Equipment Questions?!?! - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 500mm f/4.0L IS USM

11/13/2007 07:58:04 PM · #1

Hey Everyone,
Next year I will be taking a trip to London(4-5 days) and Paris (2-3 days) and i figured i would get a super early head start. I'm planning on getting a sigma 70-200mm 2.8 before going, a good tripod, and a good photography backpack. I'm thinking that I will take my camera(of course), the 70-200mm, my 12-24mm, and my 50mm. I was wondering if anyone has advice on a good tripod for a decent price as well as a good bag that will hold those lenses for a decent price. Appreciate any and all assistance,

Thanks,
Ryan

rider

Canon EOS-7D

11/13/2007 08:04:43 PM · #2

I just got 1 of these and like it alotlink

Photologist

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

11/13/2007 08:42:31 PM · #3

Hi Ryan,

Is that Sigma lens the "OS" model? If so, that one has been getting great reviews.

As far as a backpack, will you be carrying a laptop computer? If so, I have had a couple, the Lowepro CompuDaypack and the Tamrac Adventure 9.

I really like the Adventure 9. It is larger than the Lowepro and holds more, if that is what you want. If you want something smaller, then the Lowepro might work for you.

Lowepro CompuDaypack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tamrac Adventure 9

(images courtesy of their respective manufacturers websites)

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Why not visit my online photography portfolio?

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Message edited by author 2007-11-13 20:43:51.

11/13/2007 08:49:40 PM · #4

Originally posted by AperturePriority:

Hi Ryan,

Is that Sigma lens the "OS" model? If so, that one has been getting great reviews.

No, I'll be getting the older version, the one that

hotpasta has. And i won't be taking a computer either, so i'm gonna be looking for something a bit smaller. Thanks for the response.

Originally posted by Rider:

I just got 1 of these and like it alot link

I actually looked at that one, and think i may actually try the 200 AW because I'm looking for a smaller one.

Thanks for the responses, I appreciate it. I'll probably be getting the Slingshot 200 AW for my backpack, but still need advice on a tripod.

11/13/2007 09:00:26 PM · #5

I have the 200 Aw and Love it, but you might find it tight on space for your lenses,

My packing in the 200AW

In the main compartment
the d200 + one short lens (10-20 or 17-50) on the body
the 50mm off to one side

In the Top Pocket area
My sb800 flash
Or one short lens does fit, but not very well protected.

To carry a 3rd & 4th lens I use 2 external individual lens bags, that attaches to the sides of the bag. Not Ideal but OK for shorter trips.
Any longer lens ( my 70-300 for example) will not fit on the body in the bag.

Like I said I really love this bag, but it has its limits.

11/13/2007 09:02:10 PM · #6

Originally posted by Shadowi6:

So would you advise the 300 AW?

11/13/2007 11:40:44 PM · #7

Originally posted by ryand:

So would you advise the 300 AW?

I havent used that one, but having the lenses in side bags isnt ideal,

I guess the question is do you intend to get more gear? Want room for a water bottle and other crap as well?

By the sounds of it the 300 would suit you better.

fotomann_forever

11/13/2007 11:50:49 PM · #8

Might want to look for a decent monopod too, as tripods are not always convenient or allowed.

11/14/2007 03:48:57 AM · #9

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Might want to look for a decent monopod too, as tripods are not always convenient or allowed.

Good call I'd be lost with out that.

11/22/2007 06:11:31 PM · #10

Well i ended up getting a sigma 70-200mm 2.8 macro, which i am already in love with, absolutely a joy to shoot with. I still need advice on the tripod and monopod, anyone know of good ones to look for??

11/22/2007 10:52:36 PM · #11

*bump*

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

11/22/2007 11:19:18 PM · #12

well I'm very happy with my mono its a manfrotto 676B digi

Its not heavy, its not super, super light but it was only $80Aus. It open up to around 190cm too tall for me with out stretching to see in the view finder.

Other than weight I'm not sure how to describe a monopod.

so I will let B&H do it for me here

Turns out its 400g, and it will take up to 4.5kg plenty for what you & me have & are likely to get. You can get heads for them but I have never bothered. The only reason I can envisage is portrait orientated shots.

Im Ok with my tripod but not stoked so I wont recommend it.

Good luck & congrats on the glass

MattO

Nikon D4

11/22/2007 11:22:53 PM · #13

IMHO the best monopod going for today is the Manfrotto 685B. I was told about it by a DPC member here and I couldnt be happier with my purchase.

MattO

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

11/22/2007 11:27:07 PM · #14

Originally posted by Shadowi6:

You can get heads for them but I have never bothered. The only reason I can envisage is portrait orientated shots.

Some sort of head is a must for a monopod; otherwise you can't shoot in portrait orientation, a real limitation. Unless you only use it with a long lens and said lens has a rotating tripod collar.

A simple ballhead will work fine, and there's another advantage to it; with a free-rotating head (and you can do this with a 3-way head if the 2 axes are left loose, but the ballhead works better) you can pan the camera up-and-down without moving your body. Think about it: if you fix the camera directly to the 'pod, and set it up at eye height, you are looking out at a 90-degree angle. Want to look UP? You gotta step back, tilting the 'pod, to point the camera up. Want to look DOWN? You gotta step forward, straddling the angled pod, to point the camera down.

Try that while tracking, say, a fast-moving bird, or zoomed in on a football player who leaps for a touchdown pass, or trying to do an action burst of a skateboarder climbing a pipe and grabbing air...

So get the ballhead... It doesn't have to be an expensive one like you'd want on a high-end tripod.

R.

MattO

Nikon D4

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

11/22/2007 11:36:01 PM · #15

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by Shadowi6:
You can get heads for them but I have never bothered. The only reason I can envisage is portrait orientated shots.

Some sort of head is a must for a monopod; otherwise you can't shoot in portrait orientation, a real limitation. Unless you only use it with a long lens and said lens has a rotating tripod collar.

A simple ballhead will work fine, and there's another advantage to it; with a free-rotating head (and you can do this with a 3-way head if the 2 axes are left loose, but the ballhead works better) you can pan the camera up-and-down without moving your body. Think about it: if you fix the camera directly to the 'pod, and set it up at eye height, you are looking out at a 90-degree angle. Want to look UP? You gotta step back, tilting the 'pod, to point the camera up. Want to look DOWN? You gotta step forward, straddling the angled pod, to point the camera down.

Try that while tracking, say, a fast-moving bird, or zoomed in on a football player who leaps for a touchdown pass, or trying to do an action burst of a skateboarder climbing a pipe and grabbing air...

So get the ballhead... It doesn't have to be an expensive one like you'd want on a high-end tripod.

R.

Hi Bear, I dont use a ballhead on my monopod either, but of course I use an L bracket on the camera and my long lens uses a tripod mount.

MattO

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

11/22/2007 11:41:03 PM · #16

thanks for all the advice, i'll probably mostly be using the monopod with my sigma 70-200 which has a tripod collar, and probably will try it without a ballhead and see how it works. If needed i can then get a ball head.

Still need advice on a tripod, anyone??

Bear_Music

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

11/22/2007 11:42:04 PM · #17

Originally posted by MattO:

Hi Bear, I dont use a ballhead on my monopod either, but of course I use an L bracket on the camera and my long lens uses a tripod mount.

Right. That will work, though most L brackets I've seen use dual mounting plates that require SOME sort of head. And the tripod collar, as I said, allows orientation changes easily.

But even SO... Shooting wildlife or action sports especially, the ballhead is worth its weight in gold. Less so if you're shooting, say, football from the sidelines, where everything happens more or less on the horizontal plane. But try tracking a bird in flight from in front of you up and over your head to see what I mean.

R.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

11/22/2007 11:46:14 PM · #18

Originally posted by ryand:

Manfrotto 055 series. Expensive, but not hideously so, and good for a lifetime. Of course, when you get the tripod you need to get a head. The head can be used on either the tripod or the monopod, so there you are with your options :-)

R.

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