Best Online Place for Good Deals

[ikon]

I believe a lot of the higher framerate cameras still use CF cards, mainly because those cards can have higher throughput.

[JediTim]

A couple of big issues when purchasing online for photography equipment:

1. The Gray Market...equipment that while the same is not covered by a US Waranty. You will likely pay less for the same product but will have issues if their is a failure as the warranty will not be honored.

2. Prices that are too good to believe probably are...you can read the horror stories all over the internet about purchased that had follow-up calls from the vendor stating the equipment purchased did not included x, y or z and would cost more to get.

 

I agree with Geek-Accountant....stick with Adorana, B&H or Amazon...I have pruchased from B&H without issue.

[geek-accountant]

Tim, the Grey Market issue is a great idea of something we should cover in a future show.

[JediTim]

I agree...something people need to be aware of because the price is very tempting.

[ImTheTypeOfGuy]

So I am looking at a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens. The only difference is image stabilization and the price. Is IS worth the price doubling? Doesn't the camera have IS already?

 

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras for $1,259.95

or

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras for $2,545.89

[ikon]

Not in any way to discourage you, but I looked at the f2.8 of that lens and decided against it, and bought the f4 version instead. While it was cheaper, my main reason was because of the weight. The f2.8 is 59 ounces.... or 4 lbs, 11 oz. I just couldn't see myself lugging that around when the f4 is 26 ounces.

 

I am glad I got the L version; it helps at high zoom values. Just some food for thought.

[Andne]

Image Stabilization is not part of the camera on Canon, it's part of the lens. It usually is very useful, especially with high-zoom lenses. I have a 55-250 IS lens, it doesn't activate the image stabilization until you hold the button partially down to set the focus. It is very obvious to just me looking through the viewfinder that it's active, makes it a lot easier to even frame a picture when I'm up around the top end of the zoom range. It also allows you to shoot at lower shutter speeds without getting any blur from camera jitter for a given focal length. If my memory is correct, the general rule is that shutter speed should be twice the focal length in order to avoid jitter. IS lens allow you to fudge that a little, though I can't remember exactly how much off the top of my head. However, they do not help at all with blur that is caused by the object that you are taking a picture of moving.

[ImTheTypeOfGuy]

Not in any way to discourage you, but I looked at the f2.8 of that lens and decided against it, and bought the f4 version instead. While it was cheaper, my main reason was because of the weight. The f2.8 is 59 ounces.... or 4 lbs, 11 oz. I just couldn't see myself lugging that around when the f4 is 26 ounces.

 

I am glad I got the L version; it helps at high zoom values. Just some food for thought.

 

I need the 2.8 because it is for indoor sports. If not for that, I would be looking at the f4 or others.

 

Image Stabilization is not part of the camera on Canon, it's part of the lens. It usually is very useful, especially with high-zoom lenses. I have a 55-250 IS lens, it doesn't activate the image stabilization until you hold the button partially down to set the focus. It is very obvious to just me looking through the viewfinder that it's active, makes it a lot easier to even frame a picture when I'm up around the top end of the zoom range. It also allows you to shoot at lower shutter speeds without getting any blur from camera jitter for a given focal length. If my memory is correct, the general rule is that shutter speed should be twice the focal length in order to avoid jitter. IS lens allow you to fudge that a little, though I can't remember exactly how much off the top of my head. However, they do not help at all with blur that is caused by the object that you are taking a picture of moving.

 

Thanks for the info. I am not a camera person so everything you mentioned is a bit more than I know about camera's. But you did give me enough information to know that the IS is probably worth it.