The guy selling this Sigma 400mm thinks it will only work at f/5.6 Probably due to needing re-chipping which Sigma no longer do. Someone else asked if it will work on EOS 40D and the seller tried it on a 450D at 1600ISO in tv mode and it showed f/32

Seems you can't buy just any lens and stick it on a Canon.... unless it's an old Takumar with an M42 adapter

Pity that old FD lenses can't be used on anything quite a lot still kicking around and they were quite good.

Algi

Search the web for how to scrape the glue off some of the screw holes. It's a common fault with PKA adapters. You should find that if you loosen the lens to take it off the Aperture reading shows or flickers on the LCD.

Just missed this Tokina (by about £250.... Well I haven't even got a Nikon :roll. I can't understand why Tokina stopped making them if they are so good.

Algi

You don't even need the Russian program now. Pentax Hacks have found an easier way see this blog for info.

Algi

You don't need to change the firmware with the Russian program.

See here

Two threads here and here seem to have been updated recently.

You would be better to try manual focusing first on say a cornflakes box about 6m away. It's easier to focus if there's lettering on the point your focusing on. Try a few shots and pick the best. Also try a small aperture say f/11 on some.

Algi

I've never heard of Tamron making the Elicar 90mm f/2.5 before? most people seem to think it's the same as the Komine made Vivitar 90mm f/2.8. Different apertures quoted to confuse the buying public of the origin. Vivitar also had a 90mm f/2.5 made by Tokina considered by many to be the finest macro lens ever made especially with the Tokina badge on it.

It might be worth having the lens checked over? It should be sharp. Is infinity focus OK, because some Vivitar lenses have an adjustable front element for infinity focus which effects the resolution of the lens at all distances.

Algi

I used to ask them to say Truprint, but that only worked when the add was on the tely in which the photographer used to say the same thing to everyone he took a picture of.

I tried asking them to say "Gorgonzola Cheese Souffle" a few times thinking they would see the joke and laugh but they didn't and just said "Gorgonzola Cheese Souffle" with a serious face.

Algi

I wouldn't use a tripod it needs a couple of secs. for the mirror vibration to settle The ideal shoulder pod hasn't been made yet sadly High speeds certainly reduce the amount of shake to an acceptable level, but it's still there and reduces performance more on digital than film. A shot at 1/1000th sec. has exactly 1/10th of the shake that would be present in the same shot at 1/100th sec. It's also easier to hold a big lens on your shoulders for 1 1/2hrs than in front of your face with your hands, which is probably why football togs use a monopod, it can't be to steady the camera.... they are using big apertures and high shutter speeds.

Small rigid tripods of the Leica, Minolta, Polaroid design make good shoulder/chestpods. Some nature photographers just rest the monopod leg on their shoulder.

Algi

20 years ago a Nikon 28mm f/2.8 MF cost £257 and a Vivitar cheapy about £50. At a guess Pentax were probably about £70- £90 so £50 sounds reasonable.

The other brands cheap 50mm f1.8's are exactly that Cheap plastic and glass.

Pentax have never made a cheap 28mm AF. It should be possible to make one for around the same price as the 35mm AF but that might well be over £400 today.

Algi

Thanks the Red has been handled very well. Last time I tried red roses they came out poorly because digital doesn't usually handle red very well.

Algi

The 28mm f/2.8 lenses were mass market jobbies that competed with the independents such as Vivitar. Cheap as chips

The 24mm f/2.8 was really a luxury item, almost the Limited of the day. Very expensive and only a few people could afford them. Much higher optical quality than the cheap 28's...... Every bit as good as the 18-55mm Kit Lens

I was trying to find some 1970-90 prices but it seems they were so expensive nobody stocked them Probably the most expensive 'A' series prime under 201mm apart from the super-wides.

I think I got £160 for mine which I didn't think was too high considering you can pay nearly that for Vivitar junk

Algi