The Box Had My Name On It

[CoolToolGuy]

I stopped into my favorite camera store this afternoon to say hi and firm up my order for a 20D with the 17-85 IS lens, and the first words I hear are 'I have a box in the back with your name on it' So I said 'Well let me see that box!' and Lo and Behold it was a 20D kit with the 17-85. Well, I couldn't just leave it there - it might get lonely or something. So I took it with me - right to the High School.
My daughter is in the Marching Band and I have become the official photographer. They had a field show this evening so I put a new strap on the 20D, slapped a release plate on the bottom, loaded one of my spare batteries, and off I went.
The 20D feels great. The shutter/mirror noise reminds me of a higher end film camera as compared to the 'sloppy' sound of the Drebel. There wasn't enough light for the 17-85, so I stuck with faster glass on both bodies. I haven't transferred any images yet, so I don't know how they turned out.
Tomorrow is another band performance, so I'll probably try out the 17-85 there with more light.
I didn't have any time to read up on anything, so it was OJT. I couldn't figure out all of the controls intuitively, but I'll curl up with the manual tonight.
Cool stuff - a nice addition to the arsenal.

Have Fun,

[Ballen Photo]

I couldn't just leave it there - it might get lonely or something. So I took it with me.

But of COURSE You did! Cant have it getting LONELY, now can We? :lol: :lol: :lol:
Congrats on your new DSLR. :wink:
-Bruce

[cmM]

all right !!!

congratulations! Enjoy the camera. Carefull how you switch lenses ... :wink:

[drisley]

Congrats!
I agree about the mirror slap. I think it sounds awesome!
At first when I was reading your post, I thought "poor guy, only has the kit lens and can't see the true ability of that camera".
Then I got a look of your signature :shock:
OMG! That is more glass than the local photography store!!!!

[Torcidas]

Definitly he have large colection of lens :) More then my local camera store have :)

[CoolToolGuy]

I went to the 'Eastern Waterfront Festival' today with the marching band. Very overcast, but still bright enough for the 17-85 IS lens. I love the range on this lens, and coupled with a 20D - what can I say!? Very nice.

Its also nice to have two bodies again. I had the 135mm f2L on the Drebel, and when I saw something out of the range of the 17-85 (a vintage seaplane out in the lagoon) I just reached into the bag, pulled out the Drebel, and shot away. Sooo nice. Now the trick will be to avoid the temptation to have two 20Ds... :shock: :roll:

5 fps is real cool. Trying to catch the flags of a marching band at just the right spot with single shot can be tough, so running a series makes that a lot easier. I need to get more comfortable with the controls on the 20D, but that will come in time.

More to come...

Have Fun,

[danphoto1]

Enjoy the new camera. I love shooting situations when I an use two

[Andy_T]

CoolToolGuy ...

that's just great news!

Would you care to post some pictures with the 17-85 lens?
I assume that most other people on the forum are as interested as myself to find out how good that lens is.

Best regards,
Andy[/list]

[CoolToolGuy]

I have since noticed another thing - not much wiggle room for your fingers beyond the end of the lens. I was playing with it in my office and noticed my fingers when they were just past the end of the filter ring. I don't yet have a UV filter on it (B&H opens Monday), so that may be the place to rest my fingers, and a hood will help. But that made me wonder about stacking a UV and a polarizer, and whether I will see any vignetting using two filters. I will do a test with my UV from the 70-200 f4L and the 67mm C-POL.



A brief update - I was fooling with the 20D/17-85 combination in my kitchen this morning, and I did a short and informal test. I took a couple of test shots - no filter, one UV filter, and a UV/C-POL stack. There is absolutely vignetting at the corners with the stack. The details - the UV is a B+W F-PRO 67mm, and the C-POL is a normal B+W C-POL. I will do some better tests in the next couple of days so I can figure out what filter(s) to buy for the 17-85.

Have Fun,

[gramps]

Rick, once you get a good "impression" of how weel the 17 - 85 is I would be REAL interested. Right now I am thinking about "upgrading" to the 17 - 85 ( I wish I could afford the 24 - 70 L ). I have been using a 24 - 55 USM that is ol as the hills on my 20 D and I am fairly happy but I think the 85mm end would be nice. Also I would think that the 17 - 85 has better glass than my old 24 - 55.

[Whaler]

CTG,

You are going to love your new camera. I upgraded from a Rebel and WHAT AN UPGRADE. If per chance it locks up on you as mine did once, has just drop the battery half way out and reinstall, it takes all of a nano second. Next to the words "duh" and "idiot" in the dictionary is a portrait of me and my firmware upgrade went flawlessly. :D

[gramps]

if a newbee could afford the 24 - 70 L lens, what would be the best place to order it from?????

[Whaler]

gramps,

:shock: Look long & hard at the 17 40 L but, to answer your question I shop at either B&H or Photovillage 212-989-1252 the folks at Photovillage are just really nice to deal with and are competative. :D

Mike

[gramps]

gramps,

:shock: Look long & hard at the 17 40 L but, to answer your question I shop at either B&H or Photovillage 212-989-1252 the folks at Photovillage are just really nice to deal with and are competative. :D

Mike

I really like the 17mm end of that one BUT...........that lens would "short" on the long end!!!!!! I have a 70 - 300 also. I would think that the 40 - 70 gap might hurt a bit. Also I really like the speed (2.8) vs: 4.0

Steve

[CoolToolGuy]

if a newbee could afford the 24 - 70 L lens, what would be the best place to order it from?????

If you are not in a hurry, I may have a deal on one - if the 17-85 meets my needs, the 24-70 L becomes a paperweight. Stay tuned, or if you can't wait, give B&H a call.

Have Fun,

[gramps]

I''ll "stay tuned"............

[Whaler]

gramps,

Unless you're making money at this vice :evil: , do not get too hung up on the speed of a given lens, for a quick shot or two your no more than an ISO click away. The 2.8 f/ stop doubles the price of a lens.

[gramps]

gramps,

Unless you're making money at this vice :evil: , do not get too hung up on the speed of a given lens, for a quick shot or two your no more than an ISO click away. The 2.8 f/ stop doubles the price of a lens.

that I won't argue..............now help me fill in the 40 - 70 mm gap.....what about the the 17 - 85 EF S? how good is the glass on it?..

"making money"?????????? I'm retired, it's impossible to make money at my age..........

[CoolToolGuy]

I have since noticed another thing - not much wiggle room for your fingers beyond the end of the lens. I was playing with it in my office and noticed my fingers when they were just past the end of the filter ring. I don't yet have a UV filter on it (B&H opens Monday), so that may be the place to rest my fingers, and a hood will help. But that made me wonder about stacking a UV and a polarizer, and whether I will see any vignetting using two filters. I will do a test with my UV from the 70-200 f4L and the 67mm C-POL.



A brief update - I was fooling with the 20D/17-85 combination in my kitchen this morning, and I did a short and informal test. I took a couple of test shots - no filter, one UV filter, and a UV/C-POL stack. There is absolutely vignetting at the corners with the stack. The details - the UV is a B+W F-PRO 67mm, and the C-POL is a normal B+W C-POL. I will do some better tests in the next couple of days so I can figure out what filter(s) to buy for the 17-85.

Have Fun,

Somehow, the posts on this thread got out of order, so I am reposting this one.

Have Fun,

[Andy_T]

... still waiting for the test shots :wink: ....

Best regards,
Andy

[CoolToolGuy]

... still waiting for the test shots :wink: ....

Best regards,
Andy

...I hope you have SCUBA gear... :roll:

Have Fun,

[Andy_T]

... still waiting for the test shots :wink: ....

Best regards,
Andy

...I hope you have SCUBA gear... :roll:



Unfortunately, I don't have SCUBA gear. Is it raining so heavily at your end :wink:

Pleeeease ... at least some shots ... otherwise you will be considered a very cruel person by your fellow board menbers (well, at least by me).

Having the hottest new lens available and deliberately withholding the sample shots... not even posting a bloody ruler.

Best regards,
Andy

[CoolToolGuy]

... still waiting for the test shots :wink: ....

Best regards,
Andy

...I hope you have SCUBA gear... :roll:



Unfortunately, I don't have SCUBA gear. Is it raining so heavily at your end :wink:

Pleeeease ... at least some shots ... otherwise you will be considered a very cruel person by your fellow board menbers (well, at least by me).

Having the hottest new lens available and deliberately withholding the sample shots... not even posting a bloody ruler.

Best regards,
Andy

Ohh Pullease -

If you would have read all of the posts in this thread you would be aware that I am not deliberately withholding sample shots. I have never posted photos to this, or any other site. I have not been able to figure out how to get things uploaded to my ISP and set the link(s) necessary, and I have higher tasks on my list of priorities. So unless you want to hand-hold me through the process, it will stay that way for a while.

I am sorry if you think I am a cruel person, but I guess that's life. And to further explain my SCUBA reference - Don't hold your breath

Have Fun,

[CoolToolGuy]

Quick update - I took the 17-85 to a Marching Band showcase (at Johnny Unitas Stadium - The Best There Ever Was), and it was the best lens in my arsenal to take. Even 17mm was not wide enough to cover 10 bands (they basically took up between the 20-yard lines). I could have used more on the long end, but I'll live with what I have. I cranked the ISO to 800, used a monopod, and got 1/100 shutter speeds. They are still on the card, and I will transfer them soon. So far, so good.

I also had my first lockup with the 20D - changing lenses. It took me a minute to realize what was happening, but I took out the battery, put it back in and off I went.

Have Fun,

[CoolToolGuy]

I just saw a couple of galleries taken with the 17-85.
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/142610/0
Not exactly a lens test, but nice samples nonetheless.

Have Fun,