New camera/lens

[Dave]

I have been meaning to replace the little 18-55mm lens that came with my 400D and had narrowed down my choice to the Canon 28-135mm IS USM lens which retails for £529.99 from Canon. I had also been contemplating purchasing either a Canon 30D or 40D (£940.00 from Canon) but expected to purchasing the camera later in the year.

I was surfing ebay this evening and came across an auction for both a Canon 40D and a Canon 28-135mm IS USM lens... all for £650. Both items are in good conditions with only 3000 pictures taken on the camera itself. The sellar had just purchased the top of the range Canon 5D meaning he's perhaps a professional meaning he'd have taken good care of the equipment. Simply an oportunity I couldn't let slip past as I have been keeping an eye on prices for both items on ebay and this is the cheapest I have seen.

A bonus to all this... he lives in Newtownards so we shall be arranging a pick up for the camera and lens saving on postage costs. I have worked a lot of overtime the past month so thankfully I have enough for the deal this time!

Due to final year exams, I'll probably not pick it up until next week, after which I have trips to Duxford IWM, 2 days at Manchester Airport, and Finland for a week and hopefully some trips to Prestwick thanks to Ryanair.

All I can say is...  A whole summer of aircraft photography.

I also hope to go to Donegal Airport. I'm surprised no one has pictures from there. The sand dunes offer fantastic spotting for the Aer Arran ATR

Not sure what I plan on doing with the old camera (400D) and lens, although I might just retain them as spares. I literally have nightmares about spotting at an airport and my camera dying on me.

[casper]

Nice one. If you can afford to I'd keep the 400D as a backup. It also means that you can have a different lens on each camera and don't have to keep changing. A few months back I was in the market for a new lens and was going to get the 70-200mm F4 L lens but as what usually happens when you're married with children they came first and the money went

[String]

There is an auction web site called swoopo
check this out. http://www.swoopo.co.uk/
Keep an eye out for canon camera's They are sold for £20 sometimes.
http://www.swoopo.co.uk/auction.html?cm_re=Homepage-_-Grid-_-2%2f7%2fPicture&aid=181268

[Angry Turnip]

Swoopo is a scam and should be avoided!!!

[String]

Have you tried it, I haven't i don't really trust auction sites. i was scammed by EBAY so i use amazon now instead, Just thought i would let the forum see the site sorry.

[Dave]

If something sounds too good to be true, then it likely isn't A canon 500D for £16 is way too good to be true

The new camera was dropped around personally by the owner this morning... how about that for service!!! He had refunded the postage and packaging costs but I insisted he take part of it back for going out of his way to deliver it.

It's a tad hard getting used to the new methods of adjusting ISO, exposure, F number etc but i'm slowly getting to grips with it. Hoping to head to the airport some point within the next few days. One good feature i'm happy to see is the ability to use ISO 100, 125, 150 or 200.

I'm tempted to keep the 400D and keep the shorter lens on it as you suggested Casper, as to be honest, it's a great camera. Will also reduce the dust hopefully!

[Dave]

Nice one. If you can afford to I'd keep the 400D as a backup. It also means that you can have a different lens on each camera and don't have to keep changing. A few months back I was in the market for a new lens and was going to get the 70-200mm F4 L lens but as what usually happens when you're married with children they came first and the money went

To be honest, I really needed the 28-135mm lens but the 40D wasn't required as the 400D was doing me fine... I just bought it to satisfy my thrist for newer technology This really is all the quipment I'll need for a good decade now, pending breakages.

Now that you mention the cost of kids and family, I have no money to cover a present for my girlfriend who's birthday was on the 13th May     I'll just have to treat her to a short weekend trip to somewhere like Geneva, where I can planespot and she can photograph buildings to her hearts content

I'll keep any eye out for a canon 70-200mm lens for you just in case.

[String]

Well i have finally got my new camera and lenses.
SONY A200 with 18mm-70mm F3.5-5.6
also 75mm-300mm F4.5-5.6
here is a few pic's of it.

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[casper]

Happy days, glad you got sorted. Did you get anything extra for the hassle they caused? Looking forward to seeing some photos from it.

[String]

NO manager was not available.
I bet when i'm ready to use it not one plane or contrail will i see at least for today.

[String]

My first DSLR photo

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[casper]

Nice one and a rare sight too.

[String]

Do you have any advice for what ISO speed i should be using, or anything else.

[casper]

On clear days like today stick to 100 if it gets dull increase it to 200 or 400. The good thing about digital is that it costs nothing to experiment.

[String]

A picture of swans form last night.

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[String]

And another one from last night. using 75-300mm lens @ iso100.

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[Dave]

Nice one String! I know someone who uses the A200 and he has some great shots. As a general rule, the shutter speed should be at least the size of your focus length. So if your shooting at 150mm with your larger lens, you should have at least a shutter speed of 1/150 or faster. If the shutter speed is lower than focus lenght, then up the ISO one notch. enjoy the camera!

[Hammerhead]

Nice couple of pics there String ....  Hope you getting as much enjoyment learning about digital photography as i am.....and the great thing is all mistakes are only the press of a button away from being deleted...

[String]

Here is a few pictures of a gazelle flying over this evening.
these pictures have not been fixed just cropped to size.
Gazelle 4 pic has been colour adjusted.

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