Which DSLR?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Col.Coleman

The only lens that is EFS is the 10-22mm. all the rest are EF Luxury lenses. The reason I included that lens is the optics are reported as decent and with the 1.6x of the 40D, the 16 or 17 isn't as wide as I would like. Have been playing with my mates Leica and a 7-14 lens., so the 10 ends up at around 16. The 17-40 I plan to be the only lens I take on hikes and a converter. 24-105 will be on the frame 90% of the time for around home and portrait shots and the like. The sole reason for the 70-200 is for sport.
The zoom with your feet idea is fine, but sometimes sidelines on fields, fast moving vehicles you do not want to get run over by, and cliff faces do not always allow this.
I only plan to use 1 lens at any given time, NOT lug them around.

I value your input and will investigate this further. I just can't afford a 1D. Even this is a stretch to try and get a complete system.

CC

---

I would say take one of 17-40 or the 10-22, and I would take the 10-22 as it covers much the same range esp with your 24-105.

The 10-22 is a great lens, I've shot a cover with it and many other mag shots. The 70-200 does an excellent portrait by the way. If I was hiking I'd take the 24-105.

Ignore the 1D for the moment. Very big heavy camera and if you aren't experienced with DSLRs it'll take forever to learn it all.

EF-S lenses will be around for quite a while yet, have no concern there.

You may plan to take only one lens at a time, but I predict you'll change those plans. The 10-22 is very light and easy to carry with the 24-105 in a hiking backpack.

You also need to budget for:

- bag(s)
- at least 2 x 8Gb CF cards
- at least one spare battery
- lens care materials
- tripod (decent Manfrotto or similar)

etc

Gents, I hear you.
Photography being a very personal beast, I knew that when the question of "what kit" ? was going to get thrown around there were going to be several "ideal" kit bags presented.
I have managed to get mine sorted to suit me, but I must admit I have made several lens purchases which looking back, were made redundant, and only so because what I thought I would enjoy shooting at that time, is no longer relevant.
Colman, from personal experience, if you intend to use F4 glass and than stack it with a teleconverter, it will behave in the realms of F6. You will not like the results, you will have to use a strong flash and bump ISO. So in short the Teleconverter will not work in your favour as a focal lens doubler in all the scenarios. Just be aware of this.:D

The smaller items will take care of themselves once the big $$ items are taken care of. More convenient to pick them up here, as well as bags and filters as the price difference is less.

I do like the grip batteries and don't think they are that much. $180 or so.

Have you seen how much stuff I carry hiking already?:o

CC

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Col.Coleman

The smaller items will take care of themselves once the big $$ items are taken care of. More convenient to pick them up here, as well as bags and filters as the price difference is less.

I do like the grip batteries and don't think they are that much. $180 or so.

Have you seen how much stuff I carry hiking already?:o

CC

---

The standard battery lasts a long time in a DSLR, longer than a compact. Carry a spare in your pocket and a change takes just a few seconds. I have shot literally all day on photoshoots and not used up a full battery. Don't buy a grip just for extended battery life.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ciapek

Gents, I hear you.
Photography being a very personal beast, I knew that when the question of "what kit" ? was going to get thrown around there were going to be several "ideal" kit bags presented.
I have managed to get mine sorted to suit me, but I must admit I have made several lens purchases which looking back, were made redundant, and only so because what I thought I would enjoy shooting at that time, is no longer relevant.
Colman, from personal experience, if you intend to use F4 glass and than stack it with a teleconverter, it will behave in the realms of F6. You will not like the results, you will have to use a strong flash and bump ISO. So in short the Teleconverter will not work in your favour as a focal lens doubler in all the scenarios. Just be aware of this.:D

---

The teleconverter is intended for full sun sport(soccer) and extra zoom on lookouts and such (conditions willing). I am aware of the f stop reductions with teleconverters.
I feel I can get away with f4 glass on the smaller focal points as I don't expect to try to get action in low light when using these lenses, hence the reason for the 2.8 in the 70-200. Same with the IS. (I know the others are not available like that anyway)
Also on the subject of primes, The EF 14mm 2.8L , have you seen the price?:(

CC

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rmp

The standard battery lasts a long time in a DSLR, longer than a compact. Carry a spare in your pocket and a change takes just a few seconds. I have shot literally all day on photoshoots and not used up a full battery. Don't buy a grip just for extended battery life.

---

No increased speed as well.

CC

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Col.Coleman

The smaller items will take care of themselves once the big $$ items are taken care of. More convenient to pick them up here, as well as bags and filters as the price difference is less.

I do like the grip batteries and don't think they are that much. $180 or so.

Have you seen how much stuff I carry hiking already?:o

CC

---

I get 90% of my gear from eBay Hong Kong. Have two suppliers who have been awesome, even went as far as using them outside of eBay privately.

Honestly you will love the battery grip, after using it for a while, the camera feels Unnatural without it. All your shooting controls are mirrored onto the grip and there is no need to twist your arms as you try and compose your shots.

I stopped Hiking and started using the Rover to lug all my gear around....lol....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rmp

The standard battery lasts a long time in a DSLR, longer than a compact. Carry a spare in your pocket and a change takes just a few seconds. I have shot literally all day on photoshoots and not used up a full battery. Don't buy a grip just for extended battery life.

---

I can not confirm, but I hear that the LiveView function sucks the battery packs dry relatively quickly...:o

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ciapek

Gents, I hear you.
Photography being a very personal beast, I knew that when the question of "what kit" ? was going to get thrown around there were going to be several "ideal" kit bags presented.
I have managed to get mine sorted to suit me, but I must admit I have made several lens purchases which looking back, were made redundant, and only so because what I thought I would enjoy shooting at that time, is no longer relevant.
Colman, from personal experience, if you intend to use F4 glass and than stack it with a teleconverter, it will behave in the realms of F6. You will not like the results, you will have to use a strong flash and bump ISO. So in short the Teleconverter will not work in your favour as a focal lens doubler in all the scenarios. Just be aware of this.:D

---

I sold my converter for that reason, a zoom with an F of 2.8 is out of the budget plus the crop sensor of 1.6X made it redundant, i used it in Africa with 400 iso film in good light and it was near useless even then.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ciapek

I can not confirm, but I hear that the LiveView function sucks the battery packs dry relatively quickly...:o

---

If its anything like using the lcd of a P&S camera it will suck the life out pretty quick, i think that the liveview sort of defeats the purpose of an SLR anyway .