wolf_weber

Most likely (depending on which model Sigma we're talking about, exactly) an ex. cond. (or better) Canon L IS lens will be somewhat sharper. With the added benefit of the IS feature. Oddly, I find the recent 100-400mm L IS II to be superior at 300mm. Albeit at a price. We all get what we pay for. And not "always what we want"...

..."Offer not to last..." That was a few days ago. But "the beat goes on". Now, at B&H (others..?) the KP DSLR body goes for $987.25, silver or black. Includes Free DA 50mm f/1.8 Lens. Value: $105.26. Unfortunately, silence from the Pentax lens dept.

Who knows at what price the KP will settle down the road. Comp. is ferocious. Absence of newer exciting long focal zooms from Tamron & Sigma for PX aren't helping either..! Anyhow, in case it was missed here; ADO as well as B&H, (and maybe others) are throwing in a 50mm DA 1.8 lens to the purchase. With the KP body (black) down to +/- 1050,-. Offer not to last... By the way: some months ago Ricoh had vaguely (no specifics given) "announced" the addition of another zoom lens. Since then: Nada. Anyone here know anything more..?

<p>Ever smaller, thus more cramped, is not for me. If they prefer to make bodies for the hands of Asians, that is their prerogative.<br> After the K-3 II, without a built-in flash, I will need to have a 2nd look at the K-70.<br> If only Sigma/Tamron would adapt one of their <em>super zoom</em> lenses to fit the K mount.<br> Dream on...</p>

<p>Indeed, Kenneth... I missed that. And I miss my Elan 7e, the last film camera I used<br> some 15 years ago... Analog labs had become so bad that I finally jumped on the digital train. <br />Wonder, what kind o'results the few remaining film developers deliver now..? <br />To go back to Mark with his question, the Tamron would be my choice. <br />If only the labs could live up to <strong>Q</strong> or similar. I'm afraid not.</p>

<p>Odd, I just had an experience of great expectations gone sour with the latest of the <strong>70-300's</strong>,<br> the <strong>IS II USM</strong>... A beautiful lens, performing <em>under par</em> from about 250mm. For similar reasons, <br />over the years, I returned 2 of the previous <strong>IS USM</strong> as well as a few <strong>L IS USM.</strong> <br />A good <strong>100-400mm L IS</strong> (especially the <strong>L</strong> <strong>IS II</strong>) beats them all at around 300mm.<br> A less expensive choice would be my favorite <em>workhorse</em>, the<strong> EF 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM</strong>..! <br />The lens isn't only quite sharp at all focal lengths but rather compact & light with a convenient semi-macro capability. <br />So much for my 2 cts.</p>

<p>Not at all, James... And U can even stack them to achieve <em><strong>super macro</strong></em>. Kenko makes a quality set. Just don't forget <br />to bring plenty of light (<em>to stack</em>)... For more on <strong>macro extenders</strong> I suggest:<br /> http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-25mm-Extension-Tube-II-Review.aspx</p>

<p>No Jeff, for the few times I've used the gizmo, mostly combined with an EF 25 II, no issues... For semi-macro <br />I now prefer the 55-250mm IS STM, in combination with the EF 25. An amazingly inexpensive (here in the USA) light weight workhorse.<br> Today I called the <strong><em>CA techies</em></strong> again who assured me that by everything I had submitted, they were +/- 95% sure, my version of the 50mm lens <br />is <strong>not a fake</strong>.<br> Cheers..!</p>

<p>Finally a step towards light at the end of... Etc. Thank U <strong>Ed</strong>..!<br> <em>..."</em><em>The company name is shown in either printed or molded letters"</em>... Wish they'd stipulated: <em >"in barely visible </em><em>printed letters."</em> <br />Also, <strong>Made in Malaysia</strong> is not the co's name. After more phone discussions with a CA rep, I forwarded images relative to my query. <br />No reply yet. Will keep everyone posted.</p>

<p>Oops,<br> I should've added that, yes indeed, the lens was purchased new from a reliable <strong>authorized dealer.</strong><br> Now, as Dick mentioned, a good counterfeit can be hard to tell from an <em>authentic</em>. Way things go...<strong><br /></strong></p>

<p>But Robin,<br> Over the phone I gave them the lens number, correctly engraved on the seating rim.<br> I also informed them of purchase time & place and that it came with a <strong>USA warranty</strong><br> card, still in its place in the original box. Shouldn' that be enough..?</p>

<p>So far no reaction here from anyone. Hm..?<br />To the point: My "plastik fantastik' compares to neither of the versions shown in some MEDIA... It does not<br />have<em> "CANON INC MADE IN MALAYSIA"</em> molded or engraved on the bottom rim of the lens. The very text is<br />just printed, albeit rather poorly, and barely visible to the eye, almost like some secret marking. <br />Whether it's an authentic version or another 'fake' I've been trying to find out from <strong>Canon USA</strong>. So far no<br />clarification from them. They even asked for some images. In other words, they want me to to their work.<br />Does anyone have the <strong><em>INFO</em></strong> they (so far) haven't been able to provide..?</p>

<p>Well Marie H, the <strong>review</strong> from DPR is in, sooner perhaps than expected... A <em>mixed bag</em> of sorts, with no more than a '79' rating. <br> Eager to get one as I may have been, I will pass for the time being. Just not what I had hoped for. Especially not with that <em>under par</em> kit lens.<br> Too bad.</p>

<p>At least (not last) they were <strong><em>on time</em></strong>... I am definitively in line for one. However, after an inconclusive chat with <em>sales</em> at <strong>B&H</strong>, I've put things on hold. <br />My question: ...<em>"The new Pentax K-70 has <strong>"White Balance Modes"</strong> like most dslr's. Does it work at ISO 100 or whichever, please..?"... </em><br /> CS agent at B&H: ...<em>"I called Pentax direct. They could not give me a definitive answer on your question. The camera is so new they do not have that information yet."</em>...<br /> That was more than a week ago. Any update from anyone, please..?<br /> Recently I returned an EOS 80D because for all the dough they can't give us an ISO 50 <strong><em>low</em></strong>, nor the 100 for "White Balance"... In that mode it switches to 200. The ISO range on the K-70 is ISO 100-204800 which is an awful lot at the upper limit. Since then I've done some checking, only more expensive DSLRs, like the Leica SL offer the choice (of ISO 50). For someone who works in bright light a lot, ISO 200 seems awfully high. Remember analog..? ASA 25 was the standard on the lower end. But that was then...<br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>