Hi georgiapeach2

My favoured 'all day walk around' lightweight lens system for my 80D is the EFs 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, paired with the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM. And other than zoos and birds, the EFs 15-85 does about 80% of the work. I like and use the wider end a bit, and find the IQ, colour and contrast right up there with the best. I used to use the EF 17-55 f2.8 similarly, but find I'm only using it for the f2.8 now in deference to the EFs 15-85. If I thought the IQ might be an issue, and outweighed the convenience, I'd pack a set of primes.

I like to try and capture BIF, but have a bit of an interest in other stuff as well. And I buy used.

For what its worth, I was using a 60D and upgraded to the 6D a while back. I found an upgrade path to a suitable 6DII recently, but decided to keep the 6D and get an 80D instead and saved a few dollars. I also looked at a 7DII, but kept my 1DIV instead too, the 80D also filling any gap. Lenses are not an issue.

So I use both the 80D and the 1DIV for BIF and a bit of other stuff too.

Spec wise, the 80D and the 6DII seemed similar enough to me, I liked the feel of the 80D's back a bit better, and I thought they took pretty much the same pics, even in poor light. I kept the 6D for ultra wide and lo light stuff though.

If a 5DIV came up I might jump in, but I'm just a bit worried it might force a computer and software upgrade too, and I don't mind birding with two cameras and lenses ready to go.

Good luck

Phil

Hi regularguy55

So talking about zooms, I hold to the opinion that a lot of the money in 'L' glass is for its overall 'ruggedness' and its weatherproofing. I don't doubt there is some better technology in the glass, its coatings and the motors, but not sure its noticeable in what I do, which doesn't usually involve large prints. So nothing wrong with that advanced technology and worth the extra to some. But I'm pretty sure a lot of that extra is about consistency to the corners which is not used on a crop body any way. So my upgrade from a kit lens on my crop bodies has been to the EFs 15-85, and since I don't shoot in torrential weather or dust storms, and I think I take reasonable care of my lenses, and I'm pretty happy with its IQ and reliability, although my EF 16-35L has slightly more consistency across its zoom. I also have the EFs 17-55 which I got for the f2.8 but don't use so much these days, but I'd rate its IQ up there with my EF 24-70L, and I have an EF 70-300, which makes for a nice complementary lens to the EFs 15-85. Its not as sharp across its length as my EF 70-200L, but its lighter and really only falls short towards the long end a bit anyway. And I recently found an EFs 10-18, which I'm also happy with.

So I certainly feel the upgrade to both the EFs 17-55 f2.8 and the EFs 15-85 does have enough 'uptick' for me, and that's mainly about the IQ improvement over the EFs 18-55, but I think the AF is a bit faster too. I also like the compression of a telephoto length for some landscapes and travel with the EF 70-300 for that reason (I have the older version)

Phil

I also use Think Tank and I would think the Speed Racer might be a possibility for you. It should fit the EF 100-400 while the 24-105 is mounted to the camera beside it, lens down. In that configuration you still should have room for a flash or charger etc. Straps and belt fold out of the way for carry on. If you find it too big they have a smaller one, the Speed Freak which is a bit shorter, a tight fit I think. I like it 'cause I can comfortably configure it as a shoulder bag, a bum bag, a belt bag or combination off those either at your back, either side or in the front. Mine is still as new after five years.

Hi Joexx

I can't help with the Promaster, but I've recently switched from a cheaper Gimbal to the Manfrotto 393. I was having a few tensioning issues with the cheaper one after a couple of good years. Made in China, pretty solid and the bearing issues may well have been abuse/lack of care/lack of cleaning through my ignorance. No chance of spare parts from the supplier but I'll get around to pulling it apart. I mainly use the Manfrotto with a Canon 1DIV and and EF 300 and x2 teleconverter. I'm finding it OK, and easy to find balance, although it doesn't really have a lock position.

Phil

Thanks. I don't think we've got much similar where I am

Great lens and great pics.

Thanks - I'll I have a look

Here's another one I did for them over one of our city's bridges.. The train from a model railway exhibition we took them to, and since a sleepover that night, a very topical subject for a bedtime story

Phil

Hi lrm
I've never been to any of those places but I'd probably prefer take the risk with wide rather than long - so I'd think the 24-70.

But if I had to minimise my gear, I'd consider just a 24 pancake on a crop, or a 40 pancake on a FF

Phil

Just a few pics of my town

From Dairy Farmers Hill overlooking the Aboretum


Lake Burley Griffin


The Nation Carillon


View from Mount Stromlo

Hi Bob

I like the composition - seems to give a real depth within the frame. And I think the angle of his front legs, and his ears, gives a bit of dynamic support to the direction of his gaze.

Phil

Just something to build a story around for bedtime with the grand kids.

So this was shot during a daytime reenactment festival where a couple of knights were going at it in the ring. No way to get a shot without the modern crowd in frame (mostly with iPhones too), so an extraction and background replacement was in order. Once blended in, a bit of mood lighting seemed appropriate.


Phil

So I put this one together last year, as a card for my father, just before my sixth grandchild and his fifteenth great grand child was due.

I use Canon's DPP and Adobe's CS4. Well, they are free!!

Phil

Canon 60D with an EFs 17-55

Off the Beaten Track