A Pro At Work

[tdawg]

Originally posted by: foghorn67

Originally posted by: tdawg

Originally posted by: OdiN

Originally posted by: tdawg

Originally posted by: Jawo
Nice pictures! Now if they could only develop an AF that focuses on what you want it to focus on....

That's why cameras have multiple focus points. Just throw the AF system into single-point AF, choose the AF point you want to use, and place that AF point on what you want to focus on. Easy as that (very easy on a Nikon, I know Canon's method is a little more convoluted).

Canon's method isn't convoluted at all.

There is a 9-way joystick on my 20/40D's and I just press it in the direction of the AF point that I want, or press down to select the center point - there is another button near there which goes back to the default of all of them selected.

Very simple.

I don't want to get into a Nikon v Canon debate, as both cameras offer great things to their users, but when I went into Best Buy last week and played with the 5D and 40D, I couldn't figure out how to move the focus point, or change the AF method, for that matter. With Nikon, I was able to do this the very first time I picked one up. Maybe I missed something on the Canon.

Stop saying Canon's is convoluted if you don't understand it. There are a few ways to pick the AF point via custom functions and what not. You pick one that is easier for you.
You can pick AF points with a button and a wheel, or use the joystick. AF mode is done using one button and wheel over to one of the three modes.

My bad. I'm just saying that in my opinion, the controls were much less intuitive, that's all. I should have made that clearer up front. I don't care what camera someone uses. If they produce nice images with it, I'm happy. Hell, if someone wants to give me a 1d mark III, I'm not going to stop them!

 

[corkyg]

All good discussion points - however - the Canon on/off switch on the back does not require a second hand to operate. I do it with the right hand without moving my forefinger from the shutter button. That's what the thumb is for.

As for illuminating the top LCD info panel - in over 5 years of Canon DSLRs, I have never had a need to do that - all the info I need is illuminated in the viewfinder, and the thuimb can make changes in exposure while viewing.

It really is a matter of what you are used to. My last film SLR was a Nikon F2AS with MD-11 motor drive.

Whether you use Nikon or Canon really is a follow on of what family of lenses you have decided to invest in. When you look around a major sports event - what you see mainly are Canon telephotos (white.)

 

[soydios]

Originally posted by: corkyg
Whether you use Nikon or Canon really is a follow on of what family of lenses you have decided to invest in. When you look around a major sports event - what you see mainly are Canon telephotos (white.)

Yep, that's why I got my D50: price (it was cheaper than the Rebel XT) and the 50mm f/1.4 and 135mm f/3.5 pre-AI primes that I have from an ancient yet still functional Nikkormat FTN. Almost all the pros switched to Canon 20 years ago, when they had faster autofocus than Nikon. Nowadays, Canon and Nikon are at parity, and neither is standing still.

 

[tdawg]

Originally posted by: soydios

Originally posted by: corkyg
Whether you use Nikon or Canon really is a follow on of what family of lenses you have decided to invest in. When you look around a major sports event - what you see mainly are Canon telephotos (white.)

Yep, that's why I got my D50: price (it was cheaper than the Rebel XT) and the 50mm f/1.4 and 135mm f/3.5 pre-AI primes that I have from an ancient yet still functional Nikkormat FTN. Almost all the pros switched to Canon 20 years ago, when they had faster autofocus than Nikon. Nowadays, Canon and Nikon are at parity, and neither is standing still.

I don't think Canon's autofocus was ever faster than Nikon's. Nikon AF was one of their features to tout in their workhorse cameras, compared to similar Canon's. The F100 and F5 AF engine was top-notch. There probably wasn't a noticeable exodus from Nikon to Canon until the rise of the digital SLR. Up to that point, the F5 was a camera for every working photographer.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: soydios
Yep, that's why I got my D50: price (it was cheaper than the Rebel XT) and the 50mm f/1.4 and 135mm f/3.5 pre-AI primes that I have from an ancient yet still functional Nikkormat FTN. Almost all the pros switched to Canon 20 years ago, when they had faster autofocus than Nikon. Nowadays, Canon and Nikon are at parity, and neither is standing still.

That is rational and accurate. You cause me to show my venerable Nikon 35mm set. We may have a simuilar lens or two.

Nikon

Following the numbers -

1. F2AS with Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 installed.
2. Zoom Nikkor 43-86mm f/2.8
3. Nikkor 24mm f/3.5
4. Zoom Nikkor 60-200mm f/4.5
5. MD 2 Motor Drive
6. Metz 40CT2 Flash
7. Charger for Metz
8. A/C Adapter Plug for Metz charger

I just discovered there is film still in the camera!

 

[soydios]

Originally posted by: corkyg

Originally posted by: soydios
Yep, that's why I got my D50: price (it was cheaper than the Rebel XT) and the 50mm f/1.4 and 135mm f/3.5 pre-AI primes that I have from an ancient yet still functional Nikkormat FTN. Almost all the pros switched to Canon 20 years ago, when they had faster autofocus than Nikon. Nowadays, Canon and Nikon are at parity, and neither is standing still.

That is rational and accurate. You cause me to show my venerable Nikon 35mm set. We may have a simuilar lens or two.

Nikon

Following the numbers -

1. F2AS with Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 installed.
2. Zoom Nikkor 43-86mm f/2.8
3. Nikkor 24mm f/3.5
4. Zoom Nikkor 60-200mm f/4.5
5. MD 2 Motor Drive
6. Metz 40CT2 Flash
7. Charger for Metz
8. A/C Adapter Plug for Metz charger

I just discovered there is film still in the camera!

I think my stuff might be even older. here's what I have (exactly matches): http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photo.../67nikkormatftnBIG.jpg
Nikkormat @ Wikipedia (I own an FTN)

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: corkyg
Whether you use Nikon or Canon really is a follow on of what family of lenses you have decided to invest in. When you look around a major sports event - what you see mainly are Canon telephotos (white.)

Nikon knows this as well as anyone. Not just in sports, but also in wedding/event photography, they have some ground to make up since Canon has been in the full-frame DSLR business for much longer. There are reports on DPReview's forums that Nikon is consigning Canon pros to switch to their D3 (1DIII and 5D users). They are also buying-back or trading-even Canon equipment for D3 outfits.

As you can imagine, many are taking up Nikon's offer.

It makes good business sense. Putting the D3 in the hands of professional photographers gives their entire DSLR lineup a "halo-product" effect, and costs them relatively little out-of-pocket. Their semi-pro and pro bodies aren't a large source of income either way; but getting a user to buy into their body/lens system from the consumer entry-level model will generate profits immediately and down-the-road.

Regardless of the outcome, it is an exciting time in the world of digital imaging. The usable image/video resolution and feature set of budget digital cameras is quickly out-pacing the abilities of the person using them.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: soydios
I think my stuff might be even older.

Yep! That FTN is from the 60s. My stuff was acquired when I was living in Japan from '75-'79.

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Regardless of the outcome, it is an exciting time in the world of digital imaging. The usable image/video resolution and feature set of budget digital cameras is quickly out-pacing the abilities of the person using them.

Agree fully!