Friday 26 August 2016

Where I think Canon missed an opportunity

I really rate my 5D3. But, over time, Nikon has improved the exposure latitude of their sensors, it remains to be seen if Canon have now caught up. The new 5D4 introduces a new and clever sensor, that if you specify when shooting, (sort of) records two images which if you use Canon's software (does anyone?) you can fix the focus a bit... Note the sensor still has an 'AA' filter. The focusing is greatly improved too.

The new camera is launched as a 4K video camera, but, no focus peaking, no electronic viewfinder and a massive crop when switching to 4K. It does now feature a touch-screen, but if you use an electronic viewfinder, you don't need one - why - because you know you've nailed exposure, and for me, the rear screen is inadequate to review image detail especially in sunlight. When I'm out shooting, I almost never review on the screen, for my type of photography, a missed shot is just that.

Above all, why the massive price hike? The 5D3 came out at, I believe, £2.3k body only - what exactly makes this camera worth an extra grand? Put another way, camera plus kit lens + £500 = 1DX mk11! Um, let me think...



So what should Canon have done:


  • no anti-alias filter
  • a viewfinder system like the Fuji 100T with focus assist
  • improved OLED screen and not just more dots
  • 10 fps
  • GPS, yes great, but wi-fi that is basic - reminiscent of the EyeFi system - didn't they look at Nikon's snapbridge?

that, I think would command the extra £1K...

Thursday 25 August 2016

I am so looking forward to...a new camera!

On the day that Canon announced the 5D Mk 4 I thought that it was time to post again.

It's not that I had nothing to say for a year, just that I have a life too!

I have paid for and am awaiting delivery of a Fujifilm X-T2! Because I can't resist an offer I have already got the 16mm f1.4, the 35mm f2.0, the 90mm f2.0 and the camera is coming with the grip and the 'kit' lens. For once I have B+W filters for protection rather than my usual Hoya HD's.

Am I therefore feeling a little sick that the replacement for my Canon 5D3 has reared it's head? - NO! At £3.5K body only, are Canon for real? Then add £1.1K for the kit lens, £2.35K for the third iteration of the 16-35mm and well, no, n,n,n,n,n, no! My entire Fuji haul is better made and costs less than the new body only...

The camera is compact and a lot lighter than the Canon 5D, when attached to the grip you loose this benefit, but go into boost mode which gives it twice the shooting power of the 5D in terms of frames per second.


The kit lens that doesn't know it is... and £200 off when bought with the body

And those lenses:


I toyed with the 56mm f1.2 but decided instead on the 135mm equivalent, the 90mm f2, as my favourite Canon lens was/is the 135mm.
This lens is the way you get bokeh on a wide prime!

At £274 for what a lot of pros are saying is a 'must have' well...

These lenses are exquisite in terms of build quality, and come with a great reputation, and these three cost less than the last lens I bought for my Canon, a 100-400 mk11!

Latest reports are that with the new firmware (still pre-release) the camera is quite simply unbelievable at continuous focus.

I still love you Canon, I think...