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.
Really great information Bob and Joe, thanks so much for sharing your experience with the different lenses along with photo Bob; with only just forking out £609 for the Canon f2.8 100mm macro it will be a little while before I purchase another lens but I do like to hear of other peoples experiences with various focal lengths, etc., and their views on such, it all helps an overall assessment. The first thing will be the tripod (bearing in mind what you say about avoiding the centre pole, although my semi cheapo has one with a hook for adding a weight to stablilise in windy weather); I tend to only use it around the garden but the next tripod head must have the quick release plate which I think is essential for bird watching when you want to quickly release the camera for hand holding. I still haven't given up the idea of a clay spey mulepack for carrying a tripod rather than monopod on walks as it would be fairly quick to place in position when attached to the mulepack. So much to consider ............... I love my new photography hobby but find there is so very much to learn and with all this helpful advice from Forumites, it makes my task a little lighter, having some extremely useful tips, guidelines and hearing how others get on with their various lenses, tripods, monopods and cameras :) thanks all for all the interesting reading, I have plenty of time before purchasing to consider the options and suggestions.
Just waiting for this relentless rain to stop so I can get my new macro lens attached again and have some much needed practice ;)
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Regards, Hazel
God, this weather is awful Lolly, rain getting heavier here, almost need the lights on it is going so dark ! I would rather have zero degrees, blue sky, even if I have to dress up like an Eskimo and be able to get out on a walk rather than this relentless rain, grey and gloomy conditions :( at least I have no excuse to do the household chores LOL
Rain, wot rain. I just put out a load of washing, so you can keep the rain.
Take care all, Stich.
My gallery Here Flickr Here
LOL Stich, it's been pouring down but just stopped a few minutes ago ! Keep an eye on the washing line as I'm not sure which way the torrential rain is heading !!!
Second load of washing out, lawns mowed, sun shining, happy days.
Rain, wot rain? I've been out photographing Ptarmigan - no rain here!
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Find me on Flickr / All about your camera - The Getting off Auto Index
Last day unfortunately - back to Suffolk tomorrow. So it will rain in the Cairngorms tomorrow, watch out anyone heading this way!
It was lucky - we didn't even know Ptarmigan were there, I'd gone prepared for scenery, not wildlife. Luckily I'd shoved the 100-400 in the bottom of the rucksack just in case!
Here you go....
Hopefully it's ok - not easy editing on the little lappie compared to the big calibrated screen at home!
Oh, ALL the kit came with us - we left clothes behind to make sure it all fitted in the boot of the car! It's just that I didn't fancy lugging the big lens up Cairngorm, so it was a FF + 24-105 for scenery day instead. But I find it difficult to leave the 100-400 behind (it likes the walk) and the opportunity today proves why you should always it along :-)
Having said that, if we'd KNOWN there were Ptarmigan up there, the 600 would have had the walk instead :-)
LOL Joe, have camera will travel ! lovely pic of the Ptarmigan, just goes to show things turn up when we least expect them, that is the beauty of nature and wildlife and when the day turns out to be extra special. Looks like you've had a great holiday and glad you packed the whole kit with the 100-400mm lens :) !