:-D - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

12/17/2004 04:47:10 AM · #1

YES, guess what my other half took delivery of this morning? (hint, look to the left under my name!)
the battery is charging as we speak, and I'm going to be shooting a gig tonight... I'm pretty excited!

Message edited by author 2004-12-17 04:47:31.

e301

12/17/2004 04:53:25 AM · #2

Congratulations Bobster; you're actually going to wait until this evening to use it?

Jacko

Canon EOS-20D

12/17/2004 05:59:59 AM · #3

Very cool. New toys rock. Very interesting camera.

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/17/2004 06:04:35 AM · #4

Congrats! Woo hoo!

Jacko, got that 24-70 f/2.8 yet?

Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS

12/17/2004 06:18:59 AM · #5

Originally posted by e301:

Congratulations Bobster; you're actually going to wait until this evening to use it?

Yeah, I know... I have a part-time job that keeps me busy on Fridays, then I'm teaching for a few hours as soon as I finish work, then I'm finally free at 8:30pm! Luckily, there are a couple of bands playing (at 8:30!) that might want to buy some photos, so we'll see if the Minolta can start paying it's way!

docpjv

Fujifilm X-E1

12/17/2004 06:21:25 AM · #6

Congratulations, may the good photo spirit be with you ....! And share the gig-pics, please.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

12/17/2004 06:52:02 AM · #7

Thanks for the encouragement guys,
I'll post pics as soon as I can.
BTW, how come every camera I've ever owned has no picture in DPC? (OptioS, FZ10, Minolta 7D) Is it just me, or does virtually every other camera on the planet have an illustrative pic when looking it up in DPC?

Jacko

Canon EOS-20D

12/17/2004 06:57:39 AM · #8

Is that the camera with internal Image Stabilisation?

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/17/2004 07:32:55 AM · #9

Originally posted by Jacko:

Is that the camera with internal Image Stabilisation?

yup

MikeO

Fujifilm x100

12/17/2004 07:40:16 AM · #10

Well done Bob! Now you will need a trailer to carry all your cameras about with you!

Mike

saintnicholas_25

Sony DSC-P73

12/17/2004 07:53:08 AM · #11

Congradulations

Oh yeh - I waz looking through BobsterLobster and Jacko bio and I noticed
that both of them have won a blue ribbon with an blue dragonfly

Jacko

BobsterLobster

lol - this way they can shoot the same thing playing tribute to each other and not themselves :p for the Deja Vu Challege

Message edited by author 2004-12-17 07:54:42.

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

12/17/2004 08:12:52 AM · #12

Originally posted by saintnicholas_25:

Congradulations

Oh yeh - I waz looking through BobsterLobster and Jacko bio and I noticed
that both of them have won a blue ribbon with an blue dragonfly

Jacko

BobsterLobster

lol - this way they can shoot the same thing playing tribute to each other and not themselves :p for the Deja Vu Challege

Yeah, I was doing quite well with my insect macros until Jacko came along and stole all my thunder, big time! Just you wait until I get myself a macro lens for my 7D... :-)

Just tried the camera this lunchtime... I think adding the strap is one of the hardest photographic achievements I've ever completed! Wow, it is beautiful though... I'll let you see some photos ASAP (and yep, I set the date AND time!).

aKiwi

Canon EOS-7D

12/17/2004 08:31:35 AM · #13

Congratulations.
Look foreward to hearing your reports on the camera and IS function. Could save megga$$ on lenses.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/17/2004 08:36:42 AM · #14

Originally posted by aKiwi:

Congratulations.
Look foreward to hearing your reports on the camera and IS function. Could save megga$$ on lenses.

That's why I went for it! Also, the noise is equivalent to a 20D. I've handled a 10D on a shoot, and I have to say that I FAR prefer the feel of the Minolta. I'm not a fan of menus, and I love that the Minolta has buttons for virtually every function on the body. Very intuitively done as well... when I tried it in the shop, I could work out most of the functions without having to read the manual.

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

12/17/2004 08:49:29 AM · #15

Originally posted by aKiwi:

Congratulations.
Look foreward to hearing your reports on the camera and IS function. Could save megga$$ on lenses.

Uh no. Buy the camera because you like the features not because you think you are going to save money on the lenses, cuz you are not. For example Minolta's 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom costs US$1899.95, the equivalent Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L WITH IS costs US$1649.95...savings? Yes if you go with Canon. The Minolta 7D is a great camera I'm sure, but like I said, buy it because you like the features, NOT because you think you are going to save money on the lenses.

EddyG

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

12/17/2004 08:55:01 AM · #16

And don't forget that at least with the Canon system, you can actually see the Image Stabilization working in the viewfinder, so it really is "what you see is what you get" (one of the hallmarks of a real optical viewfinder). On the 7D, the stabilization is invisible, so you won't know how effective it was until you have time to review the shots... (and the CF write speeds are glacial compared to the current offerings from Canon, which means you won't be reviewing the shots any time soon...)

By the way, in reference to "buttons for virtually every function on the body"... there is a reason why Canon's 1-series bodies use the simple interface that they do (no knobs that you twist to select modes, etc.) -- it prevents accidental changes to camera settings. Everything is a button (except for the quick-control dials) that uses a push-and-hold type interface so you can't accidentally change any camera settings, i.e. your shooting mode from aperture priority to manual, or change the ISO, or the focus mode, or the white balance, etc...

This design is the result of years of feedback from pros in the field (well before digital, since Canon's 1-series film bodies use the same interface) who often shoot with multiple bodies and have to be able to quickly grab the body with the right lens and "know" that nothing has changed since the last time they shot it. (i.e. rubbing up against clothing, a passer-by in tight quarters, etc.)

Message edited by author 2004-12-17 09:17:29.

12/17/2004 09:10:18 AM · #17

Originally posted by doctornick:

Originally posted by aKiwi:
Congratulations.
Look foreward to hearing your reports on the camera and IS function. Could save megga$$ on lenses.

Uh no. Buy the camera because you like the features not because you think you are going to save money on the lenses, cuz you are not. For example Minolta's 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom costs US$1899.95, the equivalent Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L WITH IS costs US$1649.95...savings? Yes if you go with Canon. The Minolta 7D is a great camera I'm sure, but like I said, buy it because you like the features, NOT because you think you are going to save money on the lenses.

If I was buying top end lenses, I'd have gone for the Canon system. However, at the bottom to mid-end Minolta lenses are much better quality and value for money. In fact, Minolta lenses are consistently rated better that Canon and Nikon, so maybe that price you quoted might even be worth it for a top end lens. I've researched the lenses I'm going for thoroughly, and I am saving myself a STACK of money by going down this route in the long term.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

12/17/2004 09:20:07 AM · #18

Originally posted by EddyG:

And don't forget that at least with the Canon system, you can actually see the Image Stabilization working in the viewfinder, so it really is "what you see is what you get" (one of the hallmarks of a real optical viewfinder). On the 7D, the stabilization is invisible, so you won't know how effective it was until you have time to review the shots... (and the CF write speeds are glacial compared to the current offerings from Canon, which means you won't be reviewing the shots any time soon...)

By the way, in reference to "buttons for virtually every function on the body"... there is a reason why Canon's 1-series bodies use the simple interface that they do (no knobs that you twist to select modes, etc.) -- it prevents accidental changes to camera settings. Everything is a button (except for the quick-control dials) that uses a push-and-hold type interface so you don't accidentally change your shooting mode from aperture priority to manual, or accidentally change the ISO, or the focus mode, or the white balance, etc...

This design is the result of years of feedback from pros in the field (well before digital, since Canon's 1-series film bodies use the same interface) who often shoot with multiple bodies and have to be able to quickly grab the body with the right lens and "know" that nothing has changed since the last time they shot it. (i.e. rubbing up against clothing, a passer-by in tight quarters, etc.)

I'm well used to using 'invisible' IS by using my FZ10... you get better results from IS on the FZ10 by only letting it activate when you press the shutter. Actually, I prefer the system where bars on the right of the viewfinder show how hard the IS is working. Otherwise, you're never EXACTLY certain how well the IS has worked when you've pressed the shutter.

I'm quite happy with the write speeds... you only notice the difference after taking 3 shots a second for 9 shots, then the filled up buffer slows things down. It's very rare that I'd ever want to use a burst mode like that, so the write speeds are never noticeable.

Again, Minolta used virtually the same design for their Digital SLR that they used for their top-end professional film cameras, with lots of feedback from pros in the field... the film cameras are very highly respected and have won loads of awards against the equivalent Canon and Nikon top-end cameras. The buttons are well designed, and won't change parameters when 'knocked'. It really is a camera designed by photographers for photographers, and you won't find a review that says otherwise. It's a proven system that's worked for their film cameras.

The camera is not for everyone... certainly not for Sports shooters, and perhaps not for people who can afford lots of Canon L IS glass, but for everyone else I'm amazed at the criticism this camera comes in for. I've given this decision a lot of thought and research, and I stand by my choice proudly!

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

12/17/2004 09:36:16 AM · #19

Very nice camera Bobster, my buddy at work picked on up a lunch time yesterday. He got all the fixin's, like the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 prime, He got a short Minlolta Zoom 28-70 (I think) and that frickin flash he got must have been about 400 bucks itself. He must have a side job (were only IT guys).

Anyways no work got done in the afternoon needless to say. The IS seems to work great as I was watching him shot handheld at 1/8 sec with no problem.

Built like a tank and as you say with all the dials and buttons could pass for film cam.

My question to you is, what do you think about the weight? Without the vert grip and only the small zoom (sorry I was just so excited to play with it I forgot the specs) it seems to have a couple pounds on my 20D with the kit 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6. Seems like a back breaker for an all day shoot.

EddyG

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

12/17/2004 09:36:27 AM · #20

Originally posted by BobsterLobster:

In fact, Minolta lenses are consistently rated better that Canon and Nikon, so maybe that price you quoted might even be worth it for a top end lens. I've researched the lenses I'm going for thoroughly, and I am saving myself a STACK of money by going down this route in the long term.

Based on your research, I'd be curious to know which Minolta lenses you plan on buying.

BTW, sorry if I implied the interface of the 7D was somehow bad; my comment on the 1-series interface was more of a "while we're on the topic of buttons..." because I've heard complain about the interface on the 1-series cameras and I was offering an explanation.

In terms of IS, I'm just saying that I personally much prefer being able to see the actual image stabilized, and not have to interpret bars in my peripheral vision as I try to compose a shot. If that system works for you, great! I find it somewhat magic to activate the IS and see the viewfinder just stop jumping all over the place when using a telephoto lens hand-held...

12/17/2004 10:33:41 AM · #21

Originally posted by awpollard:

Don't know about the weight... I don't have enough experience to be able to compare for an all-day shoot, but I will carry whatever it takes to get the good shots! I'm not a member of a gym at the moment, so I can see it as free weight training! I have to say that after everything I'd heard, in fact the camera feels very light to me, especially as it gives such an impression of bulk and solidness.

bod

12/17/2004 11:14:18 AM · #22

Obligitary w00t!
Lookin' forward to seeing the results you get with the cam. In fact, I'm willing to bet your first challenge entry will be good enough to get the coveted 'highest rated photo with this camera' ; )

12/17/2004 11:45:12 AM · #23

Originally posted by bod:

I think you might be right, but then I already have that accolade with all my other cameras I've owned, so there! :-p

In fact, I think there should be an invitational challenge for Minolta 7D owners!

About the lenses, I've been reading all sorts of reviews and reading in lots of forums, but this thread is probably one of the most helpful:
//forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1035&message=11374604
Lenses I'll be looking to buy in the near future are the 50mm F1.7, maybe the 28-300 I've been reading about in the forums here for walkabout, and a 100mm macro. I'm going to need a wide-angle but haven't decided how I'm going to approach that yet.

I've just been playing with the 7D in the (very dark) living room, and wow am I pleased I upgraded from the FZ10! The ISO 3200 is cleaner than the ISO 200 I use most of the time on the FZ10 in low light, and the autofocus works very quickly. The IS is amazing... sharp shots at 300mm (450 with 1.5x) at 1/15s... I have steady hands but that is amazing.
I'll let you all see the shots from tonight's gig as soon as I have a chance to process them.