Just mailed out a check for $1,400 for a D300.

[fuzzybabybunny]

When I get my D300 I will run it through the shower. Will report back.

Currently trying to figure out what lens combo I should get:

1. 18-200mm : not weather sealed, light weight, convenient, sharp, $500
2. 17-55mm f/2.8 + 70-200mm f/2.8: both weather sealed, heavy, not as convenient, super sharp, $2700

 

[randomlinh]

heh, if you have the money, option 2 by far. I would sacrifice the convenience of one lens for those two. But that is a bit subjective. I'd throw in a fast prime too, hah.

 

[magomago]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
When I get my D300 I will run it through the shower. Will report back.

Currently trying to figure out what lens combo I should get:

1. 18-200mm : not weather sealed, light weight, convenient, sharp, $500
2. 17-55mm f/2.8 + 70-200mm f/2.8: both weather sealed, heavy, not as convenient, super sharp, $2700

there is NO reason for you to not even consider weather sealing.....i've read too many of your "zomg water water everywhere" stories such that you'd be crazy not make sure everything is weather sealed. find $$$ to somehow afford weather sealing, okay?

 

[pennylane]

Just get all 3 .

There's going to be a new version of 70-200mm f/2.8's coming. So I'd wait for the newer one to come out and get it or possibly get an older one used if people decide to ditch their older 70-200mm f/2.8's for the newer one.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Uggg... I think that I'm going to have to go for the 18-200mm instead because the finances are so strapped:

Here's what I hope to get after shipping and stuff for my gear:

Sigma Flash: 50
Canon Flash: 200
Canon 30D: 200
Sigma 50-500mm: 650
Canon 50mm: 250
Sigma 18-200mm: 350
Tamron 17-50mm: 300
Sigma 10-20mm: 350
Sigma 30mm: 200
Sigma 100-300mm: 300
Total: 2850

D300: 1400
Grip + Batteries: 250
Total: 1650

Difference: 1200, not enough to get both the 17-55mm and 70-200mm. About $1000 off.

 

[magomago]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
Uggg... I think that I'm going to have to go for the 18-200mm instead because the finances are so strapped:

Here's what I hope to get after shipping and stuff for my gear:

Sigma Flash: 50
Canon Flash: 200
Canon 30D: 200
Sigma 50-500mm: 650
Canon 50mm: 250
Sigma 18-200mm: 350
Tamron 17-50mm: 300
Sigma 10-20mm: 350
Sigma 30mm: 200
Sigma 100-300mm: 300
Total: 2850

D300: 1400
Grip + Batteries: 250
Total: 1650

Difference: 1200, not enough to get both the 17-55mm and 70-200mm. About $1000 off.

well don't complain about nikon if you get water damage in some form

 

[randomlinh]

how about just getting the 17-55 or 70-200? magomago makes a good point, heh. Yes, it will be limiting, but better to have a functional camera than none at all.

 

[virtuamike]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
Uggg... I think that I'm going to have to go for the 18-200mm instead because the finances are so strapped:

Here's what I hope to get after shipping and stuff for my gear:

Sigma Flash: 50
Canon Flash: 200
Canon 30D: 200
Sigma 50-500mm: 650
Canon 50mm: 250
Sigma 18-200mm: 350
Tamron 17-50mm: 300
Sigma 10-20mm: 350
Sigma 30mm: 200
Sigma 100-300mm: 300
Total: 2850

D300: 1400
Grip + Batteries: 250
Total: 1650

Difference: 1200, not enough to get both the 17-55mm and 70-200mm. About $1000 off.

You can pick up a used 17-55/2.8 in the $900 range. A spare battery or 2 would be a good idea, but if you can get by without the grip for now then that's at least $500 you can put towards a tele.

 

[jpeyton]

The solution is obviously to skip the 70-200mm VR for now; get a used 80-200mm f/2.8 ED to hold you over. You give up AF-S and VR, but you also save about $900. They hold their value pretty well too; if you want to upgrade to a 70-200mm down the road, I doubt you'll lose more than 5-10% of the purchase price on the 80-200mm. In my case, I sold one for the same as my purchase price; paid $0 to use it for 2 years.

It's a big heavy metal-bodied lens that was a favorite of photojournalists for years before the 70-200mm came out; I've seen several that took a LOT of abuse and still worked perfectly a decade later.

 

[ElFenix]

how are the canon 50 and the sigma 100-300? have you ever sent the 100-300 in for calibration? is there any warranty left on it? how about the sigma 30?

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
how are the canon 50 and the sigma 100-300? have you ever sent the 100-300 in for calibration? is there any warranty left on it? how about the sigma 30?

Canon 50mm is fine.

Sigma 100-300mm is fvcked. Sand in it and the focus is locked as a result. The focus barrel turns but it doesn't do anything. Repairing sand damage can be very expensive and I might have to scrap the lens altogether. I once sent in a Tamron 180mm for sand damage and Tamron didn't even want to repair it because it would cost so much. I ended up repairing it myself after I figured out how to take it apart (had to fashion a custom tool). Never sent in for calibration, no warranty, the EX "crinkle" finish is peeling off.

Sigma 30mm has serious backfocusing issues. Useless at f/2.8 and wider. Need to send it in for calibration. When I first owned it it had come back from Sigma with correct focus. Then over the years it has gone out of whack again. I have no idea how a lens just "goes out of whack."

 

[jamesbond007]

Congrats OP.

Originally posted by: yllus
After using a D200 last weekend, I keep wishing Canon ergonomics were as nice as Nikon's.

Seriously? I personally can't stand them and I think they have too many buttons and switches scattered all over the place. Although I only know 2 people who shoot Nikon, one of them agrees with me on that.

Surely it is just preference and to each their own.

Happy shooting!

 

[soydios]

Originally posted by: jamesbond007
Congrats OP.

Originally posted by: yllus
After using a D200 last weekend, I keep wishing Canon ergonomics were as nice as Nikon's.

Seriously? I personally can't stand them and I think they have too many buttons and switches scattered all over the place. Although I only know 2 people who shoot Nikon, one of them agrees with me on that.

Surely it is just preference and to each their own.

Happy shooting!

Canon's non-Rebel grips fit my hand perfectly. My problem with them is that you have to keep moving your hand in order to hit any buttons. For Nikon, my index finger only has to leave the shutter release to adjust exposure compensation. That's why there's buttons on the left side of Nikon bodies.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
I have no idea how a lens just "goes out of whack."

heh, given your descriptions of how you handle your gear...

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: soydios

Originally posted by: jamesbond007
Congrats OP.

Originally posted by: yllus
After using a D200 last weekend, I keep wishing Canon ergonomics were as nice as Nikon's.

Seriously? I personally can't stand them and I think they have too many buttons and switches scattered all over the place. Although I only know 2 people who shoot Nikon, one of them agrees with me on that.

Surely it is just preference and to each their own.

Happy shooting!

Canon's non-Rebel grips fit my hand perfectly. My problem with them is that you have to keep moving your hand in order to hit any buttons. For Nikon, my index finger only has to leave the shutter release to adjust exposure compensation. That's why there's buttons on the left side of Nikon bodies.

Nikon doesn't have a pointless print button either

The Rebel ergonomics are awful, the 40D is pretty good, and I haven't used a 5D, but the D80/D200 and D300 I've used have all been a class above when it comes to ergonomics (in my humble opinion).

 

[jamesbond007]

Originally posted by: dug777
Nikon doesn't have a pointless print button either

Hmm...my 1D-series cameras don't have that. I guess I'm missing out then, eh? :laugh:

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: dug777
Nikon doesn't have a pointless print button either

The Rebel ergonomics are awful, the 40D is pretty good, and I haven't used a 5D, but the D80/D200 and D300 I've used have all been a class above when it comes to ergonomics (in my humble opinion).

IMO, the Canon's (anything XXD/XD or better - e.g. no Rebels) are better than Nikon. I've held both and far prefer my Canons.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: OdiN

Originally posted by: dug777
Nikon doesn't have a pointless print button either

The Rebel ergonomics are awful, the 40D is pretty good, and I haven't used a 5D, but the D80/D200 and D300 I've used have all been a class above when it comes to ergonomics (in my humble opinion).

IMO, the Canon's (anything XXD/XD or better - e.g. no Rebels) are better than Nikon. I've held both and far prefer my Canons.

Like, I've held both, and far prefer Nikons. Gosh, we have different opinions :Q

You were terribly confused by the Nikon on/off switch if I recall correctly

@jamesbond11ty007:

You're moving in rather more exclusive circles than me

 

[Deadtrees]

Originally posted by: dug777

Originally posted by: soydios

Originally posted by: jamesbond007
Congrats OP.

Originally posted by: yllus
After using a D200 last weekend, I keep wishing Canon ergonomics were as nice as Nikon's.

Seriously? I personally can't stand them and I think they have too many buttons and switches scattered all over the place. Although I only know 2 people who shoot Nikon, one of them agrees with me on that.

Surely it is just preference and to each their own.

Happy shooting!

Canon's non-Rebel grips fit my hand perfectly. My problem with them is that you have to keep moving your hand in order to hit any buttons. For Nikon, my index finger only has to leave the shutter release to adjust exposure compensation. That's why there's buttons on the left side of Nikon bodies.

Nikon doesn't have a pointless print button either

The Rebel ergonomics are awful, the 40D is pretty good, and I haven't used a 5D, but the D80/D200 and D300 I've used have all been a class above when it comes to ergonomics (in my humble opinion).

A lot of people complain about the print button. For those who use a portable printer(Like sweet Fuji MP-300), it's a life saver. I'm glad that Canon put it there.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: Deadtrees

Originally posted by: dug777

Originally posted by: soydios

Originally posted by: jamesbond007
Congrats OP.

Originally posted by: yllus
After using a D200 last weekend, I keep wishing Canon ergonomics were as nice as Nikon's.

Seriously? I personally can't stand them and I think they have too many buttons and switches scattered all over the place. Although I only know 2 people who shoot Nikon, one of them agrees with me on that.

Surely it is just preference and to each their own.

Happy shooting!

Canon's non-Rebel grips fit my hand perfectly. My problem with them is that you have to keep moving your hand in order to hit any buttons. For Nikon, my index finger only has to leave the shutter release to adjust exposure compensation. That's why there's buttons on the left side of Nikon bodies.

Nikon doesn't have a pointless print button either

The Rebel ergonomics are awful, the 40D is pretty good, and I haven't used a 5D, but the D80/D200 and D300 I've used have all been a class above when it comes to ergonomics (in my humble opinion).

A lot of people complain about the print button. For those who use a portable printer(Like sweet Fuji MP-300), it's a life saver. I'm glad that Canon put it there.

I'd still like to see it as one of those customizable buttons, so the user has the choice as to what the button does. If it were me, I would assign the button to raise shields.

 

[pennylane]

hey fuzzy,

What does the Mack warranty cover for cameras? I had the impression it didn't cover accidental damage. What kind of damage would you expect the Mack warranty to cover for you given how you use your equipment?

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: fanerman91
hey fuzzy,

What does the Mack warranty cover for cameras? I had the impression it didn't cover accidental damage. What kind of damage would you expect the Mack warranty to cover for you given how you use your equipment?

Yeah, the Mack warranty only covers normal wear and tear. I'm hoping to slide it through and get it repaired under warranty. I think I have a pretty good chance of getting it rejected. In which case I will have to pay for the repair myself, but after it's good to go I think one of the selling points of the lens will be that it still has the Mack warranty

Still, normal wear and tear can result in what my Tamron's doing. My Sigma 18-200mm for example... it's my newest lens and it has not been used roughly by any stretch. Yet something just randomly popped out inside the barrel one day and now the focus doesn't work anymore.