Author Topic: Official Canon Gear Thread  (Read 5509 times)

Offline Ken K.

  • Visitor
  • *
  • Posts: 198
    • View Profile
    • Online Portfolio
    • Email
Re: Official Canon Gear Thread
« Reply #15 on: October 27, 2008, 12:09:52 pm »
Check out this review on Luminous Landscape of the new Canon G-10:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/kidding.shtml

Image quality to rival medium format!

Ken
Ken Kovak
Lehigh Valley, PA

Online Portfolio
SmugMug Portfolio

Offline jefg99

  • LVPC Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1167
  • Advice: Do not try a camera toss at this location
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Official Canon Gear Thread
« Reply #16 on: October 27, 2008, 12:51:57 pm »
Thanks for the link The benefit of cameras like the G10 (and to some degree my G9) are that they produce quality images at a reasonably low costs (under $500), shoot in RAW, give you most of the shooting options and modes as do dslr's and though replace the need for macro and tele lenses, still allow for the addition of filters and a couple of additional lenses if desired. The primary advantage to me is the size when traveling, especially when you're not wanting to make it too obvious to the rest of the world you're a tourist. It fitd on my belt like a cellphone, or in my pocket. I keep it in my car much of the time, so I won't miss a shot I come across.

Like the reviewer, I'm not suggesting it's as good as a dslr for many applications, but it's not that far away. I certainly recommend it to anyone looking for an advanced point&shoot, whether it be their only camera, or one to keep with you as a secondary camera.
"You can't have everything...where would you put it?" (S. Wright)

Yammer77

  • Guest
Re: Official Canon Gear Thread
« Reply #17 on: October 28, 2008, 11:09:14 am »
Canon just released a firmware update for the 50D......

Offline Brian Keifer

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 523
    • View Profile
Re: Official Canon Gear Thread
« Reply #18 on: October 28, 2008, 11:35:53 am »
Downloaded that last night, but the camera wouldn't let me update because my battery wasn't charged enough.  I took it as a sign and just went to bed instead. =)   I figure I'll update this evening assuming nobody on POTN starts raving about how it broke their camera, locked up their aperture, kicked their dog, or ate their baby.


Offline jefg99

  • LVPC Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1167
  • Advice: Do not try a camera toss at this location
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Official Canon Gear Thread
« Reply #19 on: October 28, 2008, 12:10:37 pm »
Now that Canon has introduced the newest entry in the S-Series, there's a new camera that would fit most all the needs of us amateur photographers looking to get many of the benefits of a dslr and assorted lens from a single unit. The 20x zoom (35mm film equivalent: 28-560mm) is sweet on a 10mp camera with Image Stabilization, the new DIGIC 4 Image Processor and a rotating 2.5" display that many of us G-9 owners would love to have.. The downsides include lack of RAW (the G-9 and G-10 shoot RAW), a plastic body, fewer manual options, inability to add filters, and a size more like a dslr than a p&s. ...but at $365 it's also $100 less than a G-10.

All in all, this looks like the perfect camera for travel and everyday shooting, doing video as well; that is, if you don't already own a G-9 or G-10 (the latter of which I'd still prefer)

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Powershot-SX10IS-Digital-Stabilized/dp/B001G5ZTZO

Disclaimer...I wrote this from information I found online; it is not an ad for Canon.  :D
"You can't have everything...where would you put it?" (S. Wright)

Yammer77

  • Guest
Re: Official Canon Gear Thread
« Reply #20 on: October 30, 2008, 07:38:39 am »
review of the 50d is up and they seem to like the 40d better at higher iso.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos50d/

Offline jefg99

  • LVPC Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1167
  • Advice: Do not try a camera toss at this location
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Official Canon Gear Thread
« Reply #21 on: November 03, 2008, 11:38:50 am »
Question for the Canon shooters...I have the Canon 18-55mm Canon IS as my walk around lens. At f3.5 and IS, it shouldn't have any trouble shooting an equivalent 2.0 or lower. Is there an real advantage to getting the 50mm 1.8 as well?
"You can't have everything...where would you put it?" (S. Wright)

Offline Brian Keifer

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 523
    • View Profile
Re: Official Canon Gear Thread
« Reply #22 on: November 03, 2008, 12:29:55 pm »
The 50 1.8 is a fantastic lens for the price.  I like shooting with it because it forces me to think about my composition rather than just zooming in or out.  Stopped down a little bit, it's incredibly sharp.

The downsides to the lens are that it has a very hard time focusing in low-light situations and that the build quality isn't all that stellar.  It just feels "cheap".

It's not my go-to lens for much of anything, but I do think it's worth every penny I paid for it to have in the bag.

Offline Ken K.

  • Visitor
  • *
  • Posts: 198
    • View Profile
    • Online Portfolio
    • Email
Re: Official Canon Gear Thread
« Reply #23 on: November 03, 2008, 12:46:49 pm »
Question for the Canon shooters...I have the Canon 18-55mm Canon IS as my walk around lens. At f3.5 and IS, it shouldn't have any trouble shooting an equivalent 2.0 or lower. Is there an real advantage to getting the 50mm 1.8 as well?

Jeff,

Not sure I understand your question.  At f3.5 you will achieve a certain shutter speed.  If you could go to f1.8 the aperture would be open wider thus achieveing a faster shutter speed.   

The IS will allow you to hand hold at slower shutter speeds.

What the f1.8 will give you that you can't get at the f3.5 will be a more shallow depth of field for blurred backgrounds, etc.

Ken
Ken Kovak
Lehigh Valley, PA

Online Portfolio
SmugMug Portfolio

Offline jefg99

  • LVPC Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1167
  • Advice: Do not try a camera toss at this location
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Official Canon Gear Thread
« Reply #24 on: November 03, 2008, 01:04:32 pm »
I probably phrased part of the question wrong. Both lenses would seem to allow me to shoot at reasonable hand held shutter speeds at the same ISO, this allowing me to get the same shot. I realize that at f1.8 and f3.5 the DOF would be different, but in most cases wouldn't I'd want the higher f-stop (3.5 vs 1.8) to give me more DOF when shooting indoor travel shots (cathedrals, etc.).

Basically, I was asking if, given the same ability to shoot indoors, is it worth me buying and carrying one more lens, or would the 18-55IS serve the same purpose?

Hopefully that's clearer. Please keep in mind that a lot of this is new to me.
"You can't have everything...where would you put it?" (S. Wright)

Offline Rootster

  • Visitor
  • *
  • Posts: 96
    • View Profile
    • SmugMug
    • Email
Re: Official Canon Gear Thread
« Reply #25 on: November 04, 2008, 03:25:17 am »
Jeff,  The IS only helps with the camera shake from hand holding and does not help if the subject is moving.  The shutter speed remains the same with or without the IS on.  For the same light and same ISO, the f1.8 will give a faster shutter speed and therefore will freeze any subject movement, whereas the f3.5 will have a slower shutter speed and the subject may blur.  It doesn't matter if you have IS or not if the subject is moving.  If you are taking a picture where the subject is stationary, then your results should be the same.

If you are looking for a 1.8, I think I have one that I'd sell cheap.  I still have the 75-300 and the Tamron 17-50 if anyone's interested.

Offline jefg99

  • LVPC Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1167
  • Advice: Do not try a camera toss at this location
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Official Canon Gear Thread
« Reply #26 on: November 04, 2008, 07:25:04 am »
Thanks Ken and Reggie, I know it took both of you to explain the advantage to me, so  that says something about how much I have to learn (or think harder). I still want to take just one lens for speed of use (on a tour, and also wary of toting around a lot of equipment looking like someone to pickpocket), and I'm thinking the 18-55IS will be the one. Of course, I will have my G9 to back me up and give me versatility.

The shutter speed issue is probably more of a factor than the DOF for the type of shots I envision (interiors of cathedrals and palaces), so I'll just have to very emphatically tell everyone on the tour to hold still for a while.  ;) I'm not packing a tripod or monopod, so I'll be using every possible way I can think of to keep the camera steady.
"You can't have everything...where would you put it?" (S. Wright)

Offline jefg99

  • LVPC Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1167
  • Advice: Do not try a camera toss at this location
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Official Canon Gear Thread
« Reply #27 on: November 04, 2008, 09:18:50 am »
I'll probably pick one (the 50mm f1.8 ) up in any case. Reggie, how cheap is cheap? Amazon has them down to $86 with free shipping.
"You can't have everything...where would you put it?" (S. Wright)

Offline Rootster

  • Visitor
  • *
  • Posts: 96
    • View Profile
    • SmugMug
    • Email
Re: Official Canon Gear Thread
« Reply #28 on: November 04, 2008, 09:45:41 am »
Jeff-

I just checked and I have the 50mm 1.8 II with a Tiffen 52mm UV protector filter,  no hood, mint condition (only shot with on Sundays).....$50.

ajlipe

  • Guest
Re: Official Canon Gear Thread
« Reply #29 on: November 04, 2008, 09:53:49 am »
Another 50D review —> http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/camera/review/178/page_1.html

Jeff - I highly recommend keeping a 50mm lens in your bag just for those times when you need a faster lens.