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Pentax 70mm f/2.4 DA Limited Lens
Pentax 70mm f/2.4 DA Limited Lens
posted by abcnoonoi 1 day 5 hours 1 minute ago
Pentax 70mm f/2.4 DA Limited Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics) I've gone sort of nuts buying Pentax lenses for my k5 and kx. I have the 10-17 Fisheye, 15mm Limited, 21mm Limited, 35 mm Macro Limited, 40 mm Limited, 70 mm Limited, 200mm DA*, 50mm Takumar m42 and just bought the 50mm f1.2 SMCA. I take a lot of events/street, flowers and nature shots. If you want to take portraits and candids with Pentax, this is the lens. It basically has the same effective focal length as the classic 135 on a full frame/film camera which helps with perspective. I think the color, contrast, and sharpness of the 70mm is the best of any of the modern Pentax lenses that I own. And the size is amazingly small. It is also pretty good right from f2.4 wide open, especially for portraits where a touch of softness is an advantage. I tend to use the 35mm Limited and 50mm lenses more, but that's substantially related to preference and not due to the quality of the 70mm lens. I highly recommend this lens for portrait photography. You can see my photos with EXIF info here: [...] .
Read more...Tamron SP AF 2x Pro Teleconverter
Tamron SP AF 2x Pro Teleconverter
posted by abcnoonoi 1 day 5 hours 3 minutes ago
Tamron SP AF 2x Pro Teleconverter for Canon Mount Lenses (Electronics) This is for the "Tamron SP AF 2x Pro Teleconverter for Nikon Mount Lenses". However, I feel the review has pertinent information for canon-mount TCs too. I have attached a picture of the newly designed nikon-mount 2x TC in customer pictures above (again, I know this is page is a canon-mount product but the info applies to both types) First, I wanted to give everyone a heads-up. The pictured item for this product (as of today 5/13/11) is white with a black rubberized grip on it. However, recently Tamron changed the style of the teleconverter to be all black. I confirmed this with Tamron directly (you can too - 1-800-827-8880) and the rep said that as long as the teleconverter has a model number 300F on it that it's the correct "pro" 2x teleconverter as opposed to their lower-end 2x teleconverter. As to my experience with the product, the quality and build seems great. I've always been impressed with Tamron as an alternative to pricier lens companies. I'm using it primarily with a Tamron 18-270 PZD VC lens and the extra reach is incredible (at full tele with the D90 crop factor the lens' 35mm equivalent focal length is 820mm!!). When attached to my Nikon D90 body, however, the Vibration Compensation (VC) is a little spotty. It will work MOST of the time and stabilization efficacy doesn't seem to be affected, but on occasion the VC will just no longer activate. A very quick and easy fix for it is to just semi-detach and then reattach the lens/telconverter (don't have to fully remove) and voila the VC works again -- if only for a little while. Strange issue, but not too much of a hassle. When I contacted Tamron about the VC issue the representative informed me that it is because this teleconverter is "not compatible" with any VC lenses (at least Tamron ones), which perhaps explains the sporadic functionality. However, I usually understand "not compatible" to mean "doesn't work ever" but my experience is that the VC on my 18-270 PZD VC works just fine -- just when it's in a good mood. Overall, I'm very happy with this teleconverter. Don't expect AF to work unless you're using it with a very fast lens because it attenuates the amount of light (basically, if your lens is a f/2.8, adding this TC makes it an f/5.6). And to my knowledge the majority of AF systems don't function well or don't function at all at apertures smaller than f/5.6 (feel free to correct me in the comments). That said, AF did work under bright conditions, so again it's not that big a deal. In short, you get a lot of extra reach, but you have to give up AF and VC sometimes. But there's no free lunch in the world and unless you want to drop a few grand on a fast tele lens, this is a good alternative for ~$250. But realistically if you're expecting to hand-hold an 800mm lens then perhaps your expectations need some reconsideration ;) .
Read more...Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX ED VR Nikkor Wide-Angle Telephoto Zoom Lens
Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX ED VR Nikkor Wide-Angle Telephoto Zoom Lens
posted by abcnoonoi 1 day 5 hours 6 minutes ago
Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX ED VR Nikkor Wide-Angle Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras (Camera) As an avid landscape photographer, I have been pleased with the convenience of the Nikkor 18-200VR on my D300 (which I absolutely love!). But I have been hoping to get sharper images and greater focal range by switching over to the new Nikkor 16-85VR paired with the 70-300VR. Overall I am very pleased with the 16-85. My initial observations: - I noticed a significant improvement in the exposure of landscape shots (not as dramatic on indoor shots). Outdoors, I regularly shot with a -.7 adjustment as images tented to be slightly over-exposed with the 18-200. With the 16-85 lens the images came out with much improved exposure. Images just look better to the eye and as noted in comparative histograms from many test shots. - Ditto with improved color accuracy. I was pleasantly surprised to see how much better colors were captured with this lens. Again, this is most noticable in outdoor images. - Improved image sharpness was not as pronounced as hoped but at least equalled or exceeded 18-200 in most instances with a shutter speed of at least 1/20 sec. Surprisingly my initial test shots revealed that between 1/6 to 1/20 the VR was just comparable or in some instances not quite as good as the 18-200 across all focal lengths from 18-85. I often end up shooting at slow speeds and have been impressed with the ability to shoot so low with VRII in the 18-200 and the 16-85. - Balance is better with 18-200. Perhaps this is a minor nit, but for handheld shots, the D300 seems slightly better balanced with the larger 18-200 than with the 16-85. Perhaps this allows for a steadier hand at slow shooting speeds. (note: I realize this may be simpily a matter of having become so comfortable with the feel of the 18-200 on a D300 and this nit may go away the more I use the 16-85.) - The extra 2 degrees of wide angle is nice and looks like it will mean not having to switch over to my 12-24mm zoom quite as much. - The lens action is comparable to the 18-200 - but NO barrel creep. Shooting with the lens barrel angled down in no problem with the 16-85. Overall this is a nice lens which I plan to keep because it delivers such noticeable accuracy improvements in exposure and color...plus the extra 2 degrees and no barrel creep. p.s. I just got the 70-300 yesterday so don't have much comparative testing but overall the image quality in the 70-200 focal range seems to be slightly better than the 18-200, and you have the longer focal length and NO barrel creep. .
Read more...Olympus 35mm f/3.5 1
Olympus 35mm f/3.5 1
posted by abcnoonoi 1 day 5 hours 9 minutes ago
Olympus 35mm f/3.5 1:1 Macro Zuiko Lens for E Series DSLR (Electronics) This lense was purchased to photograph Native American jewelry for a web page and to utilize in e mail images to be mailed to clients. The picture quality is excellent, with little adjusting needed to accomplish your task. Utilizing your aperature settings also helps in achieving a great shot in various degrees of light. Check out the great shots I have achieved with this lens. http://www.landeaglegallery /index_files/Page2580.htm Great lens!!!!! Olympus 35mm f/3.5 1:1 Macro Zuiko Lens for E Series DSLR (Electronics) Among the finest lenses which Olympus produced for its OM series SLR system were its exceptional line of macro lenses. For the relatively new Four Thirds System Digital SLRs pioneered originally by Sigma, but now including Olympus, Panasonic and Leica, Olympus has introduced a slightly longer than normal focal length (approximately 70mm in 35mm format) macro lens which goes to 1:1 magnification without any additional extension tubes or bellows..
Read more...Panasonic 25mm f/1.4 Four Thirds Lens
Panasonic 25mm f/1.4 Four Thirds Lens
posted by abcnoonoi 1 day 5 hours 12 minutes ago
Panasonic 25mm f/1.4 Four Thirds Lens for Panasonic Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics) I agree this lens is brilliant - sharp, superb smooth bookeh, and great low light performance. This prime lens (i.e. it is not a zoom) forces you to be in the scene which makes for a more authentic almost immersive viewer perspective as the perspective is very close to the human eye. Similar to Leica street photography - by the way Leica Germany provided the algorithm for the lens design - this lens is based on the Leica f1.4 Summilux lens and also bears the Summilux name on the front - in a sense a Leica lens build by the Japanese to German quality standards. I have had the lens since 2007 and use it on my Leica Digilux-3 SLR (incidentally also build by Panasonic with some differences though). This great lens is my favourite lens and is almost permanently attached. The lens will work with all 4/3 standard cameras i.e. Panasonic L1, Leica D3, Olympus SLRs and for other brands one could possibly use a 4/3 adapter (not sure though). A really great lens, it will be a collector's item one day. .
Read more...Nikon 85mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens
Nikon 85mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens
posted by abcnoonoi 1 day 5 hours 14 minutes ago
Nikon 85mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics) I've had my eye on this lens for some time, but was very hesitant to spend the money on it. I bought it a couple of months ago and have used it almost exclusively on my D90 since then. This is a great lens, and I know it was the right lens for me to add to my photo gear right now. I agree with previous reviewers, there are 2 main reasons to buy this lens. First, if you shoot in low light conditions this lens performs incredibly well. The other day I was at my kids' school taking some musical photos for the yearbook. The auditorium manager was out for the day, so we couldn't turn on the stage lights. We only used the house lights and a very small amount of background stage lights, so it was very dark and I wasn't feeling optimistic about getting some decent shots. But wide open, the lens was capable of producing sharp, clear, decently exposed images. The other main reason to buy this lens is the bokeh, of course. It is very smooth and beautiful. However, this lens does take some practice and skill when shooting wide open. It is a very sharp lens even at 1.4, but there is no room for error with focus since the depth of field is so narrow. One other thing that I really like about this lens is it's size and weight. It's hefty and well-built, but isn't too heavy or cumbersome on my D90. I feel perfectly comfortable walking around with this lens. Sometimes people suggest getting a 70-200mm before or instead of the 85mm, but for me this lens is a much better fit and more versatile. Yes, the 70-200mm also has great bokeh, has a more versatile range, and can be better for indoor sports. But it's size and weight are a major negative me. I wouldn't use a 70-200mm for casual portraits, or as a walk around lens, or everyday casual shots. In my opinion, the 85mm is great in all of those situations. There are some negatives to this lens - it is a little too long on a DX body at times and there are some chromatic aberration and flare issues when shooting wide open. If you are thinking about getting this lens, do your homework and figure out of this is a right fit for you. For me, it is a very versatile lens and a great performer and I am completely satisfied with it. .
Read more...Sigma APO Teleconverter 2x EX DG
Sigma APO Teleconverter 2x EX DG
posted by abcnoonoi 1 day 5 hours 17 minutes ago
Sigma APO Teleconverter 2x EX DG for Canon Mount Lenses (Electronics) I am using this doubler on a Canon T2i with a Sigma 120-400 APO. The first thing you should know on most of the Canon line this teleconverter will disable the AF function. There's a way around that (just google it) but my camera didn't like it and focused poorly, so you are forced to re-learn how to focus manually. We have all been spoiled by AF I think. :) I usually shoot only hand-held, that is no monopod or tripod. With the doubler on I couldn't get a sharp image to save my life. I at first thought maybe my eyeglasses were throwing off my focus so I switched to my contact lenses and had the same issue. I was a bit frustrated at this as most of my photography is of wildlife and I have always found tripods slow me down. I next tried the setup with both my monopod and my tripod. The results were like night and day! The images were sharp, not quite as sharp as without it mind you but extremely acceptable, and the ability to focus improved now that I wasn't spending all the energy trying to keep the camera still. So, unless you have the eyes of an eagle and the steadiness of a demolitions expert, buy this doubler with the idea of using it on a monopod or a tripod for best results and you won't be disappointed. .
Read more...Tamron AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD IF Macro Lens
Tamron AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD IF Macro Lens
posted by abcnoonoi 1 day 5 hours 20 minutes ago
Tamron AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD IF Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics) quality glass, light weight design, tripod collar can be removed even mounted, focus is fast and accurate, but did it with a noise and impatient way. produce exceptional bokeh and generate vivid color. A++ item. Tamron AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD IF Macro Lens with Built in Motor for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics) All of you out there that are reading this review of the Tamron 70-200 are probably in one of two categories. 1) Looking for a fast low light zoom but don't wont to pay the price of the Nikon/Canon 2..
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