Tamron

The other problem I had with the Tamron 70-300 is that it is the only lens I have where the front rotates with focusing. This causes problems when fitting or removing the hood. I found that if I forgot to put the camera into manual focus I could end up forcing the AF drive chain. I therefore stopped using it because I was worried that I might damage the camera. I now have the Pentax 55-300 which is a great lens.

Glyn

Hold the ring still with one hand while turning the hood with the other.

But you still have to remember to do this which is particularly hard for me as I don't need to do it on any of my other lenses.

Glyn

Hi Glyn I know what you mean about the hood, and you do have to be very careful not to turn the af motor. What is the locomotive if you don't mind me asking? see your also an aircraft fan, I to was at Farnborough this year. Not seen a Vulcan since they where at Burtonwood.

I must admit I forget occasionally as well. The AF motors in my DS and K10D have not been harmed from the odd second of turning by hand. It's hardly a reason to aoid the lens, IMO.

So glad I'm not the only one

It's not a terrible lens optically I'll grant you; in fact for the money it's unbeatable I think. It's just the sheer unneccesary fiddliness of it that grates on me.

From the poorly thought out hood (and quickly replaced rear cap) down to the switches on the barrel. I nearly always have to take my eye away from the viewfinder to get it into macro because I can never remember what I'm supposed to be moving where at the critical moment.

I know it's only petty things, but it's meant mine has spent most of its life stuck in the cupboard...

i've got the 70-300 and it is on the camera for most of the time. funny the hood attachment is mentioned as i thought of this the other day, when trying to attach it one-handed. then again, i sometimes gat antsy about putting the hood on 'upside down' and having "made in china" on the top instead of the white dot.

i also have the 500 mirror. i loved it in the film days and love it still.

It is 34016, Bodmin, on the Mid-Hants, Watercress line. The picture was taken in 2007 on the day of the Alton bus rally which is a combined event with the Mid-Hants. For this event they let you walk around the yard at Ropley. I was trying out my, then newly acquired, 10-20mm.

The Vulcan got stuck on the ground here at Farnborough following the celebrations for the centenary of powered flight. It had some problem with its brakes. It finally left on 12th November. I heard, but did not see, it go. I caught a glimpse of it on the ground (with the Pentax 55-300 and not the Tamron - so apologise for being a bit off-topic):

[IMG]http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w20/GlynM/Misc/IMGP8697-c1_small.jpg[/IMG]

Glyn

Didn't see much southern stuff in steam days, it was all Brit`s/ black fives ect for me up here. A fine looking loco though.

Cliff

Has anyone got the new 18/270 yet.
Ian.

I don't think the 18-270 is available on Pentax yet.

Out of the lenses I have in my collection my most used is the Tamron SP 19AH 70-210mm f3.5.

Couple of shots from a few days ago with a Tamron 1.4X Teleconverter attached.