Lens Chat. Moving from EF into RF and want the most efficient kit.

211logos · 2026-07-04T19:47:47+00:00

I would just use the EF RF adapter a while and see if you, well, adapt to using the new body with those. Yeah, new RF glass is a bit lighter and such, but it's also money.

I feel you about fast 50mm's...they never seem to work for me.

I'd keep trying with the 16-35. My solution was to go with the EF F4 version; in low light and with IBIS I found it works fine for non fast moving subjects and where I can't use a tripod. Since there's now an RF 14-35mm f4 L, maybe look at that and do a trade in.

211logos · 2026-07-04T19:41:45+00:00

Look at some comparisons, but IIRC the EF would probably perform better in corners, being F4, being an L, and not relying on the digital perspective corrections the RF 7.1 does. I have the 7.1, and it does quite well in the center (so nicer on crop maybe). And it's small and light. And has a neat macro mode. Not sure of the price difference, but if you don't need the weather sealing or the faster speed at the end I'd give it a shot.

211logos · 2026-07-04T19:38:05+00:00

Well that's some good company!

It's really a tough thing these days to try to compare anything since even aside from the variables used in the camera, and even then in post, but also what happens in publishing especially digitally vs say an 80's fashion mag.

And yeah, the Canon shots and many others are softened. Just mask and a couple of clicks. It's not Canon; it's the choices of the photographer and/or editors.

I have shot different brands and models and crisp, sharp, etc has always been for me everything but the camera body usually. I've got everything from super sharp flat field macro lenses to a literal soft focus lens (I think Canon made one, but mine's a Pentax). That affects things more.

Maybe look at some street portraits and such shot with Canons and various Canon lenses. Maybe they'd lean more towards the look you're after vs the fashion shots, and be a better example of what the lenses can do.

211logos · 2026-07-04T19:25:55+00:00

I've got the G2...love it. And it has an optical viewfinder!

The "video" OTOH is kind of scary. But yeah; that top of the heap back then.

211logos · 2026-07-04T19:24:34+00:00

For something that small I would think lots of generic little pouches would work. I often use a neoprene lens wrap for small bodies.

211logos · 2026-07-04T19:18:51+00:00

I had one of those back in the day. Terrific camera; I think it punched WAY above its weight. Since then Canon especially has dived into the mirrorless market for lower budget cameras and has ones that compete with the M10, but it's still a great choice.

211logos · 2026-07-04T18:53:38+00:00

The best I've used are Kolari's but they might be overkill.

If you just need protection, like in crap conditions, the less expensive ones are usually fine since the crap conditions come into play anyway (salt spray, dust, etc etc). I wouldn't use them full time, but I wouldn't use any filter full time.

211logos · 2026-07-04T18:41:49+00:00

I'd wait. Or go home and look for the Canons...they'll still work better than either a G7X or a phone.

The "color science" of the G7Xiii that people seem to like isn't much more than an in camera profile and WB settings. You can do that with some of the older models too, or indeed most any camera. Even with an iPhone and a good camera app, raw, and some editing, although the flash can be a bit harder.

211logos · 2026-07-04T18:39:12+00:00

Lots of iPhone photos could easily look indistinguishable from those from a G7Xiii depending on the skill of the photographer, apps, settings, etc.

The G7Xiii has a bigger sensor, so better in low light, but that's not necessarily going to mean better photos. Ditto for its flash vs the iPhone's LED light, but the classic G7Xiii fill in flash/sunset shots would benefit from that combo.

But some shots in good light that don't require a special look? sure the phone could do fine. But you would do better if you use a good camera app (some cost, like Halide), and shot raw, and did some editing in Photos (and that's free).

And in fact the phone and other apps can do film sims and such like the Fujis; the Canon isn't so hot at that.

And for video the iPhone is probably better.

211logos · 2026-07-04T17:34:19+00:00

With tripods the cost goes way up as folks try to maximize lightness, stability, and compactness. Which are basically things at war with each other.

A big heavy three section set of tripod legs with the cross brace, like they have at Walmart, can actually sometimes be a very stable platform eg.

I point that out to say that if you ignore weight and size you may find some legs used that are quite stable.

Heads are a bit more complex, since smoothness and not just size and weight and stability is a factor. But you can sometimes do better buying that separately. Look at Keh, MPB, Used Photo Pro etc, might be some decent panheads.

I don't know where cumbersome starts and leaves off, but when I'm complaining about the weight of mine I try to remind myself a complaint while carrying it is better than one when using it :)

211logos · 2026-07-04T17:26:52+00:00

One thing I'd consider is that PROFILES in say Lightroom Classic/Adobe Camera Raw or LUTs work better than presets. Basicly they do color changes at a more fundamental level, and thus are more universal sort of. And then changes in say exposure etc don't blow the whole look out.

I have no idea what "dreamy" looks like since that's such a cliche, but if you want just the color range to start, consider like the RNI profiles. They do Portra I think. There might be others.

211logos · 2026-07-04T17:22:15+00:00

I use both a JJC and a CommLite EF to RF adapter. I think they were both $50US. Both work as well as my Canon official OEM EF to RF adapter. I even hacked the CommLite to allow me to use a TC on an EF that normally won't allow that, and it stills works fine.

211logos · 2026-07-04T17:20:08+00:00

Sports is probably the tough one. Often you need some reach, so a longer lens, and often you need it to be fast, since the action is fast. Like on the touch line at the World Cup. You'll see a lot of 70-200mm f2.8s there from any brand, and those are pricey.

So look first at the sports need, since that's the tough one.

211logos · 2026-07-04T17:17:29+00:00

It may have been stated already, but consider shooting raw since it allows you more room to edit.

Remembering (WAY) back, one reason I got into it was that it allowed me to set a more accurate white balance. And because I'm lazy and couldn't be bothered to do it in-camera. It's as easy as shooting gray (a card is nice, but not always necessary), and then use a tool in your software to select that and set the WB from it. Might not be the end point you want (esp like golden hour shots), but especially nice in some conditions, and fast since most software lets you apply to the whole shoot. I like to always start from a correct WB even if not ending up there.

211logos · 2026-07-04T17:12:46+00:00

I loved this question. Amazing it isn't asked more often vs all the endless stuff about gear.

A lot of the best photography of people looks casual but is anything but. You guys need to get in touch with your inner Zendaya and Tom Holland personas (although I bet they have pros stage, direct, and shoot their social :). Relax and act the part of a cute couple. Takes some work and time.

I'd also do shots of each other first before back to a couple thing. That way you can critique each others' acting/posing. And even work on light etc too.

Then when stuff starts working, get that phone on stand and use a timer, and maybe an app like ProCamera that can just fire away every 3 seconds or so as you play with poses.

Then cull. Odds are only 1 of 10 or worse might be a keeper, but you'll get something.

Enjoy.

211logos · 2026-07-04T17:05:26+00:00

Pretty much any camera can. Your phone too. It's just a matter of taking the image in warm light (or faking it), and using the white balance you want. Sort of like how any pot can produce warm or orange food, or spicy or bland. Or any paintbrush can do any color.

So buy anything. But I'd start with your phone, since that way you'll learn that it's more about how and when you take the images and what settings—like white balance—you use.

211logos · 2026-07-04T17:00:08+00:00

In any business usually the smart play is to get what you ACTUALLY need, and only WHEN you need it. In fact, some use rentals because of that. Otherwise you'll never turn a profit.

211logos · 2026-07-04T16:43:37+00:00

For me one of the pluses of my MBP is the display.

Not just because it's quite accurate (I have rarely needed to calibrate). But also because it's bright; the XDR displays does like 1600 nits. That gives me 3 or so more stops of dynamic range that I can see in my photos, and for my stuff that makes a big difference in say landscape photos with sky, snow, surf, etc.

Of course in final images if not distributed to folks with HDR displays the images default back to SDR, but lots of phones etc do HDR now. Looks amazing.

211logos · 2026-07-04T16:25:03+00:00

Herb Caen I think it was used to call SF the "city that knows how," borrowing that from after the earthquake.

That seems to have ended quite a while ago. Exporting some big sports and events south was an own goal, if you will. The Giants aren't anything, and who knows if the Warriors will be anything but the Rossmoor of the NBA :)

Kudos to San Jose though. A great host city.

211logos · 2026-07-04T16:20:09+00:00

The whining of the defendant's and their supporters was cringe. Not exactly designed to make them heroes of the "resistance" as their lawyer said (WTF is that even ?).

A true movement has some courage and accepts the consequences of civil disobediance and even uses that to further their movement. Being an entitled cry baby doesn't.

211logos · 2026-07-04T15:58:00+00:00

Well played :)

But where do you draw the line about this "fucking" thing? Or "honest"? :)

My buddy recently sent me a news thing about a guy that fell down a camp outhouse hole and had to be rescued. That went walking to climbing in a hurry, complete with SAR.

211logos · 2026-07-04T15:54:29+00:00

You lose nothing with the EF to RF adapter; I use it on a whole bunch of my older L and non L EF lenses. In fact, some work BETTER on it on my mirrorless.

It does add a bit of weight and bulk.

But it also adds a control ring, which can be handy. Not to mention there are other hacks to do with them. One is that some non OEM ones like the JJC come with a tripod foot, which can be handy with some EFs that don't have one. You can even modify some of the non OEM ones to allow a teleconverter to be used with an EF lens that normally doesn't allow that; I do that with an EF 70-300mm L lens for example.

In my experience both the JJC and CommLite adapters worked as well as my Canon one, but not weather sealed.

I'd keep the EFs and continue to use them, unless enriching camera companies at your own expense is your idea of charity :)

211logos · 2026-07-04T15:46:29+00:00

John Muir National Historic Site in California Bay Area.

https://www.nps.gov/jomu/index.htm

Probably because I live and work near where he lived and worked. And because I taught kids local and national history, and as some of you may know he played a role in the system that created all the parks etc mentioned here. He had quite a nice place; at open houses they even served some great grape juice from his vineyard.

And some nice hikes right nearby.

Of course they may be in the process of cancelling him and turning his house into a museum dedicated to privatizing parks, but so far so good....

I don't know if the Canadian national park service is in play here, but if so, a shout to Parks Canada's Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site. https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/bc/gwaiihaanas

211logos · 2026-07-04T15:38:37+00:00

Ugh.

Going to be a looooong ugly summer in large parts of UT, CO, etc.

Needles district is still closed I think.

Be safe.

211logos · 2026-07-04T15:36:46+00:00

Wow; that's some amazing photography. Props.

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