It's here and I'm impressed!

[Nickcanada]

Okay, I knew it was going to be good but this is just insane. :D

Opening the package....

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/livelifelivepics/Themoon-8.jpg


http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/livelifelivepics/Themoon-9.jpg


My tripod surprised me!! it holds the lens very well! I didn't think it would be as solid as it is!

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/livelifelivepics/Themoon-6.jpg

A shot to show scale...

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/livelifelivepics/Themoon-2.jpg


hehehehe....

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/livelifelivepics/Themoon-4.jpg


A few samples.... right out of light room, no extra attention given or needed.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/livelifelivepics/Themoon-7.jpg

100% crop....

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/livelifelivepics/Bell100crop300mm.jpg

..... oh ya did I mention that was at 1/30 hand held. :) ISO 800 f2.8

Moon shot heavily cropped, I used the 1.4x extender with this shot. I played with curves and a little saturation boost.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/livelifelivepics/Themoon.jpg


I just got back from a show.... I brought the monster but I didn't get a chance to use it. It was my first time at this new venue..... It was very challenging!... I need a fisheye!

[namesalex]

that looks insane. how much did that cost you?

[Nickcanada]

70 bucks....



I rented it for the weekend ;) well It was more like 90 bucks because I rented a monopod and a 1.4x tele extender too. I have it until tuesday. This thing retails at B and H for around $4000.

[Viky]

:eek::eek::eek:wow!

[jwhite]

Is that the 300mm/f2.8 then? That would be fun to play around with! :D:D:D

[Rooz]

i felt depressed after having to give back a 50mm f1.4 i borrowed so by that scale, you;re gonna be cryin' like a baby when you have to give that back ! lmao

[talkingdog]

I think you're compensating for something:):D

[Nickcanada]

Yup I'm compensating for a lack of skill.

Okay, so nature walk with 300mm 2.8 IS is not so fun. The thing is just too big and heavy for casual photography. You need a detailed purpose when shooting with this lens I think. I saw some turtles and birds fairly close so that I would be able to get a nice detailed shot but by the time I pull the freaking thing out the animal would move and I'd lose the shot! bah! I'm not much of a nature photog anyway. Not to mention all the waisted time talking to people when using it!

Okay I'm going back out with it.

[TheWengler]

You lost a turtle? Man this thing must be slowing you down quite a bit. :D

[faisal]

hahahahaha^^^^^^^

Hmm...when I was using the borrowed Sigma 170-500mm....irrespective of the weight I always kept it out and mounted cause I always knew it would take me too long to carefully remove it and mount it...

[DonSchap]

Nick ... did the lens come with a shoulder sling? Keep the EOS 20D mounted on the 300 ... and the XT mounted on your alternate wide-field lens. Something that heavy requires a different kind of consideration.

Thank God you didn't get the 400mm f/2.8L ... that's a back breaker at 12.5 lbs (lens alone) :rolleyes:

This is also the perfect reason people use the RC2 Quick release for the monopod/tripod.

Speed skills ... ! :D

[njoy_az]

That sounds like a really great lens to have. :)

I was able to try out both the 300mm f/2.8L IS and the the 500mm f/4L IS versions recently and they rock (too bad they are waaaaaaaay out of my league :( ). They were so sharp I couldn't believe it (they literally run circles around my - rather decent - 17-55 ). :cool: :D

[michaelb]

Nick,

That thing is a beast. Don't forget to mount the 300 with extension tubes and take a few flower shots for me before the weekend is up. :D
I bet that would be some killer bokeh. Imagine what Coldy could do with that thing!

[cwphoto]

Can't wait to see what you can get out of it. Great lens.

[Nickcanada]

Thanks everyone!

I do have a quick release tripod/monopod mount on my cameras and the lens and it does help speed things up.

I'm planning on going downtown today with it for the Ottawa tulip festival... so I'll do my best with the flower pics for ya Michael! although it's not really my area of expertise. :o


Okay so I took a bunch of photos yesterday at my very good friend's house. He was having a BBQ and bonfire. I think this was the first time I used AF servo 100% of the time and was completely satisfied with the results. The 300mm is so comfortable quickly adjusting focus it's scary! and incredibly surprising considering the size and weight of the beast!

Okay, here is a sprinkling of images....

My buddy Chris raising some roost....

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-4.jpg

My panning needs work....

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-20.jpg

Stoppies!.....

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-26.jpg

Crashies!...

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-29.jpg


Around the bend....

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-3.jpg

My wife waving to the paparazzi...

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-35.jpg

[Nickcanada]

My buddy Chris and his dogs! Probably the coolest dogs ever!

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-33.jpg

full tilt!

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-43.jpg


Maverick always gets the ball....

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-10.jpg

And he always shares it...

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-11.jpg

Owen chasing the ball....

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-14.jpg

Owen taking a break...

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-36.jpg

Owen running away...

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-38.jpg

[Nickcanada]

Here are some night time shots taken with the 35mm... It was getting lonely and feeling abused and unused. :)


Here I was painting the foreground with a flashlight.... Too bad about the lens flare.
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-45.jpg

Us huddled around the fire...

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-44.jpg

[faisal]

I like the 'raising some roost....' picture and 'Owen taking a break...' picture the most.....
hmm....you're having some fun with it....

[drama]

I am impressed :)

[DonSchap]

Hey Nick ... I guess we all can understand why a person needs a second job with this hobby, eh?

Arms sore, yet? ;)

[Mark_48]

Nick that lens was made for you!! Your name is all over it :D

[TheWengler]

Nick that lens was made for you!! Your name is all over it :D

Hmm, probably can't return it once it has your name all over it like that.

[michaelb]

Those are some great shots Nick; very sharp and that bokeh looks creammmmy.

[Nickcanada]

Ya, my arms were hurting trying to handhold that thing today! It's quite nice to use on a tripod of monopod though!

here are a few tulip pics.... nothing special really, but I need practice composing macro shots. Can't fault the lens for that!

Taken with a Kenko extension tube....

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-48.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-50.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-49.jpg

And one random 35mm shot from today! I'm not really sure what this is?!? I think Bombardier makes them.

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-51.jpg

And some Scottish dancing....

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-54.jpg

[Nickcanada]

A few shots of the dancers @ 300mm

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-58.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-57.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-56.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/Themoon-55.jpg

[faisal]

I agree that you do need practice with macro shots though the third one is really nice...
Nice random shot too...whatever it is...
The Scottish dance picture...I think the church plus those darkish clouds and surrounding trees would have made a nice HDR...
I like the expression of the man in #1 and the man in the background in #3

some very nice pictures in all.... :)

[Nickcanada]

Thanks faisal!

[michaelb]

Wow, I can't believe you actually mounted that monster with ext. tubes - you are the man Nick. I really like that second tulip; cool composition. Too bad you can't lend it to Coldy. ;)

[adam75south]

nothing like some old men in skirts.

well nick you know my favorites gonna be the nighttime shot with the painted foregroud. badass shot man.

[Nickcanada]

Thanks fellas!

Michael, have you noticed the XT tends to make colours a little too cool? I shoot in raw but it seems the XT files are consistently more cool then my 20D. I haven't done any testing but I was just wondering if you ever noticed the same thing?


So this was my last day with the 300mm :( I didn't think I would like the longer FL as much as I have. I thought my next lens would be a fast wide angle lens of some sort but I'm not so sure anymore. I think I'm almost crazy enough to start saving for the 300, almost. More likely I'll aim for the 135mm 2.0 and a tele converter. I am however just as in love with primes now as I've ever been. I think I could happily stay zoom free.


So when I woke up this morning it was windy, raining, and cold... but my best images were taken in the morning.

Just fantastic light....
#1 300mm 2.8 IS @ F2.8 1/800 ISO 100
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/racing/racing-27.jpg
#2 300mm with 1.4x, 420mm F22 1/30 ISO 100
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/racing/racing.jpg
#3 300mm F2.8 1/400 ISO 100
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/racing/racing-26.jpg
#4 35mm 1.4 @ F5 1/250 ISO 100
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/racing/racing-23.jpg
#5 300mm F2.8 1/1600 ISO 100
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/racing/racing-28.jpg
#6 300mm F2.8 1/1250 ISO100
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/racing/racing-7.jpg
#7 300mm F2.8 1/2500 ISO 100
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/racing/racing-37.jpg

[Nickcanada]

#8 420mm F22 1/20 ISO 100
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/racing/racing-2.jpg
#9 85mm F9 1/200 ISO 100
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/racing/racing-18.jpg
#10 85mm F 10 1/125 ISO100
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/racing/racing-22.jpg
#11 85mm F14 1/80 ISO 100
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/racing/racing-20.jpg
#12 300mm F2.8 1/1600 ISO100
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/racing/racing-35.jpg

[DonSchap]

Nick ... as I recall, you've never shot with the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM. Don't be so quick to condemn the zooms, until you've taken some time and shot with "the king."

36242


Shooting the lesser zoooms, of course, will have you "unimpressed" when compared to the primes ... but, "the king" will offer you a real comparison that should leave you totally impressed.

Good luck with your sojourn through the halls of higher-end glass.

[faisal]

Picture #1 and #5 in the first set (basically the Porsche pictures) and Picture #1, #3 and #5 in the second set are my favorites.....post some more picture!!!! (if you don't mind)

[cwphoto]

Great stuff Nick. I went through your lust when I borrowed a 300/2.8 IS for the first time - and look where it got me!

May I suggest the 200/2.8 II? A great compromise and I'm really enjoying mine lately. Could even pair it with the 1.4x II.

[michaelb]

Thanks fellas!

Michael, have you noticed the XT tends to make colours a little too cool? I shoot in raw but it seems the XT files are consistently more cool then my 20D. I haven't done any testing but I was just wondering if you ever noticed the same thing?

.... More likely I'll aim for the 135mm 2.0 and a tele converter. I am however just as in love with primes now as I've ever been. I think I could happily stay zoom free.....

Just fantastic light....
#1 300mm 2.8 IS @ F2.8 1/800 ISO 100
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/racing/racing-27.jpg


This shot is awesome Nick.

I also noticed that my XT files were on the "cooler" side, as is the 40D, but I prefer that. The 5D files are overall "warmer" which I don't like. I shoot everything RAW nowadays though so its doesn't matter as much.

I think its hard to go wrong with the 135L. You can pick one up used for $750-$850 and if you don't like it (seems hard to believe) you can unload it for little or no loss. As you say, its also nice with a 1.4X. Can you tell I've been thinking about it myself? :D

I have to say though as far as zooms go, I've been really impressed by my 70-200 f/4. Its plenty sharp for me with beautiful colors and contrast - maybe it wouldn't seem so great next to the 135L though ;). I've been thinking about upgrading to the f/4 IS version, but my non-IS copy is so good that I don't want to give it up!

If your looking for something a bit longer, CW's suggestion of the 200 2.8 is a great one as well. It seems like an incredible deal considering used they run about $550 used.

[Nickcanada]

Thanks for the comments guys! I'll see if I can find some more to post for ya Faisal. :)


So I brought the lens back on my lunch break... Rooz you were right, I cried a little :(....

I just can't get over the beautiful contrast some of Canon's high end lenses produce and I think that is why I'm so hesitant to go for a lens like the 70-200 2.8 IS. It's sharp enough but I haven't seen that "Damn look at that" feeling I get when I look at images from some of the primes like the 135mm, 85mm 1.2, (even the 60mm macro lens), etc. for the price of the 70-200 2.8 IS I better get that "damn look at that" feeling!

Don't get me wrong I've seen some stunning images from that lens and even the 50mm 1.8 and kit lens but I'm getting to the point where if you are going to wow me with one of those lenses you better have some great processing and great lighting. There are some lenses that seem to do magic with available light and that is what I enjoy most. The 70-200 f4 seems to have that wow factor but I'm afraid of f4. :o For the majority of the time I'm sure it wouldn't be an issue but I like fast lenses and don't mind giving up the convenience of zoom for the extra speed.

[cwphoto]

Thanks for the comments guys! I'll see if I can find some more to post for ya Faisal. :)


So I brought the lens back on my lunch break... Rooz you were right, I cried a little :(....

I just can't get over the beautiful contrast some of Canon's high end lenses produce and I think that is why I'm so hesitant to go for a lens like the 70-200 2.8 IS. It's sharp enough but I haven't seen that "Damn look at that" feeling I get when I look at images from some of the primes like the 135mm, 85mm 1.2, (even the 60mm macro lens), etc. for the price of the 70-200 2.8 IS I better get that "damn look at that" feeling!

Don't get me wrong I've seen some stunning images from that lens and even the 50mm 1.8 and kit lens but I'm getting to the point where if you are going to wow me with one of those lenses you better have some great processing and great lighting. There are some lenses that seem to do magic with available light and that is what I enjoy most. The 70-200 f4 seems to have that wow factor but I'm afraid of f4. :o For the majority of the time I'm sure it wouldn't be an issue but I like fast lenses and don't mind giving up the convenience of zoom for the extra speed.

I like how you think. :)

[Nickcanada]

I'm glad that made some kinda sense. :p

okay a few more.....

#13

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/racing/racing-10.jpg

#14

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/racing/racing-12.jpg

#15

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/racing/racing-13.jpg

#16

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/racing/racing-24.jpg

#17

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/racing/racing-25.jpg

#18

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/racing/racing-3.jpg

#19

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/racing/racing-4.jpg

#20

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/racing/racing-48.jpg

[faisal]

Thank you for more picture.....out of the new set...not liking #3 and what happened to the last one!!!

Again I like the Porsche pictures and the BMW 850...both being cars I really like... :D

[droopy1592]

jealous

I am

[Nickcanada]

Thanks! The last one I did a little PP.... you don't like it? I think it's cool. :D

[24Peter]

Nick - great shots! (Love the pans.) But it looks like even 300mm wasn't long enough for many of these. I only see a few with the 1.4X extender. Is there a reason you didn't use it more?

[michaelb]

It's sharp enough but I haven't seen that "Damn look at that" feeling I get when I look at images from some of the primes like the 135mm, 85mm 1.2, (even the 60mm macro lens), etc. for the price of the 70-200 2.8 IS I better get that "damn look at that" feeling!


Nick, from what I've read I bet you'd love the 135L.

I'm thinking about it myself. If you don't like it, it will sell fairly quickly on POTN or FM with little loss - at least that's what I plan on telling my wife. ;)

[Nickcanada]

Nick - great shots! (Love the pans.) But it looks like even 300mm wasn't long enough for many of these. I only see a few with the 1.4X extender. Is there a reason you didn't use it more?

I think a part of it is I like to add a little space around the cars for the composition. I think it looks better if you have some kind of scale or reference. I used the 1.4 about half of the time but I used it more in the afternoon when the lighting was a little less interesting so I mostly posted pictures from the morning.

Here is an example of the lighting while I was using the 1.4x

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/racing/racing-6.jpg

[Nickcanada]

Nick, from what I've read I bet you'd love the 135L.

I'm thinking about it myself. If you don't like it, it will sell fairly quickly on POTN or FM with little loss - at least that's what I plan on telling my wife. ;)

hehe, I've used the old "good resale value" line once or twice! I know I would love the 135mm my only concern is that it would be too long indoors and not long enough outside?!? but ya that lens looks like a stellar piece of glass. 200mm seems like a nice number.... and I do have a wedding coming up..... hmmmm. :)

[24Peter]

hehe, I've used the old "good resale value" line once or twice! I know I would love the 135mm my only concern is that it would be too long indoors and not long enough outside?!? but ya that lens looks like a stellar piece of glass. 200mm seems like a nice number.... and I do have a wedding coming up..... hmmmm. :)

Dude - you so need a 70-200 (I love my F4 IS but you decide...)

[FLiPMaRC]

:cool: Nice!