Happy birthday America! It’s supposed to be 90 degrees (32 celsius), sunny, and not a cloud in the sky - perfect for all the picnics and barbecues going on today. I’m not sure of my plans for today, but I think it involves some housework. Hopefully I can get out tonight to see a firework show. In preparation, I’ve been reading some tips for firework taking.
Yesterday, the lens I rented for my camera arrived. I used Rentglass.com last year to rent a Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM. It was much cheaper than renting from Portland’s Pro Photo Supply, which charges $80 a week for that lens, while Rentglass charges $33 a week! This time I rented the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM for three weeks. When I DO buy a wide angle lens, it’ll probably end up costing me $600 or more, so I’m taking my time to try some lenses out.
The only problem with Rentglass, is that it’s on a first-come-first-serve basis. It wouldn’t be too bad, but they only have one of each lens, and they don’t give you an idea when the lenses will be returning. Right now, I’ve also got an order for a macro lens at Ziplens.com. At least with that site, you can put in your order and be the next person to get the lens when it comes in. My macro should be arriving in the middle of July. You HAVE TO LOOK at the kind of pictures you can take with this lens! Amazing. A macro lens would be a big splurge ($450), therefore, I want to rent the lens to take some nice photos that I can blow up and hang on my walls in Korea. Right now, the next lens I buy will probably be some kind of wide angle.
Yesterday was opening day for Transformers in America. I took advantage of opening day being on a Tuesday to see the movie before today’s crowds. The movie time listed was 10:50 am, but due to all the trailers, the movie itself didn’t start until 11:06. How was the movie? It was AWESOME! Granted, it won’t be up for any Oscars for acting, but it was just a FUN summer blockbuster. Lots of action and entertaining, especially for those of us that grew up watching the Transformers cartoons. I was disappointed Bumblebee wasn’t a VW bug, but Optimus Prime made up for that. Optimus Prime has such a great voice for a leader, and he’s so wise. At one point in the movie, I was thinking, “Witwicky, don’t you dare put that cube in Optimus Prime!” You have to see the movie to understand what I’m talking about. I don’t like watching movies twice, but would definitely see this one again - for the special effects alone. As I heard one kid say on the way out of the theater, “That was tight!”
Read an interview with the voice of Optimus Prime, Peter Cullen.
July 4th, 2007 at July 4, 2007 - 6:43 pm
Coincidentally, I just sold my 10-22mm last week and bought the 17-40mm. The only reason I had to make this switch is because I shoot with the 5D and the 10-22 won’t fit on full frame cameras. The 10-22 was one of my favorite lenses - I wouldn’t hesitate a moment to recommend it. It’s not cheap, but I used mine for two years and still sold it for $580.
On your 400d, 17mm simply isn’t wide enough in my opinion - you’ll have much more fun with the 10-22 (equal to 16mm). Great for sweeping landscapes, interiors, street scenes, and even creative portraits. On the 1.6x bodies, I don’t believe there’s anything that can match its quality.
For a few examples of what I’ve taken with this lens: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=10-22mm&w=66397474%40N00&m=tags&s=int
And I think renting is a great idea. Here in Indonesia, that’s not an option. You also can’t return a lens if you’ve already walked out of the store. I have to buy all my lenses blindly; rather tough.
Not sure what telephoto you may be using, but I’d also highly recommend the 70-200mm f/4 L. It’s a quiet gem of a lens. The IS and 2.8 versions get all the acclaim, but I see that most of your photos tend to be outdoor anyway in decent light - you’d get great shots with that. It can be had for under $600 as well.
Let me know if you have any questions about any of this stuff; I’ve done absurd amounts of research, comparisons, etc. Good luck!
July 4th, 2007 at July 4, 2007 - 11:49 pm
Thanks Brandon. I think you’re right, the 10-22 was lots of fun to play with. I’m thinking that might be the next lens I get.
I’ve also read good things about the 70-200mm, but a telephoto is not a high priority for me right now. But who knows, I might fall in love with it if I had a chance to try it out for a week or so.
July 10th, 2007 at July 10, 2007 - 6:42 am
Hey, by the way I added your blog to my Korea Blogroll. Cheers!