*OFFICIAL* general photography conversation thread

[Weebl]

Plumeria with my 300mm F4 +1.4x "macro lens" and ~100% crop(I think)
volcano tomorrow

[Chewy734]

I'm really hating myself for this... I was awake late last night, but missed this deal. Now most of the high-end bodies are gone, and same with the lenses.

But, incase anyone is interested, I don't want you to miss out.

15% of all refurbished Canon lenses and bodies. Plus, code SHIP711 for free ground shipping!

lenses
camera bodies

Needless to say... HURRY! The damn 5D2 and 7D bodies sold out in less than 10 mins (what I've heard).

[M_Six]

Wow, that cleared out their stock in a hurry. Not much left now. The 70-200 F4L was under $500. I'm tempted to grab a 430EX flash, but once they add in sales tax, it's not that much cheaper than Amazon and no sales tax. The big savings was all on the high end stuff. Lots of it will be showing up on CL in a week or so.

I saw the other day that Canon was back at pre-quake production levels and were looking to ramp up production past that. Maybe as the stocks replenish we'll see more rebates or other deals. Patience could be a good thing here.

[M_Six]

This sale must have been on very short notice. I was on The Digital Picture site very late last night and there was no posting about this sale. When did it start? Early this morning?

[Chewy734]

Mark, it started midnight this morning. I would've bought the 5D2 if I wasn't too late. I check that damn website daily too...

Those lens prices are really good though even with the tax. Refurb lenses from Canon are generally in immaculate condition. Plus, free shipping means you essentially have 14 days of rental on any lens you wanna buy and test out before you keep. You would just need to pay shipping back if you return though.

I picked up the 70-200 f/4L IS and the 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS. I feel those are two lenses that fit two completely different needs, right? The former being awesome for walking around, petty fast and very good build and sharpness. The latter great for the extra zoom, plus works well with the extenders if I wanna buy one down the line. The latter is heavy as hell though, so not great for walking around.

What do you guys think?

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Chewy734

Mark, it started midnight this morning. I would've bought the 5D2 if I wasn't too late. I check that damn website daily too...

Those lens prices are really good though even with the tax. Refurb lenses from Canon are generally in immaculate condition. Plus, free shipping means you essentially have 14 days of rental on any lens you wanna buy and test out before you keep. You would just need to pay shipping back if you return though.

I picked up the 70-200 f/4L IS and the 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS. I feel those are two lenses that fit two completely different needs, right? The former being awesome for walking around, petty fast and very good build and sharpness. The latter great for the extra zoom, plus works well with the extenders if I wanna buy one down the line. The latter is heavy as hell though, so not great for walking around.

What do you guys think?

I saw the 100-400mm. They still have some left. I'd like one of those some day, but I'm still absorbing the wallet hit from the 24-105mm I just bought. It was a refurb and it's flawless. I'd like a 70-200mm F4L IS as well, but those were all gone. Maybe next time. A 7D for under $1200 would have been sweet. My T1i is still available for under $500 for body only.

[rodi]

$1600 for a 5d?!

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by rodi

$1600 for a 5d?!

Yeah, 15% off really adds up when you get to the high end cameras.

[Chewy734]

I feel like I'm gonna have a hard time deciding which of those two lenses to keep (70-200mm f/4L IS or 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS). Anyone care to give some input that would help me decide?

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Chewy734

I feel like I'm gonna have a hard time deciding which of those two lenses to keep (70-200mm f/4L IS or 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS). Anyone care to give some input that would help me decide?

You mean you might sell one? Or return it?

[Chewy734]

Originally Posted by M_Six

You mean you might sell one? Or return it?

I think my gf would kill me if I kept both... plus, I'd need to have a real good justification to keep both. But, might is the key word nonetheless

[M_Six]

Hang onto both for a couple weeks and then sell one on CL. You'll make money, I'm sure.

[Chewy734]

well... irregardless of whether I sell it or return it, I just need help deciding which one I'd keep.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Chewy734

I feel like I'm gonna have a hard time deciding which of those two lenses to keep (70-200mm f/4L IS or 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS). Anyone care to give some input that would help me decide?

Not even close. The 70-200mm has superior IQ. With the constant aperture it's wonderful as a longer tele-zoom with the 1.4x TC AND it's a great macro lens with the 1.4x TC, its native short focus distance and a 25ET (extension tube) added. At the wider end it's great for portraits and certain scenics.

Keep the 100-400mm only if you're really pretty big into bird photography.

Both are fine lenses, but the 70-200mm is one of Canon's very best.

Dave

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by dcstep

Not even close. The 70-200mm has superior IQ. With the constant aperture it's wonderful as a longer tele-zoom with the 1.4x TC AND it's a great macro lens with the 1.4x TC, its native short focus distance and a 25ET (extension tube) added. At the wider end it's great for portraits and certain scenics.

Keep the 100-400mm only if you're really pretty big into bird photography.

Both are fine lenses, but the 70-200mm is one of Canon's very best.

Dave

I don't own a 70-200 and I didn't sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but everything I've seen and read supports what Dave is saying here. The 70-200mm F4 is an IQ gem.

[Chewy734]

Dave, does the 1.4/2.0x extenders work with the 70-200mm? I heard the MKIII don't, but I assume the MKII did?

[Weebl]

Chewy,
the extenders will work fine with the 70-200 and the F4 is supposed to be better than the 2.8 in IQ but at that point you are definitely splitting hairs.
What Dave said about the lenses is correct but what I have to add...
Your girlfriend unless she is paying for or supporting your habits is just your girlfriend. Wives are a whole different matter. Unless you cannot afford to keep both lenses it is not her decision to make.
Hauling both those lenses in a bag will not be fun, I love my 300 F4 but since it weighs about the same as a 70-200 2.8 and with 2-3 more small lenses it gets heavy.

[Chewy734]

Alright Kevin. I am definitely leaning towards the 70-200mm f/4L IS. The weight alone is a huge advantage, and I agree, everywhere I read about that lens they say it's tack sharp at all focal lengths. I still have the distinct feeling, however, that the new TCs won't work with this f/4 IS version?

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consum...Specifications

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Chewy734

Alright Kevin. I am definitely leaning towards the 70-200mm f/4L IS. The weight alone is a huge advantage, and I agree, everywhere I read about that lens they say it's tack sharp at all focal lengths. I still have the distinct feeling, however, that the new TCs won't work with this f/4 IS version?

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consum...Specifications

I have to agree with your interpretation of the specs, Chewy. Clearly the 70-200mm F4L works with it. But why would IS make the difference with the 4L IS and not the 2.8L IS?

Looks like the same specs for the 1.4xII.

[Chewy734]

That's true Mark. I guess I can always bring it to the local camera store and see if it works with the TCs.

[The1]

I own both the 100-400 and the 70-200, I posted a small blurb about it in Udub's hawaii thread, I'll grab it and bring it over here.

[The1]

Originally Posted by The1

the 100-400 is a very nice lens, but it's a monster to carry around and if you don't have any real purpose to have it, it works out only as an occasional use lens.

also, if you're used to lenses that are constant F stops like a 2.8 or f4, you will find it a bit of a pain sometimes as it has a changing F stop requiring you to adjust exposure every time you zoom in and out.

Don't get me wrong, I love my 100-400, but it really only has use on one of the 2 cameras i have as my 70-200mm zooms almost as far when put on my crop body. And it maintains it's aperture settings throughout focal range.

Uses i have found for my 100-400mm: Shooting horse riding events on my 5DmkII and very seldomly on my 7D, good for a profile shot of a horse jumping a fence, but too much zoom for the rest of the ring, unlike on 5DII

and some shooting of birds on the 7D. Now if i lived in Hawaii and was shooting surfers all day, or doing celeb red carpet events, it might be great for some profile shots while stuck in a crowd a little far back.

Would i recommend the lens? Yes i would, it's one you would keep for years and enjoy from time to time.

Do you need it? No, you could probably grab a 70-200 F4 and a 1.4X tc or 2X and have just as much flexibility. plus you'd have a TC you could use on other lenses as well. It is big and heavy, and the push pull type zoom makes a lot of people nervous. subjects have to be about 9' away at least.

On the other hand, the 70-200 when put on the 5DII doesn't really provide much zoom compared to the 100-400 when compared to a crop body. It becomes more of a portrait type lens with it's uses. And it does well, it has nice contrast and sharpness. Last time i did a photo shoot, i used the 70-200 and my 135 for a lot of the shots.

the 70-200 is (in my opinion) light, and has a nice internal focus, so the camera doesn't change size on you or unbalance the weight. lots of people get the giggles when the see the 100-400 fully extended with a lens hood on. not that it's a pro or con, it's just funny.

I don't find the sharpness too far off between the 2 lenses but the constant f stop in the 70-200 is a life saver if you're a Manual mode shooter for most of your shots.

A big note i never mentioned is that i find the AF on the 70-200 is probably the fastest and most accurate of all my lenses, which makes it great for sports or just a quick shot of something where timing is everything. The IS on it is also one of the best i've used on any lenses, it's up to 4 stops of stabilization where i think it's 3 on the 100-400, and you can definitely see it while you're looking through the view finder.

I carry both sometimes and between the 2 of them, i know when i've got the 100-400 in my bag. Lately it's started to get left at home depending on my needs for it that day. there's been very very few times where i open my bag and think "wow, could use my 100-400 here" and when i do have it with me, it's only on the camera for a moment or two for just a couple shots, then i switch lenses again. But when i do use it, it is enjoyable.

so if you want a money well spent kind of post.

if you're using a crop body, i wouldn't think twice, and i would recommend getting the 70-200 F4 IS or even the 2.8 if the money is available.

if on full frame, the 100-400 has more uses, however it is still big and hefty. and i think a 70-200 with a TC would potentially make for a better option, although you start to lose your faster lens abilities when you throw one on.

I love both, but if i'm being honest, you'd get more use out of the 70-200 for the money you spend.