Canon EOS 350D Digital Rebel XT SLR Camera (SOLD)
Sylvia is using this one, it's almost as good as the XTI and without the batt-pack it's lighter.
She like to shoot handheld. It's simply amazing for the price.
Canon EOS 400D Digital Rebel XTI SLR Camera
I use the XTI not because i'm not happy with the XT but because i had a deal and we needed a second camera (Sylvia is new to that hobby)!. I use the Batt-Pack for grip but mostly balance (with the 400mm) on the tripod. One day i will go with a 5D, but i will have more lens way before i invest in a 5D.
We also have a bunch off
little stuff like Manfroto tripod & monopod, filter,
remote switch and a big (to big) Lowerpro bag.
Canon EOS 40D SLR Camera
I'm still testing this great machine.... bigger and heavier than the XT family, but still smaller than the serie 1.
Canon Speedlite 430EX Flash (SOLD)
We don't use it much! We will see about this one. I'm still not convince that
the Camera flash is not up to the task. For my taste, it's expensive for what you have.
Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX DG
This is a new lens that we just bought before the Mexico trip, it's also new on the market.
It's fairly inexpensive (around 450$) considering it's a 15-30. And a good 15mm i have to say.
Color are very good. It's fast enough at f/3.5. Very solid construction
Canon EF 28-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens
It's simply a must in a bag, it's not the best out there but for the price (around 600$) it's a very
good lens. 28-135mm is a good carry around lens. The IS (Image Stabilization) work
well and it's a + in low light (even if i'm no fan of IS). I'm impress with the picture, better that i would have thought.
We use it a lot!
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro Lens
It's one of the best on the market, at 650$ for a fix 90mm it better be good.
It's design for Macro and portrait, it take some unbelievable shot,
even hand-held with the "limiter" ON. The fly was taken without a tripod by Sylvie.
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM Lens (SOLD)
Well, it's a "L" Lens, so you get what you pay for, EXTREM color quality
and ultra quiet and fast zooming! But, it's an f/4! So it may need light or a tripod. Very light lens.
It's the low end of the L series (if there is any low end!), they make a f/2.8 IS and
that is the big boy. Still... we may keep it anyway unless we moove to the 2.8.
I took those hand-held.
Sigma 135-400mm f/4.5-5.6 APO DG (SOLD)
You can now find this lens under $600! Yea, so for that price it's a steel!
When we bought it we didn't have much money for a telephoto. So with some
research i found that was THE best deal for the price. We thought of selling it but
Sylvie want to keep it.... It's pretty light for it's size. It's even very good at
400 if you know how to use it (forget the auto mode). Even if we are now on the market for a
Canon 100-400 IS L, a Sigma 50-500mm (Bigma), a fix Canon 400mm or even a fix 500MM...
we may keep this one because it's light and pretty fast. Again, it need light
or a very good tripod. I used a monopod for the surfer.
(SOLD)Sigma 100-300mm f/4 APO 100-300mm EX HSM with 1.4 TC (140-420mm) NEW
It's new, so for now i won't tell much, but this lens as a 9.5/10 review everywhere. I took a few shot with it and for now, i am amazed! Even with the 1.4 TC at f/5.6 it's still very very sharp! It's pretty big and on the heavy side but i like it like that. I think it's one very sexy lens.
Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM
I sold the 100-300 for this one, but that is a complete different beast!
Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG OS
I just love that lens, super sharp at 400mm. I may have a good copy? The AF ia a bit slow but still.
Sigma 150-500mm f/5- 6.3 DG OS HSM
Picture to come, for now, here is my test page
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Here is some of my dream lens, i should have one by the end of the year.. a 500 f/4 IS or the Sigma 500 f/4.5 (i hope).
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The upcoming one We like nature and wildlife and that is what we do most. You never have enough MM when in the wild. We also don't have the money for a fix 500 or 600mm lense.... for now. My choice would be the Canon 500mm or the Sigma 500 or 600mm. But those also have disadvantage, they are fix lens, big and heavy and over 4500$. I say, better have a ok shot than no shot, you never know how an animal can react! If it get closer to you... you are done with your 500mm Conclusion, for now there is NO perfect telephoto zoom lens for me under 500. The day they will built a very good 200-500 (real 500) f/5.6 ( at 500mm) with maybe IS/OS, they will built the perfect lense Canon is very close with the light 100-400mm. The sigma is probalby the closest one for now. But it's pretty heavy at 4.5 pds and it as a barely ok f/6.3 at 500mm (No OS) It's a dificult decision, but the Sigma is still a good 400$ less than the Canon! We also have the fix 400 f/5.6 in mind, a great old lens! Anyway, one of those will be our next move, Now, i have some time to think it over
for our next lens. All lens have their fan club.
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