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| » Number of reviews : 513 - viewing 10 Per Page |
| Last Review Posted by Rob Jones - posted: Wed August 20, 2008 11:36pm | [ Post a Review ] |
 Views: 9207 |
How professional are you? What are your needs?
Very few of us need to make a living from photography and only enjoy it as a hobbyist. Even so any half-skilled operator could take stunning 'professional' standard photo's with this model camera.
Specification wise the more expensive cameras in the Canon range do offer more options that may be critical in some rare situations you encounter and that's why you are asked to pay a great deal more for them but as a hobbyist do you really need the extra specifications of the more expensive models?
The 400SD and now the new, even better 450D cameras are regarded as the 'entry level' DSLR's from Canon. They would though, without a shadow of a doubt be more than suitable for the vast majority of amateur photographers. Unless you are particularly gifted and you could be fairly certain you would be able to utilize the extra features of the more expensive models you would be wasting your money buying one. The main reasons I would consider for not buying this model is that the cases of camera's of the more expensive models are more robust and sturdy. The shutter speed burst of around 3 frames per second is only half that of high end models. That might be critical to some but not need be so to others.
The mount takes all Canon DSLR series lenses and any photographer worth their salt would tell you that the choice of lens is far more important than choice of camera.
I can't think of any particular negative elements of this camera unit other than I've mentioned.
The positives far outweigh them.
The camera unit is sold in black or silver. I would recommend the black body as it is not so obvious for wildlife photography. Rating: 10 |
Product Details: "Eos 400D - Digital Rebel XTi" by Andy Bright - posted: Fri June 1, 2007 - Rating:  9.33 |
| Last Review Posted by wintersteiner - posted: Tue August 19, 2008 3:35pm | [ Post a Review ] |
 Views: 9925 |
I purchased this Bogen Gimbal Mount about two years ago along with an extra mount. It's worked extremely well for my larger lenses, up to a Nikon 500mm f4P. My only complaint, and it's minor, is that the mount sometimes restricts direct access to the lens from either side. I tried mounting the lens from the bottom, meaning that the gimbal mount is now rotated completely up, but that for me only made things worse. But, all in all, especially for the money, it's the best in it's price range. So, the final word is this, depending on the length of your lens and camera combination, and the central balancing point, this mount will work perfectly as it was designed for. Still an outstanding mount and value for the money, with great movements, both horizontally and vertically. Rating: 10 |
| Product Details: "393 ( AKA Bogen 3421 )" by Andy Bright - posted: Tue April 12, 2005 - Rating: 9.50 |
| Last Review Posted by wintersteiner - posted: Tue August 19, 2008 3:21pm | [ Post a Review ] |
 Views: 3809 |
I've owned my tripod since the mid 80's. Used everything from 35mm cameras, to medium format cameras, all without any problems. Currently I have a Bogen 3421 Gimbal Mount on it, and it works equally as well with my digital cameras, as it does with larger camcorders. Just today I found a 3221GN3 "Wilderness" on ebay and ordered it to use with a Jobu Black Widow Gimbal Mount for more serious bird photography here in the Adirondacks. Rating: 10 |
| Product Details: "3021BN" by PaulAndAPentax - posted: Thu November 22, 2007 - Rating: 9.40 |
| Last Review Posted by UTCbirder - posted: Sun August 17, 2008 10:14pm | [ Post a Review ] |
 Views: 342 |
Basically, what Mike said!
I have the Astronomy Tech version of this scope, really the same FPL-51 glass, anodized finish, like that. AT offers the scope in 6 or so colors ("forest green" would be nice for birding use). One minor diff is that the coarse and fine focus knobs are covered in diamond-cut rubber, which is a nice touch, but otherwise the scopes are identical.
The limiting factor in the view of many potential owners of this rig has been the lack of a decent quality, compact, reasonable cost 45-degree erecting prism, but within the last couple of years good multi-coated, BK-4 glass ones from a number of vendors have hit the market. I also have a 1 1/4 dielectric 90-degree mirror star diagonal, but honestly there is not much, if any, performance points in favor of the mirror diagonal. Off axis, maybe a bit more lateral color with the prism, but it's minor and not noticable. In the past, the majority of the right side up, right way round reading diagonals were pretty bad, at least the ones I had looked thru. I use the AT one, which looks like what is shown in Mike's initial posting. Generic versions are available for a slightly cheaper price. Mine ran $69.
The ability to employ various 1 1/4 astro eyepieces is a BIG plus, not to be underrated. Currently on the business end of the scope is an Agena Astro 15mm Super-wide angle, yielding (with the 8% increase in mag the diagonal adds) right at 29X. The ocular runs $42 paid shipping. Specs: fully multicoated, 13mm eyerelief, 70-degree apparent FOV.
THIS IS A FLAT OUT KILLER COMBO! Resolution of fine, feather-level detail, color neutrality/saturation, and especially contast (these scopes have 10 to 13 internal knife edge baffles) is right up there with the very best, period. I also have a Nikon ED82, and prefer the view with the AT 66. Last year, at the local hawk watch site, we AB'd the AT66 and a Swar 65HD. Verdict? A dead heat according to everyone who took the time to look.
Great for the moon and planets too!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED- a real sleeper product, and one that more birders should consider! Rating: 10 |
| Product Details: "ZenithStar 66SD APO" by Mpacker - posted: Sun August 3, 2008 - Rating: 10.00 |
| Last Review Posted by hollis_f - posted: Sat August 16, 2008 3:50pm | [ Post a Review ] |
 Views: 120 |
Being in the market for a new 300mm f2.8 lens I decided that I needed a new head to support the extra weight. However, the new lens meant that there wasn't enough money in the piggy bank to buy a proper gimbal head and a ballhead.
I've been using it for a couple of weeks with my 100-400 / 40D comination, an 80mm scope and the 40D with a 10-22 wide-angle lens. I've also had a go with a borrowed 500mm f4, just to check it out with a proper large lens. My first impression was that something this light (450g) couldn't support the sort of equipment that Acratech claimed. I soon found out I was wrong.
The head rotates on two axes - panning and tilting. The friction can be set on the tilt axis and, with the optics well balanced on the Arca/Swiss - style plate, it is quite easy to move the lens in all directions and have it stay in place when you remove it.
The plate clamp can be released and rotated. This allows you to mount the camera with a smaller lens.
Its biggest failing when compared to a gimbal is what happens when the friction is left totally free. With a gimbal the lens just drops down to the lower position. With the LLH the lens droops (well, it's a bit more violent than that - more of a 'donk').
However, it has performed very well for all the different uses I have put it to.
There is a link to a video demonstrating the head on the Acratech Website.
Unfortunately I couldn't find a UK distributor, so I had to order from Acratech directly. Total price (including one lens plate, one camera plate, shipping and taxes) was £306. Rating: 9 |
| Product Details: "Long Lens Head" by hollis_f - posted: Sat August 16, 2008 - Rating: 9.00 |
| Last Review Posted by big billy - posted: Sun August 10, 2008 12:25pm | [ Post a Review ] |
 Views: 8081 |
Hi
I have found the camera better to use with a battery grip, possibly due to having large hands.
I have researched reviews at length before purchasing a battery grip. The grip I purchased was from an independent manufacturer and I cannot see how Canon can charge so much for their version.
http://stores.ebay.com/Hong-Kong-Supplies
Cost £39.00 (inc P&P)
Also bought batteries independently and cannot fault them, equally as good as one supplied by Canon.
www.7dayshop.com
Cost £9.49 for 2 pack Rating: 8 |
| Product Details: "EOS 40D" by Andy Bright - posted: Sun November 11, 2007 - Rating: 8.73 |
| Last Review Posted by rezMole - posted: Tue August 5, 2008 3:01pm | [ Post a Review ] |
 Views: 2192 |
Just an update to report that the "Dead battery sysndrome" where the camera eroneously reported a dead battery or then locked up when some long lens and or teleconverters were used (such as the Kenko Pro 300), has now been fixed by a firmware update.
It has been a long time coming, but now makes the camera a ten rating. Rating: 10 |
| Product Details: "D300" by rezMole - posted: Sat April 12, 2008 - Rating: 8.57 |
| Last Review Posted by Mpacker - posted: Sun August 3, 2008 8:41pm | [ Post a Review ] |
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Views: 342 |
I wanted an angled birding scope of Swarovski optical quality that was not as pricey and could be used with the very best eyepieces (EPs) made for astronomy. I 1st bought the angled Pentax 65ED and, although it was nicely priced and waterproof, it was a far cry from a Swarovski 65ED in sharpness. Further, it could not come to focus with one of the best astronomy zoom EPs, the Baader Zoom EP, that, like the Swarovski Zoom EP, gives a comfortable wide field of view.
Before I talk about the field test, here is the cost of the scope to set it up for birding (and astronomy). For $400US new, the scope is discount packaged with the very useful 90 degree EP holder (see image 1 and 3) for looking up at star clusters. You can use this diagonal, EP holder, for Birding too, I often do, but note images will be reversed left to right. For $70US more, you can add the 45 degree erecting prism for birding (see image 2). And for $215US you can buy the Baader Zoom (pics 2 and 3). So ~$685US gets you a very affordable 16-48x 66mm birding-astro scope. If you want more power than 48x, you can easily buy any of the astronomy EPs on the market.
Field Tests: The bottom line is that I have compared this scope side by side with the Swarovski 65HD and have found it equal optically. Images are sharp, wide and comfortable to the eye and the 10-1 fine focus offers spot on focus. For $685 vs $2400 that's fantastic and why I rate the scope a 10. Moreover, you can point this scope up at Jupiter, and using EPs that up the power to 100-130x, get beautiful views of the planet's cloud bands. See the forums for more field discussion.
But please keep in mind that this scope is not as rugged or waterproof as high cost spotters. For birding only, Swarovski is tops all around. On the other hand, a non waterproof scope is not really an issue. Semi-sealed optics ie binoculars is where internal fogging becomes a problem. I never have had fogging problems with any of my astronomy scopes, and I live on the humid side of the US where I leave my scopes outside all night at star parties.
Also, the scope is still quite rugged, and has solid feel. But it does have screws that lock down EPs and the focus tube. These screws could possibly work loose during transport and cause an EP to drop out or loose the lock screw.
Anyway, I enjoy the WO66 scope tremendously for birding and would buy the scope even if I did zero astronomy. And the cost savings allows one to get a light weight Gitzo tripod and head 
Stellar chirps, MichaelRating: 10 |
| Product Details: "ZenithStar 66SD APO" by Mpacker - posted: Sun August 3, 2008 - Rating: 10.00 |
| Last Review Posted by jimtrader11 - posted: Wed July 30, 2008 1:41am | [ Post a Review ] |
 Views: 5221 |
I am a stickler for precise focus, but even focusing with 2 fingers on the knob, I have trouble getting it. The image is in focus but with some painful tweaking it could be sharper. I intend to see if Zeiss can fix this apparent common problem. If so I will change my opinion. Rating: 7 |
| Product Details: "8x30 BT* Conquest" by Lou H - posted: Sat September 23, 2006 - Rating: 8.67 |
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