Photographers Thread

[jazz_samz]

Thought there are a couple of avid shutter bugs here so thought of starting a thread to discuss about Camera equipments, photography tips etc...

Tried to look for it cos I thought there was an earlier thread but could not find it when I use the search... so...

I am considering the following lenses...
FROM CS
EF-S 60mm f/2.8 USM (Yen57,000/US$385) RS$889 - CP$710/ TK$780 / AP$730
EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM (Yen82,000/US$470) RS$899 - OP$740(Local warranty) / MS$730 / CP-M$720 / CP-P $750 / TCW$780 grey
EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro (Yen42,000/US$240) RS$680 - AP$590

Anybody have any feedback on these?

[jazz_samz]

HARY!!! Pls come in to share share your experience too kae?

[jazz_samz]

Anybody here in CS too?? I haven't been there for sometime.. was trying to look for this particular PI guy who always have lots of Canon, Nikon body and lens at very attractive prices but can't seem to locate him anymore... (can't remember his nick liao) This fella part time PI lenses while his family biz is in jewellery. Anyone who is in CS have this info PM me. Cheers!

[jazz_samz]

List of DSLR users here
1) jazz_samz
2) hary
3) lucas how
4) 116520
5) sunzhi

[triton]

is it Oracle?

[sunzhi]

reporting sam.. i m not very active in CS either. i am using canon 40d and sharing a sony a300 with wifey. it's my first sony, she picked it because of the better live-view function compares to canon 450d.

cheers & merry christmas...

[jazz_samz]

HOHOHO!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Trition!! BINGO!!! Yes Oracle.. what happen to that fella? Never see him around liao.. (cos long time since I went in again)

[Hary]

I am considering the following lenses...
FROM CS
EF-S 60mm f/2.8 USM (Yen57,000/US$385) RS$889 - CP$710/ TK$780 / AP$730
EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM (Yen82,000/US$470) RS$899 - OP$740(Local warranty) / MS$730 / CP-M$720 / CP-P $750 / TCW$780 grey
EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro (Yen42,000/US$240) RS$680 - AP$590

Anybody have any feedback on these?

Bro, no experience with EF-S 60mm and EF 50mm. I did consider EF-S 60mm due to focal length, but then u restrict yourself to EF-S mount and the price is about the same. I also considered Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro, but not satisfied with its focus speed and the noise. The USM is a plus point. Canon brand also has better resale value. The price difference between Tamron and Canon is around $150 only. Might as well get Canon.

[jazz_samz]

agree. I used to be able to loan and play the 3rd party lenses as friend worked in a disty. Don't really fancy them. I have only been using Canon lenses since my EOS 3 film till now. Cos I believe their technology.

[pingpong]

oracle kinda "retired" .. after Canon reduced the price of lens locally a few months ago, it is no longer cost effective to bring in lens from HK as the price diff is not that great

... nice guy to deal with i got my 24-105mm F4L from him. ..


i have the 100m F2.8... nice lens..very sharp too.. but i got mine from US

[decksurgeon]

i second that, the local canon lens price has come down and with the current HK exchange rate the savings are next to nil.

when pushed hard, you can get a 70-200mm F2.8 IS for 2450 locally.
the best HK price at current exchange is 3 dollars cheaper. so no point.

for super telephoto like 500mm / 600mm lenses. best get from the USA. you save up to 2-3k compared to local or HK prices.

my feedback on the EF100mm macro is that it is a bang for buck macro lens and very popular. the L lens version is massive price hike and does not justify the price/performance ratio.

another macro is the MP-65 that gives you 1-5x life size (the rest of the macros are usually 1:1). the only problem is that you have very poor depth of field and therefore need to have large F stop to compensate. that means very little light getting into the camera....therefore you need a macro flash!

and you need the MT24 macro twin flash to get a good pic with macro. thats another 1++k of gear. for watch shoots dont get the ring flash, a twin flash is a must. the ring reflects off the glass of the watch and u will see the 'ring flash' in the picture. the twin flash gives you much more flexibility with lighting.

all adds up....macro is expensive hobby to shoot...but never as expensive as super telephoto!

hope this helps

[jazz_samz]

thanks for sharing guys.

Decksurgeon, no it's not helping!!! Already got poison by watches, now u reignite my photography interest again. Poison alert!!!!!
U using a Canon too? Got a feeling it's a 5D. Kekekeke

I m seriously considering the 3 lens I listed. But I wonder if anyone can feedback on the performance of the 50mm compact macro???

[jazz_samz]

I probably will some off the EFS lens. More feedback pls!!!

[decksurgeon]

my advise is to get the 100mm EF.
the reasons are:

(1) 100mm is the tried and tested and most popular for bang for buck macro. althought initial price i higher - u will go a long way. preowned is about 600-700 usually.

(2) 50mm sometimes u are too close to the subject (eg insect). so if you decide to shoot other things than watches....may scare the subject. [that is the reason why the L version macro is 180mm for a longer stand-off distance]

(3) if you go EFS mount, you are limited to non-full frame bodies. lets say you upgrade to the 5DmkII/full frame. then your EFS lens cannot fit it.
personally i use only EF lenses for this reason tho i have non-full frame canons also, basically EF fits all.

5D is a great camera (bar the black dots issue, so far no issue). the shutter sound is way different from the regular 40/50D and the ISO even at 1250 under low light is extremely clean.

5D & full frames are different animals!....just like watches, once u move up and taste the good stuff you wont go back 1Ds...the handling and shutter and feel is ultimate poison! *warning* LOL!

[jazz_samz]

Bro decksurgeon, I agree that since the EF-S 60mm is the same price as the 100mm, the appeal on the EF-S lens due to price factor is not as attractive, might as well get a 100mm. However, I don't think I would be buying / migrate to a FF body one day.... nice thought but I would rather spend that money on a watch lah. hahahah...
if I DO change a camera body, it would be to a 40D or a double digit series still I guess (with crop factor).. Moreover I already have an EF-S 17-55mm.
Unless Canon progress to a stage where FF are available on all their xxD and xD series.. kekekek

Regarding the 50mm, If I take that x1.6 on my 400D, it would be 80mm which is not too bad if I am taking shots of my kid and watches only? you reckon?

You own a 50mm f1.4 lens bro? I already have a 50mm f1.8 so would be buying a 50mm compact macro seem redundant? (sort off also right?)