Gear discussion thread v. "I got some new gear and I got to post it here" - General

Old thread: [URL]http://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1160609[/URL] So yeah, Old thread was closed, and I wanted to make a new one. Go post stuff.

From the old thread: [QUOTE]Need wide angle zoom for club work so keep the aperture wide. I don't care if it has no AF or you have an aperture ring. Canon EOS fit, keep the cost low.[/QUOTE] Maybe something like the Tokina 11-16mm 2.8? [url]http://www.kenrockwell.com/tokina/11-16mm-ii.htm[/url] or the first version that is a bit cheaper: [url]http://www.kenrockwell.com/tokina/11-16mm.htm[/url]

Either version would work. But it's realistically the fastest and widest zoom for Aps-c specifically. You would need to get a 16-35mm on FF for something similar (though that's wider and longer). I would say alternatively a 17-50mm lens or such would be good, depending on HOW wide you need.

If anyone is planning on buying the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM, don't even think about it, it is AMAZING. L class lens through and through. JUST BUY IT.

[QUOTE=matreox;39738748]If anyone is planning on buying the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM, don't even think about it, it is AMAZING. L class lens through and through. JUST BUY IT.[/QUOTE] Personally for all APS-C or Full Frame cameras I would recommend the Tamron 90mm 2.8, either the older or newer versions. They run about $370 max (with most BiN prices around the low $300 high $200 range), are excellent performers, and you save a lot of money. I think it's important to save money on macro lenses, as they are dedicated and can't do many general purpose things. If you are serious about macro (and this depends on what you are shooting) I would recommend something else, but from what I've read it's the best lens to dabble into macro with

Barely read the last thread so I don't know if it's been raised but I am hoping to save up and get the new Nikon D7100 in a few months. What do you guys rate it? I personally think it's a bargain!

[QUOTE=Trogdon;39739832]Personally for all APS-C or Full Frame cameras I would recommend the Tamron 90mm 2.8, either the older or newer versions. They run about $370 max (with most BiN prices around the low $300 high $200 range), are excellent performers, and you save a lot of money. I think it's important to save money on macro lenses, as they are dedicated and can't do many general purpose things. If you are serious about macro (and this depends on what you are shooting) I would recommend something else, but from what I've read it's the best lens to dabble into macro with[/QUOTE] The Tamron 90mm 2.8 comes nowhere near the quality available from the Canon sadly, I tried it, infact 2 variants, and both were far below the standard. It's honestly the best lens to get if you are interested in atleast 1:1, you can push it FAR beyond 1:1 with bellows etc.

Well the main advantage of the 100mm 2.8 macro of Canon is that it doesn't extend while focusing, everything is just internal. I had the 100mm f/2.8 Macro too, and I really liked it. But I didn't use macro enough to justify owning a dedicated macro lens, and then I sold it again.

So I'm pretty sure I have the best family ever. March 1st was my 21st birthday, so we were having a party. Long before my birthday, my parents were asking me what I want, but I couldn't think of anything. After a little while, my girlfriend started asking me what I wanted. I told her I really wanted a certain camera, but that I will probably just ask for money and use it to pay for part of the camera I wanted. I didn't know she was reporting back to my family. On march 2nd, during the party, my parents gave me a bag, and said, "It's nothing big because we're giving you money." I open it up, and there's a god damn Pentax K-5 in the bag. Turns out EVERYONE in my family pitched in. Parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and my relatives overseas. So I figure each of them didn't pay a whole lot, but still managed to get pretty much the best gift ever. TL;DR: Finally have a camera, expect to see some photos!

Wow that's incredible. Thoughtful gifts are rare, and even rarer that it functions outside of being a memento. You better hold on to that thing for life. Your girlfriend sounds like a keeper too.

[QUOTE=bopie;39791311]Wow that's incredible. Thoughtful gifts are rare, and even rarer that it functions outside of being a memento. You better hold on to that thing for life. Your girlfriend sounds like a keeper too.[/QUOTE] I know. I am incredibly lucky for getting this. Also, she is =) Pretty excited that I don't have to bee TOO careful with it, as it's weather sealed. I don't have to worry about a little rainwater or dust. Depends on the lens though too.

amazon charges tax in my state now, only buying lenses on ebay and craigslist now :( at least they go by the "official" 6.6% rate instead of the county rates which are fucked up to like 9.8%-11.2% for whatever reason still when buying expensive items it adds up quickly

[QUOTE=kaizari;39738015]From the old thread: Maybe something like the Tokina 11-16mm 2.8? [url]http://www.kenrockwell.com/tokina/11-16mm-ii.htm[/url] or the first version that is a bit cheaper: [url]http://www.kenrockwell.com/tokina/11-16mm.htm[/url][/QUOTE] Anything a little cheaper?

[QUOTE=Elfy;39794690]Anything a little cheaper?[/QUOTE] That is most likely the cheapest you are going to get.

So finally, after a year of on and off working on it, I've finally repaired my Konica, and batteries came today for it. What's that? Oh the film counter just finally decided to stop working? Yes I hate you too. Oh well, of all the things that could break, I'm glad it's only that. Nobody really needs to know how many shots they've used, just that the end of the roll is there. Now to put the grips back on and solder up the light meter's cell.

[QUOTE=Kabstrac;39802674]congrats, I use the K-5, it's an amazing camera. Dropped it from about 5 and a half feet on concrete and it only got a chip in it too. Build quality aside, it has amazing ISO and image quality. I recommend the 35mm f2.4 as well for a lens[/QUOTE] That's good to hear. I'll check that lens out. Side note: I was testing out my old 50mm 1.7 lens that I use on my Pentax ME, and through the viewfinder it looks great, but the pictures were coming out a little... fuzzy. Not exactly blurry, just the colors were fuzzy. Don't know how else to describe it. I'm guessing just a dirty lens.

Done! [t]http://i.imgur.com/ceS0Ap7.jpg[/t] Probably gonna try and take a few pictures before it gets dark. We'll see how this goes. Ahh shit, just realized I left the rangefinder's framing bars uncoupled to the focus... I think I can get that once the film is done though.

Just got this! Pretty decent lens and I like it. Samyang 8mm T3.8 [IMG]http://www.photohire.co.za/sites/default/files/imagecache/product_full/Samyang_8mm_f3.8_UMC_Fisheye_CS_II_1.JPG[/IMG]

I may have painted a camera pink [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/communistwolf/8544030351/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8509/8544030351_85f7591eb9.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/communistwolf/8544030351/]PICT1294[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/communistwolf/]CommunistWolf[/url], on Flickr Now its worth even less than nothing.

After countless days stalking Craigslist I finally managed to nab a minolta 70-210 f4 constant zoom!! It came with another camera and lens (don't want them and the other lens has oil unfortunately) but it only cost me $50. So excited to have a good zoom finally! Going to sell my minolta 70-210 3.5-4.5 and tamron 70-300 4-5.6 now. I'll make more than I spent getting this one lens. So happy

I've heard for Pentax their 80-320mm zoom is great, albeit a bit slower

Been looking into one too, but what's holding me back is that I would LOVE to use it on my film minolta, but I can't focus well on it due to not having a split prism screen. I would still use it with my a77 but 135mm is a little long for just a one lens outing. I can cope with an 85mm equiv but not any longer

Anyone know a decent underwater camera? I was thinking of purchasing an Outex housing for like 200 for my 7D. But I'm not sure if I can actually trust that thing.

[img]http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/htmls/models/htmls/Nikonos_creditimages/others/Nikonos_RS-DanKestly.jpg[/img] Nikonos, underwater cameras. My grandfather uses this thing during the summer, pretty nifty camera.

This thing seems cool [url]http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/sony-tx30/sony-tx30A.HTM#[/url] Has a ring flash which is neat

Just bought a D3100 to replace my 20D, Loving it so far, And now the option of 1080p is even better

[QUOTE=PenguinKris;39881657]Anyone know a decent underwater camera? I was thinking of purchasing an Outex housing for like 200 for my 7D. But I'm not sure if I can actually trust that thing.[/QUOTE] If you are ok with something small sensor, then grab a Panasonic FT4. They've just recently come down in price because the newer model's on its way, but they still have a great lens in them.

[QUOTE=Trogdon;39881758]This thing seems cool [url]http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/sony-tx30/sony-tx30A.HTM#[/url] Has a ring flash which is neat[/QUOTE] That's actually pretty neat, it's small so it'll still be harsh direct light, but it removes the hard shadows. Would be pretty cool to have this as a trend in new cameras.

a friend said he got me a gift for my camera collection and wanted to come over, was really excited to show me what it was shows up and throws this at me [img]http://i.imgur.com/RQrsAEj.png[/img] historically speaking this is a great piece [img]http://i.somethingawful.com/forumsystem/emoticons/emot-buddy.gif[/img]

[QUOTE=daijitsu;39922892]a friend said he got me a gift for my camera collection and wanted to come over, was really excited to show me what it was shows up and throws this at me [img]http://i.imgur.com/RQrsAEj.png[/img] historically speaking this is a great piece [img]http://i.somethingawful.com/forumsystem/emoticons/emot-buddy.gif[/img][/QUOTE] That was some seriously high-tech stuff for the mid-90s.