Messages

106

Software & Accessories / Re: Sling Straps: Black Rapid, Sun Sniper

« on: February 01, 2012, 04:06:45 PM »

I use an RS-7 most of the time with my 100-400 and 7D. Attach the strap to the lens foot and the setup hangs horizontally by my right hip. Very comfortable.

I find it strange that nobody has mentioned that with a BR strap the camera and lens do not hit the tripod like they do when on a neck strap. I tripod mount my 500 w/ or w/o a 1.4x and focus on a nest while using the 100-400 for BIF like the mate arriving in the area of the nest.

Thinking about a DR-1 for rookery photography.

107

EOS Bodies / Re: The Canon 5D line and AF...

« on: January 25, 2012, 10:08:22 PM »

Are you saying that an AF move up to the level of the 50D would be OK with the market when the 7D AF has been around for a few years now? I would NOT expect to see 1D level AF in the 5D3 but something better than 9 cross points would be nice and probably expected by many purchasers.

108

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 5D X Speculation

« on: January 24, 2012, 05:21:36 PM »

Canon will only make a 5DX if they don't mind upsetting a large portion of their customer base. Oh, wait. They already did that. New pro body which lowers the resolution (a tick against the landscape folk), reduces the crop size (a tick against the sports and wildlife folk) AND doesn't autofocus with f8 (a major tick against people using f4 superteles with the tc 2x, or the 800 5.6 with the 1.4x Anyone else feel Arthur Morris' rage?).

YES! What is my upgrade path from the 7D? Kill off the 1D and eliminate f/8 focusing on it's FF "replacement." That's smart Canon. I love my white lenses but what will I use them on in the future? BTW, I shoot birds and wildlife.

109

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II [CR2]

« on: January 22, 2012, 06:04:24 PM »

Less heavy & shorter is very nice.
And what about the IQ and other possible improvements?

Shorter and lighter would be very nice, after a day walking about with the current 24-70mm on a gripped 5DmkII hanging off my neck I feel some aches and pains...maybe I just need to work out more

if by "hanging off my neck" you mean you're using a conventional neck strap for that kit, your neck and back would thank you greatly if you moved to a sling strap like Black Rapid or one of it's competitors.  I can carry my gripped 7D/70-200 2.8 with an R-Strap for hours with no discomfort.

+1 My RS7 is easily one of the best purchases I've made. Get any R-Strap and weight won't be an issue anymore. If you still have troubles getting the camera up to your face, then you may need to work out a little

I carry my 100-400 on a Black Rapid 7. Very nice, much "lighter" and it doesn't bang into the tripod like it did on a regular neck strap.

110

Lenses / Re: I can't believe I bought a $2000 prime.

« on: January 22, 2012, 01:36:03 PM »

$2K isn't TOO bad, you could be into wildlife & birds. My 500 f/4L IS cost $6400 + the Gitzo & Wimberley. Thought about that for a LONG time but didn't like the idea of standing in 3ft deep water with the 'gators to get the nesting Anhingas and GBH down at Viera.

Enjoy it, I love my purchase.

111

Lenses / Re: What lenses should I get for my 7d? (16 year old)

« on: January 21, 2012, 02:05:15 PM »

Norman,

What lenses should I get to replace my 100-400 and 500 f/4 on my 7Ds? I think I could get one of the black 70-300s to replace my 70-200 f/4L IS.

BTW, I shoot birds down here in Florida.

112

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Shooting professional sports (NHL) with a DSLR - access denied!

« on: January 19, 2012, 12:29:27 PM »

I took my Rebel to a Washington Nationals game (MLB) and security measured my 55-250mm lens against a dollar bill.  Since it was shorter than a dollar bill it wasn't considered a professional zoom and I was allowed to use it.

The Nationals spring training stadium is here in Viera, FL and until last year it was OK to shoot with my 100-400 on a 50D or 7D. Last year they started a "six inch" rule. Good thing I had my lighter 70-200 f/4 IS with the 1.4X in my pocket. I guess it was close enough to 6" to get in. I'm thinking of telling my wife that I need a 70-300 L because of the new rule 

113

Lenses / Re: Recommendation For Long Lenses

« on: January 11, 2012, 08:48:07 PM »

Curt,

My friend, Harryb, just posted his thoughts on the Nikon equipment he took to Africa this year and what he would take next time. It's on Dgrin in the Wildlife forum as "Africa - Closing Thoughts" http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=213179

Post 3 by Andy is about his Canon gear and what he would take next time.

Jim

114

Lenses / Re: Recommendation For Long Lenses

« on: January 06, 2012, 03:52:09 PM »

I would leave the 5D II at home unless you will be taking some landscape wide angle shots.

If the 5DII and 7D are your only bodies I would bring them both. No way would I spend that much money and time and only bring one body.

A friend (Nikon shooter) took an Africa trip last fall. Bought a 200-400 for the trip but had wanted one for a while, not sure if he took his 500. I'll see if I can find his trip report, probably on Nikon Cafe.

115

Lenses / Re: Help! 70/200mm f/4 IS OR 70/200mm f/2.8 IS II

« on: January 02, 2012, 10:24:52 PM »

I also carry my 100-400 with a BlackRapid RS7. It hangs horizontally on my hip with the strap attached to the tripod ring. This seems to be the way with the less than SuperTele lenses.

I hang the 1D4 + 400F/2.8 off my Black Rapid DR1 with a second body with the 70-200 f/2.8II off the second strap

Good thing you have the 70-200 2.8II on the other side when carrying the 1D4 & 400 f/2.8II. The 400 f/2.8 alone would make you tilt to that side. 

116

Lenses / Re: Help! 70/200mm f/4 IS OR 70/200mm f/2.8 IS II

« on: December 30, 2011, 01:04:23 PM »

I also carry my 100-400 with a BlackRapid RS7. It hangs horizontally on my hip with the strap attached to the tripod ring. This seems to be the way with the less than SuperTele lenses.

117

Lenses / Re: Help! 70/200mm f/4 IS OR 70/200mm f/2.8 IS II

« on: December 29, 2011, 10:41:16 PM »

I own and love the f/4 IS but I shoot outdoors. Since you  are working indoors you will really need the f/2.8.

My 100-400 is a few ounces lighter than the f/2.8 II and I find that if I am holding it up for a while, waiting for a bird to give me the right head angle, it does get heavy. But that's why my second white lens was the f/4.

Considering the cost of the f/2.8 II you might be happier if you rented it for a few days to form your own opinion of how it is to work with.

118

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D Mark III Sooner Than Later [CR2]

« on: December 29, 2011, 12:48:16 PM »

...- include 7 AEB i mean come on 3 on a high end bosy is just silly.
- Put in a wireless flash control I mean come on the 600D can wireless control multiple speedlights.

+1: 3 AEB hurts me like anything: Canon needs to stop being over protective of it's 1D line... it should be able to stand on its own! 

Or meet folks half way with 5 AEB.  Thinking that it would be "Better than the 5D2 but not as nice as the new 1DX."

119

EOS Bodies / Re: What do you do with old bodies?

« on: December 21, 2011, 11:04:05 PM »

Kept it.

Started with a 50D. Wanted a second body. After a while added a 7D and moved the 50D and a grip to the 500mm on a tripod. Found I didn't like changing from the 7D to the 50D and back so eventually got a second 7D amd gripped the first.

The 50D isn't really worth enough to sell it so I keep it as a backup and for folks that come down and visit. My wife's friend likes the 50D and 70-200 and borrows it every March when she visits for spring training baseball games.

120

EOS Bodies / Re: How often do you shoot video with your DSLR?

« on: December 21, 2011, 11:18:55 AM »

Never and never on my old Minolta A2 bridge camera before I got a DSLR. Never on the Panasonic PnS I bought for my sister.

I keep meaning to try it out but never get around to it.