Tag Archives: purchase

Commentary, Equipment, Reviews

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II Lens — A First Look

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(Note: Updated 12/24/14 to add thoughts about “who should buy” this lens.)

Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS IICanon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II

Canon recently released the successor to their venerable 100-400mm telephoto zoom lens, the new EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II lens. I have relied on the older model for some time now… but my copy of the new lens arrived a few days ago. Now that I have used it for a day of wildlife and landscape photography I would like to share some first impressions

Four Sandhill Cranes
Four Sandhill Cranes

Four Sandhill Cranes. San Joaquin Valley, California. December 22, 2014.
© Copyright 2014 G Dan Mitchell — all rights reserved.

First, a few technical details. The new lens covers essentially the same range as the older model — a focal length range of 100mm to 400mm and a variable aperture range of f/4.5 (at 100mm) to f/5.6 (at 400mm). Both lenses use a zoom mechanism that extends at longer focal lengths. However, there are some technical differences:

Continue reading Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II Lens — A First Look →

Deals and Sales

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II – Special Pricing

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Right now B&H has a special that can get you the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II zoom lens for a total cost of only $1799. According to B&H there are a few steps you need to follow in order to get the special pricing:

  1. On the B&H website, to go the page for this lens. You will see a higher “MAP” price.
  2. Add the lens to your cart to see a lower $1999 price.
  3. After purchase, use the $200 mail-in rebate (form available here) to bring your total cost down to $1799.

The lens is also eligible for free shipping and a “2% reward” from B&H.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II Lens

I’ve been using this lens during the past year for everything from landscape photography to photographing musicians and rehearsals and concerts, and I’m very happy with it.

Note: I made a mistake in the initial post of this offer and included the letters “IS” in the name of the lens. I have corrected the mistake—this is NOT an image-stabilized (IS) lens!

© Copyright 2014 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist whose subjects include the Pacific coast, redwood forests, central California oak/grasslands, the Sierra Nevada, California deserts, urban landscapes, night photography, and more.
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Text, photographs, and other media are © Copyright G Dan Mitchell (or others when indicated) and are not in the public domain and may not be used on websites, blogs, or in other media without advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

Deals and Sales, Equipment

Fujifilm X-T1 Digital Mirrorless Camera Announcement

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FujimilmXT1

Fujifilm has announced their new X-T1 Mirrorless Camera. The rumors regarding this new camera have been rampant for the past few weeks, and here is what we now know:

  • 16.3 MP X-trans 1.5X cropped sensor
  • ISO 100-51200
  • 8fps continuous shooting
  • Improved hybrid AF system incorporating contrast- and phase detection methods
  • Improved manual focus with digital split image and focus peaking
  • Faster, higher density, and larger electronic viewfinder
  • 1080p HD Video
  • WiFi
  • Expanded manual control dials for shutter speed, +/- 3 EV exposure compensation, ISO,  aperture (on many lenses), and more.

A number of features get my attention. My Fujifilm X-E1 works well at high ISO values, but this camera appears to take the much farther extending the lowest ISO from 200 to 100 and the highest all the way to 51600. The specifications and early reports on the web suggest that the AF system has been significantly improved, even beyond those improvements on the X-E2. The added manual controls are going to help a lot for the sorts of photography that many of us do with this sort of camera, where we need to change settings quickly and without going through menus. There are lots of other improvements, large and small, too numerous to mention here.

I’m very interested in this camera. My X-E1 is a wonderful little picture-making tool that complements my larger DSLR system – and the X-T1 sounds like it has been designed to significantly improve on this effective concept. (There is a very good chance that I’m going to get one.)

The camera is available for pre-order now at site sponsor B&H:

Related: Taking Stock of the Fujifilm X-E1, X-E2 & X-T1 Mirrorless Cameras


G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist whose subjects include the Pacific coast, redwood forests, central California oak/grasslands, the Sierra Nevada, California deserts, urban landscapes, night photography, and more.
Blog | About | Flickr | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | 500px.com | LinkedIn | Email

Text, photographs, and other media are © Copyright G Dan Mitchell (or others when indicated) and are not in the public domain and may not be used on websites, blogs, or in other media without advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

Deals and Sales

Think Tank Photo – Early ‘Black Friday’ Special on Camera Bags

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Site sponsor Think Tank Photo has announced a “Black Friday Special” that actually starts now. There is a $50 rebate on their rolling camera bags, and if you order a roller bag plus an Urban Disguise shoulder bag you are are eligible for a $100 rebate – plus the they currently offer free shipping on all Think Tank Photo gear. Click this link to take advantage of this offer – and you’ll be taken to the roller bag page where there is also a link to the rebate form.

thinktank_novroller2013_468x60

(I use Think Tank Photo’s Airport Accelerator Backpack  as my primary camera equipment bag. It holds my two full frame bodies, a bunch of lenses, electronic flash, various accessories, and more – and it has given me great service in all sorts of conditions.)

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist whose subjects include the Pacific coast, redwood forests, central California oak/grasslands, the Sierra Nevada, California deserts, urban landscapes, night photography, and more.
Blog | About | Flickr | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | 500px.com | LinkedIn | Email

Text, photographs, and other media are © Copyright G Dan Mitchell (or others when indicated) and are not in the public domain and may not be used on websites, blogs, or in other media without advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.