Messages

31

Lenses / Re: Advice before buying used 15-85 EF-S

« on: July 26, 2012, 06:59:42 AM »

You only started for 4 months and you are now buying new lenses... that's quick to get on the gear head wagon LOL

IMO the 15-85 is too slow, f4~f5.6, you basically lives with a flash unless in sunny outdoor.

Go get a 1.4 normal prime! When I started with 50D+18-200, the first lens I bought was a Sigma 30mm f1.4 DC. It's pretty darn good. I didn't know what was corner sharpness and literal CA by that time so those flaws didn't bother me at all (Now you know! Ha!). It gives you a ~50mm normal angle on 1.6x Crop which is very good starting point.

Yep . I took a lot of pictures in these 4 months. Experience is the best teacher in the world as it turned out.
I think that I'll stick with my 50 1.8II for fast prime for now.
I stumbled on "Sigma AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC HSM OS macro" while doing some research. The range is not of 15-85 but it seems considerably faster at 2.8-4, and provides some "semi macro" (1:2.7) which I like a lot. It also cost 450$ new!

Anyone have had any experience with it? How would you rate it next to canon 15-85? New Sigma or used Canon? hmmmm..........
 

32

Lenses / Re: Advice before buying used 15-85 EF-S

« on: July 25, 2012, 11:29:24 AM »

I believe you should just save that extra little $$$ and get the 17-55mm 2.8 IS. Its well worth it and wont disappoint. You lose little $$$ over depreciation with good glass.

Patience is a virtue, and Impatience is an expensive commodity.

Thank you for you advice guys.  I know that 17-55 is THE EF-S lens, but I prefer the range of 15-85. It also costs much less.

My main concern is that the USM motor (which I think is the most vulnerable part of the lens) of 1.5 year used lens, well, could stop working 1.5 years earlier than of a new one and will cost me at least (if not more) the same 165$ to fix it. Can anyone predict the average lifetime of it? How durable are these things?

 

33

Lenses / Advice before buying used 15-85 EF-S

« on: July 25, 2012, 07:37:53 AM »

Hi!

I'm new to DSLR (about 4 months), using 60D, 18-55IS, 50 1.8, 55-250IS. When I bought the camera paying 700-800$ for lens seemed crazy for me (yep, I was young and innocent ) so I preferred to start with the much cheaper 18-55 and "upgrade in the future".
Well, the future arrived faster than I thought and I feel 18-55 is not enough any more and I'm stuck with it. I'm thinking to upgrade to 15-85 ( I don't have money for L glass). I've got an offer of 625$ for 1.5 years used 15-85 with original hood, supposed to be in like new shape. New one costs here 790$ w/o the hood and has 1 year warranty.

I'm not fond of buying used things in general but I understand that with lenses it not always a bad idea. I would like to ask an advice from people that have this lens:
Do you think 165$ worth the 1.5 year use (it's from an amateur) or should I buy a new one? How does 15-85 cope with time and use? Or maybe I should buy a new 17-85 for 620$?

As always, Thank You for your help and advice!!! 


 

34

Black & White / Re: black and white with the use of selective colors

« on: July 08, 2012, 06:04:45 PM »

Hi there! This is my contribution. Done using Lightroom color editing.
60D,18-55 IS II @ 55mm, ISO 800, F-5.6, 1/100.

35

Software & Accessories / Re: Benro A-550 EX BH-1 tripod recomendation

« on: April 09, 2012, 07:54:11 AM »

Thanks guys!

Just stumbled upon a brand called Sirui:http://www.holgacamera.com/sirui-t1005x-g10-aluminium-tripod-kit . A bit more expensive but seems more solid and with a better head. Any ideas about this one?

36

Software & Accessories / Benro A-550 EX BH-1 tripod recomendation

« on: April 08, 2012, 07:47:02 PM »

Hi!
I'm thinking to buy Benro A-550 EX BH-1 as my first tripod from this seller in China (not sure how trusty it is, so would be gkad to hear from somebody who had had business with them):http://www.ebay.com/itm/Benro-A-550-EX-BH-1-A550FBH1-Tripod-KIT-FAST-SHIP-/140727941239?pt=US_Tripods&hash=item20c409f877#ht_5499wt_1163

The cost is 155$ and free shipping. I'm an amateur photographer and will only use it occasionally so I can't afford anything more expensive (actually this one a bit to expensive for me). I've heard some good reports here and elsewhere on Benro in general (usually the more expensive). I was wandering if someone used this particular (or similar) model and can testify? It comes with a ballhead and seems very reasonable for it's price.

I'm using 60D with 55-250mm lens (my heaviest for now).

I would also be glad to have recommendations on other tripods in this price range if you believe they are better.

Thanks!   

37

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Advice on newbie lens and body for trekking and general photography

« on: March 20, 2012, 09:34:49 PM »

Thanks for your replies guys.
I cannot afford the 7D unfortunately (actually 60D is quite a stress) and I do believe to A.J when he says his Rebels survived all of possible adversities, but still the better ergonomics and the long time I think to use it, make me lean more toward 60D.

I'm quite puzzled by the cheaper lens (18-55IS and 55-250IS) real potential. I have no doubt it is impossible to compare them to L line, but optically these lens get a quite good marks on many reviews (including DPreviews) and 4.5 stars on Amazon from multiple users (including pro photographers). Both are also noted for their excellent IS. They are plastic and cheap build, no doubt. But at this price both seem more than OK for a casual amateur. Why people here are so against them? Again, I'm not comparing to the L series which I can't afford right now (even second hand).

I could buy both of these lens for about 350$. I'm ready to go to 500$ max for one better. Which one would you recommend? "keithfullermusic" your advice for 28-135 is within my financial possibilities, but on cropped body I would prefer something which starts at 18mm for landscapes (correct me if I'm wrong).
Also, in your opinion how important it is to have IS in the lens (which adds quite a lot of $$). I understand that longer the lens, IS becomes more important, but lets say between 18-135mm range?

Thanks again! Really appreciate it!                 

38

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Advice on newbie lens and body for trekking and general photography

« on: March 20, 2012, 12:27:19 PM »

I would like to ask the owners of 60d: do you really think it is worth to spend extra $$ (in my case it will be extra 375$) on 60d compared to 600d? I know that most people will say "invest in glass instead". But 375$ is not that much to invest in glass (I don't have more right now) and also I prefer to buy three moderate lenses (18-55 IS, 55-250IS and 50f1.8 II) for ~400$ and cover a lot of range and possibilities to learn and understand which L lens I'll need in the future. I love different kinds of photography and will need this kind of lens for it (which will cost fortune in good glass). Do you think is the right way to think for a complete beginner?

I love traveling in quite harsh environments (forests, mountains, etc...) and afraid that the 600d wan't be able to withstand it for long (though 60d don't have weatherseeling, it build better(??)). Also I'm afraid to outgrow 600d too fast. I plan to have the same body for at least 3 years.

And lastly: is 600d worth the 100$ markup over 550d? I understand the sensor is the same and I don't care too much about video. I'm quite concerned about the screen in 600d breaking on me in one of this trips.

Thanks alot!
Roman.

39

EOS Bodies / Re: Rebel T4i/650D Information [CR1]

« on: March 19, 2012, 12:41:26 PM »

I am also preparing to buy my new dSLR. And as much as I already want to have one I think that it worth to wait a week or two even just to see the prices for 600d and 60d go a bit down. Isn't it?

I would also like to ask the owners of 60d: do you really think it is worth to spend extra $$ (in my case it will be extra 375$) on 60d compared to 600d? I know that most people will say "invest in glass instead". But 375$ is not that much to invest in glass (I don't have more right now) and also I prefer to buy three moderate lenses (18-55 IS, 55-250IS and 50f1.8 II) for ~400$ and cover a lot of range and possibilities to learn and understand which L lens I'll need in the future. I love different kinds of photography and will need this kind of lens for it (which will cost fortune in good glass). Do you think is the right way to think for a complete beginner?
I love traveling in quite harsh environments (forests, mountains, etc...) and afraid that the 600d wan't be able to withstand it for long (though 60d don't have weatherseeling, it build better(??)). Also I'm afraid to outgrow 600d too fast.
And lastly (sorry for such amount of questions, it is my first post , is 600d worth the 120$ markup over 550d? I understand the sensor is the same and I don't care to much about video. I'm quite concerned about the screen in 600d breaking on me in one of this trips.

Thanks alot!
Roman.