jclee05

<p>my apology for the double posts, I am not sure how it happened, perhaps the administrator can delete the second post.<br>

Update on my 645E issue: the lenses from KEH arrived, it turned out the battery was weak and I had to get a new 6v battery from Walmart ($2.97) The rapid winder works fine now, it does take two turns to get to the next frame. Plan to put a roll of b&w through it this weekend.<br>

It is a beautiful piece of equipment, It is light enough that I can do more MF outdoor. I bought the 55mm f/2.8N and 150mm f/3.5N as my initial set up. The camera, rapid winder, two lenses came to $335, a steal. Can't afford the 645AF, may be some day. Will post some pictures when I have them.</p>

 

<p>Hi all,<br /> If you are using 645e with the rapid winder appreciate if you could shed some light on your experience with this camera and the quirky winder:<br /> I recently got myself a mint condition 645e with rapid winder grip GN401. It is used but in excellent condition with 90 day warranty, I am waiting for my lenses to arrive from Keh so can't quite test it fully just yet.<br /> At this juncture, I find the grip a little tricky to get it to work properly, I am also having trouble getting a good feel for the winder on the 645e body. I am testing it with no film in it, (since the lens is not mounted), just an empty spool. The MLU works.<br /> Is there a proper way to test this camera body/winding mechanism the way it is? I had set the Aperture selection to A, and film speed to 200, for the test. Sometimes I am able to turn the winder a full circle until it stops, the shutter would fire, but then the mirror would not return to its original position for me to test it again. Is this lag time expected (since there is no lens).<br /> I hope I am clear enough here. Basically have you had issues with your 645e and rapid winder GN401?<br /> thanks in advance<br /> jc</p>

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<p>Hi all,<br>

I recently got myself a mint condition 645e with rapid winder grip GN401, I am waiting for my lenses to arrive from Keh so can't quite test it fully just yet.<br>

I find the grip a little tricky to get it to work, and am having trouble getting a good feel for the winder on the 645e body. Now I am testing it with no film in it, (since the lens is not mounted), just an empty spool. The MLU works.<br>

Is there a proper way to test this camera body/winding mechanism the way it is? I had set the Aperture selection to A, and film speed to 200, sometimes I am able to turn the winder a full circle until it stops, then the shutter would fire, but then the mirror would not return to its original position for me to test it again. Is this lag time expected (since there is no lens).<br>

I hope I am clear enough here. Basically have you had issues with your 645e and rapid winder GN401?<br>

thanks<br>

jc</p>

<p> </p>

<p>haven't been on Photo.net for a long while but thought I add my 2 cents here. I recently picked up a RB67 ProSD with a 90mm k/L L f/3.5 lens and a 120 back from a pro for $280 (USD), Well used, but solid piece of camera. I loved the big waist level viewfinder, the multiexposure, that it is totally mechanical, and best of all revolving back. oh, and the bellow for close focusing. I am looking to add another lens and an additional back so I can switch between slides and b&w when I am out. I am petite and I take this camera to shoot landscape on tripod of course (in my car that is :)) It is not terribly heavy (like an old laptop), I can envision carrying it with a tripod oj short hikes. I use a Pentax Digital spotmeter for metering. LOVE IT.</p>

<p> </p>

Hi eveyone,

 

just thought I should post an update on what I ended up getting. After 2 more months of agonizing over the idea and reading more photo.net forums, I finally traded in/sold my existing equipment/lens and bought a new 70-400f/4L USM (non-IS). I also bought the black Tripod A ring as I know I will use it quite a bit since I am petite and I carry my monopod with me everywhere in my photo backpack. The lens is actually perfect in weight for me. Oh I bought a step up ring (67-72mm) as I have pretty decent CIR-PL and UV 72mm filters but it is really impossible to use the Canon lens hood with that combination. I also bought a cheap generic hood which looks less menacing :) but with that I can't use the 67mm filter since the generic hood uses the inner lens thread. Anyhow I plan to use the generic hood w/o the filter or the filters w/o the hood depending on what I shoot and time of the day.

 

I might add that prior to gettting the 70-200f/4L, I bought a used 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 USM lens and used that as my walkabout lens.

 

The 70-400 f/4L USM is so amazingly good in picture quality and color that it is scary to think what I might do next :(.

 

I am already starting to think about getting either the EF-S 10-22mm or the 17-40 f/4L. I really miss the WA since I like to shoot landscape. I am using Digital Rebel with the 1.6x crop factor and really don't think I will upgrade to a FF in any foreseeable future. Prefer to save my money for good L lens!

 

So the next project (3-5 months) is to sell the 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 and get one of the two WA zooms (EF-S 10-22 or 17-40L) and a fast prime (35 f/2 or 50 f/1.4) to fill the gap in the middle and I think I am finally a happy camper !

 

I have not posted any new pictures taken with the new 70-200 f/4L and will do so soon

 

Thanks again for all your input. They were very valuable.

 

JC

Thanks everyone for all your valuable advice. Appreciate it. I do need a medium priced zoom with IS such as the 28-135mm or the 70-200mm f/4L as some of you suggested, one that can give me decent sharpness and is fast enough as my main lens. I will get one of the above for now. As it is, my 50mm f/1.8 is my walkaround lens so I am very limited in what I can shoot so that will help fill the gap. I will plan on adding the 100mm f/2.8 Macro, may be 85mm, the 300mm f/4L and the 17-40mm f/4L in that order down the road. Thanks again.

Steve,

 

re your comments about getting addicted with the L lens, I have read many postings here about the impending danger and I can see why. That is probably why I am still mulling over the whole idea :) I think if I buy one at all, it is going to be either the 300mm f/4 L or the 70-200 L zoom. As for the <100mm lens, I probably will upgrade my existing equipment to include either the 24mm , 85mm or the 100mm macro prime(one at a time :)

thanks for the advice and thoughts so far. The consensus seems to be that if I were to add only one or two lens, I should go for either the 85mm f/1.8 or the 100 f/2.8 macro and get a 24mm WA to replace my current 28mm WA.

I am at a point where I'd like to buy my first L lens or a couple of sharper

lens (with IS for e.g.) for more scope, I presently have 28mm f2.8, 50mm f1.8

and 100-300mm f 4.5-5.6. My camera bodies are Elan 7 and Canon Digital Rebel

(main camera). I use tripod or at least monopod as much as I can. I am

relatively new to SLR photography.

 

I love the 50mm f1.8 most. I am into landscape and nature, ocean photography,

but I feel if I have a sharper lens, I would definitely shoot more people

photography or have more confidence in using my zoom. Presently I am not happy

with the sharpness of my 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 (Photos in my Children portfolio

were taken with the current zoom I have)

 

I am inching towards getting a 50mm f/2.5 macro (for the occasion macro work)

and/or the 100 f/2 USM (for better sharpness) or buy a 300mm f/4 L lens and

get a 1.4 extender. Weight is a consideration for me. Total budget $800.

 

I'd love to hear your experience with 50mm f/2.5 macro, 100mm f/2 USM and the

300 f/4L lens etc. Pls take a look at my small portfolio and give me your

advice.

 

Thanks in advance.

JC