Phoenix and Kenko brand super-telephoto

I did a search for comments on these but did not find anything. Cameta sells

a couple of long zoom lenses--420-800 and 650-1300--branded either Kenko or

Phoenix. Anyone owned/used these? Are they any good at all?

Have I used one? No. Are they any good? No.

 

These are type of lenses are pure junk. With that 420-800, at 420 you're at F8 and at 800 you're at F16. This will make your view finder very dim.

 

You can expect hard to focus shots that are soft, low contrast with lots of purple fringing. You would need to use a sturdy tripod.

 

Please, do yourself a favor and avoid these lenses. You get what you pay for.

 

-Tom

How much is Cameta asking for these lenses, and are they new or used? Also, what kind of photography do you usually do?

I love Tom's answer. There's your expert opinion Ellis.

Thanks, Tom. That is about what I figured. I want to shoot birds and wildlife, but I don't want to waste my money, either.

Hey Bob,

 

Two good options for you in the $400 range is the used Sigma 400/5.6 APO Macro (not the non-APO version, it's also a hunk of junk) or a used 300/4 with a 1.4x teleconverter.

 

Avoid the mirror lenses, they have crummy, distracting ring shaped bokeh (bokeh is how the the out of focus areas are rendered).

 

-Tom

I also have used the APO Sigma 400mm f/5.6 and I agree that it is a good performer. I used it in Africa for wildlife back in 1984, getting wonderful images. I understand that the Tokina (Kenko/THK group) 400 f/5.6 is every bit as good.