Jon L

Fuji X-M1 with 16-50 kit lens for $450 with coupon code CAM150 ($150 off!). Cheapest I've seen to get in on the excellent Fuji 16 MP X-Trans sensor. Very tempting as I just gave away my Canon EOS-M to family member. Wish the kit had option for Fuji 35 f1.4 instead of the slow kit lens though https://www.tanga.com/deals/7992ee3f1932/fujifilm-x-m1-compact-system-16mp-w-16-50mm-lens?utm_source=cj&utm_campaign=BensBargains.net

Caught on Samsung Nexus Phone Camera IMG_20140511_161335b by drjlo1, on Flickr

Didn't the "highly resolving" SR-009 push all the wrong buttons for you, in which case a nice colored amp may not be such a bad thing

No, Canon's front moves in and out, just like the Yongnuo 50 mm shown. in fact, the specs listed for Yongnuo is basically identical to Canon, which makes you wonder whether Yongnuo is an extremely close clone OR Canon B-stock sold off to Yongnuo at low price that is rebadged?? Focal length: 50mm Maximum aperture: f/1.4L Lens construction: 7 elements in 6 groups Angle of view: 46 degrees Focus adjustment: Overall linear extension system with USM Closest focusing distance: 1.5 feet Filter size: 58mm Dimensions: 2.9 inches in diameter and 2 inches long Weight: 10.2 ounces

The new Yongnuo 50 mm f/1.4...or is it a Canon? http://www.yongnuoaccessories.com/lens-accessories/standard-medium-telephoto-lens/yongnuo-yn-ef-50mm-f-1-4-usm-standard-medium-telephoto-lens-for-canon-slr-cameras.html YN50Can50 by drjlo1, on Flickr

EOSE1890cro by drjlo1, on Flickr

Flies lived on, but we had a giggle since the owner is mostly a landscape shooter and does not shoot sports.

A friend just bought the Nikon D4s

Sony announces A7S, 12.2 MP full-frame, low-light monster. http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2014/04/06/full-frame-sony-a7s-bucks-trend-fewer-larger-pixels-great-low-light-4k Having purchased and returned the Sony A7R 36 MP high-MP monster, I was hoping for a Sony camera with same sensor but better/faster AF similar to Sony A6000, but this A7S with 12.2 MP threw me for a loop from the left field. With such huge pixel size, it *should* have unheard-of dynamic range at high ISO, something even D800/A7R cannot manage at high ISO. With -4.0 EV AF, it should have fabulous AF in low light, and if color fidelity and IQ benefit from large pixels, this camera could be THE walk-around, low-light monster we have never seen before. Although this camera should appeal to videographers, it could seduce photographers who shoot low-light events. Hate to say it, but Sony does seem to be towering over Canikon when it comes to imagination, innovation, and appetizing cameras

Warning! Not for the weak of stomach below..

Woke up with this sunrise, so I took a shot with Sony A7R with FE55 and 5D III and 24-70 f/2.8 II both at around 55 mm and at f/3.2 The 24-70 is a bit disadvantaged as it's barely stopped down, and the auto white balance of both cameras yielded very different WB, so I did my best to match WB. Sony also seemed to choose faster shutter speed so exposure had to be tweaked a bit. Sony A7R, FE55mm by drjlo1, on Flickr 5D III white balance match by drjlo1, on Flickr For the curious, this is how 5D III WB looked before matching. Recalling what my own eyes saw, I would say the sky looked like somewhere between Sony and Canon but more towards Canon. Canon 5DIII WB, exposure match by drjlo1, on Flickr

Sony A7R, FE55mm f/1.8 DSC00080ps by drjlo1, on Flickr

Just placed a fraud alert with Trans Union. Apparently, this happens so frequently that there is a phone number with automatic responses to place the fraud alert. Never heard a live voice on the other end. Apparently, the TransUnion system then alerts the other two credit agencies. Just getting off the phone with the credit card company's identity theft department, I am afraid you are right that "this may take a lot longer" then I would imagine. I heard absolutely no sense of responsibility, remorse, empathy, or eagerness to help on their end. Basically the answer to everything was "no." Are they willing to talk to my mortgage company or write a letter in regards to the fraud situation? No. Can they contact the credit reporting companies? No. Can you send me the "paperwork" I am supposed to sign to get the investigation rolling any sooner than "10-14 days"? No. Can you fax or email them to me? No. Can you tell how long it might take to clear my credit? No. Can you tell me the actual credit card account number I supposedly used, for my reference? "No, we don't give out account information." Are they frigging kidding me? They refuse to even give me the account number I supposedly opened, yet they so easily issued a credit card to this fraudulent applicant? I even asked the Identity Theft "specialist" if this happens a lot, and they sayd "Yes a lot." I guess I am SOL having to give up buying this property, with not even an estimate as to how long it will take to clear my credit. It's now clear to me that this whole credit system involving credit card companies and credit reporting companies exist only for their use and benefit, without any accountability or protection for the average consumer. Thanks for the moral support and I recommend everyone to get their annual free credit report and give it a scan..

In the process of buying a property, my credit report was pulled with much lower score than previous. It was due to some %$#@ opening a credit card with my identity, defaulting on the bill, which went into collection. I never knew any of it because the address they sent their letters was different than mine. I asked the credit card CS on the phone how could someone so easily open a credit card under someone else's identity, and he said "It is easy." Damn, if it's so easy, why don't credit card companies do a better job of screening applicants for fraud Now all my real estate actions are on hold, and I am supposed to call their Identity Theft department when they open. I sure hope this does not take forever, involving me jumping through numerous hoops to clear up this mess

The EF to FE adapter situation is very mirky. I would like an adapter with better AF speed than ones on the market right now, even Metabones III. Also, even the better-reviewed ones like Metabones and RJ adapters are supposed to not work well with third-party lenses especially Sigma, which is disappointing since the advent of Sigma ART 35 and upcoming ART 50mm lens. My research so far turned up the following. The ones without AF are pretty cheap, but there are quite a few that preserve AF, IS. From researching these in an effort to find a reliable one, the user experience seems to be that AF is similarly slow via all of them, and each has different electronics/software leading to one working better with some lenses while another adapter may work better with other lenses (Canon or third party). Metabones Mk III adapter seems to be the most popular with most user reviews but also the most expensive at $400. It does not work with all lenses at all, however: "Only Canon-branded lenses introduced in or after 2006 are officially supported. Autofocus may be disabled for older Canon lenses and most third-party lenses, including most Sigma, Tamron and Tokina lenses and all Contax N lenses modified by Conurus." A lot of users are reporting internal reflections causing funny colors and CA at edges, and there is a DIY fix using adhesive-backed velour to cover up the adapter internals. http://www.metabones.com/products/details/MB-EF-E-BM3 A Youtube video showing the AF speed with Metabones adapter. My next choice would be RJ Electronics one which is cheaper with good user reviews available. Some claim it gives sharper results than Metabones III (how?) and works with older Canon lenses unlike Metabones. RJ admits it does not work well with Sigma lenses. I read one user who said that Canon 100L Macro did NOT AF when focus limiter was set to 0.3-0.5m (Macro range) but AF was fine at other settings including "Full." http://www.rjcamera.com/ocart/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=81 This Viltrox zinc-alloy one seems okay as well. I have a Viltrox Canon EF to M adapter which works OK though a bit loose on camera end. One can find a couple of user reviews on line, so at least you know it "works." I found a video on Youtube that shows AF speed with Viltrox adapter and Canon 17-40L. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Auto-focus-AF-Adapter-Canon-EF-EF-S-Lens-to-Sony-NEX-Camera-NEX-3-NEX-5-NEX-7-/181327865685?pt=US_Lens_Adapters_Mounts_Tubes&hash=item2a37fba755 This Chinese one is claimed to be made from brass with AF intact. Unfortunately, no user reviews can be found. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-EF-Mount-Lens-Mount-Auto-Focus-Adapter-for-Sony-NEX-7-a7-a7R-5N-5R-3N-/271342856622?pt=US_Lens_Adapters_Mounts_Tubes&hash=item3f2d4b69ae This "King" adapter looks interesting as well but again no reviews can be found. http://www.ebay.com/itm/201023366624?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 TechArt version II adapter. It's thought TechArt and RJ adapters may be from same oem, sharing the black finish on the camera side and also sharing the inability to recognize focus-limiter on Canon lenses. It's selling a little cheaper than RJ. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Techart-VER-2-Auto-Focus-smart-adapter-for-Canon-EOS-EF-to-Sony-NEX-7-6-5-a7-a7r-/251460489246?pt=US_Lens_Adapters_Mounts_Tubes&hash=item3a8c36901e Deo-Tech Falcon adapter This one also looks to be the same adapter as RJ and TechArt http://www.deo-tech.com/ Upon further research, some users including Fred Miranda are reporting that RJ/TechArt/Deo-Tech adapters are softer with more CA in the edges compared to Metabones III.

Finally here. A7R and FE55mm f/1.8. EOSE1378 by drjlo1, on Flickr

I also had decided not to deal with Adorama long ago. It was the time the Canon EOS-M/lens package was on sale, and after taking a bunch of orders, Adorama unilaterally cancelled their customers' orders without any replacement or offers when Canon did not have more in stock. On the other hand, B&H Photo, in same predicament, decided to honor their customers' orders and shipped out the EOS-M/lens/flash package they DID have in stock, at same price. Needless to say, B&H gets all my business since.. Talk about short-sighted business practices.

What ballhead do you like with your Feisol, for say a full-frame body + 70-200 f/2.8?

Doh! At least I have the Canon 135mm f/2, which isn't too shabby, if I can find a good EF to FE adapter that does not cost an arm.

Which lens was that with? Can't wait to receive my A7R+FE55mm combo

I noticed this thread on HF where "Eric65" is using the Woo WEE with the transformer bypassed into Audiovalve and claiming great results on Stax SR009. Any thoughts? If true, one of the Stax transformer boxes could be modified the same way with Audiovalve, or use one of Spritzer's Stax bias units in a simple adapter box.. "I can add than the use the same Stax SR-009 headphone used directly on the Audiovalve RKV MK2 amp (NB : Woo-Wee box is used only as an simple bias voltage generator (580 Volt DC), and the two transformers (multiplier of voltage 1:50) of the Woo-Wee are bypassed) will even more far away : gain of transparency, more natural sound and more presence (especially if Siemens tubes are used for the amp RKV) and, in my opinion, more natural than the Electra amp, and with might better synergy that the BHSE amp for use with SR-009 (NB : I do not speak here of SR-007 mk1 headphone where the BHSE amp seems untouchable)." http://www.head-fi.org/t/504489/woo-audio-electrostatic-energizer-new-product-from-woo-audio/75

They actually do not care what you trade in. Whether you send in a mint D800 or a non-working point-and-shoot, they will give you $300 credit! You will get the credit even before you send in your camera, which you will via pre-paid envelop that will come with your order. Insane, right? I had to bite..

Focus Camera is offering a hot deal on Sony A7/R, ending up with total of $650+$300=$950 off for package including body, lens, and flash. http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/focuscamera-gives-you-300-if-you-trade-in-your-old-camera-for-the-sony-a7-a7r/ I called Focus Camera, and the $300 credit is good for any camera, even a broken point-and-shoot, which is stackable on top of the Sony $650 rebate, leading to total of $950 off the package. Needless to say, I broke down and ordered the package of A7R, Zeiss 55 f/1.8, and Sony HVL60M flash. The flash has known overheating issues, but I figure I could use it for non-continuous shooting or send it to Sony service and see what they will do for me. BTW, Focuscamera website does not list the package of A7R/55mm/HVL60M under the $300 trade-in deal, just one with the 35mm lens. However, I found their ebay listing for the package I prefer, and they honored the $300 deal when I called them. http://www.ebay.com/itm/291079850904?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

That Adorama deal including a $600 speedlite for $99 seemed too good to be true... and it was. After some research, that Sony HVL-F60M flash may be the turd of the decade, overheating and shutting down after only about 20 fires, not to mention Sony unwilling to officially admit to the problem, nor able to fix the issue. Most pro's are expecting Sony will simply abandon the F60M and announce F61M or something, just like Nikon did with SB900's overheating problem, replacing with 910. The bundle deal also does not work for body+2 lenses. Only one body and one lens, so only $200 discount max. Still tempting. However, off-camera wireless flash photography is extremely important to me; heck, I just did a shoot today with multiple off-camera flashes for a family, which involved pretty rapid flash firing at high power outdoors.

Considering EOS-M2 with kit lens is going to be around $822 in Japan, the EOS-M/kit lens deal at $299 was likely the bargain of the decade as far as Canon goes. It's ridiculous how little difference exists between M1 and M2, mainly the (non-dual pixel) hybrid CMOS II 18 MP sensor with supposed faster AF. Honestly, after the firmware update, M1's AF speed is as good as I expect or need from a non-pro body. If I need to shoot action, I will pull out a pro body. In fact, I wish my 5D III's live view AF was half as fast as EOS-M, not to mention the touch-to-focus touchscreen, which I hope makes it to Canon's future pro bodies..