[MaximusJ]

No, they give me Win7 Ultimate64 with that.

8Gb is the max memory using the Dell configurator, but I have to look into the mainboard specs to see how much it can deal with. I could start with 8, but I wont buy a laptop that is already at its max memory.

But dont worry Chewy, I will give you the opportunity to quote before I place the order.

I'm just trying to ballpark the price its gonna cost me by shopping known brands first.

[dcstep]

It will have little to no impact on processing speed, but a solid-state HD is worth the extra expense to me. I got it on my latest Lenovo and love the boot from dead off to ready to go in 25-sec. Loading huge programs only takes a second or two.

The HD space tend to be lower with SS HDs, but if you've got external storage,then it's not an issue.

Also, make sure that you get a USB 3.0 port on any new laptop. I'd suggest comparing Lenovo to Dell.

Dave

[vachss]

All this talking about computer configurations has me wondering, as I do about once a year, how much benefit I would get from upgrading my desktop.
OC'd Q6600 @3.5GHz, 8GB Ram. Primary usage is photo editing in CS5 and raw conversions in DPP.

The machine's almost 6 years old now, so you'd think it'd be a dinosaur well ready for replacement, but straight CPU frequency and memory capacity haven't increased that much so I'm wondering how much an upgrade to an Ivy Bridge processor and maybe 12-16GB of DDR3 would really buy me. (Yes, I've looked at the usual benchmarks, but I'm just looking for seat of the pants impressions from folks like me who grind through a bunch of photos). Even with my current machine I rarely wait on CS5, but RAW conversions are another story - particularly with the new DLO module in DPP 3.11.10.

[rodi]

likewise. waiting for the new Ivy Bridge Macbook Pro. definitely getting a SSD this go around.

[The1]

Originally Posted by vachss

All this talking about computer configurations has me wondering, as I do about once a year, how much benefit I would get from upgrading my desktop.
OC'd Q6600 @3.5GHz, 8GB Ram. Primary usage is photo editing in CS5 and raw conversions in DPP.

The machine's almost 6 years old now, so you'd think it'd be a dinosaur well ready for replacement, but straight CPU frequency and memory capacity haven't increased that much so I'm wondering how much an upgrade to an Ivy Bridge processor and maybe 12-16GB of DDR3 would really buy me. (Yes, I've looked at the usual benchmarks, but I'm just looking for seat of the pants impressions from folks like me who grind through a bunch of photos). Even with my current machine I rarely wait on CS5, but RAW conversions are another story - particularly with the new DLO module in DPP 3.11.10.

an SSHD might be a good starting point. Beyond that, it really depends what you're looking for. My PC is just an old clunker, but it's still faster then most of the laptops out today, in fact, my PC is the reason I went through a lot of laptops. No matter what I did, I couldn't find something that could keep up with it, even though it's old.

I finally did find a laptop that could keep up with my PC and now it's making my PC look like a dinosaur.

I'd say have the upgrade to do, is SSHD The thinking time is next to nothing. And as Dave has pointed out, grab yourself a USB3 card and external drive. It's dramatic how fast they actually go.

[MaximusJ]

I'm the proud new owner of a Nikkor 70-200mm 2.8 VR AF lens!

Cant wait to get my hands on it.


Next: Nikkor 24-70mm!

[Chewy734]

congrats! Now, let's see some pics from that lens

[- Paul -]

Originally Posted by MaximusJ

I'm the proud new owner of a Nikkor 70-200mm 2.8 VR AF lens!

Cant wait to get my hands on it.


Next: Nikkor 24-70mm!

Nice - how much is that over there if you don't mind me asking?

[MaximusJ]

In stores, the VRII retails at $2150 + %14 taxes. I was supposed to get it from Nikon with our special pricing at $1741 + %14 taxes. But they wont honor additional orders and this offer was terminated.

So i've hunted for a nice deal on ebay and found one in Australia at $1200 shipped; but for the VR version; the one in stores is the VRII version.

The cheapest I could find in american territory were around $1500 - 1600. And since these are out of warranty, I didnt bother opting for a grey market (non-us) lens since I have plenty of indie shops that will gladly work on it if anything happens.

[Seminole]

Just made a new purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EF-S-17-...4678039&sr=1-1

I'm officially done with new lenses for a long time now. This hobby is expensive

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Seminole

...I'm officially done with new lenses for a long time now. This hobby is expensive

I wish that I could say the same about the end of new lenses. I'm Jonesing for the either the new 500mm or EF 600mm f/4L IS II. They do hold their value, but they're just incredibly expensive. Faster AF, better IS and light weight just have me thinking about those lenses a lot.

Dave

[The1]

congrats to both of you. both lenses are fantastic choices.

[Seminole]

Originally Posted by dcstep

I wish that I could say the same about the end of new lenses. I'm Jonesing for the either the new 500mm or EF 600mm f/4L IS II. They do hold their value, but they're just incredibly expensive. Faster AF, better IS and light weight just have me thinking about those lenses a lot.

Dave

I just looked up the price of the 600mm and nearly choked on my water. For that kind of money they better hold their value!

[dcstep]

I bought the EF 500mm f/4L IS 2-years ago for $6100 and it's still worth that in the used market. Of course, the high replacement cost is one reason that it's held up so well, but I think the Series II 500mm and 600mm should retain 90% of their value because of demand and stunning results.

At least it's not a fishing boat...

Dave

[vachss]

Originally Posted by dcstep

I bought the EF 500mm f/4L IS 2-years ago for $6100 and it's still worth that in the used market. Of course, the high replacement cost is one reason that it's held up so well, but I think the Series II 500mm and 600mm should retain 90% of their value because of demand and stunning results.
Dave

I almost feel guilty. I snagged my 500/4 as a new/refurb after a camera show 7 years ago for $4600. Looking at recent used prices it would probably go for almost $2k more than that now. A big part of that is the bruising the Dollar has taken vs. the Yen in the interim. In a perfect world I wouldn't mind upgrading to a 600/II, but it's hard for me to justify a marginal increase in performance for a ~$6K upgrade cost. I have this vague fantasy, though, that all the real high end users will so love the new 600's that they'll start dumping their 800/5.6's on the market for a "cheap" $8-9K. That upgrade I could maybe, barely, justify...

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by vachss

I almost feel guilty. I snagged my 500/4 as a new/refurb after a camera show 7 years ago for $4600. Looking at recent used prices it would probably go for almost $2k more than that now. A big part of that is the bruising the Dollar has taken vs. the Yen in the interim. In a perfect world I wouldn't mind upgrading to a 600/II, but it's hard for me to justify a marginal increase in performance for a ~$6K upgrade cost. I have this vague fantasy, though, that all the real high end users will so love the new 600's that they'll start dumping their 800/5.6's on the market for a "cheap" $8-9K. That upgrade I could maybe, barely, justify...

Yeah, I think that you've got an unrealized gain in your 500/f4.

I bought mine new and can get out of it at cost, with almost no effort. I shoot a couple of thousand images per month with mine, so I'm thinking of the 600/f4II as a long term investment, particularly if it raises my "keeper rate." I need to sell a few more images to get out of the "hobbiest" designation, so that I can deduct equipment on my tax returns under Schedule C. It's been slow going in that regard, so I need to hustle quite a bit more.

Dave

[M_Six]

I drove by my cornfield project site today and the corn was just beginning to sprout. I took some pics of the whole field and then some macros of the sprouts. Not a single image is usable. I really screwed them up. The macros I can understand because I was in a catcher's squat and was trying to focus with a really narrow DOF. The ground was wet and muddy, so kneeling or laying down was out of the question. Those shots being out of focus a bit I can live with. But the shots of the whole field were taken as I was standing up straight and they still suck. Don't know where my head was at this morning. I'll have to go by there on the way home and reshoot.

[Chewy734]

Did you forget to switch from MF to AF on the lens?

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Chewy734

Did you forget to switch from MF to AF on the lens?

No, I was just being a dunce. I went to f11 to get a nice deep DOF, but that brought me to 1/60 SS at ISO 100. I should have bumped the ISO to 400 and got a faster SS. For the macros I just need to get a tarp or something else to lay on so I can hold the camera steady.

[Chewy734]

Originally Posted by M_Six

No, I was just being a dunce. I went to f11 to get a nice deep DOF, but that brought me to 1/60 SS at ISO 100. I should have bumped the ISO to 400 and got a faster SS. For the macros I just need to get a tarp or something else to lay on so I can hold the camera steady.

Ahh yeah. That happens sometimes when you aren't paying attention.

For the macro shots, you could also get this

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Chewy734

Ahh yeah. That happens sometimes when you aren't paying attention.

For the macro shots, you could also get this

Yeah, that would have come in handy today. I was using the 85mm f1.8 with the 12mm extension tube. It works well as a macro, but no IS and the DOF is about a half inch.

[Chewy734]

ahh... well, at least your way is much cheaper. Still pondering the 5D2?