Something that really irks me

Yesterday, I gave my 'antiquated' EF Prime lenses a test run with the Canon RF. using the control ring adapter.

To those who say the lenses are too slow to focus; pish tosh.  Your humble bragging about selling off your EF lenses so you can get the new RF lenses is humble bragging.  Of course, I have found bargains beyond belief because of such humble bragging.

I do have one RF lens, the 35mm. It's fine. Kind of noisy, but great lens. My 300mm EF L IS works great on the RF body. My 400mm NON is EF L lens works equally great.

Of all the RF lenses I have tried, I wouldn't say no to the 100-500. But no humble bragging here. I am saving for this lens, but I am not humble bragging that I am selling off my EF lenses to do this. Instead I bought an adapter ring, to continue using the excellent EF glass on the RF. And I still have my 7DmkII, that use those same EF lenses.  And I have an adapter ring to use EF lenses on my Olympus OMD EM-1.

Yup, I was right

On November 28, 2020, I posted a rather lengthy blog entry under the title "Canon, you have some 'splainin' to do!" regarding how their new EOS R5 and its' overheating problem when recording video. I even posted link to a video where someone, with a helluva lot more money than I can spare, disassembled the R5, made a water cooling system. Fixed the overheating, but impractical.

Also in the video, he carefully removed the back, removed the ineffectual tiny heat sink, and cleaned off the old thermal paste. He fabricated a larger heat sink that and after a dab of thermal paste, put the new heat sink on, closed up the camera, and TA DA! No more overheating problems.

The reason I type all this out, is I told my hubby that I wouldn't be surprised if Canon, who claimed the EOS R5 was 'future proof' (planned obsolescence) would put out a new version nothing more than a larger heat sink to stop the overheating issue.

Hello new model Canon EOS R5 Cinema!  It's the EOS R5 without the heating problem!

To me, this makes no difference as I am a still photographer, not a videographer.  But if I was someone who bought the EOS R5 with 8K videoing in mind, only to run into the overheating wall, I would politely demand that Canon fix the flaw EOS R5 they already own.

Canon, you have some ‘splainin’ to do!

1: Yes, I have this camera.
2: Yes, I have noticed that it gets hot!
3: Although I have the know-how to do this, I don't have the equipment, nor would I void my warranty by doing this. (but if I had the means and equipment, I would!) 

Many (aka males) have 'explained' to me that the R5 is a STILLS camera. 
Really? Then Canon shouldn't be advertising it the way they do, regarding using it for video.

This is from their own sites (US, UK, AU):
  "Introducing 8K video: how the Canon EOS R5’s flagship filmmaking feature changes the game.  The Canon EOS R5 rigged for filming. Audience expectations are growing, with high-resolution video content in demand across all platforms from streaming services to commercials, and the EOS R5 is poised to deliver, making it a future-proof choice.”

So no, this overheating problem does NOT make it future-proof (planned obsolescence). And my techy-ness makes me just shake my head at how this overheating issue could have been avoided by some proper thermal paste, and a proper heat conducting plate.

The blithe mansplainers saying "People should get the Canon Cine cameras" does NOT negate this problem, especially in light of how Canon itself is advertising this very expensive piece of camera gear. 

Does the R5 take great photographs? Oh hell, yes. They're sharper, cleaner, and overall IQ is heads and tails above the 5DmkIV.

But this heating issue...  This isn't like the futz 'light leak' that could be caused by something no photographer would really do.

I wouldn't be surprised if there will be some sort of recall because of camera bodies warping, melting, or catching fire, when used to record video.

Or a EOS R5mkII? 

It was bizarre

I was so so when I went to bed last night. I have no idea why, but all I know is I couldn't get to sleep because of it. Got up, took some ibuprofen/paracetamol tablets. Must have worked because the next thing I knew, we were being annoyed by three of the cats to get up and feed them.

Picked up a Canon 1DmkIV in immaculate condition, looks brand new, for cheap cheap.  Tested it out and it's ok, and although it does focus faster than the 7DmkII, and has a larger sensor, it's not better than then 7DmkII.  So, plan b: bundle them both together for a trade in. 

Kind of expected this

After a session with a Microsoft Tech regarding not being able to see camera raw files from specific cameras (Olympus OMD EM1mkII and EM5mkII, and Canon 5DmkIV) I was told it was a Canon issue and to contact Canon for 'the fix'.

Three guesses what I got in response... and the first two guesses won't count.

It's a WINDOWS issue.

Meanwhile, some versions of Windows will let you view CR2 files natively (for example, in a folder view). In previous versions of Windows, you needed to download the Microsoft Camera Codec Pack, which provides support for viewing RAW image file format thumbnails and image information in Windows Explorer.  In Windows 10, the default app for opening RAW image files is Windows Photo Viewer. However in some cases, Windows 10 operating system cannot open the RAW files in "preview mode" for images taken using new EOS camera models.

Now the cameras I mentioned aren't 'new'. They are a few years old now.

This was my reply:

Not being snarky here, but I had a feeling this was the answer I was going to get. Microsoft said it was a Canon issue, and Canon saying it was a Microsoft issue. How about you two get together and fixing the problem, rather than fixing the blame.

I don't use DPP, although I do have it installed because I wanted to see if that would install a camera codec in Windows 10 and it didn't. I use On1Photo Raw, which sees the CR2 files just fine. Also, Photoshop CC & bridge with latest camera raw update sees the CR2 images just fine. The problem is OTHER software (Aurora HDR, Luminar, Affinity) rely on Windows 10 native Windows Explorer in program to select and process images.

I will pass this along to Microsoft, and I am going to wager they will once again tell me it's NOT a Windows 10 issue, but a Canon issue.

Interesting results

Yesterday, I went out to get some stormy skies photography, and brought the 7DmkII paired with Canon 400mm f/5.6 prime lens.  Don't get me wrong, it's a good lens, but without stabilization, I found most my photos had some variation of motion blur, as it was low light, focusing on a distant subject, hand held. Not the best lighting for a non IS lens.

Today, I took the 400mm, mounted it on the Kipon EF to MFT adapter, and put it on an Olympus OMD EM1.  I swear this lens and body were made for each other.  Even though the lens is an f/5.6 on a full frame, the equivalent on the EM1 is an F/2.8.  Couple that with the in body stabilization, the lens being Non IS is no longer an issue.

You have to remember this when using this combination, because if you don't your images will probably be a bit dark, and when shooting at ISO 800 or above, that can lead to excess noise.  You will see 5.6 flashing in your viewfinder. You have to ignore that. I know, goes against everything you’ve learned.

I shot this at f/6.3 +0.7, ISO 800, 1/120 exp. 

The image is sharp, colors are great, and even the bokeh is sweet.

Better than I expected

Don't get me wrong, I loved my Tamron 24-70 f/2.8, fast to focus, and the image quality was excellent, but I kept finding myself trying to zoom past the 70mm mark. It didn't quite have the reach.  So, instead of ruining the lens by accidentally over torquing the zoom ring, it was time to get lens with longer reach.

At PhotoExpoLive2017, I purchased the 24-105mkII.  One of the things I was concerned about was losing that one stop. Well, I didn’t have to worry because the bokeh even at f/4 on the 5D4 was great.

Canon 5DmkIV, 24-105mkII, ISO 1600, f/4, 1/60exp.  No noise reduction, edited in On1PhotoRaw 2017

Plans for June

Wing and I went for a bit of a long walk today. It was good and it was to test something.

Although I can wear the compression knee bandage if I am going for short walks, or around the house and yard. Longer walks, I will be needing the hinged knee brace.  It's good to know this now, before we head to Sydney! Would be a disaster to get there and not be able to walk long distance .

So, pack or wear the hinged brace, pack the three compression knee bandages.

And we have been discussing what gear to bring.  One camera body, 5D4.  Lenses: 24-70, 70-300 and the 12-24.  Should have all bases covered that way. Also, bring SD cards, as I found out they will have cameras set up for the studio/photo sessions, and the ones set up only take SD cards. I will bring CF cards for when we do our own photowalks in Sydney.

After side by side test shots

I have a very old Canon wide angle lens, a 17-35mm F/2.8.  Although it worked great for older camera bodies (550D, 40D, 7D) but its performance falls short on the 5DmkIV and the 7DmkII.

So, I have been testing diffferent lenses, taking a photo of the same thing, same settings..

Canon 11-24 f/4 - clear images even to the edges, barely visible fringing, minor vignetting. Can't mount a UV filter, but the lens hood extends past the element.

Canon 17-40 f/4 - clear images, slight softening at the edges. Visible vignetting and fringing. Can mount a UV filter.

Canon 16-35 f/4 - clear images, visible fringing and minor vignetting. Can mount UV filter.

Canon 16/35 f/2.8 - clear images, slightly visible fringing, and minor vignetting, but less than the f/4 version. Can mount UV filter.

Tamron 15-30 f/2.8 - clear images, very visible fringing, minor vignettings. Can't mount UV filter, but lens hood extends past the element.

Sigma Art 12-24 f/4 - clear images, even to the edges. Negligible fringing, negligible vignetting. Can't mount UV filter, but lens hood extends past the element.

So, it's down to the Canon 11-24 f/4 and the Sigma Art 12-24 f/4.  They both produced excellent images, sharp, clear, even to the edges, so I have to choose by other criteria.

The Canon 11-24 f/4 is $2866 to $3,844.

The Sigma Art 12-24 f/4 is $1579 to $1999.

Sigma Art Series 12-24 f/4 for the win! Time to save my shekels!

You mess with ONE member of the Canon Collective

You mess with us all!

A @CanonCollective member had one of her photographs taken by someone by the name of Kenna Ploof, who then posted it as her own, attempting to sell it. 

Kenna had several different photography sales pages, all sporting a mix of some of her own images (she was in them, selfie sorts) and other images that weren't hers, nor was she giving license to sell them.

The Collective has descended upon her, and so far she had deleted two Twitter accounts, a Redbubble account, a viewbug account, and changed her name to Tanya Goren on the gurushots website, but still showing the same stolen images as her own.  Other aliases are Kenna Leigh Photography (those sites seem to have evaporated, too)

You mess with one of us, you mess with us all!

Canon 5DmkIV

And for the most part, I will have to say it's passed with flying colors.

It isn't made for sports or fast action photography, or wildlife photography, but you know something?  I was able to track and photograph birds flying overhead, with amazing accuracy.  With the high speed continuous shutter not being as loud as its' predecessor, it can be used for wildlife photography without scaring away your subjects, most of the time (there are always some that are camera shy). 

Over the weekend, I used the 5D4 at the Perth Zoo (not many moving subjects) and at Herdsman Lake, in Selby, where there were a lot of moving subjects.

Perth Zoo:

Silver Gull doing a flyby - The AF tracking kept the gull in focus

AF focusing, AI Servo mode, kept the dragonfly, in flight, in focus.

Auto ISO works a treat, and the new sensor; even in shady conditions, you don't get excessive noise.

Details, sharpness and better dynamic resolution.

Herdsman Lake:

AI Servo Auto Focus Tracking keeps the running Purple Swamphen in focus.

Tracking a Kite overhead, the 5D4 kept the subject in focus.

Nankeen Night Heron coming in for a landing.

Straight from camera, the dynamic range is heads and shoulder above the 5D4's previous incarnations.

To sum up: it's not just a few extra tweaks or a new coat of paint. Many of the above shots I would not have been able to do with the 5D3. Not saying the 5D3 is a bad camera, but it's successor is just that much better.

Canon 5DmkIV, first impression

First off, even with the new features and buttons, the Canon 5DmkIV is familiar enough to use straight out of the box. Got things set up, and then read some (not all) of the manual.

4 images, BIRDS ON A STICK! lens correction done, cropped down to main subject for close viewing, no other editing.

 

The Good

1: Handles higher ISOs wonderfully.  I shot these photos at ISO 800, one in direct sunlight, one in partial shading and two in full shade.  I didn't run any noise reduction, either in camera or in post. No noise worth mentioning at all.

The Good part II.

2: Sensor is MAD with details!  Even in shots #2 and 3 which are in shadow, the fine details in the feathers and on the twigs is clearly visible. Dynamic range is much better than its predecessor.

The good thing this is good because the other is just ok.

3: The high speed continuous shutter speed is a helluva lot quieter in the 5D4 compared to the 5D3 or the 7D2, and faster than the 5D3. This is a good thing, because the low speed silent continuous is slow. And I mean s..l..o..w.  That being typed, with the high speed continuous nowhere near as noisy as in previous or different Canon models, it can be used if you need a faster frame rate, but still want to remain rather quiet.

Now, I have only had it for a few hours, reading the manual, setting it up and will have a more detailed review after some serious use.

(Soon to be) On the road again...

Wing and I are heading up to the Pinnacles, in Cervantes W.A. Since the weather is a bit dicey, I have opted to take weather sealed (can go under running water without a problem) Olympus EM1 with two equally weather sealed lenses.

Also bringing the Canon 5D3, 100-400 and the 8-15mm fisheye, which is weather resistant, meaning  long as its not a Noah and the Ark fable of rain, I can be out in the rain and it will be ok. 

Will also be bringing Lumix 100-300 just in case of bird photography, as I have been told there have been many sightings of raptors/birds of prey around there. Not weather sealed, but as long as I'm careful, it will be ok.

Kipon Mount Adapter for Canon EF

I put a crow bar into one of my savings accounts and purchased a Kipon Mount Adapater, so I could use the most excellent Canon L glass with the Olympus EM1 body.

I did notice that it is slower to focus than it would be on the Canon Body. I expected that, the same things happens when you use the Olympus 4/3 adapter on the MFT body.  What I didn't expect that unlike when I use the 1.4x L adapter with the 100-400 mkII L, with the Kipon, there was no difference in the focus speed. IOWs it wasn't any slower than using just the Kipon adapter. And unlike when you use the 7D2 with the 1.4x adapter, you don't lose all the focus points, being 'stuck' with the center one ony.

What really surprised me is you don't lose the autofocus when using the Canon 2xmkIII adapter, although it does become a bit 'nose heavy'. I would suggest using a monopod when using the 100-400 with the 2x extender.

Image quality:  So far so good! I took many photos of the bees in the blossoming agave. The images are just as good, if not better, than when I used the Lumix 100-300 (Sorry, Panasonic), but I am using L Glass. 

Zooming in, clear sharp image.

 

Can you give me an "ARRRRRGH!"?

Canon Australia has opened February's "Canon Light" entries a little over a week ago, subject "Street Photography". 

I only have a single candidate so far because of  firebugs!

I have asthma. There are fucking arsonists lighting fires in the bush areas.  The air tastes of smoke and ash, and I have trouble breathing, to the point I am indoors with the a.c. running.

I know there is still time, but I don't want to have to choose one image at the last minute, but I also want more than one to choose from!

Now this is very disappointing

"Canon Photo 5" is no more. It's been superseded by "Canon Shine".

It's turned into an internet popularity contest. If you have a large Twitter, FB, or other blog/media site friends list, no one who doesn't have one stands a snow balls chance in hell. Those with huge friends lists will get 'voting swarms'.  The 'winner' becomes their free of charge spokesperson for Canon ads, getting little else than a bit of international viewing.

This is a damned shame, and really makes me sad. It does. I was really looking forward to this years Canon Photo 5. Sorry, Canon Australia. You've dropped the ball on this one. No more inspiration in a little brown box.