Category: Camera Ramblings

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Photography Update

Whilst i’m in the mood for danc updates, here’s another one.

Film, once thought of a past media has recently had an upturn in interest, I personally think I’m responsible for that upturn – or at least a very small localised Yardley based upturn.

For most of 2017 I switched back to film, getting bored of my Eos system – and to be honest I didn’t miss it. I was mainly using my Medium Format FujiFilm GA645zi.

Fujifilm GA645zi Medium Format Film Camera

Used with a mixture of Colour and mainly Black and White film I’ve had an enjoyable year. I also dug out my old Eos 50E which used on a couple of holidays. Strange thing using the 50E worth about £20 with a £1700 EF24-70 f/2.8 mkII L lens. It’s been a good thing to go back to film, thinking about the image before shooting and having to wait for the result. It’s good to step back from time to time I think.

Anyway it’s not all anti digital, I still scan and digitally manipulate the images as online is usually my area to share. If you want to check out my Brum_Film instagram account, check the links on the side bar.

Water Taxi, Paignton Devon – Fujifilm GA645zi

So what to do with a collection of:

Eos 1D MkII, Eos 6D (Mk1)
15mm Fisheye
100mm Macro
24-70mm, 70-200mm, 135mm, 200mm, 300mm Zooms
3 flash guns

Well, I sold them (except the ancient 1D)- all traded/sold for a figure of around £3,500.

O.k. if you price it all up I’ve lost money – but have I? Most of the kit is over 5 years old and had plenty of use. I’m not going to get precious about camera kit values – none of it is a rare old Leica so why bother.  (Although I’m sad to see the 15mm Fisheye go – it’s a marmite lens I know, but I loved it.   but I’ll check out some of the SamYang 3rd party Fisheye lenses at the Photography Show (NEC) in March.)

Besides I have a new toy….

Fujifilm X Pro 2 and Instax Share SP-2

Why mirrorless? why not to be honest – I tried the Fuji XT2/X Pro 2 out at the photography show (NEC) last year as was impressed. I was looking at getting one last year, but Mom and my bike crash kept me busy for a while.

So it is any better than the Eos system? Well probably not, but the advantages are the smaller size so I can take both the film and digital system out together. Carrying less is one thing my film Fuji has taught me.

Under Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham – Fujifilm X Pro 2 – in body Black and White Conversion
Stairs, Solihull – Fujifilm X Pro 2, B&W conversion via Lightroom

The EVF is different, but it works. The hybrid Optical/EVF is a bit of a gimmick, but it works well until you get a long lens on it.

Currently I have just the kit lens, but the quality is superb – possibly not the L series quality of my EF24-70, but at £600 it’s a bargain.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L Mk II – Vs – Fujifilm XF18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS – Size Matters?  (possibly, but weight and £1000 cheaper helps a lot!)

The camera plays nice with the Install Share SP2 printer (prints Instax Mini instant prints) so that’s another bonus. I’m still getting used to the quirks of the system, 20 years of Eos use makes my figure memory go to the wrong places. Just need a few more outings to reprogram the digitals.

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New Glass (part II – probably)

A while ago I had an idea, this idea was to buy one lens a year. Of course this never happened, it would be nice if it had but things like houses, cars and kids had to be funded first.

Anyway, enough of these dreams – back to reality. I’ve bought a new lens, of course not the one I intended on buying – no that would have been sensible. Instead I bought the EF24-70mm f/2.8 L MkII. It initially started out with me buying the EF135mm f/2 L, then I was leaning towards the EF85mm f/1.4 (because I tried one) then finally ended up with the 24-70.

Why then? Well, I’ve always sort of regretted getting the EF24-105mm f/4 L IS – it’s not a bad lens, in fact it’s been my main carry round lens since I’ve had it. I’ve for a while looked at the f/2.8 lenses with a bit of envy. I think my EF200mm f/2.8 hasn’t helped to be honest. At f/2.8 it’s superb. What has helped is the £235 cashback on this lens (plus £100 from my 6D), £210 in cash and the promise of £190 for my EF50mm f/1.4 – the latter I will miss as f/1.4 was a nice thing to have. But the 24-70 isn’t so far off the mark as it’s 50mm will be at 2.8.

A couple of images from the 50mm shows the differences aren’t too bad.

f/1.4

f/2.5

(o.k. it’s f/2.5 but it’s not far off!)

As for the 24-105, well that’s due to be sold – problem is eBay prices are relatively low at present – so I may keep it for a while.

Forgot to mention 0% for 12 months (50% deposit) from Clifton Cameras has helped make the decision easier.

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So what did I get?

After talking about it (mostly to myself) for a number of weeks, what did I buy at Focus on Imaging. Well it wasn’t a camera, just a couple of memory cards for one. To be honest I wasn’t impressed with the discounts, I know it’s a tough retail environment at the moment – but the only discount was the Canon Cashback which starts in just over a couple of hours (Canon was offering this discount to purchasers at Focus).

O.k I could’ve got a free grip (BG-E13) with the 6D, but I’ve seen it. Not entirely sure how to describe the bulk of the grip, but I think an image search for Airbus Beluga might give you some insight to it. I like grips, mainly because my little finger has somewhere to go – after all every version of the 5D I owned was fitted with a grip. For the 6D it’s mostly going to be a travel/tripod/remote camera – gripless makes it easier to drop in a slim bag, fit easier on a tripod (especially hanging off the end of my 300mm). So decision made.

I did elude to the Canon Cashback – which seems to have some sort of embargo on it as no-one is mentioning it. However at Focus they were giving away leaflets. I can understand the silence, as there’s 4 days of Canon sales that might be lost whilst we wait for the discounts to kick in. I have posted some links on HotUKdeals (please vote it Hot – as I might get a better badge or something like that), as I mentioned on HUKD I’m cynical about the prices. I’m fairly sure we’ll see some upward movement. Currently the 6D is £1599 at most outlets, a few internet retailers are £100 below this.

I shall be moaning if the prices go up – mainly cos I could’ve got a free grip which I don’t want – but it’s free. We’ll see what the morning brings (assuming Canon’s PR/Web/Marketing team are quick to update the website www.canon.co.uk/springcashback).

/edit sorted with a 6D now from Mifsuds £1599 (excluding cash back). Missed the courier tonight, so will go on Friday for Monday delivery.

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New Camera time

Time for some more camera ramblings.

Avid readers (both of you) will know that I currently have 2 DSLRs – Eos 5D Mark II and the 1D Mark II – both different, both very good, despite the age difference between the two.

The problem I have is I prefer using the 1D. In the 8 months of owning it I’ve used it more that the 5D Mark II in 2 years. So somethings got to give – and it’s the 5D MarkII – it’s been a great camera but really the older 1D puts it to shame in normal focusing. So it’s on its way out (subject to Ebay).

It’s replacement may surprise some – I’m staying full frame, but going for the 6D. Whilst on paper it’s not much of an upgrade, there’s enough to excite me.

The focusing is better – probably not in the same class as the 1D but I wasn’t expecting that. Some things are worse in fact, the image size is marginally smaller (20mp), flash sync rate lower (1/180), lower top shutter speed (1/4000) and worse of all it takes SD cards!!!!! (not actually a big problem to be honest – other than not having any).

What I really like is the built in Wifi – which enables remote triggering via Mac/PC or Smartphone. This was previously an expensive add on for both the 1D and 5D. I was tempted to pick up a wifi grip for the 5D MKII, but at around £700 I soon changed my mind.

As Focus on Imaging is coming up next month I hope to pick one up – sadly with the demise of Jacobs the available options for purchase are reduced. Not too sure if I’ll be able to pick up a refurb this time as the 6D has only recently being released.

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New glass

Compact Beast!

Just got my EF200mm f/2.8 Mk II L. It’s quite a weighty beast, but it’s very nice. Need to play around a bit more. Another one for the prime collection (5 now 15-50-100-200-300). Not too sure what’s next, i’d love the 135mm, but at the moment it’ll have to wait.

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