jimdavis

<p>I had mine serviced last year. They replaced I think the fluorite glass and got the focus ring working like new. It cost half the price of a new one. I haven't used it that much since I got the 75-300L IS. In a side by side comparison the new lens snaps to focus, while the 100-400 is much slower to focus. This comparison on some trees in full sunlight.<br>

I shot a lot of birds in the old days with the 100-400 and was very happy, it was able to follow a bird in flight nicely. But the 75-300 is just superb. I shot some dogs playing and it kept focus at all times easily.<br>

The zoom on the 100-400 is far inferior to the ring focus on the 75-300. It's slow and not precise. You need to move your left hand way out there.<br>

I shoot the 75-300 with a 1.4x extender when I need the extra reach. Or I just crop a bit.<br>

I'd love to have an updated 100-400.</p>

<p>Wow, some people think a crop camera is only a temp solution until they can get a FF camera. I beg to differ. I love my 70d, with the 10-22 wide zoom no more need of a FF camera. Meanwhile I get more length in my lenses, always a good thing.<br>

<br />The movie ability of the 70d is no small thing. I've shot hand held action pics of dogs running and the focus was always perfect even zooming with the 75-300. And who doesn't want to take movies sometimes.<br>

I would say for portraits though that a single focal length is too limiting. F2.8 is plenty, suggest a medium zoom 2.8 lens with the 70d.</p>

 

<p>I have found with the 70-300L IS and my 70d, using IS makes a clicking noise during the video. It works great to stabilize hand held video and it's very sharp, focuses great, but I don't know if the clicking sound can be removed.<br>

This lens with IS off would certainly be much better than the lens that you're using now and I highly recommend this lens.</p>

<p>I got an EFS 10-22 and love the zoom range, wide angle etc. But I'm disappointed with sharpness. It's ok in the center regions but outer third is just plain fuzzy no matter what fstop etc I use. Maybe I got a bad copy? Or I'm expecting too much. Overall images with it look pretty good though, but for the price I was expecting better.<br>

<br />For all purpose lens I have an EFS 17-85 IS and it's pretty sharp all over at all zooms and fstops. Can't complain for the price and it focuses pretty close too.<br>

BTW I have a 70D and love it. I mostly use it with my 75-300L IS and a 1.4x for birds and animals. One day I'll get an L lens to fill the 16-75 range but would prefer a 10-22 that was really sharp all over.<br>

I took some of my first real videos with the 75-300 hand held of a bunch of dogs running and playing. The auto focus worked amazingly well at all distances and speeds. I will turn the IS off next time though because you can hear it clicking.</p>

 

<p>Outside Japan you're all lucky to get anything off retail. In Japan I can tell you that you can't find a Canon camera or lens anywhere that's not at retail price. And retail here is about 60% more than the price in the USA. I order my lenses from the USA and even with shipping save 40% or more. They don't include an international warranty on Canon stuff from the US so I take a chance there. So you'll have to put up with the hassles of them E-Mailing you the actual price or whatever, but you'll still be buying much cheaper than the country where the stuff is made...</p>

<p>For bugs, to avoid scaring them, I use a 25mm extension tube on either my 100-400, or 75-300. I can then shoot at 3-5 foot range and get them filling the frame.</p>

<p>You'll get to like the more megapixels for one thing (allowing more cropping), spot metering, lots more you can make use of with the 60d.</p>

 

<p>I just got a cheap tripod collar for my 70-300L IS and it's fine. Fits good, works fine. I likely won't use it that much so the cheap one is enough for me. Colour matches well, no complaints.</p>

<p>Don't worry once you get a battery grip on it, it'll be heavy enough for you. And that's why I don't have a grip, too heavy and bulky.Of course usually the lens makes any body heavy, but with the 10-22 on my 70d, it's superlight. Not so light with the 70-300L IS. But it is a bit lighter than with the 40d, and a few ounces makes a difference to me.</p>

<p>I just upgraded from a 40d to 70d and loving it. The touchscreen is a real bonus for me, makes it easy to see your settings, and to change them without having to find the little buttons and even in the dark. For video, you can focus on a point by touching the screen, hard to beat that.<br>

I like that the 70d is light. The popup flash can be used to control other Canon flashes, lots of great features I haven't even dug into yet.</p>

<p>JDM, this is my 4th card reader is an many years. I don't use them much so they don't have a lot of 'miles' on them. Also, the one in my wife's computer might or might not work, the one in my laptop has never worked.<br>

<br />So don't be so smug, if your card reader works, great. But if you depend on it, better to have a backup in case it dies. And indeed, buy the best you can, which likely won't be at Best Buy, but you might have to get at B&H type places. In fact I'm going to order one of a good make and give it a go. Always good to have a backup plan.<br>

<br />Plugging in the camera is so much easier though.</p>

 

<p>So last night I decided to try the card reader. Unfortunately it never showed up in Explorer so I put the card back in the camera and plugged in the camera. Another reader bites the dust. I did use it the other day for the teeny tiny card from the cellphone, but the SD reader port seems kaput. When I plug in the camera it comes up almost instantly in Explorer. Now I guess if I was a Pro taking tons of pics I'd be looking for a new card reader. It's just so darned easy plugging in the camera though.<br>

I've been plugging in the G10 for years now too, works a treat. Before that I was plugging in a Lumix, although that little guy takes a different cord with an even smaller plug.<br>

So if someone was to tell me I'm wrong, that card readers are not unreliable, I guess I'd have to disagree.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Yes, for me using the Live View screen is just wrong. Mind, having a P&S with a bloody large sensor would be nice, but it would have to be a pocket camera and so using EOS lenses would not be possible.<br>

The big thing for me is holding the camera up where I can see the screen. Makes it hard to keep it steady, hard to frame, keep level, see focus, etc. With a really small camera this is easier of course. With the 75-300 on it, well would it even be possible?<br>

The 70D moveable rear screen is nice, and the camera is small and light so with some lenses it's possible to use the Live View. But mostly I do not.</p>

 

<p>I've gone through 4 or 5 card readers in the past 5 years. I just buy what's in the store, they all screw up quickly. Current reader still works for some format cards, but is slow and on some it just won't work at all. The reader in my laptop no longer works either. And the thing is I have not used them much, they're just crap to start with.<br>

<br />Whereas plugging in my camera, explorer opens almost instantly. Removing the card, inserting into reader, removing, plugging into camera, it's just going to introduce dirt and abrasion, ultimately causing failure. Plugging in my camera is quicker and easier.<br>

If I am shooting so much that I fill my 32 GB card, naturally I have to change it and then use the card reader later. With luck it works but it's not my choice for dumping a few pics, which is what I am usually doing.<br>

As to speed, my computer and readers are all USB 2. The camera seems faster. For me, the card reader is my second choice.<br>

I just wanted to say that a card reader is not always the best choice for everyone. I haven't seen anything in the stores that uses Firewire, which is a pity. I thought it was dead tech, although my computer has it, I've never used it. I don't find moving files to be a big time waster, as I can do something else while it's happening.<br>

Mind, I'm an amateur and I'm sure many Pros have to use card readers all the time. It's just not always the best solution for some people. And using software to 'import' for me, seems extra steps for no reason. Canon software is so clunky and non-intuitive that I prefer to never use it. Plug in camera, see folder, copy folder, done.</p>

<p>I avoid removing the memory card from camera, ever. Too easy to drop or get the card dirty, etc. Card readers are all crap, slow to engage, and unreliable. Importing takes way more time. No way I'm going to rename original files, I want them in order by number in my archives.</p>

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<p>I just upgraded to a 70D from a 40D. I think the 50D would give you better Live View and has higher res and video. The 40D is a fine camera though and a true bargain. I gave mine to a friend because it's just not worth so much, but that doesn't make it less of a great camera.<br>

<br />The 70D is a HUGE step up. Micro focus adjustment might not mean much on an adapted lens but it rocks for me. more MegaPixels means more cropping available at the same quality.<br>

The 40D gets a bit noisy over 400 ISO, the 70D can crank up to 2000 or more ISO. This is like having faster lenses. Now I can shoot long tele shots and actually stop down a bit, use a higher SS, get sharper pics, and more. Higher ISO, less noise might be important to you.<br>

As you move up to the newer EOS models you'll find everything gets better and easier. I would get the latest EOS you can afford. A used 60D should not be that much and you'll get a whole lot more.</p>

 

<p>As an amateur who moved up to a 70D from a 40D, I'm very pleased with my upgrade. I like that I can micro adjust the focus, this alone is worth the upgrade. Low light, high ISO is years ahead of the 40D. I'm shooting at ISO 2000 with my slow tele zooms and loving the results.<br>

One more thing that is a big one for me - the 70D will autofocus at f8, that means I can use my 1.4x on the 75-300 and 100-400 and still have AF. And using a 25mm closeup ring, AF also works.<br>

The LCD is fantastic, swiveling, folding out etc is wonderful at times. I'm not sure I'll take a lot of movies but having the ability is great and the new Live View focus is the way to go with video. I was very pleased with the audio that I got shooting movies, very high quality sound indeed.<br>

<br />The LCD is very useful for seeing shooting info and adjusting things. I think I'll use this feature much more than trying to learn all the buttons etc.<br>

I just ordered an EF-S 10-22 and can't wait to get back into some real wide angle shooting. The plastic body doesn't bother me at all, it's compact and light and appears to be very well made.<br>

I like the locking mode dial, the new AF point button, and the relocated on/off switch is nice. I'm really happy I bought this camera.</p>

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<p>Yes, I'm in Japan and it just arrived. Took one shot then the battery indicated low charge so now I'm waiting for one battery to be fully charged. Did get in one shot at ISO2000 absolutely no noise, hope to post some pics and info later.</p>

<p>Hoping my new 70d can do the milky way better than my old 40d. I found I got a black picture with some stars. Although we're actually in the country I can never more than barely make out the milky way. I'm hoping the camera can show it to me at 15 seconds or less.</p>

<p>I use the EF100-400L IS with a Kenko Pro 1.4x all the time. I use it on birds, I use it anywhere I want. That's because it's a very portable setup, and since I'm not a pro it didn't cost me much either. Autofocus can be possible as well as AF tracking. I prefer manual focus though, especially on larger objects and at a distance. My body is a 40d currently but I used it with my old 10d and it performed well also.<br>

I don't think there are many other options that will give you this kind of FL, at least not that you can carry around and hand hold. And, not many options nearly so cheap either. Because the 100-400 collapses so small I can carry it quite a small bag (Zoomloader) ready to shoot.<br>

I really hate hearing all these negative remarks from those who have never tried this combo. I personally have no desire to carry around a 'megalens' and I have not forgotten how to manual focus. Nor am I a pixel-peeper. The image is what counts and I daresay I can get images with this combo that someone with a megalens and tripod will never get.</p>

 

I shoot everything at the same manual daylight WB. I correct in Capture One when needed. I never use Auto WB, and I never use another setting, cause it's always wrong. Capture One allows me to adjust one and adjust all others I select the same. Much easier than messing around with WB in camera or shooting a white card and using a Custom WB, etc. Concentrate on your shooting, and let the computer do the processing.

I live in Japan. I bought my 10d here, price was about equal to States. But I ordered my 100-400 from Adorama, and even with shipping and duty I saved a few hundred bucks. There are no deals here, all stores sell for the same price. And they don't or won't speak English. I found Bic Camera is the best for selection and price (take a translatator). You can get decent deals on used equipment. They don't sell anything but great condition used stuff, and prices tend to be 1/2 to 3/4 new price, but most are like new. Some Canon equipment here has a Japan only warranty, where as if you buy from the States you get a world wide warranty. Don't ask me why.

don't use an extender on short lenses. Your quality will be total crap. Extenders are made for lenses from 200mm and up.

Manfrotto Carbon One is an excellent, very light monopod. I haven't used it much though, because basically monopods suck. I mean they don't really help you hold the camera steady, but just keep the weight off you, like shooting sports, which I don't do. It's such a pain to carry around and always you are too high, too low, want to shoot straight up etc. I will keep my monopod in case one day it comes in handy but meanwhile I suggest a Canon IS lens.

Scott Eaton Photo.net Anti-Hero blurted out:

"A Canon 50mm 1.8 will make all the lenses David is considering seem like a coke-bottle in comparison. Not sure why you people MUST have zooms, but it's your monely to waste until Canon finally produces a series of zooms (and primes) worthy of their dSLRs."

 

Ha! hahahaha. Show us the photos!

 

Seriously, you're some young punk who's anal sharpness phobia is overwhelming your shooting ability or your ability to think past sharpness. How many great photos have you seen lately shot at 50mm?

 

I got rid of my 50/1.4 after getting a used 28-135 IS and finding out the zoom is sharp enough for me. I didn't like the shallow DOF and changing lenses all the time. Or carrying an extra lens I didn't use much.

 

Here's a test for you. Shoot both the 50/1.8 and the 28-135 IS at 50mm, f8 on a tripod and then come back here and admit that you could not tell the difference. Or, just go to Photodo, read the stats and shut the F up.

 

Then try shooting the 50 at 28mm, 100mm, or 135mm and report back :-)

 

Coke bottle indeed. Moron.