Help me spend some money.

Gary Kinghorn

Gary Kinghorn

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Lost my dad recently and AFTER being sensible with my inheritance to pay off mortgage etc I've decided to buy an otherwise unobtainable toy.

I'm quite fortunate with the gear I have already, but that doesn't stop me having the urge to upgrade.

I have a 5d3 used for holiday type stuff and weddings, although I don't do them any more.

7d2 for wildlife, birds and Motorsport.

1d4 for the same as the 7d.

I mostly reach for the 1d4 as I love a 1 series body and find the colour rendition out of the camera to be superior to the 7d2. Just my opinion though.

From a lens perspective I have loads of short stuff, plus a 70-200 2.8 II and a 300mm 2.8 Is mk 1.

My thoughts.....

Initially I was going to get rid of the 7d2 and the 1d4 and buy a grey 1dx2. I know I will lose some reach but I don't think it would be the end of the world.

Then I started looking at lenses. Den had a 500mm for sale which has disappeared now, which I almost made an offer on but decided not to. I'm generally a hand holder and the 500 might be a step too far.

Then I thought about upgrading my 300 to the MK2 version. Jury is still out.

Finally I've been considering the 200-400 F4 in the for sale section. The 300 would need to go to obtain it and also one of the cameras.

Decisions decisions..I really don't know which way to go.
 
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Gary Kinghorn said:
Oh and I also considered getting the 1dx2 and a 100-400 MK2. I have ruled that out either.
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I have that combination and the Mk3 1.4 converter and it is a great. Due to a shoulder injury, I use that on a monopod and then stick the 500 on a tripod with a Wimberley Head. I rarely use the converter on that but that's because I find it difficult to find birds moving quickly with it. My fault not the lens. Having said that, I used the 5D4 in Norway and caught a shot of the eagle taking off with a fish in its claws with the 100 - 400.

I know I would have had more keepers if I'd had the 1DX2 with me but then I doubt that I would have taken that on a RIB with me and then of course there was the hand luggage situation! I have seen a camera club mate with the new 300 f2.8 post a cracking photo of some equestrian event - sharp, great colour and I guess you know all about that from the current version that you have.

Looking at what you have and the fact that you don't do the weddings any more, I would chop in the 1DMk3 and 5D3 and, if funds allowed, get a 1DX2 and then maybe the 100 - 400 ii. If you think that you might diversify and do non speed stuff, then maybe a 24-70 Mk2 later on.

Do tell us what you decide.
 
Having possibly beaten you to Tony's 1DX2 (sorry). This is my first FF camera, and I was expecting more of an issue as I was coming from a 7D2 and a 1D4 also mostly used for motorsport.

A teleconverter may be a useful bit of kit to have.

I was talking to someone at Castle Combe who was using a 200-400 and he said it was excellent, the only downside was the price.
 
andrewc said:
Having possibly beaten you to Tony's 1DX2 (sorry). This is my first FF camera, and I was expecting more of an issue as I was coming from a 7D2 and a 1D4 also mostly used for motorsport.

A teleconverter may be a useful bit of kit to have.

I was talking to someone at Castle Combe who was using a 200-400 and he said it was excellent, the only downside was the price.
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I made a lower offer, because I needed a good deal to justify not buying new, so no problem at all, glad you picked it up in the end.

Been watching reviews on the 200-400 and as much as I'd love to own one I'm more of a hand holder than anything and I think it would be a problem with this lens.
 
Chipper said:
I have that combination and the Mk3 1.4 converter and it is a great. Due to a shoulder injury, I use that on a monopod and then stick the 500 on a tripod with a Wimberley Head. I rarely use the converter on that but that's because I find it difficult to find birds moving quickly with it. My fault not the lens. Having said that, I used the 5D4 in Norway and caught a shot of the eagle taking off with a fish in its claws with the 100 - 400.

I know I would have had more keepers if I'd had the 1DX2 with me but then I doubt that I would have taken that on a RIB with me and then of course there was the hand luggage situation! I have seen a camera club mate with the new 300 f2.8 post a cracking photo of some equestrian event - sharp, great colour and I guess you know all about that from the current version that you have.

Looking at what you have and the fact that you don't do the weddings any more, I would chop in the 1DMk3 and 5D3 and, if funds allowed, get a 1DX2 and then maybe the 100 - 400 ii. If you think that you might diversify and do non speed stuff, then maybe a 24-70 Mk2 later on.

Do tell us what you decide.
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I've read many good things about the 100-400 MK2. I have a 1.4x MK2 but could upgrade to a MK3.

Does the 1dx2 work well with the 100-400? And with the x1.4 do you get all the focus points?
 
Yes it works well. I can't tell you off the top of my head about the focus points; I don't shoot very small birds - my favourite birds are the Bewicks that come to Slimbridge in the winter. I will get back to you.
 
Worth stating the sort of stuff I shoot.

I live very close to the hawk conservancy, so I like to shoot birds of prey there.
I shoot loads of portrait type stuff of the kids with the 300.
I do some Motorsport
I do some normal sport.

I don't do much, if any trekking for miles with a tripod to shoot raw wildlife.
 
Pay off the mortgage and put the rest in the bank until something that's an absolute "must have" comes along
 
troutfisher said:
Pay off the mortgage and put the rest in the bank until something that's an absolute "must have" comes along
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If I put it in the bank she who must be obeyed will have a double sided log burner, new porch, etc etc etc before I get to buy a toy !!!!

Saying that I have been watching the price of the 1dx2 drop over the past week or two, so I'm in no rush.
 
Gary Kinghorn said:
If I put it in the bank she who must be obeyed will have a double sided log burner, new porch, etc etc etc before I get to buy a toy !!!!

Saying that I have been watching the price of the 1dx2 drop over the past week or two, so I'm in no rush.
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Maybe also top-up your personal pension if/as appropriate?
 
Gary Kinghorn said:
Does the 1dx2 work well with the 100-400? And with the x1.4 do you get all the focus points?
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They work superbly together, and yes, you get all focus points with the 1.4. It is so slick I really can’t tell I have the teleconverter on in terms of focus speed etc.

This was taken with 1DX2, 100-400 ii and 1.4 iii a couple of weeks ago - forgive the watermark, I have just grabbed it off my FB Page.IMG_1556.JPG
 
I'd echo MadWoman's sentiment. Although I've got a x1.4 and a x2.0 teleconverter I've previously not used them much as I found the tradeoff in focussing speed and IQ to be unacceptable - I'd prefer to crop a sharp image rather than have a full sized fuzzy one - but trying one on my new 1DX2 I was impressed, and I can see me using them more often.
 
Gary,I have little experience to draw upon,I've basically used a 550D then a 1div and now a 1dxii body wise. Lenses basically a couple of kits and a 300f2.8is and now 400DO is ii. I haven't found alot of difference in IQ between the 300 and 400mm lenses. what really became apparent is the difference in reach added when those 100mms get magnified by either 1.4 or 2x. My pitch for you is either going to be the 400DO is ii,you are a hand holder,you can bolt that onto your 1div pop a 1.4extii in the middle and you have a banging little 560mm combo that will AF really well. While I can make a half decent frame with the 2x in the midst IQ wise,I've never been completely happy with AF performance of 1div and 2xextii.


My second pitch is the 1dxii. wack that on the back of the 400 and 2x and everything works like it should (to a simple guy like me). 800mm easily handholdable is slightly nuts and taking some getting used to .

I can't work out which of these two would benefit you the most,if you had a 300is ii I'd def say buy a 1dxii(it's an astounding tool) because I'd be comfortable with laying a bet the AF will work very similarly to my 400DO ii. with a 2xext iii. but with your mark i is i'm unsure of AF speed. So having moved from the very same lens attached to the very same camera as your self i'd probably go to the DO first.


Gary a few silly things that are a big deal to me with the dxii all points AF at f8.......they don't with the 1dx only center point . Red active squares like your 1Div(I find then helpful :) ) and it's low light performance/maliability of files is amazing.

I'm unsure of your budget maybe a DO ii is out of reach,it's a lump of cash for a lens that comes in a mm range that is so well represented by choice.. But for a handholder it's an amazing tool. Mate I got lens first and was told back then to really see what it can do i'd need a body upgrade,the lads were right. Maybe this might be of help

Oh last thing did I miss that oh so much wanted 1.3 crop in my new body,nah not at all the buggers still come too close.

All the luck !! Oh mate, sorry about your old man, the loss of my gran started all this by giving me a bit of cash. It's kinda cool my gran and grampy's money is carried with me and is in every image I make it's sort of a lovely sentiment ...........I think of them two folks I adored every single time I go out,you need the same:)


Maybe I've just muddied the waters mentioning the 400DO is II but it's one hell of a tool :and the way it takes the extiii's really is something to behold plus the way it handles with a 1 series body is fantastic

some thoughts for ya mate:D
stu

ps i've never been money rich........ rich oh hell yeah..... but never lots of money . I tend to spend fairly carefully,despite these obscene sums we are talking about. Do be aware of black friday late nov isn't so far away Gary, I bought new and UK stock on the DO,while looking at a second hand add for a greater price also got 3years warrenty from canon in the deal,. with these big expenses it's worth knowing just how good the deals can be ! My real reason for upgrade of lens was the knowldge of how difficult it might be to get the 300 f2.8 is fixed.. I sold for pretty much what I paid for it and it helped pay for the replacement lens
 
I use a 500mm F4 ii with a tele on most of the time and im hand held entirely.

I photograph mostly wildlife and aerial subjects. Both yeild different challenges but I wouldn't assume you need a tripod for anything over 400mm.

I must say the 200-400 has never appealed to me, just seems a bit of a gimmick.
 
Have given it a good bit of consideration and I think I'm set on a 1dx2, a 100-400 ii and a x1.4 mk3

The new camera will replace the 1d4 and potentially also either the 7d2 or the 5d3. I need to make my mind up there.

Reasoning....

300 F2.8 ii. I already have a MK1 and I don't think I'll see enough of an advantage by spending another £2.3k on a MK2.

400 f2.8 is. I'd like one of these to replace the 300 but in reality it weighs a tonne in MK1 form and wouldn't be hand holdable for long periods (by me).

400 DO. I'd want a MK2 and these are out of my budget range. Plus I'd miss the 2.8 of the 300.

500mm. Probably a bit big for what I want. Much as I'd like one, I don't think I need it, or would use it enough.

100-400 ii. All the reviews I've watched and read rate it pretty well. Especially with the newer cameras. I think it would fit in my kit pretty well, providing something I'd happily take out for the day when I think I need a bit of reach but don't want to lug the 300 around. So I'm going to get one. Worst case I hate it and lose a bit, shouldn't be a huge amount though. At least then I'll know whether I need a big prime.

x1.4 MK3. I have a MK2. I will move on and get a mk3.

1dx2. I have the opportunity to have one of these and I think it will be a good upgrade. If I don't do it now I'll be too many iterations behind and it will be hard to catch up.

So that's me I think. I have a few bits and bobs to move on to lessen the pain.

That's the plan for today at least!
 
Gary Kinghorn said:
Have given it a good bit of consideration and I think I'm set on a 1dx2, a 100-400 ii and a x1.4 mk3

The new camera will replace the 1d4 and potentially also either the 7d2 or the 5d3. I need to make my mind up there.

Reasoning....

300 F2.8 ii. I already have a MK1 and I don't think I'll see enough of an advantage by spending another £2.3k on a MK2.

400 f2.8 is. I'd like one of these to replace the 300 but in reality it weighs a tonne in MK1 form and wouldn't be hand holdable for long periods (by me).

400 DO. I'd want a MK2 and these are out of my budget range. Plus I'd miss the 2.8 of the 300.

500mm. Probably a bit big for what I want. Much as I'd like one, I don't think I need it, or would use it enough.

100-400 ii. All the reviews I've watched and read rate it pretty well. Especially with the newer cameras. I think it would fit in my kit pretty well, providing something I'd happily take out for the day when I think I need a bit of reach but don't want to lug the 300 around. So I'm going to get one. Worst case I hate it and lose a bit, shouldn't be a huge amount though. At least then I'll know whether I need a big prime.

x1.4 MK3. I have a MK2. I will move on and get a mk3.

1dx2. I have the opportunity to have one of these and I think it will be a good upgrade. If I don't do it now I'll be too many iterations behind and it will be hard to catch up.

So that's me I think. I have a few bits and bobs to move on to lessen the pain.

That's the plan for today at least!
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A 1dx2 has been put up for sale in the forum.... an interesting bit of synchronicity.
 
Indeed, but I can get a new one for £3.500. I know it comes with a card and an extra battery, but for the money I'd sooner have new.

Cheers for pointing it out though
 
Where will you buy it at that price or I must be behind the £ trend.
 
andrewc said:
I'd echo MadWoman's sentiment. Although I've got a x1.4 and a x2.0 teleconverter I've previously not used them much as I found the tradeoff in focussing speed and IQ to be unacceptable - I'd prefer to crop a sharp image rather than have a full sized fuzzy one - but trying one on my new 1DX2 I was impressed, and I can see me using them more often.
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How's that fabulous toy working for you BTW?
I meant to say I had set the dioptric correction for my eyes so if the viewfinder is blurred you may want to change that.
 
I've used it for two motorsport meetings and one amateur dramatics meeting and I'm really pleased with it. Everything the 1D4 did, the 1DX-2 does noticeably better. I just need to get round to AF microadjustment on my lenses. Anyone contemplating the switch will be impressed.
 
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andrewc said:
I've used it for two motorsport meetings and one amateur dramatics meeting and I'm really pleased with it. Everything the 1D4 did, the 1DX-2 does noticeably better. I just need to get round to AF microadjustment on my lenses. Anyone contemplating the switch will be impressed.
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Glad to hear it.

Sorry to the op for hijacking the thread.
 
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