Bill Cavanagh's Page

"@Reply by Matt Needham on May 7, 2009 at 6:21am "... Here is the gear I really want. I think about it all the time. None of it exists yet, at least that I'm aware of. A Canon or Nikon APS-C format compact digital camera. I want a small…"

"I got the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 for $290 (I got a factory refurb with full 5 year warranty). Now mine works fine (mine is the Nikon version) but some are noted for front focusing. You might want to see if it needs to get repaird."

"Hello Bill and Welcome to PictureSocial. Hope you find it an enjoyable place that you can learn and maybe teach others."

"Tamron, Tokina and Sigma all make good macro's, but they are not a lot cheaper than the Canon's. The biggest question is what focal length do you need. To get full 1:1 macro on a 60mm the front of your lens is about 6 inches from the…"

"Have her look at the Panasonic Lumix camera's. They are notable for less lag between pressing the shutter button, and the shutter actually going off."

"A keep the camera. Lens choices. If money is no object get the 70-200mm f2.8 VR for $2000. Spectacular lens the lens you need for sports in poor light. Personally for fast long telephoto I got the 80-200mm AF-D, but that won't autofocus on a…"

"Best results will be with getting a true macro lens. Look at the Tokina AT-X 100mm f/2.8 PRO D Macro Lens for Canon for about $400, or the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Compact Macro AutoFocus Lens for $450."

"The first question is budget - if money is no object get a Nikon D3X (get the D3 if you shoot sports) and the 3 or 4 f2.8 zoom lenses. Probably the second is portability. The best camera is the one you have with you (I-Phone anyone?). For most…"

"I am very happy with my D300, so the pieces of equipment I most want now, in order, are: - Nikon 10-24mm f3.5-4.5 DX, but I'd gladly settle for the Sigma 10-20mm f3.5 HSM - Nikon SB900 speedlight with 10' stand and umbrella bracket, plus…"

"You may have coverage under your home insurance policy. In order to collect you will have to report the theft to the police."

"When you get to NY go to Adorama Camera at 18th Street off 6th Avenue (towards 5th) and B&H Photo at 34th Street on 9th Avenue. See what they have in both Canon and Nikon and see what you like. Both carry factory refurbished gear which can save…"

"Personally, I suggest two options. If you can swing it get the D90. I have a D300. If it was available when I bought my D300, I would have gotten the D90 (and another lens). Otherwise get the D60 and another lens. I really like the new AF-S 35mm DX…"

"For shooting a squirrel in daylight from 25 feet the most logical lens for you to get for your camera is the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Image Stabilizer Telephoto Zoom Lens. On a camera with a 1.6 crop factor that gives you the equivalent of a…"

"For $400 you can get almost any tripod and head combo you want. What I got is the Flashpoint f1228 Carbon Fiber Tripod($180), and the Flashpoint F-3 Ballhead ($70) from Adorama. I also got a cheap Opteka aluminum monopod ($13) from 47th Street Photo…"

"Do you care about the video capability? If not get the D60 and another lens. If you can swing it get the D60 with the 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 VR, the 55-200mm f4-5.6 VR and the 35mm f1.8. Glass lasts forever, bodies get replaced."