A Question for FF Shooters

[Jim B.]

Excited to see The Night Watch in person.I heard it's mesmerizing.I went to the National Gallery of Art in D.C. years ago to see a Rodin exhibit.The Gates of Hell was massive.Stood for an hour taking it in and left stunned.
Thanks for the opinions.You have me rethinking my set up.I'll still be very happy with shooting exteriors and street scenes.
I'll be there a week so will have a couple of days to get a feel for interior shooting,if it's going to be worth a try.

[William W]

I have a 5DII coming this week and I have a lens question. I’m going to Amsterdam in December and would like to get some input.
I would like to take 1 lens only. I have a 24-105 and want to know if you all think it would be a good choice. Uses will be galleries, architecture and street shots.

I think it is a good choice.

I think that is why this lens was invented.

In fact, I think Canon should use that description for their brochure. "This lens is invaluable for walk around shots in Amsterdam"

I do not own the 24 to 105 and I have been backwards and forwards over it for a few years as a "one lens solution travel lens"

My problem is I cannot bring myself to travel with fewer than two lenses and two cameras.

Though, if my "Plan B" travel-camera becomes a quality P&S - then I guess that would consolidate my thoughts on the 24 to 105 - but as you already own the lens you do not have that “should I buy it question . . . which leads to . . .the big question is (which I think no one has asked):

What are the other lenses you have, from which you might choose?

AND if you mention you have a 50F/1.8 or 35F/2 I would be encouraging you to put one in your pocket (preferably the 35F/2) . . .

Because, for street stuff and museum type stuff: F2 buys you a hellavalotmore stopping power than F4; both those lenses are way less conspicuous than a 24-105; and both much, much easier for hip and hail-mary shooting – the 35mmF/2, especially.

But I ask, why in heavens name would you want an inconspicuous wide lens which will allows easy hip shooting - especailly on a 5DMkII?

"who me? no way! I don't even have a flash so pictures wouldn't come out anyway"

WW

[Jim B.]

I have the 50 1.4.I picked up a very nice used 24-70 the other day.Going out today to do some shooting with it.My plan now is to take the 24-70,70-200 and the 50. I decided to take a larger bag because my wife wants to use laptop on the flight.I usually pack it in checked bags.
thanks for your input.

[Donald]

I usually pack it in checked bags.

You're a brave man, Jim.

I do as little flying as possible these days, but I wouldn't let them put my kit anywhere near the hold. If it did arrive at the same place as me at the same time, who knows what condition it would be in. Or maybe you're not flying via London Heathrow!

[Jim B.]

Hi Donald,
I need to clarify.I usually pack the laptop in checked bags.My camera and gear stay with me as carry on.
The flight is straight to Amsterdam from New Jersey.No London Heathrow connection.

[I Simonius]

I have a 5DII coming this week and I have a lens question.I'm going to Amsterdam in December and would like to get some input.
I would like to take 1 lens only.I have a 24-105 and want to know if you all think it would be a good choice.Uses will be galleries,architecture and street shots.

perfect IMO

get a TC if you want longer?

[William W]

perfect IMO

get a TC if you want longer?

I think you will find the Canon TC's will not work.

Third party TC's - if the do fit - will give mediocre results, as they are designed for lenses beginning above 50mm (better 85mm, best 135mm) and also designed to work better with Primes.

WW

[I Simonius]

I think you will find the Canon TC's will not work.

Third party TC's - if the do fit - will give mediocre results, as they are designed for lenses beginning above 50mm (better 85mm, best 135mm) and also designed to work better with Primes.

WW

The 1.4 TC will probably fit mecahanically but will only give mediocre results until you are at the very long end (iw. 90-105) I suspect

Get one on spec and try it

[Colin Southern]

The 1.4 TC will probably fit mecahanically but will only give mediocre results until you are at the very long end (iw. 90-105) I suspect

I think you'll find that it won't fit.

[William W]

The 1.4 TC will probably fit mecahanically but will only give mediocre results until you are at the very long end (iw. 90-105) I suspect

Get one on spec and try it

If you are referring to the Canon x1.4 and Canon x1.4MkII Telconverters, then there is no need for me to buy one on spec. I own the latter and have used the former. I think you will find they will not mount with the EF24 to 105F/4L USM lens.

WW

PS Hello, Colin, you are up early . . . great sunrise here . . . I might have to take a picture or two

[Colin Southern]

If you are referring to the Canon x1.4 and Canon x1.4MkII Telconverters, then there is no need for me to buy one on spec. I own the later and have used the former. I think you will find they will not mount with the EF24 to 105F/4L USM lens.

WW

'mornin Bill. There's an echo in the room again

[I Simonius]

I think you'll find that it won't fit.

OH OK. [Sold my 24-105 so can't test it;( ]

[KentDub]

I still have my 24-105 F4 L... TC's won't work with it
Still saving for the 70-200 F/2.8L....

[Amberglass]

Ahem. There's a reason why the Canon teleconverters are "white" like the upper range telephotos and primes. Also teleconverters were not designed for the consumer grade zooms, that's why you see more of those "all in one focal length" kitchen sink models.

Teleconverters are only meant for pro level zooms and super telephoto primes because you will need the sharpest glass possible.

Since you will be shooting in winter or in cold environments; leave your gear (lens already mounted on body) in your zipped up camera bag for 20 mins when you go outside. Give your gear time to acclimate to the outside temperatures. Leave your batteries in you chest pocket or pocket to keep them warm, cold drains batteries quicker so bring extra than you would in summer.

If you don't acclimate your gear, condensation can form within your camera and lens which is all around bad. This also applies to Pro level gear. Moisture can lead to the growth of fungus, or more commonly known as "Lens Rot". If you have a contaminated lens, place it in a plastic bag and have it sent out for professional cleaning. The fungus is contagious and will spread to your other gear if left unchecked.

Close up your gear bag before you get back in you hotel room, do not open bag to check your pics, once in your room, place bag in the corner of closet (coolest place in room) for another 20 mins to acclimate to room. For those of you at home, just bring your gear down into the basement or area that is not too drastic in temperature changes.

Once my gear is all cleaned and ready to go, I leave my gear in "cold storage". I have semi insulated closet that remains very cool in winter (like 50 degrees Fahrenheit) that I leave my gear in the night before (minus the batteries). When I go out, I will now require less time to acclimate my gear.

[William W]

Ahem. There's a reason why the Canon teleconverters are "white" like the upper range telephotos and primes

One trivia night question is: Which (current) BLACK Canon EF lenses are designed to mate and be used with the Canon EFx1.4MkII and EF2.0MkII telextenders?

(without using an extension ring in between - becasue that is cheating).

Off the top of my head I know of three . . .anyone know of more than three?

WW

[Colin Southern]

One trivia night question is: Which (current) BLACK Canon EF lenses are designed to mate and be used with the Canon EFx1.4MkII and EF2.0MkII telextenders?

(without using an extension ring in between - becasue that is cheating).

Off the top of my head I know of three . . .anyone know of more than three?

WW

135/2; 180/3.5; 200/2.8 ... presumably your three as well?

[William W]

135/2; 180/3.5; 200/2.8 ... presumably your three as well?

Send the Leg of Lamb and the tray of Sausages to Colin, please.

I think the 180/3.5 would trap a few punters.

WW

[Colin Southern]

Send the Leg of Lamb and the tray of Sausages to Colin, please.

I think the 180/3.5 would trap a few punters.

WW

Swap ya sausages for mint sauce?

[William W]

Mint sauce coming. We make ours (my Nanna's recipe) - my treat. You can keep the sausages - you won them fair and square

Maybe you could aquire a couple of bottels of a nice NZ Pinot Noir to accompany the Lamb.

[Colin Southern]

Mint sauce coming. We make ours (my Nanna's recipe) - my treat. You can keep the sausages - you won them fair and square

Maybe you could aquire a couple of bottels of a nice NZ Pinot Noir to accompany the Lamb.

I'm reminded of an occasion where I had lunch on a fishing boat the other day - I think the word "fishing boat" conjures up negative images of rusty & smelly old buckets - cold and miserable where everyone eats baked beans on toast ...

... The real story (on these anyway) warm / dry inside - satallite TV - eMail and then there's the food ...

... to give you some idea - at one stage a chef/owner of one of the best two restaurants in our city gave up his restaurant and went to work as "cook" on one of these boats - he's long since left, but all who remain seem to all cook the same way ... nothing overly complicated, but well cooked and plenty of it. On this particular occasion I had lamb "steaks" & vegetables (with mint jelly, not sauce) ... and the biggest pavelova that I'd seen in my life(I think that just the cream was about 2 to 3 inches high). They work really hard out there (6 hours on / 6 hours off for 6 weeks (rinse and repeat) and then 6 weeks off -- but I'd give my right arm to have that kind of food available to me every day!