Unfortunately, this rampant consumerism is hurting people. We might not see it in our everyday lives, and it's not usually an immediately physical, measurable 'hurt', but people cripple themselves financially to achieve it, countries and cultures are consumed to feed it, huge amounts of pollution result from it.

What's more, 'developing' countries aspire to our 'developed' lifestyle, and who can blame them? But if everyone on the planet consumed like us, we'd need 6 Earths to produce it all.

I'd advise anyone to read 'The Earth Only Endures' by Jules Pretty, which is surprisingly uplifting, bearing in mind the potential of a lot of what he discusses in it. Have a look at one chapter here, especially the bits about civilisations and the disparity of wealth.

Sorry if I sound like a doomsayer, but I sometimes do despair at society's measures of 'success'.

Dan

It does astound me that, bearing in mind we're in a recession, and no-one's supposed to have any money, and things are tight etc., gadgets like this, which for the vast majority are just going to be a device to display photos, look at websites and check emails, even if the capabilities are far greater, still sell in the shed-load.

I'd buy one if I had a big stash of money sitting around and nothing else to spend it on, but I can think of a thousand other things that several hundred pounds would get me, and which would bring far greater joy.

But that's our consumerist society, wholly unsustainable and liable to monumentally backfire at some point in the next couple of decades, but at least people will be able to vlog about it when it does.

Dan

Made perfect sense to me.

Dan

Try to find a viewpoint where you'll be able to put as much distance between the couple and the background. I know it sounds basic, but there may be one angle at the location where you can get a more distant background than others. This may allow you to use a smaller aperture without making the background too intrusive. The 150mm may well be better for this, if you've got the space.

Good luck, rather you than me!

Dan

Jack2012 got his answer from here, hence the reason it was out of context. He's gone now.

Dan

All worthwhile replies, but I'm now locking this thread as the OP is no longer active on the site.

Dan

Nothing much, to be honest. I wasn't trying it with the intention to buy it, they just had it in stock when I was there for the day, so I had a play. This was at LCE Colchester, not sure if they still have it, might be worth a ring?

Resolution was okay, a bit soft at the edges, but I guess you'd expect that. I suppose I'm just a bit spoilt by the lenses I have now (you've got the DA*300, you know what I mean ). PF was evident, but I don't know how it compares to other fisheyes. I'll dig out the images and post a couple of samples in the next day or two if you want - too late to do it tonight.

Dan

No, I had the 1.7x but sold it. Not sure if I had the two at the same time...

I have the Tamron 1.4x converter, and the few times I've used it with the DA* it seemed fine, but it's very rare that I want/need to take something with that combination. In fact I've been thinking of selling the Tamron, as it so rarely gets used, and the price they go for these days is daft, to be honest.

The damselfly shot in this thread might have been taken using it, but I can't remember for sure.

By the way, if I already had the F or FA lens, I doubt I'd upgrade to the DA, but I had an old Tamron f/2.8 lens, and the step up was significant.

Dan

Don't rule out the DA*300, if the 300 4.5 is better I'll be honestly staggered, I'm not sure what you'd have to do to beat the DA.

I often use it at f/4 because I can see no difference in sharpness wide open or stopped down (depth of field excepted of course), it focuses down to 4.5 feet, so I use it for flowers, butterflies and dragonflies too. Build quality's superb, it's weatherproof (has withstood several downpours)... I don't think I'll ever sell it, it's absolutely my favourite lens.

I know it's pricier than the 4.5, and a bit larger, but it's available...

Here are some of my Red Kites: https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/topic/red-kites-at-rhayader-13176/p-0

Dan

No.

Dan

(Although I stand to be corrected)