No more 40D...

[koffiejunkie]

Yeah, I'm working on that. Have to re-request quotes, since I don't have the same kit any more

On my 2007 trip the house I was staying got broken into the night before I flew back - not fun.

 

[BigAl-sa]

I understand that, but are you sure it won't be in the way of the mirror?

No, it won't. Here a comparison of the 24-135 (full frame lens) and the 10-20, both with the zooming mechanism as far back (into the camera) as they will go. On both lenses, the black bit around the rear lens element is actually a stop, so the rear lens element can't go any further. The protector lip for the contacts is much further into the camera than the rear lens element.

 

[bwana]

Damn, makes me want to not bring my kit with me next time I visit S.A.

That reminds me - I'd better check that my gear is covered for my trip to the UK next month.

 

[koffiejunkie]

No, it won't. Here a comparison of the 24-135 (full frame lens) and the 10-20, both with the zooming mechanism as far back (into the camera) as they will go. On both lenses, the black bit around the rear lens element is actually a stop, so the rear lens element can't go any further. The protector lip for the contacts is much further into the camera than the rear lens element.

You're right. I just looked at the back of my 70-300 and it looks the same. I may be confused by the Canon 10-22mm I tried.

 

[.Froot.]

Only Canon makes EF-S lenses (those that you have to align with the white dot on the camera). All 3rd party lenses align with the red dot (EF mount).

You forgot to include the standard Canon EF mount lenses- my Canon 70-200mm USM (EF) has the red dot.

 

[BigAl-sa]

You forgot to include the standard Canon EF mount lenses- my Canon 70-200mm USM (EF) has the red dot.

 

[.Froot.]

The post said that "all third party lenses" but failed to mention the standard (non EFS) Canon lenses.

 

[koffiejunkie]

Wouldn't the term "third party" used in the Context of a Canon camera, exclude *all* Canon lenses? You are correct, but that's besides the point. Big-Al was correcting my incorrect statement regarding DC and EF-S lenses. Read from here down.

 

[.Froot.]

Wouldn't the term "third party" used in the Context of a Canon camera, exclude *all* Canon lenses? You are correct, but that's besides the point. Big-Al was correcting my incorrect statement regarding DC and EF-S lenses. Read from here down.

Ah ok.....

 

[koffiejunkie]

So I realised my point&shoot's charger must have been in the my bag too, because I can't find it anywhere. Might as well get a new one, so I picked up a Canon Powershot G9. How's this:

7.4mm, ISO200, 1/3sec, f/4. Shot hand-held (with a Pod - really useful) in RAW and converted with Lightroom (which I'm hating more each moment). Nothing was altered, I just imported it and exported to JPEG (80% quality otherwise I hit the MyBB upload size limit) at 72dpi.

100% Crop:

Not bad, eh?

So far I'm pretty impressed. The lens is sharp, high ISO is not too horrible (better than my Cybershot, anyway), the video is really good - 1024x768 - and I like the manual controls. I haven't gotten my head around how the flash works yet. Enabling the flash in P mode doesn't seem to affect the shutter speed, and in M it doesn't seem to do fill? I don't know. You don't get a printed manual and I haven't had a chance to find it on-line and read it off a computer. I haven't tried my Sigma DG530 Super on it yet - looking forward to that!

 

[bwana]

So I realised my point&shoot's charger must have been in the my bag too, because I can't find it anywhere. Might as well get a new one, so I picked up a Canon Powershot G9. How's this:

[]http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/data/500/IMG_0138.jpg[/IMG]
7.4mm, ISO200, 1/3sec, f/1.4. Shot hand-held (with a Pod - really useful) in RAW and converted with Lightroom (which I'm hating more each moment). Nothing was altered, I just imported it and exported to JPEG (80% quality otherwise I hit the MyBB upload size limit) at 72dpi.

100% Crop:
[]http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/data/500/IMG_0138_crop.jpg[/IMG]

Not bad, eh?

So far I'm pretty impressed. The lens is sharp, high ISO is not too horrible (better than my Cybershot, anyway), the video is really good - 1024x768 - and I like the manual controls. I haven't gotten my head around how the flash works yet. Enabling the flash in P mode doesn't seem to affect the shutter speed, and in M it doesn't seem to do fill? I don't know. You don't get a printed manual and I haven't had a chance to find it on-line and read it off a computer. I haven't tried my Sigma DG530 Super on it yet - looking forward to that!

Looks good. I'm still torn in this P&S range - G9/10, P6000, or the LX3 - I suppose by the time I get around to getting one there will be a clear winner (for me). Or maybe I'll just roll the dice and pick one up in London next week.

Gotta love those Pods - Got mine ages ago and its goes everywhere with me. Found it to be particularly useful on my long sigma in the car.

 

[koffiejunkie]

I looked long and hard at the LX3 but in the end the compatibility with Canon compatible flash swayed me towards the Canon. Between the G9 and the G10 it came down to price and the goodies that Canon removed - time laps movies and the higher resolution movie mode. Not that I'm into shooting video much, but I am interested in the time-lapse function (haven't figured out how to use it yet!) and I'm not expecting this to be my main camera for too long, otherwise I might have selected the LX3 for the better high ISO stuff. But to be serious, noise is really only a problem (even at 1600 ISO) when you pixel peep - I'm not losing sleep over it.

 

[bwana]

I heard that the time lapse on the G9 was limited to VGA resolution - is that true?

The LX3 is pretty much at the bottom of my P&S list due to its lack of an optical viewfinder.

 

[koffiejunkie]

I heard that the time lapse on the G9 was limited to VGA resolution - is that true?

Correct. That was the other reason I went with Canon - there's hope for the little details, complements of the CHDK project.

The LX3 is pretty much at the bottom of my P&S list due to its lack of an optical viewfinder.

Do you actually consider using the viewfinder on a G9/G10? P&S viewfinders have deteriorated to the point where I don't really consider their presence or absence when buying one.

 

[bwana]

Correct. That was the other reason I went with Canon - there's hope for the little details, complements of the CHDK project.



Do you actually consider using the viewfinder on a G9/G10? P&S viewfinders have deteriorated to the point where I don't really consider their presence or absence when buying one.

Without a doubt. I've yet to buy a P&S that doesnt have an optical viewfinder.

 

[koffiejunkie]

When do you use it? I cannot imagine trying to use it in any circumstances, other than maybe the LCD breaking.

 

[bwana]

When do you use it? I cannot imagine trying to use it in any circumstances, other than maybe the LCD breaking.

When dont I use it. The only thing I detest more than using the LCD is when they try to disguise a tiny LCD as a viewfinder.

 

[koffiejunkie]

When dont I use it. The only thing I detest more than using the LCD is when they try to disguise a tiny LCD as a viewfinder.

Yeah, that really sucks. If the viewfinders on P&S had the shooting information in, then I'd consider using it, but as it is I can see what's going on on the screen, and being able to see either an exposure simulation or a live histogram (my Cybershot had this too) is much more valuable to me.

 

[koffiejunkie]

Well, as short update on this: The thief had been identified and arrested, and I might have to go to court some time. Police says they searched the person's place but did not find any of the goodies. On the upside, I am now fully insured

This remains tempting: 5D + 24-105L for £1764.69...

Damn, I should have bought it, it's almost £1000 more now

That's because they are weirdos.
They spend more time on those forums than using that lens.
If they're going to shoot brick walls head-on, at wide angle, then they deserve the distortion.

40D, 24-105L @ 24mm, 1/400, f/4, 100 ISO

40D, 24-105L @ 105mm, 1/500, f/4, 100 ISO

40D, 24-105L @ 105mm, 1/500, f/4, 100 ISO (100% crop)

Am I weird?

[disclaimer]That wall was nowhere near straight. I stood there for several minutes to try to get it square in the viewfinder, to no avail.[/disclaimer]

Ahh .. yeah the joys of being a Canon person - things are in stock. Sadly us Sony people have to order the lens from New York and it still a) costs less than here and b) arrives quicker

Sadly with the way the $/£ exchange looks, things are actually more expensive over there for me, unless I go there myself (or have someone going), and even then the difference is not big enough to justify the lack of warranty.

I want a simple little f2.8 28-70 lens from sigma - but nope .. wait a month and they might get it in .. *twiddle.thumbs*

Hold on until the Sigma's new 24-70mm f/2.8 is available and reviewed. It looks very promising.

ps. Just saw the B&H photo on your flicker-stream koffie and yeah that is where my lens came from. Maybe one day I'll go there in person. Then again it might be financial prudent NOT to go

My manager is going in a few weeks for a wedding. He likes B&H as much as me, and since I brought him *two* tripods last time, I have some reserved space in his suitcase. What to get?

 

[bwana]

Well, as short update on this: The thief had been identified and arrested, and I might have to go to court some time. Police says they searched the person's place but did not find any of the goodies. On the upside, I am now fully insured



Damn, I should have bought it, it's almost £1000 more now

Glad they caught the miscreant.

The weak pound is really kicking my butt these days. I've asked my mom to pick up a Nikon for me today when she goes through Heathrow . . . unless that price has skyrocketed too.