Replacing stolen kit

<p>Whilst on holiday my Lowe Pro bag was stolen with almost new Canon 5D2 body and 100L IS macro, and rather older 17-40 and 70-200f4L IS, plus assorted cards, batteries, remote release etc. In case they end up on ebay, serial nos are 5D2: 1831111527, 17-40: 00579249, 100 macro: 2191533, 70-200: 254491</p>

<p>I expect insurance company will just replace like for like. There was a bit of an issue with the 5D2 body – after using a 5D for over 4 years and finding it as solid as a rock (and still commanded good price on ebay) I was somewhat irritated by the fact that the CF door on the mk2 kept lifting slightly as it stuck to the (sweaty – it was over 30C) ball of my thumb – perhaps a slight manufacturing variation? Also, why will (my ex) 100L macro not refocus from macro AF setting to distant object without a helping hand from the manual focusing ring? – don’t recall this coming up in reviews – a fault perhaps?<br>

If I am able to top up insurance I would be inclined to replace 17-40 with 16-35II – I was increasingly using this with 70-200 instead of 24-105 and I think 16-35 would be better at bigger apertures, particularly in 24-35 range – I would seriously consider Nikon 14-24 with adaptor as don’t believe AF is important at these focal lengths but I wouldn’t be able to use ND filter – Zeiss 21/2.8 is fantastic but lot of money for just part of what I need. I will also keep a look out for reviews of new 70-300L as possible substitute for 70-200 plus 300 prime.</p>

<p>I have read your post twice. I am sorry for your loss, but what is / are your question(s)? .....

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<p>If I could “top up” the insurance to replace "like for like” I would buy: the 16 35 MkII; the 100/2.8Macro IS; and the 70 to200 F/2.8 MkII IS USM

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<p>WW

 

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<p>Also, why will (my ex) 100L macro not refocus from macro AF setting to distant object without a helping hand from the manual focusing ring? – don’t recall this coming up in reviews – a fault perhaps?</p>

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<p>A common theme amongst macro lenses. In use you are very unlikely to need to scoot from the serious macro end straight away. The lens has such a massive focal range that it hunts, a little helping hand points the lens in the right direction, using the limiter switch would help things even more. Decide on your range, turn the focus ring to within that range and set the limiter. Doesn't sound like a fault. Although I don't have the f2.8L any other macro lens, and indeed lens with a limiter (200 f2.8L, 70-200 f2.8L) works in exactly the same way.</p>

<p>Ugh, what a horrible experience. Good luck replacing your gear! I would be horribly distraught if my gear came up missing.</p>

<p>My sympathies.</p>

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<p>I think 16-35 would be better at bigger apertures...</p>

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<p>Yes. My copy of the 16-35/2.8 II is sharper at f/2.8 versus my ex 17-40/4 at f/4. The former will vignette heavier than the latter wide open. The vignetting can be removed using Canon's DPP.</p>

<p>"I have read your post twice. I am sorry for your loss, but what is / are your question(s)? ....."</p>

<p>a) is my impression of rigidity of CF door on 5D2 typical or untypical?</p>

<p>I think other questions re others experience of AF on 100IS macro, and merits of 17-40 v 16-35 have been answered</p>

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<p>"a) is my impression of rigidity of CF door on 5D2 typical or untypical?"</p>

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<p>I hadn't noticed it so, but the two 5DMkII's I have used, have been driven quite hard by another Wedding Photographer maybe it is a wear thing? or maybe your one was just "sticky" - have you used another, than your own?</p>

<p>WW</p>

<p>Nigel,</p>

<p>My CF door has a little bit of play and I think its well documented that it 'squeaks' a bit. I didn't have any problems with my 20D's CF door.<br>

My 5D2 is nearly two years old now so I'd be interested to see if Canon sorted that problem out.<br>

It was discussed at length on FM Forums so I don't think your experience with the CF door is unusual.</p>

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<p>Also, why will (my ex) 100L macro not refocus from macro AF setting to distant object without a helping hand from the manual focusing ring? – don’t recall this coming up in reviews – a fault perhaps?</p>

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<p>RTM. If you set the focus limiter to macro distances, it is SUPPOSED to stop focusing at a very short distance (0.5m, to be precise) so that it won't hunt while focusing at macro distances. That's a valuable feature, not a fault.</p>

<p>Nigel - I replaced my 17-40 with the 16-35 II and I am happy I did. The difference is not that great but on full frame it is noticible. The 16-35 is better at the wide end and performance deteriorates at 35mm and F2.8. Be aware that the 16-35 is a big lens and susceptible to flare. It is also a pain for filters as it takes 82mm filters and really needs Cokin Z series or bigger as it vignettes with the P series even using the wide angle holder at focal lengths below 21mm.<br>

In terms of your 5DII I have had one since it was released and while the camera door is not very well engineered I have never experienced the problem you mention.<br>

On the 100 F2.8 L IS I find that I have not had a focus issue but I think i always choose one of the limited ranges (either up to 0.5M or 0.5 to infinity)</p>

<p>I've heard reports of t he 100 f2.8 L IS macro as focusing fast while others report them focusing slow. I've owned one for a little while now and would say that with a normal focusing range, it focuses very fast.</p>

<p>I think it is unreasonable to expect instant focusing when cover infinity to nearly half life size. If I am focusing on the face of a small butterfly using servo, and then my focus point shifts off the subject, it takes time to go back on the subject once repositioned. That can't be done in a split second. The lens is fantastic and the focusing is excellent.</p>

<p>Every macro I've ever used has trouble going from one extreme to the other without a little hunting and backtracking. It's normal.</p>

<p>In response to Dan M, no I am fully aware of the uses of the focusing range slider - this was on full range AF setting - I would expect it to be sluggish going from macro to distant but be able to lock on eventually</p>

<p>Re. the focusing issue, just tried my 50/2.5 macro on EOS1n body - this lens is not renowned for its fast AF, but it managed to do what my all singing all dancing 100L couldn't manage.</p>