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Good lens recommendations?
#1
Posted 01 October 2013 - 11:53 AM
- Mark Win likes this
#2
Posted 01 October 2013 - 12:05 PM
The Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 C is simply a joy to use. I've posted a review of it here:
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 Contemporary Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews
Here's the product page:
http://www.bhphotovi...EG&Q=&A=details
#3
Posted 01 October 2013 - 12:29 PM
Oh but I see that's for a Pentax. Is there a Nikon version?
#4
Posted 01 October 2013 - 08:01 PM
#5
Posted 03 October 2013 - 04:43 PM
I have 3 Tamron lenses that are also worth considering:
17-50 f2.8 SP DII VC
70-300 VC
60mm f2 macro
I think all 3 are quality pieces with a budget friendly price tag. The VC works really well on both the 17-50 and the 70-300.
The 70-300 is a really sharp lens, maybe one of the best in it's class. The 60mm is just incredible; it scales up to 90mm on a crop body, is seriously razor sharp, has internal focusing and that f/2 ... the bokeh, the DOF! I really love that little lens.
#6
Posted 18 October 2013 - 03:06 AM
What about opteka? I aw one of these on amazon...500mm for less than £100....really?
Has any any experience with opteka lenses?
#7
Posted 18 October 2013 - 06:45 AM
They are cheap and, to be honest, not THAT bad... but buyer beware!
They are not going to give you anything close to "good" image quality. They will be muddy, low contrast and straining for sharpness. Also if you are talking about the 500mm reflector highlights will be doughnut shaped.
Other than that... they work and they aren't horrible. You can clean up the files pretty effectively in Photoshop and for very little money you get a 500mm f/6.3 (or f/8) lens.
It works much much better than having a 200mm lens and cropping in 2.5x, that's for sure!
- scoobymax likes this
#8
Posted 18 October 2013 - 07:02 AM
#9
Posted 18 October 2013 - 08:22 AM
No problem! I just happen to love all kinds of cheapy lenses and filters. They create some really weird and unique effects most people try to avoid ... but then add in later during post process for Instagram and the like LOL
Here's an excellent example of what a good image looks like from an Opteka 500mm f/6.3 (not my image). Not bad at all, actually. Notice the donut shaped bokeh highlights?:
#10
Posted 29 October 2013 - 06:19 AM
- Afterimage likes this
#12
Posted 29 October 2013 - 07:22 AM
#13
Posted 29 October 2013 - 11:31 AM
Wow, you got that one cheap! They usually go for $350+ here. Even used ones are around $300.
The macro is mediocre compared to a dedicated macro lens. Not a true 1:1 but zooming in past 200mm with it's 8" focal distance will provide good results.
- scoobymax likes this
#14
Posted 30 October 2013 - 11:46 AM
#15
Posted 03 December 2013 - 01:01 AM
Did you get the one without VC because that one new is around $120 I think. Decent lens. Nothing I'd write home about but good for just tooling around with.
#16
Posted 16 January 2014 - 02:57 PM
I'm curious what the difference is between that Tamron 70-300 & the Nikon 55-300 as far as the quality when using it at the max 300mm? I bought the Nikon for use with my D5000, & I'm not sure if it is me or the lens, not getting that much clarity with it. Maybe I'm just not very good...
#17
Posted 16 January 2014 - 03:51 PM
I can't speak for the Nikon but I do have the Tamron 70-300 and like it very much. Here's 2 examples of this lens at 300mm, the sharpness is fantastic to my eyes:
- TBonz and klh4runnin like this