Kong (just over the limit) but didn't have to pay any taxes. I'd say go ahead!</p>

<p>Cheers, Bob</p>

<p>Thanks guys, high ISO noise reduction was indeed the culprit!</p>

<p>Cheers, Bob</p>