steve_young9

<p>Edward, I have been using a fanny bag for cycling for about 8 years now. It never occured to me that I might be putting myself at risk. Thanks for the warning. I may have to go back to my chest bag and look even more geeky. Otherwise, I have liked having the weight of the camera on my hips, and with no airflow restriction<br>

As for carrying a camera on the big, my experience is bad. Cameras don't seem to be able to handle the constant rattling/shaking.<br>

Steve Young</p>

<p>Ok, I have had the 28 mm auto focus lens for several months now, and I am not happy with it at all. It is just not s

harp enough (even on a hefty tripod and good head) and the vignetting is not satisfactory at all.</p>

<p

>I am looking for suggestions for an older manual focus 28 mm lens that I can attach to my Elan 7. Have folks had

good results from Nikon, Olympus or Pentax (or zeiss). One of these companies must make a good 28mm len

s.</p>����

<p>I don't know if you need to go to the expense of purchasing a B-W filter. The Hoya filters seem to be as good as, or better than the B-w, particularly the SHMC grade. I have had no trouble with internal reflections with these filters (and I shoot film, therefore the UV protection is much more important).<br>

The place for filters is<br>

<a href="http://www.2filter.com/index.htm">http://www.2filter.com/index.htm</a><br>

although they seem to be in a battle with Hoya at the moment involving a price-fixing agreement that they are being forced to sign. Check it out</p>

<p>Well, i picked up a RRS B-82 plate for my 200mm from eBay, and KEH had a a-S B-1 ball and a Kirk camera plate for my elan 7.<br>

At first, I was concerned about the weight of the ball but my miserable plastic Bogen weighed 1.2 lbs.<br>

I hope this all works out.</p>

<p>Who makes the best QR Arca Swiss style plates? Is there much difference between any of them?<br>

So far, I have seen Arca Swiss, Acratech, Kirk, Markins, and RRS brands. Prices seem to be the same (and sometimes the item number, also), except Acratech are much cheaper. <br>

How critical is it that I use a plate specifically designed for my camera, versus a more generic plate? Can I get a decent-fitting camera plate that will have the anti-rotation lip that is not camera specific?<br>

And, finally, do I need to get a "L" bracket plate for most versitility?<br>

I appreciate folks reading this and conveying their thoughts.<br>

Steve Young</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Thanks a lot for all our your input. <br>

We really don't do a lot of the "best XXXX for a specific price range" on these forums like you can find in electronic components, but I appreciate all of your response.<br>

I really haven't decided with certainty, but I have looked into the Markins Q3 and am very interested. I thought that B&H or Adorama carried just about everything out there but neiher stock Markins, therefore , it wasn't on my radar until suggested above. From the reviews that I have seen, it just might be what I am looking for, although slightly out of the price brackets that I origionally suggested.</p>

<p>OK, we all know that I should have a Arca Swiss Monoball ball head, but I am not quite ready to fork out nearly $400 for one right now. I also know that I might regret this later......so don't get on about that.<br>

So what are the alternatives in the $125 - $175 range and the $175 - $225 range? My preferance is to have the Arca Swiss quick release system.<br>

Giottos seems to have some heads that fill the bill (and the price includes one plate). Kirk (BH=3) and Arcatech (Ultimate Ball Head) are slightly more than my price catagories.<br>

Are there any other alternatives and how good are they? Are the Giottos any good?<br>

Steve Young - in a corn field 3 1/2 hours south of Chicago<br>

Canon Elan 7, 200mm 2.8L, 50mm 2.5, 28mm, 2.8 and likely a 400mm 5.6 in the future. I want rock solid support and no movement when I tighten the ball. It is possible that I will just have to hold out for the A-S?</p>

<p>PS I was in Chicago a couple weeks ago and visited Helix camera in hopes that I could see some of these tripod heads but all they had were Bogen and Gitzo - very disappointing.</p>

<p>I do a lot of cycling with my camera - almost daily, in fact. My brothers have done this too. Handlebar bags will shake you camera too much (My brother's Pentax MX died that way). Similar results will occur putting it in a pannier.<br>

I used to have a small bag that I wore on my chest (it was made for MEC in Canada and fit my Contax 167 with 50mm and 135mm). but have since gone to a fanny bag. A backpack will be too restricting, potentially painful, and hot. The fanny bag puts all the weight on the hips and allows you to breath easily.<br>

I use the Lowepro Photo Runner. In it, I have a Canon EOS 7 with 50mm 2.5 Macro and a 200mm 2.8 (plus hood). I recently acquired a 28mm 2.8 (plus hood). The third lens wouldn't fit but I have a Trailrunner (another fanny Pack Bag that might interest you), and removed one of the lens pouches. It easily attaches to the Photo Runner.<br>

Another option might be a Sling Bag, but I have no experience with them. I hope to get a look at such a bag next weekend in Chicago.</p>

I know that the 50mm lenses have been discussed to death on these forums.

Several hours have been spent trying to find the answer to my question. I am

looking for something definitive and specific.

My 50mm mkII didn't hold up very well in my fanny sack camera bag. It never was

a very good lens, and now all the photos are too fuzzy. (I thought that it was

my tripod at first, then I cleaned the lens several times - but it was the

crappy lens.) I wish to replace it with another 50mm that will survive the

rigors of my fanny sack while bicycling.

The two lenses in the Subject are what I am considering. I wish to know your

experiences with the build quality, and perhaps the lens quality variability.

I live quite some distance from any shop where I might be able to look at thse

heads, therefore I am asking for your assistance or recommendations.

I want a very sturdy ball head with quick release features and wish to spend

less than $150. I shoot a Canon Elan 7 with a 200 2.8 and sometimes a 75-300

IS. It has to be fairly rugged too.

So far, I have found the following to be of interest;

1 - Velbon QHD 71Q Built in levels

2 - Velbon QHD 61Q. Built in levels and an anti twist plate

3 - Bogen 488 with the choice of RC0, RC2 and RC4 quick release systems. I

have not found much information concerning each system, however, I don't like

the hexagonal plate on the RC0 because I figure it would stick out the back,

while on the camera. Only the large plate of the RC4 model supports a built in

level - a feature that I like.

Are there others that I should consider. What do folks think of the Bogen grip

heads (322RC2)?