New lenses! One problem? And spec me a bag.

Razor-BladE · 4 Feb 2010 at 20:02

So i received the 50mm 1.8 and 55-250mm from onestop today!

They had it down as camera parts worth £18 hehe. Very good service.

So i had a quick few shots with both and i am very pleased with them

The 50mm i can't test properly because it too low light and i can't get a stable shot. I'll bring out the tripod a bit later. And the AF motor is quite loud, and when the focus point is too close and makes a horrible noise.

The 55-250mm seems very good and sharp and quite well built.
However, it's making a strange noise and it's getting me worried. The noise is triggered by pressing the shutter button half way down. The noise usually continues even after i've let go of the shutter button/
I've just tried turning off the IS and it doesn't make a sound. So i have a noisy IS!?? Is this normal? Do you think there is something wrong with it?

Also, not realising that AF was on, i accidentally turned the focus ring, and it allowed me to turn it? I thought when in AF it is locked? Have i damaged the AF motor?

I thought the bag i have now will be ok for the body, kit lens and tele. But it can't even manage that! I can just about fit the body, kit lens and 50mm!

So i'll be needing a new bag, and fast! Because i'm going skiing on the 12th! I'm looking for a backpack style one because when skiing, a shoulder bag would fling about too much. So don't mention Crumplers! (unless there's a good backpack Crumpler one). I will probably get a crumpler muffintop in about a month because i'll need a bigger shoulder bag anyway.

So yeah, spec me a good backpack style bag which will hold a 450d, kit lens w/ hood, 50mm, 55-250mm w/ hood (reversed when storing), a few spare batteries, remote shutter release, lens pen, CP lens, a future flashgun, and a few other bits and bobs. Would be good if there's space for a water bottle or a snack or something.

Not looking to spend more than £50 really.

p0ss3s3d · 4 Feb 2010 at 20:09

The clicking is normal, just the IS working. I find it's even louder on the longer lenses than it is on shorter lenses.

As for the bag, look at the thinktank holster stuff. Might work better than a backpack, might not. You might be even better off with putting them on a belt with lens cases. I like the ThinkTank becuase it can be adjusted with an extendable bit.

sketch145 · 4 Feb 2010 at 20:17

Don't worry about the focus ring on the 50, I did the same thing when I got mine, it's working fine 6 months on.

As for a bag, I personally use a lowepro slingshot 200 when snowboarding although you could also check out the lowepro compudaypack or the fastpack series or a tamrac expedition 7/8, I think redsnapper do some decent bags as well, there's a lot of choice at this sort of size.

Razor-BladE · 4 Feb 2010 at 20:46

p0ss3s3d said:
The clicking is normal, just the IS working. I find it's even louder on the longer lenses than it is on shorter lenses.

As for the bag, look at the thinktank holster stuff. Might work better than a backpack, might not. You might be even better off with putting them on a belt with lens cases. I like the ThinkTank becuase it can be adjusted with an extendable bit.

Oh phew! Thanks. I thought i might've had a faulty one!

Alright then, i'll take a look into them. But i'm also gonna be using it around if i have most of my kit on me as well, cos i''ll probs use a muffintop for lighter travel. I just thought if i'm looking for something for all my kit, might as well find something which is easy, secure and comfortable to carry which can hold drink/food and other random stuff as well.

Just looking at them now, doesn't seem like my cup of tea! Thanks for the suggestion though!

sketch145 said:
Don't worry about the focus ring on the 50, I did the same thing when I got mine, it's working fine 6 months on.

As for a bag, I personally use a lowepro slingshot 200 when snowboarding although you could also check out the lowepro compudaypack or the fastpack series or a tamrac expedition 7/8, I think redsnapper do some decent bags as well, there's a lot of choice at this sort of size.

Alright then. It just won't be good if i managed to break the lens on the day i got it!

Yeah i've been checking out the slingshot 200 and fastpack 200, but leaning towards the fastpack out of the 2.
Thanks, i'll look up the others.
What kit do you have? And how much can you fit in the slingshot? It'll give me some idea of how much i can store because reading reviews, it seems like the fastpack has a little bit more room.

EDIT: CompuDaypack hasn't many reviews, and the Tamrac expedition is an expensive series! The x4 is about £40 with the x7/x8 going +£100! Much too expensive for me.

Tbh i think it will be out of the Slingshot and Fastpack, unless there are better bag out there for a similar price. I'll probs need to order tomorrow/Sat latest to be on the safe side.

You say you take it when you snowboard. I'm assuming you have fallen on it?? And i take it, the cusioning protects your kit fine?

Namistai · 4 Feb 2010 at 21:03

I have a slingshot 200 and love it - it's really stable with the extra strap clipped in, I would say perfectly stable for skiing.

Razor-BladE · 4 Feb 2010 at 21:12

^ Same question, but what kit can you fit in there? And is there much space for non-camera stuff?

EDIT: Not really a factor, but does the fastpack 200 and/or the slingshot 200 have a place where you can attach a tripod?

MichaelHo · 4 Feb 2010 at 21:50

Burton or Dakine do specialist camera bags for skiing/boarding. I have the Burton camera bag and highly recommend it, the only downside is that they are slightly bulky. Upside is there is ample cushioning to avoid damage if you fall and also they are water/snow resistant.

jaybee · 4 Feb 2010 at 21:55

You won't have damaged the AF unless you turned it like you were trying to open a stubborn jam jar from 1974. The noise will be the IS, and the MFD (Minimum Focus Distance) of the nifty fifty can be a pain. Just takes some getting used to. Remember that at f1.8 you need to concentrate to get focus correct.

Razor-BladE · 4 Feb 2010 at 22:22

MichaelHo said:
Burton or Dakine do specialist camera bags for skiing/boarding. I have the Burton camera bag and highly recommend it, the only downside is that they are slightly bulky. Upside is there is ample cushioning to avoid damage if you fall and also they are water/snow resistant.

Thanks for the suggestion but they are a bit too expensive and i probably won't be going skiing for a while after this trip.

jaybee said:
You won't have damaged the AF unless you turned it like you were trying to open a stubborn jam jar from 1974. The noise will be the IS, and the MFD (Minimum Focus Distance) of the nifty fifty can be a pain. Just takes some getting used to. Remember that at f1.8 you need to concentrate to get focus correct.

Nah i wasn't thankfully. Only turned it a little bit before realising.
Yeah the MFD of the 50mm is a lot longer than the kit lens. I keep it on AI servo, so it shouldn't be too bad

---------
Bag wise, i think i'm going to choose either the fastpack 200 or 250 over the slingshot, because two straps is going to be more comfortable and although there's more space for equipment in the slingshots, there should be enough space for my kit and more, from looking at pictures.
I'm not sure whether to spend an extra £8 and go for the 250 though. :confused:

Hmmm... What's the difference between the two? Does the 250 have more space for equipment or has it simply just got extra space for a notebook.

lucklessloser · 4 Feb 2010 at 22:44

Although i'm personally a lowepro slingshot fan if you're going to go for a fastpack bag, i'd spend the extra money and go for the 250 as i'm not sure for the amount of equipment you want to take the 200 will be roomy enough.

Although to be honest i'd go for the 250 anyway because if there was room in the bag after you'd packed everything in i'd just fill it with snacks!

Razor-BladE · 4 Feb 2010 at 23:09

^ I've read that the 250 holds exactly the same as the 200?? It just has an extra 3.5cm of depth for a notebook??? True or not?

lucklessloser · 4 Feb 2010 at 23:56

Well i've been looking to purchase a bigger bag for my kit and have been doing a bit of research into this too and from the reviews i've read and pictures i've found i would side with the fastpack 250 if the fastpack is your preferred bag.

All reviews of the 250 have said that the 250 will easily carry your camera body, three lenses and a flashgun with additional room for lens hoods, filters, etc. However, reviews for the 200 differ on what you can fit in the bag. Most have said the camera body and three lenses due to the way the velcro strips are distributed which means you may be short on space.

Another addition the 250 has but the 200 doesn't is a waistband to keep the fastpack stable on your back - perfect for skiing

sketch145 · 5 Feb 2010 at 00:01

Razor-BladE said:
the Tamrac expedition is an expensive series! The x4 is about £40 with the x7/x8 going +£100! Much too expensive for me.

You say you take it when you snowboard. I'm assuming you have fallen on it?? And i take it, the cusioning protects your kit fine?

Sorry yeah, I meant the Tamrac adventure 7/8

I've fallen down a fair few times with the bag on although I haven't been going that fast at the time, It seems to protect the camera and lenses ok but I wouldn't want to put anything fragile in the top compartment as there's less padding up there. The all weather cover is certainly a bonus if you land in softer snow.

The gear I cram in mine is:

Main section,

30d body
28-80mm
50mm f1.8
70-200mm f4
2 extra batteries
flash triggers, sync leads and other small accessories.

Front pocket,

Torch, phone and wallet.

top section,

2 flashguns, gels and some filters.

One thing I would say is that the single strap definitely does get uncomfortable after a few hours even with the waist strap that the 200 and 300 have, so that's something to bear in mind if you're going to be using it for long periods of time.

Razor-BladE · 5 Feb 2010 at 00:41

lucklessloser said:
Well i've been looking to purchase a bigger bag for my kit and have been doing a bit of research into this too and from the reviews i've read and pictures i've found i would side with the fastpack 250 if the fastpack is your preferred bag.

All reviews of the 250 have said that the 250 will easily carry your camera body, three lenses and a flashgun with additional room for lens hoods, filters, etc. However, reviews for the 200 differ on what you can fit in the bag. Most have said the camera body and three lenses due to the way the velcro strips are distributed which means you may be short on space.

Another addition the 250 has but the 200 doesn't is a waistband to keep the fastpack stable on your back - perfect for skiing

Fair enough. I think it may be better going with the 250 then. Don't want to be like 'Hmm should've gone with the 250', in the future, if i bought the 200. And plus i'll be going uni this sept so it might be likely i'll buy a notebook. It's not that much chunkier than the 200 is it?
And i read that the 250 doesn't have a waiststrap? EDIT: Quick google suggests it does come with it. Strange lol.

sketch145 said:
Sorry yeah, I meant the Tamrac adventure 7/8

Ah lol. That seems better. But i like the quick access thing on the fastpack and slingshots.

sketch145 said:
I've fallen down a fair few times with the bag on although I haven't been going that fast at the time, It seems to protect the camera and lenses ok but I wouldn't want to put anything fragile in the top compartment as there's less padding up there. The all weather cover is certainly a bonus if you land in softer snow.

The gear I cram in mine is:

One thing I would say is that the single strap definitely does get uncomfortable after a few hours even with the waist strap that the 200 and 300 have, so that's something to bear in mind if you're going to be using it for long periods of time.

Alright then. I definitely won't take my kit the 1st day. I'll need to get used to skiing again, and see how many times i fall over.
When you say cram, you mean there's no more space?

Yeah i'm pretty much 95% set on the fastpack. And about 75% for the 250 instead of the 200 atm.

Just another quick question. When you use the camera, is it still easy to use with gloves/goggles on?? Or do you take goggles off? And the camera doesn't condensate when you put it back in the bag does it?