davyjo

My 30D has dies and I was wondering if anyone has had any recent experience with

Mack service. I have looked around and I'm not exactly filled with confidence.

 

Should I even send it to them?

I switched from my Sigma 105mm Macro to my 300mmf/4 IS and the camera went dead.

Not sure if I shut the camera off when switching the lens or not. But I'm

getting nothing.

 

I pulled both batteries and let it sit for 2 hours. Checked the batteries and

both had good voltage. The Cr2016 battery is showing 3.15 volts and the BP511

shows full charge at 8.25 volts. Battery contacts all are clean.

 

Twice on trying to restart by inserting both batteries I got the blue light on

the print/auto-download button to light up and stay lit even when the switch was

off, but nothing else. I've tried hooking it up to the computer. Nothing.

 

Unusually, for me anyway, I bought a Mack warranty when I bought this camera in

November 2006.

I'm guessing that it's time to send it to Mack. Anyone had and experience with

their service? I'd appreciate any input before I send it to them. Researching

Mack has not xactly filled me with confidence.

 

Thanks for any advice on getting this thing working or dealing with Mack.

 

Dave

If you aren't going to spend big money on the B&W or Hoya pro and are considering the less expensive Tiffen, Canons or others. Check out the S&W filters available on Ebay. I have tested them for flaring against the Tiffen and Canon UV filters and there was considerably less flare. Not as good as the lens alone ( I used my 17-55mmIS and 70-200 F/2.8 IS as test lens) but significantly better than the others.

 

They are sold by "Americaneagle_camera" (99.8% rating) I just bought a 72mm for $11.45 shipped to me. It took 3 days to arrive. I own a couple of these and I'm quite impressed.

 

If there is any chance of flare I pull the filter but it's nice to have one on when there are children near with grubby little fingers that might touch a front element.

I had an issue with my 30D shortly after I bought it and right before Christmas. Some one in the NJ center responded to my pleas and I got it back just before the Holiday. Nothing short of a miracle I figured.

 

Very sorry to hear about your bad experience. I don't think it is at all typical.

I have huge hands and don't find the XT body to be uncomfortable to use. It does offer a very different feel that the 30D (I have one of them as well).

 

 

Which camera do I grab?

 

If I'm going for a walk and think I might take a picture I take the XT with either a Tamron 24-135 or the 50 f/2.8 II. Very compact and easy to carry. It also rides in the side case of my BMW motorcycle.

 

If I'm going out to take a picture, then it's the 30D with the 17-55mm IS or 70-200 f/2.8 IS, or the 300mm f/4 IS. Depends on the situation.

 

I love both cameras.

 

My suggestion would be the same as the first responder. Buy the body and see where your 28-105 is lacking, then make a purchase.

Grayon,

First of all, congratulations on the lens purchase. You will be happy. I shot for a couple years with the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 and loved the versatility of the length and aperture. I did upgrade to the Canon 2.8 IS recently and have no regrets. It is wonderful. But at the same time I can't keep wondering if I would have been better off with the f/4 IS or f/2.8 non-IS AND the Canon 10-22mm?

 

 

Nope, I'm happy as a clam. Spend some time learning how to hold that lens and the 2.8 will help you get those precious shots!

 

Enjoy!

It's not like they are putting a Confederate flag on it.

 

I have a Rebel XT 350D. Personally I like the XT label best, sounds rebellious.

There is a Sigma 105mm f/2.8 for sale on FredMiranda.com for $310. I have one of them and it's a very good Macro. True 1:1.

Just thought it might interest you. It's listed on the buy and sell forum.

No problems with dust in my 17-55. I've had it for over 12 months.

When I'm on the boat a B&W polarizer lives on my 70-200 and 17-55mm. At all other times one is handy if the situation calls for it.

 

The protective UV filters are also quick to come off if there is any chance of sunlight hitting the objective lens.

Ken,

 

Have you PP this image to remove the "tilting" verticals?

I had to cut one off my sisters 70-300mmIS lens. We tried everything to unscrew it and it just wouldn't budge.

 

I carefully sawed through most of the exposed ring with a mall hacksaw then inserted a screwdriver into the slot and twisted. The ring snapped at the cut and popped right out of the threads. Didn't leave a mark on the lens and the threads worked perfectly afterwards.

 

Cutting into the filter ring is not for the faint of heart though. Work slowly if this is needed.

The 300mm 2.8 would give you the advantage of faster shutter speeds and probably sharper images. I can't detect much slow-down of my 300mm f/4 with the 1.4X extender so I can't imagine the 2.8 would slow much either. <P><P>

The Bigma will reach out there and produce fine images but will need very high ISO to get high shutter speeds when it is overcast or twilight. <P><P>

The 300mm plus 1.4X is a wonderful combination of lengths on the 30D.<P> Sure a 400mm f/4 DO or 2.8 would be nice but you are going to spend a lot more $$$.

I love the build quality of my 300mmm IS and my 70-200mm f/2.8 IS and I love the image quality of my 17-55mm IS.

PS: I agree with Tommy, the 17-55 on an XT is a sweet setup. I have never regretted buying that lens. In fact, it is the only lens I have bought new other that the 28-135mm IS that came with my 30D.

I agree with Bob Atkins. Don't buy a new lens if you are not 100% sure it is what you need.

 

The XT body is a remarkably capable body. I bought one as a back up/second body to my 30D and it gets carried almost as much as the 30D. It s a better body than I am a photographer, if that makes any sense.

 

I have learned that good glass will make any EOS digital body shine. If it suits your shooting style the 70-200mm f/2.8 will amaze you. Add the IS for even more "Wow!" (It's only $1700!)

 

But, don't buy a new body until you know the XT is holding you back.

 

On the other hand. A careful purchase of a second hand lens is a great way to try one out. Good glass is highly marketable. You can own a second hand lens for a year or two and recoup nearly 100% of the initial price as long as you take care of it.

Keep the 1.8 and send me the 1.4

I already have the 1.8

 

Just kidding (unless you'd like to send me the 1.4), my 1.8 doesn't get a lot of use since buying the 17-55mm. But if my kids were just starting their high school years I'd want the 1.4 to shoot basketball games stopped down a stop or two and focusing fast.

 

I love the 1.8. Fast and sharp and light and cheap. Great portrait lens. It'll be in my bag always.

Buy L's or the 17-55mm IS.

But don't be afraid of owning then selling. Particularly if you buy used. I owned a Sigma 70-200mmf/2.8 for over two years and sold it for $25 less than I bought it for. Of the 5 or 6 len's that I have bought and sold used it was the worst I have done.

The 17-55mm will hold it's value very well as long as it is well cared for.

There is no need to restrict yourself to EFS lenses if you have a 1.6 body. I have the 70-200mm L f/2.8 IS and the 300mm L IS canon lenses that are wonderful on my XT and 30D bodies.

 

Just have to figure out how to afford the 10-22 EFS.

 

The bottom line is that good glass is expensive and worthwhile. It also holds it's value.

I'm guessing you are shooting with the camera set in the "portrait" basic mode.

Switch to Av mode, adjust the ISO to 400 or higher, use f/1.4 or one or two stops higher.

 

I think you'll be much happier

450D...no doubt...

Auto focus then shut off the AF. Just don't touch the manual focus ring!

They are actually what they are labeled. The 17-85 is a 17-85.

What are you taking pictures of? If you are in one of the basic modes I presume it is firing the flash and it is just not powerful enough to light everything up.

 

Use Av mode with the f/stop set to the smallest number (widest setting) boost the ISO to 800. And give it a try. The built-in flash will light nearby items so you might want to leave it closed.

A tripod will probably help a lot.

The ring is nice to have for adjusting the orientation of the camera. Simple to loosen then spint he camera 90 degrees. Not all the 300mm f/4 rings will work with the 70-200mm f/4's.

When I need to adjust the polarizer I pull the hood. It's a pain. If there is no need to sheild from the sun or other strong light source I'll leave the hood off.