lens_four

Well, LensFour was originally designed with 4 sections. Pics, Reviews, Words (articles), and Links but more importantly was all designed with the theme of FOUR. Actually it was PICS, REVU, WORD, LINK. And all the portfolios were four letters: deer, wind(ows), self(portraits), Good(wood Festival) etc. It worked fine and was good fun, but see the next bit

 

The idea was also that I could run with JUST four lenses. At the time I started off my KM7D system I had selected the 17-35/2.8-4 & 50/1.4 & Tam 90/2.8 & Sig 70-200/2.8. Four lenses to cover all. And that looks like a good set-up.

 

But i was very disapointed with the Sig 70-200. Slow, hunting lens. So I got the Min 200/2.8 prime instead (after sonme other changes).

 

I had an obvious gap. I had a business trip to India and needed to travel very light, so was restricted to one lens. 17-35 too wide, 70-200 too big/heavy, the two primes not suitable. So I got the 24-105/3.5-4.5 (D) - fixed the problem, but broke the 4 idea!

 

Then came the 100-300 APO (D) - lovely lens, still not four.

 

The LensFour domain is up for renewal in early Aug-05, and only costs GBP15/yr, so I will probably renew it and may use it for something else later this year?

 

I must admit I think I could happily live with the 28/2 & 85/1.4 & 200/2.8 & 90macro prime set and continue the FOUR theme. But i don't have 85/1.4! and the pain of selling my 17-35 28-75 24-105 100-300 would be too much. Actually the 24-105 & 100-300 would lose very little, the 50/1.4 a little, and my 135/2.8 again would be no/tiny loss.

 

The 17-35 I love the colours, but could happily live without and carry on with my 28/2 prime.

 

The 28-75 is only a month old and not used much. It would be silly to lose it. It worked well at Goodwood, and will get more use.

 

I can see that I would again land back with a 4 zoom and 4 prime line up. 17-35 28-75 24-105 100-300 & 28/2 85/1.4 200/2.8 90m, so I may use the LensFour website as a project site for a bunch of example pics with each lens. This would mean selling the 135/2.8 & 50/1.4 to get the 85/1.4 .... which I could live with!!!! Actually I have a 24-85 and Sig 2x EX to sell so those four would reach a used price of a 85/1.4 - if I could only find one!!!

 

Bit, lot, of a rambling answer!

<p>Right its a working draft, I've just replaced LensFour.com with

<a href="http://www.VividOptic.com"

target="_blank">www.VividOptic.com</a>

.... my <a

href="http://www.vividoptic.com/Projects/GoodFestSp05/GoodFestSp05.ht

m" target="_blank">Goodwood

Festival of Speed (24-Jun) pics</a> are live and on-line, some of

the content is

on there, and a few of the review-ette pages are ready.  

A lot of the

rest of it is in draft, some on-line, some not.</p>

<p>I have dual run the two website for a few weeks, but today I've

fed the

re-direct pages into LensFour, so LensFour is dead - VividOptic

lives!  </p>

<p>A few of you may have seen my FourDays project, the images are

still coming

but the whole re-design and re-direct project of website has stolen

my image

editing time. So with a bit of luck over the next few days I shall

dig out and

shoe horn in my Four Day images to that project. I have kept

shooting, and its

only a minor hitch in not getting the pics on-line as quick as I

should!</p>

<p>CLEARLY - the thing that is missing is some more images.  I

took the

brave move that my last 17? years of photography would not be

represented on

this site.  I moved to the KM7D in Jan-05, and the images on

this website

will be 7D images only.  I shot frame 04119 tonight, and I

reckon there

will be about 100-150 images to hit this website from the stuff I've

captured so

far this year.</p>

<p>This website is designed to focus on the portfolios, they take

pride of place

but are not yet listed!  They are shown first, and special

projects to give

me some design freedom.  There is a page under the 'info'

section to let

you know what I'm currently working on.</p>

<p>Please have a look and browse around the site and let me know

what you think

of the layout and the few images so far on-line.  Comments

either in this

thread or by e-mail.  <a

href="mailto:dcap@vividoptic.com">dcap@vividoptic.com</a>

would be much appreciated.</p>

<p>I have a new photo.net ID registered, and the plan will be to

post about ?

of the images from my website to my photo.net ID gallery as tasters

and a place

to get image comments for all to see.</p>

<p>Thanks for looking. </p>

blimey: I've only had a small glass of beer. that was supposed to read: not-to-be-called 9D

I agree with R Wallace. That the 5D spec will be too close to the 7D that the 7D will be 'replaced' ... we have seen some crazy things happen to the price on the 7D recently.

 

I could easily see a surprize announcment in that the 5D is launched, AS and 6.? mega, no spot, no option of grip, maybe less fps, less buffer.

 

Then the 7D update with a jump to 8.? mega, and maybe an increase in fps and buffer.

 

But still leaving lots of room for the no-ti-be-called-9D for Jan/Feb-06 (date is a guess). And again my guess, I think it will be called the 12D. And be based on the film 9, but host a 12 mega chip.

 

Just thoughts. Bit of luck when i get home from the office tomorrow, there will be a press release and spec of the 5D and 7Dnew to read?

 

Not that any of this will make any difference to me, other than the feel good of being in a 'system' I really like my 7D. And have no need/lust for mre pixels. I would however like a 135/2, but there is no such thing, just the wonderful 85/1.4 .... but I need a longer fast lens. My 200/2.8 is fabulous, but when the light dips for wildlife in the evenings, I NEED a 135/2! Come on KM, surprize me!

I found the pics linked to in another forum, DPReview.com. If you look at the layout of the 7D, the knowbs and buttons are in different places and are different sizes.

 

Personally I think the name gives it away, it has to be a lower grade camera than the 7D. Price??? The 7D's price has fallen a lot in the UK. From GBP 1150 at launch through 1049/999/899 now 799 (it did briefly hit 680 in one store for a while!!!!) Thats a huge drop.

 

The logic says that the 7D is competing with Canon 20D, so a 5D must be looking at the 350D? Well that's just how I see it. So the (9D) can compete with the 1D line.

 

There was rumour that this 5D would leak to the press in July ... sure has, """"apparently"""" this 5D is for press release on 11-Jul-05, so watch the Minolta websites on Monday.

 

The same source said that the 7D would be replaced in 2006, guess 7Di, 7Dn? And that the pro-line camera (NOT to be called the 9D) would be released in 2006 also.

 

Again, back to my thought .... is it too quick (for Minolta, given late entry) to be replacing the 7D with the 5D? Would the numbers work? I'm guessing: no. But I'm new to KM.

 

I think we will have the 5D/7D/(9D) as a choice of cameras. The APS-C lenses were supposed to be out in Sept. So perhaps the 5D will be press released in Jul, for Sep in the shops?

 

Or maybe the new kit lenses will ONLY be available with the 5D for the first few months in a kit, and then the lenses go to general relase on Sep-05.

 

2nd guessing KM ... not simple!

 

Either way, it is very hard to guess its spec if it is to fall below the 7D. It must continue to have the 6.? mpix, and the AS has to stay .... so what else goes? the exp comp? The spot? the ability to bolt on a grip? Who knows .... maybe Monday will tell.

 

Or maybe it will be an 8mega camera and queue the 7D up for its upgrade to the 7DII with a 8meg chip?

<img border="0" src="http://www.photo4u.it/files/5d_693.jpg">

This is what I do. I do this maybe once a month, I change lenses a lot in the field. And I have even done this IN THE FIELD a few weeks ago, very dusty car rally!

 

1st. Shoot a pic at something bright, close focus but out of focus and overexpose by 2 stops at f16 or f22 ... to see if you do actually NEED to do it? You will be able to see on the LCD if there is anything worth cleaning. Blue or cloudy sky can work well actually. If you've already seen the dust in photos then you shouyld know where to look for it.

 

Then get into the right menu on the back. The one with the spanner icon and then its menu 3, it has a caution sign next to it - so you can't miss it!. Leave the body cap on until you do this.

 

Right, then say 'YES' ... turn camera upside down, so viewfinder is pointing to sky. Hold camera up and remove body cap. If you tilt the camera a bit to catch the light and get a sheen/reflection, you will see the tiny specs you may have on their. Then HUFF the blower. (make sure the huffer is clean!). Point it in there but not too close, and have a good huff huff huff. Then look closely at the chip again. Gone. Turn camera OFF to end process.

 

Its REALLY scarey first time. Then its just a once/month thing and easy peasy, no worries.

 

NEVER use a compressed air can. Too agressive, some have wet spray. Far too powerful.

 

Also, I would have a huff inside the camera without the mirror locked up first to make sure you don't blow anything in from just out side the CCD area!

 

I'm sure there are instructions in the manual. But this is just what I do. Not advice! Just what I do.

 

/Chris

Sunpak 40PZ

David: how much do you spend on film & D&P in a year .... how much will you get on eBay selling your film body >> how close are you now to a free dSLR. With zero running costs?

G=Gold. Thank you for that.

 

Looking hard at my 200/2.8 APO (which has a gold band). If I wanted too I reckon I could break the gold band off, so I guess it is possible that this 85/1.4's gold band has come away.

 

Q: My 200/2.8 APO witha gold band. Does that mean it IS a G? I always thought that seeing as there was no letter G to be seen that it was a pre-G model? It does NOT have a focus hold button. It would be a nice surprize to learn that it is a G!

So the history of this lens is:

 

1 - 85/1.4

 

2 - 85/1.4 G

 

3 - 85/1.4 (D) G

 

Is this correct. I've got the 85/1.4 on my wish list for Jan-06, will get the 50/2.8 macro before then. I plan to wait until I find a used 85/1.4 .... I may have a long wait I understand!

 

PS - I too had seen photos of the 85/1.4 G with a gold ring. My 200/2.8 pre-G has a Gold ring on the hood. Does the Gold ring mean somthing in Minoltaland

Excuse my stupidity, I'm ex-Canon. Now that I have seen the light

and moved on over to the MInoltian side of life.

 

In Canonland "L" lenses, L = Luxury, as staed in their literature

 

?? What does "G" mean?

 

Yep, I know it the same class of lens, the one with the better build

and all the optics with acronyms. But what about the G? G = Good?

G = Great? G = Get one?

I've seen the 35-70/4 for a stupid price. I see them for 29 & 39 GBP all the time. I think this means I'm one day going to have to get one, just to do the comparison with the 24-105 & 50/1.4 to show what a bargain lens this is. Its a 'macro' too. Okay stricly speaking a macro STARTS at 1:1, and more broader we refer to a macro lens as one that ends up at 1:1. But a 35-70/4 with close-up ability could be an excellent walk about still-life lens

 

Some people - ME included - can spend too much time focusing on the kit and forget its all about the shooting. If a 35-70/4 does it for you in terms of zoom range, then this could be one of those extra special bargains that we see.

NO! Its worth a lot more that 300. How much is a missed shot due to camera shake worth?

 

But the 7D is also a photographer's camera. I have no idea what level a D70 is but if its like a Canon 350D then you need to treat the 7D is a level of camera UP from that.

 

Portraits: KM 28-75/2.8 is the one to get

I used to have the Sig 105 (pre-DG model) on Canon D30. When I migrated to Minolta-land, I got the Tamron SP 90mm f2.8 Di Macro - becuase it is arguably the BEST out there optically!

 

Chosing between the sharpest lenses you can buy is a toughie. A reply in here said his/her Sig 105 played up on the 7D. That for me would be reason enough to go Min (pricey, but cheap for a used pre-(D) version). In the UK a NEW Tam 90 is about the same price as a new Sig.

 

You are talking about a used one, so it will be pre-DG. If I was buying Sig today I would insist on a DG version (digital coats for us shinny chip people)

 

You don't mention film/digital.

 

My Tam 90 - fabulous. My old Sig 105 (and 50) were great. If you looked hard you could see some CA in the extreme conditions, not all shots, but a few people pointed it out in a few images I posted last year.

 

Bottom line. 90/100/105 macros are brilliant. Do you want the BEST (Tam/Min), or just a VERY VERY VERY good one?

posting full serial numbers of kit is still a dumb idea, BS or no, brother or no, shop/on-line whereever. Was just a suggestion, and I don't think it needed a responce. Its a dumb idea!

Not sure how helpful this is going to be. I've not used either SL item you mention. But i have had Voigtlkänder 21/25/35P/35f1.7/75 lenses on the Bessa rangefinders. The 35s and the 75 were outstanding lenses.

 

I haven't done a formal comparison, they were slides now I'm digital. But the 35/1.7 may be the sharpest lens I have ever used. Either that or the Min 200/2.8 Canon 200/2.8 or the Tamron 90 macro.

 

So if the optical design of the 75 is the same as the 75/2.5 in rangefinder fit, then my "GUESS" is that these lenses are going to be exceptional. While I was in Bessa the 90 got just as good things said about it as the 75. The 75 I knew from personal experience. I used the 35/1.7 a lot more than any of the others, but the first time I saw a slide on the lightbox from the 35/1.7 I was stunned! This sounds a bit "yeah yeah yeah". I'd been shooting slide for about 15 years at that point. With some very nice prime lenses on SLRs. That rangefinder (and things are a bit different on rangefinder).

 

If the Dynax 7D was manual focus or could take the manual lenses then I can honestly say that i would have a couple of Voigtländer primes already. They are something that I would buy unseen, untried, and without looking for a test report.

 

Steve Gandy is bound to have something about the SL lenses on his Voigt pages

http://cameraquest.com/index.html

 

SL page

http://cameraquest.com/Voigt%20SL.htm

I read good things about the 35-70/4. And they can be found VERY cheap for the results they apparently deliver. Not 1st hand experience.

Have you considered a used Min 200/2.8 APO (the pre-G model) and a 2x?

Do all G lenses have 'G' written on them somewhere?>

 

HArd for me to tell, I have the 200/2.8 APO (pre-G version), so, no letter "G" visibile on mine, but then there shouldn't be.

 

Canon's L series always have "L" somewhere on them. What is the case for the Min Gs?

 

PS - I had the Sig 28-70/2.8-4 in Canon AF a good few years ago. Awful. Soft. CA.

It may be better to quote: 11202### etc. as you serials on on-line forums. You can never be sure what people will do with these numbers! Like add them to their own insurance certificate and then claim them as 'stolen' .... oh look, this guy has them!

 

I agree with one of the replies that the numbers are meaningless anyway, so you may not want/need to post the numbers again anyway! There was a thread in another forum to attempt to unravel the 7Ds seial number. There were two - quite different - ideas, both were rubbish of course.

 

I have a 24-85 which has a © symbol and a year on it! I figured, wow: old lens! Written just inside the rear part of the lens. But then I was informed that this is jus the year of the design, not the year it was made!

 

>chris

Hi Bill

 

I'm almost certain to dump my 50/1.4 - just through sheer lack of use. Had it since begining of Jan-05, not shot one proper frame with it. It was a mistake buy, I should have started with a 28/2 anyway. I'm up at 3200-ish frames on my 7D's frame counter, all the other lenses get action. Mainly the 200/2.8 closely followed by the 90 macro!

 

When shooting film I used a 50/1.4 a lot. The Min 28/2 has just taken up price of that place.

 

So .... on to the next idea. I'm losing the 50/1.4 (good price from a commission sale equiry, CONSIDERABLY more than I was offered off-line!).

 

I got the 28-75/2.8 to cover portraits in the main. Effective 42-112 or something. The 50/1.4 & 135/2.8 could be 'back-up' portrait lenses, but I'm still not sure I'd get any use out of the 50/1.4

 

Just really looking to see if I need/want to replace the fast 50 with a macro 50. Hence, Q: on portraits with the 50 macro. As mentioned I've used both 50/105 macro in the past, but never together, and not for portraits. As mentioned by others, having a 50/2.8 as a pocket 50 is one nice reason. It doesn't work with the 50/1.4 I just don't go for it. But having a pocket/small macro for street life, I would use for still life stuff.

 

The killer at the moment is that no matter how hard I try, when I take the 50/1.4 out for a play. I just don't use it.

 

I've given up on slimming my kit down to four lenses. Was the inital idea. But I can't stand to have a lens with the trapped value of a 50/1.4 in it and its just gathering dust. Alllll the other lenses get used. Exception is the 135/2.8, but I know I will use that when I want to go 17-35 & 135 as a day trip/travel set.

 

90mm macro is fabulous, but a bit big, and AF is slow, no matter for flowers etc as i manual focus anyway most of the time.

 

For portraits I could carry the 50/2.8 macro instead of the 28-75/2.8 when I'm traveling light.

 

I like to have plenty of options. And pick&mix for the day.

 

All this is in the future, although I'll get enough for 2x used 50/2.8 macros when I commision sale a couple of spare bits: 50/1.4 + 24-85 + Sig 2x. Nothing else really on the shopping list.

 

I have three choices. Bank the money (boring, and not what money was invented for!) - or - save it for the 85/1.4! Interesting. Or I can use some on a 50/2.8 macro. 50macro hold thier value, so if after 6 months its not used, I'll move it on.

 

>chris

If you want to see some stunning sharpness, and you want proabably the best all around macro lens. Then the 90/100/105 is the wiser choice. 50mm are good for copy work, 180/200 is serious money

Is an eraser (rubber to us Brits) still the best thing to clean the gold plated contacts with? Or are they copper? Gold doesn't tarnish, and contacts never look tarnished to me, dirty sometimes.

 

Or do we have a better way to clean them?

 

The rubber being the best thing to wipe any grease off the contacts.

 

Curious

 

Chris

Chill the FO! And read MY question first. Does anyone use a 50mm macro for portraits? Do you find it too sharp?

 

Perhaps I should have expanded my Q a bit? I thought I'd try a short post for a change. I don't think it worked, so here goes the full size question.

 

I'm just curious to see if anyone likes using a 50 macro for people shots. I'm trying to decide if dumping my 50/1.4 should be done in favour of a 50 macro (as a macro lens, to pair with my 90 macro) or wait and get a 85/1.4 instead. This is long term, may keep the 50/1.4 as a 75/1.4 instead. Just got the 28-75/2.8 for people shots. But I want to have my 'other' options well thought out before I sell/keep my 50/1.4.

 

If I had a 50 macro then I'd use it for ultra close stuff. If I get the 85/1.4 then this would be to have some fun with eyes at f1.4 & f2. I wouldn't get an f1.4 to shoot at f4 .... I can do that with my 28-75.

 

I'm really just keen for people comments of having used a macro for portraits. Or your decision NOT to use a macro, but go for a 85/1.4 instead and why would be just as helpful info

 

Ta

 

Chris