Author Topic: Bought any photography stuff today? (Read 170977 times)

LEE · « **Reply #501 on:** 27 May, 2015, 11:09:57 am »

Looks like my Tesco Clubcard Boost points just got me a free Canon 85mm f1.8 USM.

I'll just add this to the thousands of pounds worth of free stuff my clubcard has got me.

It's actually the dedicated portrait lens I wanted but couldn't justify right now.

mike · « **Reply #502 on:** 27 May, 2015, 11:57:23 am »

excellent, thats a fantastic lens!

LEE · « **Reply #503 on:** 27 May, 2015, 01:56:20 pm »

Quote from: mike on 27 May, 2015, 11:57:23 am

excellent, thats a fantastic lens!

It does get good reviews and it's worth checking Tesco Boost (if you have a Clubcard) because it's 2-for-1 on some photo gear right now including some entry level to mid-range DSLRs.

Just frustrated that they didn't have the Canon 70D body or I would have grabbed one for vouchers plus £200.
I could have got a "free" 700D but it doesn't have the jump in spec from the 100D that I really want next.

It's difficult to knock the Tesco clubcard deal though. I reckon we must have had £10K of totally free stuff over the years, just for using their credit card (as we don't shop there any more).

Pity I don't do any company travel any more or I'd stick it on the Tesco credit card and I'd be beating away the free stuff with a stick.

LEE · « **Reply #504 on:** 29 May, 2015, 07:08:27 pm »

Quote from: LEE on 27 May, 2015, 11:09:57 am

Looks like my Tesco Clubcard Boost points just got me a free Canon 85mm f1.8 USM.

Arrived today. What a superbly lovely chunk of glass it is.

Bokeh porn to follow.

LEE · « **Reply #505 on:** 29 May, 2015, 10:48:08 pm »

Bigger

Yes, I know I missed focus on the neck of the bottle but ..I was very drunk at the time...and I just wanted to show the amazing quality of this lens ASAP. It's already my favourite lens.

Depth of field is so shallow at f1.8 (Can't imagine what the L series F1.2 must be like) and the background is the creamiest of creamy smooth.

DoF is around 2cm on this image I reckon, just slightly back from the opening and on the neck label, amazing.

......This was a free lens!!!!!

One day my 5D will come.

rafletcher · « **Reply #506 on:** 30 May, 2015, 04:31:43 pm »

Well bought a week or so ago, but only unpacked today, my first proper tripod, a Manfrotto 055. It even came with instructions! And I also bought a Manfrotto backpack.

Charlotte · « **Reply #507 on:** 31 May, 2015, 09:31:59 pm »

Nice - you won't regret a decent tripod. I hate using the bloody things, but when I do, I need it to be absolutely rock solid. Having had a bunch of shit ones, getting a pukka bit of kit came as a revelation. 70-200mm f/2.8 and a tethered laptop? With the right sticks, no problem.

David Martin · « **Reply #508 on:** 31 May, 2015, 10:07:20 pm »

I have an 055 - worth every penny.

LEE · « **Reply #509 on:** 01 June, 2015, 09:10:18 am »

I've been procrastinating for too many years about getting a decent tripod.

I may accidentally break my ancient crappy one to force the issue.

The 055 Pro 3 (possibly just the Alu one, not carbon) is on the short-list (of two, both Manfrotto).

rafletcher · « **Reply #510 on:** 01 June, 2015, 09:26:32 am »

Quote from: LEE on 01 June, 2015, 09:10:18 am

I've been procrastinating for too many years about getting a decent tripod.

I may accidentally break my ancient crappy one to force the issue.

The 055 Pro 3 (possibly just the Alu one, not carbon) is on the short-list (of two, both Manfrotto).

That's the one (alu) and I got it with a ball head too. Lovely bit of kit, and as Charlotte says, a revelation after the nasty Slik thing I had before. I used it for the flower shots I posted, and also used the Olympus app on the iPad to shoot the pics. So I was able to preview the result, adjust aperture and re-shoot from the comfort of a garden chair

. Just a shame I didn't get it before the bluetits fledged from the nest box. Next year maybe.

Woofage · « **Reply #511 on:** 01 June, 2015, 10:05:14 am »

^ might have to persuade the boss to buy me the company one of those

Charlotte · « **Reply #512 on:** 01 June, 2015, 05:59:02 pm »

Do have a look at Gitzo, they're the gold standard in tripods. I'm currently using a Gitzo GT3541XLS. Which is a bloody silly long name for a rather good tripod. It'll go up to 2m in height and will support 20kg in weight. Despite being made of carbon fibre, I still wouldn't want to lug it too far...

Ham · « **Reply #513 on:** 02 June, 2015, 09:53:42 am »

Quote from: Charlotte on 01 June, 2015, 05:59:02 pm

Do have a look at Gitzo, they're the gold standard in tripods. I'm currently using a Gitzo GT3541XLS. Which is a bloody silly long name for a rather good tripod. It'll go up to 2m in height and will support 20kg in weight. Despite being made of carbon fibre, I still wouldn't want to lug it too far...

Yeah, but are they hydromatic ultramatic as well?? We need to know.

T42 · « **Reply #514 on:** 02 June, 2015, 10:22:21 am »

Quote from: LEE on 01 June, 2015, 09:10:18 am

I've been procrastinating for too many years about getting a decent tripod.

I may accidentally break my ancient crappy one to force the issue.

The 055 Pro 3 (possibly just the Alu one, not carbon) is on the short-list (of two, both Manfrotto).

I have one of those (with the '3'? Dunno any more). Can't accuse it of not being solid. Wish I could have afforded carbon 'way back. I've done hikes with the damned thing on my backpack where I would gladly have paid the price difference in porter's fees. Mind you, I have got a bloody big 3-axis head on it, never could get on with ball heads, one touch and everything goes floppy.

And if you get the carbon one you can always weight it down with a handy D1.

LEE · « **Reply #515 on:** 02 June, 2015, 11:23:11 am »

T42.

That's the dilemma, Ally or Carbon?

If I get the Ally one then that's it, I'm never going to be able to justify another tripod, and lugging it around to get lovely landscapes will be its main use.

I think I'm talking myself into carbon. I already have a Manfrotto ball-head (to make my existing tripod vaguely user-friendly).

The pistol-grip ball-head by Manfrotto seems like a nice half-way house between a ball-head and a pan-tilt but I like the ball-head for it's total simplicity.

I'd go for the 3 leg version rather than the 4 because extending tripod legs is right up there with putting petrol in my car, or tying shoe-laces, for feeling that my life is slipping away.

Jaded · « **Reply #516 on:** 02 June, 2015, 11:32:21 am »

The pistol grip is good, but difficult to adjust (tighten up/ loosen)

mike · « **Reply #517 on:** 02 June, 2015, 12:13:22 pm »

Have a look at Feisol carbon tripods, I've given my 3301 a horrible time over the last 6 or 7 years and it's still in great condition.

David Martin · « **Reply #518 on:** 02 June, 2015, 08:12:31 pm »

I have the 055ProB with the tilty central column (which is ace) and a 3-way head. Not even dreaming of another one

LEE · « **Reply #519 on:** 03 June, 2015, 09:26:12 am »

Just spent my Amazon birthday vouchers and received this

a Joby Gorilla Pod SLR Zoom (a heavyweight version of the Pod).

I got it solely to get low-to-the-ground shots without the hassle of contorting a large tripod (even the best tripods require a degree of faffage to get 6" from the ground).

Very impressed, only £21.49 from Amazon and capable of supporting my Canon 18-135mm (although it will normally be supporting a very light 10-18mm).

I may get a cheap Eball head but it's easy enough to adjust/level and a ball-head will add height I'm trying to avoid.

Woofage · « **Reply #520 on:** 03 June, 2015, 04:49:59 pm »

I've just received a Panasonic GF1 m4/3 body that cost me the princely sum of £57 delivered from Wex photo. My GF2's touch screen is looking a bit worse for wear so I'm going to have a go at replacing it. The GF1 will act as a worthy substitute for the time being.

mike · « **Reply #521 on:** 03 June, 2015, 09:44:40 pm »

GF1 is a brilliant camera and that's an astonishing price for it. Have you got a 20mm 1.7? the combo is incredibly good.

Woofage · « **Reply #522 on:** 04 June, 2015, 09:57:04 am »

Quote from: mike on 03 June, 2015, 09:44:40 pm

GF1 is a brilliant camera and that's an astonishing price for it. Have you got a 20mm 1.7? the combo is incredibly good.

Not yet, but I might treat myself. It depends whether I buy myself an SLR as that will take a chunk out of my pocket money.

paul851 · « **Reply #523 on:** 08 June, 2015, 05:29:19 pm »

Picked up a Kaiser VCP7002 enlarger and a LPL C6700 enlarger off Ebay a fiver a piece , one in Sheffield and the other 5 minutes from my front door

only wanted the Kaiser as replacement bulbs are a damn sight cheaper than my Philips Tri-One but the LPL was heading for the tip if it didn't sell which would have been a shame .

Paul

LEE · « **Reply #524 on:** 11 June, 2015, 04:59:38 pm »

Just received 4 lens hoods from various Ebay sources.

Not sure who buys Canon lens hoods at >£20, they are most likely made in the same Chinese factory as the Ebay £3-£7 versions.

Better still...
Dear Canon, please include £3 lens hoods with your £300 lenses.

Author Topic: Bought any photography stuff today? (Read 170977 times)

paul851