I suggest the Nest Gimbal head. First it is carbon fiber, thus light weight. It will mount easily to any good tripod leg set. Just be sure you have a good well built tripod with sturdy legs. If you have to "hump" the gimbal head, tripod, camera, and heavy lens a bit, you'll like the light weight gimbal head. The fluid head will be easy to set, and move to follow the subject. Mt Shooter will be able to help you with a tripod as well as the Gimbal head.

B

White or off white lenses are a marketing ploy by Canon. Those white lenses are special in many regards never-the-less. When you see a white lens it actually is a Canon "L" quality lens, with weather sealing, dust seals, and much better optics than the Canon basic EF lens, which is black. You will pay a premium price for those white lenses also. Canon also makes "L" quality lenses below the 70-200mm which is white, but are black, with a red band around the end with the largest optical end. Those lenses are also superiorly optically and weather and dust sealed than the Canon basic EF lens. Canon also makes a Canon EF-S version of lenses but these are for the Canon crop sensor cameras such as the "Rebel" line, or the EOS "D" series cameras such as the the Canon EOS 70D. I hope this clears up your "white lens" questions.

B

I personally like to shoot full frame for my street photography, so I mostly use my Tamron 24-70mm f2.8 VC USM or I may use my 16-35mm f2.8L ver II lens. I do like to use f2.8 lenses on street for DOF, and low light shots. Also, VC or IS is desirable since you may have to control movement. I've not done much street work since moving to New Hampshire, since there is not a actual town street to shoot on. I may have to journey to Concord to do some street work.

B

Since moving to New Hampshire, my daily photography has gone through a few changes. In Louisiana, I shot a lot of birds, wild animals, real estate, and mostly a variety of subjects. In NH, I'm shooting a lot of landscape shots, especially now during peak leaf peeping times. While in the New Orleans area, I shot a good bit of street photos, but in NH we actually don't have any real streets near my rural home. I used my long telephotos in La for birds and animals, and use them now but not as often. Every day I take a walk to Bow Bog, and shoot a few UWA shots of the pond and trees changing. I take along the 100-400 and 150-600 just in case a large animal my show up. In La, I shot a good many festivals in the area, but here in NH, the festivals are different, and smaller. So, I feel the photographers bag should change daily, and should depend on exactly what the subject matter is on the days shoot. Good Luck

B

What made you originally decide on the Canon 5D Mark IV? Seems odd you must have used some decision method to choose the Mark IV originally. Nothing has changed with the Mark IV, so why not give it a chance. As you probably already know, Canon has the largest lens selection, both in "L" quality, and EF lenses. Join Canon Professional services, and take advantage of their support and information. You'll get a nice package including free cleanings for cameras and lenses, plus a direct line for service and questions about their products. Enjoy your new camera.

B

I found this very same problem with my Tamron 150-600mm lens when I mounted to my Canon 5D Mark IV. I called Tamron immediately. I also found my Tamron 24-70 did the very same thing. Tamron had me send in both lenses for a firmware update. This happened some time ago, both lenses were updated, cleaned and calibrated, and now shoot well both in live view, and view finder mode. Keep in mind, when upgrading from older technology to newer products there will be possible problem when using reverse engineered lenses.

B

This could be a lens phenomena if the lens is to wide of angle. This phenomena is emphasized when using a "fisheye" lens, and is known a barrel distortion. This type of distortion can happen with both sensor types.

B

I think when you're planning a Alaska trip, to shoot wildlife, I'd like to hear what type of wildlife you're expecting to shoot. Looking at your opening question, using a f4 200mm lens and renting a 400mm would be great for some of the wildlife, but for others, like bears, it could be dangerous. Look for at least a 600mm with either a 1.4, or 2X extender, with a solid tripod. Keep in mind, I include moose on the dangerous list. Bears, both the brown ones, and white ones will be hungry as a bear can get, with hibernation in just a few weeks away. For bears, get a good guide. The guide will know what that bear is up to, and read the signs the bear is making. Moose are a different story, they look dumb as a rock, and act dumb as a rock, but don't underestimate them. A full grown bull can turn in a instant, charge through wait high brambles and pin you down with his huge horns and stomp you into a pulp. So, a long lens is worth the rental expense. Other animals, your 200mm with extender will be fine. In Alaska, never let your guard down, returning to the car, can be dangerous if there are bears in the woods. Have a great time, and good luck.

B

"Canon Rumors" a few weeks ago mentioned Canon is thinking of producing a 150-600mm lens, but will not be a "L" quality lens. If it were you wouldn't have enough money to buy it.

B

At some point of your ownership cycle, you were satisfied with your Tamron. I started to see the same type of thing on my Tamron, and I took some test shots, called Tamron, and sent in the lens. Under Tamrons 6 year warranty, they cleaned the lens calibrated it, replaced a element, and updated the firmware for my 5D Mark IV live view. The lens shoots as sharp as when new. I suggest you check your warranty date, and send the lens in.

B

I shoot both the Canon 100-400, and the Tamron 150-600 G1 lenses. I usually have the 100-400 on my 7D Mark II, and the Tamron mounted on my 5D Mark IV, while in my blind. I've gotten money shots on both lenses, but the 100-400 is just a bit sharper on every shot. Don't be surprised to get the 6 year warranty from Tamron on all of their lenses. Canon will only warranty for 1 year. I've never used the Canon warranty, but have sent in my Tamrons for updates and repairs. I've not shot the Tamron G2, but would like to take a look at it. If you buy the big Tamron, be sure to invest in a solid tripod, since the lens gets a bit heavy after a long day of trying to hand hold the shots. You can rent these lenses before you buy, and I suggest you do just that.

B

You have now read all the stuff about the quality of the glass of the filter. Now something about the actual build of the CP filter. Remember this filter will screw into the filter threads of your lens. I look basically on how will I get this off my lens should the threads bind to the lens. Brass threads work best and will not keep the filter from binding, and possibly ruining the lenses filter threads. The less expensive filters have aluminum threads, which can bind and will need a filter wrench to remove, or be cut off the lens. So, look carefully at the material the filter is made of rather than the price.

B

Shooting portraits, children, and landscapes certainly point to a full frame camera. Look to a 6D, or 6D II, and if you don't own a "L" quality lens. If your funds are so limited that a 7D is your only option, get one with as few actuations as possible. You don't mention your lens collection, so to get optional lens/camera quality things are up in the air. Remember that 7D is now in the museum so Canon may not repair it should it fail. I'd go with the 80D and some modern glass.

B

I would send it in to Sigma, for at least a test and check. Over the years things can happen inside the lens. I've had only one Sigma lens, years ago, and it went back many times for a similar problem. Good Luck.

B

Take a look at "Canonpricewatch.com" This site will give you better pricing and will give you a "street price" option, and will tell you if the price is for a U.S. warranty or not. I bought my latest lens through them and go a photo printer with the lens as a extra. So, I got my Canon EF 100-400mm "L" lens and a new printer for less than the lens cost. Canon Price Watch has the 5D Mark IV for $2999, and also a package with either the 24-105, or 24-70mm lenses for just a bit more.

B