What Digital SLR would you buy?

[halflife65]

I actually meant to type the 300mm L f4 (not f5.6).  If I can find the right deal (when I have the money) on a used 70 - 200mm f2.8, I'll get that, but they are quite a bit more expensive than the f4.  The good news is that you can sell lenses for about what you paid for them (give or take a $100), so I'll buy the f4 and hopefully upgrade to the f2.8 later.

[boneaddict]

300 is too big for everyday and a hair on the small size for ultiamte wildlife.  I shot that flying duck with the 2.8 200 this weekend.  I think the geese shots too.  I had the 400 on a 1.4 and it was too slow to focus on them.

[halflife65]

Yeah, the problem is that the 300mm is $1400 new and the 400mm f4 DO is $6400.  The 400mm f2.8L is $8k.  I'm sure that you can shop and get them for a little cheaper, or buy them used, but they are still WAY out of my price range.  I wish I could afford it.

[whacker1]

goals to aspire to - doesn't have to happen today.  That is why we start low and work our way up. 

[boneaddict]

I shot alot of pictures with alot cheaper lens.  I've been doing this for about 30 years ya know.  The pic on the cover of the regs was shot with a Simga 400 5.6   It was a $1000 lens and I scrimped and scrimped for it.  It was my "big" lens for years.  I still have it.

[whacker1]

i need to get better at scrimping

[halflife65]

i need to get better at scrimping

Yes, my scrimper is malfunctioning.

[boneaddict]

Tax returns are always a good place to start.

[whacker1]

Tax returns go toward Montana on the last year of $700 big game combo and house remodel. 

I told you that I was very good at this scrimping business 

[halflife65]

Tax returns are always a good place to start.

I promised my wife she could buy a new *$&*# saddle.  Also, I'm in the process for putting in out of state, so I may be spending some money, too.

[huntnphool]

 Whacker, I think you would be better off buying the 70-200mm 2.8 IS and using the 1.4X than you will be with a 300mm f4 and using the 1.4x. With the 70-200 and 1.4X you will still be able to shoot f4, when using the 300mm f4 with the 1.4x you will have more reach but you will need a lot more light since it will then bump up to f5.6.

 For starting out you will be far more adaptable to different situations with the 70-200 Vs. the 300mm and will be more likely to do more.

 Another thing to think about, if you buy a good quality used lens it will already have depreciated for the most part, odds of being able to use it for a year or two, before moving up, and retaining your investment when selling it are very good. I know Pope is moving up to a 300mm 2.8 IS and is selling his 70-200mm 2.8 IS right now and just dropped the price, its a very good deal for that lens. You could use it for a year or two and probably still get the money you pay for it when it comes time to sell it. As always YMMV.

[whacker1]

Thanks for the heads up, but I have to pass on the Pope lens.  gas plumber is coming tomorrow and I think that he wants to get paid. But I am betting that they want about the same amount of money give or take.

But yes I was leaning to 70-200 as well. I just figured it would be a logical fit for a long time just based on its versatility and broad array of uses.  I was thinking used as well.  Out of curiousity what is Pope's lens going for?

[boneaddict]

Saw a guy, ok...lady with a stash...shooting a basketball game with that 300 2.8 this last week.  She had the 70-200 on one 5D mark III and that 300 on another.  I hope someone escorted her to her car.  That was a pile of cash.

[whacker1]

Bone - it is funny how you can look at someone and know exactly what they are packing.  Camera equipment?  Swarovski spotting scope, lazeroni rifle, King of the Mountain clothes, etc.  Just depends on where you are and what sport you are talking about. 

I know the same is said for me when they see my truck parked at a gate. Something along the lines of "Is that a 97 F150"  "Sure is"  "Wow that looks like it has about 150,000 miles on it"  "Maybe he has knock off, 1/2 drank coffee in the cab and some keystone lights in the cooler in the back"  "Yeah, lets drive up the road until we find something worth stealling...."

at least that is how I play it out when I walk back to the truck laughin at myself and some of the pretty trucks that drive by.

[kenbell27]

I was at a wedding this last summer and the photographer, was using two cameras both very nice set ups. I was looking at the cameras until i got a nudge in the ribs, my girlfriend thought i was staring at the photographer,