Going slightly retro...and buying used kit

[StuartR]

Had a mad moment a couple of months back and bought a used Canon 5D Mark ii because I'd always wanted to try full frame. I stuck with Canon (my preferred brand since the 70's) because I have several EF lenses that would fit it but these were all fairly long focal lengths save my "nifty fifty" so I had a look for a suitable (i.e. cheap) standard zoom lens.

I initially bought a Canon 28-135mm which is OKish but the zoom-creep drives me round the bend. You can't take a picture of something below horizontal unless you actually want

https://www.flickr.com/photos/fred-canon/33347184545/in/dateposted-public/

My wife has invested in a fair bit of used Olympus kit over the last year or so (from LCE) and after purchasing the 5D and lenses used proved to be a positive experience, I've now decided I'll follow in her footsteps as the money saved is significant.

If you buy from the likes of LCE, MPB or Camera Jungle (Jessops) you might pay slightly more than private sales on eBay but the warranties and return policies give peace of mind. All three of my used purchases came from Camera Jungle who I'd not actually heard of before but all three items were delivered next day and the condition was exactly as described. To be fair to them, I knew the 28-135mm was prone to zoom creep before I bought it. (Guess I should state I'm not affiliated with Camera Jungle in any way!)

Regards,

[StuartR]

Re: Going slightly retro...and buying used kit

http://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/ef303.html

Looks like the 28-80mm first came out in 1991! Forgot to mention it also has "proper" USM focussing too.

[Garry]

Re: Going slightly retro...and buying used kit

Had a mad moment a couple of months back and bought a used Canon 5D Mark ii because I'd always wanted to try full frame. I stuck with Canon (my preferred brand since the 70's) because I have several EF lenses that would fit it but these were all fairly long focal lengths save my "nifty fifty" so I had a look for a suitable (i.e. cheap) standard zoom lens.

I initially bought a Canon 28-135mm which is OKish but the zoom-creep drives me round the bend. You can't take a picture of something below horizontal unless you actually want

https://www.flickr.com/photos/fred-canon/33347184545/in/dateposted-public/

My wife has invested in a fair bit of used Olympus kit over the last year or so (from LCE) and after purchasing the 5D and lenses used proved to be a positive experience, I've now decided I'll follow in her footsteps as the money saved is significant.

If you buy from the likes of LCE, MPB or Camera Jungle (Jessops) you might pay slightly more than private sales on eBay but the warranties and return policies give peace of mind. All three of my used purchases came from Camera Jungle who I'd not actually heard of before but all three items were delivered next day and the condition was exactly as described. To be fair to them, I knew the 28-135mm was prone to zoom creep before I bought it. (Guess I should state I'm not affiliated with Camera Jungle in any way!)

Regards,

I have purchased second hand lenses in the past and been very fortunate, that none have had any faults.

I would buy second hand again.

Surprised to hear of your experience of zoom-creep with the Canon 28-135mm
This is one of the first ( new) lenses that I bought when I started photography.
I still have this lens and it is used regularly as my walkabout lens. But I have not experienced zoom- creep with it. Maybe I was lucky, or you were unlucky.

[Garry]

Re: Going slightly retro...and buying used kit

Just checked your photo using the 5D and Canon 28-80mm Mark I

I bet your happy with your purchases. The photo looked good, even enlarged.

[StuartR]

Re: Going slightly retro...and buying used kit

Thanks Garry. Yes, I'm pleasantly surprised by the optical quality of the "new" lens and I really like the 5D II. I suspect that I'll invest a bit more in full-frame gear over the next year or so and I'm already looking at some "L" glass like the 24-105mm or 17-40mm.

I admit I miss some of the functionality of my 80D when using the 5D but as I intend to use the 5D primarily for landscape work I'm sure it won't be a major issue.

[StuartR]

Re: Going slightly retro...and buying used kit

Thanks Garry. Yes, I'm pleasantly surprised by the optical quality of the "new" lens and I really like the 5D II. I suspect that I'll invest a bit more in full-frame gear over the next year or so and I'm already looking at some "L" glass like the 24-105mm or 17-40mm.

I admit I miss some of the functionality of my 80D when using the 5D but as I intend to use the 5D primarily for landscape work I'm sure it won't be a major issue.

Bit the bullet and ordered a Canon 24-105mm L (not the mark 2 mind!). Managed to find it brand new from HDEW slightly cheaper than a mint used lens from Camera Jungle!!

It's a White box item so obviously from a kit where someone wanted the body only. I recall LCE sold my wife a Panasonic G7 body that was part of a kit, so I guess it's not unusual.

Anyway, hope the 24-105mm is as good as they say as I doubt 'er indoors will sanction any more spend this year - unless it's on her of course 😊

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

[Garry]

Re: Going slightly retro...and buying used kit

That is a super lens Stuart, and from the reviews that I have been reading is ideally suited to the full frame 5D.

Hope you have some fun with it. Looking forward to seeing the results.

[Caz]

[StuartR]

Re: Going slightly retro...and buying used kit

Hi Caz

Firstly, thanks for reminding me to update my insurance details!! I've been lucky so far!

I did consider the EF17-40mm as well but in the end went with the 24-105mm because I though that would make a better walkabout lens. If I ever find I'm looking for something wider than 24mm on a regular basis then perhaps the EF 17-40mm will be a consideration.

With my 80D I tend to stick with the EF-S 18-135mm for most subjects and find I use my EF-S10-18mm wide angle very occasionally.

OK on the 24-105's maximum aperture of f/4 but I think I can live with that as I don't do a lot of low-light shooting. I'll use my EF 50mm f/1.8 and / or Sigma 150mm for portrait work of the grandchildren or at family events if I need to go wider than f/4.

Not sure if I'll look at a 70-200mm but who knows... the 5D is taking over from the 80D a bit more than I anticipated!

I'm using a Lowepro slingshot bag which I pack with whatever I need for the day but the 5D with 24-105mm pretty much fills the main compartment on it's own!

I should have gone the Olympus route like my wife, she gets her camera + 4 lenses, flash etc., in an cross-body bag that looks like an over-sized handbag so doesn't scream "expensive camera equipment".

Stuart

PS here's one of my Granddaughter taken on the 5D + "plastic fantastic" @ f/2.8. She's only three and a half and doesn't stay still long, so I was lucky to get this!

[Caz]

Re: Going slightly retro...and buying used kit

I've just posted in the salon a shot I took on my first outing with the 24-70. I found it weighed just too much in my old Lowepro Slingshot (my first cross body bag) but in my latest bag it was just fine - larger and lighter. When I use it, I'll mostly have full kit with me anyway so it'll be in a rolling case and left with my "assistant" - my long suffering partner!

However, don't think I'll be taking it on holiday with me - standard holiday kit is 24-105, and 50mm for when it gets dark!

[StuartR]

Re: Going slightly retro...and buying used kit

Just to update the thread,

I now have a 6D (mk 1) for general / landscape work.

The 5D Mk 2 went back to Camera Jungle to part cover the purchase of a used 7D mk 2 which I bought (after selling ALL my EF-S lenses!) primarily for wildlife work with my 150-600mm Sigma C

I also bought a Canon 16-35mm L to partner my 24-105mm L

The wife said - that's enough!

I now covert the Canon 100-400mm mk2 + 1.4x extender but that's a lottery win away at the moment.....

[Garry]

Re: Going slightly retro...and buying used kit

Good to see you again, Stuart.

So you now have a 6D mk1 and a 7Dmk2

Alongside the lenses you have. That's some pretty serious gear !

So a bit of a learning curve again I guess.

Will look forward to seeing the results from both cameras.