plangereis

<p>I also use the Lightroom/ Silver Efex Pro 2 combination and have have very nice results.</p><div></div>

<p>I am also wondering if you have a soft copy of the 17-40L. Granted it is not the sharpest lens, but I have made some really nice prints using this lens with my 5D mk I. Here is a shot I had printed for a teacher that was moving schools. He looked at the print (12 x 18) and said he could hear the frogs croaking! I ended up buying my 17-40 L for $600 Canadian (used). That is about half the price of the 16-35 II. You can't tell me that the 16-35 II is twice as sharp.</p><div></div>

<p>A shot with my 5D and 50 1.8 mkI. I had to crop this a bit to get close in. (ISO 400, 1/500 sec, f3.5) This was hand held as well.</p><div></div>

<p>A shot taken at the Smoke Bluffs in Squamish, British Columbia with my retired 40D and my 70-200 f4 IS lens.</p><div></div>

<p>I don't have the 24 2.8, but i do have the 17-40 L, and use it with a 5D. A great zoom for landscapes as once it is stopped down it is very sharp, and provides good contrast as well. I paid $600 for my used 17-40. I guess it depends what you shoot. Good luck.<br>

Paul</p>

<p>A shot from the museum of anthropology at UBC.</p><div></div>

<p>I love my 85 1.8. I used it with my 40D and it was awesome, but now with my 5D I like it even more. Very sharp, and I bought mine used on Craigs List for a very good price. I paid $300 for it. I also bought the 50 1.8 mk I, and this is also a nice lens. I paid a little more for the mk I version, but I liked the idea of the steel mount, and a better manual focus ring. Both are nice lenses, but i feel the IQ of the 85 1.8 is slightly sharper. Have fun with your lens and don't worry! All the best.<br>

Paul</p>

<p>A shot from very recent trip to Kauai. Shot with my 5D and 17-40L with a 3 stop ND filter, and a 3 stop ND grad.</p><div></div>

<p>I have been using the Lumopro LP 160s and they have been good. Not perfect, but for what I am doing they are more than enough in terms of power, and adjustments. I have never used TTL etc so I don't know what I am missing yet. I bought a couple of single strobe kits. I could have saved by buying a 2 light kit, but I wanted to see how the flashes performed. They work for me.<br>

Paul</p>

<p>I like Tom's tight crop. Really brings the attention to the family. Nice.<br>

Paul</p>

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<p>A shot I took in Blaine. I like the remnants of the old pier. I chose B&W because the colour range overall was very monochromatic. Taken with my 5D, and 17-40 L.</p><div></div>

<p>Good call, Scott. Why didn't I think of that! I am on it.<br>

Paul</p>

<p>I was wondering if anyone knows how to delete an Image Pro account/ website. I want to promote my new website, and I do not want to confuse customers with the Image Pro site. Help!</p>

<p>Paul</p>

<p>A photo of the Bell Tower in Downtown Vancouver. My apologies for the specular highlights on the building!</p><div></div>

<p>I have always cleaned my own sensor. I made sure I really checked out the various products, but ended going with Eclipse. I do not always wet clean my sensor. For small specks I try a blower first. That usually does the trick, and lasts for quite some time. I don't have a second camera, so I would rather have my gear with me all the time as then I will never be without to capture an image. My friend was having trouble cleaning his sensor. I went to his place, and tried it myself, and noticed that small fibers were being left behind. I realized the swabs he was using were a hair too wide, and that he was never swabbing his sensor. The proper swab did the trick, and he has no problems lately.</p>

<p>Thanks for the responses Howard and Matthew. I have decided against the Photo Clam ballhead, and have ordered the RRS BH-40 LR. I am one excited guy to get such a nice ballhead! Take care, and all the best.<br>

Paul</p>

<p>I am definitely getting a new ball head for my manfrotto 190 proxb, and manfrotto art 144 professional tripod. I have been looking at Markins and RRS ball heads, but they are very expensive, and would put me at the top of my budget. I have also been readin reviews about Photo Clam ball heads, which look and sound like good ball heads. Has anyone else used a Photo Clam ball head recently? I was looking at the PC 44NS, and PC 48N. The RRS head I am considering is the BH 40 LR. Any information or experiences with any of these would be greatly appreciated.<br>

Paul</p>

<p>I also have a 40D right now, and purchased the 85 1.8. This is an excellent combo, although a little long for indoor use. I have also been using my 70-200 f4 IS with my 40D, and have taken some great portraits of my students with an inexpensive flash setup. Yet, The OOF background the 85 1.8 provides is hard to beat. Good luck.<br>

Paul</p>

<p>First time coming across this section of Photo.net. Here is my contribution.</p><div></div>

<p>Hi Paul. I am using a Kata 3n1-33, and love it. It can be made into a backpack, or a sling bag (left or right). It fits fine in the overhead baggage areas as well. Good luck. It is less than the shapeshifter made by think tank (about $80). You may be able to find one near you for less. The price in Canada is $183.75. Good luck.</p>

<p>Nice shot, Tom. What time of the year was it taken?<br>

Paul</p>

<p>I have been going to the same town in Mexico for the past 8 years, and have never had a problem with stolen gear. I took about $5000 worth of video gear one year, and had a blast videotaping locals on the beach being candid etc, and they tended to invite me to video them! I agree with a lot of previous posters about being cautious, though, and just using common sense. My gear was almost always in the bag, and strapped to my shoulders. I never leave gear in my room, and choose instead to take it with me (who wants to miss a good photo op!). The one time I left my bag in the room I hid it very well. This is in a town where the majority of tourists are more wealthy Mexicans from Guadalajara coming to the coast to be near the oceans with their family. Besides, insurance is for peace of mind, so get some if you are taking expensive gear etc. I would focus more on having a good vacation, and just look low-key (blend in!).<br>

Paul</p>

<p>Thanks, everyone, for the information. I cannot wait to do this trip, and I hope the year goes quickly before we go. I have seen so many awesome photos of these areas on PN, and I appreciate the help in planning this trip, and the local knowledge/ experiences that people are willing to share here! You gotta love it.<br>

Paul</p>

<p>I am hoping that people who have visited the Utah area (Bryce, Moab, Canyonlands etc) will be able to provide some advice on what to expect at that time of the year. I am also looking for advice on specific locations within these parks (and others) in Utah. My friend and I have 2 weeks so I am assuming we should be able to see a lot in that time. We are planning on renting a jeep, and are wondering if a guide would be worth it, or should we get a guide book? We will be flying into Vegas, and then stopping for a couple of days at the Grand Canyon (specific points/ vistas anyone?). From there we will most likely head to Page, but nothing is in stone at this point in time. Any suggestions of specific places to see would be appreciated, and any concerns we should have as well. Lodgings at each place? Are we crazy to be going at this time of the year? Help!<br>

Paul</p>