Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS Mark II

Donk wrote in post #11507651
That's it. My MK I has been photographed and ready to list on eBay. I fought it for long enough. Thankfully it doesn't really look any different to the MK I so with skill and care the wife shouldn't notice I've changed it.

That works for camera bodies too!

msowsun wrote in post #11507800
That works for camera bodies too!

Might as well sneak in a 5D II.

jdizzle wrote in post #11507809
Might as well sneak in a 5D II.

If she ever notices that your 50D now says 5D Mk II, just tell her it was a free firmware update.


A little off topic:

My other hobby is Model Railroading. One small hobby shop near my house was owned by a guy that also had a muffler shop. For convenience sake (or maybe for some devious tax reason) he used the muffler shop machine for all credit card purchases at the hobby shop.

Our two cars needed a lot of muffler work during that period.

I did some test shots yesterday after I set up the home studio for Christmas pix:
my two grandsons helped by being the stand in models

^^ cool ... I'm curious about the setup you have there for your studio, care to share? ... and whatchya got planned for the studio, anything exciting?
I ask because I am toying with the idea of creating a bit of a studio here, but just using speedlights and softboxes for now.
Also on a constructive note, and I am on a netbook looking at this so I could very well be wrong, but that shot looks a stop or so under-exposed to me and/or is lacking a little bit of front light ... the white looks a bit grey and your grandsons seem to be a bit dark too.

damnit wrote in post #11507997
^^ cool ... I'm curious about the setup you have there for your studio, care to share? ... and whatchya got planned for the studio, anything exciting?
I ask because I am toying with the idea of creating a bit of a studio here, but just using speedlights and softboxes for now.
Also on a constructive note, and I am on a netbook looking at this so I could very well be wrong, but that shot looks a stop or so under-exposed to me and/or is lacking a little bit of front light ... the white looks a bit grey and your grandsons seem to be a bit dark too.

I have 4xAB800. Set up above, one AB left direct to background, left front 45 degrees high is another one with Broily Box, sort f an umbrella shoot thru soft box combination; hgh right front is a socked beauty dish, below the beauty disk is a large silver reflector, right is large grid AB for facial shadows. I will take Family photos, pretty simple.
Yes on your comments, yes the white turned grey when I pp to recover burned areas.thanks.
I will take pix of the set up later.
Here is another one, the lights were focused at model standing up, here jumping

jdizzle wrote in post #11507809
Might as well sneak in a 5D II.

Unfortunately I went down the legit route of "involving" the wife when I was looking at the 5D II so she knows too much about it. Oh yes, it was a fairly firm 'No ' - but she came round a bit when she said we'll look at it again if they release a 5D III next year

Donk wrote in post #11508166
Unfortunately I went down the legit route of "involving" the wife when I was looking at the 5D II so she knows too much about it. Oh yes, it was a fairly firm 'No ' - but she came round a bit when she said we'll look at it again if they release a 5D III next year

I involved my wife on the 5D2 yesterday... Bought it online for pickup at the local Best Buy. Since the Best Buy was by her work I asked her to pick it up for me... I mean, just go in and pick it up...easy, right? She had to stand in line for 45 minutes! 2 cashiers for RETURNS and PICKUPS! My wife was fine about the camera... it was the 45 minutes in line that got me in trouble!!! LOL!

fishingjts wrote in post #11508212
I involved my wife on the 5D2 yesterday... Bought it online for pickup at the local Best Buy. Since the Best Buy was by her work I asked her to pick it up for me... I mean, just go in and pick it up...easy, right? She had to stand in line for 45 minutes! 2 cashiers for RETURNS and PICKUPS! My wife was fine about the camera... it was the 45 minutes in line that got me in trouble!!! LOL!

For buying/pickup camera things I always go by myself........ remember it

airvincent wrote in post #11508284
For buying/pickup camera things I always go by myself........ remember it

One year ago UPS delivered my 5D2, I always try to get the best tax free deal from B&H. Last night UPS delivered a pelican case free shipped from B&H, no pickup waiting.

jdizzle wrote in post #11507552
^So how do you like the performance with your 1.4X II Gareth?

Very good, the AF is a wee bit slower. It's still sharp wide open with the 1.4x. I think that the 1.4II on a 7D is better than the 2xII on a 5DII. But the 2xII sharpens up when stopped down, 2/3 of a stop is nice, a whole stop is better. The 1.4II shots seem to be fine wide open.

Just got my lens this morning and so far I am very impressed. I came from the Sigma 70-200 non-OS and it always performed great, but I really wanted to have an IS system so I could use the lens indoors. In the past I have rented version 1 and was generally pleased, but there was a little bit of softness at 200mm and f/2.8 (not bad, but my standards are high shooting with the 17-55 and 400L).

Compared to the Sigma, the Canon has a more robust build quality and the focusing system is a little bit quicker and feels more precise. The hood is much better (Sigma hood scuffed really easy). The zoom rings are about the same, but my Sigma zoom ring actually had a nicer dampened feel to me. Basically the same in real world though. Image quality is definitely a step up at all focal lengths and apertures and the Canon renders an image with better pop. I believe this is due to slightly better colors and less CA wide open. I did prefer the Sigma tripod collar. It was removable with the lens mounted on the camera and easier to use. Just a minor nit.

Compared to IS version I, I like the new hood a lot better. Weight is very similar, but it does feel slightly heavier which is no big deal. The zoom ring feels a little bit more stiff to me. I don't know if this is common or if mine is stiffer than most (?) Image quality is better across the board and the colors from the Mark I had a more muted look. Bokeh seems to be similar to me and there isn't enough difference to worry about I don't think.

A couple of test shots. (miserable weather, sorry).

ISO 1600- 1/15 @f/2.8

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

My first shot with the 70-200 Mark II and my newly bought 5D Mark II, scene from a aftermath of a car accident in my hometown!

GMCPhotographics wrote in post #11509052
Very good, the AF is a wee bit slower. It's still sharp wide open with the 1.4x. I think that the 1.4II on a 7D is better than the 2xII on a 5DII. But the 2xII sharpens up when stopped down, 2/3 of a stop is nice, a whole stop is better. The 1.4II shots seem to be fine wide open.

Thanks! I'm still on the fence about the new extenders. I want to order one but, it doesn't look like there's a big leap in performance for $500.00 a piece.

40Driggs wrote in post #11509739
What it looks like outside today

You should have spent more time outside. Love the photo.