laxx Posted July 23, 2008 Report Posted July 23, 2008 *chuckle* The 70-200 F/2.8 IS might make your wallet lighter, but it has quite the opposite effect on everything else. I'm not a big zoom person (I like fast primes, faster primes, and anything that has excellent bokeh) but were I to get a 70-200, it would be the F/4 IS version. It's newer than the F/2.8, about 3/4 the price and half the weight. It's also sharper than the F/2.8 at similar apertures. That said, when you need a full stop more light, there is no substitute for a bigger aperture. I hope that monster zoom serves you well. The 100-400 is a beast, nicknamed the "Africa lens." IIRC, it's a push-pull zoom, which is enough to keep me away from it. If you need that kind of focal length, it is an excellent performer. Certainly, that's a good price for it. Similarly, $400 for the 17-40 is a steal, assuming it's a clean copy. The 17-40 is one of the real bargains in the L range (where "bargains" do not exist). It's a decent walk around lens on an APS-C sensor (I have a 30D) but that's not my real intention for it. I have two film bodies, a Rebel G (old, low-end model, but well built) and a Rebel K2 (new, decent feature set, but built like a toy). I got both for chump change, it's really a buyer's market for 35mm film bodies, barring exotics like the EOS1v, and the Nikon F5 & F6. My plan is to use the 17-40 as my primary film lens. I do mostly landscapes with film, for which the 17-40 is of course ideally suited. I have several excellent manual focus portrait lenses for use when necessary. I've used two copies of the 100mm F/2.8 macro, and I found it to be quite a solid piece of glass. It's decent for portraits, but the 200mm F/2.8L is sharper at distance, and has better bokeh. It of course rocks at macro, but if you're serious about that, budget for a ring flash. It's hard to get any DoF at macro distances, without stopping down like crazy. At least this is what my own limited experiences has taught me. $350 is quite a good price for one. Thanks Knuckledragger, that post on the f/4 vs. f/2.8 was very useful to me. I was concerned about the weight on the 2.8 and thought that would be a deterrent. I assume that I would use it way more outside than in, so that should be less of an issue. That and greater sharpness has me re-thinking my decision. Indeed the f4 version is sharper and has the 4 stop IS, whereas the 2.8 has what I read a 3-3.5 stop IS. I bought it because I knew in the end, I'd kick myself for not buying it. Also, since I have alot of friends getting married in the next year or so, I figured it'd be great to have for the indoor, dimly lit settings. Worse comes to worse, I sell it. =T Good taste Knuckledragger. Taking pictures of Grimlock. I was so disappointed that the next Masterpiece Transformer isn't Grimlock. I guess having Thundercracker is good since it completes the trio... but it's just so boring. Grimlock would have been an awesome addition to my collection.
Voltron Posted July 23, 2008 Report Posted July 23, 2008 Yeah, I went ahead and bought the 70-200 F/4 last night, along with a couple filters and a Crumpler $7 Million Home bag. Gotta be ready to take some shots in Montana in a couple weeks. Glacier, Yellowstone, Tetons, TTVJ, HeadRoom, you know, the big attractions.
laxx Posted July 23, 2008 Report Posted July 23, 2008 Indeed. My 6MDH doesn't fit the 70-200 f2.8 IS. =[ Where did you buy the 70-200 f4 from? f4 or f4 IS? I'm about to put mine up for sale, I was just waiting to make sure the f2.8 focuses fine. Going up for $425 and comes with a Tiffen filter set.
Voltron Posted July 23, 2008 Report Posted July 23, 2008 It was from Amazon. I paid $1069 for the F/4L IS USM. Is yours the L and an IS? $425 would be a bargain.
laxx Posted July 23, 2008 Report Posted July 23, 2008 Ah, you left out the IS part in your post. I tried the f4 IS at B&H last week and it's very nice. Definitely much easier to handle since it's smaller and lighter. The f2.8 doesn't fit in my bag. =[
guzziguy Posted July 23, 2008 Report Posted July 23, 2008 fitted black 59/50 hickory crawdads mesh hat. 7 3/4 Did you get the matching stockings too?
Voltron Posted July 23, 2008 Report Posted July 23, 2008 Ah, you left out the IS part in your post. I tried the f4 IS at B&H last week and it's very nice. Definitely much easier to handle since it's smaller and lighter. The f2.8 doesn't fit in my bag. =[ Yes, this IS the one (even though I hate the white color): I backed out on a potential deal for a used f/2.8 as I mentioned because it is so big and heavy I thought it would deter me from choosing it. Hopefully I will like the F/4. Sorry about the bag not fitting the monster lens! Maybe you can sell the 6MDH and pick up a 7MDH? Would that make a difference?
laxx Posted July 23, 2008 Report Posted July 23, 2008 Not enough I'm afraid. The 7 MDH still has a semi hard time fitting the f4 if you load the lense/camera top down. I have the f2.8 fitting in the 6 MDH, but it's a hack job of the inner inserts, lol. It'll work for now, but isn't a long term solution. And my next bag I'm looking for a 2 strap backpack. My bag is getting too heavy to be carrying with a shoulder bag or sling.
Augsburger Posted July 24, 2008 Report Posted July 24, 2008 Ugh that sucks. What good are tulips that have sat out 24hrs in a truck in 90% humidity?Tulips like cold, hate hot. Nice thought though. Everytime in the past I sent someone flowers in the past the gesture was well received. Except for the time the boyfriend answered the door and read the gift card. Good thing I signed the card with someone elses name.
n_maher Posted July 24, 2008 Report Posted July 24, 2008 "DEATHLOK McAWESOME." Ok, that's right up there with Bitch Weasel in my book, make yourself another custom title Reks, dew eet now!
naamanf Posted July 24, 2008 Report Posted July 24, 2008 Box each of H. Upmann Sir Winstons Ramon Allones Specially Selected Can't wait to get home and have them with a mojito.
n_maher Posted July 24, 2008 Report Posted July 24, 2008 Can't wait to get home and have them with a mojito. I applaud your choice of beverage.
grawk Posted July 24, 2008 Report Posted July 24, 2008 I miss my cuban rum. I had a few bottles, but they're gone now.
aardvark baguette Posted July 24, 2008 Report Posted July 24, 2008 Most recent interesting purchase was a CD: The L.A. Four - Going Home via Ebay. Recommended to me in the WAYLT thread
Knuckledragger Posted July 24, 2008 Report Posted July 24, 2008 Got a 12exp roll of Fuji Superia X-Tra 800 developed, and bought used 12" of Der Dritte Raum's "Hale Bopp"
Cankin Posted July 25, 2008 Report Posted July 25, 2008 NIKON F70/N70 AF 35mm SLR CAMERA BODY ONLY/USED - (eBay.ca item 280247375156 end time 24-Jul-08 20:01:03 EDT)
Knuckledragger Posted July 25, 2008 Report Posted July 25, 2008 Nice. That's one funky display on the top.
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