need some advice

[rockos]

hi guys...i have been here looking around but never really posted. reading the forums i have learned so very much thank you all.

my question is this. i like to hike but now want to take my EOS Rebel with me. I am in the market to buy two things.

1. Telephoto lens.

2. backpack/belt pack.

i take my hydration pack with me that i hold my extra layer of clothes in. but i also want to carry my camera with quick access. i have been looking around and have found this case
http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/trekking/oftrail2.htm

is anyone using this case or using a hydration pack and a camera pack at the same time. if so what are your suggestions.

as far as lenses go. i am a total amatur when it comes to photography. i take pictures just here and there. I can not justify right now spending the money for a high quality lense. i have found the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM for $559.00 new USA. do you recommend this lense for what i do as far as hiking etc.

thanks for all your help

rockos

[Nolz]

hi there!

i enjoy a good hike and do use a camel back hydration pack when i go. so with that on my back i have this strapped around my ever enlarging gut

http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/trekking/orion.htm

you may find it is a tad large but for me its ideal as i have the battery grip fitted to my camera which makes it bulky and not fit into some of the other bags. i also like to bring a wider lense (EF-s kit lens for now) and my telephoto. and all this plus acessories fits into the belt pck with room to spare for a chocolate bar or two :P i find it comfortable enough and have been on 2-3 hr hikes at a time without a prob.

as for telephoto lens. i personally have the 75-300USM III and have taken decent photos with it. i too am only beginning and have found that its good value for money and a great learning tool. it covers a wide range and most of it to me has been very useful.
this is the lens now.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=12059&is=GREY

[Canuck]

Ok, a telephoto lens is cool, but what are you looking to take pics of/intended use? There are lots of lenses from super cheap (read not worth your time) to super expensive (read $80000 1200mm F5.6L lens) and everywhere in between. Giving us an idea would help immensly as to intended price range. The lenses I have coverage from 16-70mm and 120-300 and all 3 of them cost from about $1200 and up. They are either L or Sigma EX lenses. I have no complaints about any of them, really. They are all awesome! I innitailly didn't want to pay out to get the high end glass, but once I did, the way I took pics totally changed and well, it is hard to explin, you just gotta do it.

Ok, an F4 lens ought to do you just fine. The only catch is that if you stick a 2X TC on there you loose AF. I'm not a fan of AF so I'm not bothered. It is up to you thought. The only catch with an F4 lens is that it is a fast lens, but not as fast as an F2.8, or one fstop bigger. As far as the weight is concerned, only you can tell us that.

[rockos]

as far as pictures of... from mountain peak overlooking the valley etc. i dont take that many close up photos. mostly senic stuff. landscapes etc.

i was also just thinking of ditching the hydration pack and getting a new packpack instead. with room for camera, clothes etc. but need room for atleast one water bottle any ideas


http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/trekking/roverplusaw.htm

maybe something like this

rockos

thanks for all the replies

[rockos]

is anyone using this bag
http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/trekking/roverawII.htm

i think it will fit my needs as far as carring my 300d with 70-200f4L and everything else from rain gear etc.

i have found it for $115.00 new on the net. i guess it retails for $165.

any other suggestions on a different overall hiking bag to get.

thanks guys

rockos

[Canuck]

Next question...how much you willing to spend? I am thinking an F4 Canon L lens might be your best bet. They are a hell of a lot cheaper then their F2.8 counterparts. I can't remember off the top of my head what the prices are like but between $500 and $1000 if I recall correctly. You will probably want something in the order of a wide angle like 24ish to med telephoto, like 70ish mm. You might also get 2 lenses like I did but in F4, but I warn you this is way expensive. I have the Canon 16-35 L and Canon 24-70 F2.8L lenses. That said, you get stunning pics from both of them.

[rockos]

Next question...how much you willing to spend? I am thinking an F4 Canon L lens might be your best bet. They are a hell of a lot cheaper then their F2.8 counterparts. I can't remember off the top of my head what the prices are like but between $500 and $1000 if I recall correctly. You will probably want something in the order of a wide angle like 24ish to med telephoto, like 70ish mm. You might also get 2 lenses like I did but in F4, but I warn you this is way expensive. I have the Canon 16-35 L and Canon 24-70 F2.8L lenses. That said, you get stunning pics from both of them.

i am ordering a 70-200 f4L in the morning. i am getting excited for it. i just need a good UV filter and Polorized filter to go with it. but i dont want to get ripped off on them. i think this bag will do everything i need and want it for
thanks for the reply

[Canuck]

Next question...how much you willing to spend? I am thinking an F4 Canon L lens might be your best bet. They are a hell of a lot cheaper then their F2.8 counterparts. I can't remember off the top of my head what the prices are like but between $500 and $1000 if I recall correctly. You will probably want something in the order of a wide angle like 24ish to med telephoto, like 70ish mm. You might also get 2 lenses like I did but in F4, but I warn you this is way expensive. I have the Canon 16-35 L and Canon 24-70 F2.8L lenses. That said, you get stunning pics from both of them.

i am ordering a 70-200 f4L in the morning. i am getting excited for it. i just need a good UV filter and Polorized filter to go with it. but i dont want to get ripped off on them. i think this bag will do everything i need and want it for
thanks for the reply

I would say go w/ B&H but they are on holiday this week. If you can wait, then that is the way to go. Other than that, go to marketplace annd checkout the sticky I started called "Member Recommended Vendors" and that should help you in the absence of B&H. The Canon UV and CPL are good...I have 2 UV and 2 CPL for each of the 2 lenses aforementioned. They run approx $30 of the UV and $100 for the CPL at 77mm. You think they are expensive, try a 105mm one...$110 for the UV and $170 for the CPL!

Enjoy the 70-200, I heard it was an excellent lens. What L glass isn't, though? Watch out for the Great White! :)

[rockos]

I would say go w/ B&H but they are on holiday this week. If you can wait, then that is the way to go. Other than that, go to marketplace annd checkout the sticky I started called "Member Recommended Vendors" and that should help you in the absence of B&H. The Canon UV and CPL are good...I have 2 UV and 2 CPL for each of the 2 lenses aforementioned. They run approx $30 of the UV and $100 for the CPL at 77mm. You think they are expensive, try a 105mm one...$110 for the UV and $170 for the CPL!

Enjoy the 70-200, I heard it was an excellent lens. What L glass isn't, though? Watch out for the Great White! :)[/quote]


yeah it is L glass and the great white is coming on my 300d. ok stupid question....but you can NOT put a UV and CPL on the lense at the same time right?
I am so dumb but i need to know

oh and i ordered my bad the rover aw2 it will be here on friday...so thanks for all the help guys. i am so ready to go hiking in two weeks and check my new toys out.

rockos

[rockos]

ok need some advice have not see anything on these guys.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4687&item=38078646 08&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

i think it is a great price for the lense i am ready to order. have seen them for much more.

any suggestion on what to look for before i order it in the morning

thanks
mike

[rockos]

well i did it i ordered the lense the 70-200 f/4 L and the filter kit.
my lowepro rover awII will be here early next week along with everything else. bring on the nice hiking days and i am off to the rockies.

rockos

[mson]

is anyone using this bag
http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/trekking/roverawII.htm

i think it will fit my needs as far as carring my 300d with 70-200f4L and everything else from rain gear etc.

i have found it for $115.00 new on the net. i guess it retails for $165.

any other suggestions on a different overall hiking bag to get.

thanks guys

rockos

I got this bag a couple of weeks ago. I REALLY like it. There is plenty of room for my camera gear and a fair ammount of space for a jacket, food, water. The chest strap is in to high for me, unless I am doing something wrong. But other than that, it is a great bag.

[rockos]

I got this bag a couple of weeks ago. I REALLY like it. There is plenty of room for my camera gear and a fair ammount of space for a jacket, food, water. The chest strap is in to high for me, unless I am doing something wrong. But other than that, it is a great bag.


Glad to see someone has it and is liking it. will have to see how it fits when it gets here. thanks for the reply

rockos

[Canuck]

I do believe you can use either the UV or the CPL at one time...otherwise it may cause vignetting. That AWII looks cool, but I have a Sigma 120-300mm F2.8EX so that kinda puts it out of range of me. I have a Tenba DB-17C and if nothing else, keeps all my camera kit in one place and keeps it relatively sorted. The down side is that it isn't carry on and I have a smaler backpack for when I fly. I have done it successfully to Ireland minus the Monster Sigma lens.

I'm really leary about anything off of ebay. That is me and others. I would rather pay a little more for hte piece of mind. No one wants to hear about how somesont got ripped off and suchlike. Please do us all a favour and go to a reputable dealer with a lot of experience. Just trust me on this one.