Canon 60D: Homerun or Disappointment?

[postal]

I compare it on my monitor... for some reason it is not able to AF accurately when using F/1.4 to F/2... around F/4 is nice...

1000D and 450D are still great cameras... but when combined with good lenses like L or the Sigma 50mm... it is unable to maximize the capability of the lenses... Just my humble opinion... :-D

 

[raydio]

Hi,

Did you compare the images on LCD monitor or the camera LCD? IMHO, the 1000D's LCD quality should be the same as my 450D... hopeless compare to the LCD screen of 60D. Also, may be your Sigma 50mm f1.4 need to be calibrated to your 1000D if you find the image not sharp.

Have a nice day.

I find the clarity of the images on the 60D LCD to be exceptionally good. Canon has done a great here.

 

[doodah]

1000D and 450D are still great cameras... but when combined with good lenses like L or the Sigma 50mm... it is unable to maximize the capability of the lenses... Just my humble opinion... :-D

I still have my 450D as back-up while the 60D is my main working body. The 450D AF just as accurately as the 60D (and from my 1 year experience with 2 copies of the 7D, the 450D and 60D are more precise as well).

Some folks suspect Canon has tweaked the AF algorithm in the 60D, and others believe they have tightened up their QC. Regardless, it is the first APS-C body from Canon with few AF complaints. I am sure there will be some bad apples, but the number will be rather small.

 

[raydio]

I still have my 450D as back-up while the 60D is my main working body. The 450D AF just as accurately as the 60D (and from my 1 year experience with 2 copies of the 7D, the 450D and 60D are more precise as well).

Some folks suspect Canon has tweaked the AF algorithm in the 60D, and others believe they have tightened up their QC. Regardless, it is the first APS-C body from Canon with few AF complaints. I am sure there will be some bad apples, but the number will be rather small.

The 60D has been one of the few cameras in recent memory in which very few complaints were generated from launch. Most of the "press" and user experiences have been more than favourable.

 

[AboutToSnap]

I have a noobie question for anyone "in the know".

When you send your 60D and a lens to CSC for calibration, which component is actually calibrated? In other words, is the lens or the camera body or both calibrated to one another?

If the lens is calibrated to the body then does it render the lens uncalibrated to another camera body? If so, then how does one ensure the calibration of one lens to multiple bodies? :dunno:

 

[doodah]

I have a noobie question for anyone "in the know".

When you send your 60D and a lens to CSC for calibration, which component is actually calibrated? In other words, is the lens or the camera body or both calibrated to one another?

If the lens is calibrated to the body then does it render the lens uncalibrated to another camera body? If so, then how does one ensure the calibration of one lens to multiple bodies? :dunno:

Allow me to quote from this site:

"Lets consider that I have a camera body that is -2 focus units from perfect, and a lens that is +2 focus units from perfect. Both are considered ‘fine’ according to the manufacturers definition, although they certainly aren’t perfect. However, the combination of a +2 lens on my -2 camera will be absolutely perfect, I’ll love the lens on my camera...

But what if the lens was -2 focus units from the theoretical perfect and I put it on my -2 focus units from perfect camera?...

... if its an f/1.4 lens with a very shallow depth of field, the front focusing will be noticeable: the subject will be out of focus and soft... if I sent the lens in to the manufacturer to fix the problem they would check the lens out, say it was fine (because it is fine, its within specifications) and send it back. Ony if I send the camera and lens together to be calibrated would the fact that the two together are out of focus be apparent, and then the manufacturer would be able to fix the calibration."

IOW, the lens calibration must match the body.

So, what you do is this: you send both the camera and lens to CSC for calibration. You tell them to ensure the camera body is calibrated to standard (they use a standard lens for checkin). You must also inform them they should calibrate the lens to match the body if the latter is within spec. While it's possible to calibrate the body to match the lens, it's not easy and CSC won't be able to do a good job (personal experience).

 

[AboutToSnap]

Allow me to quote from this site:

"Lets consider that I have a camera body that is -2 focus units from perfect, and a lens that is +2 focus units from perfect. Both are considered ‘fine’ according to the manufacturers definition, although they certainly aren’t perfect. However, the combination of a +2 lens on my -2 camera will be absolutely perfect, I’ll love the lens on my camera...

But what if the lens was -2 focus units from the theoretical perfect and I put it on my -2 focus units from perfect camera?...

... if its an f/1.4 lens with a very shallow depth of field, the front focusing will be noticeable: the subject will be out of focus and soft... if I sent the lens in to the manufacturer to fix the problem they would check the lens out, say it was fine (because it is fine, its within specifications) and send it back. Ony if I send the camera and lens together to be calibrated would the fact that the two together are out of focus be apparent, and then the manufacturer would be able to fix the calibration."

IOW, the lens calibration must match the body.

So, what you do is this: you send both the camera and lens to CSC for calibration. You tell them to ensure the camera body is calibrated to standard (they use a standard lens for checkin). You must also inform them they should calibrate the lens to match the body if the latter is within spec. While it's possible to calibrate the body to match the lens, it's not easy and CSC won't be able to do a good job (personal experience).

Thank-you Doodah for the explanation. That was helpful.

So if I understand you correctly, if a camera body is -2, it could still be within specs as far as Canon is concerned, but it would be minus 2 for every lens that you own.... correct? Lenses on the other hand could be out by -2 or +3 or whatever.

I wasn't all that clear on your last paragraph. Are you saying that if you do not specify to CSC that they should "first" calibrate the body to a standard and then secondly calibrate the lens to the body, then otherwise they will simply take the body in whatever state they find it in and calibrate it to the lens? If that is the case, then the body would continue to be out by -2 (using your analogy)? In other words, they would be taking a short cut and not performing the calibration in the best possible way?

 

[doodah]

I wasn't all that clear on your last paragraph. Are you saying that if you do not specify to CSC that they should "first" calibrate the body to a standard and then secondly calibrate the lens to the body, then otherwise they will simply take the body in whatever state they find it in and calibrate it to the lens? If that is the case, then the body would continue to be out by -2 (using your analogy)? In other words, they would be taking a short cut and not performing the calibration in the best possible way?

Sorry for the lack of clarity. The point is: if you do not provide specific instructions, you'll not know how they calibrate the lenses and cameras.

 

[Aspellian]

Hi there,

I am new to this forum. Previously using Canon S2IS for last 5 years. have not used DSLR before, but have always wanted to upgrade.

Now interested to get a Canon EOS 60D as the upgrade, timing just nice too.

I have some questions:

anyone knows what's the latest selling price at AP/CP/John etc? I read that the lowest in Sept was $1400+... I am on a budget constraint.

As I do not own any lens, I also need some LENS advice:
- I am deciding between 18-55mm OR 18-135MM but i am afraid that the latter will be very bulky. Is it necessary to get 135mm telephoto lens? or should i heven consider the 18-200mm?

- I have a friend (owns Nikon DSLR) who suggest buying a Canon Body itself plus a Sigma or Tamron as its cheaper combi- any views?

- He also suggest getting a fixed lens eg. 85mm F/1.4 + a zoom wide angle lens of 24-70mm? Is this a good suggestion?


I will be using my DSLR mainly for overseas travel, family gatherings and trips (eg. zoo, out-door outings, i like to take animal, flowers, panaromic views and potrait shots).

 

[KangS]

Hi guys,

may I know what's the current pricing like for the 60D camera body now ? Is there anywhere doing sub-$1400 for a local warranty set ?

Thanks.

 

[doodah]

Hi guys,
may I know what's the current pricing like for the 60D camera body now ? Is there anywhere doing sub-$1400 for a local warranty set ?
Thanks.

I vaguely remember paying S$1380 for the 60D body at SLR Revolution a few weeks ago.

PS: I think the current state of cameras is already beyond my skill set... so I plan to stick to the same gear for the next 5 years.

 

[raydio]

Hi there,

I am new to this forum. Previously using Canon S2IS for last 5 years. have not used DSLR before, but have always wanted to upgrade.

Now interested to get a Canon EOS 60D as the upgrade, timing just nice too.

I have some questions:

anyone knows what's the latest selling price at AP/CP/John etc? I read that the lowest in Sept was $1400+... I am on a budget constraint.

As I do not own any lens, I also need some LENS advice:
- I am deciding between 18-55mm OR 18-135MM but i am afraid that the latter will be very bulky. Is it necessary to get 135mm telephoto lens? or should i heven consider the 18-200mm?

- I have a friend (owns Nikon DSLR) who suggest buying a Canon Body itself plus a Sigma or Tamron as its cheaper combi- any views?

- He also suggest getting a fixed lens eg. 85mm F/1.4 + a zoom wide angle lens of 24-70mm? Is this a good suggestion?


I will be using my DSLR mainly for overseas travel, family gatherings and trips (eg. zoo, out-door outings, i like to take animal, flowers, panaromic views and potrait shots).

Congratulations on your decision to buy a Canon 60D and welcome to Clubsnap. I am not very current with the latest pricing of the 60D or various lenses but you can start to get an idea of what they are by looking at this thread:

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=518391

Of your lens choice, I would recommend the Canon 18-55. It is an fairly economical lens but rated very highly. I would stay away from the 18-135.... its ratings have not fared so well. In fact, you can do your own research on the quality of lenses by going to the highly respected website, Photozone:

http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos

Since this is your first DSLR, I would suggest that you buy a zoom lens rather than a prime. The zoom will give you more flexibility as you learn how to use your DSLR. Later, when you've had some experience with your camera, you can determine what lenses you'd like to focus on in the future.

Of the other lenses you've mentioned, the Tamron 17-50 is also rated quite highly. There is both a VC and non VC version. Both are very good, but the VC version is more expensive.

If your budget permits, the 2 highest rated lenses in this class (commonly known as walk-around lenses), are the 15-85 and the 17-55. Both are rated very highly and are relatively expensive.

Good luck on your purchasing decision. Feel free to drop by and ask further questions. Clubsnap is a great environment to learn about cameras and pose questions to hundreds of well qualified and experienced enthusiasts.

 

[cityhunter66]

What's your budget? You can try calling some shops to find out, the shops at Funan should be quite competitve. MS color over at AMK is quite reasonable too. If no need local set, can get from DD electronics online, but no freebies la.
If your budget is very low, take the 18-55mm kit lens first. It's quite light, gd for walkabt. Can couple it with 70-200mm also.
Or you can try 18-270mm Tamron for all your needs...(you have quite a few needs, macro for flowers, tele for animals/zoo,wide-angle etc)
Don't worry abt getting the perfect gear first, there wouldn't be a perfect gear. Just try out the various lens and enjoy

Hi there,

I am new to this forum. Previously using Canon S2IS for last 5 years. have not used DSLR before, but have always wanted to upgrade.

Now interested to get a Canon EOS 60D as the upgrade, timing just nice too.

I have some questions:

anyone knows what's the latest selling price at AP/CP/John etc? I read that the lowest in Sept was $1400+... I am on a budget constraint.

As I do not own any lens, I also need some LENS advice:
- I am deciding between 18-55mm OR 18-135MM but i am afraid that the latter will be very bulky. Is it necessary to get 135mm telephoto lens? or should i heven consider the 18-200mm?

- I have a friend (owns Nikon DSLR) who suggest buying a Canon Body itself plus a Sigma or Tamron as its cheaper combi- any views?

- He also suggest getting a fixed lens eg. 85mm F/1.4 + a zoom wide angle lens of 24-70mm? Is this a good suggestion?


I will be using my DSLR mainly for overseas travel, family gatherings and trips (eg. zoo, out-door outings, i like to take animal, flowers, panaromic views and potrait shots).

 

[Rawbeansta]

Does anyone know if camera-lens calibration has any service charge, if so how much would it 'usually' cost?

 

[raydio]

Does anyone know if camera-lens calibration has any service charge, if so how much would it 'usually' cost?

Yes, there would be a charge and it would depend on the complexity of your lens. Best to get a quote from CSC by calling them.

 

[Rawbeansta]

Thanks for the heads-up!

 

[raydio]

Thanks for the heads-up!

I was just reminded in another thread that if your equipment (lens or body), is still under warranty then you should be able to get your calibration free of charge.

 

[AboutToSnap]

Any good deals for the 60D right now? rebates, discounts, free cars?

 

[XsenseX]

Free cars!

 

[Rawbeansta]

I just checked with Canon, they do not calibrate 3rd party lenses, which is understandable. So far I believe that my Sigma 30mm f/1.4 is a sharp copy, but I shall run a calibration test sometime soon just to be sure.