Hi Group
I am looking into switching from the Cannon 17-40 to the new 16-35 and am wondering if any of you have done the switch and if you are happy for it. Also considering the 2.8 over the 4.0 but have read where the 4.0 is sharper. Any comments with real world experience would be appreciated. I live several hours away from a real camera store to go play with them.
Thanks

Recently on a trip to the Masai area of Africa a friend showed me the advantage of shooting priority mode. With the fast changing conditions we hit it proved to be a good way to go. Being able to more quickly change the aperture or shutter speed. It took some getting used to but now I like it.

I didn't see it mentioned here yet or missed it, but anyway it is worth mentioning that Scott Kelby's company is also into doing the Photoshop World. It is a great trip for training sessions with the world's great photographers and also seeing vendors and their products which can often be had at discounts. It used to be held twice a year with one on the east coast and the other in Las Vegas. I think they are going to only do Vegas now. I have been to 3 of them and have come away with some great help. Google Photoshop World to see more.

I bought the first 5D and loved it right off even as a beginner digital user. You can't go wrong with quality and will grow into the camera with time and enjoy it's
advanced features. The movie quality is excellent too. I agree with others that you should go with the L lenses.

I just watched a video on Cannon Rumors by Scott Kelby on the 7DII. It is very worth watching for anyone considering the 7D line up. The new II is much more camera than the original 7D. Makes a person wonder about the 5DIII vs the new 7DII.

I would suggest you go to a camera store and try something on like the 70-200 range which is a popular size. Take your camera and try on several ranges to get a good idea of what they do.

HELLO
I have the NEC 27" monitor and love it. Be sure to check the ability of the monitor to show the RBG relationship. As I recall, the NEC had the closest for the price there is like 98%.. If you work with LR or PS it could make a difference for you. To get better, I would have had to double the price I paid. That was a few months ago so maybe some things changed with the competitors.

If you get to CA be sure to drive down highway 1 for the stunning seascapes and sunsets.

I agree with this quote. At the Photoshop World in Atlanta, the pros made several examples of people who either have a better side or prefer one side over the other. Try to tell a super star they can't have their better side out!!!

Thank you for this information. I will look into this one also.

I would like to keep the price in the 2 to 300 range or less

Hi group
I am looking into a new scanner to change a mountain of old slides into pics and for storage as well as old color negatives.
Looking into the various "who's best" sites is daunting. Has anyone out there gotten any new scanners recently to do this and how have they worked for you.
Thanks

Thanks for all the replies and clever ideas. I will look into all the things presented here.

I am headed to Africa next month and find that I need to buy a vest to carry some of my lenses and stuff that won't fit into the 33 lb. weight limit of my baggage. The Canon 200-400 and tripod will use up a lot of that weight especially tucking in a camera body too. Now if only I didn't need the clothes! The extra 8 lb. carry on doesn't help much either with meds and such in it.
I would appreciate comments on which vests you have used to carry extra lenses and things including a Cannon 2.8 70-200 and a couple of smaller ones. There are no camera stores less than 2.5 hours to look at them and then VERY limited cheaper ones there.
Thanks in advance

I use the new Mac Book Pro with Retina when on the road and have had better luck with adjustments on photos with my eyesight being what it is. I also dock with a 27" external NEC monitor at home and am even happier. I use two external backups with one being the Mac 3tb time machine hub combo and the other a LaCie. Lessons learned from previous back up machine failures led me to 2 external ones.