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Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM
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Review Date: Dec 29, 2006
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Super sharp, great AF (considering you set the focus distance switch correctly) good color and contrast. Just an incredible piece of glass.
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Cons:
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If there is a negative it is the price although consider all the elements, IS and build it is questionable how Canon could sell it for less.
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I dreamed about owning this lens for a year was finally able to make it happen. It is everything I expected and more. Before I had the tripod setup (Gitzo 1325 & full Wimberley) I shot it handheld on about 4 outings. While heavy it is handholdable. The handheld photos came out very sharp which is a testiment to the AF and the IS. Also shot quite a few with the EF 1.4X II Teleconverter. You cannot tell the difference in image quality with and without this on. I am awaiting a 2X so hopefully the performance with that will be close to the 1.4X.
After buying it I have not had one second of remorse. I can already tell it will give me the confidence to shoot wildlife I normally wouldn't have gone after and to go to places I wouldn't have traveled to find that wildlife.
All I can say is if you shoot wildlife and can afford it - buy it.
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Lowepro CompuTrekker AW
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Review Date: Oct 30, 2006
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $159.00
| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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Very protective of the gear and holds a lot - easily fits 15" Powerbook.
Good carry on for airplane travel.
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Cons:
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Uncomfortable as a back pack - see comments.
Tripod thing gets in way of getting to gear.
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I have traveled to Europe, Mexico, South America with this bag full of my gear and it worked well for that. What it doesn't work for is hiking. I completely threw my back out with this thing after a day of hiking and shooting in Mexico and I have never had a back problem in my life. I could barely walk the next day and it was the day I was leaving. My poor wife had to act like a Sherpa for me as I couldn't even lift a dop kit. It was fully loaded that day however. I have learned to lighten the load by half but then you have to leave behind things you may need on the shoot.
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