Hanging round here s dangerous...

[Murph7355]

I've been debating doing this for a little while now, but have finally taken the plunge.

EOS 1DmkII now sitting on table, along with a Sigma 12-24EX DG HSM lens. Upgrade to the 10D (which I still have and will debate what to do with that over the coming weeks).

I'd vowed to wait on the lens front until after Photokina, but the road to hell and all that...

I have a week to play with the lens and if I don't like it, I'll exchange it for either the 17-40L or 16-35L (plus a bit of cash).

Initial impression is that the 1D is big! Use the 10D with no battery grip, so this is a good bit bigger. It also doesn't stand up with a lens attached, which I can see being a pain.

The menu system is also weird, having to hold in the menu or select buttons whilst turning the dial. Not as intuitive as the 10D system, but I'll get used to it.

Viewfinder's a LOT brighter than on the 10D.

And that's all I've done thus far. Will be taking some photos anon to test the lens out (the difference in width between the 17-40 and 12-24 is huge. Hopefully the image quality will be good enough). Initial impression is that it's not as well built as my 100-400L, it's noisier and the zoom works in the opposite direction to Canon, which'll be a pain but again nothing insurmountable.

Now I just have to hope my other half doesn't read these forums while I decide how to "sell" this little purchase.

[defordphoto]

As for the camera not standing up with the lens attached, it won't with most lenses. That's another use for the lens shade. Lean it down on that.

There is a very good reason the menus are that way on the 1D series cameras, to prevent accidental settings. When I was using the 10D there would be many times I would find between pushing buttons and twisting dials that my settings would get whacked. Doesn't happen with the MKII.

It takes a bit getting used to, but once you do, it's as easy as the 10D with little chance of accidents.

So, you bought all that and still haven't told your wife? :shock:

Hope there's still room on the credit card for an emergency motel room stay. ;)

[Murph7355]

Fortunately I'm not married. So justifications only have to go so far :) I was actually going to get the lens a while back - the other half was going to shell out for it as a birthday gift.

"Unfortunately" the guy in the shop offered a pretty good deal on both items, so before I knew it...I'm in Tokyo at present with the other half back in blighty.

I never found I accidentally did anything with the 10D's menu system. I'm getting used to it already, but it definitely feels like a step back.

Am making notes on the differences I find, and for the lens too.

Will post some pictures when I have a bit more representative stuff, but so far impressions of both the body and the lens are positive.

The frame rate on it is so fast it made me laugh! 1Gb cards are not going to last very long!

[Mike H]

... Initial impression is that the 1D is big! Use the 10D with no battery grip, so this is a good bit bigger. It also doesn't stand up with a lens attached, which I can see being a pain.

I've found that you can lean the camera forward onto either the lens or one of the rigid lens hoods when the lens & hood are mounted. However, I don't like to put pressure on the lens mount (though it's certainly built tough). I've taken to just laying the camera on its back (with the lens pointed up). If you do it that way, you just have to make sure it's not laid on a surface that will scratch the review screen.

Of course there is nothing wrong with just sticking it in the camera bag. :D

Mike H