70-200 F4! Wow!

JaGWiRE wrote in post #2179760
I am so glad I didn't get a 2.8 version.

Famous last words. Bookmark the thread so you can come back in a year or two and remember when f/4 made you happy.

Congrats on the new lens, I'm sure you'll get plenty of enjoyment out of it.

mbellot wrote in post #2180171
Famous last words. Bookmark the thread so you can come back in a year or two and remember when f/4 made you happy.

Congrats on the new lens, I'm sure you'll get plenty of enjoyment out of it.

I don't know, I shoot a lot outdoors, and even Petkal will admit he uses the F4 version as a walk around as the 2.8 is certainly not a light lens.

JaGWiRE wrote in post #2180175
I don't know, I shoot a lot outdoors, and even Petkal will admit he uses the F4 version as a walk around as the 2.8 is certainly not a light lens.

Long walks........the f4 is a blessing. Do not wanna look like a putz with a massive lens on you at all times.......the f/4 does it.
You'll be getting some new digicams next year and in subsequent years that will be handling ISO 1600 like eating a pie. Also, the IQ is as good as the f/2.8.
So for you, an ideal lens !

Petkal wrote in post #2180193
Long walks........the f4 is a blessing. Do not wanna look like a putz with a massive lens on you at all times.......the f/4 does it.
You'll be getting some new digicams next year and in subsequent years that will be handling ISO 1600 like eating a pie. Also, the IQ is as good as the f/2.8.
So for you, an ideal lens !

Indeed. Hey, I am pretty surprised on how good noise is with a properly exposed at ISO 1600. I love how the teacher at my school who shoots Nikon (D200) does not have faith in me, my 85 1.8, and high ISO with the high school gym sports.

Anyway, technology never ceases to amaze me.

JaGWiRE wrote in post #2179823
Thanks Petkal . We now REALLY need to get together. I want to go to the zoo, but the weather is crap. Perhaps we could go out and I could borrow some of your weatherproof lenses? .

Young grasshopper....go learn at the hand of the master....I might tease him about intoxicating his birds...but that is just because I'm jealous....I can't get them to come that close to me...so go learn his secrets....then you can share with the rest of us....

Woolburr wrote in post #2180302
Young grasshopper....go learn at the hand of the master....I might tease him about intoxicating his birds...but that is just because I'm jealous....I can't get them to come that close to me...so go learn his secrets....then you can share with the rest of us....

I might be young, but I have respect for those who coin me the privallege to learn from them, and if they want to keep their secrets as private as possible, I am definitley going to respect their wishes.

I am very curious myself though how he does such marvelous things with even the widest of lenses and ducks .

JaGWiRE wrote in post #2180315
I might be young, but I have respect for those who coin me the privallege to learn from them, and if they want to keep their secrets as private as possible, I am definitley going to respect their wishes.

I am very curious myself though how he does such marvelous things with even the widest of lenses and ducks .

Good lad...keep up the ruse...your rewards shall be great!

JaGWiRE wrote in post #2180315
I might be young, but I have respect for those who coin me the privallege to learn from them, and if they want to keep their secrets as private as possible, I am definitley going to respect their wishes.

OK, I'll tell you a little trick that CDS passed onto me: how to shoot pigeons in cold weather.
First, gotta find a run of hot water pipe.
Then lure a pigeon to it and make him perch.
Because they like the heat, the pigeon will stay put and allow you to come to him real close.....so close in fact that you could shoot him even with 18 mm.
See, nothing to it.
Alternatively, you can use the Ottawa IS Method which involves velcroing the bird to the pipe. But I consider that cheating a bit.

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Congratulations and where is the obligatory duck shot? Maybe wait for the rain to go away!

I'm still looking at that lens and want one too!

Congrats on the new lens! I have the f/4 and the 2.8 and I will never give up the f/4. I love the light weight, and for daytime outdoor shooting, this lens cannot be beat! Be warned though, this lens has a learning curve...as do most lenses (hence most of the "my lens back-focuses" threads) It is VERY unforgiving when it comes to camera shake, so beware slow shutter speeds hand-held. I have used this lens many times in bad conditions, to include hard rain, and I have yet to see it fail. Outstanding purchase!!!

BTW, get the duck shot, even if it is raining.

Petkal wrote in post #2180461
OK, I'll tell you a little trick that CDS passed onto me: how to shoot pigeons in cold weather.
First, gotta find a run of hot water pipe.
Then lure a pigeon to it and make him perch.
Because they like the heat, the pigeon will stay put and allow you to come to him real close.....so close in fact that you could shoot him even with 18 mm.
See, nothing to it.
Alternatively, you can use the Ottawa IS Method which involves velcroing the bird to the pipe. But I consider that cheating a bit.

Beautiful. Great tip, haha. Not sure if I can find a hot water pipe to run (would have to find one, find the owner, and ask for their permission?) BTW, Petkal, you do know that the EXIF in that photo says 180mm and your post says 18mm? Now it doesn't have a wide aspect to it really so I suspect you meant 180mm, but just want to be sure.

As for the duck shot, I'd take one, but I'm not taking my new lens out in the wet. If I go to the zoo tomorrow (which isn't looking good with all the rain), I'll be sure to get some exotic ducks and birds and animals of all sorts.)

Rapid, your definitely right about the slow shutter speeds. With little movement in the viewfinder I took a few photos are like 1/20 or whatever and let's just say they didn't come out too nice (200mm of course.)

JaGWiRE wrote in post #2180586
As for the duck shot, I'd take one, but I'm not taking my new lens out in the wet.

I took these a few days ago in a mild rain shower, my f/4 stayed outside with me for just over 3 hours in the rain and I have had no problems. Have faith in your investment, it is a rugged lens.

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congrats on your purchase. i'm hoping to buy the same lens w/in 2 months before the rebate expires.

quick question: why would you purchase that lens if you have a sigma 70-300mm? i noticed that in your signature, you own one.

mr5parkle wrote in post #2180633
congrats on your purchase. i'm hoping to buy the same lens w/in 2 months before the rebate expires.

quick question: why would you purchase that lens if you have a sigma 70-300mm? i noticed that in your signature, you own one.

Because this lens is like 100 times sharper then the Sigma, built better, autofocuses better and silently, etc. I am definitley going to be getting rid of that lens.

Rabidcow, I have nothing to put over the lens and I don't have a filter. You think it's safe to take it out with just the hood? What if water gets on the front element? What about my 30D getting wet? Isn't that all dangerous? The IS is weatherproof, and the 1D is weatherproof, but the 30D and F4 non-IS aren't.

To jum in, I took my 350D out in the rain in barcellona earlier this year and it rained (Not pouring for most of it to be fair!) for most of the time I was there - I just kept it under my coat as much as possible and kept wiping the rain off.

Some of the results are Here

All were taken with the 350D and 17-40mm F/4 L (Which is weathered - although I don't have a front filter on it to completely seal it.)