[jaibir]

Originally Posted by extreme_torque

I am assuming its F2.8 All the good lenses if kept well dont loose much of their value when you go for resale. I would say if the lens is in good condition, 60k is a fair price.

Thanks E_T

Originally Posted by StarScream

Seems like a good deal Jaibir. And it can't be older than 2003, that's when this lens was introduced, replacing the 80-200 AF-S. A good place to check what these go for is ebay.com. Be aware that this is one heavy lens and that limits its usefulness to an extent. My 80-200 is mostly used as a home/potrait lens. I've stopped traveling with it.

Thanks StarScream. I checked the ebay prices - used ones seem to go for 1400+ in mint condition. But new ones in the US cost $1800+, so the 60k price seems at parity. I currently use a Tokina 80-200 2.8, which is as heavy, so quite used to the weight. I also have a heavy and unwieldy Sigma 400mm F5.6. That one does get left at home quite often because it doesn't fit in any of my bags and needs to be carried in its own lens case.

[vasudhir]

Originally Posted by NomadVagabond

Well I've got no idea about the prices for Nikkor lenses. But, my friend bought a brand new Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM L this week for Rs. 57,500. I believe even if the prices of Nikkor lenses are expensive which I know they are still it won't be so high up the scale. I can try getting the price from the same dealer if you are interested.

Regards,

Anirban.

WOW! Anirban, you might want to re-check that. It may be a non-IS lens. The grey mkt price for the 70-200 f/2.8 L USM (Non IS) is in the range of 56-58K. The f/2.8 IS lens is pretty expensive...costlier than the 100-400 L IS lens.

Rgds,
Sudhir

[virus_4uall]

Originally Posted by vasudhir

WOW! Anirban, you might want to re-check that. It may be a non-IS lens. The grey mkt price for the 70-200 f/2.8 L USM (Non IS) is in the range of 56-58K. The f/2.8 IS lens is pretty expensive...costlier than the 100-400 L IS lens.

Rgds,
Sudhir

57.5K for a Canon 70-200 IS F/2.8 !! I need to make your friend a pal of mine!!
Recently one of my colleague bought the same Canon 70-200 IS F/2.8 for $1700, Anirban!! Your friend is a lucky dude, if he got a brand new piece!!

[sj_koova]

Originally Posted by sj_koova

Can anyone tell me if the locally available Vivicam VPT 1200 (Vivitar Camera Tripod (VPT Series)) is good enough and compatible with Canon EOS450D

Still haven't got an answer

Anyone??

[Samurai]

There is nothing like tripod compatibility, if the tripod is rated for weights heavier than your dSLR (plus your biggest lens), that should suffice.

However, you can always pay higher if you want better performance. Low end tripods tend to vibrate in slightest of wind, which can spoil the shot. But if you are low on budget, any tripod is better than not having one.

[sj_koova]

Originally Posted by Samurai

There is nothing like tripod compatibility, if the tripod is rated for weights heavier than your dSLR (plus your biggest lens), that should suffice.

However, you can always pay higher if you want better performance. Low end tripods tend to vibrate in slightest of wind, which can spoil the shot. But if you are low on budget, any tripod is better than not having one.

Hey, thanks.
That answers my question.
I was looking for one with minimal folded length and light weight.

[navin]

Originally Posted by Samurai

It appeared that lot of these wedding photographers have upgraded to digital bodies, but are still using the older lenses they had with the film SLR.

Originally Posted by reignofchaos

I think if any DSLR owning tbhp'ian gets into this business, most wedding photographers will shut shop .

Do these wedding photographers make the kind of money to afford new FF-DSLR bodies and f/2.8 zooms?

Originally Posted by NomadVagabond

Well I've got no idea about the prices for Nikkor lenses. But, my friend bought a brand new Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM L this week for Rs. 57,500.

f2/8 IS or f/4 IS that price looks more like a f/4 IS price.

[reignofchaos]

Originally Posted by navin

Do these wedding photographers make the kind of money to afford new FF-DSLR bodies and f/2.8 zooms?

50 grand for clicking photos for 2.5 days isn't very bad is it .

@sj_koova: That tripod is useless - avoid. The cheapest good tripod you can get locally is a Velbon CX400 for 4.5k'ish. Very good vfm though its heavy like most other tripods in that range.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by navin

Do these wedding photographers make the kind of money to afford new FF-DSLR bodies and f/2.8 zooms?

C'mon Navin, most of these guys use D50 or D40, can't they use the kit lens like 18-55mm or 18-105mm? Why shoot compromised photos with 28-85mm, here customer is getting a raw deal. I remember older wedding shots with 20-30 people in it and these dSLR armed wedding photographers are spoiling such moments.

[adzegeek]

Hi Has anyone got his/her hands on Nikon D5000 - I am seriously contemplating it in place of D90 which was my original choice. Saving 400 $ on it - although I am wondering whether D5000 itself is slightly overpriced at lauuch. Do the prices come done post launch or they increase?
Thanks in advance..

[jaibir]

The D5000 hasnt really started shipping yet. Prices do come down a few months after launch. However, that also depends on the exchange rate movement. For example, the D300 in India is a little more expensive in India now than it was last year despite a ~10% decline in the US$ price.

I dont think the price difference between the D5000 and D90 is $400. Currently, its $200 for the body only on BHPhoto. I think the D90 is well worth the extra money for its expanded AF compatibility and otherwise superior feature set. The only extra thing the D5000 seems to offer is the flippy screen. It isnt even that much lighter.

[MindSpeeDs]

Originally Posted by Samurai

C'mon Navin, most of these guys use D50 or D40, can't they use the kit lens like 18-55mm or 18-105mm? Why shoot compromised photos with 28-85mm, here customer is getting a raw deal. I remember older wedding shots with 20-30 people in it and these dSLR armed wedding photographers are spoiling such moments.

Have seen enough of them using D300, D3, 5D..had seen even a 1D! Few of them do go for expensive glass too.. seen quite a few canon users with L glass.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by MindSpeeDs

Have seen enough of them using D300, D3, 5D..had seen even a 1D! Few of them do go for expensive glass too.. seen quite a few canon users with L glass.

I think you are referring to city wedding photographers with richer clientèle and much bigger budget. I am talking about small time photographers who are still using film era lenses. For example, the lens (28-85mm) that photographer had was last made in 1999.

[NomadVagabond]

Originally Posted by navin

f2/8 IS or f/4 IS that price looks more like a f/4 IS price.

Originally Posted by virus_4uall

57.5K for a Canon 70-200 IS F/2.8 !! I need to make your friend a pal of mine!!
Recently one of my colleague bought the same Canon 70-200 IS F/2.8 for $1700, Anirban!! Your friend is a lucky dude, if he got a brand new piece!!

Originally Posted by vasudhir

WOW! Anirban, you might want to re-check that. It may be a non-IS lens. The grey mkt price for the 70-200 f/2.8 L USM (Non IS) is in the range of 56-58K. The f/2.8 IS lens is pretty expensive...costlier than the 100-400 L IS lens.

Rgds,
Sudhir

Sorry guys I did a recheck. It's the non IS version. Actually she was saying she'd get the IS version. Hence I had it in mind that she'd have got that same one. It didn't strike me till you guys pointed out that yes 57,500 can't be for the IS version. Sorry for the confusion.

About that 50K for a wedding shoot. Wow!!! Anyone getting married soon?? I'll do that for you chaps. Atleast that'd fund my 600mm f/4 in a year or so hehe.

Regards,

Anirban.

[FATAL3RROR]

Hi guys!

Please see some of my photographs from a recent trip to Scotland. I have marked in red some weird extraneous objects (spots/wormlike) in some of my pictures. They are usually visible only on high f-numbers (more than f/16 I think) and I think that it is not specific to a particular lens. I will check it when I am back in the evening though.

Is it time for lens/sensor cleaning? servicing? Please have a look at let me know what you think.

Forgot to mention, I have a Pentax K200D, which is around 1 yr and 8000 shots old. The lenses I am using are a Pentax DA 18-55 Kit lens, SMC-Pentax 50mm f/1.7 and a Tamron 70-300 lens.

Thanks
Gautam