Messages

61

Lenses / Re: Amateur looking at a Macro, Prime and Walkabout lenses... input please!

« on: February 02, 2012, 08:08:56 PM »

With a tripod the Canon 100mm macro will do just as well as the newer 100mm Macro L IS for close-ups of very small objects. And it is also a very nice f/2.8 portrait lens.

Your 70-300 IS is a good lens and you'll have to spend quite a bit more to get anything sharper with IS at 300mm.

The 24-105 f/4L IS is probably the best choice for an all purpose walk around lens unless you would consider an EF-S lens. Both the 17-55 f/2.8 IS and 15-85 f/3.5-5.6 IS are excellent.

62

EOS Bodies / Re: Articulated Screen for 5D III ?

« on: February 02, 2012, 07:49:26 PM »

I would love it if the next versions of the 5D and 7D had articulating screens. In some situations I resort to using Canon's Angle Finder C. But an articulated screen with Live View would be much better.

63

Lenses / Re: Upgrade choices- full frame; wide prime or zoom; 135f/2

« on: February 02, 2012, 01:47:50 PM »

Keep the 40D (and consider upgrading to the 7D). Sell the 17-40 and replace it with the 17-55f/2.8 IS. Sell the 50mm f/1.4 and replace it with the 85f/1.8. Sell the Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS and get the 135f/2L.

or

Go full frame and sell the 17-40 and replace it with the 24-70f/2.8L. Sell the 50f/1.4 and replace it with the 85f/1.8. Sell the Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS and get the 135f/2L and the 1.4x Extender.

64

EOS Bodies / Re: *UPDATE* 5D Mark III - February 7, 2012 [CR2]

« on: February 01, 2012, 08:39:35 PM »

Well I just bought the 5DII kit with 24-105L lens with the following in mind:
The rebate program expires Feb 4 (of course it could be extended again) so the price is currently at a low point.
I don't need the 24-105L and will sell it, presumably lowering the net the cost of camera by $100-$200.
I will have 30 days to to decide to keep it. If Canon announces a new 5DIII in the next 30 days I will have to decide whether I am willing to pay the big bucks for the new camera, determine actual availabilty and decide if I want to wait that long, or keep the 5DII and upgrade to the 5DIII in the future.

If there is no announcement within 30 days I will keep the 5DII. Although I have the 7D, there are enough differences with the 5DII to keep me busy learning it for quite awhile. And, since I bought it at a relatively decent price I shouldn't take too much of a hit on depreciation if I sell the 5DII down the road.

Interesting how the mind can rationalize things for us.   

65

Lenses / Re: If you could buy one ...

« on: February 01, 2012, 06:47:58 PM »

Of the 3 lenses for the OP's stated use "wide variety, including portrait, landscape, interior, and even a little basketball" I would recommend the 24-70L as providing enough to satisfy those needs more than the other two lenses. Having said that, I just sold my 24-70L because I tend to use the 24-105L IS more because of the IS. If Canon comes out with a 24-70L II with IS, internal focus and as sharp as the 70-200f/2.8L II IS I would buy it in a heart beat.

66

Lighting / Re: Macro Flash Recommendations

« on: February 01, 2012, 02:31:37 PM »

Of the two I would get the MT-24EX for use on the 100 Macro. I had MR-14EX and sold it when the MT-24EX came out. Much nicer lighting and more options for placing the light. With the 100 IS Macro and MT-24EX many of my nature macro shots are now done without a tripod which gives you a lot of freedom for unique framing and also quick response when you have moving subjects.