ijespah

<p>Dear Danny,</p>

<p>I have a friend who bought a kit off of Ebay and I think it had a couple of those lenses that you mentioned--the .5 wide angle and the 2x telephoto. They seemed useless to me when I saw them. I cannot remember the details--they were fixed focal length, I think, and there was just something wierd about them. They had no brand name on the boxes and they did not work like normal lenses (eg. no aperture ring, as I recall).<br>

My advice would be to avoid those kits off of Ebay. The prices are ridiculously high for the junk you get. My friend way overpaid for his, but I did not want to tell him that. I buy only from B&H and Amazon and have had no problems.<br>

Best of luck.<br>

Isabel</p>

<p>I second those who say B&H. I have found prices to be good, customer service to be excellent, and shipping to be very fast. I have bought a 30D and several lenses there--most recently, a 24-105 that was used.</p>

<p>Best of luck with your purchase.<br>

Isabel</p>

<p>Dear Kent,</p>

<p>One thought: I don't know if weight is a factor for you, but the XT is lighter than the 40D or 50D. So, you might want to think about whether the extra weight of the 40/50D will make you less inclined to take it along--eg. on a hike--than the lighter XSi/XTi/XT.<br>

I sold my 30D because I could not read the top LCD anymore (aging eyes), and because it was just heavy enough that I would sometimes leave it at home in favor of a P&S. Now, I am going to get an XSi or its replacement (which some rumors say could be unveiled in March), which will be a bit lighter to cart around on a day trip.<br>

My husband dropped my 30D from our car one time. It survived--I almost didn't, I was so upset. So, I am very sorry for your loss! Best of luck with the new camera.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>The 85 1.8. It's relatively light, fast, and its sharpness at least equals that of my 24-105L IS.<br>

But, I love the 24-105. If I had to have just one lens, that'd be it. So far, it's both wide enough and long enough for almost all occasions (but, my child is only five and doesn't wander far from me or do big-time sports); it's light enough to carry all the time, and has IS for low light and unsteady hands. So, I consider it a good value.</p>

<p>Thank you to all of you who contributed an answer. I will look into seeing optometrist, getting an LCD loupe, or a magnifiying glass that I can keep with my camera. Those are certainly good options for as long as I have this camera. And, I will keep my 24-105 rather than getting a 28-135. Good suggestion! (I do love it...) And finally, I will check out the 40D and see if I can get it to display the info I am looking for. I appreciate the help.<br>

All I want is to be able to see the aperture, shutter, WB, iso settings etc. and change them while I am looking at the settings on the rear LCD. It was like someone turning on the lights when I looked at the XSi and 50D at the store and I could actually see what I was doing!<br>

And, Keith, I did check<em> </em>p. 113 in the manual (which I have consulted many times), but that page and chapter are about image playback, as it says in large print at the top of page 113.Your answer was a bit impolite (<em>"hint!"</em>) and was not relevant to my original question.<br>

I have tried all forms of pressing the info button to get the rear LCD to display the settings as I change them, so I can see what I am doing. But it just does not seem to be a feature of the 30D, unless I am missing something. So, I will either get some visual assistance or a new camera! Thanks again everyone. You are so nice to take the time to help out.</p>

<p>Man/Woman of Few Awards</p>

<p>Hi--I am a novice who bought an EOS 30D a couple of years ago. But, now my eyesight is getting worse (I am 47) and I can no longer read the display on the top of the camera without reading glasses--and even then it's hard. I saw the XSi and the 50D in Best Buy and they display the shooting menu on the back LCD and it is so much easier for me to read. So, while I am reluctant to spend money in this economy, I feel like I need to get a new camera because I am so frustrated at my blindness with the 30D. And I am not to the point where I want to wear reading glasses around my neck. (Still in a bit of denial about middle age...)<br>

I would prefer to buy the 40D because it is a much better deal, and I like it, but apparently it does not display the shooting menu on the LCD.<br>

Any advice on whether now is a good time to buy? The 50D seems overpriced to me. But the XSi seems to be a fairly good deal with the kit lens and $100 off the 55-250 IS. On Amazon and at B&H it's about $790 for the camera and two lenses.<br>

Do you think the prices will drop more in the next few months? (I do have two pocket cameras I could use for a while if I sell my 30D now, before it loses any more value.) And, does anyone think that a replacement to the XSi might come sooner than usual, as happened with the 50D's earlier-than-usual unveiling?<br>

I've also thought about a refurbished XTi (but the LCD is more readable on the XSi). Is that a safe buy at B&H or Adorama?<br>

And, I have an 85 1.8 and a 24-105L. I love both of them. I would get the XSi kit lens and 55-250 because they are lighter. Since I am a novice, would it make sense to sell the 24-105L and get the 50D with the 28-135? Or should I stick with the L because it will be better in the future with higher resolution cameras? I love the lens, but always feel anxious about having so much invested in one lens.<br>

I would really appreciate any advice. Thank you very much.</p>

<p>Thanks for your answers. I really appreciate it. Curiously, the prices at KEH still are in line with the old $1050 price on the 24-105...Again, I appreciate your taking the time to answer. Happy New Year! Isabel</p>

<p>Does anyone know anything about the price drop on the 24-105?</p>

<p>Not to be stupid, but it is not on Canon's rebate list. The lens used to be around $1050 over the last two years, and has now dropped to around $950. But the grey market version at Adorama is $1039. Is this just a natural price evolution or is there some temporary price drop or rebate?<br /><br />Thanks!</p>

This recently happened to me when my husband dropped my EOS 30D. I was so upset. When I wrote into photo.net, people had excellent suggestions, one of which was to do the "newspaper test" to check the focus. Lay a newspaper on a flat surface and take a picture. That way you can check for uniformity of focus (for lack of a better phrase.) It's been about a month, and my camera and lens seemed fine afterward, passed the newspaper test, and still seem fine.

 

Best of luck. Isabel

I'd like to add my thanks. As a total novice, I have found a lot of help, and great solace, as when my camera got dropped, in this forum. I am always astonished that people are so generous with their time in answering questions from people like me. Thank you.

Isabel

Thank you all for your answers. You are very nice to take the time to answer my pedestrian questions. It is so helpful to a nuerotic novice like me. I really do appreciate it.

Cheers,

Isabel

Hi,

 

I bought a used 24-105L from B&H for $899 and am trying to decide whether to

keep it or return it. I noticed that, even with IS on, it is no sharper indoors than

my 85 1.8. Does that seem right? I guess I expected more sharpness for the

money. I am worried because I have read about people getting bad copies of

this lens. And, do you think $899 is a good price? (I noticed it's only $1039 at

Amazon right now.) It appears to be in perfect condition, and I like the focal

length for my purposes.

 

I did notice that the date code is UU. Anyone know what that means? (I believe

it is after the 24-105 flare problem was addressed.) I am guessing it means it

was manufactured around 2006, but I am not sure. I called Canon and they

were no help.

 

If anyone has input, I appreciate it. I am neurotic about spending this much

money on a lens! Thanks so much.

 

Isabel

Hi everyone,

 

Thanks for your (very quick) responses. I really appreciate it--I am hyperventilating with anxiety about my poor camera and lens!

 

I did call Penn Camera, in the Washington D.C. area, and they want $250 to send the camera and lens out just to look at them. Forget that, obviously. So I will take your suggestions and test the camera at different focal lengths, different apertures, shutter speeds etc. But I am afraid I'll miss something. I am still a novice here. I hate to sound stupid, but if the lens is out of alignment, will I know it?

 

Thanks,

Isabel

 

P.S. (As for my husband, this was really my fault because I packed the camera snug in the trunk of our car amid some sweatshirts--no camera bag. Stupid of me. He unpacked the trunk and it flew out. So, I can't be mad at him. But he feels guilty and he's being very sweet about it.)

Hi,

 

My husband accidentally dropped my 30D and 17-40L lens straight down on

cement as he was unpacking our car after a trip. The camera hit lens down

from about 3-4 feet up, and bounced. He figured it was totaled--he felt so

guilty!. But when we took the lens cap off, amazingly, the lens appeared fine,

not even scratched (both camera and lens were in perfect condition before--

only 14 months old, and I am very careful of them.) The camera appears to

work fine, but I haven't had a chance to take too many shots. The only damage

I can see are a few scratches on the LCD.

 

Should I take it to a photo repair shop and have it checked out? How much

might that cost?Are there tests I can do on it? Will it develop trouble over time? I

had been thinking of selling the 30D and lens and getting a 5D--is a dropped

camera worth a lot less, even if it works fine and looks fine? (I would obviously

feel that I had to disclose the drop to a buyer.)

 

Thank you for any advice. I feel so distraught about the idea that my camera

and lens could be damaged!

 

Isabel

Thank you so much to all of you for contributing answers. I appreciate you taking the time to help me out. I am sitting here with pen and paper making a list of your suggestions and then I will decide which lens suits me and my budget best. I look forward to getting good shots of my little one kicking the ball. (Great lacrosse shots Jeff, by the way.)

 

Thanks again. Isabel

Hi,

 

I need a lens to shoot my daughter's soccer games outside, during the day. I

have a 30D, a wide zoom and an 85mm f/1.8, which I love, but I need something

longer (but not too long--she's only four). Am considering the 135mm f/2.8 Soft

Focus because it's cheap and relatively fast. Anyone have any experience with

it? I am concerned that the design is so old, and I have no use for the soft focus

function.

 

Or, I could get the 28-135mm zoom, again because it's cheap and supposed to

be ok on optics. But I am worried it's too slow. Obviously, I would love to have

the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS, or even the 70-200mm f/4 L, but need to watch my

money right now.

 

I would really appreciate any input or suggestions.

 

Thanks so much.

 

Isabel

Thank you, Kevin. That does help. I agree with you about the viewfinders that are mini-LCDs. The G9 might be the best option for me, even absent a wider-angle lens.

Thanks again.

Isabel.

Hi all,

 

I am an EOS 30D owner looking for a lightweight alternative camera that also

has a good movie mode that I can take everywhere, especially when I don't want

to lug the 30D.

 

Like everyone, I prefer a wider anger lens and would like to get to 200mm

zoom, if possible.

 

I am considering the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ4, TZ5, and FZ 18. But, as a Canon

user, I am worried about noise on the Panasonics' sensors. Also, the TZ4 &5 do

not have viewfinders and I find it very difficult to compose a picture in

sunlight without a viewfinder. Still, the tradeoff is the wide-angle lenses.

 

Also considering the G9. The image quality is supposed to be good, as is movie

mode (but I believe you cannot optically zoom in movie mode on the G9), and

the build quality feels great. I don't use RAW now, but will later on. Also,

not to be petty, but it has strap-holders on either side, which makes it more

comfortable to throw around my neck when I don't have pockets available. The

Powershot A650 IS does not appear to have anything for a neck strap, and

certainly not on both sides. Also, I prefer a battery charger to having to buy

AA batteries all the time, as the A650 requires. (Or are rechargeables any

good?) Unless I am traveling, I don't shoot so much at one session that I am

likely to drain a proprietary battery.

 

I considered the S5 IS but I didn't like the feel as much as the G9 and the

Panasonics, and it seemed a bit heavy. Also have considered the Olympus SP570

UZ, but I preferred the ergonomics of the Panasonic--still willing to consider

the Olympus though. Am also wondering about the upcoming Nikon P80.

 

Thank you so much for any suggestions you can give.

 

Isabel Jespah