schen
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Post by schen on Dec 9, 2013 23:17:06 GMT -5
My very first Tamron Adaptall arrived right before our latest ice storm, so I was able to get out and shoot some pictures with it. It's much nicer and easier to use than I thought. I knew that at f/5.6, that lens would be pretty slim and light, but I wasn't prepared at just how small it was. This lens make a really nice match for my D40 despite it's length. The combination handles very well.
Now I'm impatiently waiting for the latest acquisition to arrive; a Tamron Adaptall-2, 28-50mm f/3.5-4.5 zoom, which also has a 58mm filter thread. I'm hoping that this lens will make a great "walk-around" lens for this camera. It's it turns out to be the case, I may have to try and "chip" it.
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lloydy
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Post by lloydy on Dec 10, 2013 18:23:43 GMT -5
I bought a SP-300 ( not much difference ) a little while ago for £10 ( UK Pounds ) in just about perfect condition. I'd already got a Soligor, Chinon and the legendary Tair in 300mm so I didn't exactly need another one. But for that price, I wasn't going resist. The Chinon is good, and the Soligor isn't bad either. The Tair deserves its legendary status on it's sharpness and performance, although mine has a stiff focusing ring so it's 100% a tripod lens. But the Tamron is a revelation, it's lighter, faster, easier to use than the Tair and way smaller. And I'm beginning to think it's sharper with better colour rendition. The Tamron is a remarkable lens, very under rated. The only advantage of the Tair is it's excellent properties as a weapon! I'm on a bit of a Tamron kick at the moment, they are cheap and mostly very good. What's not to like?
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Stan
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Post by Stan on Dec 10, 2013 19:12:16 GMT -5
I absolutely agree. Here in the colonies (North American that is), anything that's not "SP" seems to go for below $50. They are very hard to resist and seem to give great value for the money. I'm very much looking forward to the arrival of the 28-50mm and adding others as well, such as the 24mm, and 28mm.
I would also love to eventually get a Tair 300mm as well, preferably attached to a Fotosniper! I recently had to get the lube replaced on a 55mm Micro-Nikkor, so I feel your pain on that.
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lloydy
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Post by lloydy on Dec 11, 2013 17:51:10 GMT -5
My Tair is the normal, non photosniper version. I have tried to re lube it once but I think I left too much of the old grease in and it's gone stiff again. With the sniper it's not so much of a problem as the wheel does the focusing and that gears it down. The sniper is the best version by far.
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Stan
Senior Member
Posts: 84
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Post by Stan on Dec 11, 2013 19:31:50 GMT -5
We don't see the Tair much, especially the normal (non Fotosniper) version. I would assume they are much more common in Europe. At some point, I'm sure we'll cross the pond since my brother/sister-in-law live and work in Austria. I'll definitely plan on looking for interesting items that we don't get here in the states.
When I was a teenager, I used to buy Amateur Photographer (when I could afford it) to look at the ads of the Russian equipment that we couldn't get! In fact, last time I was in Canada, I bought an issue for nostalgia's sake. I actually tend to prefer British magazines to American publications as a general rule anyway.
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Stan
Senior Member
Posts: 84
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Post by Stan on Dec 16, 2013 0:59:40 GMT -5
Here's a sample shot with the Tamron CT-300. It's been cut down to 80% from the original jpeg. I like the colors on it quite a bit, and it appears to be sufficiently sharp when I do my job. I've got to say that I'm pleased with this $10 lens on a D40.
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lloydy
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Posts: 506
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Post by lloydy on Dec 16, 2013 19:10:47 GMT -5
It's a good lens Stan, I use mine a lot because its small, light and sharp. What's not to like ?
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Stan
Senior Member
Posts: 84
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Post by Stan on Dec 16, 2013 19:20:35 GMT -5
I'm in the process of developing a "Light" kit, built around the D40. So far, I've got the two Tamrons at 300mm and 28-50mm. I'll probably try and fit something in the middle with the 70-150mm and the 80-210mm being so inexpensive these days.
I might try and pick up one of the "E Series" 50mm or 35mm to have something truly small with nice light gathering capabilities as well. Otherwise, this whole package at this around $150 seems pretty good. I'd love to be "all-in" under $200.
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lloydy
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Posts: 506
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Post by lloydy on Dec 17, 2013 14:18:46 GMT -5
If you like your Tamrons I'd recommend the Tamron SP Z-220. 70-220 / 3.8 constant aperture, and it has a tripod mount. It's a bit smaller than the Tamron CT300 but heavier. The Z-220 IS 1029g and the CT300 818g. It is a very good lens though. Also there is the smaller and lighter - 695g - Tamron QZ 210, a 85-210 / 4.5 lens, it's a stop slower, constant aperture again, but has no tripod mount. Optically it is a very good lens, although prone to CA / fringing. The other good choice is the Vivitar Series 1 70-210 / 2.8-4 which weighs 872g, sadly has no tripod mount, and is a one touch zoom, both Tamrons are two ring zooms. I'd rate the Vivitar as the best optically. Search for one with 28***** serial number made by Komine, they are probably the best. Some people think they are expensive, but they aren't. There were a lot sold so there's plenty around. Is it better than the Tamron ? Maybe....but the 70-220 Tamron is optically so close the difference is barely noticeable. It's 220 grams heavier, it has a tripod mount. If it's bright and sunny I take the Vivitar, if it's gloomy I take the Tamron and a Benbo tripod. I need a Sherpa. allphotolenses.com/lenses/systems/c_59/p_1.htmlthere's a lot of Tamrons ( and other lenses )listed here, and most have the Tamron model number listed. It's just a shame Tamron didn't put the model number on all their lenses!
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Stan
Senior Member
Posts: 84
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Post by Stan on Dec 17, 2013 22:45:14 GMT -5
I had completely forgotten about the Vivitar S1 zooms. I've never owned one, but they have outstanding reputations. In fact, after I started looking around at something to fill the gap, I realized that I already own something; the very small and light Vivitar 70-150 f/3.8 complete with it's matched multiplier! It's the one made by Kiron and was well though of in it's day. I had bought it out of nostalgia when I found it VERY cheap on eBay. When I was the high school yearbook photographer, I had convinced my school to purchase that lens with our new Canon AE-1!
I'll keep an eye out for those Tamrons as well. The 70-220 SP sounds especially interesting. I prefer the two touch types anyway.
By the way. Anyone have recommendations on a hand-held light meter? Gossen Luna Pro? I have a Weston III that still works, but it doesn't get down very low.
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Stan
Senior Member
Posts: 84
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Post by Stan on Dec 20, 2013 10:47:41 GMT -5
I've picked up another cheap Adaptall on eBay to fill the "gap". This time it's the 85-210mm f/4.5. I don't know if it's the "CZ" or the "QZ" yet. I'll have to see when it shows up. I don't think there's not really much to give between the two.
Also, in lieu of a light meter (for now), I've gone out and gotten a couple of light meter Apps for my Android phone. We'll see how they work out.
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