Home Forums Gear Photography New camera on the way

I have been saying for almost a year that I was going to get a Canon 5D II just waiting for a special occasion . Yesterday was Saturday so I ordered it. Be here in about a week.

You will love it. Great camera and with good lenses you will get outstanding photos.

Shoot a 5D right now. Had a 10D before that. Been shooting Canons since 1965. Current lens line up is 50mm f/2.5 Macro, 85mm f/1.2 II, 100mm f/2.8 Macro, 70-200mm f/2.8 IS L, 2 2x II telcons, and a Life-Size Converter EF for the 50mm Macro. Going to rent the 500mm in October for a hot air balloon fest here in NC. If I like it that will be the next purchase.

Must not have been "just a Saturday" as a special occasion. Nice treat for yourself. The 500mm should be nice to use. How close can you set up during the balloon festival? I noticed you did not list any wide angle lenses in your lineup.

I only wish I could have a 500mm lens...maybe when I retire

"maybe when I retire" that is exactly how I got my setup. When I retired in 2005, for the second time I got myself a gift of the 5D, the lenses, and a digital darkroom (dedicated computer). As for WA lenses just don't ever think about them being in my gear lineup. I can't recall a time when I felt I had to have one doing what I do. I'll be able to get right in among the balloons as close as I want within reason. Want to try the big 500mm before I decide to buy. Could do it with the 70-200 with a telcon or both telcons but I really want to shoot that 500. BTY yep in was just Saturday. RR i really envy your landscapes. I don't have anything remotely equal here in the sandhills of NC. Mostly pine and oak scrub. The NC mountains is an over nighter for me and the coast is also if I expect to get any prime light shooting time. Rob I can't get into your site locks up my computer wanted to see your flowers. I shoot lots of botanicals, mostly mushrooms and what I call "ditch flowers" but I do have access to some orchid greenhouses.

Crawfish,
The 500 should be great for wildlife and birds. I went the cheaper route with the 300 f/4 and 1.4tc in hopes of elk and mule deer.
Have you used an extension tube with a normal lens for any of your flower work? Conclusions?
Being in northern Arizona is a blessing for landscapes, but most locations require at least a 2 hour drive so most trips are overnighters on the weekends. Seems you should have plenty of small waterfalls to shoot in the mountains on an overcast day.

Doug~RR

I have no problem getting into that part of my site...you are the first I have heard of with an issue. Not sure why, sorry.

I love doing flowers, the colors so vibrant

Rob, I was able to access the flower collection on your site.

Never use extension tubes. I use the Life-Size Converter EF with my 5D mounted on a Novoflex focusing rack on my tripod with the center column turned upside down. When I'm doing mushrooms it is a lay on the ground deal and I haven't found a tripod that will go that low. So called "table top tripods" don't have the strength to support the camera, lens and platform at least I haven't found one yet.
Rob going to try your site again, really want to see the flower shots.
Pete

Rob I got in. Just had to wait a bit. Nice shots. Flowers are such a wonderful subject. The bird shots are great. My next outing for birds will be to our Lake Normand. We have eagles there. Hope the capture a few shots.

The NC mountains ia a 7 hour one way drive from where I live. I used to go when my oldest son was in collage there but the lack of highways and logging trucks has keep me away for 20 years. Have a trip planned for this fall colors and next spring when the rhododendrons bloom on the mountains.

Harv3589: I've seen several folks out and about here packing 500's. Turns out most were rentals. For less than the intrest on the cost, one can rent them for an extended weekend or so if he knows he's going to a good photo opp. One really crosses a $$$ threshold when he hits that 500mm line.

I finally found a place in Canada that rents out the longer primes. The 500mm runs at $265 for 7 days insured so its not bad. Now I just need to find the time to get out and get some shooting in.