Messages

31

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Canon Counterfit .... Third party batteries

« on: January 21, 2013, 08:15:06 PM »

I see in today's front page that Canon is cracking down on counterfit Canon products.  I did not realize this was even an issue. What counterfit things are out there? On a second thought... are third party batteries as good as Canon batteries?

So far in my experience, yes they are as good, provided you buy them from a reputable seller. I have purchased aftermarket batteries for my Canon Xti, T1i, 40D and now 7D. I have never had an issue with them except one battery that wouldn't take a charge and the seller sent me a replacement battery within a couple of days, no questions asked.

The current set I have for my 7D are made by a company called "Wasabi Power" and I bought 2 batteries (Canon LP-E6), holders, an A/C charger and an adapter for 12V DC automotive power for $29.99 (plus shipping) from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Wasabi-Power-Battery-2-Pack-Charger/dp/B0049XGNKK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1358816580&sr=8-3&keywords=wasabi+battery

They company shipped them very fast (I got them in a couple of days) and they have been fantastic. They work perfectly with the Canon chargers and my 7D. They hold power just as long as my Canon batteries do.

I have photography friends that swear up and down that aftermarket batteries suck and can short out your camera. Well, I have never actually met anyone who has had that happen and I have bought dozen of aftermarket batteries with great luck. I will keep buying them. Any words of advice? Take your time and look for an honest seller, that way your chances of avoiding problems are minimized.

D

32

Lenses / Re: Just bought a new Canon EF 70-300L IS USM lens.

« on: January 12, 2013, 05:40:17 PM »

UPDATE:1-12-13

A few of my photo buddies have the EF 70-200 2.8L IS USM and they swear by them. I have seen the photos and they speak for themselves.

Truth be told, I rarely shoot at under f8. (I range from f8 to f16) Nothing personal, just my particular style of shooting. If I need 2.8 glass I can slap on my EF 100mm macro 2.8. That is also a great walk around lens that is really sharp.

Having that extra 100mm over the 70-200 is worth losing the 2.8 glass, to me. Yes, the images from the 2.8 200 are fantastic, but I can do what I need to do with my 300 and get great images for a few bucks less and get that extra range I need.

I have thought about getting the 1.4X teleconverter from Tamron if I needed more reach and I don't mind a tripod and manually focusing.

D

33

Lenses / Re: How many times did you return (L) lenses to get a good copy?

« on: January 11, 2013, 01:53:18 AM »

Well, I don't know if this is a true "confession" as I bought my EF 70-200 f/4L IS USM used (from a good friend of mine).

I had to send it back to Canon 2 times for blurry photos. The second time it came back I sold it promptly and bought the 70-300 f/4L IS USM.

Now when the 200mm was working it took fantastic photos, and each time Canon said the "problem" was due to "electronic" adjustments of the AF system. I couldn't take the chance so I sold it while it was under warranty of a Canon repair.

I love my 70-300 so far and I wish I had gotten one sooner.

D

34

Lenses / Re: Just bought a new Canon EF 70-300L IS USM lens.

« on: January 11, 2013, 01:46:59 AM »

Second update. I took the 70-300 out today and well...

I am kicking myself for not getting this thing sooner. Focus is "right now" and the images are truly razor sharp. Canon put a lot of thought into this lens and it is 100% modern. Some of my "photo buddies" are reconsidering getting "pro" lenses now that they have seen the images from my 70-300L.

I do not regret buying this lens!

D

35

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Experience with CP-E4 Battery Pack and/or clones

« on: January 11, 2013, 01:40:00 AM »

I got my clone via eBay and I love it. Cost me about 40 bucks and it works perfectly! It came with a soft case and everything!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170946384770?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

D

36

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Which second speedlight should I buy?

« on: January 11, 2013, 01:37:40 AM »

Easy. Grab a Speedlite 550EX. I love mine and it has done exactly everything I have asked it to do. I use it with my 7D and it keeps up with the 8fps with an external battey pack.

Oh did I mention they are a 1/4 the cost compared to the 580EX II or 600EX?

D

37

Lenses / Re: Just bought a new Canon EF 70-300L IS USM lens.

« on: January 09, 2013, 01:40:29 AM »

I just got my 70-300L from Adorama. This thing is a beast. Heavy and solid but nice and compact when the barrel is retracted. I can't wait to try this thing this weekend.

That doesn't mean I didn't crack off a couple of test shots and let me tell you what... this thing is razor sharp (indoors, poor lighting, on camera flash) at even 300mm. This sucker was made for some serious shooting. I will keep you posted and post some sample shots from this coming weekend.

D

38

Lenses / Re: Just bought a new Canon EF 70-300L IS USM lens.

« on: January 03, 2013, 07:54:34 PM »

Great lens. If you don't need the extra stop and/or canon TC, I think you'll be happy with it. The IS is fantastic.

I rarely shoot under f8. And the loss of being able to use a TC isn't that big of a deal. I should get it this coming Tuesday via UPS.

D

39

Lenses / Re: Just bought a new Canon EF 70-300L IS USM lens.

« on: January 02, 2013, 09:25:50 PM »

In a little more detail, here is what happened. I sent my 70-200 f4L IS USM and my 60mm macro to Adoramda after they sent me an email stating that they were interested in making a deal on my equipment. I have bought several things from them and they have always been professional and honest.

They examined my equipment and told me that they would give me $750.00. I know they are in the market to make money so I didn't complain too much about the price they offered me. I told them I wanted to trade those lenses for a EF 70-300L. The gentleman I spoke with offered me the USA (not grey market) 70-300L for the same price as the grey market version. ($1250.00 vs $1600) The lens included the case, hood, front and rear caps.

Well, it cost me 500 bucks to seal the deal but I agreed. I spent a little more than I was hoping for but I got the lens I really wanted at a great price. It shipped today and I can't wait to take it out and use it.

Thanks everyone for the input. Now I am regreting not getting 2 day air shipping on the thing!

D

40

Pricewatch Deals / Re: Canon has Refurbished 5DIII for $2240

« on: January 01, 2013, 10:35:06 PM »

I would agree on the comments regarding pricing. I got my 7D new when it was $1550 a year ago. I saw it on sale a month or so later for $1350. I was a little bummed but what I bought my 7D for was worth every penny. Camera bodies and gear will always go down with time, that will never change. If you decide to wait on the 5D3 or 6D to drop in price they may issue a new camera then. So then what? Do you wait even longer?

Too much stress and wondering for my blood. Buy what you need and be willing to pay the price. If it is a WANT instead of a need, well? If you rush into a purchase you don't NEED, well, you are on your own.

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41

Lenses / Re: Just bought a new Canon EF 70-300L IS USM lens.

« on: December 31, 2012, 07:58:02 PM »

Highly underrated lens...excellent IS.... Great IQ ...congrats.

Thanks Ray, that is almost exactly what I have heard. I ran into a lady a week ago who had one on her 5D2 and she said she never takes it off. She remarked how fast the AF is and how super sharp the photos were. She showed me a few pics on her camera and I was pretty impressed. I believe I made a great choice.

D

42

Lenses / Just bought a new Canon EF 70-300L IS USM lens.

« on: December 31, 2012, 07:07:31 PM »

Well, I had been wanting a little more reach than my 70-200 f4L IS USM lens could give so I sold it and my EF-s 60mm macro (I really liked that little lens) and bought a new EF 70-300L lens from Adorama.

I replaced my 60mm macro with the EF 100mm USM (non IS, already had one but the ex wife got that one in the seperation...) I thought about getting the 100-400 but I really wanted a nice walk around zoom so the 70-300L seemed perfect.

I have spoken to people who have one and they love it. What are your experiances? Good? Bad?

43

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: UPGRADING 7D to FF Please help!!!

« on: December 19, 2012, 10:03:47 PM »

I have both the 7D and the 5D2 and my 7 sees more action than my 5D2. They both have features that are better than the other but the speed of the 7 keeps me coming back, not to mention the great images it takes. 3 grand + for the 5D3 is hard to swallow.

I have friends who own the 7D, 5D2 and 5D3, and they are not convinced that the 5D3 is all that and a bag of chips. It's a wonderful camera and if someone was looking for a first-time purchase? Well, that's a hard one to choose, but if you already own a 7D I would suggest better glass. Good glass is going to take you farther than any camera body can, regardless of the camera body it's mounted to.

Like I said, I have L glass and I still find myself grabbing my 7 when I know I may have only one chance to get that perfect shot. It has never let me down, it's an awesome camera.

D

44

Lighting / Re: Speedlite 550ex for DSLR's?

« on: December 09, 2012, 12:59:59 PM »

UPDATE:

I found a really nice used Canon 550ex on Adorama for $90.00. I couldn't say no. I bought it and it came in Friday. (flash and case) Some small mars and smudges, (nothing more than what I would have done to a new one) and the only thing it was missing was the built-in diffuser. (Hence why it was so cheap) I have never once used the built-in one on any of my other flashes so I didn't think this would be an issue. I have always used the plastic slide on ones.

I took it out yesterday and it worked like a champ. Rapid fire kept up with my 8fps 7D! I have an external pack on the way, but so far, so good. This sucker is great! I'll tell ya what, if I ever find another one of these for a good price I will not hesitate grabbing it. Amazing value for a great flash.

D

45

Lighting / Re: Trade off? Canon ext battery pack vs. knock-offs w/8 AA rechargeables?

« on: December 07, 2012, 12:04:12 AM »

OK, so I have enough AA chargers and I have enough AA's to make it worth the investment. (I own dozens of NiMh AA's) I have been using rechargeable AA's for years and there are always enough charged and ready to go at any given time. I keep two boxes, one marked "charged" and one "discharged". Costco here sells bulk packs of Sanyo Eneloop batteries cheap.

So, are the packs worth it? I am not talking about the "time" spent recharging batteries as it really isn't an issue to me. It takes only a few seconds to pop 4-8 AA's in the charger(s) before I head to bed, if I so happen to have any in my "discharged" box that need refreshing.

I am refering to the "bulk" of the AA's power vs that of the sealed packs.

D