coming up on 3 weeks, must place B&H order...7/25 It's Here!!!

[cryssi]

Ok, so I'm at work and can't sift through all the old threads to find the ones I posted on... or do you call it lazy?

I've had a few threads on which lens to get (I'm not trying to rehash, honest! If someone wants to link my old thread, please do). 18-135, or 70-300? We have the 18-70 right now.

We will most likely not be at AK very much...I'd really only want the 70-300 for animals, and is it really worth it to carry around that bulk?

One more thing, what is a good strap for the D200? DH has his old strap on the camera, and it's really uncomfortable to me, but that might just be b/c it's kind of long?

Sorry for the rambling...thanks!

 

[mabas9395]

This is a good strap for dSLR's.

http://optechusa.com/product/detail/?PRODUCT_ID=23&PRODUCT_SUB_ID=

 

[go cowboys]

Yekcim sure has posted some great shots with his 70-300 VR. I love my 18-200 VR but it is a bit more expensive than the 70-300. You already have the 18- 70, so the logical lens would then be the 70-300, but if you can get the VR. Beach camera has it for 469.00 right now, same with B&H.

It sure is fun to get new gear isn't it?

 

[cryssi]

I know. YEKCIM has also nearly convinced me to get the 18-135mm...

I've been asking pretty much the same questions here since we found out we were going to WDW back in January... LOL DH told me to get "whatever I needed (wanted?)" b/c he didn't get his XH-A1...

On the B&H list:

-sd600 underwater housing
-50mm 1.8 (b/c is it really worth an extra almost $200 for a 1.4?)
-some kind of expensive lens, pending my decision

we like to buy toys...lol

 

[Lizziejane]

Well, I'm in the 17-85 or 28-135 quandry, BUT I do have the 70-300 IS lens and not a single animal picture from AK from our trip in January! I used the lens a lot in Epcot, mostly for the details on the buildings. It's certainly not an everyday, walk-about lens. It is bulky and heavy - I personally wouldn't even think of a 300 without the IS. But I do love having it available. I've used it to shoot foot races; a penning competition; my friend riding around a huge arena; and some great shots off our balcony at BWV across to the Yacht Club!

I'd say, if you already have 17-80 covered, go for the extra reach in the 300.

Jane

 

[cryssi]

my biggest beef with the 18-70 is that my images are kind of soft. however, I believe I've stated before that it may be user error...

one more thing...do you all buy the USA or imported? Do you spend the extra $10, $20, $30, etc. for USA? Or does it matter from B&H?

 

[Master Mason]

personally I only buy USA stuff, worth the extra few bucks to me for the piece of mind.

 

[go cowboys]

personally I only buy USA stuff, worth the extra few bucks to me for the piece of mind.

Agree!!!

 

[cryssi]

well, I've procrastinaed, and put it off, and...STILL have not ordered... dangit, now I will have to get 2-day shipping and pay $25...well, it's better than paying $50+ in tax, I guess.

I think I've decided on the 70-300 VR...I was relatively happy with the 18-70 this past weekend, so hopefully the 70-300 will get some use.

I'm debating the 50mm 1.8 now, because it doesn't sound like you all use it much at WDW. I'm not planning to take indoor ride shots. I'd like nighttime shots, but do you think I'd be covered with what I'm planning? Not like an extra $118 is going to break the bank, but I have to save something for my next order...right...?? Next time I want MACRO...lol

I'm thinking that you guys think that I'm full of discarded mickey bar wrappers, but I swear I DO have a camera and AM gettiing a lens! ROFL

 

[kmadams]

well, I've procrastinaed, and put it off, and...STILL have not ordered... dangit, now I will have to get 2-day shipping and pay $25...well, it's better than paying $50+ in tax, I guess.

I think I've decided on the 70-300 VR...I was relatively happy with the 18-70 this past weekend, so hopefully the 70-300 will get some use.

I'm debating the 50mm 1.8 now, because it doesn't sound like you all use it much at WDW. I'm not planning to take indoor ride shots. I'd like nighttime shots, but do you think I'd be covered with what I'm planning? Not like an extra $118 is going to break the bank, but I have to save something for my next order...right...?? Next time I want MACRO...lol

I'm thinking that you guys think that I'm full of discarded mickey bar wrappers, but I swear I DO have a camera and AM gettiing a lens! ROFL

Cryssi,

Good luck with this choice! I'm trying to decide between the 70-300 and 18-200 also. I really want the 18-200, as it's a good all around travel lens, and I never switch lens so I think I would miss the wide angle. But the price is cheaper on the 70-300, it also seems to be a good lens (I to already have the 18-70). Then last week I read a post about the Sigma 10-20, and now I want that too....

FYI, I also have the 50mm, but rarely use it. It's very sharp, and great in low light, but again, I try to travel as lightly as possible, so that means only one lens goes to the parks with me (I'm a wimp about carrying anything heavy).

 

[jann1033]

Well, I'm in the 17-85 or 28-135 quandry, BUT I do have the 70-300 IS lens and not a single animal picture from AK from our trip in January! I used the lens a lot in Epcot, mostly for the details on the buildings. It's certainly not an everyday, walk-about lens. It is bulky and heavy - I personally wouldn't even think of a 300 without the IS. But I do love having it available. I've used it to shoot foot races; a penning competition; my friend riding around a huge arena; and some great shots off our balcony at BWV across to the Yacht Club!

I'd say, if you already have 17-80 covered, go for the extra reach in the 300.

Jane

if you think the 70-300 is heavy the 28-135 is only a few oz lighter, imo not enough to really notice. don't know how much the 17-85 weighs.

 

[Anewman]

Well, I'm in the 17-85 or 28-135 quandry, BUT I do have the 70-300 IS lens and not a single animal picture from AK from our trip in January! I used the lens a lot in Epcot, mostly for the details on the buildings. It's certainly not an everyday, walk-about lens. It is bulky and heavy

If you are considering those two you might want to think about this one

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=246&sort=7&cat=43&page=1

I just ordered it from Beach last night, I will post some samples as soon as I receive it(Expect it within a week).

Just to get an indication of size

Pictured above from left to right are the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Lens, Tamron SP 28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di Lens, Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens and Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens.

 

[YEKCIM]

Guess I'll go ahead and weigh in on this, particularly since there were a couple references to my equipment early-on in the thread. I took all three lenses with me each day: 18-135, 70-300VR, and 50mm f/1.8, and used all three, although the 50mm was of limited utilty (mainly on Great Movie Ride). I would not have wanted to be w/o either of the zooms but, since you already have the 18-70, the 70-300VR is the most logical choice. I used both zooms a great deal, but my best images were from the 70-300VR. That is solely due to my shooting style, however, as the 18-135mm is a stellar lens, at least where sharpness is concerned. I personally tend more toward the longer focal lengths and found myself in the 200-300mm range on the VR lens quite a bit. Yes, the 70-300 is a big chunk of lens to carry around, but in retrospect, I would have missed a lot of my best shots w/o it. For me, it was almost essential to carry both. Changing lenses was a pain, but manageable, and I tried to use a nearby WDW trash can, with its flat top, to place one lens while mounting or dismounting the other, and that worked pretty well. I tried to be very careful in handling lenses, so as not to drop one (disaster) and tried to hold the camera, mount-down to avoid dust as much as possible. No dust noted, thusfar. I used my Rocket Blower once during the week, as an eyelash hair (or that's what it looked like) got on the mirror (not the sensor). I blew off the sensor pretty good, too, just for good measure. If you don't have a blower, I STRONGLY suggest you get one.

Hope this helps. Looking forward to some stellar images when you get back!

Here's an example of what the 70-300VR is capable of, btw:

~YEKCIM

 

[cryssi]

You know, YEKCIM, every pic you post makes me want to out and dump more money on glass...I hope my pics are half as good...

 

[cryssi]

btw, I am planning to have DH carry around the camera bag...

 

[mabas9395]

You know, YEKCIM, every pic you post makes me want to out and dump more money on glass...I hope my pics are half as good...

Every picture he posts makes ME want to throw my glass in the trash. Don't think I'm ever going to get there.

 

[YEKCIM]

You know, YEKCIM, every pic you post makes me want to out and dump more money on glass...I hope my pics are half as good...

Every picture he posts makes ME want to throw my glass in the trash. Don't think I'm ever going to get there.

You are both very kind and I appreciate the compliments. Keep in mind, though, that I shot somewhere around 2600 pix at WDW last week, and *I* get to choose which ones you see! I have lots of crummy ones that nobody sees but me!

In all seriousness, I'm just completely thrilled with the capabilities of the D50 and the lenses I was fortunate enough to be able to obtain. WDW is so full of great photo ops. Coupled with good gear (though not pro level by any means), one could hardly miss getting a few keepers.

Good luck with the 70-300VR. It is a great lens, and I'm absolutely certain that you will LOVE it!

~Ed

 

[cryssi]

I did it! Hope it was the right one...lol Should arrive on Wednesday!

 

[YEKCIM]

WooHoo! Can't wait to see some shots from you new lens. You won't want to take it off!

~Ed

 

[cryssi]

woo hoo! shipped!

hope I can live up to the hype...lol