Myth, Folklore and Subjectivity of Gear Fora

[PetKal]

If anything, there is no shortage of info related to Canon EOS gear on the web: the sites like DPR, Fred Miranda, POTN, to name a few, are veritable beehives of contributors sharing their own as well as popular know-how, from factual to fictional, from frivolous to speculative....questions, answers and in-betweens. Some useful in a direct way, some misleading, much of it of mild utility.
The subjective nature of image IQ assessment is compounded further in some cases by uniqueness of gear specimens, e.g., those dreaded substandard 24-70 lens copies.;)
Thus, one should take much of that info with a grain of salt, do a sort of plausibility/reliability test of the data before embarking on a major purchase guided by the collected reviews and tips.

One can also often find what I like to call systemic or common mode fallacies which really amount to a perpetuating sort of a myth or misguided folklore. Now, the way subjectivity enters is that while I would consider those to be "fallacies", someone else would take them for "factual descriptors"....that's the very nature of these issues.

So, in here I'd like to list a few equipment characterizations relatively well entrenched on the fora, which I consider to be myths of some sort. However, you might not. Moreover, your myth list could be different from mine.
So let us hear it !:lol:
Lastly, please try to maintain a degree of lightness and humour in your views , I do not want this to start a war of words, nor "my copy is sharper than yours and so am I" discussion type.

Petkal's Favourite Gear Forum Folklore and Myths:
(1) AF is too slow on lenses: 85L, 100 f/2.8, 180L.
(2) 180L is not very sharp for general telephoto use.
(3) Non-L lenses build and finish is inadequate.
(4) All L lenses are made of metal.
(5) The sharpest Canon lenses are 200 f/1.8 and 300 f/2.8 IS.
(6) L lenses are made to take rain and dust without any caveats.
(7) Prosumer cameras are fragile.
(8 ) The longer FL of a birding telephoto, the better.
(9) The 400 f/5.6 is the best in-flight birding lens.
(10) The 100-400 is soft at 400mm.
(11) The 100-400 pumps dust into the camera.
(12) The EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM is overpriced because it's not L.
(13) The L lenses are designed to meet a defined "L IQ standard".

[saravrose]

LOL.. this could be interesting. I think the nifty bashing is my favorite.. bad build, bad focus etc.... when nobody is saying it's perfect just that it's a heck of a buy for the money put in...

sari

[Pete]

Hehe.. They're all true!!

Mine are:
* 100% crops are useful in assessing quality/sharpness of lenses
* If you can't take a picture with xx-xxmm IS L lens that's as good as listed in the Archives thread, then it must be sent back to Canon for recalibration
* Filters for len protection are a good thing
* Filters for lens protection is a bad thing

[PetKal]

Hehe.. They're all true!!

Mine are:
* 100% crops are useful in assessing quality/sharpness of lenses
* If you can't take a picture with xx-xxmm IS L lens that's as good as listed in the Archives thread, then it must be sent back to Canon for recalibration
* Filters for len protection are a good thing
* Filters for lens protection is a bad thing

:lol: Thanx for tuning in, dood.

Sari, I agree with you...the wee one may not be the biggest nor the best built Canon lens, but once you stop her down to f/2.8 and beyond, that baby can tango with the best of them.;)

[gjl711]

Just a couple more.
You
must fully discharge your battery before re-charging.
You need to have tiny little hands to work a XT.
The bigger the body, the more serious of a photog you are.
The viewfinder in the XT is so small that you can’t see anything.
All pictures taken with a DSLR MUST be post processed as the camera is incapable of delivering a good shot unprocessed.
If you touch the mirror, the camera will self destruct.
Taking a picture of the sun will harm your sensor.
The more the m-pixel, the better the shot. Yes, you can notice a 2 m-pixel difference in a 4x6.:lol:

[Tom W]

Two of my favorites:

The Crop Factor is temporary and will be eliminated in a few years.
Full-frame is a thing of the past - nobody wants it since the crop cameras are equal.

PS - I have both, just in case..... ;)

[saravrose]

The camera should do all the work for you..

[PetKal]

Just a couple more.

You

must fully discharge your battery before re-charging.
You need to have tiny little hands to work a XT.
The bigger the body, the more serious of a photog you are.
The viewfinder in the XT is so small that you can’t see anything.
All pictures taken with a DSLR MUST be post processed as the camera is incapable of delivering a good shot unprocessed.
If you touch the mirror, the camera will self destruct.
Taking a picture of the sun will harm your sensor.
The more the m-pixel, the better the shot. Yes, you can notice a 2 m-pixel difference in a 4x6.:lol:


Those that I've highlited might have been on my list too, if I remembered them.:lol:

An expansion of yours: "The bigger, the heavier, the longer, the more expensive......THE BETTER !"

[PetKal]

Two of my favorites:

The Crop Factor is temporary and will be eliminated in a few years.
Full-frame is a thing of the past - nobody wants it since the crop cameras are equal.

PS - I have both, just in case..... ;)

He he, at list the sword swings both ways.;)

[PetKal]

The camera should do all the work for you..

Sorry Sary, the only one I know who believes that on POTN is Condyke.:rolleyes:

[saravrose]

Sorry Sary, the only one I know who believes that on POTN is Condyke.:rolleyes:

haha.. it's been said to me over and over... the 'your camera takes nice pictures' or 'you spent all that money and then you have to do the work... the camera should do it for you'.... hmmm... I don't believe that Dave shoots in the green box..:confused: :confused: ;) ;) ... nope. I think we leave such things for Noink Extraordinaire Mr. Important Rockwell.... :p ..

sari

[PetKal]

haha.. it's been said to me over and over... the 'your camera takes nice pictures' or 'you spent all that money and then you have to do the work... the camera should do it for you'.... hmmm... I don't believe that Dave shoots in the green box..:confused: :confused: ;) ;) ... nope. I think we leave such things for Noink Extraordinaire Mr. Important Rockwell.... :p ..

sari

Good that you have reminded us of another insiduous myth:

>Only kooks, cretins, neonates, general ignoramuses, post ECT mental patients, granny bashers, failed actors, terrorists, lawyers, druggies and politicians use their cameras in an auto mode, including the "green square".<
What also follows is that in order to shoot like a pro, you must operate your camera in the M mode only.

[neil_r]

The more money you spend on your kit the better photographer you become.

Everyone who looks at POTN really is dying to see pictures of your kids

I just bought this (whatever) what do you think?

AV and TV are for amateurs, real photogs only use manual

There was no post processing in the days of film

[saravrose]

Good that you have reminded us of another insiduous myth:

>Only kooks, cretins, neonates, general ignoramuses, post ECT mental patients, granny bashers, failed actors, terrorists, lawyers, druggies and politicians use their cameras in an auto mode, including the "green square".<
What also follows is that in order to shoot like a pro, you must operate your camera in the M mode only.

well that in itself is an urban myth.. M mode is not the only way to work in... there are other acceptable methods of using your camera.... but, alas... using the 'fast running guy mode' is not the best option out there (atleast for me).... and now we may run into our own special brand of photog. snobbery that is generally heated as somebody somewhere always wants to defend their Uncle Lou so we shall leave that one alone and say that as long as the camera takes pictures than you are getting atleast part of it right.... ;) ;) ...

[saravrose]

There was no post processing in the days of film

oh yes.. the Ansel did it correctly without any 'altering of his images' so y'all are just cheats... myth... and the ever popular all this money for a camera and it's just more work then my p&s...

sari

[Pete]

The only good lens is a fast lens.

[PetKal]

The more money you spend on your kit the better photographer you become.

Sorry James, am I to understand that you do not support that venerable (damn, almost wrote "venereal"....what a near-lapsus:rolleyes: ) notion ?
You some kinda anarchist or worse ?

[gjl711]

Ok, so this is from another thread, but fits here as well.


A places thats offering a 30D with 1 gig card, a 24-70 and a 75-300 plus battery for $999 is a legit retailer. ;)

[Pete]

Oh, and:

Everyone should be using the centre-point AF point only

[MDJAK]

:lol: Thanx for tuning in, dood.

Sari, I agree with you...the wee one may not be the biggest nor the best built Canon lens, but once you stop her down to f/2.8 and beyond, that baby can tango with the best of them.;)

You know, I forget where, but I recently saw a landscape picture that was just fantastic.

Know what it was shot with? Yep, 50 1.4.

I too don't always buy the myths that abound, especially all those "unsharp" copies of the 24-70.

The fact the 100-400 pumps dust like a Hoover. At least mine doesn't.

me

[neil_r]

Sorry James, am I to understand that you do not support that venerable (damn, almost wrote "venereal"....what a near-lapsus:rolleyes: ) notion ?
You some kinda anarchist or worse ?

Worse, much much worse........

[MDJAK]

The only good lens is a fast lens.


Hey, that is true. Dante told me so.:lol:

[PetKal]

Oh, and:

Everyone should be using the centre-point AF point only

Right...and the 45 pt. AF system is what makes the 1 series cameras so superior.

[PetKal]

Worse, much much worse........

An accordion player ?:shock: :shock: :shock:

[neil_r]

An accordion player ?:shock: :shock: :shock:

Ok not that much worse ;-)

[ejwebb]

The more money you spend on your kit the better photographer you become.

Everyone who looks at POTN really is dying to see pictures of your kids

I just bought this (whatever) what do you think?

AV and TV are for amateurs, real photogs only use manual

There was no post processing in the days of film

This is a myth?!?!?!? Oh, no - have to find something else to post...how about my dogs?

[ejwebb]

How about the old:

IS is usefull only on telephoto lenses.

[PetKal]

I too don't always buy the myths that abound, especially all those "unsharp" copies of the 24-70.

me

Now, that one has been cooked up on POTN by Condyke and Ronald. The first youngster has been maligning the lens incessantly as a part of his self-denial pleasure seeking, the other boy is still doing the QA/QC testing of an open ended production unit sample of da brick.....I believe he might be on his 8th copy by now.:confused:

[PetKal]

This is a myth?!?!?!? Oh, no - have to find something else to post...how about my dogs?

Webb, we have discussed that on a number of occasions already.....to reiterate the key conclusions: (1) your kids are cute, (2) your dogs are ugly.;)

[PetKal]

How about the old:

IS is usefull only on telephoto lenses.

How about the new : " Real men don't need no stinkin IS on them telephoto lenses".:evil:

[Permagrin]

The more money you spend on your kit the better photographer you become.

Everyone who looks at POTN really is dying to see pictures of your kids

I just bought this (whatever) what do you think?

AV and TV are for amateurs, real photogs only use manual

There was no post processing in the days of film

Neil you hit on 3 of my biggest ones right there!
That and the "NO, the 100-400 does NOT pump dust"...
and the 5D is not a pro camera.

[Pete]

* Kit lenses are only worth throwing in the trash
* I've spent thousands of dollars/pounds/gurmits on L lenses and huge bodies, so I MUST be a good photographer
* I know lots because I've got a huge post count

[neil_r]

* I know lots because I've got a huge post count

Amen :-)

[PetKal]

Hey, hey, hey......we said no ad hominem comments, eh ?:mad:

[lmitch6]

Oh, I love this thread:

1. Photozone/Photodo/<insert favorite 'review' site here> rates XYZ lens very low, so it sucks and you should never ever ever get one.
2. The new 1dsMk9ver421a is out, so your current camera is less than worthless, even though you've only had it for 8 months. You should be ashamed of yourself.
3. The world is ending.......that speck on your photos is dust on your sensor. Start a petition, write your congress-person, threaten class-action lawsuits....
4. "Why do my landscape photos taken at f/1.8, handheld, after drinking 5 triple shot espressos from Starbucks look so soft? Is it because Photozone/Photodo rated my lens so low???"

[Pete]

* The 17-85mm IS isn't a good/sharp lens

[Moppie]

Hmmm, I can think of a few:

- Av is the only mode to shoot in, it covers all possible situations, even using flash
- Anything that does not have a mirror is a Point and shoot. This includes all S, A and G series Canons, all view cameras, and all range finders that are not Lecias.
- If there is a Lecia in the name it must be good, even if its next to Sony.
- Ansel Adams is the worlds greatest photographer
- Ansel Adams is working at Dantes shop flipping burgers with Elvis and PetKal.

[saravrose]

Hmmm, I can think of a few:

- Av is the only mode to shoot in, it covers all possible situations, even using flash
- Anything that does not have a mirror is a Point and shoot. This includes all S, A and G series Canons, all view cameras, and all range finders that are not Lecias.
- If there is a Lecia in the name it must be good, even if its next to Sony.
- Ansel Adams is the worlds greatest photographer
- Ansel Adams is working at Dantes shop flipping burgers with Elvis and PetKal.

nope.. ansel adams is the dishwasher... ;) .. and Petey is the waitress.... :lol: :lol: .. and have you used a Pro 1 lately.. harder than a DSLR and pretty dang far away from a point and shoot...

sari

[condyk]

Sorry Sary, the only one I know who believes that on POTN is Condyke.:rolleyes:

:lol: :lol:

Oh, and:

Everyone should be using the centre-point AF point only

But that is true :confused: unless you are using an old Zorki Rangefinder ;)

This is a myth?!?!?!? Oh, no - have to find something else to post...how about my dogs?

Please remember to put pants on them :evil:

Now, that one has been cooked up on POTN by Condyke and Ronald. The first youngster has been maligning the lens incessantly as a part of his self-denial pleasure seeking, the other boy is still doing the QA/QC testing of an open ended production unit sample of da brick.....I believe he might be on his 8th copy by now.:

:lol: :lol: I'd have one if it was a good copy and not so heavy and huge. Useless for streetshooters IMO unless you're the macho kind like Ronaldo ... I'd have one in a studio. Folks can just budget to send it in for a fix if they buy one. No big deal.

[PetKal]

nope.. ansel adams is the dishwasher... ;) .. and Petey is the waitress.... :lol: :lol: .. and have you used a Pro 1 lately.. harder than a DSLR and pretty dang far away from a point and shoot...

sari

One of more malignant myths propagated on "Flower Arrangements Forum":

"Petkal is incontrovertibly gay".

That is largely spurious. Granted, I do love cheer and gayety as much as anyone, but I also have my morose and somber moments too.:rolleyes:

[steved110]

This is a fairly bloodthirsty thread, all those sacred cows shot down in cold type!

I read it once so it must be true
If I say it often enough, it becomes truer
I agree with you so we are both right
I don't agree with you so you are an idiot, a troll, a pervert, a communist, or worse

sounds like a recipe for life, lived at the mundane level aspired to by so many, and amazingly, achieved by so many. Is that the secret to happiness?

[rhys]

I just saw the other thread entitled "Myth, Folklore and Subjectivity of Gear Fora" and decided that as it was mostly about L glass that I'd start a new thread.

I have heard the following:
1. Canon XT can't focus. Can't take good pictures. It's plastic and flimsy.
2. Tamron lenses are inadequate.
3. Canon 18-55 is useless.
4. Canon 50 f1.8 is brilliant.
5. ProMaster and Tiffin filters are rubbish.
6. Canon BG-E3 is overpriced.
7. Sigma cannot focus.

My experiences:
1. The XT can focus but has problems in low light. A 420EX helps a lot. Focus does seem a little indefinite at times but allowing adequate depth of field should solve that most of the time. A lot of focus issues can be avoided by simply learning how to use the gear you have.
2. I have no problems with my Tamron 17-35 or my 28-75. My Tamron 70-300 doesn't seem to get on too well with my XT. Sometimes it'll work without a problem. Other times I just get endless ERR99. It's not dirt-related but rather -I suspect- light level related. As an example, I put the 70-300 on in order to shoot animals in the zoo. I took 120+ photos without a problem, never removing the lens. Suddenly I had an ERR99. I powered down, powered up and started shooting again. I never had an ERR99 for the rest of the day (I shot a further 100 photos before removing the lens for the first time).
3. The Canon 18-55 is useless. No it's not - as long as it's on a tripod and set at f8-f16. Then it can be amazingly sharp.
4. The Canon 50 f1.8 is brilliant. It might be good value for money but it's still incapable of taking a decent photo. Focussing is always soft - at all apertures and even when on a tripod. I'd rate it on a par with the lens from a throwaway film camera.
5. ProMaster filters are quite decent if you work within their limitations. They're not coated so they really need to be removed for long exposures. They will reflect light so you do need a lens hood and/or shade. Many people mistake camera movement and tiny amounts of flare for softness. It's just not so.
6. The Canon BG-E3 seems expensive but it works. It's made by Canon. It works on my XT. As far as cheaper alternatives are concerned, I always wonder if cheap does not degrade performance. I'm happy with mine. Having said that I bought it more because I could use AA batteries in an emergency than for any other reason.
7. I don't have any Sigma lenses. I had a manual focus Sigma 600mm mirror lens that was widely derided but which gave me excellent photos. Logic dictates that if Sigma and Canon just didn't work, Sigma would stop making Canon mount lenses. I believe this to be an urban myth.

[saravrose]

One of more malignant myths propagated on "Flower Arrangements Forum":

"Petkal is incontrovertibly gay".

That is largely spurious. Granted, I do love cheer and gayety as much as anyone, but I also have my morose and somber moments too.:rolleyes:


oops.. typo.. truly.. I didn't mean waitress I meant Server... sorry....

[Tom W]

oops.. typo.. truly.. I didn't mean waitress I meant Server... sorry....


Mental image crushed....

....fortunately. :)

[neil_r]

I have a professional gig tomorrow photographing a :- wedding/model/motor sport/kids/other (delete those that do not apply). I have never done this type of thing before any tips?

The myth of course is that some advice from someone I have never met, nor have I seen his or her work is a fair substitute for years of experience.

And just cos I am gready, mirror lock up is essential for any exposure over 60th of a second :-)

[PetKal]

Mental image crushed....

....fortunately. :)

Yeah right, but you probably had lottsa fun with it while it lasted, eh ?:lol:

[Moppie]

oops.. typo.. truly.. I didn't mean waitress I meant Server... sorry....


The man has just come out of the closet, let him bask in his own glory, and be proud of who he is as a man!

Of course this is a thread about photography myths............


:p

[PetKal]

I just saw the other thread entitled "Myth, Folklore and Subjectivity of Gear Fora" and decided that as it was mostly about L glass that I'd start a new thread.

I have heard the following:
1. Canon XT can't focus. Can't take good pictures. It's plastic and flimsy.
2. Tamron lenses are inadequate.
3. Canon 18-55 is useless.
4. Canon 50 f1.8 is brilliant.
5. ProMaster and Tiffin filters are rubbish.
6. Canon BG-E3 is overpriced.
7. Sigma cannot focus.

My experiences:
1. The XT can focus but has problems in low light. A 420EX helps a lot. Focus does seem a little indefinite at times but allowing adequate depth of field should solve that most of the time. A lot of focus issues can be avoided by simply learning how to use the gear you have.
2. I have no problems with my Tamron 17-35 or my 28-75. My Tamron 70-300 doesn't seem to get on too well with my XT. Sometimes it'll work without a problem. Other times I just get endless ERR99. It's not dirt-related but rather -I suspect- light level related. As an example, I put the 70-300 on in order to shoot animals in the zoo. I took 120+ photos without a problem, never removing the lens. Suddenly I had an ERR99. I powered down, powered up and started shooting again. I never had an ERR99 for the rest of the day (I shot a further 100 photos before removing the lens for the first time).
3. The Canon 18-55 is useless. No it's not - as long as it's on a tripod and set at f8-f16. Then it can be amazingly sharp.
4. The Canon 50 f1.8 is brilliant. It might be good value for money but it's still incapable of taking a decent photo. Focussing is always soft - at all apertures and even when on a tripod. I'd rate it on a par with the lens from a throwaway film camera.
5. ProMaster filters are quite decent if you work within their limitations. They're not coated so they really need to be removed for long exposures. They will reflect light so you do need a lens hood and/or shade. Many people mistake camera movement and tiny amounts of flare for softness. It's just not so.
6. The Canon BG-E3 seems expensive but it works. It's made by Canon. It works on my XT. As far as cheaper alternatives are concerned, I always wonder if cheap does not degrade performance. I'm happy with mine. Having said that I bought it more because I could use AA batteries in an emergency than for any other reason.
7. I don't have any Sigma lenses. I had a manual focus Sigma 600mm mirror lens that was widely derided but which gave me excellent photos. Logic dictates that if Sigma and Canon just didn't work, Sigma would stop making Canon mount lenses. I believe this to be an urban myth.

Thank you for that thorough analysis, brother Rhys. I'd subscribe to No.1 as well.....again, contrary to the popular myth, those entry cameras are much better than many folks give them credit for.....particularly now with the advent of the 400D which is an eminently capable and well priced camera in my beady eyes.

[rhys]

Thank you for that thorough analysis, brother Rhys. I'd subscribe to No.1 as well.....again, contrary to the popular myth, those entry cameras are much better than many folks give them credit for.....particularly now with the advent of the 400D which is an eminently capable and well priced camera in my beady eyes.

Having worked out the tricks with the XT/350D I'd buy another as a backup body for wedding photography.

[PetKal]

The man has just come out of the closet, let him bask in his own glory, and be proud of who he is as a man!

Of course this is a thread about photography myths............


:p

Moppie, one is typically proud of a quality one attains after a lengthy and arduous struggle. In my case, no effort, no pride......I have always been there firmly positioned hormonally (and otherwise) as a quintessential mensch. Want a proof....OK, I need not any stinkin IS on my telephoto lenses. There, that hopefully did it.:cool:

[CyberPet]

• The best setting shooting a wedding, during *any* circumstance is 1/250s @ f/22 at ISO 50, especially in dim churches - the minister speaks so fast! All other settings will show you what an amateur you are (an advice I'd love to give sometime when someone ask "what settings do you use for wedding photography?")

• A professional is someone who conduct themselves professionally and know their equipment, and a pro is not a person who work with photography as a profession (I guess those can behave like jerks?).

• Yes, you will take good images if you buy the same equipment as me, as it's the camera that does all the work, and I just hold it up and press a button (I know this has been covered, but I just hate that part - *I* take the pictures *with* the camera).

• Professionals only shoot in RAW (as they think JPEG is an inferior quality)!

• Professionals only shoot in JPEG (as they get it right in the camera and don't need to post process).

• Professionals only shoots with 1Ds Mark II's!

• Professionals doesn't shoot with 35 mm equivalent cameras, Hassy is the way to go!

• Professionals only work in Adobe RGB (even if the labs seldom accepts it).

• PC's are better than Mac's for post processing.

• Mac's are better than PC's for post processing.

• Nikon is better than Canon.

• Canon is better than Nikon.

OK... I think I've covered a few more myths. :D

[Moppie]

.............I have always been there firmly positioned hormonally (and otherwise) as a quintessential mensch. Want a proof....OK, I need not any stinkin IS on my telephoto lenses. There, that hopefully did it.

Two classic myths! :p

:lol: :lol: :lol:



I just found another myth too:

You have to be an experianced amature, or a proffesional before you can use an SLR.

[PetKal]

•
• A professional is someone who conduct themselves professionally and know their equipment, and a pro is not a person who work with photography as a profession (I guess those can behave like jerks?).

• Yes, you will take good images if you buy the same equipment as me, as it's the camera that does all the work, and I just hold it up and press a button (I know this has been covered, but I just hate that part - *I* take the pictures *with* the camera).

• Professionals only shoot in RAW (as they think JPEG is an inferior quality)!

• Professionals only shoots with 1Ds Mark II's!

•
• Canon is better than Nikon.

OK... I think I've covered a few more myths. :D

Hey, you honoris causa Canuck ! I especially like those highlited , thanx a lot.;)

[rklepper]

Here are a few popular myths. If I missed any, please fill them in for me, thanks.

*If you can't focus on a line of batteries, your lens is soft. or front focusing, or back focusing, and needs to be recalibrated.

*if your crooked shot of a test pattern is not sharp your lens is soft. or front focusing, or back focusing, and needs to be recalibrated.

*if you cannot get a good shot off no matter how hard you try, it must be a bad lens.

*if you cannot get a good shot off no matter how hard you try, it must be user error.

*there are myths on the internet.;)

[CyberDyneSystems]

The 300mm f/4L is so much sharper than the 300mm f/4L IS.... that the IS lens is junk.

And yet, the 400mm f/5.6L is no good because it does not have IS...

There are four generations of IS

The tape trick works every time with no harm to your equipment.

Let's NOT discuss the "X-Factor" :lol:

Newbs with 1Ds should be tarred and feathered..

The Bigma is just as good at everything as the 100-400mm :lol: (dons asbestos suit)

A "new replacement" for the 100-400mm can be f/4 or 500mm @ f/5.6 and still be hand holdable for long periods of time.

[Pete]

* I have enough lenses, I don't need any more
* You have to buy SanDisk Extreme CF cards, otherwise you'll lose all your shots
* We all laugh at people who chimp

[CyberDyneSystems]

Ahh, forgot that one.

Chimpers should be accepted and treated like normal people :lol:

[PetKal]

The 300mm f/4L is so much sharper than the 300mm f/4L IS.... that the IS lens is junk.

And yet, the 400mm f/5.6L is no good because it does not have IS...



I see what you are labouring to suggest Cyber, here is my comment:

(1) 400-300=100mm.
Thus the 400 f/5.6 begins to need an IS upgrade which however will not kill the IQ.

(2) Real men do not need IS @ measly 300 mm, all the way down to 1/80 sec or so. Now, who the heck is shootin wildlife @ 1/80sec.?:rolleyes:

[CyberDyneSystems]

Oh, did I imply that you were contradicting your own bad self from post to post, thread to thread with inconsistent demand for IS on one hand and disdain for IS on the other?

Me?

Never in life dear Sir.
That you drew such a conclusion leads me to ponder your own sense of conscience .. :lol:

So based on your updated explanation,. real men don't need IS,...
until we reach 400mm where even the most macho of us all may need a little stability infusion?

I said I would not bring the Myths of the "X-Factor" into this, and yet...

So if 300mm on full frame is fine with no IS, what then on a 1.6x crop?

[PetKal]

Oh, did I imply that you were contradicting your own bad self from post to post, thread to thread with inconsistent demand for IS on one hand and disdain for IS on the other?

Me?

Never in life dear Sir.
That you drew such a conclusion leads me to ponder your own sense of conscience .. :lol:

So based on your updated explanation,. real men don't need IS,...
until we reach 400mm where even the most macho of us all may need a little stability infusion?

I said I would not bring the Myths of the "X-Factor" into this, and yet...

So if 300mm on full frame is fine with no IS, what then on a 1.6x crop?

I have no problem with it either, however, that's irrelevant. Only she-men need the 1.6 FOVCF because they do not have either the cunning or the requisite agility to approach their subjects. He-men shoot with FF or 1.3 FOVCF.

I am off to the lake now to shoot miself some duck......finally some sunshine today....gotta work on the Cyberduck project. Got my kneepads on as well as the best birding lens ever (next to the 35L)....the mighty 135L non-IS.:cool: :evil: Mwuahahahaha.

[PhotosGuy]

OK, "Pros always get better shots than amateurs!" * I know lots because I've got a huge post count Right! http://photo.klein-jensen.dk/smilies/rotfl2.gif Pete: Thanks for that one!
A corollary: "I know more that you 'cause my name starts with "Dr., professor, ..."

Stoopid questions:
"Why are my shots all bad?" (No pic posted.)
"Can I..." (No pic posted.)

Pet peeves:
"I have not read your entire thread, but I think..."

(Thursday @ 11PM): "I've got my first paid shoot tomorrow at 8AM..."
:D Just saw Neils post, "I have a professional gig tomorrow photographing a :- wedding/model/motor sport/kids/other (delete those that do not apply). I have never done this type of thing before any tips?"

[CyberDyneSystems]

All "Quantaray" lenses are made by good name brands like Sigma and Tamron.

The 1Ds MkII is no good for anything but studio or landscapes.

[Pete]

You take better pictures than I do with the same lens, so you must have a "good copy"

[CyberDyneSystems]

Ahh,. yes, like..

"Your camera really takes great pictures " :)

[saravrose]

Ahh,. yes, like..

"Your camera really takes great pictures " :)

that is my favorite.. ;) ;)

[PetKal]

As I was saying before, one myth which is extremely deeply entrenched is about birding telephotos: "Never long enough." What a bunch of baloney:rolleyes: .
The 135L non-IS is my best birding lens (next to the 35L).

[CyberDyneSystems]

:lol:

Well if shooting domesticated duck butts is birding, I agree 100% ;)

Most times though people repeating this statement/myth are referring to songbirds 1/10th the size of a duck at greater distances that wild birds may maintain from humans.

[PetKal]

:lol:

Well if shooting domesticated duck butts is birding, I agree 100% ;)

Most times though people repeating this statement/myth are referring to songbirds 1/10th the size of a duck at greater distances that wild birds may maintain from humans.

Those are them Wild ducks, no butts about that, Cyber-dood.;) :lol:
You have hurt him, so he sheds a tear.

[saravrose]

:lol:

Well if shooting domesticated duck butts is birding, I agree 100% ;)

Most times though people repeating this statement/myth are referring to songbirds 1/10th the size of a duck at greater distances that wild birds may maintain from humans.

:lol: :lol: :lol: ...

[Pete]

* Understanding the effect of a crop sensor on a lens' focal range is vitally important

[PetKal]

* "Public at large is very impressed with a pro fotographer's Forrest Gump look and a "big white lens "(i.e., EF 70-200 f/4) he is toting."

In order to shoot like a pro one must develop a certain sense of sartorial style for that total Forrest Gump look:
* A soft wide brimmed hat, tied under the chin.
* fishing vest.
* water sandals , white Elizabeth Klein socks.
* paisly patterned polyester shirt
* Cargo bermuda shorts, camo patterned.

[Maureen Souza]

I've been told "Honey, it's daylight. You don't need your flash on when the sun is out."

[Woolburr]

I've been told "Honey, it's daylight. You don't need your flash on when the sun is out."

The best time to flash is in the daylight...nobody will see you in the dark!;) !;) !;)

[PetKal]

" The 180L is a macro lens".

Obviously, that popular myth's sustained by Canon and is a total umitigated non-sense. The 180L is a birding telephoto which could be deployed in the area of macrophotography.

[Moppie]

The 180L is a birding telephoto which could be deployed in the area of macrophotography.


Macro birding? That is something I would like to see.

[PetKal]

Here is a macro birdie for ya to feel, Mopper.
A 180L image fresh outta camera.

[Moppie]

ROFLOL! (quitly, because I now share my office space)

Theres just one problem, I can't quite see the little birdy? :o