Help with digital SLR choices

[kien]

Originally Posted by Skimmin

I ended up with the EF 17-40mm f/4L IS

Thanks again

WOW! That's a neat trick, how the heck did you find a 17-40L with IS !?!? hehe

[lastlight]

Originally Posted by fkshiu

I think you'll be very happy. The 100mm f2.8 macro is THE Canon lens for awesome coral shots. It's a real steal at around $500.

Yeah silly me going nikon. the darn 105mm f2.8 VR is like $900.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by lastlight

Yeah silly me going nikon. the darn 105mm f2.8 VR is like $900.

Yeah but it's got the VR, well worth the extra $$. Plus I think the canon is a little more than $500

[lastlight]

should VR be used on a tripod? I find it harder to use the auto focus when i'm using a tripod and it's on...

sorry to hijack!

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by lastlight

should VR be used on a tripod? I find it harder to use the auto focus when i'm using a tripod and it's on...

sorry to hijack!

VR is for handheld only, must be turned off when using a tripod

[kien]

Actually, I know that that's not entirely true for all Image Stabilized/VR lenses.. I couldn't remember which so here's what the Nikon Knowledge Database says about this subject:

Question

When using my VR lens on a tripod, do I keep the "VR" On or Off?

Answer

The Vibration Reduction technology built into some Nikon lenses or the COOLPIX 8800 can reduce or eliminate vibration during shooting. When the camera is on a tripod there will be very little (if any) movement so the question arises if VR should be used or not.

There are two techniques when using a camera/lens mounted on a tripod; keeping the pan/tilt head loose or fluid (when panning or moving with a subject) and keeping the pan/tilt head locked down and rigid while using a cable release (time exposures or for the new HDR techniques).

With the following lenses/cameras VR should be "Off" when the camera is mounted on a tripod and the pan/tilt head is locked down and using a cable release:

105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro Nikkor
18-200mm f3.5-5.6 ED-IF AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor
24-120mm f3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor
70-200mm f2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor
80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor
70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor
Coolpix 8800

With the following lenses/cameras VR should be "On" when the camera is mounted on a tripod and the pan/tilt head is loose (fluid) while using the cameras shutter release button:

105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro Nikkor
18-200mm f3.5-5.6 ED-IF AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor
24-120mm f3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor
70-200mm f2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor
80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor
70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor
Coolpix 8800

Nikon VR technology in the following lenses can detect minute vibrations that emanate from tripod legs. With the following lenses VR can be "On" when the camera is mounted on a tripod for either technique:

200-400mm f4G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor
200mm f2G ED-IF AF-S VR Nikkor
300mm f2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Nikkor

For all lenses VR should be "On" when the camera/lens is used on a monopod

[Skimmin]

My bad the 14-40 isn't IS but it is L.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by kien

Actually, I know that that's not entirely true for all Image Stabilized/VR lenses.. I couldn't remember which so here's what the Nikon Knowledge Database says about this subject:

Using a tripod loose is still considered hand held because your hand movements are transferred through the tripod to the camera. When you use a tripod in the stationary way you turn your VR off, but yeah if you spend 5G on a lens it will shut it off for you

[fkshiu]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Yeah but it's got the VR, well worth the extra $$. Plus I think the canon is a little more than $500

My receipt from December says $529.99.