This camera had Canon's newest technology when I bought it, with vertical ECF and E-TTL. But gee-whiz- bang features do not a picture make. I like this camera for its handling characteristics, especially with the BP-50 attached (see below). I wish it had spot metering though, that is its only real flaw as far as I am concerned.

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This is my newest toy. I bought it along with the WP-DC300 so that I could shoot pictures during SCUBA dives. My other options were to buy a disposable ($15), underwater P&S (starting at $100), or an Ikelite housing for my SLR ($800). If I really get into diving, I will probably get the Ikelite.

Note that I opted for the 3 megapixel S30 (instead of the 4 megapixel S40) because I wasn't completely sure how well it would work out, and I didn't want to waste another $200.

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This is Canon's waterproof case for the Powershot S30. It has 14 buttons, levers and dials that allow you to operate almost all of the functionality of the camera. You obviously cannot change the battery or memory card underwater, but you also cannot turn the camera off, or use the up/down cursor controls. Fortunately, it powers down after a few minutes of inactivity, and the up/down cursors can be simulated with other buttons. 

It is rated to 100 feet, and I have so far taken it down to 30 feet without any problems (except that it is very buoyant, and it kept floating into my face because of how I had it attached to my BC)

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The BP-50 is the battery pack for the Elan IIe. It takes four AA batteries, or one Lithium 2CR5, and plugs into the battery compartment on the bottom of the camera. It also functions as a vertical grip, with a second shutter button for use in the vertical position. My only complaint is that it is not designed like the A2's VG-10. The VG-10 has exposure lock, focus point selection, and a command dial for use in the vertical position, while the BP-50 only has a shutter release. Unless you have small hands or don't want a large camera, get the BP-50 and use it. I don't know how I managed before I got mine, and I have not taken it off since (except to change the batteries of course.)

The 28-105 Canon's best consumer zoom in this range. A great starter lens and almost always recommended, I have yet to meet a person who was unhappy with it. It certainly is not a extremely sharp lens, but you won't find better for its price and versatility. The 28-70 2.8L is a much better lens, but far out of my price range. The 28-105 USM is without question much better than any of the current xx-80 series, but about equal to the similar 24-85.

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The 100-300 USM is very similar to the 28-105 USM in design, construction, and handling. People say that it isn't very sharp, especially wide open at 300. It is about the same as the 75-300 USM II, which I had before. Focusing is quick and silent, much more so than the 75-300 and construction is of a much higher quality. I would say that, unless you need the IS technology, the 100-300 USM would be a much better choice.

Even better would be the 70-200 f/2.8L, but I can't afford that.  Another option is the 70-210 USM f/3.5-4.5.  If you don't really need to go all the way to 300mm, the 70-210 is faster and people claim it is better optically, especially wide open at the long end, and it costs less.  Except, it has been discontinued, so you will have to do some hunting to find a new one, or just buy one used.

The 70-200 f/2.8L is an awesome lens and was a dream to use.  Unfortunately, I was only renting it, so I had to return it and the attached 2x converter.

With the 2x converter, the 70-200L focuses about the same as the 100-300 USM, because both are f/5.6 and they both have the same M-1 62mm (diameter) ring-USM.  The 70-200L has much better manual focus and zoom rings, and is much smoother in operation.

All moving parts on the 70-200L are internal.  That means that the front of the lens does not move when zooming or focusing.  The 100-300 USM does not rotate, but the front extends while zooming.

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This was an increadible lens   I had the opportunity to rent it for a week, and I used it for my trip to Zion and Bryce Nation Parks.

I got this comment from Jerome Obiols regarding my shot "Emerald Pools" on ShutterCity:

"Great shot! I've tried it on this location but didn't get such a good picture and composition as you! That's what crossed my mind before I read that you used a 17mm. I had "only" a 24mm...."

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I rented this lens (combined with the 1.4x) to shoot the 2000 Vandenbeg air show.  I didn't want to try to track the planes on a tripod, so the IS was invaluable.  At 420mm the planes filled the frame, and the IS made it easy to track as they zoomed around the sky.

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The EX series of SpeedLites feature E-TTL, which does a much better job than the old TTL or A-TTL. Of course, to get E-TTL, you need one of the new cameras which support it.  I wish that the 380EX had more manual controls and more power like the 540EZ, but I like the E-TTL and Focal Plane (High Speed Sync) Flash, and would not give it up at this time.  Now there are newer, more powerful, flashes with E-TTL.

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These remote switches can really come in handy. They list for only $20, so everyone should at least get one of them, if not both. I got the corded RS-60 ES first to take shots of the fireworks on the Fourth of July, and the wireless RC-4 later to include myself in a picture without using the timer. My only gripe about the RC-4 is that there must be a 2 second delay. I wish there was a CF to turn the delay off. It was a little annoying to press the button, then wait 2 seconds for the shutter to open.

Note: The correct wireless remote for the Elan IIe is the RC-1. The RC-4 was designed for point & shoot cameras like the Rebel

This was a pretty decent camera.  I actually bought it for a friend (who eventually paid me back for it), so I never had much of a chance to use it.  Much of its behavior was similar to my Elan II, and you could tell that it was intended for about the same level photographer.  Many of its specifications were actually better than the Elan II, but the older technology negated the benefits.

I bought these lenses with the Elan IIe.  I don't remember how long I kept them, but I sold them (to the 10s guy), and bought the 28-105 and 100-300 to replace them.  It was an expensive trade, but well worth it.

I have used Steve Berlin's 20 on occasion.  It is very nice, but I don't much experience with it, so there is not much to say.  I rented the 17-35L for our Zion/Bryce trip, and he was very jealous...

I've rented the LS-2000 scanner from Samy's to do most of my scanning.   I would buy it, but the pricetag for a new one is around $2000.  I've also looked at the LS-30, which isn't quite a painful and I don't think I would miss any of the differences.  I've also seen some cheap used LS-1000 models, but they are not much less than a new LS-30.

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Go to Imaging Resource LS-30 review

There isn't much to say about this.  It is a very expensive hole that allows you to convert any EF lens into a macro lens.  I bought this to shoot the pictures for my lens tour, and it was very useful.  Attached to the 28-105, the focal plane is extremely close to the lens, and I actually ended up using my 100-300 most of the time.

Bogen 3021 Tripod
Bogen 3030 Pan Head
Canon Gadget Bag 100