Lens Use 2012 and 2013

It has been a while since I posted an analysis of my lens usage.  (Frankly it's been a while since I posted at all!).  I did a quick analysis of my lens usage over the past two years to compare to the previous ones I have posted, here, here and here.

The most obvious thing is that I took a lot less photos in 2013, even with Ireland. The sad part is that trip probably was nearly half my photos for the year. Let's hope I can do better this year. I am so far, and we have another vacation planned in the near future so that should help!

My 16-35L is still definitely a favorite lens. Graphs like this make me think about selling the 24-70L.  I really don't use it a lot, but I feel like it's a good lens to have in the lineup.  

5D Mark III - First Thoughts

Friday night I went to pick up my new baby from UPS, my lovely new 5D mark iii. I have since spent a ton of time pouring over the manual playing with the settings and taking random photos. First impression?  Love it!

Highlights:

• The AF is so fast that it locks and shoots the photo before I think it could have locked focus
• The ISO looks really good on the LCD, but it is hard to judge without being able to take a raw file into LR. The JPGs I have coverted in the camera without noise reduction generally look good but it is hard to compare to the 5dm2 at this point
• There are so many options, especially with the autofocus it might take me months to go through all the settings and see what works best for me.

And now the important part, pictures! I can't take these into LR, not even LR4 is updated to convert them yet, so I used the ability to do a raw conversion in camera. These are SOOC, other than minor WB adjustments on some as part of the in camera conversion, but no exposure adjustments or noise reduction or sharpening.





A 100% crop of the eyes on both of those photos.  Both images were taken at ISO 3200 f/2 1/200, with my 135L.

Finally a shot at ISO 6400, which is rather underexpose, but Gibson is too cute.



And a link to the full sized file if you want to look.

It's noisy, but actually sharp, the noise would be a lot better at the right exposure and with some noise reduction. Hopefully I can do a real review and comparison with the 5dm2 soon. I will probably shoot the images soon, even if I can't do anything with them for a while.

Upgrade Dreaming

Sometimes it is fun to dream about what I want to see in my next camera body. In fact I am already saving up for it, and then a computer upgrade as well. Back when I was dreaming of upgrading from my rebel I posted about what I was looking for in my next body. The list included the following:

• Higher ISO than 1600 (3200 at least 6400 would be nice)


• 1/3 stop ISO settings (XT only does full stop)


• Less noise at ISO 800 and 1600 (XT is pretty noisy at 1600)


• Better focusing in low light


• More focus points


• Real spot metering


• ISO in viewfinder


• Full frame sensor (this isn't a requirement though I really want it!)


• Bigger LCD


• Better weather sealing

It's funny that some of the things I wanted (spot metering) I actually don't use. And things I didn't know I wanted (AF microadjust) I use a lot. I am surprised I didn't mention easier to toggle focus as a want, because I remember that being an issue.

Turns out my new body did have most of what I wanted, here is what I am happy with in my 5D mark ii

• Full Frame - I just LOVE it, it is perfect for how and what I like to shoot.


• Megapixels - it was a nice jump to go from 4MP on myh P&S to 8MP on my rebel XT and then really nice to go to 21MP with this body. I don't think I need a lot more for what I shoot


• ISO - the low light image quality is great, especially when I nail my exposure. If they can make it better of course I would be happy, but I really don't think I need to be able to shoot at higher and higher ISOs, really I rarely need to go above 3200.


• Custom functions - I love the ability to change what all the buttons do. Especially using that nubbin thing to move my AF point, and using the AF-on button to stop AF for when I want to use manual focus for macros


• AF Microadjust - my 50L would be sunk without it!


• Video - I am actually glad that the body has video, I don't use it a lot, but the quality is amazing when I remember that it is an option. Now I just have to figure out what to do with those videos since I can't put them in a blurb book


• Weather sealing - I love that with an L lens I can feel safe taking my body out in a light drizzle for a couple of minutes to shoot some wet macros, or out in the snow, or out into the sandy desert in Egypt.

I guess that all begs the question why do I want to upgrade? In general I don't really need to upgrade. I would say overall I am very very happy with my 5D mark ii. I just hate using "old" technology so I know that when Canon does get around to annoucing the next in the series I will want it. Who doesn't want to be able to do just a bit more with what they have? Of course I want Canon to keep all the things I love and even update them a bit (like the megapixels, but really I think 28-30 is the max I would want and if they can make the high ISOs better, who am I to say no?), but what else would I like in my next body?

• Improved Autofocus - I just want more cross type points. Ideally the 19 that the 7D has. There are times when only my center point will be able to lock focus easily (some of the others will depending on which way they look for contrast) and it would be much easier if all of them did this better.


• Dual card slots - I know this isn't likely, unless I go insane and upgrade to a 1D series body (which likely will never ever happen, too many lenses to buy!) but it would be awesome for vacations to be able to shoot Large RAW on one card and a small JPG on the other that the ipad could handle so I could share photos on the road. Or I could use the second slot to backup the photos.


• More lens calibration options - I was just reading an article yesterday where someone mentioned this (here is the link, it is in the updated part, but read the whole article if you haven't before, awesome!) and it is a brillant idea.


• Built in Remote Flash Trigger - ideally radio signal based instead of IR, though then I would no longer need my PWs and I would probably need a new flash, but it would be handy! (canon did submit a patent for this actually).

Can you believe that is really it? I told you I was happy with my 5D mark ii.

Kelly Moore Hobo Review

My first time really testing out my new Kelly Moore Hobo bag in Gray was my recent trip to Longwood. Overall I loved the bag, it was really comfortable to wear, it had a nice small footprint compared to my Epiphanie bag (which I still love, it just has a different purpose), it held all the gear I needed it too (5dm2, 100L, flash, pocket wizards, extension tubes, wallet, cell, keys, sunglasses) and I love the color. My ONLY complaint is that the 100L on the 5dm2 is just a little long to fit in the middle section lens down and actually zip the bag shut. Which really is only a minor issue (since bags like my shootsac I can't put the body in a all with a lens on it). The bag overall gets two thumbs up from me.