In this update: Nikon lenses on Canon bodies, Infra Red news, Lens test reports and more.
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New lens line up
December is the end of the shooting season for me and the time of the year I consider my kit choices for the next year. I’ve decided to introduce a couple of prime lenses into my camera bag to replace a couple of my zooms. For my 2009 social photography shoots and workshops I had a 5Dmk2 with a 16-35mm f/2.8L mk2, a 24-70mm f/2.8L, and a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS. For 2010 I’ll have a 5Dmk2 with a Zeiss 21mm f/2.8, Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L and a Canon 135mm f/2L. I’ll be keeping my trusty 70-200 f/2.8L IS zoom until my teething problems are sorted with the 135mm.
Infra Red news
I’ve sent my 5D off to the team at ACS for the operation to convert it to Infra Red use only. I’ll use it for personal work and to shoot landscapes. In my IR camera bag I will just have the Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 manual focus lens.
Nikon lenses on Canon bodies
I’ve decided to sell my 16-35mm f/2.8L mk2 zoom and when I want a super, super wide 14-16mm ish lens with my 5DIR or 5Dmk2 I’ll use Julie’s Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 with this adapter.
Lens test reports
A few welcome, slightly unscientific and pictorially uninspiring reports show the Zeiss 21mm is a tad better than the Nikon glass at 21mm if this and the other reports I’ve read are to be believed. The Zeiss lens is lighter too. In that test the Contax branded version of the Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 lens was used. But it is generally accepted that the Nikon glass at 14mm is the best lens, zoom or prime, there is by far. This comparison with the Canon 14mm f/2.8L lens shows just how amazing the Nikon lens can be.
When my adapter arrives, I’ll take some real pictures with the Nikon glass on my Canon 5Dmk2 and my 5DIR and let you know how I get on. Plus, I’ll post full res shots for download comparisons.Please feel to comment in the usual way below.
Hi Damien,
I won your 10D on Ebay last night – I am so looking forward to getting this and having a play. I’m addicted to this site now and really look forward to learning IR photography. Any tips with the camera would be greatly appreciated!!
Hi Sara,
The Silver coloured batteries are the better ones as the Canon one is a bit old now. Charge a battery, pop a lens on the camera and start shooting. I’ve set a custom white balance for you and the camera is set up to shoot Jpeg. Use exposure compensation in conjunction with the screen image on the back of the camera to adjust the exposure to taste. When you have a few pictures on the card, download them and run my action to reverse the channels or you can just make the shots monochrome. When you get really sorted with it switch to RAW shooting and follow the directions set out by the commentators in the Infra Red section of this blog. For further reading, start at the bottom (oldest post) of mine in the Infra Red section and work backwards. Have a wonderful time shooting IR.
Your camera will be sent to you on Monday. Kindest regards, Damien.
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Damien –
My lens line-up is very similar to what you have (24-70mm f/2.8L, and a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS) except the 16-35mm f/2.8L, which was next on my list.
Why are you getting rid of it? Were you not using it much?
Thanks,
Richie
Hi Richie, I had the 16-35 for weddings primarily, and now that I’ve stopped shooting weddings I’ve treated myself to a decent prime lens. Primes take a bit longer to shoot with but the results in terms of composition and clarity are well worth it for me. I’m delighted with my 21mm f/2.8 and I can now sell my zoom to part pay for it.
Damien.
Hi Damien,
tried to bid on the 10D – but it won’t let me because you’ve restricted it to UK only :-(
Hi Frank,
I’m sorry, it’s because our Royal Mail postal system in the UK is so bad now that we have been loosing parcels without trace and they (RM) don’t take responsibility. Our local post office has closed down and therefore we can’t send parcels by special delivery and as a result we have switched all or mail and parcels over to a dependable courier firm who collect from us and take responsibility for safe delivery. We have a £7.50 flat rate for insured parcels in the UK but as soon as it goes off the mainland the rates go up to over £40 and to be honest it is not a viable option for this camera. I’m sorry for the inconvenience caused.
Regards, Damien.