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Lenses / Re: Purchasing a used 135mm f/2

« on: May 19, 2013, 10:29:06 PM »

Quote from: SwampYankee on May 19, 2013, 03:32:08 PM

This lens turns up on the Canon refurbishment site from time to time. Set up an alert on SlickDelas for when the Canon refurb site advertises. When they advertise they have almost everything in site or just keep checking back. By buying from Canon you know you have a lens that has been checked out by Canon and is perfectly clean. One usually turns up every month of so: http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/subCategorySort_10051_10051_-1_22751_highPrice_list#

Good to know. I created an account and put it on my wish list. When it becomes available, will I get emailed directly from that list?

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Lenses / Purchasing a used 135mm f/2

« on: May 19, 2013, 03:06:54 PM »

I've decided to get the EF 135mm f/2 L, and I'd like to get a good one on the used market. I've checked out a couple of the rental places (Lens Rentals, Borrow Lenses), and they don't have any in stock at the moment. I'm not in a great place geographically to be able to look at one locally on Craig's List.

Other than those venues, where are some other places to procure this lens? I've always had good luck with third party vendors on Amazon, although I've never purchased a used lens that way. I know that Amazon has a warranty program, even for third party vendors, but luckily I've never had to use it, so I don't know how good it is. Whatever thoughts you have on purchasing a used quality lens online would be greatly appreciated. My timeline is such that I can wait for a little while, but I'd like to make a purchase within the next 30-45 days. Thanks in advance for your advice.

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Lenses / Re: lenes yeap I need help

« on: May 04, 2013, 05:46:45 PM »

The only thing that's missing is you actually getting out there and shooting.

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Software & Accessories / Re: Scanners

« on: May 01, 2013, 09:26:55 AM »

Thanks for all the replies, everybody. Like in everything else, You gotta pony up for the good stuff. Right now, my needs for a new portrait lens outweigh my needs for a film scanner. I just got back my first roll from North Coast, and I'm quite happy with the results. Any flaws in the images are that of my own, and not developing/scanning.

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Software & Accessories / Scanners

« on: April 29, 2013, 04:42:59 PM »

So having shot digital for the last six years or so, I've decided to take a leap into the world of film photography. I know that many of you got your start in that medium. I picked up a Canon Elan 7 and loaded it with a roll of Ilford FP4. I sent the film out for developing/scanning, which ran me about $25 for everything (not including the roll of film to begin with.) I can see that if I do this every 36 frames, I'm going to go broke in a hurry. I'd like to start developing my own film and then scanning to digital. I see a lot of different scanners on the market, so I'm looking for some recommendations/advice on getting a film negative scanner: Brands, off-brands, resolution, etc...

Thanks in advance for your helpful input. I'll post a scan or two when I get this first roll back in a few days.

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Software & Accessories / Re: Websites

« on: April 19, 2013, 06:03:54 PM »

Thanks for the feedback, everybody. Wordpress is great, but their gallery displays leave a lot to be desired. And there really aren't any plugins that address that issue. I was hoping that Drupal/Joomla might be an option, but those apps have their own shortcomings. So, back to WP it is, mainly because I'm too lazy at this point to learn anything else.

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Software & Accessories / Websites

« on: April 19, 2013, 09:11:44 AM »

This question is a bit OT, so apologies if it doesn't belong. I need to create a small, 2-3 page website for a small photography business. I have my own domain/webhosting. I'm familiar with Wordpress inside and out (I've been using it for 8 years now), but it just seems a bit overkill to use for a project like this. Even Drupal/Joomla installations seem to be too much software for what I'm trying to do.

For those of you with your own websites, what backend software are you using? I'd like to avoid the 3rd party services like Zenfolio. I'd like to be able to modify my own installations. I'm just curious as to what options out there would be recommended. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

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Lenses / Re: I have just lost confidence with Canon Rumors & B&H

« on: April 17, 2013, 05:17:24 PM »

Quote from: pierceography on April 17, 2013, 12:04:57 PM

Quote from: EOBeav on April 17, 2013, 11:48:32 AM
I'm with the OP on this one. Yes, prices fluctuate. However, I used to have a wedding anniversary that was the last week of January. I could get a dozen red roses for about $12. Two weeks later, around Valentine's Day, those same roses were advertised for $18, "on sale" from their regular price of $22. I called the florist out on it. She explained that as demand goes up, so does the price of their flowers. Understood, but it's deceptive to call the regular price $22, when I was buying them two weeks ago for $12!

So yeah, I get what the OP is saying.

Then in that sense, I might as well create a thread complaining about the sky being blue. Advertising that an item is "on sale" is basic marketing strategy. If the consumer feels like they're getting a "deal" they're more likely to buy an item. (Hence why JC Penny just fired their CEO for his single price strategy, and their sales dropping by an enormous amount)

I fail to see why marketing strategies and basic economics are such hard concepts to grasp -- or more importantly, why people (OP) feel the need to complain about them or place blame on others.

And as for the roses on Valentine's Day comparison -- while you may find that practice deceptive, I almost appreciate it. If I'm going to buy flowers on Valentine's Day, it's an unwritten rule that they will cost more. But if I somehow feel (in this case, based on the holiday markup) that I'm getting a better deal, then I walk away a bit happier with a purchase I needed to make.

So if you feel taken advantage of for buying a camera lens when it's first introduced, or an air conditioner in the middle of July, or paper clips during a paper clip shortage, perhaps you should analyze your buying strategy before blaming "the system" of capitalism. It's functioning just fine.

The reality is that it happens all the time. We fall for it all the time. However, seeing a higher price advertised as a 'sale' price seems deceitful. Our local Safeway does it all the time. Nobody is "blaming capitalism," (I'm not even sure where you got that) we're just calling out vendors for this practice. This isn't a capitalism vs. {insert other world economy here}.

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Lenses / Re: I have just lost confidence with Canon Rumors & B&H

« on: April 17, 2013, 05:12:57 PM »

Quote from: art_d on April 17, 2013, 03:51:38 PM

It's simple pyschology. People are more inclined to buy something if they think they are getting a deal on it.

...

I can't say I like the practice. But I understand why it goes on.

And that was the point I was trying to make. No question, it's a part of our fabric; it goes on all the time. I guess I'm not in sales for a reason.

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Lenses / Re: I have just lost confidence with Canon Rumors & B&H

« on: April 17, 2013, 11:48:32 AM »

I'm with the OP on this one. Yes, prices fluctuate. However, I used to have a wedding anniversary that was the last week of January. I could get a dozen red roses for about $12. Two weeks later, around Valentine's Day, those same roses were advertised for $18, "on sale" from their regular price of $22. I called the florist out on it. She explained that as demand goes up, so does the price of their flowers. Understood, but it's deceptive to call the regular price $22, when I was buying them two weeks ago for $12!

So yeah, I get what the OP is saying.

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EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Just picked up a ligtly used 40D as a back up for my 7D!

« on: April 11, 2013, 11:59:36 AM »

Quote from: Richard8971 on April 01, 2013, 10:52:10 PM

I found a really nice 40D with a Canon bg-e2n grip for about $350 bucks.

Good trade. I just sold my 450D XSi kit, with an extra battery for 250USD! I thought the person was getting a good deal at that price, but they were a deserving young person and had worked pretty hard for the money. I see the XSi kits regularly advertised in the 3-350 range.

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