Camera Labs

Hum, I could get a used 1Ds MkII and Used 24-105L for $2,829.00 over a new 5DII with 24-105L for $2,749.00. Don't know if they would go for it. I still want a 7D with 24-105L kit

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Mike "The Squirrel"
Canon 550D | Canon EF 35mm 1:2 | Canon 50 f/1.8 II | Sigma 18-125mm DC OS | Tamron SP 70-300mm Di VC USD | Canon 430EX II
Military Issued Canon 40D | Canon 55-250mm IS

The 7D will be better than the 5DII for environmental sealing, but still not as good as a 1D series.

You know the EF 24-105mm becomes quite long on the 7D, as it's multiplied by 1.6x?

But sadly none of the EF-S lenses are weather-sealed... It's really annoying isn't it? They make the 7D tougher than the 5D, but then say you'll need L lenses to match the sealing on the optics - which therefore eliminates any really wide zooms designed for the APS-C sensor.

They're basically saying if you really want weather sealing AND wide angle zooms, you'll need full-frame.

That's Canon (and Nikon) for you...

7D + 17-40L + 24-105L costs about same as 5D2 + 24-105L

provides more weather sealing,
good L glass colour rendition,
both have ring USM.
equivalent FF focal range of 27-168

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Canon EOS 400D, EF-S 18-55mm, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, EF 50mm f/1.8 MK I, EF-S 10-22mm, EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM, EF 28mm f/1.8, EF 85mm f/1.8
Canon 430EX II, Manfrotto 055CXPRO3, Arca Swiss P0
Panasonic GF3, Panasonic 20mm f/1.7, Olympus 45mm f/1.8

MY FLICKR!

...except that you'll change lenses in the field, exposing your camera to the elements every time you need to go "wide".

Sure the sealing isn't as good on the 7D but that's totally moot if you're breaking the seal every time you need to change your FoV. I'd honestly see if you could find a decent, used 1D whatever body and go with a one-lens solution if you can, be it the 24-105 or something else. If the 1D body isn't an option, 5D2 + 24-105 would be my choice.

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Canon EOS 5D MkII | Canon EOS 7D | Canon Digital Rebel XSi | EF 35mm f/1.4L | EF 50mm f/1.8 II | EF 85mm f/1.8 | EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM | EF 135mm f/2L | EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS | 580EX II | LumoPro LP-120

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I'd personally go with a 5D2 and 24-105mm. It will allow you to get wide and also provide a decent length without needing to change lens. Personally I think the 1D is a bit old and the image quality would not be as good as the 5D2. As for weather sealing you said the other photographers already have 5D1s. The 5D2 has slightly better weather sealing. If the army bought a bunch of 5Ds for use in dusty conditions they must be weather sealed enough to survive.

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Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin

OK my budget is $3,000.00 so I should be able to get the 5DII with 24-105 IF i can squzze in memory, filter, and some kind of bag. Gonna call B&H Monday and see what we can put together

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Mike "The Squirrel"
Canon 550D | Canon EF 35mm 1:2 | Canon 50 f/1.8 II | Sigma 18-125mm DC OS | Tamron SP 70-300mm Di VC USD | Canon 430EX II
Military Issued Canon 40D | Canon 55-250mm IS

Very jealous Mike In terms of camera bags on a budget Lowepro are very good and reasonably priced. They have quite a lot of padding and to my knowledge they all come with a all weather cover and have weather sealed zips ect to make sure no dust will get in. A UV filter would be essential for protecting the front element and a polarising filter might be quite useful in very bright conditions.

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Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin

I've submitted my quotes for a 5D mkII and a 5D mkIII so we'll see where it goes. I tried getting a 70-200 f/2.8L IS II USM but the money guy almost choked, oh well

Gorgon, I submitted 2 quotes from Government sites and 2 from companies that support you. If they do go with the ones that support you, I'm calling them to make sure you get credit. It will be a government purchase so i have to buy it direct, can't go thru the site, but I wouldn't have know about them without your site.

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Mike "The Squirrel"
Canon 550D | Canon EF 35mm 1:2 | Canon 50 f/1.8 II | Sigma 18-125mm DC OS | Tamron SP 70-300mm Di VC USD | Canon 430EX II
Military Issued Canon 40D | Canon 55-250mm IS

Thanks for your support Mike, although unfortunately they won't be able to pass on any commission to me unless it's done via the site and the links - that's how they track them.

Not to worry though, I'm glad we could help! Just think of Cameralabs next time you're ordering anything from Amazon, B&H or any of the other sites which I partner with.

You could of course alternatively get your employer to buy me a coffee via the site as a consultancy fee!

Cheers!

Gordon