Do shooters use their lens or just talk about them?

I'm in a wondering mood today. Happy new year, 2013.

Both.

/thread

I dust them sometimes.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to you as well! 

Only a hobbyist, busy life... but I 'try' to use them....

A couple from yesterday with the Nikkor 28mm 2.8 AIS...I am really liking these MF Lenses. Just one more special lens to get (after bit of saving) and my 'kit' is complete.....really .



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.....Just from an amateur......''Sometimes it's to your advantage for people to think you're crazy.”

Or maybe two....     .

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.....Just from an amateur......''Sometimes it's to your advantage for people to think you're crazy.”

I love that lens. Nice shots, br...

So what lens(es) is/are in your sights?

My macro lens makes a fine paperweight!

as with my 200mm f2, which I sold.

So that's what those 'AF-S' thingies are for...

Let's hear those shutters clicking...

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Leonard Migliore

Well, I had been keen on the 180 2.8 AIS, but have been looking at some photos with the 80-200 2.8 push pull and am really quite taken with the rendition, colors, sharpness, bokeh of that lens too, seems really versatile. Should suit my sports stuff quite well. I am using the 75-150 3.5 E at racing but the 2.8 could complement it, I would use both differently.

I would have to MF the 80-200 push pull until I upgrade my D5000, but I am quite happy with that, much more concerned with the rendition. Looking at some photos on pbase and flickr, absolutely fantastic...to me anyway.

What is pushing me this way is that I (cant / shouldnt) get both that and the 180, so have to make a choice and the 180 is going for much $$$ these days too, just a couple hundred short of the 80-200 push pull, which goes for about $550 in good condition (about the max I would wish to spend for a mid/ longer tele and comparable to a new 70-300 VR in price).

As it is I am happy and can do fine with what I have, but this is more of a desire, albeit not an outrageous one, $550 for a great optically, little tank (so they say) seems good spend to me.

The other lens is an 85mm 1.4. I really cant afford the Nikon, and the images i have seen with the Samyang are quite excellent, to me. Seems also good spend, $330 or thereabouts for a good little 85mm 1.4. Again, more of a desire, as I already have a similar length excellent lens 105 2,.5 AI.

But the low light ability and the depth of field play would be fun.

So, those are the two desires...over time, saving a bit here and there.

The last desire is a bit out of the park though, cant justify it...well can, but wont. That is the 50mm 1.2 AIS, which still goes for about $500 used....and from the images on sites....you can see why, in my opinion. I will stick with my nice and sharp Nikkor-S 50MM 1.4 Auto, nice rendition on this lens too.

Cheers

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.....Just from an amateur......''Sometimes it's to your advantage for people to think you're crazy.”

Which group are you in?

maljo

I just recently acquired the 80-200 f/2.8 ED, the two-ring (not push/pull) version of the same lens, for about $600 (+$35 for a lens hood). I've only had occasion to shoot with it three times so far, but I think it might be the single best lens purchase I've ever made.

And I'm totally lusting after the 50mm f/1.2 ais, also. But I think I might take the money I would spend on that and put it toward the new sigma 35mm, if the reviews keep coming off as stellar as they have been.

there are too many 200mm 300mm and 400mm lens to select from.

I use them all. Each of them have different characteristics and I find it an additional fun challenge to figure out where best to use them.

For instance, by happenstance, I figured out that my Nikon 55 f/1.2 AI'ed is outstanding for landcapes (use a hood and stop down to f/5.6 or f/8). Who would have thought an f/1.2 lens would be best for landscapes? But it is.

Even my ancient 13.5cm (yes marked in cm not mm) is used from time to time, even though it flares, etc.

Now I do have an old Quantary 24 f/2.8, a Soligor 24 f/2.8 and and a Vivitar Series 1 zoom that are just downright terrible. I got them when I bought a "box of lenses" at a yard sale. I have tested and tested, but so far these lenses are just too terrible to use. No real redeeming qualities that I could find. I need to just thow them out with the trash. So I guess I could say that I "collected" them and do not use them!

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Catallaxy

Ha...I have that same Quantaray. Absolutely terrible. I hear there are good copies out there, but mine sure as hell ain't one of them.

From what I have seen, that is a good price you got the 80-200 for, the two ring does sell for a bit more. I would be very happy with the push pull though. Thanks for the vote of confidence on the lens, though, affiirms my thoughts. And it is reasonable pricing, not pie in the sky to save for.

Yes, I have seen many refer to the Sigma, very attractive. The 50mm 1.2 AIS does show what people will pay for quality though, bidding on sites such as ebay dont make fun about this lens. But then again, for a solidly built all mechanical lens that 'should' not break down... with its qualities it makes sense.

And truthfully, compared to Leica and Zeiss prices, it is fairly reasonable.

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.....Just from an amateur......''Sometimes it's to your advantage for people to think you're crazy.”

Some absolutely swear by the Vivitar Series 1 lenses, but that may be too general a statement, some swear by THEIR copy, but many can be found on Ebay at low pricing, unlike many lenses for Nikon F, while it is generally hard to find Nikon F mount lenses selling for 'bargain' prices, meaning good condition for low ish pricing, moreso difficult than most other brands.

But again, may it is sample variation or difference in manufacturer, as Vivitar was known to use many, the serial number should tell you.

Kiron serial numbers start with 22... and Komine 28... Tokina 37..., the others made by such as Cosina did not seem to have much of a reputation. Does yours start with any of those three or something else?

The lens that would be interesting to test is the Vivitar Series 1 200mm f3. Although seems hard to find on Ebay.  I was once on the verge of buying a Vivitar 28mm f2 Close Focus made by Komine. But waited instead for a reasonable priced 28mm 2.8 AIS.

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.....Just from an amateur......''Sometimes it's to your advantage for people to think you're crazy.”

Many of the Vivitar Series 1 primes were wonderful lower priced, but higher quality lenses. My Vivitar Series 1 135 f/2.3 is one of those. However Vivitar also rebadged a lot of junk zooms near the end of their run. The zooms had taken over in popularity and Vivitar tried to adapt. Unfortunately many of the zooms were of low optical quality, even for the times. Those later Vivitars are often terrible on DSLRs.

I am still glad they made them however. The pressure from Vivitar and Tamron (Adaptall anyone?) forced the big boys to start making some decent zooms.

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Catallaxy