Canon EOS 60D DSLR Camera with Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Customer Ratings:

I have to admit that when I opened the package and started playing with this camera I was a little intimidated and thought I might have to send it back for being just too much camera for me. I'm such an amateur photographer that's it's not fair to the real amateurs for me to categorize myself with them. I went from a point and shoot that I loved to a bridge camera that I hated and made the jump all the way to the EOD 60D. I was looking for a camera that would snap pics quickly, took sharp quality photos, and allow me to blow up my photos and still look good. The quality if this camera is amazing, the neck-strap alone is higher quality than my mid-level bridge camera. I love love love that it has the "creative" modes and the "auto" modes. If I'm in a hurry I can use the auto modes or if I'm feeling brave I can switch to creative and get my craftiness on.

After I got over my initial shock and really started reading about the camera and applying what I learned, I was amazed by this camera. The speed, which was crazy important to me, is ridiculous. Trying to capture photographic moments of a rambunctious one-year old is like mission impossible. With this camera I'm actually getting these moments and the ones before and after!

The lens is amazing, there are several other packages out there that offer different lenses, I highly recommend this lens package, the 18-135 with IS is phenomenal, most of my shots come out crystal clear, the zoom is great, and the IS is a life saver. The only pics I've had come out with any blur were at night, at a parade, of a one-year old wiggling in excitement at mach 8.

The package stuff is all great, I chose this kit because it didn't come with too much stuff, but all things I'll actually use. My only wish would be that the camera case were slightly bigger or might accomodating to a camera, lens (lenses) and the accessories, but hey if I wanted to be super picky about a case I should just order what I really want. Also the mini tripod seems flimsy, and I don't actually want to put my camera on it. This camera, especially with a lens, is heavy!

Last happy bit the shipping from this seller was light speed fast. I received it the day before (maybe even two days) before the first day I was estimated to get this kit.

I'll try and update as I get more familiar with the camera, but so far I'm incredibly happy!

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16 Channel DVR CCTV Ultimate Mini Series D1 Realtime Security

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $975.99
Sale Price: $585.00
Today's Bonus: 40% Off

I started with a Swann DVR, then later a Zmodo DVR gave up on them (both failed within 1 year). This one blows them all away. Great features that allow many ways to set up your system to do what you need it to do. Motion detect works well, dual streams (with different quality) for normal record, alarm input, and motion detect modes. Sub stream to view many cameras over the internet at a lower resolution. Ability to take snapshots and send to a network drive as a backup data location. Very configurable to do what you want. Great customer service for technical help. You can select 1 channel to email you or trigger many cameras to record (at higher resolution) and it records all video at a lower bit rate until motion or alarm is detected and it jumps up to higher quality..... All configurable. Professional Security System software is truly professional grade software to do what you need it to do, easier to find motion footage or events on while viewing multiple cameras. Buy it! you will love the features and have the freedom to configure as you need it to function in your situation.

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Olympus M.Zuiko 17mm Lens (Black)

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $299.00
Sale Price: $240.99
Today's Bonus: 19% Off

This is small lens. That's its main claim to fame, not the speed at f2.8, nor the focal length, the equivalent of about 35mm in 35mm photography. But on the small Olympus PEN body, this lens gives you a small package that takes quite good pictures without messing around with a zoom. In particular, it works well as a walking-around street camera, much like an old Leica or a Canon rangefinder of the 1950s/1960s. (See also the optical viewfinder which has image lines specifically for this 17mm lens.)

I tried this package out, camera, lens, and viewfinder, and got a good number of excellent images walking through crowds of people downtown. It's wide enough to catch people in their immediate environment. The camera is unobtrusive and really helped with the casual picture taking. I'd strongly recommend the setup to folks looking for a forgiving digital imaging setup with modern features but much of the ease of handling and casual ability of old rangefinders (without having to focus of course).

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Pentax K2000 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DA

Customer Ratings:

Pros:

High quality (sturdy feeling)

Well designed

Superb Image quality

No pattern noise at high ISOs (looks more like film grain)

In body image stabilization

Cons:

No image orientation sensor (if you hold portrait style have to manually rotate)

No red focus confirmation dot (still has green dot in viewfinder at bottom)

Who should buy the K2000? Anyone also considering entry level Nikon or Canon DSLRs. This is fully competitive, but offers in body image stabilization that works with any lens (old and new). Nice feature set at a great value.

The auto focus of this camera is improved, focusing more precisely in low light than previous Pentax models, and also works with the new SDM lenses. Auto white balance is also improved. It does much better under tungsten light than some previous Pentax cameras.

The shake reduction is highly effective, as much so as most in lens systems. About 3 f-stops for me. This is a handy feature because it works with ALL lenses. You don't have to keep buying the same feature for $100 to $500 every time you buy a lens for which you want stabilization. Not to mention, when a new body comes out you get an improved stabilizer. With an in lens system, you have to replace your lenses to get improved stabilizers.

Even though this is a no frills system, it is very capable for those advanced amateurs or pro's looking for a compact body to use with the Pentax Limited prime lenses (compact lenses offering outstanding image quality). The big two haven't invested many resources in prime lenses suitable for APS-C sensors (by far the best selling dSLRs), Pentax has bucked the industry trend with their superb DA Limited series lenses.

Image quality is outstanding. I used it at a studio shoot recently, and had no issue. My only complaints were the lack of user selectable focus points (besides all or center only) and lack of orientation sensor. For the most part these were easy to work around. The picture results were stunning, even up to ISO 800. By 1600 there starts to be a fair amount of noise, but there is no pattern to it (my K20d has awful horizontal pattern noise). These photos are highly suitable for B&W conversion, and they resemble high speed film better than many digital cameras.

In conclusion, you get a lot of bang for you buck with this camera. The bundled AF200FG flash is very good compared to any built in flash offering much better range, better fill, and being off camera helps reduce red eye and shadowing from lenses. The kit lens is excellent at apertures 5.6 and up at any focal length (it is a tad soft at the corners at wide angles at apertures larger (smaller number) than f/5.6. I mounted it to the K20d and it had no problems resolving for the higher resolution sensor. I recommend this without many reservations (see my cons), and for a starter or enthusiast it is a great little camera. With my review title, it is the first time I can feel comfortable to recommend a Pentax to a non-DSLR user (previously they have been better enthusiast, non-beginner models).

Update One: First set of batteries that came with the camera have more than 1000 shots on them, many of these with the flash. This has truly amazing battery life, especially considering how much the back LCD is illuminated (no top information display). This would last many users a year!

The only other little things I have noticed is there is no slot for a cable remote and the back LCD can be bright. This camera wouldn't be the best for star trails for example, but this will only impact a small percentage of users.

I still love it!

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Wieldy Pro 1-7.5kg Steadicam Steadycam Vest + dual Arm Systems

Customer Ratings:

I ended up having to return the item because of missing instructions. Both the seller, Pro-Tripod, and Amazon were extremely helpful coordinating the return.

The item shipped much quicker than anticipated and I'm sure would have worked great if proper instructions were included. The seller told me that an English version of the instruction disc should be prepared within a month.

All in all, the seller was fine and Amazon was very good in handling the issues generated with the miscommunications.

Thank you to all parties.

Only thing I did notice were the knobs to adjust the springs are rather small and very hard to turn if indeed that was how one would adjust the spring tension to better balance the stabilizer arms. Sizing and adjusting the vest was a no-brainer.

I really wanted to make the Wieldy Pro 1-7.5kg Steadicam Vest + dual Arm System work but could not without instructions. So I guess I am a tad bummed out.

The machining and manufacturing of the item was fine and I'm quite confident if used correctly could produce some very nice, stabilized video.

Enjoy...

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Canon EOS Rebel T3i Digital SLR Camera Body & EF-S 18-55mm IS II

Customer Ratings:

I was little skeptical to order this Canon DSLR bundle because there was not any review for this bundle. I finally made my mind to order by merely looking at Seller's profile and product details. And thankfully I can say I got a great deal. All the products are delivered on time as promised.

This camera is awesome and very good for the people who are looking to shift to DSLR from point-n-shoot. As far as whole bundle is concerned it has good combination of products such as branded memory card, cleaning kit, remote, battery, UV protection and camera carrying bag. The stand is also of good quality. In short I am happy with bundle that I have opted for....

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Sony HDR-CX100 AVCHD HD Camcorder with Smile Shutter & 10x

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $599.99
Sale Price: $349.99
Today's Bonus: 42% Off

This camera is amazing. Once I charged up this puppy and fired it up it looked awesome. I filmed my dog and you could see every strand of hair on his body and the texture of the hair. It also has the smiling sensor technology that is really neat. Put it in video mode and when someone smiles SNAP!....a photo is automatically taken (you can set it on or off). I like that its flash memory as well (hard drives dont survive drops so well). I gotta say Sony put out one sexy stylish camcorder. It looks great in the hand and it definitely got some peoples attention. Once you get this camcorder you'll never want to go back to SD recording. Here are my PROs and CONs:

PROS:

+ Amazing quality video

+ Lets you take a photo while filming

+ Smile detection

+ Ready to film once screen is open

+ Small and compact

+ Very good looking camera comes in three colors

+ Flash memory (bad/good you decide)

+ HDMI support

CONS:

Not just any HDMI cable will work

Proprietary memory stick format (memory sticks are expensive)

Low 10x optical zoom

3 hours recording time

Love this camera and highly recommend it.

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Samsung ST200F Long Zoom Smart Camera - Plum (EC-ST200FBPLUS)

Customer Ratings:

I got this for my sister for her birthday because it had Built-in Wi-Fi capability, and you can send photos to Facebook(tm), Picasa(tm), Photobucket(tm) or email directly from the camera. You can also upload videos to YouTube You can also save the images to your PC by just one click with Auto Backup. No searching for the cable, and while it is a long (10x) zoom camera it is not bulky but fits in her pocket (it's about 19mm thick)...and for traveling, which she will be doing this summer, it has Live Panorama, that creates 180º panoramic images.

Finally since she isn't the best at manuevering all the dials, this baby has Smart Auto 2.0. that has scene detection technology identifying up to 16 different shooting conditions, instantly analyzing key elements of the composition, and then adjusting to optimize settings for every individual situation. Other things are Magic Frame which has 12 background templates such as Wall Art, Full Moon, Magazine and Holiday that let you easily create poster-quality art and Artistic Brush which is like your own in camera pixlr that takes any portrait, landscape or candid and turn it into a black and white sketch and Split Shot where you can merge up to three different images to create an artistic statement!

I personally liked the Optical Image Stabilization(OIS) that helps you get still shots whether you are or not (moving cars, shaky hands, ferris wheels) . It comes in black, silver and hot pink....she loves it and I liked the fab price. Highly recommended.

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Nikon D3S 12.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD

Customer Ratings:

Update: Images up to ISO 51,200 have very acceptable levels of noise (very little). Worst case, I touched up with Dfine 2.0 (noise reduction software) and they look nearly perfect. I experimented with the movie mode. The camera took some very nice looking videos in extremely low light. I don't know what ISO it used, but it must be hitting ISO 102,400 at times. The video and sound using the internal microphone are really good. I may add an external stereo mic in the future if I shoot video. I should have known, you can't shoot movies in vertical format -of course -but I did take some that way before I realized that format doesn't work when you play back on a TV.

I've now got a growing collection of images in various conditions and remain extremely pleased with this camera.

-----------------

I received my new Nikon D3S only a couple of days ago, and my early testing of this camera has already proven it to be much more than I expected. I took a few dozen test shots in nearly complete darkness and with relatively little noise the shots look like they were taken in fairly bright lighting. I am very impressed. In fact, I would even say they are unbelievable.

I love the new "info" button. I passed over the written material before the camera arrived thinking: who cares. Well, I find it to be an extremely helpful feature. When you press the "info" button, it shows not only the exposure settings, but gives you immediate access to several of the relevant menu options that you can then immediately access and make changes. I find this to be very quick and useful.

The D3S seems a bit bigger than my Nikon D2Xs and other professional bodies I use, but it feels like it's built absolutely solid. Of course, since the D3S is an FX (full frame) sensor, I have heavier lenses attached and in my bag too. I love the D3S ergonomics and the programmable function and other buttons (programmable AE/AL and Preview button). I hate to fumble with menus in the field (sorry Canon 1ds Mark III and 5D Mark IV and others, but Nikon has you beat here), and the Nikon gives fast access to all the key settings.

I haven't done extensive image tests yet, but my first impression is the images are superb, color is very accurate and auto focus is very fast and accurate, even in what I'd call "no light." I have usable images at ISO 102,400 (an amazing seven full stops better than other pro-bodies I use). At this point, I still can't believe how good images look at ISO 102,400, and images at ISO 51,200 and 25,600 look nearly perfect with either no high ISO NR (noise reduction) or standard NR.

Looking at my images at high magnification and they appear much clearer than even higher megapixel resolution bodies I use. I am now finally convinced beyond any doubt that megapixel is more of a marketing ploy than meaningful for professional photographers and other factors are more important.

As a pro who uses high end digital bodies, this is my first choice (maybe my only choice) for most assignments. I do a fair amount of studio work and thought I might opt for the Nikon D3X or even a Canon body since high ISO is not important, but this camera is so good I may use it for all my photography work in all conditions. If I really need high-end studio shots, I'll perhaps use my Mamiya with a digital back or even rent a Hasselblad.

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Apple MacBook Pro MD318LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop (OLD VERSION)

Customer Ratings:

Let me start with the good:

So awesome. Great OS, fabulous improvements to the existing line bumping up the processor speed and adding the thunderbolt port. This is my second MacBook. The first one I had was a 2006 model, not the Pro. I fell in love with it. This one has had the same effect. I had upgraded my old MacBook to Lion, so I kind of knew what I was getting, but hadn't been able to enjoy some of the awesome new multi-touch features. The improvements to the OS have been relatively gradual, but substantive. The feel of this machine compared to the old MacBook is far superior. The Unibody construction is solid, sleek and beautiful. It is everything I'd hoped it would be from a look and feel standpoint, but somehow a bit more sturdy.

For the not so good, I got the stock screen which is VERY glossy. I mean ... REALLY glossy. It's still beautiful and has better color reproduction than I could ever expect from a notebook. The reflectiveness of the display is only a minor inconvenience if you work in a controlled-lighting environment like me (I prefer it dark) or if you can crank up the brightness.

My real problem with it? The statement of 7 hour battery life is not just mere exaggeration -it's a lie. I challenge anyone to show proof that through anywhere near normal use can get more than 2.5 hrs out of it. I've got the brightness all the way down to just one notch above 'off' and the keyboard backlight off. The first full charge of this battery got me only about 2 full hours. Enabling the battery timer is useless. The "Time remaining" goes from 4 hours plus to less than 2 hours over the span of about 10 minutes. It's a joke. It's so bad that I'm thinking I only got half a battery or something.

I have an extended battery on a Dell notebook that gives me 7.5 hrs of regular use, and had an extra "slice" battery that attached to a Compaq elitebook that gave me 7-8 hrs. I know what 7 hrs of battery looks like. This ain't it.

My only other complaint is that it gets really hot. There's a reason they aren't called laptops. :-)

If you buy this don't go into it expecting 7 hrs of battery life, and you'll be perfectly satisfied.

All that being said, I think I'm done buying Windows PCs.

UPDATE:

With the help of some responders to my original review, I am seeing much better results from the battery close to 5 hrs + of normal use. Leaving the original text of the review intact, but updating the rating to the 5 stars the product deserves. I'm extremely satisfied. Very happy Mac owner. :-D

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Canon EOS Rebel T3 12.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera and DIGIC 4

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $449.00
Sale Price: $287.00
Today's Bonus: 36% Off

If you already own a Canon dSLR, get the body only. Canon kit lenses on the budget dSLRs are simply not that good. Why pay extra for mediocre glass?

I am a passionate hobbyist and a Canon user since 2006. I bought this T3 body only to replace an ailing Canon xS with auto-focusing problems. Both are selling at the same price, but the T3 offers a few upgrades: 12MP vs 10 MP, faster burst mode, video mode and more focusing points on the sensor. I already have a plethora of good Canon and Tamron lenses and didn't want a cheap kit lens the Rebels are notorious for, so I bought the camera body only.

I take this dSLR into town, on long hikes, camping trips and backpacking adventures, so the lighter weight of a lower-end Rebel made from polycarbonates is ideal for me. My cameras take a beating. I leave my 7D home for more indoor portraiture shots.

The Canon T3 looks smart. It feels more solid than the xS and the handgrip has a slight rubberized coating for better grip that the xS does not have. The buttons are almost all in the same place except for the SD slot; on the T3 it is with the battery slot on the bottom which may be an issue with battery packs. The bodies look very similiar, so there was no great time wasted reading the manual. For those new to the Rebel line-up, however, I greatly encourage to read the manual to better understand this camera, as it has many great features for an affordable price. Most people who are dissatisfied with a camera or lens usually just don't take the time to learn the many capabilities of that piece of equipment. There are differences between a Nikon and a Canon dSLR as there are different terms and physical layouts for everything. It's like studying French and German simultaneously.

I shoot mostly in A-DEP and Manual mode, although P and Auto are also used when doing snapshots. When using the first two modes, however, the photographer must be aware of proper settings in white balance and ISO modes as otherwise photos will appear washed-out or over/underexposed. This is the fun and creative part about photography that I enjoy.

The T3 ia better suited for sports photography than the xS as it has a rapid-action burst mode that lets you take ten shots in a row. This is faster than the xS.

As all lower-end dSLRs, this camera is made in Taiwan.

I am happy with the photo quality of my photographs. Colors are vibrant. I now carry it in my camera bag as a side-kick to my Canon 7D.

I will update this review as times goes on.

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Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $165.00
Sale Price: $79.95
Today's Bonus: 52% Off

(2008 HOLIDAY TEAM) When my Braun FlavorSelect coffee maker unexpectedly stopped working, I had to scramble to find a new machine. I wanted another Braun, but unfortunately, they seem to have stopped making a 12 cup coffee maker. So I had to begin an intense search for a machine that had the features I wanted combined with good value. I finally found it with this Cuisinart model.

The advantages? For one, it makes excellent and HOT coffee. The carafe is solidly constructed and fits securely in square body so there's no chance of someone accidentally knocking it loose. Because the lid fits tightly, the pour is precisely narrow and smooth, with no side leaks even when the pot is full. The basket fits inside the housing instead of swinging free like so many models which prevents a misalignment between the water and the filter; the conical (Krups/Braun style) basket accepts both paper filters and gold-tone, although I learned the hard way that not all gold filters fit. The timer is very easy to program, as is the clock. The carafe warmer can be set at low, medium, or high for the temperature that's right for you. I found the "high" setting too hot since I drink my coffee black (I like my coffee hot but not scalding!), but those who add a lot of milk might appreciate it. The brewing is quick and efficient, with the process taking about a minute a cup, maybe less. The retro/stainless look complements most modern kitchen décors. There's a 1-4 cup setting to make sure such small amounts stay hot, and you can select how long the warmer remains on. The pot beeps five times when brewing is complete and just before the warming plate shuts off. Parts are top rack dishwasher safe. It comes with a water filter system designed to improve the taste of the brew.

But the Cuisinart does have disadvantages. The water reservoir is located on the right side, in the back, which makes it a little challenging for lefties like me to dump the final bit of water inside even though the carafe pours very accurately. Although I haven't yet missed the opening, I do struggle briefly with those last few drops unless I use my right hand. The housing is fairly tall, so if your counter space is only under the cabinets, you may not be able to lift the top in its entirety. (This is when the small rear reservoir becomes a major issue as you have to have room to completely lift the rather large top toward the back.) Clearance required: 7.5" wide by 8.5" deep of counter space with no overhead obstruction to pull out for filling OR 21.5" of overhead space to fully lift top. Without the top open, the coffee maker measures 7.5"w x 8.5"d x 14.25"h.

If you have the space for this coffee maker, you'll love it. I can't attest to how long it will last, but, as it comes with a three year warranty, I'm hoping for a good run.

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Nokia Lumia 710 4G Prepaid Windows Phone, White (T-Mobile)

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $299.99
Sale Price: $209.99
Today's Bonus: 30% Off

I'm one of those that gets a new phone every 6-8 months. I'm not loaded with money or anything (I wish!) but I always get a good deal on my new phone and sell the old one to help pay for my new one. One phone I bought is the Nokia Lumia 710 for T-Mobile, which runs Windows Phone 7.5 which is a bit different than the usual Android or iOS. My current phone is the top of line bleeding edge Samsung Galaxy S III, but I still like the Lumia 710 a lot!

All in all, I definitely recommend the Lumia 710 if you just want something different, want something simple, or are new to the smartphone world. Do keep in mind that Windows Phone 8 (this phone runs 7.5) is right around the corner and with it, all new Windows phones will come out. I'm just very pleased with the simplicity and smoothness of the Lumia 710 and Windows Phone 7.5. For the price, I don't think you can go wrong.

I copied a bit from my Epinions review of the Lumia 710, but I will add some points specific to this item on Amazon. This is advertised as "prepaid" but you can simply put your postpaid monthly plan SIM in the phone and have a contract free upgrade. Note that this uses what's called a microSIM, which is half the size of a normal SIM card it comes in the box, so you can call T-Mobile and switch over to this new microSIM for free.

Some will say "$200 for this entry level outdated piece of junk?" -where else are you going to find a decently loaded phone for $200 without a contract?? Don't forget that this is NO CONTRACT. Smartphones are expensive these days. T-Mobile sells this directly for $350 without a contract. Yes, Windows 8 and a new line of Lumia phones will be out soon but I'm happy with the 710 as-is. It text messages flawlessly, has a great 5MP camera w/ auto focus and flash, and is a 4G phone. Windows doesn't have as many apps as Android so don't get this if you are an app-a-holic. I'm not, so I'm fine. I just need Netflix, TuneIn streaming radio, Facebook, email etc -all of which this Lumia does with ease.

By the way, this is the perfect 'first smartphone' for young and older folks alike. Two of my younger relatives got the Lumia, as well as my middle aged mother and aunt. They are ALL enjoying their Lumias and wouldn't dream of going back to a plain phone! I've had a smartphone for years but only this year did I convince them into getting one, and the Lumia is perfect to start with.

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Sirui R4203 R Series Tripod Legs 3 Section 59.1in Height Carbon

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $746.95
Sale Price: $479.21
Today's Bonus: 36% Off

I have been looking for a robust tripod to use for landscape photography with my Nikon D800, but I was discouraged by the high price tags for some of the well known brands. I wanted carbon fiber legs that would handle the weight of longer telephoto lenses, and looked for over-sized diameter legs to help with stability and vibration reduction. I did not want a tripod with a center column as I felt this would detract from ruggedness and stability, but I needed enough height for my 6'3" frame.

The Sirui R4203 met those requirements and my initial impressions are universally positive. This tripod has a professional look and feel that inspire confidence, is well constructed and solid, and is priced under $500, about half the price of competing models of the same quality. I have paired this tripod with a RRS BH-55 head and L-bracket, and this combination feels very solid and stable. I have yet to take the equipment out for field testing, but first impressions are very positive.

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Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Standard Zoom Lens

Customer Ratings:

After several years of use of the prior iteration of this lens, I've now had about a month of use with the II. This lens is beautifully sharp absolutely no question as to it being an improvement of what was already a wonderful lens. Generally speaking, I've found that I do not sharpen images in post to the extent that I used to, if at all, with no changes to camera settings. I've been using this with a full frame (5D III) and this is definitely my standard lens that I walk around with now. While this model is still heavy, it's significantly lighter than the last model. Though I don't particularly notice that around my neck, I find that the camera sits better against my chest with a standard neck strap than it did with the earlier lens, which tended to pull down on the camera body. That said, you may find in a full day of walking that a lighter weight lens is preferable. There are definitely days when I feel like just putting a 50mm prime on the camera and calling it a day.

Controls on the lens body operate smoothly perhaps not quite so smoothly as on the earlier model, but close enough the lens barrel itself may be where some of the weight savings come into play, but this is mere speculation on my part. Don't forget that this lens has an 82mm filter diameter, so all your filters for the last model will need to be replaced. The 82mm size is a little large for smaller hands to manipulate as easily, but this won't be a significant issue for most. Neither this nor its predecessor has image stabilization. That is truly a non-issue with Canon's current line of cameras where your shooting ISO can be increased quite reasonably to the point where a handheld shutter speed is attained with almost any aperture. Obviously, your situations may vary from routine daytime exterior shots, but I found that I could obtain quite acceptable HDR shots where the camera shoots three pictures in rapid succession while holding the camera without a tripod inside an old church. I prefer saving the ounces to having IS in this particular lens.

The II is significantly more expensive than the earlier model. If cost is not an issue, I'd say the decision is clear Canon has made significant improvements with the new version. If cost is an issue, obtaining the earlier model instead would not be an incorrect decision; the cost differential will buy a lot of other gear. But you may find yourself eventually longing for the improved sharpness and lighter weight.

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Lexar JumpDrive S73 64GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive LJDS73-64GASBNA

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $149.99
Sale Price: $39.86
Today's Bonus: 73% Off

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program

I've tried out a couple USB 3.0 Flash Drives and this one does UNDERPERFORM compared to some of the other flash drives out there on the market. I knew there is a bunch of back and forth on the reviews of this drive and it's ability to maintain certain speeds, so I created this video to document my findings. If you find this video useful please click "yes".

Thanks!

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ViewSonic ViewPad 7 7-Inch Android 2.2 Tablet - Black (Wifi

Customer Ratings:

OK I received my VPad7 yesterday afternoon, and so far I'm MOSTLY Happy!

It's zippy, but I do wish they had put in a 1Ghz processor. Will probably force it out of a Honeycomb Upgrade.

I can not get Adobe Flash to install, but so far I haven't found that to be an issue on the web.

Viewing Angels not a problem, Battery life We'll see after it's conditioned but so far I'd estimate 4-8hrs depending on activities.

Tested Transformers 720p HD and not one flicker

Sound from it's little speakers Impressive!

Dropped my T-Mobile SIM in and BOOM instant Big Phone :D The Speed only shows Edge, but I'm in a funky location.

Phone quality Just got off a 1 hour conference call using both the speakerphone option and the plugin headset. No complaints from anyone. I heard the other end just fine.

Reception signal is actually BETTER with this than with my actual T-Mobile HD2 phone.

Highly Recommend getting a MicroUSB card as the internal memory is minimal. Get the more expensive FAST card for better performance.

Streaming music, sounds Great just as nice as an MP3.

GPS works like a champ!

Angry birds works great :D

My only other Gripe is the keyboard It functions fine, but I'd like to use the Market's Better Keyboard, which after installed and enabled doesn't swap out for the swype keyboard that is standard.

I may look into the "rooting" options that people have done with it's big brother, but so far it's handsomely accomplished everything I've tasked it with!

If you're looking for a Bigger Screen Smartphone, and don't want to pay that extra Data Fee that the carriers are forcing on us, this is CURRENTLY your best option! and with that extra Data Fee you can't use it's competitors (Galaxy Tab for example) as a phone, even though they have the capability.

If I have luck with rooting and installing any custom ROM, I'll post my results. It's not a top priority ATM as it's satisfactory as it is.

TO Viewsonic Get is certified for Flash, and unlock it so I can use whatever virtual keyboard I want and you'd get 5 stars!!

Update: 5/30 OK after using it awhile I've come up with two major flaws this may be MY actual device, or an actual design flaw 1) Charging has become a game I have to Cinch the Power cord behind the Tablet using something to Hold it in place back there then maneuver the USB plug just right or it won't charge. 2)the "Buzzer" now goes off if you hold the the Tablet too tight or if its in my computer bag; and won't stop until you slap it. So it now sits in a cradle, it functions fine and I still use it, but not outside of my home office.... I should have returned/exchanged it, but I had such problems getting basic information from Viewsonics' Customer Service, I just re purposed it and got the XOOM which I LOVE 110%. Hopefully no one else has had this issue, if not for that I'd Still give it 4 Stars.

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