Considering the price/performance, I don't think it gets any better than the Tokina 11-16. They don't seem to be on back order as much anymore so you should have ample selection around town.

Rival Nikon's 14-24 in image quality and flare control? None. The Tokina 11-16 is good, as is the 16-35, but the 16-35 is approaching the price of the 14-24. There is Sigma's 12-24, but than again, does not approach Nikon's 14-24 in optical quality. Your best bet is the Tokina 11-16 - you can also use it on a full frame camera as a 16mm f2.8 prime.

How important would VC be on a Tamron lens?

I'm looking for something to shoot in dimmer situations and the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 looks like a good choice both picture quality and price-wise. The non-VC is $480 and the VC-version is $650. I know there's a few other minor differences between the two lenses but from I've read VC is the most significant. Would you guys recommend ponying up the extra $170 for VC?

I don't currently have anything for low-light but I am also considering picking up the Nikon 50mm f1.8D this week as I mentioned in a previous post. I am trying to plan out my lens purchases and would it make sense to own both these lenses or should I just scrap the 50mm f1.8 and stick to the 17-50 f2.8? I know we're not comparing apples to apples here but I'd appreciate any input you guys would have. Thanks!

The VC won't do anything for subject movement though. How about a 17-50 VC and a Sigma 30mm f1.4 if budget allows?

Does anyone know any camera stores that sell filters for good prices, since futureshop and best buy etc don't really sell them... I'm looking to get a few of them... thanks

^ I get mine from eBay. There's another retailer online that sells "legit" high end stuff (b+W, etc) for pretty good deals. I can't remember the name though but they do have an eBay outlet.

And reading photozone's review on the tammy with VC, you're probably better off saying the 170 and putting it towards that fast prime Senna suggested. The non-VC is apparently sharper than it's VC-laden counterpart.

^^^ What do you need?

a few of them? maxsaver.net

couple questions:

why isn't AF confirmation on a manual fisheye lens important? something about most things being in focus and it's only a problem when focusing on close objects?

i have a 430exII. should i upgrade to a 580EX for master functionality or get additional ones like a di866, yn467 ? I have cheapo wireless triggers to play with. i'm not sure if ttl is important in the off camera ones since one would like to manually set flash power to achieve a specific effect, right?

who held your reflectors when you just started out experimenting them? just use light stands?

is it worth it to get a color calibrator on a non-ips panel? or (which is) a panel less than something like a 110% color gamut? perhaps a recommendation for a versatile one I can use on a lcd tv that's plugged in the computer? (<$200 i hope).

TIA

Thanks for your input guys.

It looks as though not that many places carry Tamron locally? Kerrisdale and Gastown Photo are the only places I found Tamron lenses just by browsing their websites. Are there any other dealers? Tamron Canada's website doesn't have a list of dealers, or am I not looking hard enough? I want to be able to go into a shop to try out the lens before I buy so online is out of the picture.

Dunne and Rundle but they're only M-F (dunneandrundle.com). Leo's has the Tammy as well. DaR have it cheaper though.

yeah that's the one. :thumbsup:

lens and shutter has a really limited selection on their website.

Hey guys,

I am deciding on whether getting a 70-200mm f2.8L or the 70-200mm f4/ISL lenses or even the non-IS version of the F4.
The f2.8 would be really nice for me to shoot more blurred images at the long end since I am attempting to take more "the moment" shots. I am mostly taking outdoor shots during the day with ample amount of light.

Would the F/4 have a less burred effect and would it be a problem(shaking) if I hand held the non-is F/4 to take daytime shots?

Budget is sort of a concern.

Thanks.

Wait, so you *want* to shoot blurred images? :p

The f4 lenses are sharper than the v1.0 of the f2.8 lenses, but the new 70-200 f2.8L II has closed the gap. Of course, if you have the budget for it, I would get the new f2.8 IS, but if not, I'd get the f4 IS, as it will give you up to a 3 stop advantage over the non-IS lens.

I meant the blurred background effect without photoshop:cry: but damn found out that the f4 IS is weather sealed!:D

On another note, would you recommend buying a used one off craigslist? To save myself from tax and such.

The f2.8 will give you a creamier background, but I know a lot of people that are happy with the f4 IS. It's much lighter, too. Buying anything from a stranger on-line is risky. Inspect the lens thoroughly.

is there anywhere I can sign up to find out automatically when Canon has rebates on?

Roga, thanks bud.

Focus confirmation isn't very important with a fisheye...just use hyperfocal focusing.

I have a Nissin Di866 on loan from Nissin...I can let you try it out if you want. It's actually quite a decent flash. I'm actually going to buy it I think. I used it at a wedding with no problems at all.

TTL can be useful, as you can set the flash ratios from the master, and do away with manually controlling them. Just learn the Inverse Square Law.

It's totally worth investing in a colour calibration device no matter what monitor you have. Of course, having a decent monitor would be advisable...and by 'decent' I mean a monitor that can display at least something close to 100% Adobe RGB 1998. For a 24" screen, look at spending at least $700 if you're doing anything to do with graphics or photography for income.

Hey guys, thanks for the advice. I ended up going for the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 VC. Other than the VC, the size and weight of the VC was larger and overall the lens seemed a little better built than the regular version. I'm very satisfied with it after one day of shooting so far.

The VC motor is very loud when you use it and the lens hood on it feels a bit cheap. Other than that, the image quality is pretty good, especially for just $640.

Thanks for the recommendation for Dunne and Rundle as well. I went to their shop at Bentall Centre and they had the two lenses I wanted to try out in stock. The lady behind the counter seemed very helpful and their prices were very competitive. $10 cheaper than other places locally for the lens and $10-$15 cheaper for the filter. Would definitely shop there again over places like Future Shop.

Does anyone know where I might be able to find a Sigma 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM locally?

thanks

Leo's has a large selection of Sigma lenses.

Let's talk about fisheye lens. Lately I've been craving to own one and have been considering the Nikkor 10.5mm. Has anyone used this before? I wanted rent it to see if I would even use it enough to justify buying it, but I'm not sure if any places have it, I see that Beau only has the full frame 16mm fisheye.

Nope, no 10.5mm in rentals. :( You can try the 14mm FF lens, as the field of view will be similar.

http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/P...sh-Eye-CS-lens

Cheap fisheye for >$300?