Downsizing…
After too many years of hauling too much heavy equipment around in pursuit of this thing called photography, I’ve decided to lighten the load.
I’ve sold off my 400mm f:2.8 and 300mm f:2.8 lenses along with the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III. Why? Because the new Canon 5D Mark II has the same 21.1 mp sensor as the MK III and is lighter and uses a later-model processing chip that, in my opinion, produces better images.
I can get 400mm out of my 70-200mm f:2.8 zoom with a 2x tele-extender and 300mm with a 1.4x extender. With the extended ISO range of the 5D MKII I can make up for the loss of f-stop sensitivity and also save my shoulders and damaged rotator cuffs by no carrying such a heavy lens.
I still use the 1D MKIII for high-speed sports photography but more and more of my work is close in photography of music and other events and I no longer need the long, fast glass.
Doug, I’m a tad late in commenting on your weight reduction, but I believe it’s a good move for you. We’re still in Yellowstone shooting nature, but will start a slow return to Floyd next week. Anyhoo, sure could have used your long lens here this month (if it fit a Nikon) where so many beautiful animals taunt photographers, tourist and pro alike, from hundreds of yards away.