I'm interested in a first hand account of how well the IS system works.

 

Yo Mike! I wonder whos Silverstone is that?

 

how did you like the Tamron 28-75 f2.8?
i am debating if i should get that or the Sigma .. even the sigma has two midrange 2.8 one at 28-70, the other 24-60.

 

hmmm... matrix metering?

 

Hmm... dunno, but I want to steal his wheels and springs. j/p

 

I need to give an Update on that post as well! I'm a pretty easy person to please too, but it was just blah, i'd rather buy a nice 35mm camera and save some money..

I picked up the A400 today.. had to pick b/w that and the Nikon Coolpix 2200.. they are both similar in specs and simplicity (Basically automatic camera with some manual or 'semi-automatic' controls).. The Nikon was smaller and more portable, and comes with a little more optical zoom.. Canon had more MP, although I will only be printing in 5X7 so it didn't matter, and I hear is good for lowlight/indoor situations (although its flash range isn't that great).. It's a bit bigger/bulkier, but feels pretty sturdy as well..

BTW, really helpful resource for cams (Beside Steves and DP review) is: www.imaging-resource.com

 

I firmly believe the Tamron is way better than the Sigma, but the Tamron is still soft compared to my Canon glass; at least in this range. I'm VERY satisfied with my Sigma 12-24mm, which is extremely sharp. I actually bought it off a co-worker of a fellow s2ki member by coincidence.

Edit: It is only softer wide open. Once you stop down to f4 or beyond, it's neglectible. But seriously, 300 dollar lens vs 1200 dollar lens. Can't expect too much. If I get the 35L, I'm probably going to use that most of the time, and use the Tamron as a backup when I don't have mobility for primes.

 

I'm not knowledgable enough to explain technically how the IS works, but let me say this: When I was testing the lens before I bought it, I was able to get sharp images at 1/15s even at 200mm. With my old 70-200L, I really had a hard time preventing camera shake. IS = <3

 

I love the image stabilizer, I need it very much in low-light situations especially at full-zoom range.

 

Anyone use an "OMNI-Bounce" type device to improve add-on flash pics? I noticed our Combat Camera folks had this white cube on their flash-heads during indoor awards ceremonies, and the pics look lessed washed out and "deer-in-the-headlight" looking. I've got a Quantaray flash for my CP5700, but even with it set to 45 degrees, I either get uneven lighting (bright at top of image, dark at bottom) or not enough to create a good pic.

Also, I'd like to get into using reflected light (i.e. an umbrella light) for indoor pics/portraits. Anyone have suggestions for inexpensive (read less than $100) bounce setups that can be slaved off my Quantaray? TIA

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