At the end of the year I got to try some new equipment, and buy some too! Christmas was a good season for me and I reinvested in some new equipment for 2009.
Buy: Canon 5D Mark II Camera Body
Yeah, I bought one. I was lucky and got one direct from Amazon when they happened to have them in stock. I haven't really had a chance to do much with it but I'm hoping to get out this weekend to test it out. I'll be sure to post a full review with pictures when I have more time to spend getting to know it! [PS. as of 11:15am on 1/9 Amazon has the body in stock but they go out of stock quickly!]
Buy: Canon 50mm 1.2L Lens
I really struggled with this purchase. I have heard from so many photographers that this lens just wasn't worth the extra money. I think when they say that though they just mean from a sharpness point of view. But after my 50mm 1.4 lost focus abilities for the SECOND time this fall, I knew I needed a change. I debated just buying a second 1.4 so I'd at least have a backup but after talking to the person at my local camera store started to second guess. One of the benefits of the L lens is that it is just a better made lens so it is less likely to break down. And that really sold me on it. So I ordered one. And when I got it I put it on and took a few test shots. AND I LOVED THEM! One of the things I didn't really expect was that the bokah would be so different. But the blur is smoother and just yummy! I mean, I don't know how else to describe it. Yes, I'll post some test shot pictures of that soon too! Oh, and it is heavy!
Borrow: Canon 24-70mm 2.8L Lens
My sister in law picked up this lens at Christmas during her visit to Houston and let me borrow it to try it out and I really liked it. It is likely going to be my next lens purchase. The sharpness is fantastic and the images had a great quality to them. I can definitely see having fun with this lens! I was a little sad to give it back. And I could see it being a great combo with the new 5D Mark II.
I borrowed a friends 5D Mark II a few days ago - I was blown away by the quality of the images compared to my 40D. Enjoy!
Posted by: Travis Isaacs | January 09, 2009 at 08:07 AM
Check out the Tamron 28-75 2.8 lens instead of the overpriced 24-70 2.8.
The Tamron did better than the lens with the 'look at me' red ring on it by PopPhoto and other independent tests.
Have one and the sharpness is phenomenal.
Posted by: PhotoDoc | January 09, 2009 at 06:08 PM
I'd love to see more photos from you with the 50mm f1.2. I have the 1.4 and it's a great lens for the money, but pretty soft wide open. I've been going back and forth on the 1.2 since it also weighs significantly more and I wasn't convinced my 5D's auto focus off center was accurate enough.
The 24-70 is a great lens too (borrowed one just like you), but it's too heavy for my two assistants. :)
Posted by: Phat Baby Photographer | January 11, 2009 at 11:53 PM
I need a 50mm just can decide if it's worth it to buy the canon or not.
I have the 70-200mm and must say I love the way it performs but not so much the great white look, I wish it blended in a bit more so you could get better candids.
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Posted by: Craig | June 27, 2009 at 09:30 AM
Th 50mm 1.2 is just not getting the reviews that it should. I absolutely love it. I love the 24-70 too, but I am addicted to primes. So I am waiting for a 24mm prime to make it back onto the shelves of either B&H or Adorama . . .
Posted by: The Photodiarist | September 07, 2009 at 12:52 AM
Cars and houses are expensive and not everyone is able to buy it. However, loans was created to help different people in such hard situations.
Posted by: AnthonyNoreen | March 08, 2010 at 06:51 AM