About to take a deep plunge [Archive] - Canon Digital Photography Forums

MyLookingGlassEye

12th of March 2010 (Fri), 05:03

Mike

12th of March 2010 (Fri), 11:52

Hi all,
First post here.
I should give some background, been "shutter buggin" for years still & video. Started off with film cams - Baby Brownie (127), Minolta Autopak 500 (126), Polaroid SX-70 & Pronto SonarAF. Then I moved up to an AE-1 Program, FD 50mm F1.2(stolen-replaced with f1.8 version), FD 100-300 f5.6 zoom & a 500mm f8 reflex, speedlite 188a(died replaced with Vivitar 285HV). A few years back I jumped to digital with as close to a DSLR as I could - a Fuji S602Z.

For my life in movies, it was first a Cinepak 8mm film. I had access to a Sony 1/2" Reel-to-Reel TVR "Porta-Pak" for about a decade, then I got an RCA 8mm camcorder, followed a couple other Sony handicams, present model is a Sony HC96.

Hi, welcome to the forum! :D

On to the present day...
I'm about to make a large equipment upgrade and have some questions.
Looking to cover macro, portrait (people & pets) & wildlife/birdwatching
Budget can be as much as $15K.

I'm thinking a 7D w/EF-s 15-85mm kit, battery grip & 2nd battery, 580 EX II, 1.4X & 2X conv., a set of Kenko tubes (and possibly a 500D CloseUp Filter).
I want a good macro lens & as fast tele or zoom as I can.
I'll add a Velbon CF 535 or Manfrotto 055CF & good head, a nice big Expodisc & various filters, and a trio of 16GB UDMA CF cards to start things off. :)

That looks like a very good setup to start with. I'd maybe leave out the 15-85 kit lens, buy the 7D body only and go for a better lens such as the Canon 17-55 f/2.8IS which is regarded to be one of the best.

Macro lenses...
do I go with a 100mm f2.8 L IS USM for both macro & portrait???
or do I just skip it & get the "King of Close" MP-e65
and maybe splurge on a 50mm f1.2 L for portraits.

If you get the MP-e65 you'd probably want to get the twin head macro flash (I can't remember the model off the top of my head) as that lens would benefit from good lighting control. If you're going to get Kenko tubes I'd perhaps go for the 100mm f/2.8 L IS Macro and see how you get on. You could look at the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 or 30mm f/1.4 as alternatives to the 50L too.

Then on to the telephoto end :D
I can pick up a good used Sigma 135-400 for $400 for a "spare"
But as the main longview, I was thinkin a new Sigma OS 150-500mm, OS Bigma 50-500mm
or the classic 100-400L
Of course, I could just go for broke and get a Sig or Canon 300mm f2.8...

Out of those I have only used the 100-400L which I found to be very good. I can't really comment on the others. If you are getting T-cons though they would probably suit a long prime better such as the Canon 300L.

There will also be a new laptop w/CS4 & likely an Intuous4.

I'm doing this within days, so your suggestions/views would be greatly appreciated. :D

I'd add Lightroom to the software list too as it is an excellent RAW converter. What about a new bag to hold it all in too?

And what a great position to be in too - having the funds available for a major upgrade like this is really enviable! :D