I've orderd a 20D....what els do i nead ?

[Alan B]

Hello from a NEW forum member:)

I've had on order a EOS 20D for some weeks now(awaiting stock from canon).Hopefully will be getting the cam + 55mm lens package soon(cant wait:D )ow and i'm starting from scratch,as i've just sold all my other cam stuff(hence the shopping list:lol: ).

I just want to know if i'm getting the right stuff to go with it.

This is what i also plan on getting,as follows........

Battery Grip BG-E2 (do i need to buy a extra battery for the grip?.Or does it come with one?.........to go with the one that comes with the cam)

EF70-200mm f4.0 LUSM

2x EF II (will that converter go well with the 200mm lens)

I want to get another 1gig memory card(or a 2gig one),can you recommend a good one(not mega expensive;) ).

And i'll need a good holdal/cam bag for it all - any ideas of a good one?

The pics i'll be taking is going to be from motorsport - static/panning to landscape shots.

Flippen heck i sound like a right noob at all this :lol: sorry.I just want to hear/read what your thoughts are :cool:

Much thanks in advance

Alan

ps.If you think i'll need anyother items then please recommend them.

[merrrrjig]

You should look into a lowepro or tamrac back pack or bag, maybe a flash too.

[Alan B]

Ah a flash.Yep noted

Alan

[TomC]

a common suggestion on this forum is the 50mm f/1.8.

[Jon]

The BG-E2 doesn't include another battery. I have the 20D and BG-E2; I'm as likely to have the grip off as on. Maybe just get the second battery, not the grip. You'll not get AF with the 2X TC on the 70-200, plus the image quality with 2X TCs is markedly worse than with 1.4X TCs. Consider just getting the 1.4x TC II instead. Get a SanDisk Ultra II CF, either 1 or 2 GB (about $95/GB now); the camera will be able to use that speed. For bags, I'm a long-time Domke (http://www.tiffen.com/Header_page_Domke.htm) fan. Think about the F2, or maybe the F6. I'd also suggest a flash; the pop-up one won't necessarily clear a big lens plus it doesn't have a great range (Canon 420EX, maybe the Sigma 500 DG Super or Canon 550EX if you wnat more power), and the 50 f/1.8 is a good, cheap, and sharp lens (and it's usually "pick two" in the "good, cheap, sharp" lottery).

[Alan B]

Thanks alot jon :cool:

Alan

[Alan B]

I spose this is directed at jon(from his last massage).

If i got the 1.4x TC instead does that mean the lens will still be able to use the AF ?

And i thought the grip was to aid in the handling of the cam.Sorry can you explain abit more :o

Alan

[Jon]

The 20D will auto-focus with lenses f/5.6 and faster; a 1.4X TC on the 70-200 f/4 will give you a maximum working aperture of f/5.6, so it's under the wire. A 2X TC will give you a maximum aperture of f/8, so manual focus.

The grip does, somewhat, improve the handling of the camera when you're shooting portrait format. It's sorta in the way if you're using a tripod, people have reported problems with it in combination with flash brackets, and it adds bulk, if not much weight, that make it a less-comfortable fit in some camera bags (Adorama Slinger, Domke Spider backpack or Domke Roo waist pack to name a couple of mine) or if you're travelling. So I'm always popping mine on and off; since that means removing and re-attaching the battery compartment door, it's a nuisance. If I'm hiking, I'll leave it off. At a museum, I'll probably use it (unless I expect to use the tripod much). I have fairly big hands, but I don't find the 20D without grip to be too small (certainly nothing like an Olympus OM-1!). The BP511A is good for over 400 frames in normal shooting, I've found, so battery life's not a big factor.

[phili1]

Alan I have the same lens and also the 100-400 L and I bought the Kenko 2x tele converter and have to focus mnanually and it is not a problem to do that but I have an 800mm lens to shoot birds with. Some people can get auto focus with the Kenkos I can't.

[kiwimichael]

Hi Alan,

Congrats on your new camera - hope it arrives soon.

You say that you want to shoot motorsport. I'm not sure how close you can get to the cars, but in my eperience the 70-200/f4L is a great lens but can be a little too short for getting full frame shots of the cars moving towards you or away from you. For pan shots, 70 may not be wide enough if you are close to the track.
This year I covered a few circuit days and took thousands of photos. I have the 70-200/f4L, 1.4 extender and a 300/f4L(on loan) and found myself frequently changing lenses with and without the converter. For this reason I will be purchasing the 100-400!

I'm not sure how many shots you intend to take, but if you shoot RAW, the CF card will fill up pretty quickly. Instead of a 2GB card I would suggest getting 2 x 1GB and a portable storage device (eg Laptop, X's drive, Epson p-2000 etc) so you can continue shooting while uploading the images. When selecting a CF card, it will pay to take the write performance into account (see: http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=6007)and purchase a card that takes advantage of the speed of the 20D - especially if you want to take several shots in quick sucession. This is the reason that I sold my 10D and purchased a 20D. I shoot RAW and too frequently had to wait on the camera.

Just a few things to take into account.

Cheers
Michael

[donlavange]

Just one more thought on the BG-E2. Mine has come loose a few times and stopped my shooting due to a break in the electrical connection. I keep it tight, but it still seems to occur when you least expect it.

[Alan B]

I'd like to give my thanks to those who helped me out :cool:

Alan

[RJSorensen]

I have found battery life to be excellent . . . I just carry a spare in my pocket and the camera 'round my neck for the most part. A wonderful and delightful system btw.