All Forum Comments
I would second the Metz 48AF1 as it is quite feature packed for the cost... and should get most things done. It has a swivel and tilt head as well, allowing for more creative options...
Comment by rkt posted on Advice about auto focus flashes at 13/06/2010 - 10:15
Items-on-sale update...
(1) Tamron SP AF 90/2,8 DI Macro 1:1 (like new) - €300, approx. £255
(2) Metz 48AF1 (like new) - €140, approx. £119
(3) Pentax M 50mm 1.7 - €30, approx. £26
(4) Tamron 17-50/2,8 XR Di II LD - SOLD pending payment
For anyone picking the three together, I shall include insured shipping via DHL within UK/EU...
(1) Tamron SP AF 90/2,8 DI Macro 1:1 (like new) - €300, approx. £255
(2) Metz 48AF1 (like new) - €140, approx. £119
(3) Pentax M 50mm 1.7 - €30, approx. £26
(4) Tamron 17-50/2,8 XR Di II LD - SOLD pending payment
For anyone picking the three together, I shall include insured shipping via DHL within UK/EU...
Comment by rkt posted on K200D, Pentax 18-250, Tam 17-50, Tam 90 Macro, Metz 48AF1 at 13/06/2010 - 09:37
just a quick update on the Tamrons ... the 5-yr warranty may not be applicable to non-German users ... but the standard European Warranty still has 4-5 months of cover ... just realised this myself ...
Comment by rkt posted on K200D, Pentax 18-250, Tam 17-50, Tam 90 Macro, Metz 48AF1 at 08/06/2010 - 17:42
PM replied to... thanks!
Comment by rkt posted on K200D, Pentax 18-250, Tam 17-50, Tam 90 Macro, Metz 48AF1 at 07/06/2010 - 09:31
For anybody picking the whole lot ... I can offer EUR 700 or GBP 600, including insured shipping via DHL within EU/UK ...
(1) Tamron SP AF 90/2,8 DI Macro 1:1 (like new) - €300, approx. £255
(2) Tamron 17-50/2,8 XR Di II LD - €280, approx. £238
(3) Pentax M 50mm 1.7 - €30, approx. £26
(4) Metz 48AF1 (like new) - €140, approx. £119
(1) Tamron SP AF 90/2,8 DI Macro 1:1 (like new) - €300, approx. £255
(2) Tamron 17-50/2,8 XR Di II LD - €280, approx. £238
(3) Pentax M 50mm 1.7 - €30, approx. £26
(4) Metz 48AF1 (like new) - €140, approx. £119
Comment by rkt posted on K200D, Pentax 18-250, Tam 17-50, Tam 90 Macro, Metz 48AF1 at 30/05/2010 - 11:03
Items-on-Sale Update ...
(1) K200D + BG3 grip + Pentax IR Remote - SOLD
(2) Pentax SMC DA 18-250 + Hoya UV HMC Super filter 62mm - SOLD
(3) Tamron SP AF 90/2,8 DI Macro 1:1 (like new) - €300, approx. £255
(4) Tamron 17-50/2,8 XR Di II LD - €280, approx. £238
(5) Pentax M 50mm 1.7 - €30, approx. £26
(6) Metz 48AF1 (like new) - €140, approx. £119
Five down, four to go... now for the Tamrons and the Metz!!
(1) K200D + BG3 grip + Pentax IR Remote - SOLD
(2) Pentax SMC DA 18-250 + Hoya UV HMC Super filter 62mm - SOLD
(3) Tamron SP AF 90/2,8 DI Macro 1:1 (like new) - €300, approx. £255
(4) Tamron 17-50/2,8 XR Di II LD - €280, approx. £238
(5) Pentax M 50mm 1.7 - €30, approx. £26
(6) Metz 48AF1 (like new) - €140, approx. £119
Five down, four to go... now for the Tamrons and the Metz!!
Comment by rkt posted on K200D, Pentax 18-250, Tam 17-50, Tam 90 Macro, Metz 48AF1 at 28/05/2010 - 10:40
Items-on-Sale Update ...
(1) K200D + BG3 grip + Pentax IR Remote - SOLD, pending payment
(2) Pentax SMC DA 18-250 + Hoya UV HMC Super filter 62mm - SOLD, pending payment
(3) Tamron SP AF 90/2,8 DI Macro 1:1 (like new) - €300, approx. £255
(4) Tamron 17-50/2,8 XR Di II LD - €280, approx. £238
(5) Pentax M 50mm 1.7 - €30, approx. £26
(6) Metz 48AF1 (like new) - €140, approx. £119
(1) K200D + BG3 grip + Pentax IR Remote - SOLD, pending payment
(2) Pentax SMC DA 18-250 + Hoya UV HMC Super filter 62mm - SOLD, pending payment
(3) Tamron SP AF 90/2,8 DI Macro 1:1 (like new) - €300, approx. £255
(4) Tamron 17-50/2,8 XR Di II LD - €280, approx. £238
(5) Pentax M 50mm 1.7 - €30, approx. £26
(6) Metz 48AF1 (like new) - €140, approx. £119
Comment by rkt posted on K200D, Pentax 18-250, Tam 17-50, Tam 90 Macro, Metz 48AF1 at 27/05/2010 - 19:10
Like mentioned before, the camera LCD is not a good option...
Since you already have a netbook... a possible way might be to use a card to collect sample snaps with the lenses you are interested in ... again, inside the shop may not be the best idea due to poor light ... so if they allow, and you can step out, then you can try shots of things like brick walls, building fronts etc ... and then take a breather while you put the snaps up onto the netbook and take a better look ... you could look out for things like obvious focus issues (FF/BF) ... relative sharpness (left vs right, top vs bottom, center vs edges) ... distortion (esp. with things grid-like like brick wall, buildings) ... some quick tests like these will help to identify a good sample out of the lot or between options... and it would be easier to compare copies on a netbook screen vs. the LCD ...
Lastly, you could check what's their policy for a return/replace.
Since you already have a netbook... a possible way might be to use a card to collect sample snaps with the lenses you are interested in ... again, inside the shop may not be the best idea due to poor light ... so if they allow, and you can step out, then you can try shots of things like brick walls, building fronts etc ... and then take a breather while you put the snaps up onto the netbook and take a better look ... you could look out for things like obvious focus issues (FF/BF) ... relative sharpness (left vs right, top vs bottom, center vs edges) ... distortion (esp. with things grid-like like brick wall, buildings) ... some quick tests like these will help to identify a good sample out of the lot or between options... and it would be easier to compare copies on a netbook screen vs. the LCD ...
Lastly, you could check what's their policy for a return/replace.
Comment by rkt posted on How to shop test a lens? at 26/05/2010 - 18:13
I would have also thought that the Tamron 17-50 would have made the list ... it is a very sharp lens ... and I have had great success my mine ... I had picked it for the 2.8 constant aperture ... and it saved using a flash in many indoor type situations ...
When I had researched this lens, I checked photozone.de where they had tested the Canikon mount versions ... and had this to say "The Tamron AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] is a very serious performer capable to deliver some of the best MTF50 figures to date in this lens class." for the Nikon mount for what it's worth ... for the Sigma 18-50/2.8 they concluded "The Sigma offers lots of bangs for your bucks but the comparable Tamron AF 17-50mm f/2.8 SP seems to be a better alternative."
Maybe you look at some of these reviews at photozone.de (and others) before you spend the money ...
I had really wanted to get the DA* but the price tag was too much for me, and I wanted to buy locally due to all the reported SDM issues and such.
When I had researched this lens, I checked photozone.de where they had tested the Canikon mount versions ... and had this to say "The Tamron AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] is a very serious performer capable to deliver some of the best MTF50 figures to date in this lens class." for the Nikon mount for what it's worth ... for the Sigma 18-50/2.8 they concluded "The Sigma offers lots of bangs for your bucks but the comparable Tamron AF 17-50mm f/2.8 SP seems to be a better alternative."
Maybe you look at some of these reviews at photozone.de (and others) before you spend the money ...
I had really wanted to get the DA* but the price tag was too much for me, and I wanted to buy locally due to all the reported SDM issues and such.
Comment by rkt posted on New short zoom? at 26/05/2010 - 17:59
If you are out for a new camera then Kx should be the one... it has been getting rave reviews... to quote dpreview.com "A very impressive DSLR with an excellent feature set and possibly the best high ISO performance in its class. The lack of visible AF points is a frustrating omission, but if you can live with that the K-x is a little cracker, and a bargain too."
For second hand, depending on your budget, you will find a range of options like the K200D, K10D, K20D ... the last two are not entry level, but may keep you satisfied for longer as you grow your skill ...
For second hand, depending on your budget, you will find a range of options like the K200D, K10D, K20D ... the last two are not entry level, but may keep you satisfied for longer as you grow your skill ...
Comment by rkt posted on New to DSLR Buying advice required please. at 26/05/2010 - 17:42
