Richard Hardwick Photography » Equipment

Canon EOS 7D

Richard — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:35:19 +0000

I’ve just received my new Canon EOS 7D. Straight from the box it wasn’t that impressive but after a day changing the settings and customisations, I have to say I’m very pleased. The main reason for the upgrade was the better autofocus and this is very good, far better than the 40D.

EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

Richard — Sat, 30 May 2009 17:39:48 +0000

I’ve just taken delivery of a used EF 70-200mm f/4L USM bought from the for sale section of the Talk Photography forum. It’s in immaculate condition, boxed with caps, hood and pouch. Having avoided zooms for so long I now have two of them. This is is to take to Skomer because it seems I’ll be able to get very close to the Puffins and the EF 400mm f/5.6L USM may be too long.

EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

Richard — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:53:31 +0000

I’ve always disliked using zoom lenses, mainly because I forget to change my viewpoint and just zoom in and out. However, today I’ve replaced my EF 20mm f/2.8 USM with a EF 17-40mm f/4L USM, a mint condition lens bought via the Talk Photography forum. I decided I needed a lens that was a little wider than the 20mm and as there were no primes available, I went for the zoom. I just need to improve my technique now.

EF 400mm f/5.6L USM

Richard — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 19:17:22 +0000

Having rented this lens twice from Lenses For Hire and been blown away with it’s performance, I’ve finally bought a EF 400mm f/5.6L USM. For me this is probably the best value lens in the Canon range, extremely sharp, fast focussing, portable and doesn’t require a second mortgage.

EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM

Richard — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:23:40 +0000

I’ve sold my EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM and EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM lenses and replaced them with the EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM. The reasons for doing this are:

- Improved out of focus quality, bokeh
- Greater working distance
- Ability to use a 1.4x converter
- Combining two lenses to one

I can’t wait to get out there and use it.

Gone Digital

Richard — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 07:02:15 +0000

I’d made the decision to buy a digital slr over Christmas and the model was quite obvious to me. I’d used Canon cameras and preferred their layout and handling to other marques, the 5D was too expensive, the 400D too small and the 40D was ideal. With the cashback offer from Canon the 40D is incredible value and a lot of camera for the money. The image quality of the 40D is excellent, it’s well built and feels good in the hands with all the buttons in the right places. I wanted to keep my kit to a minimum sop bought the 40D with 50mm f/1.4 and 20mm f/2.8 lenses from Warehouse Express.