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Post by unclebill on Jun 7, 2006 20:12:49 GMT -5
I have always stayed with the same brand that came with the camera i.e. Zuiko with Olympus e.t.c with the exception being my Leica M system.
I have a series one 80-200 in Nikon F mount that came from my dad's estate that came with the Nikon F, used it few times, I have been pleased with the results.
Here comes the skill testing question, which brand should I look at? I have seen Tokina being discussed as a high quality aftermarket lens as they had ex Nikon optics engineers on staff, where do the other brands like Tamron, Sigma, Soligar, Kiron etc fit in the grand scheme of things? I might pick up a couple of Zooms for different mounts over time.
Bill
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Post by heath on Jun 7, 2006 22:36:00 GMT -5
Bill, Sigma lenses can be of very good optical quality. I had two Sigma zooms in the Canon FD mount (28-80 and 80-210) that ran rings around some of the Canon lenses that I have used. Very nice pieces of glass. They would have to one of the best aftermarket lens manufacturers out there. Tamron are also a reputable name, though I have not had much experience with them, even though I have a 70-150 3.8 and a 300 5.5 in M-42 mount, with the 300 being a preset. I am currently using a Promaster 28-80 in the Canon EF mount and I must say it is a very nice lens. In M-42 mount, the lenses made by/for the Hanimex company are very nice. I have two of their 135mm 2.8's and a 28 2.8 that are quality pieces. My sole Soligor is a preset 105 2.8, also in M-42, which I need to use more.
Heath
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Post by kiev4a on Jun 9, 2006 11:38:28 GMT -5
Kiron made some great lenses although they tend to be heavy. I have an 80-200 f4 Kiron for my Nikon that I would put up against just about any zoom, including the Nikkors from the same period. I believe Kiron actually made some of the early Vivitar Series 1 lenses. I also love my recently acquired Tokina 80-200 f2.8 zoom which I picked up for $135 including postage.
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Post by kamera on Jun 9, 2006 20:48:32 GMT -5
Herbert Keppler, the know-it-all guru at Popular Photography and Imaging has finally confessed that he does use "3rd. party/after market" lens.
Previously he rather denounced them, especiallyy Soligor as trash.
A recent article of his stated that he does have, use and like Chinon, Kiron, Vivitar and Cambron lenses.
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Post by byuphoto on Jun 10, 2006 9:46:21 GMT -5
If not Canon then most of mine are Vivitar series 1's. I have the 70-210 f3.5, the 90-230 f4.5, 90-180 and the awesome 90mm macro with the 1:1 adapter. They are all the best of the best. I do have some others. The Sigma 400 f5.6 APO and the Sigma 600 f8 mirror are outstanding as is my Sigma 70-210 f2.8(under the Quantaray brand) I also have a Tamron and a Tokina lens that perform well. But they all pale in comparison to my Canon lenses. The 50 f1.4 and the 85 f1.8 and my 135 f2.8 are so sharp I have to soften any portraits taken with them. I also have the 100, 200 and 300 f2.8 Canons along with the 500 f4.5 so I have a very good subjective comparison
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Post by byuphoto on Jun 10, 2006 9:48:35 GMT -5
"Herbert Keppler, the know-it-all guru at Popular Photography and Imaging has finally confessed that he does use "3rd. party/after market" lens."
He is the one that turned me onto the Sigma 600 F8 mirror lens
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Post by nikonbob on Jun 20, 2006 18:42:31 GMT -5
Most aftermarket lens makers produced some very good lenses the trouble is that you have to pick and choose. The Tamron SP models were generally good as were the original Series One Vivitars. The Tamron 20-40 SP AF and 300/2.8 SP AF do very well for me. The one Kiron that I owned in Nikon mount was a 24/2 was very sharp as was a Tokina 17/3.5 SL. Those two I should not have sold.
Bob Hammond
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