Okay, should I get the Sunpak 620-080 or the Dolica ST-500? Will be used with my Canon T3i and Telephoto Lens. Thanks!
307748
Neither, both employ the same faulty leg extension locks, the plastic handles will break over just a short time. You won't be able to lock them any more and should they break while the camera is mounted or while your are locking them the exploding plastic can damage your camera or yourself. Don't.
307749
Read the feeeback on the Dolcia. Here is my comments on the manufacturer saing they will replace all the Dolcia's that break on first use:I've seen enough of these comments that the cheap plastic head causes expensive cameras to fall off when the head cracks, and that the levers break off on FIRST use.So - you'll replace it - to have another one break off on first use.Or maybe 2nd or 3rd use.Dolica is OUT!
307750
I wouldn't recommend the Sunpak - super cheap manufacturing (see my review). If you're going to get good use out of it, look to spend a few more dollars and get something that's going to last.
307751
The sunpak is very good and sturdy, the only fault I it does not come with a carry case. For the price it is a bargain.
537007
Thanks, Tech. Funny that teleconverters are available for so many other size lenses but not this one. I could have lived with a 1.4x. Like you said, I'll have to live with what I've got... until I can pony up $1500+ for Canon's 100-400mm zoom.I guess I'd better plan on having a good number of 8mb and 16mb cards with me and shoot JPEG and RAW so I can seriously crop and/or enlarge the best shots (which will be many if the weather is good). I want some 20" x 30" or 24" x 36" posters from what I'm shooting. A telecoverter would have helped.
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I have been looking into buying one of the two as well. One of my interests is birds. The have the highest zoom Nikon 36 zoom and canon 35 zoom and all in one piece. Does anyone use either for birding?Thank you!
488638
I'm trying to decide whether to go with either the 800IS, 850IS, or the Sony DSC-T100. I guess pic quality is the most important, and I usually trust Canon images above all others in this class....but I really love the size and design of the Sony, especially the sliding lens cover which powers it up. Anyone have an opinion?
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I assume your 500mm has a collar ring with mount, right? Attach the lens mount to the Opteka Gimbal. If there isn't enough clearance for the camera body to attached to the lens, you'll need to purchase an Arca-swiss rail plate. I can recommend the SUNWAYFOTO 200mm QR Plate /Rail Arca DPG-210 DPG210. You may need to go with a longer rail. The 200mm rail works perfectly with my 70-200mm lens, so I recommend you investigate the length before you buy. Once the longer rail is attached to the Opteka, finding your nodal point is a snap by moving the lens/camera back and forth along the rail until it balances perfectly. I assume your 500mm has a collar ring with mount, right? Attach the lens mount to the Opteka Gimbal. If there isn't enough clearance for the camera body to attached to the lens, you'll need to purchase an Arca-swiss rail plate. I can recommend the SUNWAYFOTO 200mm QR Plate /Rail Arca DPG-210 DPG210. You may need to go with a longer rail. The 200mm rail works perfectly with my 70-200mm lens, so I recommend you investigate the length before you buy. Once the longer rail is attached to the Opteka, finding your nodal point is a snap by moving the lens/camera back and forth along the rail until... » Read More I assume your 500mm has a collar ring with mount, right? Attach the lens mount to the Opteka Gimbal. If there isn't enough clearance for the camera body to attached to the lens, you'll need to purchase an Arca-swiss rail plate. I can recommend the SUNWAYFOTO 200mm QR Plate /Rail Arca DPG-210 DPG210. You may need to go with a longer rail. The 200mm rail works perfectly with my 70-200mm lens, so I recommend you investigate the length before you buy. Once the longer rail is attached to the Opteka, finding your nodal point is a snap by moving the lens/camera back and forth along the rail until it balances perfectly. « Show Less
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One more thing where I see Nikon's superiority - the lens barrel have built-in treads for mounting photo filters and/or tulip shade to prevent direct sun glare into the lens - crucial feature for taking sunset shots. Oh, I'll be remiss not to mention range finder type viewer (in addition to the standard lcd display on the back of a camera), a very useful feature in shooting against the light source (sunset), because viewing of your lcd display in certain light conditions (such as your sunset takes) could be problematic at times! Cheers :-)
1687598
Hi Michael! I have a Canon T1i. So far, I have the standard lens that comes with the camera, a marco and 300 mm telephoto. I've done some portraits that turned out great, but I'd love to do more wide open spaces/landscapes.
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I ended up going for the Sigma. So far I'm pretty happy with it; focus seems OK on my T1i, and the lens seems quite well put together. Not getting dinged extra for a bag and a lens hood is nice too.
702149
I use the Canon 18-200 mm - a good carry around lens for day to day use. Not very expensive either.
537013
TVM,Thanks for the heads-up on the Sigma. A popular photo mag just this month had a review on a Sigma lens - 18mm/250mm. They gave it a big thumbs up so I'll keep checking up on Sigma for quality and suitability/cost-effectiveness for the T1i. I'll already start some reading up on the 150mm/500mm. BTW - that "500" # sounds juicy. Per Tech's comment (and I educated myself more on what he was talking about) what with a 1.4 or 1.6 mag ratio that 500mm max zoom should be more like in the 700's. I guess that means a quality tripod (read "triple digits") is in the cards too. TVM,Thanks for the heads-up on the Sigma. A popular photo mag just this month had a review on a Sigma lens - 18mm/250mm. They gave it a big thumbs up so I'll keep checking up on Sigma for quality and suitability/cost-effectiveness for the T1i. I'll already start some reading up on the 150mm/500mm. BTW - that "500" # sounds juicy. Per Tech's comment (and I educated myself more on what he was talking about) what with a 1.4 or 1.6 mag ratio that 500mm max zoom should be more like in the 700's. I guess that means a quality tripod (read "triple digits") is in the... » Read More TVM,Thanks for the heads-up on the Sigma. A popular photo mag just this month had a review on a Sigma lens - 18mm/250mm. They gave it a big thumbs up so I'll keep checking up on Sigma for quality and suitability/cost-effectiveness for the T1i. I'll already start some reading up on the 150mm/500mm. BTW - that "500" # sounds juicy. Per Tech's comment (and I educated myself more on what he was talking about) what with a 1.4 or 1.6 mag ratio that 500mm max zoom should be more like in the 700's. I guess that means a quality tripod (read "triple digits") is in the cards too. « Show Less
311255
If your food blogging involves discreetly photographing restaurant meals, then you may want something much wider than the 50mm f/1.8, which will have the same coverage as a full-frame 80mm lens on your Rebel T3. A 20mm or 24mm would be great, but for much less money, the newer Canon "pancake lens," the 40mm f/2.8, is fabulously sharp, takes gorgeous photos, is the smallest (physically shortest) lens in the entire Canon range, and doesn't cost much more than the 50 f/1.8 ($149 after $50 rebate as of August 2014). Before buying anything, check out some sample photos of any lens you are considering by going to dpreview or pbase and doing a search. They've saved me hundreds of dollars and immeasurable disappointment by getting to see the quality of pictures taken with a specific lens. In the latter, search by camera, choose Canon, and scroll down to see examples of photos taken with the lenses you are most interested in. Then you can come back to Amazon to purchase a lens you *know* will do the job for you. Happy blogging!
1441020
Since you are new to SLRs... in order of importance: 1. A decent class 6+ sd memory card or two or three (sandisk is a good company to go with) 2. A good camera bag that will fit everything that you want to carry along. (Lowepro makes good ones) 3. A extra battery (splurge on a canon battery, or risk it with a third party battery, your choice) 4. 50mm 1.8 prime lens (Good, cheap lens that can handle indoor and low light photography, almost universally useful) 6. Lens Blower (to blow dust off of lenses, avoid actually cleaning the lenses with a cleaner unless you really have to, a few flecks of dust isn't going to effect your picture) Depending on who you ask, the 7th generally will be a good Multicoated UV filter for each of the lenses you use to protect the lens (Hoya makes good ones), however some people say that it isn't worth it to put a 50-60 dollar filter in front of their several hundred dollar lenses, it's up to you. These are all that are pretty much needed from the get go. The rest depends on what types of photography are you planning to use the camera for. Tell me what you are planning to do and I can come up with some extra suggestions.
501122
Thanks for the feedback. I ended up getting the Canon 17-55/2.8IS. It was more expensive, but I had come across some extra money. I've had that lens for several month now and it's awesome. The zoom range is excellent, it's great having f2.8 through the whole range, and the IS adds probably at least 3 stops. It's very sharp when I do my part, especially when it's stopped down a couple clicks. I would still love to get a lens like I described in my OP, but I'm looking at a wide angle zoom and a better telephoto lens before that one.
876153
No problem :) Have a nice day, if you get the lens, enjoy it!! O love it :)
948438
You would need to check the specs with Sunpak. For my Canon Rebel it works great.
1084343
B. Stoops did you purchase this lens? I'm about to buy the T2i (550D) and am debating to get this as part of the kit or get the 18-55 and potentially buy this one separately later.
129811
I have a Canon Rebel T4i. When I have the 18-55mm lense it is a pain to get in and out. Smaller lenses are easier. I would go with a rain sleeve if I was not going under water, like a OP/TECH USA Rainsleeve.