Reading mode: Light Dark

Sel 55-210: bargain price

Go to last post
J

JaviB

Forum Enthusiast
Messages
274
Reaction score
198
Today It was on Amazon Spain for 170€ brand new in black and I couldn't resist.

Right now my longest focal length is the 70mm of my 16-70z, and to tell the truth, I've not felt the necessity of a long telephoto.

My lenses are samyamg 12f2, sel24f18z, FE28F2, Sel50f18, and sel16-70z. In the past I had sigma 30f2.8 and sigma 60f2.8, so I'm used to very sharp lenses and wide apertures.

I know the 55-210 is not going to be on par with my other lenses, but for that price it was worth giving it a try. I don't want to spend what the FE70-200 or the FE70-300 cost, and they are very bulky so I know I would be lazy to carry one oh them.

I'll post my impressions when the sel55-210 arrives.
 
Last edited:
JaviB said:
Today It was on Amazon Spain for 170€ brand new in black and I couldn't resist.

Right now my longest focal length is the 70mm of my 16-70z, and to tell the truth, I've not felt the necessity of a long telephoto.

My lenses are samyamg 12f2, sel24f18z, FE28F2, Sel50f18, and sel16-70z. In the past I had sigma 30f2.8 and sigma 60f2.8, so I'm used to very sharp lenses and wide apertures.

I know the 55-210 is not going to be on par with my other lenses, but for that price it was worth giving it a try. I don't want to spend what the FE70-200 or the FE70-300 cost, and they are very bulky so I know I would be lazy to carry one oh them.

I'll post my impressions when the sel55-210 arrives.
Click to expand...
Bargain price for Parkin performance.

i never liked long lenses, my longest lens is the fe55. Super long shots of birds require no creativity, your shots of bits are the same as anyone else’s. I can save thousands of dollars and get better images just subscribing to National Geographic instead.
 
MisJay said:
JaviB said:
Today It was on Amazon Spain for 170€ brand new in black and I couldn't resist.

Right now my longest focal length is the 70mm of my 16-70z, and to tell the truth, I've not felt the necessity of a long telephoto.

My lenses are samyamg 12f2, sel24f18z, FE28F2, Sel50f18, and sel16-70z. In the past I had sigma 30f2.8 and sigma 60f2.8, so I'm used to very sharp lenses and wide apertures.

I know the 55-210 is not going to be on par with my other lenses, but for that price it was worth giving it a try. I don't want to spend what the FE70-200 or the FE70-300 cost, and they are very bulky so I know I would be lazy to carry one oh them.

I'll post my impressions when the sel55-210 arrives.
Click to expand...
Bargain price for Parkin performance.

i never liked long lenses, my longest lens is the fe55. Super long shots of birds require no creativity, your shots of bits are the same as anyone else’s. I can save thousands of dollars and get better images just subscribing to National Geographic instead.
Click to expand...
Hi

I do not think the above poster ever owned the lens.

You can get great photos with the 55-210. Enjoy the lens.

Let us know what you think and post some of your good photos for us to see.

Brad
 
Bradrobb said:
MisJay said:
JaviB said:
Today It was on Amazon Spain for 170€ brand new in black and I couldn't resist.

Right now my longest focal length is the 70mm of my 16-70z, and to tell the truth, I've not felt the necessity of a long telephoto.

My lenses are samyamg 12f2, sel24f18z, FE28F2, Sel50f18, and sel16-70z. In the past I had sigma 30f2.8 and sigma 60f2.8, so I'm used to very sharp lenses and wide apertures.

I know the 55-210 is not going to be on par with my other lenses, but for that price it was worth giving it a try. I don't want to spend what the FE70-200 or the FE70-300 cost, and they are very bulky so I know I would be lazy to carry one oh them.

I'll post my impressions when the sel55-210 arrives.
Click to expand...
Bargain price for Parkin performance.

i never liked long lenses, my longest lens is the fe55. Super long shots of birds require no creativity, your shots of bits are the same as anyone else’s. I can save thousands of dollars and get better images just subscribing to National Geographic instead.
Click to expand...
Hi

I do not think the above poster ever owned the lens.

You can get great photos with the 55-210. Enjoy the lens.

Let us know what you think and post some of your good photos for us to see.

Brad
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Bradrobb said:
MisJay said:
JaviB said:
Today It was on Amazon Spain for 170€ brand new in black and I couldn't resist.

Right now my longest focal length is the 70mm of my 16-70z, and to tell the truth, I've not felt the necessity of a long telephoto.

My lenses are samyamg 12f2, sel24f18z, FE28F2, Sel50f18, and sel16-70z. In the past I had sigma 30f2.8 and sigma 60f2.8, so I'm used to very sharp lenses and wide apertures.

I know the 55-210 is not going to be on par with my other lenses, but for that price it was worth giving it a try. I don't want to spend what the FE70-200 or the FE70-300 cost, and they are very bulky so I know I would be lazy to carry one oh them.

I'll post my impressions when the sel55-210 arrives.
Click to expand...
Bargain price for Parkin performance.

i never liked long lenses, my longest lens is the fe55. Super long shots of birds require no creativity, your shots of bits are the same as anyone else’s. I can save thousands of dollars and get better images just subscribing to National Geographic instead.
Click to expand...
Hi

I do not think the above poster ever owned the lens.

You can get great photos with the 55-210. Enjoy the lens.

Let us know what you think and post some of your good photos for us to see.

Brad

--
I go through life shooting Snap Shots.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bradrobb/
1 Million Views on Flickr
Click to expand...
I totally agree! By his standard, he should sell all his gear and just buy National Geographic - why shoot your own landscapes, all of which are likely inferior to those in that magazine.

One can do a great deal with the 55-210



0ff6842877f146018c0f87d72bd49ab1.jpg



2062b93edac54518a567c66658e3bb11.jpg



e6a77212ffcb42ad8d2d187c86188b79.jpg

3238a52db1ab41b3929d08601177f879.jpg



907fae7382e94b14ab7208d3f8e9e092.jpg



c3de60f818194000b279f10bf48a32a2.jpg



149ad2624fe5409284a853700f007082.jpg



46cc40e599f8417db6470495fe20903d.jpg



452fba21724f4960be938f02dd9fb66b.jpg



a4d510a877f54fa081b7f6f15f36910d.jpg
 
You can find a lot of examples of boring normal and wide angle pictures as well. Actually, even for landscape, a long lens can be used very creatively for very different shots, many of which you simply cannot get with a short lens.
 
Thanks for posting all these wonderful "cookie cutter National Geographic" shots. These guys putting down this lens simply don't know what they are talking about.

The OP should give it a try and it just may open up a new photographic world to him. Before long he might be checking into 300 and even 600 mm lenses,.
 
dkeller said:
You can find a lot of examples of boring normal and wide angle pictures as well. Actually, even for landscape, a long lens can be used very creatively for very different shots, many of which you simply cannot get with a short lens.
Click to expand...
Which is why I carry both the 55-210 and a 12mm, even though my kit and 19mm get the most use.
 
Mordi said:
Bradrobb said:
MisJay said:
JaviB said:
Today It was on Amazon Spain for 170€ brand new in black and I couldn't resist.

Right now my longest focal length is the 70mm of my 16-70z, and to tell the truth, I've not felt the necessity of a long telephoto.

My lenses are samyamg 12f2, sel24f18z, FE28F2, Sel50f18, and sel16-70z. In the past I had sigma 30f2.8 and sigma 60f2.8, so I'm used to very sharp lenses and wide apertures.

I know the 55-210 is not going to be on par with my other lenses, but for that price it was worth giving it a try. I don't want to spend what the FE70-200 or the FE70-300 cost, and they are very bulky so I know I would be lazy to carry one oh them.

I'll post my impressions when the sel55-210 arrives.
Click to expand...
Bargain price for Parkin performance.

i never liked long lenses, my longest lens is the fe55. Super long shots of birds require no creativity, your shots of bits are the same as anyone else’s. I can save thousands of dollars and get better images just subscribing to National Geographic instead.
Click to expand...
Hi

I do not think the above poster ever owned the lens.

You can get great photos with the 55-210. Enjoy the lens.

Let us know what you think and post some of your good photos for us to see.

Brad

--
I go through life shooting Snap Shots.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bradrobb/
1 Million Views on Flickr
Click to expand...
I totally agree! By his standard, he should sell all his gear and just buy National Geographic - why shoot your own landscapes, all of which are likely inferior to those in that magazine.

One can do a great deal with the 55-210

0ff6842877f146018c0f87d72bd49ab1.jpg

2062b93edac54518a567c66658e3bb11.jpg

e6a77212ffcb42ad8d2d187c86188b79.jpg

3238a52db1ab41b3929d08601177f879.jpg

907fae7382e94b14ab7208d3f8e9e092.jpg

c3de60f818194000b279f10bf48a32a2.jpg

149ad2624fe5409284a853700f007082.jpg

46cc40e599f8417db6470495fe20903d.jpg

452fba21724f4960be938f02dd9fb66b.jpg

a4d510a877f54fa081b7f6f15f36910d.jpg
Click to expand...


--
Whenever I say that a piece of gear is not good, I DO NOT mean that it is IMPOSSIBLE to get good shots with it. This is basic logic, please, I shouldn't have to say this.
 
MisJay said:
I can save thousands of dollars and get better images just subscribing to National Geographic instead.
Click to expand...
And if done properly you would never have to leave the house. Just download pictures of where you might have actually visited and call it good.
 
Ray GETS IT JUST FINE. You obviously DON'T if you think using a telephoto lens for nature shots is a waste of time.
 
MisJay said:
Bargain price for Parkin performance.

i never liked long lenses, my longest lens is the fe55. Super long shots of birds require no creativity, your shots of bits are the same as anyone else’s. I can save thousands of dollars and get better images just subscribing to National Geographic instead.
Click to expand...
I only have two questions for you:
  1. Why do you not have a gear list?
  2. Why do you not have a gallery or website with any images you have taken?
Only people that have both of those on this forum (IMO) have any credibility or opinions that account for anything. Since you don't have either, it seems like you (and others on this forum) may have something to hide. Hide what you might ask, I'll leave it to your imagination ;-)

BTW... it's probably best that you do not have any lens longer than the FE55. Save your money with a subscription of National Geographic’s. Taking longer shots than 55mm takes both skill and experience.
 
Last edited:
snapa said:
MisJay said:
Bargain price for Parkin performance.

i never liked long lenses, my longest lens is the fe55. Super long shots of birds require no creativity, your shots of bits are the same as anyone else’s. I can save thousands of dollars and get better images just subscribing to National Geographic instead.
Click to expand...
I only have two questions for you:
  1. Why do you not have a gear list?
  2. Why do you not have a gallery or website with any images you have taken?
Only people that have both of those on this forum (IMO) have any credibility or opinions that account for anything. Since you don't have either, it seems like you (and others on this forum) may have something to hide. Hide what you might ask, I'll leave it to your imagination ;-)

BTW... it's probably best that you do not have any lens longer than the FE55. Save your money with a subscription of National Geographic’s. Taking longer shots than 55mm takes both skill and experience.
Click to expand...
 
MisJay said:
You don't get it do you? The point of taking your own pictures is expressing your own creativity. If you're just going to take the same photos, but not as good as the ones on National Geographic of random birds, that's different from other types of shooting.
Click to expand...
No, I get it very well, thank you. Expressing my own creativity more often than not means taking less than perfect photos. Looking at my less than Pro level photos reminds me of the great vacations I've had and how much fun I had taking those photos.


I was in this place at that time, the lighting was what it was and my camera and lens did the best they could. Somebody else at some other time with some other equipment is going to take a better picture. Maybe I could come back next week or next year with a different camera or lens and get a better shot, but I don't know why any of that would prevent me from buying any particular lens I wanted to buy.

If I chose to be snotty about this I might suggest that NG has some pretty nice pictures taken at 55 mm or less and that yours might not compare to them any better than mine compare to the ones taken at 56 mm or longer.

If only the best photographers in the world were allowed to buy a lens, neither you nor I would have any lenses at all.

--
"If you have to pixel-peep to see the difference, there ain't much difference." -- Sam K., NYC
Tacoma, Washington, USA
 
Last edited:
snapa said:
MisJay said:
Bargain price for Parkin performance.

i never liked long lenses, my longest lens is the fe55. Super long shots of birds require no creativity, your shots of bits are the same as anyone else’s. I can save thousands of dollars and get better images just subscribing to National Geographic instead.
Click to expand...
I only have two questions for you:
  1. Why do you not have a gear list?
  2. Why do you not have a gallery or website with any images you have taken?
Only people that have both of those on this forum (IMO) have any credibility or opinions that account for anything. Since you don't have either, it seems like you (and others on this forum) may have something to hide. Hide what you might ask, I'll leave it to your imagination ;-)

BTW... it's probably best that you do not have any lens longer than the FE55. Save your money with a subscription of National Geographic’s. Taking longer shots than 55mm takes both skill and experience.
Click to expand...
 
Ray Maines said:
MisJay said:
You don't get it do you? The point of taking your own pictures is expressing your own creativity. If you're just going to take the same photos, but not as good as the ones on National Geographic of random birds, that's different from other types of shooting.
Click to expand...
No, I get it very well, thank you. Expressing my own creativity more often than not means taking less than perfect photos. Looking at my less than Pro level photos reminds me of the great vacations I've had and how much fun I had taking those photos.

I was in this place at that time, the lighting was what it was and my camera and lens did the best they could. Somebody else at some other time with some other equipment is going to take a better picture. Maybe I could come back next week or next year with a different camera or lens and get a better shot, but I don't know why any of that would prevent me from buying any particular lens I wanted to buy.

If I chose to be snotty about this I might suggest that NG has some pretty nice pictures taken at 55 mm or less and that yours might not compare to them any better than mine compare to the ones taken at 56 mm or longer.

If only the best photographers in the world were allowed to buy a lens, neither you nor I would have any lenses at all.

--
"If you have to pixel-peep to see the difference, there ain't much difference." -- Sam K., NYC
Tacoma, Washington, USA
Click to expand...
Good for you, go for it. Nobody was trying to stop you from doing that. All I said was:

1. The 55210 is a budget lens, and it is.

2. I don’t like long lenses, especially ones with poor build quality, like the 55210.

--
Whenever I say that a piece of gear is not good, I DO NOT mean that it is IMPOSSIBLE to get good shots with it. This is basic logic, please, I shouldn't have to say this.
 
Last edited:
True statements.

1. Yes it's a budget lens, but it still takes good picture. It may not have top build quality but the user may not need that for the occasional shots he will take. I see it as a great combination to stick in the back on my bicycle rides due to light weight, low cost, and reasonable to even good quality photos.

2. You appeared to be imposing your personal likes and dislikes for focal lengths to others. Where I live with abundant wildlife as well as a great deal of scenery, I wouldn't even consider going anyplace where I can take pictures without both types of lenses available.



b3043639f02d41ea8156cd59382ceb59.jpg



23723e0841604bdc9025149619a24532.jpg



2602eac786ca49deb32cad188dc906bd.jpg



dcdcc7e46a8742549932e6f819ae6fc4.jpg
 
I too have and enjoy this lens.

Is it perfect, no. But as long as you know its limitations you can get some great shots. if you plan on shotting a lot in the longer ranges, you would want some of the higher end zooms like the 100-400mm or the 70-200mm G Lenses.










































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































But for me, the once or twice a year where I dust off the 55-210mm it serves me well.

_DSC0710.JPG


_DSC0635.JPG


_DSC5445.JPG


_DSC0602.JPG


--
Novice photobug. Former NEX-3, F3, and 6 owner. Now a proud A6000 owner.
http://davesnex-3photos.blogspot.com/
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top