lovethismoment

I have the Sigma 70-300mm DL Macro Super. This is a slightly cheaper version than the APO, but I don't really know what the exact differences are.

 

I would not buy this lens again. The big problem with it has been with the AF. It was always slow focusing, and hunted back and forth a lot in low light or when there were a lot of different things it could focus on (like in a forest). From the start it was noticeably worse than the cheap kit zoom (28-80mm non-USM) that I got with my camera (EOS 300). Now the AF seems to not work at all. I can point it at a wall and it will just not be able to focus. It may still be under warranty so I could probably get it fixed, but to be honest I really couldn't be bothered given that even when it worked it was a lot easier just to focus it manually and I intend to replace it at some stage in the future.

 

Optically it performs OK some of the time. I actually can't work it out. It looks like it suffers from flare on occasion - but I always use it with the lens hood and I get the problem even when the sun is not in the scene, so maybe there is something else wrong with it.

 

I have taken some decent photos with it but I would recommend getting a Canon lens - this one has put me off third party lenses for the time being. As others have suggested I think you'd be better off spending the same amount and getting something of better quality that's second hand than one of the cheapest zooms new.

 

Have you looked at the Canon 75-300mm with IS? I don't know if it's optically any better than the cheaper versions, and there is a bit of a price difference, but if you want to take hand-held photos with this lens the IS will be a big help, and would probably make more of a difference than better glass anyway. If you'll be using a tripod most of the time though then it might not be much benefit at all.

I think a lot of people would be happier (and not just in this debate) if, when uploading, you were able to put your photo (or image - whatever) into one or more categories - landscape, portrait, illustration etc. and then allow people to search for photos within a category.

 

I think that as far as this debate goes there are a lot of people who object to "digital art" being here simply because they are here to learn about photography and they have no interest in making digital art. Maybe they would just be happy with a way of filtering out what they aren't interested in.

 

Even with photography not everyone is interested in the same thing - some like landscape, some nudes etc - it would be nice to have a way to be able to look more specifically for what you were interested in.

 

Just an idea.

I have the EOS 300 which also has a plastic lens mount. While I'm sure it will wear quicker than if it was metal mine doesn't show much wear yet after 1 1/2 years, and I change lenses reasonably often.

 

Out of curiosity have you thought about getting the 300 instead of the 500? I don't know the difference in price but the 300 has a few features like DOF preview that the 500 doesn't have.

That's weird as I have the EW-60II as well with the black felt but as with Puppy Face I have about 6mm clearance from the filter to the hood. Not much room to adjust a polariser but certainly enough to be able to put it on. Bizarre!

Yep, I can use filters with my 24/2.8 and dedicated hood, including a polariser, with no problems. I only bought my lens and hood about 8 months ago. So if you take the hood off and put a filter on you can't get the hood on again?

I bought a used Canon EF 24/2.8 at B&H (I think for about US$230) and I love it. I also got the Canon EF 50/1.8 at the same time. I've never looked back! Once I get around to purchasing an 85mm or 100mm prime I will never use my 28-80mm zoom again (not that I use it very much now). If you can afford a Canon 24/2.8 then get it, you won't regret it.

I second Wayne's suggestion of taking the hike up to the teahouse at Lake Loiuse, it's well worth the effort. I'd also go to Lake Moraine while in the area.

 

Definitely go up to Jasper and make sure you put aside a whole day for the drive because there is lots to see along the road - lakes, rivers, waterfalls and glaciers.

 

Up at Jasper you can check out Maligne Canyon and Lake Maligne. After Lake Louise it's not nearly as spectacular but you can get away from all the people there. If you go for a walk along the left of the lake (from the carpark end), and then keep going on the small dirt track when the main trail veers away from the lake you will soon be almost completely alone, which is a weird (but very good) thing after all the people everywhere.

 

I was there at the end of August 2001 and unfortunately saw very little wild life. Lots of bighorn sheep and ground squirrels but no elk or deer. I had a bear run across the road in front of the car (luckily not too close, but watch out for them) but it was gone before I could even touch my camera.

 

Have fun! Lisa.

I don't think the rating system or the top-rated page should be scrapped as I think that they are useful to a lot of people. I'm a beginner and like to be able to get examples of good photos and going through the top-rated page, while imperfect, is one of the easiest ways to do this. Without ratings it would be very difficult to find the best and I would probably give up trying.

 

I like the "photos this person likes" idea, which also gave me another idea. Why not have a list of all the photographs a person has rated along with the ratings instead of just the average? Then when someone gives you a rating you can actually see how and what they rate, giving you a better idea of the worth of their opinion. If they give bad ratings to photos you think are good then you can ignore them. It would also give you an idea of what photos they do/don't like and maybe show you if your stuff is/isn't what they are into.

 

Just an idea. Lisa.