jim_mcdonald1

Jimmy

I appreciate that for many, digital = instant but there is a considerable lag beween switching on and being able to shoot. If this isn't a problem it's a great price. I've had mine for well over two years and it's been a fantastic camera. Good luck.

Am sorry to be tangential...but these place names are so remeniscent of eastern England. I'd forgotten about our colonial past ....sorry heritage. At risk of hijacking the thread I'd request a sticky with hire places submitted for all of us worldwide. Sorry to intrude

Jim

Am sorry to hear of your bad time John. It sounds like your cam is finished. Re-fitting costs on things electronic are prohibitive of course. Would suggest you try taking a pic if the lens is in any way intact. Please don't try mounting a new lens on a bent mount.

I hope your day improves.

Jim

Hi Alan

I use nothing special. Usual pattern is to set up a new folder with date and subject. In that I set up two folders, one entitled Source and the other Worked. I put the RAW files from the camera into the Source folder and and processed ones into the Worked one. I back up all of the photo folders on to an external drive once a week or more often if there's anything especially important. I burn them all to DVDs when there's enough to near fill one. Bear in mind I'm only an enthusiastic amateur, I'm sure those better versed will have far more sophisticated answers. Good luck, Jim

As Pavel said ....

 

Great post IMHO Geoff

Sorry to hijack but along Steve's line; I learn loads from scanning these threads and my photography's improved as a direct result. I so much appreciate the time and effort that Alistair and others commit. Your comments are detailed, constructive and civil and I thank Alistair and the rest of you for that.

I'd always suggest to avoid 1st wave. As with the 400D, the technology has to be accepted out ion the street rather than pushed in your face by the marketing men. I know IS is proven and am waiting for a bit more "give" from Canon in terms of body development. I bought into the system some time ago and currently have a superb 70-200/4. Maybe there is copy variation but I'll never sell mine. Advice may be to hang on and see how non-IS prices drop. As ever, it depends on what you do as an individual. No size fits all. Indeed I would suggest that no size fits anybody.

Yes Chris, I too am uncomfortable with a small camera. I'm only typical height at 6 feet with an average frame but the 350D/XT was distinctly small in my hand. I regularly use a G6 and I genuinely struggle to control it with my stubby fingers.

As others have said, I've been using a 70-200 (though only the f/4 version) and a 17-40 on a 300D for three years without a hint of trouble. I sometimes support the lens but often travel over rough ground with the lenses unsupported. There really isn't a problem Chris.

Jose

 

I would not recommend A Taner's approach. I once had a CF card go bad as I was shooting. The battery was very low and I stupidly wanted to get the last few shots in the bag. It may be coinicidental but I got the dreaded "err" message and although I was able to pull the shots off the card in due course using some rescue software I was never able to use that card again. I now replace the battery whenever the indicator is down to one bar and yes I know the indicator is very impresise. Just my expereince.

 

Jim

Thanks for the idea Denis, I'll follow your lead. I'm genuinely surprised that your efforts bore fruit. My understanding is that the big multi-nationals are completely impervious and rely on the inertia of the public as they play their cynical games.

 

Jim

Thank you all for your replies. Uncharacteristically I just wanted a bit of a moan the other night-sorry. I am trying to build my kit slowly and thoughtfully within my budget and the UK pricing is a bit of a take-down.

 

So far, I've managed a 70-200 /4, 17-40 /4, 50 /1.8 as a result of contributions I've read here. I'm delighted with all of them with minor reservations about the 17-40 (though that's probably more to do with technique). I was fortunate enough to have a kind friend think of me a year or so ago while in the US and "gift" me a Gitso CF legset and Markins head. She also had the foresight to pack an RRS plate for my camera. So that saved me a great deal. My body is the humble old 300D but I'll always be learning while it soldiers on. I figured that the bottleneck in my production would be a) my rotten technique and b) the crummy kit lens.

I find the trouble with this hobby is that it's so addictive and that unnerves me because I'm not that type of person in the flesh. Regardless, I'm hooked for life and absolutely loving it. I'll abandon the essay at this point folks.

 

Thanks again to you all for writing.

 

Briefly:

Louise - that'll give me something to do on a cold rainy day here.

Quinn - I've decided to stick with Canon not least because of the 100's great reviews. Also, before I opted for Canon I figured I would want to build up some decent gear and that I was choosing a system rather than a camera. I'm just not confident with e*** sellers. In this respect I probably sound rather old-fashioned I'll admit.

Gerry - was yours "boxed as new" whatever that means? If you're pleased with it it was obviously a great price.

Tim C - you can have Blur as (speaking only for myself) he's neither use nor ornament.

Well done Christian, you seem to have the best of both worlds. I wouldn't say I'm jealous but ....

Peter - I hadn't realised that the tax on gifts of this value was as low as �38. This might be a way forward for me as I have a friend in the US.

Thank you also to Joe and Alex and for the other links. I've ckecked them all and the base price on this lens varies between �370 and �410 and that's before carriage (a quaint expression don't you think?) and any other taxes somebody will invent in the meantime.

 

Sorry to go on but wait till I start looking for the 5D later this year! Thank you for your helpful feedback.

 

Jim

......also not Capitalists.

It's the worst of all worlds. No real competition within an effete market means that prices level up.

 

Jim

A friend's son just got seriously scammed by a British re-seller on e*** and so I'm psychologically averse to the site. I'll probably check the prices in Europe and just buy there. At least then I get a decent meal, some sunshine and the opportunity to photograph elsewhere.

Now, where are the retailers? The research could take days.....

 

Jim

Thanks George, I feel better already......not. :(

 

Jim

Hi

 

I'm using a 20D and have finally decided to take the plunge and buy a

Canon 100 macro. I've seen te reviews and comments here and reckon I

could really benefit from it. It's the age-old problem in rip-off UK

though; the cost here is around �400/$750 and that's before I buy the

hood. I see it at B&H around $430.

Of course, I'll order from the US and take the 25% hit when it reaches

my doorstep but I just hate being "taken". Maybe it's cheaper to take

a day's flight into Europe and purchase there but I guess Canon have

it sewn up.

 

Don't know why I'm writing really other than to moan and secretly hope

someone can point me to a cheaper option than the UK sharks.

 

Jim

Hi Roger, I'm a very amateur photographer. I've had this lens now for a couple of years and have been pretty unimpressed with it. I bought a 70-200 f/4 at the same time and that one is beautiful; incredible sharpness, colour and contrast. By comparison the 17-40 just doesn't cut it. I use it on a 300D and like landscapes. I use it on an excellent tripod with the Wasia fix but the results just seem flat.

 

Sorry this is very subjective as a comment I know but, as I say, I'm very amateur.

 

Jim

Hell Jamie, I grew up to 18 on the opposite side of the Mersey and first saw the Beatles there in '61 I think. I don't live so far from there now. You'll have loads of things to see and to photograph. I hope you ahve a great visit.

You're lucky to enjoy the luxury of US prices of course Jamie. Here in the UK we don't have a free market. It's still, and increasingly so, rip-off Britain.

Hi Mark

 

I agree this is a big commitment and you seem to be getting it right. There's tonms of good advice here not least the stuff about the possible rebates. I see the 5D is curently rebated here for example and I suspect Canon will do like wise in areas of their range before very long. The only area of advice I would question is over the 70-200. I bought the f/4 in the end largely on cost grounds and also because optically it is reckoned to be pretty comparable with the f/2.8.

 

In fact I borrowed a friend's f/2.8 and it was significantly bigger, heavier and more noticeable. If you really need the extra stop it's a no brainer but I suspect the high ISO performance on the 30D will be more than enough to compensate. If it were me I would be tempted to put the bulk of the investment into decent glass, quality tripod etc and look for a used body. In truth the 30D will be yesterday's news 18 months down the line and it's currently carrying a price premium.

 

I'm curently saving for the 5D to be bought hopefully when its successor is launched and its price consequently falls. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

Jim

Ted, I can onmly suggest a crad reader and a USB 2 PCI card for your machine if you have a slot. I would have thought a faster card would only affect read/write speeds in various cameras.

Oh and I should have said don't forget to set aside some of your budget for camera plates (Really Right Stuff are not cheap) and cable releases, spare batteries, cards, bags etc. I'm starting to panic....

Hi Mark

 

I can only comment from my own very limited experience; I'm sure others will be far mnore useful. I thought long and hard before committing to Canon as I thought it would be a very long term relationship once I invested in lenses. I bought a 300D two years ago and I have been very happy with it and am still learning about some of its functionality. I would think these days with a little more cash I would go for the 30D as you intend to do.

My regret was buying the kit lens. I was very disappointed with it and quickly bought a 17-40 then the 70-200 f/4. I since supplemented this with a 50 /1.8. I worked on the basis/hope that these would long outlast the body and would take me through a couple of upgrades at least. I hate spending money twice! On the same basis I bought a decent tripod, a Gitzo Explorer 2228, and a Markins M10 head as very long term investments.

I know people here will say you can buy smaller to begin with then sell on via the auction site but I just try to keep life simple and have as much quality as I cvan to begin with.

I would think carefully about lenses and maybe just pick up a 50 /1.8 to build a core of knowledge about the 30D and then slowly go from there as priorities emerge. HTH

Let's get real folks.

I live in the UK and Canon is " charging what the market will bear" ie taking the proverbial.

Nice thread Spyros - a Happy and Healthy New Year to one and all from Buxton UK.