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.
Lolly. Re macro lens. I have a Sigma 105 macro lens, which is also ideal as a portrait lens. 105 on my Nikon, is equal to 157 on full frame, so can certainly be used as a short telephoto. If you use a 60mm macro, (90equivilent) it would still be o k at closeish range. I have only used it in emergencies, for anything other than extreme closeups, cos lets be honest, if you are birding, you would have a longer lens attached. Just to throw another spanner in. An extention ring will often turn a longish lens into a macro lens, but focus is difficult.
Take care all, Stich.
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Birds in garden with a macro lens? Hmm, unlikely. OK, maybe for those LTT eating pastry from hands, but normal stuff? Nope, that 300-400mm is what you need if you want to fill the frame. Unless you have Golden Eagles visit your garden of course!
I don't think you'll go wrong with the monopod - I've used mine for several years now without mishap. It's been soaked in the rain, stood in water, sand and mud, dropped a few times on rocks, fended off brambles and been used as a walking stick. Doesn't seem to have been affected!
Regarding lightweight tripods - I have a small lightweight Velbon similar to the one Hazy links to. It's really for use with the telescope and in-the-field macro, it isn't man enough for the longer lenses. It's too low for general use anyway (raising the centre column on any tripod is best avoided, it'll wobble). I certainly doubt it would be very good as a walkabout type 'pod. If you're after something you can hang on your shoulder with a 400mm lens attached, look at Gitzo legs as the Rolls Royce and work down. Expensive but very good.
A gimbal head on a monopod might be rather fun - well, for everyone watching :-) Superb on a tripod though. Makes even the biggest of lenses a doddle to use.
If I'm walking with a mono, I don't normally leave the lens attached. I carry the 'pod in one hand, or use it like a walking stick. The camera is round my neck with the lens foot hooked into a bit of webbing joined to my rucksack strap. This takes most of the weight (camera and 100-400 gets a bit much round your neck alone) and hangs by itself, so leaving a hand free for binoculars, gates etc
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Thanks for all the helpful info Joe, when it comes to suitable mono's and tripods, I am at square one as I have always hand held my camera when out on walks. Only have 300mm zoom at moment, plus 100mm f2.8 macro (both Canon "red line") (but need to think about future 400mm) !!
@ Lolly, only taken a few flowers in macro so far and for those the shots are better using a tripod, won't be using it for birds unless, as Joe says, the LTT's return for their pastry !! I also wanted the macro for portraits (family stuff) as it gives such wonderful detail and shows all the wrinkles LOL !! could have some fun compiling a rogue's gallery of the rellies !!
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Regards, Hazel
Hazy. Wot f number is your 300? You may be better off attaching an extender, 1.4 would give you a 420 lens. Cheaper too.
Unfortunately Stich, I could only afford the f4-5.6 !! don't think the auto-focus would work with the extender unless it was the f2.8
Thinking, I would end up buying the 400 prime at a later date ...........but not for a year and hopefully after the new version Canon 7D is out lol saving my pennies now !
Hazy, yep you would prob lose a f at 300 end. You might be interested to know, my wife uses a 300mm, I use a 400mm. With careful cropping in p s, I can get her photos to match mine, (distance wise) without degrading the photo. This makes me wonder if the expense of buying a 400, when you already own a 300, is worth it. Just a thought. Course you could be 'loadsamoney', in which case, fill yer boots. Lol.
Got to say I love my 300mm lens and it gives good images .......assuming I get the settings right LOL, Like Lolly, I would stick to Canon quality lenses but as much as I would like the 400m f2.8, don't think the price tag would make my bank manager smile much lol I'm with you Lolly, if I turned robber, I would grab the "L" series lenses and a few 1DX or 5D III bodies and I still like the 7D !! I don't mind parking in the normal spots, besides, it's good exercise and I'd hate to pinch the space of someone who really needs it ! Funny thing, talking of car spaces; in Australia they had "Senior" parking as well as the Disabled spaces so hubby, who turned 60 whilst were living out there, was able to park close to the Mall entrance ! now why haven't UK got "Senior" spaces ? lol maybe 'cos we have too many over 60's ;)
Yep, I had to do same last year when I was on crutches after broken metatarsal, I didn't like to use disabled spaces if there was a Mother and baby space free .....even though I was temporarily disabled ! I remember going to the zoo to take photos, with my then new camera/lens and used one of the electric scooters to get round ..........never had so much fun, new camera, new lens and a scooter which zoomed too LOL
Must find someone to borrow that 400 f/5.6 from - it's meant to be THE BiF lens as it's so light and sharp. No need for IS when you've got the shutter speed right up high :-) Think I've already exceeded my photography budget this year though :-)
Oh - Bob's reminded me - avoid centre poles on tripods (well, avoid using them where possible), but you may find tripods with a hook underneath. You can hang a weight from that (eg your camera bag) and that will help stabilise the tripod. Very useful, especially when it's a bit windy