gerald_wallace

<p>Adam, I don't use or have the 5DmkII however, I'm satisfied using my 20D when I use my 400/500mm for wildlife (mostly birds) and using my 5D mk1 for every thing else (16mm-300mm). I'm currently waiting (in no hurry) for future camera's before I buy again (8D/5DIII). Addressing what you should get depends on how much money you are willing to spend and your expectations. I purchased both of my camera's when they were first available and I'm still satisfied. (Lenses should be your major concern not the camera). I expect that you would be completely satisfied with a 5D mkI for your intended use.</p>

<p>Thanks Larry for the link, it was very informative. Seems like a mix of opinions For and Against purchase of the series III? I'll need to buy another 1.4X (II or III)?</p>

<p>Listen to what Rod had to offer - sound advice. Consider buying more than what you think you currently need because quality tripods and ball heads should last a life time. I have purchased three Arca-swiss Z1 ballheads and three Gitzo tripods (because I lost one tripod and ball head). My wife currently uses my OLD aluminum Bogen/Manfrotto tripod and a head that no one should use - just in our yard and the county. (It cost her/me $1600 dollars when she dropped her 100-400mm lens "after it was locked in place" on the Bogan tripod).<br>

I use the biggest/heaviest tripod that Gitzo offers (GT5531S carbon) and I turned over my GT3531S to my wife for her use. If I was going to buy another ball head it would probably be from Really Right Stuff, but the Markins, Kirk, and RRS are all very good - check the ball head weight on the Whimberley site. However, I am completely satisfied with the Z1 with manual adjustment ball head used with my 500mm F/4 lens and Whimberley sidekick.</p>

<p>Is any one buying the new 1.4X III tele-converter? The price is around $500; what makes it more deserving (an extra $200) than the 1.4X II?</p>

<p>I agree with almost every think that has been said. I took my 24-105 lens and my wife took her 15-85 and 28-135 lens and were able to capture almost every thing we wanted to take on our last cruise in December. The only time my 70-200 f/2.8 was used was to capture fish shots from our cabin balcony and while going into and out of port.</p>

<p>Dan,</p>

<p>Thanks for your response; you were totally correct (Pg. 151). I now have access to clean the sensor glass (and will highlight the page for my wife's reference).<br>

Again, thanks for your help.</p>

<p>I understand sensor cleaning has been a common question in the past - the owner of five digital EOS camera's. However, on my wife's 50D she is unable to locate/see the term sensor cleaning: "clean manually" (pg.148 - 50D booklet)? What you see is "auto cleaning" and "clean now", not "clean manually". Is there some setting or procedure we are missing, that's not in the book? This hasn't been a problem in the past. I've managed to gain access to the sensor glass by manually pushing the mirror to a vertical position while cleaning - not a good idea. When you actuate the sensor cleaning process you hear a sound like the mirror solenoid click however, the mirror does not move (flip up) out of the way for cleaning.<br>

Recommendations would be appreciated.</p>

<p>I will assume you have already answered some personal questions about intended use and then the amount you are willing to spend? One can't help someone if they don't know all the criteria involved to determine the proper selection - how much are you willing to spend, the weight, material, height,etc? Recently, the cost of new photographic equipment has gone up significantly (US dollar plus price gouging). (My purchase last week of another Gitzo tripod was almost double the cost I paid about a year ago). Details....</p>

<p>Ron,<br>

What do you shoot most of the time? I think you made the best choice by deciding to get the 5D however, that goes back to my first question. I use my 20D (with my 500mm f4) for wild life and my 5D for every thing else.</p>

<p>I can't recommend one camera model over another however, I currently use my 20D with my 500mm F/4 lens for wildlife and my full frame camera for every thing else. What this means is I think the 20D camera is good enough for my wildlife pictures processed in photoshop (CS4).</p>

<p>Two experiences:<br>

(1) When I received my new EOS 5D (when first available), one of the first things I did was remove the body cap from the camera. When I removed the cap the mirror fell out onto the floor! The camera was fixed under warranty.<br>

(2) Recently, my wife sent her 100-400mm lens to canon for repair. The lens was out of warranty by about two weeks but Canon sent an E-mail that the lens was accepted for repair under warranty. After two telephone calls and about three weeks had elapsed Canon sent an E-mail stating there was extensive damage and offered to fix the lens for the cost of a new lens. </p>

 

<p>Thanks to you all (JDM,Bob,Dan) for your advice/suggestions.<br>

JDM - I looked at the dpreview.com response ("I don't trust versadeals.com) and I agree.<br>

Dan - on the KEH.com site I didn't see any great savings for new equipment (the only kind my wife will accept).<br>

Bob - I agree with every thing you said about the lack of trust with versadeals.com<br>

Again, thank you all for your responses; I will try to wait (as long as my wife will allow) before I buy at B&H or Adorama.</p>

<p>Recently, my wife dropped her Canon lens and camera - tripod fell over falling approximately two feet to the ground. The camera was repaired however, the repair estimate for the lens was over $1,400 (no thanks Canon). She has been using a single focal length (400mm) lens but wants to replace her 100-400mm lens with a new lens because "she likes the zoom lens"? (I have a 100mm macro that's never used).<br>

I almost always buy my photographic gear from B&H or Adorama, however, I can save approximately $200 dollars if I buy through www.versadeals.com, ($1,409.00). I never heard of this outfit; has anyone had good luck buying from them?</p>

 

<p>Bill Wallace<br>

The comments about the A-DEP mode made me take a look at the mode selection dial on my EOS 20D camera. Sure enough, the A-DEP is offered as the first selection (on the end) of the dial on top of the camera. As you know, the 20D is an old camera but I use it with my longer lenses (400, 500mm) only.</p>

<p>I don't have any thing constructive to add to the subject however, did you mean (XXXquantum) huge/large leap?</p>

<p>Bill W.<br>

What happened to using the central focusing point, hold the shutter button down to hold the focus or slide the lens autofocus switch from autofocus to off, then, recomposing and taking the shot - I never take the time to dial in a particular AF point.</p>

<p>Thanks to you all for contributing to the EOS 5 subject. It brought back lots of memories. My EOS 5 (the last of my film cameras) is stored in my photo closet along with three other film cameras from the past. My wife and I, have moved on to digital and I still use my oldest digital the EOS 20D with my longer telephoto's - 500mm.</p>

<p>I retired my EOS A2 when I got my first digital camera the 20D. I use the 20D with my longer lenses (300/400/500) and use my EOS 5D for every thing except wildlife. For the money, the EOS 5D is a great buy. Get one!</p>

<p>I think that John Wright provided very good advice including the listing of the RRS BH55, Arca Swiss Z1, and Markins ball heads. I have the Sidekick but use it with my 500 mm F/4; I'm not sure why you would need the Sidekick when using the 400mm F/5.6. I say this because although my wife and I, no longer use the 400mm F/5.6 (I use the 500 and she prefers the 100-400(?)), we never had a problem using the 400mm without Sidekick.</p>

<p>I asked Sigma if they would re-chip three of my Sigma lenses and their response was the lenses were too old(4-5 years) - there was nothing they could do to update the lenses. I don't know if this is a typical response from camera/lens manufactures but I'm hesitant to buy another Sigma lens. (Although, I thinking about the 24-70 HSM)?</p>

<p>Thanks to you all for your response about the EFS 17-85. I have not been able to find a solution by cleaning the lens or the EOS 50D camera contacts. However, I plan to try using other materials for the cleaning process. The user (my wife) doesn't seem to be concerned because she has never told me and must be satisfied with the lens she uses the most the Canon 28 - 135. Maby I'll get lucky by cleaning the lens contacts a few more tims.<br>

(Most of the time we both shoot wildlife using longer lenses).<br>

Again, thanks for your responses.</p>

<p>(I hope this is the correct forum)<br>

I just found out that my wife has been unable to use her EFs 17-85 mm lens with her EOS 50D camera? You receive a message that say's: COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE CAMERA AND LENS IS FAULTY. CLEAN THE LENS CONTACTS. ERROR 01.<br>

The 50D camera was purchased the first week it was made available so that been awhile. The 17-85 seems to work OK on my EOS 20D, so I don't think there is any thing wrong with the lens. I've cleaned the camera and lens contacts but receive the same error message.<br>

There are no compatibility issues with other lenses my wife uses - this is the only EFs lens she has.<br>

Has this compatibility been an issue with others or is this an issue just with my wife's camera and lens?<br>

Thanks for your help.</p>

<p>Any picture with white and black is easy to fix/adjust when using raw (instead of jpeg).</p>

<p>Thanks for the subject. I want to look at my camera's (20D, 50D, 5D) to determine what the camera/shutter count is/will be. Where on the camera can I find the shutter count? Thanks for your help.</p>

<p>Depending on your specific use, walking all day in the field or a few hours, I use different size bags. I always take the same named bag that Tudor mentioned (the LowePro MicroTrekker 200) outfitted with the same lenses with the addition of the 100mm macro, 1.4X teleconverter, and my 20D in addition to my 5D camera. The flash and 500mm stays in the car until they are needed. A small bag is taken for longer hikes (I'm a small person and have to watch the weight). For hikes, you won't need to take all your gear unless your a big person and love the discomfort associated with extra weight. Your shooting style and subject matter will determine what you need to take with you. You will eventually fill any size bag (or bags) you buy but, you won't use more than one at a time.</p>