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Post by sinedyar on Jan 7, 2006 13:59:26 GMT -5
I like to use prime lenses mostly, especially since I learned during the time when zoom lenses were not nearly as good as they are today overall.
However, zoom lenses have greatly improved over the past 40 years and I often use them today. But, even though they have greatly improved, the best zoom lenses are those with a range of 3X or less, with those of greater range and more complexity being overall of less quality the greater the X factor.
A zoom with a large range like an 18-200mm or 28-300mm range might be very convenient, but they are not of the best picture quality. One will do better, overall, in picture quality having at least two zoom lenses that cover those ranges than just one zoom lens doing the same.
I like my Nikon 70-300mm ED lens, but it is over 4X in range, and while doing well, it isn’t the best always for picture quality.
Actually, my favorite zoom lens now is an off-brand Tokina 28-80 f/2.8 lens, which is slightly less than 3X.
Denis
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mickeyobe
Lifetime Member
Resident President
Posts: 7,280
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Post by mickeyobe on Jan 7, 2006 15:44:13 GMT -5
I am a sucker for zoom lenses. My first was the original Vivitar Series 1 70 - 210mm Macro Focussing Auto Zoom. It is rated at f3.5 throughout its zoom range and it is. At a time when almost all close focussing zooms were called macro, none of them were. But the Vivitar came much closer at 1:2.2 than did any other zoom lens of the time. At 7" in length and weighing almost 2 lb. it is not a lightweight but I still use it occasionally on my T90. I believe I bought it in 1980 for my Canon Ftb QL.
Presently I use as my standard lens a Vivitar Series 1 24 to 70mm Macro Focussing Zoom f3.8 to f4.8. It is just about all I need in a lens and is used for most of my pictures. It must have been a real dog because as far as I can determine it was only on the market for a few months and is never mentioned anywhere. I purchased it in 1989 and have used it almost exlusively ever since.
I also have a Sigma UC Zoom of 70 to 210mm. It is miniscule compared to the Vivitar 70 to 210mm and is therefore my travelling tele zoom.
I have tried 2x and 3x extenders but have always been dissapointed in the results.
Mickey
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Post by sinedyar on Jan 7, 2006 16:33:06 GMT -5
Hi, Mickey:
I also have the Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f/3.5 zoom. It's a great lens, one of the few really good zooms from that era.
Denis
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Post by kamera on Jan 7, 2006 16:35:10 GMT -5
I have 6 zoom lenses that I do use, but selectively on whether or not I might want to print larger than 8x10.
Minolta MD 28-70 and MD 70-210.
Nikon 20-35, 24-120 and 80-400.
Tamron 28-300 in Nikon mount.
As info...Tokina was started by 3 or 4 optical engineers who left Nikon.
Ron Head Kalamazoo, MI
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Post by sinedyar on Jan 7, 2006 16:41:44 GMT -5
Ron: And it shows. Tokina lenses are high quality, very well built lenses. I've not been unhappy with any of those I have, which includes their 28-80mm, 17mm, 400mm, and 80-400mm lenses. Denis I have 4 zoom lenses that I do use, but selectively on whether or not I might want to print larger than 8x10. As info...Tokina was started by 3 or 4 optical engineers who left Nikon. Ron Head Kalamazoo, MI
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Post by sinedyar on Jan 16, 2006 13:10:39 GMT -5
My most used zoom lenses are:
Tokina 28-80mm f/2.8
Nikon 24-120mm VR
Nikon 70-300mm ED
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8
Tokina 12-24mm f/4
All for Nikon.
I very seldom use zoom lenses with my Konica cameras.
Denis
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Post by kamera on Jan 17, 2006 7:59:41 GMT -5
I'm gonna get it!!!
Yesterday I had the oportunity to play a bit with a Sigma 300-800/5.6 zoom. While out and about, I ran into a local free lancer who had it and, needless to say, two ol' photogs were soon jawin' the fat.
He let me shoot off a few frames with it attached to his Nikon F5; also the first time I had ever even held this model camera. Obviously all was mounted on a tripod and aiming at some reeds and and an old rowboat at a local preserve named, 'Asylum Lake".
Well...ooh, ooh...sweet, man, sweet is all I can say about the experience.
Get one though(?)...in my dreams...it costs around $4000 and beyond my budget. For a half hour, though, I was in heaven.
Ron Head Kalamazoo, MI
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Post by sinedyar on Jan 18, 2006 3:08:23 GMT -5
Ron:
It's $5000 at B&H so is an expensive lens, and I hear it's a pretty good one. Well beyond my budget also. The only long zoom I'm seriously considering is Tamron's 200-500mm lens at about a sixth that price.
Denis
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Post by Just Plain Curt on Jan 18, 2006 8:57:04 GMT -5
I have : Makinon 80-200 f4.5 Tokina ATX 28-200 f3.5 Vivitar 28-85 f3.5 Tokina 80-200 f4 Vivitar 70-210 f4.5 Vivitar 28-70 early AF Albinar 80-210 f3.9 Cosinon 28-50 f3.5 Kiron 80-200 f4.5 Tokina 80-200 f4 Rokinon 80-250 f4.5 Prospec 70-210 f4 Sigma 70-210 f4 Takumar 28-80 f3.5 Ultranar 80-200 f4 Soligor 80-200 f4.5 Formula S 85-210 f4.5 Tamron 70-210 f3.8 Tamron 35-80 f2.8 Tamron 70-210 f4.5 Tamron 28-70 f3.5 I've used all of them at different times but the Tokinas, Tamron , Takumar, Kiron and Vivitars seem to give me the best results. I have several Sigma lenses but they don't always give the results I'd like.
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Post by litesong on Jan 20, 2006 14:24:17 GMT -5
Always a user of primes in the past, I've gotten plenty of cheap Ebay zooms recently that have pleased me with their quality, even tho they're not giving me razor sharp 11X14 prints like my prime lenses & Kodachrome 25 film used to give me 20 years ago. One zoom I've been most pleased with is Vivitar TX 100-300mm zoom. Need to see what enlargement sizes this lens will pleasingly give, but the lens has already given punchy & memorable smaller pix even at the 300mm setting that hold up to intimate scrutiny. Is a heavy non-collapsing 7 inch metal lens close focusing in a continuous method to 5 inches at the 100mm setting. The TX lenses use interchangeable mounts, so you may use one lens to fit many manual focus bodies, even my Fujica ST & Mamiya DSX open aperture cameras which were seldom serviced by 3rd party lens companies. The TX system gives smooth results like Tamron Adaptall II system...nearly as smooth as Fujica lenses on their cams. Another zoom v. similar to the TX in size, weight, & construction & image quality, but not in mount interchangeability is Sears 60-300mm zoom. Close focuses only to 4 feet at all focal lengths. I've heard these zooms may be Tokina which is a major endorsement. Grace & peace to all readers.... litesong
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Post by kiev4a on Jan 20, 2006 15:53:15 GMT -5
The only long zoom I have for my Nikon is the Kiron 70-210 zoom which I would put up against any ai zoom, including the Nikkors. The only trouble is it quite heavy. I'm tempted tyo pick up one of the shorter focal length Kirons. Anybody know if they are as sharp ans the 20-210?
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jack
Senior Member
Posts: 76
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Post by jack on Jan 20, 2006 16:59:07 GMT -5
Hello Wayne
I have a Kiron 28-105mm Zoom that is a great lens. It has good constrast and sharpness. The only problem with some of them is the lubricant hardens and the iris stop working. Cleaning of the lubricant and relubing is required.
Jack
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Post by unclebill on Jun 7, 2006 20:06:44 GMT -5
this lens talk is dangerous, I picked up a 70-150 Zuiko zoom lens for my OM fleet a month ago. I usually use primes but I find that zooms are handy with some photos.
Bill
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Post by nikonbob on Jun 20, 2006 18:47:25 GMT -5
The only long zoom I have for my Nikon is the Kiron 70-210 zoom which I would put up against any ai zoom, including the Nikkors. The only trouble is it quite heavy. I'm tempted tyo pick up one of the shorter focal length Kirons. Anybody know if they are as sharp ans the 20-210? I had a 24/F2 Kiron that was a killer lens if you are looking for a fast wide prime. Bob Hammond
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Post by Dan Vincent on Jul 27, 2006 8:53:20 GMT -5
You can add me to the list of Tokina AT-X 28-85 fans. I've used this lens on several Minoltas and have 50-100, maybe more photos published in magazines, including a cover shot. I recommend it highly.
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