Matt,

It's probably as well you didn't go and see/handle the FA* 85mm F1.4 because I doubt you'd have been able to resist. It really is very special in every way - build, optics & handling.

People would cringe to see mine though because not long after I bought it I dropped it out of my rucksack and it's not got a big dent in the filter ring! I never use filters with it anyway (it'd be sacrilege) so it's not been a problem.

Regards
Steve

There are a few other posters in Scotland, including myself in Edinburgh. So far I haven't seen any user groups up here though.

I'm another who doesn't used protection filters, not even with my most expensive lenses. I've never seen the point in buying an expensive lens then compromising the lens designers art by sticking another bit of glass in front.

The closest lens I have to your spec. is the SMCP-FA 28-200mm, a fine performer if I can only take one lens.

Back in my film days even though I had FA* lenses and F2.8 zooms I often just used one of the FA 28-200's for days out with the family (who aren't tolerant of constant lens changing) and I found it to be a pretty decent lens.

What I'd really like though is a digital equivalent of a later lens I bought for "walkabout" type use, the Sigma 24-135mm F2.8-4.5 - that little bit wider at the short end I found more useful than a bit more on the long end (especially as that lens AF's fine with a 2xTC).

I've got one of the Tokina 500mm F8 mirror lenses and I've used it no problem with my DS.

I posted a few pictures of my first attempts (all handheld) with the combination at http://www.pbase.com/niblue/mirror - overall I was quite impressed with the lenses sharpness and close focusing abilities - the handling was fine and the camera seemed to have no problem getting correct exposures.

I did struggle to get accurate focus of birds in flight (perhaps because I've been used to AF for years) however I expect my hit-rate would have improved with practice.

I'm lucky enough to already own by dream lens (FA* 85mm F1.4) however if I was to pick one lens to add to my set-up it'd be a 300mm F2.8 - but know I'd never use it enough to warrant the enormous expense.

I'm not sure why but the limited lenses just don't appeal to me in the slightest.

My advice would be to go for better lenses first then consider upgrading the body.

My opinion of the 18-55 seems to differ somewhat from most on here (I was deeply unimpressed by it) however it does cover a useful range so, depending what other lenses you have, I'd be inclined to extent coverage first (i.e. got a 10-20mm, a 50-200mm or perhaps a macro) before thinking about either getting a new body or better/faster lenses in the same range as already covered.

I had a couple of power zoom lenses with my first SLR (a Z50p) and never really found a use for any of the power zoom features (image size tracking etc).

[quote="Tyr"]Correct!