Review: Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM

This is a quick review of the new Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM with some “random” test footage I shot on my way to a client-meeting. Overall a pretty impressive Lens (especially for the Money) on a APS-C sensor like the CANON EOS 70D but also the Canon C100 since the Autofocus really work quite nice and super silent as well. It seem Canon had video shooting in mind by crating that lens.

Its sharp and has a nice overall look, there are no noticeable real nasty unsharp edges or corners like the Canon 10-22mm or the Tamron 10-24mm. The non-constant aperture is not really a big issue it seems, the iris works kinda smoothly. The lens just is not made for low light … thats all 😉 Zoom-range is OK, I liked the Tamron 10-24mm for the 24mm but its nothing that i really miss on a super wider angle lens.

pro’s:
– makes optically nice & sharp pictures
– great wide-angle look
– great & silent Auto-focus works smooth in Video-mode
– good Images stabilizer (IS)
– good close focus range … almost macro feel to it
– works good for taking stills
– good price (around 270 EUR in Germany and $299 in the US)

con’s:
– manual focus ring is small and has no hard stops or markings on it so its a bit hard to manually focus
– non-constant aperture
– built quality is not the best / its not exactly weather sealed
– does not come with a Lens Hood

But thats it … it might not work as good on non auto focus cams and is not as super cinematic as a wide open Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 but then again the Canon EF-S 10-18mm is a pretty nice lens for the money after all.

It also is pretty great for taking stills:

more info on the STM Focus “thing”:

Video: Comparing Canon’s USM and STM Lenses Using the 70D’s Dual Pixel AF

more info about the Lens:

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup/ef_s_10_18mm_f_4_5_5_6_is_stm

Audio Basics for Podcasts – PART 3: Basic editing

So now this is the (for now final) part 3:

I just want to show you some basic ideas in terms of audio editing. This its just a quick overview, you might have your own style and way to do things. Also your application might have different Tools. But this is just a “reminder” so to say of what might be essential to get good edits. Now, i’m usually a bit better, faster & more precise at this kind of editing but i really just wanted you to show some “hints” so you can start to get stuff done or might think about your workflow and stuff.

If you have any question, let me know … I’ll make sure to get back to you or even make another tutorial to answer your question.
Also here is the Link to the Blogpost from Vashi Nedomansky about 5 Audio EQ Tips for Filmmakers:

Audio for Video:5 EQ Tips for Filmmakers + 12 Audio Presets

Audio Basics for Podcasts – PART 2: Plug-Ins and Settings

So now we are talking ….

Its part two and i talk a lil bit about what basic plugin you kinda have to use and what settings you might have to pay attentional to to get a podcast to sound nice or right for that matter.

I talk about basic EQ settings and essential frequencies and Compressor settings and essential hints for getting settings right. Keep in mind I used only the plugins that come with Audition so you kinda can follow a lil better but I usually use other 3rd party plugins (I show some of those as well) so in the end it might not sound as good as it might with the plug-ins i know. I just want you show the basic idea … you always have to make your own experiences and should bring your own taste and workflow into it (after a while). All that is just a start for you. Use your ears. In the end it “just” has to sound & feel right. 😉

Part 3 will be up soon … I will talk and show a lil bit of basic things in terms of audio editing and what is essential there. So stay tuned!

Also here is the Link to the Blogpost from Vashi Nedomansky about 5 Audio EQ Tips for Filmmakers:
http://vashivisuals.com/5-eq-audio-for-video-tips-for-filmmakers/

Audio Basics for Podcasts – PART1 SETTING STUFF UP!

So this is the fist part of three. Its the basics about how i set up my edit-session in Adobe Audition. I talk a lil bit about Levels, Normalization and why its not helping that much if you have not the best recordings (like with a lot of spikes and plopp-sounds and whatnot) or all kinds of level changes and stuff. Its not that exciting… 😉

I promise the 2nd part will be a bit more practical but longer as well…. 

cheers!

stay tuned for part 2 …. you can find it here!