Canon EF 70-210mm f/4 – Review
The lens bug is still with me, and the latest acquisition is another golden oldie, the Canon 70-210mm f/4 telephoto. This was one of the first EF fast telephotos, originally introduced in 1987. My copy is from 1987, purchased in like-new condition from KEH.com.
It was my first time buying from KEH and I’m pleased to [...]
Canon Wireless Flash System
With the introduction of the EOS 7D, Canon finally took the initiative to play catch-up to Nikon in an area where they had been woefully lacking: wireless flash control. For years Canon has been not only in the backseat, but in the far back of the bus, when compared to Nikon’s Creative Lighting System.
The 7D [...]
Unhealthy Addictions
The Canon USA page should probably come with a warning label, like the ones they put on beer and cigarettes. Something along the lines of, “Caution – viewing this page may result in feelings of envy, desire, longing, and jealousy. In some instances, serious side effects have been known to occur, including a noticeable decrease [...]
How to practice lighting without models
I’m sure I’m not the only photog out there who gets the urge to setup the strobes and play with light now and then. Maybe you saw a photo in a magazine or online that you want to try and imitate, or you read about a new technique, or you’re just bored and want to [...]
Canon Powershot SX120 – Review
Several changes in my system have forced me to reevaluate my current gear load, and some pieces are being replaced. Foremost is my Canon G10, which has been a wonderful little camera. But in reality, it is a point & shoot, and as P&S cameras go, it’s overpowered & overpriced for how I [...]
Canon 50mm f/1.8 Mk 1 – Review
This weekend I broke my usual line of purchases by buying the Canon 50mm f/1.8 Mk 1 lens. What’s so different about this lens? A couple of things, actually.
For starters, the Canon 50mm is a prime lens. The battle has long raged over prime vs. zoom lenses, photogs going all out to prove that one [...]
Canon 28-135mm IS – Review
The term “kit lens” is used to cover all manner of sins. In some cases, such as the infamous Canon 18-55mm kit lens, the sins are very real – that lens has a reputation for being a real dog. But in other cases, the kit lens can pull a few surprises. Several [...]
Canon EOS 7D – Review: Part 3b
I headed out this morning to do some sunrise shooting but was thwarted by an overcast sky and cold winds, and ended up coming home with only about a dozen shots. The day cleared, however, and I was back out this evening at twilight for a spectacular evening. While I was out, I made sure [...]
Canon EOS 7D – Review: Part 3
For the final part in my series of reviews on the Canon EOS 7D, I’ll present the evidence that speaks loudest of all – sample images at a full range of ISO settings, in full-stop increments. Each of the following images was taken with the Canon 7D + 28-135mm, IS deactivated, f/5.6, tripod mounted. All [...]
Shameless Exploitation Against the Common Good
While reviewing the new Canon 7D, I was thinking about a few points regarding files and software. Now that I’ve had time to formulate them more, I think it’s worth talking about this in more detail.
Since I’m a Canon shooter, part of this is a bit Canon-centric; Nikon may have the same issue, but [...]