Topic: Let's talk Canon digital SLRs... Part 2

[Brian E.]

http://bemerick.smugmug.com/photos/i-SrQ7FQk/0/O/i-SrQ7FQk.jpg

24L II on the 5D Mark II

too big to img link.

[j5brock]

got to spend the day at one of my favorite places

[bgalizio]

After playing with my camera more (and learning more about manual capabilities), I think I'm going to go the route of replacing the kit lens with a Tamron 17-50 f2.8 non-VC. Seems like a worthy upgrade, allows me to go more low light than currently, and has zoom flexibility. Maybe I'll save for a Sigma 30 f1.4 or something after that, as I still like the sharpness and low light of my 50 f1.8 and like having a fixed length.

[Brian E.]

j5brock, do you shoot for a living?  Because that is a crazy impressive list you have there.  Current I've got this setup:

Canon EOS 5D Mark II + Grip | 17-40 L f4 USM | 50 f1.4 USM |  85 f1.8 USM  | 70-200 L f4 IS USM | 1.4x II TC | 430EX II

[tedyun]

I've got these two lenses as well. I think they are fantastic for taking pictures of my family, which is the main reason why I bought everything. I normally use the 50 1.4 in low light situations, like around the house. The 17-55 2.8 is my main walk around lens.

I wish I could justify a lens with a longer reach. It would be nice for concerts that allow photography, or landscapes, etc.

As an aside: Photography + Recording = major damage to bank account. At least with the photography, I can justify to my wife because my pictures of the family are about 10x better since upgrading to the DSLR + lenses from the Sony F828. But the recording....it's a much harder sell!

I know Primes and L's are so desired, but I love my 17mm-55mm 2.8 IS. One lens that can shoot in a variety of conditions and as long as you can accept EF-S lenses you are set. There is no L equvelent since you either have to go to a 4.0 IS, or a 2.8 without IS.

I have a 50 1.4 that doesn't get much use because I can get most shots with the 2.8 IS.

[sparkey]

I wish I could justify a lens with a longer reach.

The nicer lenses don't depreciate nearly as much as a camera body.  Seems like you could find one that you would later be able to re-sell close to what you paid for it. 

I will again repeat to myself, don't spend $500 on a used fisheye.  Don't spend $500 on a used fisheye.  Don't spend $500 on a used fisheye.

[eric.B]

My uncle at the Head Light..  Cape Elizabeth, Maine

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Cool shot. Is that HDR?

I was messing with HDR today. Didn't get anything I liked a ton. Just looks to weird to me.

Here are a couple HDR shots:





Not HDR...but turned out pretty good:



All 3 taken with my 50D w/17-40 f4L.

Shot these at Lake Isabelle in the Indian Peaks Wilderness about an hour from Boulder. Really cool place. TONS of snow left up there. There was actually an ICEBERG floating in the water (too far away to get good shots of it though).

[sparkey]

Picked up a 5 year old Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 fisheye for $500 yesterday...love it already.  You can set the aperature to 3' to infinity and everything outside of 3' is in focus, pretty cool trick, just hammer away on the button.  Some of my String Summit pics are here:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1908300629198.2096927.1292295815&type=1

[sparkey]

Does anyone know the official policy for Phish and cameras?  The Gorge says only personal cameras are allowed, but I'm hoping I can bring mine in....

If anyone with thoughts on this could PM me (I'm driving today).  Thanks!

Josh

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Any suggestions on renting a lens? Horror stories or good experiences.

I'm going to 3 stages of the US Pro Cycling Challenge and would like a longer lens that my 17-40. I'm probably just going to go with the 24-105 f4 L. I don't need super zoom as I will be pretty close to the action.

Anyone ever shoot cycling? I've done some races that were lap based (24 Hours of Moab and some local short track races). I think I might need to be a little more on the ball since I'll only have a short time to get all my shots. Probably not a bad idea if I start looking at a lot of Tour de France shots.

I'll be shooting on Monarch Pass and Independence Pass (Colorado) and also in Golden on the final stage.

Should be a fun time. Probably some good opportunities for pictures the fans / pre-party as well as general amazing views.

[macdaddy]

Does anyone know the official policy for Phish and cameras?  The Gorge says only personal cameras are allowed, but I'm hoping I can bring mine in....

If anyone with thoughts on this could PM me (I'm driving today).  Thanks!

Josh

How'd it go?

[Brian E.]

Any suggestions on renting a lens? Horror stories or good experiences.

I'm going to 3 stages of the US Pro Cycling Challenge and would like a longer lens that my 17-40. I'm probably just going to go with the 24-105 f4 L. I don't need super zoom as I will be pretty close to the action.

Anyone ever shoot cycling? I've done some races that were lap based (24 Hours of Moab and some local short track races). I think I might need to be a little more on the ball since I'll only have a short time to get all my shots. Probably not a bad idea if I start looking at a lot of Tour de France shots.

I'll be shooting on Monarch Pass and Independence Pass (Colorado) and also in Golden on the final stage.

Should be a fun time. Probably some good opportunities for pictures the fans / pre-party as well as general amazing views.

I have not rented a lens, but I talk to many people that have, and haven't heard any issues.

On a 50D (crop) I think the 24-105 would be a good choice, as long as you're close.  f/4 isn't that fast but as long as you have good light it should be fast enough if you are running relatively high ISO and shutter.  The IS will help a lot, and it's a light lens from what I hear.  I can't think of another medium range zoom that would be better for you, at least Canon-wise.  24-70 will be super fast ( 2.8 ) but you may not need that much light, and it's a brick with no IS.

Good luck!

[Brian E.]

My uncle at the Head Light..  Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Neat!   It's kinda odd that it looks a bit grainy but it's ISO100. 

[sparkey]

Does anyone know the official policy for Phish and cameras?  The Gorge says only personal cameras are allowed, but I'm hoping I can bring mine in....

If anyone with thoughts on this could PM me (I'm driving today).  Thanks!

Josh

How'd it go?

I wrapped the camera in my hoodie and put it in my bag,  Just held both the hoodie in my camera in my hand while they checked my bag, got it inside no problem.  What amazes me is that it seemed like security was trying really hard to search people and it is so easy to walk things right by them.

Edit to add...I think I'm gonna buy one of these for my monopod:

http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-TS-1-TacShot-Release-Monopods/dp/B003U7SR0U/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1312912884&sr=1-7