News For camera nerds only

[Wazzerphuk]

Yes I might as well. A new lens would probably have to be done at the same time, for no other reason than I'd need a better lens to reflect the better body. Don't forget about my massive penis either.

 

[old.user4556]

What's the most important thing for the body?

Canon's flagship APS-C sensor (the 18MP found in the EOS 7D) can be had in the 60D or even the 550D. The 550D is on special just now with cashback, so you can get a new body for less than £500.

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-canon-eos-550d-digital-slr-camera-body/p1519448

 

[Wazzerphuk]

I could probably stretch a bit further than that. Got my 300D on cashback and then a newer, better model came out and it made me angry!

I'm not fussed by video at all, don't think I'd ever use it - would that mean I'd be able to get something better for stills for similar money by getting a non-video one? What are the main differences between the Canons? I'm not very technically informed and when just looking at descriptions there aren't a huge amount of differences. Obviously I'm looking for the best quality images possible, and I'm not after anything for shooting sports or other fast-based activities so performance in those areas isn't essential.

Would you recommend upgrading to a full frame sensor rather than a crop?

 

[old.user4556]

Wazz, try this for each Canon APS-C tier:

http://www.dpreview.com/products/co...d&products=canon_eos7d&products=canon_eos550d

I've got the 7D and I bought it because:

- I wanted an all magnesium body
- I wanted weather resistance
- I wanted 8 frames per sec
- I wanted the best autofocus I could get on an APS-C body
- it was the first Canon camera to get the new 18 MP sensor

However, if you're not needing rapid frames per sec, video or super autofocus then you'll get basically exactly the same images on a 550D as you will on a 7D. You won't get as good build quality, or as sophisticated an autofocus system, but for landscapes and "walkaround" it'll essentially be the same.

Full frame is a different ball-game, definitely awesome image quality but it's a significant step up in price. You'll still be £1500 for a 5D Mk2 (which is getting old and due for a replacement) not to mention the lenses to go with it. In my opinion, good glass is just as important as the body, so the standard Canon full-frame kit lens weighs in at £900. You can get deals if you buy the two together, but you're still talking £2100. Lenses are an investment though, they hold their money and don't often change; some Canon lens designs go back to the mid nineties. Camera bodies are out of date after 2 to 3 years. Remember, you can't use your EF-S lenses on a full frame Canon.

Your other options are to look at the second hand market.

 

[Clown]

I have a 135mm f/2.8 L, 50mm f/1.8 and the kit lens 18-55mm. Are they EF-S?

 

[old.user4556]

The 18-55mm is EF-S, the other two are EF and full-frame compatible.

 

[Clown]

So I guess I'll have to wait until I can afford a 17-55mm IS or 24-70mm as well as the FF body at the same time!
Cheers.

 

[old.user4556]

I've got a 17-55mm f/2.8. Absolutely fucking fantastic lens.

 

[caLLous]

Agree with that, I got mine with the body instead of the kit lens. The best walkaround lens for a APS-C body ever.

 

[Clown]

But... But... L!

 

[old.user4556]

Believe me it's worthy of L, it's prime like

 

[caLLous]

Yep. If you have aspirations of going full-frame I would focus on EF-compatible lenses. The 24-70mm f2.8L is supposed to be excellent, although you don't get any IS. And it's odd, in that the barrel is extended when you are at the widest focal length and it shortens as you zoom in. It's a bit clever because it means that when you use the hood (it attaches to a fixed bit of the barrel), it is fixed and the front element moves to compensate for the focal length.

The 17-55mm f2.8 is widely regarded as being the best EF-S lens you can get, I saw a review somewhere that said if iit was an EF lens it would be a L but they aren't doing any L's for the EF-S mount.

 

[Scouse]

OK camera nerds. Easy one for ya. Want to buy something cheap and cheerful (but not shit) for Christmas for the G/F.

Something small, point-and-shoot, still takes pictures at night without them being blurry pieces of shit.

Ideas pretty pretty please

 

[Wazzerphuk]

I'm going to check my lenses. I know I've got the 18-55mm which is poop and EF-S, but the others might be EFs. When's the 5D replacement due?

 

[caLLous]

How cheap and how cheerful Scouse? I know not much of compacts but I know someone who has had 2 Panasonic Lumix models over the past few years and she's been very satisfied with them. The TZ20 and the TZ18 are the current better offerings.

 

[caLLous]

And not for ages, Wazz.

 

[Wazzerphuk]

How long is ages? I'm not in a particular rush.

 

[old.user4556]

I think towards the end of next year for an announcement is the latest rumour

 

[Wazzerphuk]

That's gay. I'm thinking I'd probably be happier with something that's great and bit more expensive than something that's good and cheaper that I might have some regrets on.

My wide angle is an EF lens (2.8 28mm), as is the 1.8 50mm. Just checked my e-mail for the zoom I got last year (Canon EF 55-200mm f/4-5.6 II USM)... and that is ALSO EF! So I'm definitely veering towards getting a full frame if the step up in quality is that much better. They're not the best lenses but they'd definitely do a job until I get something of superior quality.

I had a suspicion I was being clever enough to avoid EF-S lenses, turns out I was right.

 

[milou]

Always buy the best you can afford and aim towards putting cash into lenses. You can always sell gear on. Talk Photography have a thriving market place if you want to pick up some decent gear.

 

[Wazzerphuk]

5D lust setting in. If only I could justify getting the 1D-X.

 

[milou]

£620: http://www.apertureuk.com/canon_auto_focus.html#canon

 

[old.user4556]

I'd not bother with a 5D personally, a Mk2 or nothing.

 

[Wazzerphuk]

What's the main differences?

 

[old.user4556]

GOOGLE FS :EEK:

 

[Wazzerphuk]

But you guys are so much more knowing! And leet!

 

[old.user4556]

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Ca...rand2)/Canon/(appareil3)/176|0/(brand3)/Canon

The 5D will still be a great camera, but it's old and really out of date as far as current technology is concerned.

The 5D Mk2 is 21 MP compared to 13 MP on the 5D not to mention improved dynamic range on the 5D Mk2 and a whopping improvement with regards to higher ISO (the 5D maxes out at 3200). I've put the 550D in there as well as an example of the improvements in sensor technology; the 18 MP APS-C sensor is higher resolution, better dynamic range and not as limited as the 5D in terms of ISO ceiling. The 5D's signal to noise is still slightly better than the 550D due to the larger photosites.

Personally, I wouldn't touch an old 5D for so many reasons (lack of live view, lack of dust cleaning, old sensor, no ISO past 3200, generally better options out there).

 

[Scouse]

How cheap and how cheerful Scouse? I know not much of compacts but I know someone who has had 2 Panasonic Lumix models over the past few years and she's been very satisfied with them. The TZ20 and the TZ18 are the current better offerings.

I'll have a look. Cheers for the recommendations

 

[Wazzerphuk]

Thanks. Some great info there. So it looks a bit like a 550D now-ish, or wait for new 5D replacement. Toughy.

 

[old.user4556]

The thing is, the Mk2 produces awesome images. It will always produce awesome images. If you bought one today, it's still going to be awesome 5 years from now.

Noone really knows what's in store for the Mk3 - is it 36 MP? Is it the 18 MP sensor from the 1D-X? Will it have the autofocus of the 7D?

I've mulled over selling my Tokina 11-16mm, 17-55mm and 7D body and replacing it with a 5D Mk2 and a 24mm TS-E. Bit pie in the sky because the 7D and Tokky give me great images, I just love the idea of distortion correction in the lens not to mention the awesome sharpness.

Milou has a 24 TS-E. I want it, I want it bad. Giiiveeeeee to meeeeeeeeeeeeeee!