Marcus Ian

This is a fair point, as the Tamron and Sigma 150-600 s both outweigh the 70-200/2.8 Ls and the 100-400Ls... however, with the added reach (+200mm) , there is little in terms of wildlife/birding they are incapable of on a crop camera. They also both come w/ mounts (and IS) which, when added to a lightweight monopod make them easy to manage despite the extra half kg (or so) of weight. One of them is on my shortlist, as 400mm is simply too short for anything approaching serious birding or even much in the wildlife range. I've been using a 2x TC w/ my 70-200/2.8 on FF and while, if the subject fills the frame, the quality is fine, if I have to crop significantly, I find myself dissatisfied (especially compared to the 70-200/2.8's normal output). And even though switching to a crop body would help with reach, the output of the 150-600mm s from Tamron AND Sigma is impressive enough to me to (I expect) satisfy me - unless I decide to try for a career change ;) .

The 50D predates W10, so, not a surprise that random oddball issues like this would occur - nor a surprise that tech support wouldn't be able to help you in the slightest. I assume that with other cards you are able to access your RAWs - on your 50D -... Because my first guess is that W10 doesn't have the right RAW Codec for the 50D, my second guess would be that the 50D is acting as goalkeeper (for some reason?), my 3rd is that the UDMA7 mode is triggering some weird error. That said, the highest I write speeds I ever saw w/ a 50D was ~45MB/s. Faster UDMA7 cards never really added much to the top end IME. Such inconsistencies are not too surprising though, perhaps a certain type of memory controller interfacing with the camera's controller is causing it, maybe something else... frankly, there's no real way to know for certain. Luckily this problem is easily avoided. Simply remove the card, and use a CF card reader. The good news is that transfer speeds will be vastly faster - even w/ a USB 2.0 reader, I found a CF card reader to be about 2-3+ times as fast as downloading through the 50D. Naturally, I didn't exhaustively test, but with a USB3 CF card reader, I would expect transfer speeds probably up to 30+x the speed of downloading through the camera- though it depends on the max sustained read speed of the card. The first time I did a file transfer through the camera was the last time I did a file transfer through the camera.

Having a dedicated camera to take pictures with is only half of the creative process when doing digital photography (and, in modern times, can often be replaced with a capable cellphone). Your camera, as limited as it may be compared to modern P&Ss, or DSLRs, is still going to be able to write Jpegs (digital image files) which represent what was coming through the viewfinder, and has the capability to zoom optically (I recommend turning off any 'digital zoom' features if possible - as that usually simply crops the image), and has built in IS. Once you have those Jpegs on a computer, you can download software (free and otherwise) which will allow you to manipulate those images substantially. Modern digital photography, as a hobby (or as a profession), is as much about the creative process behind a computer screen as it is about the creative process behind the camera. Learning to manipulate the images with software is often as satisfying to the creative process as capturing an image 'in camera' which is as beautiful - and can yield imagery which is quite striking even with relatively 'primitive' digital cameras...

LMFAO!!! That, Sir, is a question of quantum significance. When we collapse that $2100 quantum waveform, we shall know the answer! ... until then, the mirror has both fallen off, AND is still attached (but not secure)... Maybe that superposition is the real reason for the worth!

Yup, he's an Aussie alright... and, while they aren't for everyone, we've got plenty of property and 4 kids to herd, so that keeps him pretty busy. Putting him on a trail with the kids is an awesome day every time... He's our 2nd Aussie, and despite the first being a rescued black tri from a home with an obviously abusive man (our first experience with the breed), we absolutely fell in love with the dog, the breed, and their personality. Floki (pictured) hits all the right checks for us... except for my allergies ;) ...still worth it though - even with the high maintenance! LOL, IDK about that. Modern DSLRs have really spoiled me... I really could have used usable ISO1600 - 3200, which isn't an option on the XTi, where anything beyond ISO400 (ISO800, and ISO1600) is distinctly degrading to the image especially if trying to pull out shadows. That... and no QCD... *sigh* how did I ever survive? ;)

Magic Lantern is, as Jochen said, hacked firmware built to run on many digital EOS models (IDK the complete list). It was developed primarily to improve video function on these cameras (and in at least one case ENABLE video function in a camera which did not have inherit video functionality - the 50D), by adding features desired by videographers. It does add still picture functions too, especially in the bracketing/ LE / stacked exposure / time lapse realm Some cameras that had/have ML available didn't have the processing capability to support video (like the XTi), but just about everything from a 50D on can. Just about every 5D2 used for pro video work ran ML for years. I'm not a videographer by any means, but I've installed it on several models over the years, and, since it runs off the memory card, to 'uninstall' just turn off and pull the card. Bam, back to normal interface. Never had a problem, though I don't use it currently. Your 7D, & 6D have versions available, but none of the 1D s are supported.

Cascade Falls 32.8702760115, -84.6952750348 Pine Mountain Trail, GA XTi, 10-24/3.5-4.5 - Handheld, 11mm f/8 1/5s ISO100

Trailside Nap (near) Bumblebee Ridge Campsite 32.8691071551, -84.6999326069 Pine Mountain Trail, GA XTi, 50/1.4 - 50mm f2.2 1/4000 ISO100

With a power board failure in my remaining 5D3 (the other is on loan) - presumably a blown fuse - had to dig out an old jewel and put her back into service for a week of camping. So instead of gearing up w/ a 5D3, I had to gear up w/ my old XTi. Csonka Falls 32.8667100146, -84.6996259969 Pine Mountain Trail. GA XTi, 10-24mm/3.5-4.5 - Handheld, f/16, 1/5s, 19mm, ISO400.

It's not the rubber part of the eyecup that wears out, it's the plastic internal little side clips which loosen up with almost any amount of regular use, then the lightest brush knocks the eyecup off. If it's not your face brushing against it, you just lost another one. I just lost another last week while hiking. IMO, the system is very weak, though technically functional. Luckily, replacements aren't that expensive

5D3 --- 70-200/2.8 ISO800 - 97mm - f/8.0 - 1/50s

Yes, yes I will bite your finger off. 5D3 - 70-200/2.8 ISO800 - 97mm - f/8.0 - 1/500s

This week is wildlife week (...ish ;) )... I'm watching you... 5D3 - 70-200/2.8 ISO800 200mm f6.3 1/25s

...especially with modern DSLRs... I mean my 5D3 has what? 5803 AF points? ;) something like that... regardless of how many it has, in a dynamic shooting environment it's far too many to select by hand... ... here in the US, an Elan 7e can be obtained for under $100 (heck, KEH has them for $109), but I hadn't taken into account the market in the UK... Here, an A2e body can be had for $60 or less, with a zoom like a 28-80, or even a 28-135 IS, can be combined for ~$100.... but sometimes I forget how good we have it ;)

In MF, the focus confirmation light has come on in every Canon DSLR I've owned (with a half press of the button, and the center AF point in focus of course). It even flashes. However, I too would like clarification.

IME it works outstandingly on my Elan 7e... even 20yrs after manufacture. I can't comment on the 5's ECF system, but it is significantly older than the latest film bodies so equipped - I would suggest that there were significant improvements - if my Elan 7e is any indication. At a time when Digital was clearly producing better imagery than film, the lack of an ECF feature on ALL Canon EOS Digital cameras was a major reason why I waited as long as I did to make the switch. I practically had to relearn 'focus and recompose' after getting used to not even having to bother - it was so fast, and so intuitive (for me)... It's like using your eyeball to select AF points... which is an amazing improvement to the ergonomics of the camera... I miss it, and would happily drop all my bodies and buy new ones if that feature was available on modern DSLRs.

Lol. Of course this camera won't have dual card slots. No new model of Canon has ever had dual card slots. While if you are anxious about it you should definitely invest in a camera that has dual card slots ( solely for your own peace of mind - and the effect it has on your artistic output) for years and years as a professional wedding photographer I used single slot cameras. Using proper technique and discipline as a pro completely negates the need or even the benefit of such a feature, using both slots in my 5D 3s is detrimental to the camera's performance though. The key component is ensuring you have proper, high-quality, good condition, memory cards... Where the chance of and spontaneous complete failure is literally considerably less than being struck by lightning. There are many fakes, so what might seem like a good deal is off in a very bad deal, but that is completely avoidable. I would even go so far as to say that if you are forced to buy one camera with dual card slots (almost universally more expensive) versus two cameras with single card slots, that is actually detracting from your ability to capture and preserve unreplaceable imagery due to the vastly more likely event of losing a camera in its entirety while shooting professionally . I can't even count the number of times I've heard local professionals lose a camera, it fell out of the boat, it went in the river, it fell off a building, it was stolen, it burst into flames, it went into the ocean, etc etc. Dual card slots aren't much help in any of those circumstances.... And every one of those circumstances is far more likely. A better way in my experience to prevent disaster is to carry and use two cameras interchangeably, while having the discipline to switch back and forth during shooting. I may replace my current cameras with when the time rolls around, but it's going to depend on the handling, which obviously I haven't done yet. Qualms about switching from dual card cameras to single card cameras? None at all. ...otoh, IBIS is a feature I'd pay good money for...

While that may work as a temporary repair (attaching a lens to the front to realign it), I expect it will be frustrating to have to realign it every time you put the transmitter back on. The work to attach it (externally) securely enough to prevent element shift (when you put it back in the bag) is likely going to exceed the work necessary to adjust an AF assist emitter element inside. I don't have one of these, but it looks like the AF assist emitter is mounted directly above the hotshoe inside. It may simply be that a loose screw is what's off inside. Worst case is that the emitter is soldered to a PCB and is misaligned on that - in which case I'd try to do an exchange.

This camera won't have dual card slots - certainly not in this generation, likely not ever. Afterall, when has Canon ever released a new model with dual card slots? And sure, It's a 'nice-to-have-to-keep-the-overly-anxious-content' feature, but little more than that. Any pro is buying quality, genuine, memory cards. And assuming you aren't buying bottom of the barrel brands, or chinese knockoffs, your chances of a genuine, catastrophic and without-warning, complete memory card failure are, literally, substantially smaller than getting struck by lightning. Several orders of magnitude more likely are body and lens failures, or losing the camera in it's entirety (especially when shooting professionally)... Even locally, I've seen pros lose the camera numerous times... in the river, in the ocean, off a building, bursting into flames... stolen, etc. - dual slots didn't save them, and having a second camera stashed in the bag didn't either. I mean, if you want to worry about it, worry about it, but a better idea might be to make sure your SD/CF cards are all high quality and genuine cards (aka expensive ;) ). And, if you ever get a few glitched images off a card after a shoot, toss it in the trash the 1st time it happens. Then make sure you don't stand in an open field during a lightning storm ;)

LOL good to see some idiocy never ceases... Specifically the 'single card' complaint...

Not 'I', said the fly. Cay creek area swamp and old rice plantation, Midway GA 5D3 70-200/2.8 - @ 200mm , f8 , 1/80s , ISO400 (image cropped severely) The most interesting thing (to me) about the Golden Silk Weaver's web is that it too is golden - which is something I hadn't noticed until I was doing post.

No title Cay creek area swamp and old rice plantation, Midway GA 5D3 70-200/2.8 - @ 88mm, f8, 1/320s, ISO800

A day late... buuuut! Hiding on a lily pad Cay creek area swamp and old rice plantation, Midway GA 5D3 70-200/2.8 w/ 2xTC - @ 400mm , f5.6 , 1/400s , ISO1600 (image cropped severely)

It's not bad. You'll want to stop it down a bit for optimal sharpness across the frame at 24mm and 105mm (f8 ish) - and at the long end, it never gets razor sharp (IMO), but you'd probably want to do that anyway just for DOF on landscape work. I used it for awhile on my 5D2s, and it wasn't bad. Not the best, but far from the worst. Even with slightly smaller pixels on the 6D2, I'd still expect it to perform reasonably...

'One Shot' is the AF mode you are looking for. In this mode, 1/2 press of the shutter button will activate the AF. Once focus is obtained, leave the button halfway down, and recompose. You will likely want to set the camera to use 'single-point AF', setting the center AF point, as that way you precisely control what the camera will focus on. The only disadvantage (if you can call it that) is that the shutter will not open if the camera hasn't achieved focus.