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I have a gap to fill...

kcmadr
Posted 09/11/2006 - 03:22 Link
Hi all.

Currently my lens lineup consists of:
- DA 16-45mm
- FA 50mm f1.4
- FA 80-320mm.

Christmas is coming up, including a reward for nice photos from Peru.
As you can see, between 50mm and the lower end of the 80-320, there is a gap.

Have you any recommendations on a PRIME lens to fill the gap?

I am considering the D-FA 100mm f2.8 Macro (£256), or the FA 77mm f1.8 Limited, in black of course (£330).

Any other ideas are most welcome, and soon please, because the A380 is coming here on the 29th, and on the 30th, we're off to Las Vegas!!!
Gwyn
Posted 09/11/2006 - 07:55 Link
I'm just curious wher you can buy those lenses for those prices
johnriley
Posted 09/11/2006 - 07:55 Link
Do you need to extend the wide angle end of your repertoire?

If so, how about the 14mm f2.8, or, if you can use another zoom instead, the more versatile 12-24mm f4?
Best regards, John
Mannesty
Posted 09/11/2006 - 09:09 Link
The 77 limited is certainly a fine lens but IMHO the 100mm Macro is more versatile in its capabilities but heavier of course. You will still have exactly the same gap (excuse to buy another lens) as you have now. Even the 77 limited would not really fill that gap. My recommendation would be a good zoom to cover the range as there really isn't anything available between 50 & 77mm. The 50 - 200mm DA gets good reports from users here.
Peter E Smith - flickr Photostream
George Lazarette
Posted 09/11/2006 - 10:28 Link
The golden rule is: If in doubt, buy the 77.

Far better quality, and much faster, than the 80-320 zoom.

G
Keywords: Charming, polite, and generally agreeable.
McBrian
Posted 09/11/2006 - 12:51 Link
The FA 24-90mm would appear to be the best option, excellent quality walk about lens, still available new from B&H.
Cheers
Brian.
LBA is good for you, a Lens a day helps you work, rest and play.
Pwynnej
Posted 09/11/2006 - 14:08 Link
I really don't see much of a gap between the 50 and 80 (really 75 and 120), especially in the good old days most 'photographers'were satisfied with 3 prime lenses....

My recommendation would be to wait for the DA* tele lenses say the 60-250:
problem solved and the 50 still fits nicely in the middle.

I would be tempted by the 77 mm by the comments here, but with the FA 85mm 1.4 I am covered in that department (plus I have Sigma 70-300, 70-200, 28-105 that cover that angle).

The 24-90 is absolutely top drawer, but rocking horse poo in terms of availability. I would be tempted by the 16-45 but I await the DA* 16-50.
MattMatic
Posted 09/11/2006 - 14:19 Link
...and even harder to get spare parts if you go and drop the FA24-90
kcmadr
Posted 09/11/2006 - 16:03 Link
Gwyn wrote:
I'm just curious wher you can buy those lenses for those prices

Hi Gwyn.

Yes, I can get these lenses brand new for those prices, all said and done.
kcmadr
Posted 09/11/2006 - 16:05 Link
johnriley wrote:
Do you need to extend the wide angle end of your repertoire?

If so, how about the 14mm f2.8, or, if you can use another zoom instead, the more versatile 12-24mm f4?

John,

I'm quite happy with the wide angle setup I have. I did consider briefly the Sigma 10-20mm, but decided a prime around the 70-100mm would suit my needs better.
kcmadr
Posted 09/11/2006 - 16:07 Link
Mannesty wrote:
The 77 limited is certainly a fine lens but IMHO the 100mm Macro is more versatile in its capabilities but heavier of course. You will still have exactly the same gap (excuse to buy another lens) as you have now. Even the 77 limited would not really fill that gap. My recommendation would be a good zoom to cover the range as there really isn't anything available between 50 & 77mm. The 50 - 200mm DA gets good reports from users here.

Peter,

The 100mm D-FA Macro is only 345g compared with 600g for the FA 100mm Macro. This makes the weight comparable with the 77mm Ltd. It's a very close call however between the two, because 100mm is well covered by the 80-320mm zoom.

And you know, my birthday is only six months away. The 50-200mm may soon find its own spot in my bag...
kcmadr
Posted 09/11/2006 - 16:13 Link
George Lazarette wrote:
The golden rule is: If in doubt, buy the 77.

Far better quality, and much faster, than the 80-320 zoom.

G

Hi George,

I have heard only good things about the 77mm Ltd, so this has been my leaning thus far. It would improve the quality of my images in the lower range of my 80-320mm zoom. The 100mm Macro is a contender because it's a Macro lens, but 100mm may be a bit long...
Gwyn
Posted 09/11/2006 - 16:52 Link
kcmadr wrote:
Gwyn wrote:
I'm just curious wher you can buy those lenses for those prices

Hi Gwyn.

Yes, I can get these lenses brand new for those prices, all said and done.

I'd be interested to know where then -the 77mm is over 800 euros and the 100mm macro round the 650 euro mark.
kcmadr
Posted 10/11/2006 - 03:35 Link
Hi Gwyneth,

www.thecamerastore.com

They will ship to international addresses if you pay by money order (cashier's check) and ship with Fed-Ex. I asked them on behalf of you folks across the ocean who, like myself, enjoy paying less.
Mannesty
Posted 10/11/2006 - 09:27 Link
Has anyone in UK bought new from the states recently. If so, what was the VAT/duty liability? Was it still worth buying from US rather than UK or Europe?
Peter E Smith - flickr Photostream

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