BigD Loc: The LEFT Coast

I have posted several times that I use and love Olympus Pro series DLSR's as well as some of their better glass. I have from time to time contemplated making a switch to either Nikon or Canon for three very good reasons. First I "need" better high ISO performance than the Oly's can deliver. Second I "need" a camera that can shoot faster than 5 FPS for shooting sports. And last but not least I get tired of missing out on some of the other third party gear that only works on The BIG TWO. Problem was I am so invested in Olympus that I would need something to push me over the cliff to make the switch.

So that "push" came about a month ago in the form of a like new Canon 5D MkII. Its a long story but basically a young man whom I helped at a very bad point in his teen years acquired it (legally) and, knowing I am a photographer, gave it to me. He almost tossed it out thinking it was a cheap old piece of crap!!! It had a EF 24-70 mm f/2.8L lens on it to boot that was like a brand new lens. I downloaded some freeware and the thing only has 5995 shutter actuations on it which is nothing for that model. I looked inside and the mirror was cracked which worried me but the thing took great pictures so not too worried.

I called up Canon and asked where to take it and turns out they have a Service Center in Irvine CA which is not too far from my place (about 70 miles). I just drove over and dropped it off and they said no problem we'll get it all fixed up for ya. Three days later they call and its just a cracked mirror and the rest of the camera is in great shape. So $108.00 for a new mirror which also included a complete factory cleaning and tune em up and it was all ready to roll. I also had the MODE knob replaced with the new version that has a locking button in the middle that you have to push to move it. It makes it where the knob cannot be moved by rubbing on your body or your camera bag which is a pain in the rear. That cost $100.00 so all told $208.00 and she was all ready to serve.

OK so now what? Simple, I decided to simply sell all my Olympus gear, take the loss in stride, and buy all new Canon equipment and not look back. I was loosing faith in Olympus anyway while watching Canon and Nikon release newer and newer models while Olympus is going full tilt into the Micro 4/3rd's direction so this all has a silver lining I guess.

I put all my stuff on Ebay and let the games begin. I am still selling some because the total value was way over what us civilians can sell in a month on there. Overall I am simply letting the money fill up my PayPal account and when I reach a sufficient amount I pull the trigger on the next item. I started with lenses and made a list of "must have" lenses and worked on them first. I got the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM, then the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, then the 400mm f/2.8 USM (no IS), I had the 24-70mm f/2.8L USM so that gave me pretty much the same coverage and quality I had with my Oly stuff. All told I "almost" broke even loosing about a thousand or a little more on the deal (I considered myself lucky).

So given that I am primarily a Sports Shooter I realized that the 5D Mkii is not the best for sports. It does WAY better in low light/high ISO situations but its a slow poke. So I decided to add a couple of 7D bodies since they are almost identical in layout to the 5D2 and use the same batteries as the 5D2 which would make the chargers all work. The 7D is a fantastic body that does what I need and can shoot at 8FPS which is almost a 50% jump in speed and way good for me. I also liked the 1.6X Crop Factor of the APS-C over the 1.3X of the APS-H sensor in the 1DMk4 bodies (plus I could buy two for the price of one). I plan to use the two 7D's for the action stuff and the 5D2 for the before and after stuff as well as any other work I do such as portraiture and the like. I added battery grips to all three bodies because I like the feel better and I can shoot all day on a set of batteries, plus I got them brand new in the original boxes on ebay for a third of the cost from Canon. Then I had to add a pile of batteries (after a bunch of research I decided to just buy original Canon batteries since they are chipped and talk to the cameras), a few more chargers, and a 580 EX II speed light and I was back to ready to shoot.

I downloaded the Owners Manual for both models and the speedlight and actually read them cover to cover. I have been a professional photographer for over 25 years and I actually read even the most basic stuff AND LEARNED STUFF HAHA. I knew it had been many years since I was a Canon guy (I had a lot of Canon stuff including an F1 back in the days O de Film) and I know that you need to really know your gear when stuff is happening fast so I had to get up to speed quick. I really did read the manuals and I have spent a bunch of time practicing with the bodies to get my brain around where things are at compared to my Olympus cameras. Overall I am comfortable with the new cameras so we will see how that goes when I'm under the gun.

So there ya go, what happens when one wing nut decides to change systems. I am very much loving the Canon brand even though I have always really wanted to be a Nikon guy (no idea why I just like them). I was treated well by their Service Center (I am taking the 7Ds there to have their MODE Knobs replaced with locking versions soon) and I really like the features of these bodies. The lenses are "almost" as nice as the Olympus glass and overall the Canon stuff is really pretty cool. One small thing I like is the ability to "Micro Adjust" the focus. I bought a Lens Align Pro Plus setup ($160.00) and tested all these expensive super duper "L" lenses and they were all off a tiny bit. Most were back focused about 5 to 8 "clicks" and once dialed in the sharpness (especially on the long lenses) was really something else. I am looking forward to putting all this new gear through its paces and with Fall Sports coming soon ITS FOOTBALL TIME low light here I come :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

oldmalky Loc: West Midlands,England.

And here i am thinking you would see the light and discover Sony,oh well enjoy your new found enthusiasm good luck.

BigD Loc: The LEFT Coast

Same problem with being able to use third party equipment. Sony is still an "also ran" line like the Olympus. And they simply do not have the lenses yet to compete with the BIG TWO.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I am pleased to read about your satisfaction with the Canon Service Center in Irvine CA.

BigD Loc: The LEFT Coast

Thanks they were really great. As I was contemplating this major dust up I needed to replace the focusing screen on one of my Olympus E3's. I called Olympus and they acted like it was made from Plutonium and required a Ph.D. to install. It's an $8 part that they won't sell you, they want to charge $165.00 to install it. So needless to say when Canon was so easy going it helped make the decision a lot easier. :lol:

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

I would disagree. Sony is on the cutting edge of DSLR technology. Their glass is good, Zeise glass is a little better, and Sony G glass is great. However, consider the AF Minolta lenses that the Sony Alpha's can use, that is also good glass. Do not think that Sony is a late comer in DSLR, when they bought Minolta they kept the engineering department intact. you could say that Sony DSLR's are Minolta products with a different name on it.

BigD Loc: The LEFT Coast

All true but they simply do not make 400, 500 600, 800mm f/2.8 lens and that is what sports shooters use almost daily. Its not the quality its the quantity that is lacking.

francesca3 Loc: Sausalito, CA

um hmmm...I bet whoever used to own that camera, misses it.
Probably lost it.

BigD Loc: The LEFT Coast

access=francesca3]um hmmm...I bet whoever used to own that camera, misses it.
Probably lost it.[/quote]

Nope it was part of a storage. No pay deal, It's legit
.. thanks for the confidence..

olcoach Loc: Oregon

Hey Big D, Congratulations on all the good stuff. It's nice to hear some good things on here. Have fun and keep shootin'. Mike

BigD Loc: The LEFT Coast

Thanks Mike

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

If it had been lost (or stolen) and reported to Canon, the S/N would have been flagged and Big D would have received a letter that the ownership of his camera was bring disputed. He would not have gotten the camera back until the matter was resolved. One problem victims of camera loss/theft have is their failure to report the loss to the equipment manfacturer.

Ive Fallen Loc: Chula, GA

first book i've read on the forum.

BigD Loc: The LEFT Coast

This is a photography Forum, I just made a major change in my equipment, I thought some people on here might find it interesting. If you felt it was too long you could have simply skipped it. I am tempted to make a sarcastic reply many times when someone asks the most basic question but I stop myself and remember that the purpose of this forum is to "talk" about photography. Maybe its time to look elsewhere for photography conversations.

:x

Ive Fallen Loc: Chula, GA

did you hear me complain about the content of your book? i read it and enjoyed it. you must have very thin skin. i enjoy humor even at my expense. if i hurt your feelings, sorry.