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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Gear Buying Help (yes, another one...)
Kyle Edwards, Photographer
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Orinda | Ca | USA | Posted: 1:10 PM on 09.28.06 |
->> I have about $4000 to spend and I want to get a few opinions before I drop the money on equipment. Here is a list of what I have now:
10D
70-200 F4L
17-40 F4L
50mm Prime ($69... IT'S GREAT)
420EX
I've used this equipment since late 2003. Predominately, shooting mountain bike races, wake boarding, and snowboarding. I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Kingdom of Tonga with this setup and the humidity has corroded the 10D body pretty bad, and there is a little fungus on the 70-200 (internal optic).
In the future I plan on shooting a larger range of sports: surfing, high school sports, etc etc. With the 10D I've been able to capture what I want, but for the most part, I am limited by the lack of speed from the 10D. Both my F4L lenses have worked beautifully in day light but I'm worried about trying to capture indoor and night time sports. Most of the time if I am shooting at night I'm very close to the subject and have my little 420EX.
Here is what I'm thinking about purchasing:
Option 1:
1D mkIIn ($3,539.95 B&H)
580EX ($369.95 B&H)
option 2:
30D ($1,189.95 B&H)
580EX ($369.95 B&H)
70-200 2.8FL IS ($1,699.95 B&H)
1.4x II Extender ($284.95 B&H)
Pocket Wizard Plus 4 Channel Kit ($349.00 B&H)
Option 3:
30D ($1,189.95 B&H)
580EX ($369.95 B&H)
SPL Housing (not sure on price but I'm guessing about $1200)
15mm 2.8 ($579.95 B&H)
1.4x II Extender ($284.95 B&H)
Pocket Wizard Plus 4 Channel Kit ($349.00 B&H)
Option two and three sound very nice, but moving up to a pro body and slowly acquiring the other stuff as paychecks come in is tempting too. A 300 2.8 is out of the question now, but next time I have a chunk of money I might get one.
If you had the option which would you choose? Is there a better option?
Does Canon have any series 1 cameras coming out soon? Should I wait?
Thanks for your help... |
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Louis Lopez, Photographer
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Fontana | CA | USA | Posted: 1:19 PM on 09.28.06 |
| ->> How about a 300mm 2.8? |
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Juliann Tallino, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | usa | Posted: 1:35 PM on 09.28.06 |
->> Option #4 - buy used! You've got a bady corroded body and fungus in your lens, you need more than just a new body. IS is a nice feature but for shooting sports non-is is fine.
A)
Used 1DmarkII - 2200.00
Used 70-200 2.8 950.00
used 1.4tc 200.00
new 580 ex 370.00
total $3720.00 |
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Seh Suan Ngoh, Photographer
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Singapore | SG | Singapore | Posted: 1:41 PM on 09.28.06 |
| ->> If you have some lack of control over where your equipment is stored while not in use, it may be better just to get second hand equipment. Remember, the price you're paying for new stuff may go mainly into depreciation if you don't work out your business end of photography properly. And worse still, if your new lens(es) ends up as a mushroom farm for different cultures; you'd be on the losing end, big time. |
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Dave Pawlak, Photographer
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Soquel | Ca | USA | Posted: 1:47 PM on 09.28.06 |
->> I second buying used; however, look at, touch, fondle, test everything before you buy it.
Juliann listed a great kit for you.
If you're really worried about low light stuff you could sell what you have, it would add to your overall spending limit.
Look for a 1DMKII (maybe an 'N') seen them for as low as $2000
or you could get two used 30D bodies for about that much.
70-200 2.8 seen as low as $800
16-35 2.8 seen as low as $800 (I should have picked it up)
550EX seen as low as $200
50 1.8 brand new for about $100/used between $60-80 |
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Michael Ciu, Photographer, Assistant
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Lorain | OH | USA | Posted: 2:49 PM on 09.28.06 |
| ->> Why the pocket Wizards? I definately recommend the second hand gear, especially if you can get it from someone here. |
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Mark Smith, Photographer
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Elk City | OK | USA | Posted: 3:23 PM on 09.28.06 |
| ->> Why B&H? Save some money and use our sponsors. |
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Chris Lynch, Photographer
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Shaw AFB | SC | United States | Posted: 4:07 PM on 09.28.06 |
->> why a 580EX? it's awesome, yes- but unless you need the power pack input or the ETTL master ability, i'd go with a (used?) 430EX if you want a newer canon flash. Better bargain in my opinion.
also, i totally agree with everybody here that you should consider a used 1DmkII, there are usually some for cheap here on SS!
a (once again, used) 70-200/2.8 would be a good idea as well, and unless you want 2.8 in the wide end, i'd just keep the 17-40... the 16-35 is nice, but if you wanna upgrade and don't feel like spending all that money, look at the 17-35/2.8L- keep in mind it's not sealed though. |
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Kyle Edwards, Photographer
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Orinda | Ca | USA | Posted: 4:10 PM on 09.28.06 |
->> Thanks for the comments!
I'm a little apprehensive about buying used gear. I'd be worried about putting out that much money for a lemon. I will look around a little more to see if I can find some quality used equipment. Also, with something that expensive a warranty is nice. Saved me once with my 10D.
The reason I don't want a 300mm 2.8 right now is cost. I will need to purchase a body one of these days before the 10D fails.
Fortunately, I'm back in the San Francisco Bay Area and don't have to worry about the brutal south pacific humidity. It's not a problem anymore.
I listed B&H because Penn Camera is not cheaper and Samy's, I would assume, charges sales tax.
I'll read up on the non IS 70-200 and see if that is an option. It's a lot cheaper.
I want the pocket wizards to do some remote flash work. I've used a 550EX and my 420EX as a slave in the past. I'd like to get a radio slave because of the versatility.
thanks again |
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Michael Burns, Photographer
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San Mateo | Ca | USA | Posted: 4:27 PM on 09.28.06 |
| ->> I've purchased used MarkII, 300 f2.8 IS, 70-200 f2.8 IS and all have done me wonderfully without any problems for more than 8 months. I have no doubts having to get a used gear. Be sure to check and/or make sure you know enough before you would buy. Even better is to see in person to check the equipment as well. They are all from ss.com members! |
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Chris Lynch, Photographer
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Shaw AFB | SC | United States | Posted: 4:45 PM on 09.28.06 |
| ->> honestly, if you want to get the PW's and use them for flash work- go all out and get some cheap Vivitar 283/285's while your at it and forego the 580EX. |
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Dave Pawlak, Photographer
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Soquel | Ca | USA | Posted: 6:00 PM on 09.28.06 |
| ->> Agreed with Chris on the flashes. If you dont want Vivitar's check out the older Nikon SB-28's (or somthing like that). The type of flash will not matter becuase with PW's you have to operate the flashes on manual anyway, you lose all TTL. You can probably get two-three Viv's or Nikon's for the cost of a used 550EX. |
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Rachel E. Bayne, Photographer
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bellingham | wa | | Posted: 6:25 PM on 09.28.06 |
->> Kyle, call or email Laura Madden at Samy's:
(323) 938-2420, x-1290
lmadden@samys.com
She is super quick with responding to emails and I always get my gear quickly. If something isn't in stock, she tells you. Plus, Samy's is a sportsshooter sponsor AND she is a really cool/easy person to work with.
My .02,
Rachel |
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Kyle Edwards, Photographer
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Orinda | Ca | USA | Posted: 6:25 PM on 09.28.06 |
->> Chris & Dave,
I didn't even think about that. I will look into getting different flashes.
Any comments about the non IS version of the 70-200 2.8? |
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Kyle Edwards, Photographer
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Orinda | Ca | USA | Posted: 6:29 PM on 09.28.06 |
->> Rachel,
Does Samy's have sales tax? I would assume yes since they are in California.
thanks for the .02... |
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Dave Pawlak, Photographer
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Soquel | Ca | USA | Posted: 6:37 PM on 09.28.06 |
->> Kyle. I have the 70-200 2.8 without IS and it works really well. I've used it for many of the same sports you list you'll be shooting. However, having recently acquired a 300 2.8 IS, I do wish that I would have gotten or atleast tried the 70-200 IS for really low light stuff. Plus the resale of the IS to the used market is higher.
I've sold a bunch of gear that is really well taken care of to people on SS.com and on FM. I think when you buy used you have to buy carefully and really know what you want and what you are getting. Some people buy photo equipment then it sits in a closet and then they sell it. It may have only ever been used to test batteries. Used is a good way to go for most things.
Feel free to email me if you have any specific questions I may be able to answer. |
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Rachel E. Bayne, Photographer
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bellingham | wa | | Posted: 6:37 PM on 09.28.06 |
| ->> for you, yes i'm sure they do. for me no, cause i'm in WA. |
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Chris Lynch, Photographer
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Shaw AFB | SC | United States | Posted: 6:47 PM on 09.28.06 |
->> like Dave is saying, there's nothing wrong with buying used- especially in a close-knit community like SS or FM(to an extent). Over the past two years, i've bought and sold lots of stuff on FM, and a little here, with NO negative transactions on the buying or selling end.
Just pay attention to who/what you're dealing with, and communicate so both parties know what's going down.
Buying new is almost out of the question, unless it's some rather exclusive item or i need it "now!" and don't think i can get it used quickly. Plus, when buying used, you can resale for pretty much the same amt. you paid- if not more.
I just sold a 135f2L that i paid $750 for, for- you guessed it, $750. That's the beauty of buying used.
I'm sure you'll do just fine whatever way you end up going- there's lots of great advice coming through this thread. |
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Juliann Tallino, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | usa | Posted: 8:03 PM on 09.28.06 |
->> Kyle,
Vivitar 285's are great check out my cheap gym strobe set-up
http://www.sportsshooter.com/tallino/gymstrobes
I've used these for basketball, quick team portraits, etc. Great set-up when there's no electricity available.
There's a wireless radio slave unit on Ebay now with a pc connection on the reciever it's listed as a
Digital Radio Slave Flash Trigger /16 Channel Wireless |
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Rodrigo Pena, Photographer
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Palm Desert | CA | USA | Posted: 8:34 PM on 09.28.06 |
| ->> Kyle, I understand your reluctance to buy used. Let me add myself to the list of happy, happy customers who have bought used. ebay is a gamble, but I've been very happy with the gear that I have gotten here on SportsShooter. If possible try to buy used with low actuations. The rule of thumb is that shutters get fairly weak after 100,000 actuations. This is just a guide as some shutters blow out earlier and some last longer. There is a 20D in the classifieds for $750. That is a pretty good deal since the shutter was replaced recently. If nothing else, it could be a good quality backup camera. Best wishes, Rodrigo |
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