camera gear questions

[luna-tic]

I am gunna be buying some decent camera gear this year got a really good tax return and an inheritence from me grandparents estate.

I am not sure what to get but so far I been told that Canon is what I should be buying?? whats wrong with nikon or pentax? I got a pentax film camera that goes good. But film is expensive to use all the time.

I've been looking at all the photos posted here and wonder what gear you guys use.

Sunnycoastbooger your pics are really crisp and clean I'd be keen to know what you shoot with all your colours look like they are supposed to and the surfers are always in focus.

Darryn Path your pics are really clear clean and sharp not blurry at all and your colours look really good you probably have the best quality photos colour and sharpness wise, what do you use?

George what do you use, I am not sure if I want to buy the lens or camera you have your photos have weird colours to them the blacks are really black and the surfers look out of focus or the wave looks out of focus. Do you use a digital SLR or a camera with opitcal zoom like 10x or something. Your photos just look heaps different to everyone else that posts photos.

Seafood stick your stuff is really good but I don't want to shoot in the water what camera do you use? Your colours are really good too.

Straddiekook your pics are ok but aren't as clear or as good in colour as everyone else what do you use?

I will have about 10 grand to spend dont wanna spend it all if I dont have to, but some advice from the guys that shoot and post would help heaps

[backloop]

I am gunna be buying some decent camera gear this year got a really good tax return and an inheritence from me grandparents estate.

I am not sure what to get but so far I been told that Canon is what I should be buying?? whats wrong with nikon or pentax? I got a pentax film camera that goes good. But film is expensive to use all the time.

I've been looking at all the photos posted here and wonder what gear you guys use.

Sunnycoastbooger your pics are really crisp and clean I'd be keen to know what you shoot with all your colours look like they are supposed to and the surfers are always in focus.

Darryn Path your pics are really clear clean and sharp not blurry at all and your colours look really good you probably have the best quality photos colour and sharpness wise, what do you use?

George what do you use, I am not sure if I want to buy the lens or camera you have your photos have weird colours to them the blacks are really black and the surfers look out of focus or the wave looks out of focus. Do you use a digital SLR or a camera with opitcal zoom like 10x or something. Your photos just look heaps different to everyone else that posts photos.

Seafood stick your stuff is really good but I don't want to shoot in the water what camera do you use? Your colours are really good too.

Straddiekook your pics are ok but aren't as clear or as good in colour as everyone else what do you use?

I will have about 10 grand to spend dont wanna spend it all if I dont have to, but some advice from the guys that shoot and post would help heaps

This should bring a few interesting replies.

[NGP]

feel free to give me a call afternoons at my office, you can find my number on the link below. I can give you some advice and if you'd like you can drop by and check out some gear too. we got some of the best deals here in OZ and I know my products which helps ;)

[sunnycoastbooger]

Hey mate, i would definately go with canon. or if not nikon. the reason i say this is, you simply have a far greater range of lens etc, and a much bigger 2nd hand market. At the moment i use a canon 350d which isnt that good for surf shots, ill be upgrading VERY soon, i also use a 400mm 5.6L and a 70-200 2.8L. hope that helps

[Donweather]

Hey Ben, if ya ever want to get rid of your 400 5.6L or the 70-200 2.8L, let me know first hey!!

[yewwww!]

10k your laughing mate...

[yewwww!]

Hey Ben, if ya ever want to get rid of your 400 5.6L or the 70-200 2.8L, let me know first hey!!
Mmmmm can't see him getting rid of the 2.8 anytime if ever. Probably the same as the 400.

[sunnycoastbooger]

Hey Ben, if ya ever want to get rid of your 400 5.6L or the 70-200 2.8L, let me know first hey!!

HAHAHA will do, dont hold your breath! i can see the 70-200 going, maybe the 400 if i get a better one

[Darryn Patch]

Mate I use Canon. Most of if not all my recent pics were taken with a 20D and a 600/4 non IS lens you would pick that setup, up with a sturdy tripod for about 8-9 grand but if you aint making any cash from photos dont spend that much money.

I'd recommed a 20D and a Canon 500mm F4.5 lens that setup will cost you about 5 grand and it will more than do the job. But definatley Canon as when you decide to sell you have a much greater market to sell to and you will loose next to nothing on your gear in resale price.

Or if you looking at full budget setup 20D and 400/5.6 for under 2 grand. But 400 is generally too short for surfing as most breaks are atleast 100 metres away from where you park yourself.

[mbroad]

Darryn mentioned the Canon 500 4.5 and the 600 4 non-IS. If you find a good example great, however the focus motors for these cameras are no longer in production so if they go on you your stuffed.

Anyway I have the 400 5.6. Great budget long lens to get you going. Great if you want to shoot other stuff as well and don't want to spend everything on one long lens.

20/30D are both great mid range bodies. 30D looks to be updated very soon.

Anyway as a bit of a plug check out http://www.surfphotographersforum.com for info on what others shoot with and why.

Mark

[yewwww!]

But 400 is generally too short for surfing as most breaks are atleast 100 metres away from where you park yourself.
I don't reckon. I think 400 is a good size lens. I reckon any of the 70-200 lens' are the most versatile. You get the most variety both surfing and non-surfing from them and they are great quality.
But you would need something longer as well.

[george]

I use a pentax film camera... The funny colours are from stupid pricks opening the door of my darkroom....

I reckon you should get an olympus 770 something or other....

and send me 5 grand so I can get a better set up.....

[Darryn Patch]

Yes Canon no longer produce these motors however if your smart and insure your gear as you should and the motor dies my insurance company will actually update my lens to the current model, so if it dies I am looking at a brand new 600/4IS lens, so having it kick the bucket doesn't bother me 1 bit.

And the insurance company is AON. Cost me fk all to insure my gear.

[sunnycoastbooger]

I use a pentax film camera... The funny colours are from stupid pricks opening the door of my darkroom....

I reckon you should get an olympus 770 something or other....

and send me 5 grand so I can get a better set up.....


HAHAHAHA


Yeh i agree with Yewwww, i have been finding 400mm lately even slightly too long at alot of spots, i would definately find 600mm too long alot of the time. The dream setup would be the 400 2.8 and a 1.4x.

[george]

and if ya need some one to help get set up.. call this fella

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q12/surfphotos/Dbah/street/0367-600.jpg

[mbroad]

Yes Canon no longer produce these motors however if your smart and insure your gear as you should and the motor dies my insurance company will actually update my lens to the current model, so if it dies I am looking at a brand new 600/4IS lens, so having it kick the bucket doesn't bother me 1 bit.

And the insurance company is AON. Cost me fk all to insure my gear.

Very good point Darryn. Should have remembered that. Must get back to searching for a soon to die 600 non-IS (don't what to know what happens to my insurance premium once I make a 10K+ claim though)

I also am with AON for all my stills, film and public liability insurance.

[yewwww!]

I really need to do my insurance. I inquired and had all the paper work ready to sign but for some reason i cant find it anymore :(. I do however need to contact AON instead of AOL and see if there is a better price. AOL quoted me $500 PA plus $100 excess or a $500 if stolen from my car. It included my housing, 30d and 17-85. That was to the cost of $4,500.... Reckon thats expensive?

[sunnycoastbooger]

I'd recommed a 20D and a Canon 500mm F4.5 lens that setup will cost you about 5 grand and it will more than do the job. But definatley Canon as when you decide to sell you have a much greater market to sell to and you will loose next to nothing on your gear in resale price.


Darryn, have you ever used this lens? you never see many of them around, i would be interested to know how they perform? What kind of prices do you find mint ones in AUS for?

[Donweather]

i can see the 70-200 going, maybe the 400 if i get a better oneBen, should that have been "can't" instead of "can"?

[sunnycoastbooger]

yeh definately CAN'T! haha sorry mate

[Donweather]

Boohoo!@!

[Darryn Patch]

I have used the 500/4.5 lens for one afternoon. It is on par with sharpness with any 600 I have used weighs half as much and cost is about $3800AUD.

If I were in the market for a quality long lens this is what I would be getting.

best bang for buck around I reckon.

[sunnycoastbooger]

cheers mate

[roberto]

hey guys, i am investing in a canon 400D (twin lense kit) in a couple of months and I was just wondering what your thoughts are on this camera. I know that it only shoots 3fps but i reckon the 10.1 mp compensates for it. what are your thoughts?

[Darryn Patch]

Yep I agree 10 megapix of a shot you missed because you only got 3FPS is well worth it.......

Mate get a 20D or 30D or a 1D series 3FPS is horse shit.

[Donweather]

Roberto, I have the 400D twin lens kit but opted for the IS models in both lenses. I agree with Patchy though. 10 mpix res has got nothing to do with the 3fps. You can't compensate for a shot that you've missed in the 3fps, even if the camera was 20mpix.

Of course the cameras that patchy has listed above are superb compared to the 400D but so are the price tags. I believe the 400D is a good entry level camera for the price. I'd recommend spending more money on the lenses as you're camera is only as good as the glass it's shooting through.

All in all, it really comes down to how much money you want to spend and what you want the camera for. If you're getting paid to take pics like most of the dudes on here then get the gear patchy's referring too, but if you're like me and only using for social purposes, then opt for the social budget and the 400D I would say is a well priced unit for both of the above IMO.

[Darryn Patch]

Guys guys guys listen up for a sec, Wotz a brand new 400D worth??? have to close to a grand I reckon.

But a second hand 20D would be yours for about $900. A 30D for $1000 cheack ebay for over teh top prices. Now I have bought and sold probably 10 20Ds. They are that good if you know what your doing. The pics it produces are as good as you'll find.

I will be back from NZ in 4 weeks and will be selling my current 20D as I am looking at something like the next gen 5D as I wanna do more landscape/lineup shots for a print company if anyone wants it its yours for $900 and it will come with my very own 3 month guarantee which I offer on all my gear that I sell.

Just look around before you dive in.

[Donweather]

$900 for a newbie 400D patchy.

http://www.shopbot.com.au/p-24354-379295.html

Good point about searching for a 2nd hand better quality body. I just assumed Roberto was chasing new gear, but yeah Roberto, hook up patchy's 2nd hand 20D.

Georgey must also have a few 20D's floating around in his closet??

[george]

only 2 mate...

[sunnycoastbooger]

400d is great to learn on. But i can almost say for sure, if u shoot alot, there will be a time in the next year or so when you will be wanting a faster camera. But you can definately get decent shots with 3fps, and in some ways it probably teaches you more about reading the waver and rider

[roberto]

thanks for the advice guys. well at the moment ill probably stick with the 400D but im considering a 30D. Im going to be using it mainly for my university coarse next year otherwise the rest will be used to take photos of all the surfing/ bodyboarding around the place. cheers champs :D