Canon 5D MkII - First Test Shots

As promised, here is a handful of test shots that I captured yesterday with my new camera. The location was Seaham Harbour, County Durham, a fifteen minute drive from my home in Houghton le Spring. The weather forecast on my mobile phone was accurate enough, predicting a cloudy and windy day, with the odd burst of sunshine. Wind direction was ideal for some big waves, breaking over a pier, so I decided to check the tide tables for Seaham. I was in luck, the tide was incoming around mid-day, so I expected ideal conditions around tea-time when the sea was high and Seaham Pier would be on the wrong end of a good old battering - well, hopefully, but more often than not the roaming photographer doesn't get what he wants. With nothing to lose, and the overwhelming itch to get my first run out with my new toy, I was quickly on the road and heading to the coast. As I reached the junction near Seaham Hall I got my first glimpse of the North Sea. It didn't look at all menacing, despite the dodgy weather, but as I drove along the coast road towards the harbour I could see some big waves rolling towards the beach. Hmm, I might hit lucky here. I parked up on the promenade opposite the shops and walked the short distance towards the cliff top, excited at the prospect of testing out the 5D MkII for the very first time. Looking across towards Seaham Pier I could see some big breakers bashing against the pier walls, which was exactly what I was looking for, so my decision to check the weather conditions on my mobile phone proved to be a good one. From a decent vantage point I still didn't have enough reach with my 24-105mm lens, so I fitted the 70-300mm telephoto and pulled in the first shot (shown here).

Focus lock was instant, with no hunting, even though I was spot focusing on the lighthouse, which was quite small in the frame due to the composition I had chosen. One click and the shutter fired - the image review was also instant, fading in from almost black to the perfectly exposed final image, which is a nice extra feature that the 7D never had. I was running with Quick Burst, 3 frames per second, capturing the waves at different formations, giving me the opportunity to cherry-pick the best hots from the bunch. A fast shutter and Auto ISO was chosen in P setting, which worked very well in these conditions. I got a soaking as I photographed next to the pier wall, taking a few on the back as I shielded the camera under my jacket. Very happy with what I got. Hopefully the start of many more.
I'll be back soon with more test shots and feedback, so stay tuned...

Thanks, Ash

  

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