Advice on gear...

decimal

Heading to NY in September and I've been making out a shortlist of what I want to get, but I'm looking for some advice! So far, this is my gear....

Canon 40D
Tamron 17-50mm 2.8
Canon 50mm 1.8 (still waiting on this, stuck in customs:()
SanDisk 4GB Extreme III
Lowepro Slingshow AW200
Cheap-ass Tripod, lol

Yes, don't laugh! I've waiting for this trip for far too long and been drooling over B&H's for too long. I pretty much wanna buy a decent bit of gear. So far, my shopping list consists of....


EF 100 f/2.8 USM Macro
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

I want a decent zoom lens, the two I've been looking at so far are:

EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM
EF 70-200 f/4L

The big thing about these decision is the IS, the IS is supposed to be great on the 70-300mm, which I think I'd really like (I don't want to lug a tripod around with me). I'm not into sports or wildlife, I just want a decent zoom lens, so maybe with the extra 100mm and IS, should I consider turning my back on an L lens? Or am I crazy for even questioning it? There's $50 in the difference in price, so that doesn't come into it.

I really want to take advantage of the exchange rate, buy some decent gear and not come home regretting missing a bargain when I had the chance.

Buying this lot will cost around €1200, I can't affford to go above €1500 (TBH, can't affford to go above a grand!). If you were in my shoes, what would you be setting your sights on? I have this horrible feeling that a month after I get back, I'll regret not buying something over there.


Thanks in advance!

challengemaster

70-200 f/2.8 L - should be covered in that jump from 1200 to 1500 too.

70-300's are bleh.. Can't say no to L glass You may not be into sports or wildlife (yet) but, the 70-200L is also a very good portrait lens. It's good for low light due to the f/2.8, its just a generally very useful lens. It's what I'd have my sights set on tbh, esp if you can afford it.

also order about 2+ memory cards online. I could never live on 1 card only :eek:

You'll need the extra memory for NY, for what I've heard.. your finger will have RSI too

decimal

challengemaster wrote: »

70-200 f/2.8 L - should be covered in that jump from 1200 to 1500 too.

70-300's are bleh.. Can't say no to L glass You may not be into sports or wildlife (yet) but, the 70-200L is also a very good portrait lens. It's good for low light due to the f/2.8, its just a generally very useful lens. It's what I'd have my sights set on tbh, esp if you can afford it.

Oh, how I would love that, but way too pricey for me Would you recommend the f4 L over the 70-300 IS?

challengemaster wrote: »

also order about 2+ memory cards online. I could never live on 1 card only :eek:

Defo! Is it best to have, say an 8GB card or 2 x 4GB cards?

challengemaster wrote: »

You'll need the extra memory for NY, for what I've heard.. your finger will have RSI too

I know! I want to try and set a shopping list in stone and still have my kneecaps when I get back!

challengemaster

decimal wrote: »

Oh, how I would love that, but way too pricey for me Would you recommend the f4 L over the 70-300 IS?

I'm not too sure about the f4 version, tbh. Other members might know / give a better comparison..

Defo! Is it best to have, say an 8GB card or 2 x 4GB cards?

The more cards the better. Means if one gets banjaxed you've more you can use. I think I've about 6-7 cards atm, 2x4gb attached to my keychain, one in the camera, and another few in the bag. 3 or 4 are 4gb, there's a 2gb and 2x1gb or something like that. I'd go for the 2x4gb tbh

I know! I want to try and set a shopping list in stone and still have my kneecaps when I get back!

Have a good time, is the most important thing

RoryW

...and dont forget to budget for Irish VAT and customs duty payable on your return with this lot..

See post by DarrenG on this
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=55183926&postcount=22



...:eek:

padi89

decimal wrote: »

Canon 50mm 1.8 (still waiting on this, stuck in customs:()

Can i ask where you purchased the 50mm from?

rgiller

padi89 wrote: »

Can i ask where you purchased the 50mm from?

I got mine from digital rev's euro store on ebay. It was €67 delivered but I also got stuck for customs. That was €20. Still, €87 is a lot cheaper than you'll find it here

AnimalRights

You will love the 100mm 2.8 Macro.
It has so many uses, you can obviously use it for Macro but it's a great portrait lens and I even used it for a gig last weekend.

decimal

challengemaster wrote: »

The more cards the better. Means if one gets banjaxed you've more you can use. I think I've about 6-7 cards atm, 2x4gb attached to my keychain, one in the camera, and another few in the bag. 3 or 4 are 4gb, there's a 2gb and 2x1gb or something like that. I'd go for the 2x4gb tbh

Cool, was thinking about getting 1 8GB card, think I'll switch to 2x4GB

RoryW wrote: »

...and dont forget to budget for Irish VAT and customs duty payable on your return with this lot..

See post by DarrenG on this
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=55183926&postcount=22

Cheers, thanks, just had a look at it. One question though, how/when do you declare what stuff you've bought? I'm going to be bringing my lot back as hand luggage

padi89 wrote: »

Can i ask where you purchased the 50mm from?

Bought it from kea photo, been stuck up in customs since last thursday, just got the letter today

AnimalRights wrote: »

You will love the 100mm 2.8 Macro.
It has so many uses, you can obviously use it for Macro but it's a great portrait lens and I even used it for a gig last weekend.

I can't wait to get my hands on it, although I expect I won't be using it as much when I'm over there, I think I'll be using the 10-22 the most for the UWA shots of buildings.

challengemaster

Eh, you dont declare stuff you bought. Atleast I didn't in china/HK. Stick it in a camera bag and carry on. Nothing was said to me...

decimal

challengemaster wrote: »

Eh, you dont declare stuff you bought. Atleast I didn't in china/HK. Stick it in a camera bag and carry on. Nothing was said to me...

I flew into washington once and had to declare the items I was bringing into the US, I brought back a lot of stuff and nothing was said to me. Nothing was said to me when I went to NY last time either, no mention of declaring anything or anywhere I noticed that I should be declaring any items I bought. I'm wondering if it'll still be the case when i go over again

challengemaster

decimal wrote: »

I noticed that I should be declaring any items I bought. I'm wondering if it'll still be the case when i go over again

Keyword..

decimal

:D