this morning

Nice!

Needing some lens advice.
I've got a Canon 40D & lens died completely after long period of intermittent errors. Getting 'Err01 Communication between camera & lens is faulty'.
Lens was Canon EFS17-85MM USM IS 1:4-5.6 ultrasonic. Have been told they were never a great lens which is annoying as we paid heaps extra to swap it with the kit lens when purchased (about 8yrs ago, we were into slalom water skiing at time so wanted fast camera). I recall the body & lens cost us almost $3000 ! Suspect they're right about it not being good lens I never thought it focused brilliantly. Shop has also told me the broken cable problem is common. Confirmed as error was intermittent depending on where in range its zoomed. Camera shop said $300 to repair lens.
Anyway complete failure was about 12mths few months ago been sitting on shelf since & just using iphone.....so you get the idea I'm not a photography enthusiast. Had the camera & lens about 8-9yrs so few years old now however not much use so i'm thinking still worth me replacing the lens. Doesn't seem worth getting shop to repair it for $300 when for not much more than double that can get new lower range Canon with 2 lens. Would be more than adequate for what we do. Or I buy a lens for 40D.
But what one ? Single lens with nice long zoom range would be good. A travel type lens. The 17-85 was never quite short or long enough. Is there anything sensible for $600 max ?

Youtube shows how to repair existing lens but it's fiddly, however apparently cable under $20 from ebay. Worth a go or not bother ?

If the plan is to ditch the lens, there doesn't seem to be much reason not to have a shot at replacing / re-seating the cable.
I guess the starting point for figuring a path forwards (assuming that the self-repair doesn't work) is to think through how much more than the iPhone photo's do you want. Have you really missed having the camera, or are you trying to chase spent cost?
I don't have any zoom lenses, but there are several companies that make very good alternative EF-mount lenses to match the Canon OEM offerings. As a generalisation, the wider the zoom range, and the slower the lens, the harder it is to get the photo's that you want to keep / print, but a low quality photo that means something, is better than no photo at all. The 85mm at APS-C is equivalent to about 135mm at FF. In telephoto lenses, the longer you go, the more light you need (faster lens / higher ISO), whilst also often needing higher shutter speeds. The costs on this increase very rapidly whilst the versatility (depending upon your interests) may decrease.
If you do want to keep the 40D alive, or replace it with something similar, try to work out which area of photography that you want to use it on, such that it will give you something you value, and which the iPhone is not currently satisfying. Otherwise, the new camera / lens combo is likely to end up sitting on a shelf.
In terms of versatility, I think the new mirrorless cameras are giving DSLR's a run for their money. I'm not sure what all is currently on offer, but others may be able to help.

Today...

Today was Manual Focus Day...

A pano..

1 from last night

@ Whitireia Community Polytechnic

Nice work, Ryda, and I like the shot of the satisfied lionette, Danose.

EoinC wrote:If the plan is to ditch the lens, there doesn't seem to be much reason not to have a shot at replacing / re-seating the cable.
I guess the starting point for figuring a path forwards (assuming that the self-repair doesn't work) is to think through how much more than the iPhone photo's do you want. Have you really missed having the camera, or are you trying to chase spent cost?
I don't have any zoom lenses, but there are several companies that make very good alternative EF-mount lenses to match the Canon OEM offerings. As a generalisation, the wider the zoom range, and the slower the lens, the harder it is to get the photo's that you want to keep / print, but a low quality photo that means something, is better than no photo at all. The 85mm at APS-C is equivalent to about 135mm at FF. In telephoto lenses, the longer you go, the more light you need (faster lens / higher ISO), whilst also often needing higher shutter speeds. The costs on this increase very rapidly whilst the versatility (depending upon your interests) may decrease.
If you do want to keep the 40D alive, or replace it with something similar, try to work out which area of photography that you want to use it on, such that it will give you something you value, and which the iPhone is not currently satisfying. Otherwise, the new camera / lens combo is likely to end up sitting on a shelf.
In terms of versatility, I think the new mirrorless cameras are giving DSLR's a run for their money. I'm not sure what all is currently on offer, but others may be able to help.

Saw advert in newspaper today for Tamron 18-300 @ $895. Quite tempting to go have a look. Other option is just sell the 40D body after trying a DIY fix of failed lens.

Someones doing a 16-300 now I think?

EoinC wrote:Today was Manual Focus Day...

These are my favourites!! Ahhh takes me back to the 7th form photography in Cathedral Square.

Also did anyone catch the Wellington sunrise this morning? It looked pretty epic from the train

We've had a week of epic sunrises in chc, managed to catch a couple of them but .. work :/

No, not me by robjdickinson, on Flickr

so what? by robjdickinson, on Flickr

Crazy colour at Shag Rock by robjdickinson, on Flickr

Phwaawwww! Uber-nice work, Rob. We don't tend to get the speccy sunrises and sunsets over here - More large burning Sun comes up / goes down over horizon. It get's a bit better when the rainy season kicks in, but seldom like that.