New Addition - Canon 17-40mm Lens (L Series)

Last week I added another lens to the arsenal, in the form of a Canon 'L Series' 17-40mm Ultra-Wide. This is my second 'L' purchase, following the 24-105mm lens that came with my Canon 5D MK2 body (Full frame upgrade). For anyone who is unfamiliar with L-Series, these are the 'Luxury' lenses in the Canon EF family line, and what a difference the results are, compared to the EF-S series that I was using alongside the now departed Canon 7D crop body. Naturally, the L-Series glass comes at a price, but they're worth every penny. So, what is the difference between EF (L-Series) and EF-S lenses, you may ask...

EF-S lenses are specifically designed for APS-C digital bodies and optimised for the fact that they have smaller sensor and mirror. EF-S lenses are marked with a white dot on the mount instead of red one that EF-glass has, and can be only used on EF-S compatible bodies (almost all of smaller-sensor Canon DSLRs, up to EOS 7D). Film and larger-sensor digital cameras (5D, 1D, 1Ds) take only EF lenses. If you have a camera with EF-S mount support (such as EOS 7D, 50D or 500D), you can use both EF and EF-S lenses. EF-S lenses are a slightly different format whereby the rear element sits closer to the lens, this is possible due to the smaller mirror with APS-C sensor. The distance from the back of the lens to the image plane is known as the back-focus distance, hence the S in EF-S standing for short back focus. Other manufacturers have lenses designed for smaller sensors with appropriately smaller image circles but they don't have a different back focus distance. Having the lens sit slightly closer does make it slightly easier to design wide angle lenses, however I've heard the reason Canon introduced EF-S lenses was so they could scale down existing lens designs as a base for the optical design to avoid having to start from scratch. It's often said you can't use EF-S lenses on a full frame body (such as the 5D, 1Ds) but this is not strictly true. Canon use a different shaped rear baffle to physically prevent you mounting as the mirror could hit the lens and cause damage. However this can be removed to allow mounting, and since the rear element moves when zooming there are positions that allow shooting. Vignetting is a problem as EF-S lenses project a smaller image circle, but again the image circle can get bigger while zooming so some focal lengths work ok.

EF (L-Series) is Canon's professional line (though used extensively by non-professionals) of EOS EF auto focus 35mm SLR and DSLR still camera lenses. Some say L stands for "Low Dispersion" - achieved by the UD lens elements found in these lenses. But, the true answer is probably the one in Canon's Lens Work III Book - "L" is for "Luxury". Watch the sidelines at the next professional sporting event you attend or watch on TV. Look for the identifying L-lens red stripe around the end of the photographers' camera lenses. These are the people who make a living with their equipment - and they frequently trust the Canon L Lens Series for their income. About their L lenses, Canon says "these lenses use special optical technologies [such as] Ultra-low Dispersion UD glass, Super Low Dispersion glass, Fluorite elements, and Aspherical elements to push the optical envelope."
OK so what does that mean - practically speaking? What you can get when you use Canon L lenses (if you do your part right) are amazing pictures. In fact, this amazement is said to cause a disease know as "L-Disease". Once caught, it is incurable.

After upgrading to the full frame 5D MK2 with 24-105MM lens, I couldn't wait to get started. If you trace back my blog entries you'll find many photographs that I've taken with my new kit. To the viewer there may seem little difference between the photographs on my blog from each camera, but there is a noticeable difference between the prints, especially at A2 (25x17 inches). Obviously, when you factor in the full-frame side of things, the upgrade has been a master stroke in my opinion, as it has opened up more capability, mainly the ability to get that much more subject onto a full frame sensor. As for my two lenses - the 24-105mm is my everyday 'Walk around' lens, which covers most aspects of my photography needs, whereas it doesn't quite cut the mustard up close, hence the need to go wider in that pursuit. That's where the 17-40mm glass makes an appearance. A popular misconception with some photographers is that Wide Angle lenses are to 'Get it all in'. I tend to disagree. Ultra-wide's are for getting yourself, and therefore the viewer, right smack into the middle of something. If you can't or won't get close, leave the Ultra-wide at home. These lenses have the ability to rub the viewer's nose in your subject. Properly used, Ultra-wide's grab your viewer and yank him into the middle of your situation, bringing the viewer into the photo, not for fitting a subject into a photo. Ultra-wide's require you to get very close and personal to anything you are shooting. Even a fraction of an inch (or cm) will make a massive difference in your composition, so you need to be very deliberate with your movement. If you use them properly, you should be rewarded with dynamic images. I find that regardless of which lens I use, and however many photos I make on a trip, the ones I like the most are always those made with a wide angle lens. My old 10-22mm Wide was a brilliant lens and gave me the experience I now carry forward. As the weather up North has been sh1te recently, I haven't had a decent chance to road test my new 17-40mm Wide, but rest assured it will put through its paces soon enough. Until then I'll twiddle my thumbs and plan my next outing. Lots of printing/framing to get through, which is ideal when the weather is poor. Indoors all the way, but not for long. Until then...

Ash

A Frosty Herrington Park

A couple of days ago I was up bright and early and heading towards 'The Barber Shop' in Shiney Row, a ten minute drive from home. Yes, the old mullet needed a trim and an early morning visit usually beats the queue's, so off I went. I chucked the camera bag into the boot of the car on the off-chance that I might get a couple of half decent shots in the nearby Herrington Country Park, especially as there was a covering of frost on the deck. After my short back and sides (and nowt off the top), I drove the short distance to the almost deserted park, in bright sunshine it has to be said. Cold it certainly was. Still getting to grips with the new camera, but coming along very nicely. Not much else to report, just some new photo's from my brief visit to Herrington Park. Without further ado...

Ash

Heavy snow here in County Durham this morning. The Mackem Photographer was roaming again, before the snow thawed. Bad conditions on the A1(M), but hey, who dares wins! Some nice snow scenes up next, folks. As always, stay tuned...

Canon 5D MkII - More Test Shots

Hello again.
A few hours ago I was out and about once again, testing out my new camera at Newcastle Quayside. This was my third run out with the 5D MkII, following two previous outings to Seaham Harbour, County Durham, and like my last blog entry, I was on the hunt for more low-light photographs. I can safely say, after just three batches of test shots, this camera is unreal, especially the 24-105mm Luxury Lens, as it once again pulled in some brilliant tack sharp images. And no sooner did I process those images and I'm already planning my next jaunt, which is the effect this camera is having on me. It's slick, smooth and worth every penny of ones 'Hard earned.' So it looks very much like my Newcastle Quayside At Night gallery will be getting a revamp, as my new images will replace old ones and there will be more on the way. I'll be making more visits to this location in the next few weeks, so keep an eye open for more of the same, very soon. A new battery grip has been added to the kit bag, but one thing that I missed tonight was a Wide Angle Lens, following the sale of my 10-22mm EFS, which wasn't compatible with the EF mount I'm now running with on the full frame 5D MkII. So, it looks like I'll be shopping around for a Wide! Anyway, it's knocking on for 12.30am, so I'll have to call it a day - the fart sack awaits!

In the meantime, here is tonights shots...
Click to enlarge.
AC

Out With The Old...

Welcome back! It's been a while...

Apologies for the lack of activity here at ashleycorr.com, 2013 hasn't even started, at least in photography terms. I never captured one single photograph in January due to other commitments, but I aim to make amends following a recent decision to sell most of my camera equipment. After a lot of deliberation during the last few weeks of 2012, I decided to upgrade my camera and migrate to full frame, at long last. I sold the Canon 7D...and the battery grip...and the 18-135mm lens...and the 10-22mm wide angle lens, which really wasn't as bad an experience as I thought it would be, as that kit pulled in some brilliant shots and I was quite reluctant to move it on - if it ain't broken, and all that. After careful consideration I eventually made my move, bringing home a brand spanking new Canon 5D MkII, and what a smart piece of kit it is! Mind you, it's not there to gaze at, either is the 24-105mm L series lens that came with it, yet it stood idle for just over a week before I put it through its paces. I've been wanting to join the 'Full-Frame Brigade' for some time now, even though the 7D, with its 1.6x crop sensor served me well, and I remember being torn between the 5D MkII and the 7D last time around, but played safe with a 7D purchase. Anyone who is familiar with full-frame bodies will be well aware that the accompanying glass doesn't come cheaply, which was the main factor in me opting for a 7D three years ago. Being in a much stronger position now, it was full steam ahead and after a brief dabble with its settings I was off and running once again, which was a nice feeling, especially when sliding slowly into February with no photography behind me for a full month. So, a few things to mention about the new kit...

First and foremost I expected, and noticed a big difference in what the 5D MkII can 'See' compared to the trusty and now departed 7D. There is so much more subject in the frame, so I'll be in no hurry to add a new wide angle lens unless It's really necessary, and that won't come cheaply either. I'm already eyeing up Tokina glass, but no concrete plans to buy until I see what the camera can deliver in all aspects of my photography, especially indoors and for those outdoor wide-angle shots. Canon makes cameras with three different sized image sensors. Full-frame digital cameras use a sensor the same size as 35mm film. Full-frame is the way to go if you have the choice. Consumer 1.6x cameras have a sensor 1.6x smaller than 35mm film. Obsolete Canon professional 1.3 x cameras used a sensor 1.3x smaller than 35mm film. The sensors in these cameras are the same as 35mm film: 24 x 36mm. To get more of an understanding of what this means through the eyepiece, here is an illustration explaining crop factors -

So there you have it, and you will most probably agree that there's a lot more subject in the frame, which comes at a price, but what the heck, you're only alive once. Another pixel hike takes me up to 21, from 18, although that's neither here or there in the bigger scheme of things. ISO capability with the 5D MkII now gives me the option of photographing a black cat in a coal mine, if necessary, and although I'm a black cat (Sunderland supporter) through and through, sadly, coal mines are now a thing of the past in the North-East of England, so I'll have to give that one a miss. Another reason for migrating to full-frame was to get my hands on those top of the range L lenses - not cheap, but worth every penny. My old 18-135mm EF lens served me well, catering for my needs at during that particular 'Era', but times change and so does the photographer, so, without further ado...

What is the Canon "L" Lens Series?
Good question - and many answers exist, but it is Canon's professional line (though used extensively by non-professionals) of EOS EF auto focus 35mm SLR and DSLR still camera lenses. Some say L stands for "Low Dispersion" - achieved by the UD lens elements found in these lenses. But, the true answer is probably "L" is for "Luxury".

Watch the sidelines at the next professional sporting event you attend or watch on TV. Look for the identifying L-lens red stripe around the end of the photographers' camera lenses. These are the people who make a living with their equipment - and they frequently trust the Canon L Lens Series for their income.

About their L lenses, Canon says "these lenses use special optical technologies [such as] Ultra-low Dispersion UD glass, Super Low Dispersion glass, Fluorite elements, and Aspherical elements to truly push the optical envelope."

OK so what does that mean - practically speaking?
What you can get when you use Canon L lenses (if you do your part right) are amazing pictures. In fact, this amazement is said to cause a disease know as "L-Disease". Once caught, it is incurable. You will have to buy Canon L lenses in all of the focal lengths you use. AND you will be happy (and I hope you know that I am not being totally serious).

Finally, two photographs of my new camera, taken on my mobile phone, which also has an 'L' lens (In this instance, 'L' stands for 'Loada_Sh*t'). Pardon the French, folks. And I'll be back tomorrow with my first batch of shots from the all new and exciting Canon 5D MkII and 24-105mm L series lens, with IS (Image Stabilisation). Until then...

Ash