Topics

1

EOS Bodies / 1Dx Delayed in the USA

« on: February 21, 2012, 09:12:31 PM »

I'm here at WPPI and have been told that the 1Dx has been delayed until late April/early May. This was not in writing but verbally told to me by the highest ranking person at Canon that I know. By the way, the 24-70 looks nice.

2

Third Party Manufacturers / Nikon Shooting Themselves In The Foot

« on: January 16, 2012, 02:02:24 PM »

Nikon USA sent out a letter to all camera repair shops in the USA stating that parts will only be sold to the handful of Nikon Authorized Repair Centers in the future. This would be like Ford forcing you to take your Ford back to one of their “Authorized Dealers” for service. There is one heck of a lot of people out there who are very capable of replacing minor parts on their cameras not to mention the numerous independent repair shops out there. Nikon uses the excuse of technology, hasn’t your car also change in technology but you can still buy any part you want for it. Talking with others in the camera service industry, it is the general consensus that Nikon wants to bring more service dollars in house and is only using “Technology” as an excuse. Last time I checked there is a law in California that requires parts to be sold for up to a period of time after it an item was discontinued. So I’m sure this isn’t the last we will here of this knowing that there are letters already drafted up to the states Attorney Generals Office.

As a Certified Photographic Consultant and camera repairman, I constantly get asked what brand of camera I would recommend. Even though I shoot Canon, I would regularly recommend Canon and/or Nikon. Getting frustrated with Canon letting Nikon kick their butt in areas, I had even considered going to the dark side. Nikon’s actions today changed everything, no more recommendations and I sure the heck wouldn’t buy anything Nikon for myself.

3

Lenses / Recommendation For Long Lenses

« on: January 06, 2012, 02:09:17 PM »

I’m heading on a South African Photo Safari on the first of March and need some lens advice. I’m shooting with the 1D Mk IV and the 5D Mk II. I own the 500 f/4L IS, 100-400 f/4-5.6L, 70-300 f/4-5.6L, 70-200 f/2.8L along with a 1.4x III and a 2.0x III tele-converters. I have ruled out taking the 100-400 as it is too soft. I’m leaning on taking the 70-200 over the 70-300 due to it’s f/2.8 aperture. It’s a non brainer that I’m taking the 500mm f/4 so my void is between 200 and 500.

I was looking hard at filling this void with the 400mm f/4L DO since it is light weight and would be hand held quite a bit. My concern here is that the 400 DO is 11 year old technology and due to be replaced any day. My other 2 options are the 300mm f/2.8L II with or without 1.4x converter or the 400mm f/2.8L II. Of course the 400mm f/2.8L II is going to be much harder to hand hold and the 300mm f/2.8L II is shorter.

I would love to hear others opinions on which way to go with these 3 options. The other stuff I shoot is nature and aviation.

Curt Fargo