Associate
- Joined
- 2 Jan 2004
- Posts
- 1,866
- Location
- Exeter, Devon
Okay, so it's summer time again, weather's nice and I'm on my student hols! Which means the perfect time to take time out for some serious photography time! Hurrah and things!
Before I get too stuck in though I want to give my gear bag a good looking over.
In there at the moment I have:
350D and grip
17-40L (stays on 90% of the time)
28-135 IS USM
18-55 kit lens (fitted to extension tubes for use as macro)
Sigma 70-300 (which I detest, with a passion. Past 200mm its useless, before its fairly iffy and the focusing speed and noise is utterly, utterly dire).
~£40 Velbon tripod
Given I'm now back in the countryside again landscapes are a major subject, but almost equally so are flower/bug/odd things close-ups. So, with the £500'ish I have I want to get the most out of the kit Ill be lugging to and fro over the next 2 months or so.
I've pretty much decided that a new tripod must be bought. The Manfrotto 055CL legs caught my eye and are fit my budget well, but I'm a bit stuck for a head. I like the look of the 460MG with its non-intrusive knobs, and again fits my budget well, but its max. load of 3.3kg is rather disapointing.
The 50mm f/1.8 prime is also tempting me, mainly due its its great reviews by people here, awesome price and low-light capabilty. But I'm wondering, with a 17-40L is there really that much point in getting hold of one? Chances are it might well just sit in my bag and vey rarely get any use.
Some sort of 100+mm prime is also quite tempting, possibly a dedicated macro, though Ive been struggling to find out what's is available (with decent IQ) at this focal length.
70-200L f/4 is also tempting me, and would be a nice replacement for the Sigma. However, for the same cash I could get all the above, and while I know I need this lens at some point to complete a fully complimented gear bag, Im sure 100% sure its worth it right now.
Any comments, suggestions or insights into any of the above dilemmas is much appreciated
Before I get too stuck in though I want to give my gear bag a good looking over.
In there at the moment I have:
350D and grip
17-40L (stays on 90% of the time)
28-135 IS USM
18-55 kit lens (fitted to extension tubes for use as macro)
Sigma 70-300 (which I detest, with a passion. Past 200mm its useless, before its fairly iffy and the focusing speed and noise is utterly, utterly dire).
~£40 Velbon tripod
Given I'm now back in the countryside again landscapes are a major subject, but almost equally so are flower/bug/odd things close-ups. So, with the £500'ish I have I want to get the most out of the kit Ill be lugging to and fro over the next 2 months or so.
I've pretty much decided that a new tripod must be bought. The Manfrotto 055CL legs caught my eye and are fit my budget well, but I'm a bit stuck for a head. I like the look of the 460MG with its non-intrusive knobs, and again fits my budget well, but its max. load of 3.3kg is rather disapointing.
The 50mm f/1.8 prime is also tempting me, mainly due its its great reviews by people here, awesome price and low-light capabilty. But I'm wondering, with a 17-40L is there really that much point in getting hold of one? Chances are it might well just sit in my bag and vey rarely get any use.
Some sort of 100+mm prime is also quite tempting, possibly a dedicated macro, though Ive been struggling to find out what's is available (with decent IQ) at this focal length.
70-200L f/4 is also tempting me, and would be a nice replacement for the Sigma. However, for the same cash I could get all the above, and while I know I need this lens at some point to complete a fully complimented gear bag, Im sure 100% sure its worth it right now.
Any comments, suggestions or insights into any of the above dilemmas is much appreciated
