Time to keep my word.

I sincerely hope that you find a very deserving person for the lens.

Your generousity is remarkalble.

Hi there, I really appreciate your generosity! I don't know if I qualify, as I do have 3 lenses with my pentax. The 24-70 f2.8 has been a real disappointment for me, and I was hoping for something I could use for wide angle use. I have my wedding and honeymoon coming up in September. I mainly use my photography to do my friend's weddings for free, as I really enjoy shooting people. The sigma 17-70 would really be wonderful for my trip to Santorini, Greece.

You can see my shots at http://jessewong.blogspot.com

Other than that, I am pretty much a student shooting whenever I can. I'm in Africa right now doing a short term mission and have been getting some wonderful shots of the local people.
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Pentax K100D = Sigma 24-70mm f2.8, Zenitar 16 , Pentax 70-210 A F4

Agreed, a worthy recipient!
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Cheers

Gordon
Perth, Western Australia

http://www.pbase.com/gordonhaywood

... this is a very kind gesture. You surely set an example we could all follow.
--
Cheers

Gordon
Perth, Western Australia

http://www.pbase.com/gordonhaywood

WOW!

I have to say this is probably the most generous offering from a "normal" forum member that I have seen so far (and I have been browsing different forums for best part of last 7 years)

In a way I wish I could qualify, but that would be unfair, to some others who would benefit such a lens a lot more, as I have the kit, and most importantly FA 43 LTD in this range, so I disqualify myself... in any case impressive gesture!!!

--
common sense is anything but common

Yes I think there are probably more people who want it but I was also thinking about this one!

Probably the shipping cost would be to much for him!

Dublo this is a great GIFT you are giving away!

Hi,

First of all, I would like to thank you for allowing someone to get a good lens like this ! This is truly a generous offer, one of the kind we don't see very often!

I think I might be worthy of carrying that lens for its next adventure! Starting in July, my lovely girlfriend (Roxanne) and I, are leaving on a one year trip that should take us all around the globe. It will take us to Iceland, Europe, India, Australia and South America (more detailed itinerary at the bottom of this message). We are leaving with minimum equipment: backpacks containing a tent, 2 sleeping bags, camping stove and cooking stuff … the basics… and our photo and video equipment.

I currently have a K100D. I chose the K100D for its AA batteries, which should be practical around the world. My girlfriend has some decent video equipment too. Since we will be doing a lot of treks, we are looking to travel as light as possible and therefore, we have seriously considered the Sigma 17-70 as a good travel lens. In all honesty though, we recently bought the Sigma 18-125, as it fit our budget.

Upon our return, we will make presentations and conferences about what we have learned during our trip, mainly in schools in our area (Roxanne is a first grade teacher). We will also do some work with "Les Grands Explorateurs" ( http://www.lesgrandsexplorateurs.com ) (sorry, french only) which basically is an organization that allows us to make presentations (movie + pics) in theaters in many cities.

I could go on and on about our project, but I think that summarizes it pretty well. We're leaving everything behind to live this ultimate experience ; I'm selling my house, leaving my job, everything. Consider my request as this : not only will you make a lovely couple happy, but you'll also make children's eyes and faces go "WOW" next year when we get back home !

• our detailed itinerary : Leaving from Quebec > Iceland > Paris > The French Alps > Germany > The Pyrennes > Corsica > Italy > Greece > India and/or Nepal > Malaysia > Australia > New Zealand > Peru and/or Bolivia… and back home!

• oh… anyone in these countries that can offer us a little space to pitch our tent?!?

Thank you.
Martin D
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It's not just a sock, it's an adventure!!!

That's one generous offer! I thought I was generous giving my dad the kit lens. He's the one who got me into photography giving me a Pentax ME years ago. We both bought the DL around the same time but he bought the body only (against my advice.) He has M lenses that work fine on the DL (but shouldn't everyone experience autofocus on a DSLR.) I loaned him the kit lens for a vacation he took and he was amazed at the autofocus (as he had never used an autofocus lens before.) Needless to say I couldn't take it back from him. It's left me short at the wide end but I smile everytime he sends me a pic and says - 'I could've never gotten this without autofocus.'

Just wanted to share my story and say good luck on your search. Always nice when you can make someone else's day (in this case it will probably make someone's year!)

Thomas:
Your post brought tears to my eyes.
I have a 17-70, so I don't need one, but my hat's off to you, buddy!
Djedi
--
frustrated photog

Initially I intented to answer every single post, but as I have just arrived in Copenhagen I can see that it would be hard to do that for a full week.

I thank you all greatly for your kind compliments. I appreciate them greatly.

I also agree that there is at least one user I see as a candidate wether he sees this post or not.

Having said that, this thread will remain open to all of you as stated in the first post.

Thanks again for your kind compliments, those are much more than I deserve. I am glad you can not see me, I am blushing rather heavily.

I value you responses so far a lot and hope to find the right home to this lens in ths thread. and that is the main thing, finding a needing home for it.

Thanks again.
--
Thomas

Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool
http://www.duplophotography.com/
http://www.my.opera.com/duplo
My pictures categorised by lens used:
http://main.duplophotography.com/f311992052/

What a lovely gesture. I'm sure you'll find a good and appreciative home. And at some stage the god(s) of Karma will shine on you.

All the best,

Guy
--
GMT +11

I have no use for a 17-70mm, but kudos on your generosity.

Here's to hoping it makes someone very happy.

I wish I could say that I qualify for this lense, but I do not.

You are doing an amazingly generous thing here.... cheers to you.
--
'that's my story and I'm sticking to it.'

gruelin1 PDX

something to the effect that we are here on earth to make a contribution. Besides, it feels good. Thanks for the kinds words, but really not necessary. What you are providing to someone in need is very, very fine optics. Well done, Mon Ami, Mi Amigo. Don A.
--



'Nothing could-be-finah-than-to-be-in-Carolina-in-the-morninnnnnn...'

Thank you for your fine words.
--
Thomas

Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool
http://www.duplophotography.com/
http://www.my.opera.com/duplo
My pictures categorised by lens used:
http://main.duplophotography.com/f311992052/

An amazing offer indeed! I am impressed with things like this even if its not for me. I just got my K10D a few weeks ago with a Sigma 24-135 f/2.8-4.5 I also just received a Pentax M 50 f/1.7 in the mail today from I'm sure a user on this board (you know who you are Thanks).

With that, I don't see myself as a candidate. I actually wanted that Sigma 17-70 lens but couldn't find it anywhere. Maybe someday I will end up with one. But to whoever gets this one will enjoy the lens and be grateful to the OP of this thread for giving it out of generosity...not greed. We need more people in the world like this.

Someday, whenever I get enough lenses I hope that I could be in a position to give one of my lenses away to someone who needs it most like a student or someone.

Bravo to you and best wishes to you and the person who gets it!!!!

Thank you for the offer and I would like to get in line to apply for it. I have purchased pentax k100D with 18-55 mm lens kit and Pentax DA 50-200 earlier today from BuyDig.com and BH separartely. Though a bit late from my last year wish, I have fulfilled what I planned to do in moving from p&s to dSLR with Pentax few hours ago.

http://hintheman.blogspot.com/2006/09/my-next-camera.html

I am amateur to photography but I truely have a heart for it. Photography brings great joy to my life. I have deepest appreciation to two things in life -- people & art. I always can see good things in people and I appreciate the life and beauty captured in photography. Thank you for your generosity.

More of my amateur work in

http://hintheman.blogspot.com/

Sincerely,
Hin

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hin_man/sets/
http://hintheman.blogspot.com/

I've been lurking here since Christmas (I got my K10D as a present) and never registered or tried to post since I never thought I had much to contribute yet. Obviously I am a total newbie trying to learn how to do more than just P&S.

Your announcement, however, made me go through the hustle of registering so I could make my first post.

Duplo, thank you for doing this! This gesture is beyond generous! You made us pause for a moment and think. World indeed could be a better place!
Thanks again!

Just to make it clear I'm not applying for the lens. I certainly do not qualify in any way. Fortunately I could afford this hobby. I intend to order new 16-50 as soon as it becomes available.

Hi Thomas-

I have sent you an email regarding this offer. I do not wish to apply, but I hope the email gets to you. I sent it to the one indicated in your profile. It will come from cviturawong at gmail dot com. You are truly a generous person!

Thomas,

This is amazingly generous of you and I’d like to put my name in the hat.

You said you want to give the lens to the one who needs it the most. The meaning of ‘need’ here is obviously a bit specific. I can’t help thinking that any of us privileged enough to have got ahold of a DSLR in the first place can’t be in need of much, but I’ll say my piece.

I found a new love of photography at the beginning of this year. By combining my Christmas present, my next birthday present and some of my saved allowance (I’m a student just approaching the end of secondary school and my Baccalaureate exams), I was able to get a DL in the post-Christmas sales. I have gained enormous pleasure from taking pictures, and it’s given me a whole new perspective on everything around me. I’m no Cartier-Bresson but if I can make images that please me then I’m happy. In no real, fundamental sense do I deserve this lens, but I can assure you that given the chance I’d make darned good use of it.

Regards,
Matthew

--
John/Matthew Allen
Bofferdange, Luxembourg
http://www.homepages.lu/allen