richard_reusser

<p>I'm one of those sit quietly in the background sorts but I can add another dead 50-135 sample to the data base. Optically it's beautiful so I press on using it the same as my several "M" manual focus lens - i.e manually. I won't buy another DA SDM lens nor will I switch out my Pentax equipment - that said I have a Canon body and a couple of Canon USM lenses I use for events where AF is beneficial. Perhaps I'll try contacting Ned and see if I can work some sort of repair.</p>

<p>How about an Elan 7N. Small, light, and impressively quiet - even when rewinding film.</p>

I moved from a 20D to a 5D. To be honest there isn't a lot of difference in image quality between the two. Where there is a difference is in the ability of the 5D to pull a picture out of the dimmest environments. If available light is your thing you'll be pleased with the upgrade.

Another vote for Sterlingtek. Without a doubt one of the best companies I've dealt with on

the net. I bought a couple of Oly batteries and charger for a second hand E-1. total came to

what one Olympus brand battery would have been. The clincher - I selected standard

shipping and the stuff showed up one day later! Works fine.

 

Rich Reusser

Wisetronics has a satisfaction rating of .7(!) on a scale of one to ten. They couldn't even get

to a one. Find a lightly used 20D from someone upgrading to a 5D or 30D. It'll feel fast and

modern for under a grand.

You'd likely get more money for your lens on Ebay, but you end up dealing with flakes

once and awhile. KEH is a great company - if their quote sounds fair go for it. I'd like

your lens but it seems I'm about $600.00 short.

 

Rich Reusser

You can't beat a 50mm prime. I had the 1.8 and it was great. I Ebayed it with a Rebel XT

to sweeten the pot and missed it immediately. So recently I found Adorama selling refurb.

1.4's for $250.00 so I jumped on it. It's a terrific lens as well. Better built than the 1.8

and not much heavier. I also have the 35mm 2.0. Its big advantage is the ability to focus

close. Not a true macro but useful for flowers and standard perspective pictures on a

DSLR. I'll warn you this is a slippery slope you're stepping onto. I've changed all my

zooms to primes after experiencing what the Canon CMOS sensor is capable of with the

right lenses. The attached is with the 50mm 1.4.

 

Good luck,

Rich Reusser

Here's one with natural light.

Yup, find an 420EX on ebay and put it on your 20D. Aim it for the ceiling, set the camera

for ISO 100-400, maybe use the manual mode shutter speed around 125-250 depending

on lens used, aperture for however much depth of field you desire - start with 5.6 or 8.

The other option buy a new EF 50mm f1.8 for $79.00, set the camera for ISO 800-1600,

use the slowest shutter speed you can hand hold 1/60 (?) and let the camera find a usable

aperture. I do both. Molly's lit with a 420EX bounced as described.

Rich Reusser

I'm happy with my 135 3.5 "M" bought for 79.00 from KEH a few weeks ago. Really

compact, well built, and incredibly sharp.

Rich Reusser

A couple of years ago I Ebayed the 20-35 and bought the 17-40. I was decidedly

underwhelmed. The slightly wider end was appreciated but It still isn't that wide on a 1.6

camera, and f4 is pretty slow. I sold the 17-40 and am making due with the EF35 f2 until I

can afford the 10-22, or something else better comes along. The 17-40 pictures didn't

seem any sharper, contrastier, or any different at all than those with the 20-35.

Rich Reusser

I might have some useful insight. My main kit is a 20D with several Canon primes.

Like you I was attracted to the Pentax because of the pancake lens and size. So it came to pass I traded my Canon 17-40 for an istDS and bought the DA40. I also dredged up 28, 50, 135, and 200 "M" lenses on Ebay. I maybe have $300.00 in all four. If I'd bought the older lenses first I'd have skipped the DA40. These older Pentax lenses rock. The DA40 is a terrific lens as well. An istDS/DL with the 28,50, and 100 or 135 would make a perfectly usable travel kit. The "M" lenses are super compact. I certainly couldn't go back to a small sensor camera after using DSLR's for a few years now.

My .02 Rich Reusser

As someone whos done it, you won't be super impressed moving from the 300D to the 20D. Either wait for the 20D replacement, or dive into some good glass. I really noticed difference moving to prime lenses.

Rich Reusser

My Canon DSLR experience; 2 300D's, 10D, 20D, has been nothing other than exceptional. I shoot about 75 pictures every other day and my 20D never quits. Its never been dropped but I don't treat it with kid gloves either. More than once I've gotten it pretty wet. I think a large portion of the negative posts are user error or unrealistic expectations. You could probably Google whatever lenses you use on your EOS 30 and find people having problems.

Rich Reusser

I second what Del said. I ended up with an ist DS on a trade thinking I'd Ebay it. I bought an

old 'M' 28 f2.8 lens to try the ist out. I was blown away by the resolution and filmlike quality

of the pictures. I've since bought a used 50 1.7, 135 3.5, and 200 f4 (all Pentax SMC). I've

spent maybe $250.00 total on the glass. They're all capable of beautiful images. Not to

mention compact, light, and well built.

 

Rich Reusser

The 70-200 f4 works great with the 20D. In low light you can crank up the ISO and get some

terrific images. It is, however, bright, white, and conspicuous - not overly heavy. I bought a

200 2.8L and had a sleazeball try and scam me out of my 70-200 f4 on Ebay last week. It's

back up for sale if you're interested.

Rich Reusser

Oh Yeah, there is one new lens I bought: the 40mm 2.8 limited pancake lens. It was so

cute I couldn't resist. It's very sharp as well.

I'm primarily a Canon user but ended up with an istDS in a trade. I use it with 28, 50, 135,

and 200 SMC "M" lenses I've bought through KEH and Ebay. It's a terrific combination.

You simply use the camera on manual mode, set the aperture on the lens and press AE-L

button and the camera will pick a suitable shutter speed. The quality of the old Pentax

lens is amazing.

Good luck, Rich

I wouldn,t worry - my refurb EF 200 2.8 looks and works like new. The packaging was

generic but included all the paperwork, bag and hood. That's a good price on the 50 1.4.

You'd better buy it before I do !

I"ve been using this lens for three weeks and am very satisfied. It looks and works like

new - came in a somewhat generic brown Canon box but all acc. and paperwork were with

it.

Rich

The MP-E would work great for this purpose. You'll need to use one of the macro flashes if you want to use it anywhere near the 4x-5x magnification. At 1x-2x you can use around 1/250 at f2.8-f5.6 at maybe 800 or 1600 ISO on a digital SLR - but your DOF will be pretty shallow. I sold mine and bought a 100mm 2.8 macro, but miss it dearly. Rich Reusser

I love my 300 f4 IS both with and without my 1.4X converter. There's a lot of obsessing about IS versus non IS, I haven't used a non-IS but I can't picture it being any sharper, more vivid, more contrasty... than my 300L f4 IS. Truly my favorite lens. Once you try IS you won't want to live without it.

Rich

With the D200 about to surface! You can't be serious. I like my Canon stuff, but I liked my F100 and lenses. I only sold my Nikon stuff to buy an $800.00 Canon G2. How times change. Do let us know what you seek. Us Canonites are happy to give advice.

Oops, must've missed the maximum size requirement in your OP.

Rich

Here's my two cents worth. I'd add the EF35 2.0 and EF70-200L f4. I use both on my 20D and 350XT. The 35 2.0 is great in low light and seems super sharp. Build quality is fine. The 70-200 is an extremely versatile lens, great for candid portraits of kids at family get togethers, or to get a bit closer while sight seeing. Even though you don't have interest wildlife or sports you'd be surprised how versatile a short telephoto can be. The 35L 1.4 gets great reviews but I'd try the 35 2.0 first and turn it on Ebay if you find its low light performance wanting.

Have fun planning,

Rich