Hi Everyone
I am getting closer to getting the Canon 7D and the 300mm prime lens with the extender so I thought today I would take a trip to Calumet in Edinburgh and get a quotation.
I was able to hold the 7D which was brill but they had no lenses on display for me to try. The quotation was £40 dearer than WEX for the same order but I have been offered an extended warranty on the camera body and 300mm lens although on my quotation sheet they have only mentioned the lens so will have to double check. I am preferring Calumet and the assistant did say that if I was not happy with the lens I would receive a full refund ie no postage hassle if returned within 14 days!
My first question is are these extended warranties worth it or should I save the £40 at WEX and get a free bag too!
My next question - has anyone gone through Gatwick or Heathrow and seen the 7D in the duty free?I know the big white lenses are not there!
I saw a monopod and head that I liked. Has anyone bought them or could anyone recommend something better. I liked the tripod as it has extending feet which if you are standing still for an hour it could help the weight a bit. I have used the amazon sight just to show you all what I saw.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-Midi-Ball-Head-RC2/dp/B002PWHOYG/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1371058733&sr=8-11&keywords=manfrotto+heads
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-682B-Self-Standing-Monopod/dp/B000186QGI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371058792&sr=8-1&keywords=monopod+manfrotto+682b
Thanks for all your help again.
Can't really comment on the extended warranty - I tend not to bother with them for anything as I know how keen shops are to sell them (ie they get good commission on warranties, so selling them is more for their benefit than yours). However, they can give peace of mind so that's personal choice. As WEX is only an hour's drive away from me I tend to head there anyway :-)
I'm pretty sure that when I've looked in airports, camera kit is just as expensive as it is from regular UK dealers, but someone else may have better info on that.
Regarding the monopod, not sure how useful the little legs would be. The 7D + 300mm lens isn't a toy and I'd be very cautious about trusting the weight to those legs, though I guess it may just need a loose hold to remain upright rather than a firm grasp (if that makes sense). It does sound very heavy though - I use a Giottos monopod that's extra long (I'm 6ft) yet is half the weight and half the price. And has a 5 year guarantee.
The ball head will probably be fine (though again, see what Giottos do). I've recently swapped from a Giottos ball head which I'd used for a number of years with the 100-400 to a specific monopod head, which only tilts. This isn't a limiting factor as you can obviously twist the whole monopod round. What you can't do is drop the camera into portrait orientation, so a ball head may be best for you. I only swapped because the ball head wasn't man enough for my Big White, whereas the Kirk head I now have is (and is also Arca-Swiss to match the lens plate and Wimberley....er, I'm getting geeky now, aren't I? Sorry!)).
Anyway, one piece of advice I would give is to think about what tripod you may have in future (or specifically what tripod head). If you can get compatible quick release plates between mono and tripods, it makes life soooo much easier!
___
Find me on Flickr / All about your camera - The Getting off Auto Index
Yo Lolly, Doggie and I won our bet then. I seem to remember saying you would be getting 7d etc a month or two back, I accept cheques, lol.
On your ? front. I use Manfrotto Mono679B, with GiottoMH7001 ball head. This will hold you intended kit nicely, and has a quick release plate. The Manfrotto XProB is a good mid weight tripod, and stick the same ball head on this will give you all you need. My wife, 5 foot 3, thats not her name, uses this kit without complaining about the weight. I use a larger Redsnapper Tripod, cos I am 6 foot 2, so need the extra height at times. Everyone will have their own preferences, but these kits have served us well so far.
I M H O, don't bother with "legs" on a monopod, you will be tempted to use them, and the results could be catastrophic. NEVER EVER let go of a monopod.
I also would not bother with the so called "free" extended warranty, (you are paying for it), Wex is a genuine dealer, and hard to beat for price, (no grey imports) and service. I have lost count of how many thousands I have spent with them. ( Hark at me).
A decent kit will last years, and serve you well. Keep us posted as to what you decide.
Just read the previous posts 3 of them since I started this one. You can't swap heads easily from pod to pod, cos they are meant to be fixed. Buy 2 the same, it will make life easy.
Take care all, Stich.
My gallery Here Flickr Here
Yep u got it. You can keep one plate on the camera body( for short lenses) and one on the big white shoe.
As the guys have said, whilst it is certainly possible to swap a head between mono & tripod (they all use the same threaded bolt, either 1/4 or 3/8") it quickly becomes really aggravating. Two heads and additional quick release plates are definitely the way to go!
I have the MH1300-621, which has a longer QR plate and separate locking and friction controls (like the other series 2s). I do find that useful as it allows a bit more fine control over the movement than a single knob (you need the camera to be moveable but not floppy when using it) but it is a heavier head (and yes, you do notice the weight difference when carrying it about all day!). Not all series 2s are as weighty though.
I too have a set of Manfrotto legs (055XPROB) - good solid legs that are reasonably priced (compared to some!) though not the lightest if you want to carry them long distances. Carbon Fibre wins the lightweight contest there, but the price rises quickly. There is a heck of a choice in tripods though, just watch your loading (for legs and heads) and make sure you get something rated for at least double the weight you expect to use on them. A good tripod will last donkey's years, so it's worth getting something half decent if possible. Mind you, don't think it's the only one you'll ever buy - you do tend to end up with a few for different purposes :-)
That shopping list is getting longer isn't it? Don't forget a CF card for the 7D - SD cards won't fit!
Slightly digressing from Monopods, I saw this lightweight tripod advertised on Wex this morning for half price ............. I wanted something light enough to carry on my walks and wondered if it would be strong enough for general use ? For home use I would use a heavier, more solidly built tripod, just welcome your general views on it for hiking purposes. Cheers :)
CLICK HERE
_____________________________________
Regards, Hazel
Without seeing it in the flesh , so to speak , it's hard to be sure but I suspect a monopod would give as much support to your heavy gear without having to fiddle with extending three legs. It's half price for a reason I expect.
On the subject of monopods , I've never found a ballhead to be necessary or paticularly useful on one. Personally I prefer a tripod with a gimbal head for birding. There are plusses and minuses with all systems.
My gallery here
Checkout the forums' Community HOMEPAGE for lots of interesting posts from other members.
Much appreciated Galatas, thanks for your views, I do think in hindsight, I would prefer a solid monopod for taking out on the walks, as you say it would give me much the same support and easier to use without the fiddling around ! I will take a look at those and maybe the gimbal head attachment. Cheers again :)
You won't want a gimbal head on a monopod : -)
I guess you need the stability of the three legs to operate the gimbal ? I am currently looking at different combos, it's like a mine field LOL do want quick release plate, that much I do know !
I am beginning to think a trip to a photographic store would be helpful to try out different combos and see what feels right.
I want something I could keep the camera attached to so it's ready for use immediately; monopod would suit for constantly being on the move but has to be solid enough to take up to a 400mm zoom; I see people carrying the scopes over their shoulder on mono's; I would have preferred to buy a decent "head" which would suit both mono and tripod with quick release plate when on a tripod. Carbon fibre 'pods being lighter for travel would be ideal. It's looking like I need to buy a decent mono and a tripod; I use my cheapo in the garden all the time but it has it's restrictions. Won't rush into anything but I want to build up my kit bit by bit, buying quality products at an affordable price; I have found buying cheap doesn't pay off long term so will be looking mid range for all items. Slowly slowly .......more research and a trip to a dedicated store I think would be order of the day as long as the sales people are photographers themselves and are clued up on the subject. It only took me 6 months to buy the macro lens LOL !!