Is a new ND around the corner

[avid]

If not, anyone selling one of the current version? I am considering the purchase of one in order to use the Contax645 lenses on a ND with the NAM1 adapter so I can get rid of the entire Canon system and have one set of lens for both. Question is, do these lenses still produce the same sharp, contrasty images on the ND that I am used to on the C645? Do users that have used C645 Zeiss lenses on the ND see any difference in the image quality? I imagine that the images will be just as good if not better than the Canon's L glass, right?
Wonder if it is better to wait to see if a new version is announced that previews RAW image on the camera LCD? Lack of that feature was a shocking thing to know as every camera on the market (even a 300D) displays RAW images in camera.
Thanks

 

[djg]

I too was shocked when I realized my ND wouldn't preview raw images. After the Photoshop raw developer was able to do a wonderful job on the ND raw images, I was shocked by how easily I could ignore this lack

.

On the other hand, if you're serious about 35mm digital photography, wait a bit before you dump the Canon lenses, assuming they're the really good ones, at least 'til Photokina.

DJ
Patiently waiting for the ND 2 announcement ... for a bit anyway

 

[albert4321]

Avi, I have frequently used the C645 lenses on ND. For studio portrait, I found that the ND raw images are better than my C645 scans, provided your lighting and exposure are good. Of course, there are a lot of variables, such as what kind of films and how the scan is being done, size of enlargement. I am not making any statement here, but ND with C645 lenses is definitely a good combo. No comment on the Canon L glass since I don't have the EOS 1Ds to compare with.

As DJ pointed out, no raw preview is not a big deal. Most photographers work with no preview for decades. If I need preview, I shoot jpeg first. It is a big inconvenience, but one would learn to work with the limitation. Any gear has its limitation.

Mostly likely, you will sell the Contax system before the Canon system if digital is important to you. I could be wrong but I could not see Contax will produce any dSLR body better than canon, especially there is no sign of new ND (time will tell if you can wait.) However, the zeiss lenses keep be around and I am quite happy with the ND.

Albert.

 

[irakly]

DJ, I actually find that no preview of RAW images is to the better. It brings you even close to the feel of shooting film and makes more disciplined. Digital photographers quickly develop a habit of reviewing every image right after they take it, and it is bad because they do it instead of keeping shooting.

 

[fotografz]

LCD review has other values beyond "chimping" the image.

Case in point: While shooting a wedding last Saturday, I discovered my new Canon 1DMKII and 550EX weren't working properly. While the flash was firing okay, it wasn't registering on the sensor at all. Some flaw in the sync either with the flash or the camera (TBD). Without LCD review there would have been no way to catch this problem, and I would have ruined an entire wedding shoot.

Irakly, are you in town? We need to talk ASAP.

 

[irakly]

Mark, I am in London, waiting for my fight back home. Will be in Detroit this evening and will give you a call.

 

[djg]

Irakly, I also found that to be the case, as I mentioned when we first started testing the Photoshop raw plug-in. But on the other hand, Marc also makes a point. As usual there's two or more sides to everything. It's up to us to make the most of them

.

As for me, my money's lined up. By November I'll either have a Canon 1Ds or have/be waiting for an announced ND2.

 

[fotografz]

DJ, the 1Ds isn't all it's claimed to be.

Lots of noise in the blacks to deal with.

It depends on what you need a digital for. For fast work Canon's the way to go. I use mine for weddings. But any basic shots the ND is just fine.

If I want real resolution for mammoth enlargements, I use my Contax 645 and a Kodak back. I ran a test on the 1Ds and the Kodak back in studio, the 645 blew away the Canon. Just like with film, there's no substitute for real estate.

 

[djg]

Marc, thanks for the heads up. I was going to ask for your take on the 1Ds, and there it is

. I had considered going the 645 way, but price of the 16MP backs has been a block, the ones I've seen being in the 14K+ range.

I'll be going to China in January, and was thinking of an upgrade, but maybe not ...

 

[fotografz]

The discontinued 16 meg 645C is totally portable, was only $12,000 new when it first came out. It can be had with a little shopping for less than a 1Ds body. Irakly paid even less than that for his. Both of us use that set up.

Best of all you get to use Zeiss glass !!!

But I don't want to mislead you. The 1Ds is a fab camera. But not without it's own set of issues.

 

[bobbytan]

Hey DJ

I think you should consider the 20D. From the previews and s&le pictures I've seen on DP Review, Luminous Landscape, Rob Galbraith's site, and elsewhere, this is a very fast camera and the noise control is as good as the 10D and much better at the higher ISOs.

I am on the waiting list in 2 different places.

 

[albert4321]

DJ,

I too have been thinking about the 1Ds option. But I told myself it will be better for me to get a digital back. It is cheaper considering you don't have to by a few L lenses and Canon accessories. For me, I have to start from stretch. I can shoot films and digital with my four superb C645 lenses.

The 20D is not a bad option for the money. Good enough for most shooting and wedding I suppose. I just wonder how balance it is with those heavy L lenses since the body is 3.5 oz lighter than the 10d. I guess with the battery booster, it will be okay.

 

[fotografz]

I'd opt for a 1DMKII before a D20. Same processor, bigger sensor, much more robust camera, weather proof, and the fastest digital out there bar none.

BTW, ran my test, and it's the 550EX flash that was malfunctioning. Dardest thing. It's firing out of sync. (late). The camera's fine (thank God).

 

[djg]

Frankly, if I'm going to replace my ND and Zeiss glass, I'm going to be looking for pretty much the best 35mm-sized digital unit out there, full-sized sensor a requisite. That pretty much narrows it down

.

 

[coyot]

> So, you don't expect any Photokina announcments????

Michael.

 

[djg]

Well, I'm hoping for a new full-sized sensor ND 2 to be announced, but I'm setting my expectation level relatively low, to avoid pain ...

 

[coyot]

> D.J.

I hope so too. Pretty sad if after making this TREMENDOUS invenstment in the N-Mount system if Kycoera does'nt belly up to the bar with an expanding line of goodies (or at least with upgrades for the existing equipement to make it work better!).

The more I use the Contax flash equipement, the more displeased. It is so unpredictable. Basically, the TTL just does not work with my setup ... and I get better results using the A mode on the TLA-360. Wonder if that is a failure of the flash or of the N1 and ND?

Michael.

 

[bluesee]

Michael,
The highly reflective sensor is the culprit!!!!! The "supplemental" correction info from contax doesn't help much.........I've had the best luck on automatic.

 

[albert4321]

For digital cameras, Quantum flush manual also suggested to use A instead of TTL due to the reflective sensor.

Anyone has any comments on the Canon eTTL II?

 

[bobbytan]

If you have a C645 and have no Canon lenses, don't mind the bulk/weight, and quality is your only or main consideration, a digital back is the way to go.

If you prefer a more portable DSLR but want the best resolution and quality you can extract out of a 35mm, then the 1Ds or 1D Mk II is for you.

For me who is strictly a hobbyist/amateur not willing to spend too much money but still want respectable quality, the 20D is able to offer that and then some!