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chris_at_vividoptic.com

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Posts posted by chris_at_vividoptic.com

    KM 17-35/2.8-4 (D) - prices gone silly low in the UK

    in Sony/Minolta

    Posted

    NO FEAR - thats me by the way. VividOptic/MaxxumEyes/dcap - all the same old Chris ... dynaxcap.com explains it all. Pic-a-day project running since 01-Jan-06 too.

     

    They were "just" my test lenses that I sold, 13x wonderful CHUNKS of glass. Okay, some/most bought to keep (was going to keep 7/9/10 of them at one point) ... couple just for review. But it was time to sell them on. And a fun sale it was, some 300 e-mails it took to move them all on. Gone to good homes all over the world. Well they will do with my visits to the post office on Mon/Tue/Wed/Thu lunch!!

     

    I kept:

    - 24/2.8 NewRS, not as sharp as the 20 or the 28/2 but plenty sharp enough, won on size and the NewRS version is circular ap.

    - 50/1.4 NewRS, I actually BOUGHT in the middle of all this!

    - 100/2.8 Soft Focus (for use as a normal 100mm lens)

    - 300/2.8 APO G

     

    I think four lenses is the minimum for me in prime.

     

    Considering selling the 100/2.8 softy and then get the STF 135 instead. Dunno, the 100 is great, a lot smaller and cheaper (well I have it already, so no hunt needed).

     

    Lens Duals to follow soon:

    - 24/2.8 original vs 24/2.8 NewRS

    - 50/1.4 original vs 50/1.4 NewRS

    - then I'll sell the two originals? Or maybe the NewRSs?

     

    And at the same time I shall track down a 24-50/4 original to run up against them. Will keep this forum posted with the review

    KM 17-35/2.8-4 (D) - prices gone silly low in the UK

    in Sony/Minolta

    Posted

    <p>Both Ffordes & Warehouse Express have dropped price of the KM

    17-35D to ﾣ150 in the UK! Amazing. Jessops still selling at ﾣ389 or

    something. I tried them today and they won't price match. Few other

    shops still selling at ﾣ250+, couple at ﾣ200 </p>

    <p> </p>

    <p><a

    href="http://www.warehouseexpress.com/">http://www.warehouseexpress.com/</a></p>

    <p><a href="http://www.ffordes.com">http://www.ffordes.com</a> </p>

    <p> </p>

    <p>Shame, I had a really good deal locally and was going to get one

    myself or

    maybe offer one for sale on my auction page.</p>

    <p>Are we allowed to point at our own for sale pages in here?  Can't

    remember the rules - I have a bunch of lenses on a private auction

    closing out

    tonight.  Perhaps if a moderator is looking in here they can

    advise if I am

    allowed to link to my for sale page?</p>

    review website for manual focus lenses on dSLR

    in Nikon

    Posted

    Hi there, could someone point me in the direction of a website that

    has reviews and specs of the Nikon manual focus lenses.

     

    Am I correct in thinking that AI and AIS lenses on a dSLR will let me

    use aperture prioity and spot metering. All I do is the focusing!

     

    I am considering getting a Nikon dSLR and the 45/2.8 pancake for a

    small travel option. BUt would love to know if am then also able to

    take advance of good deals on 300/2.8 & 500/4 and maybe even a 24/2.8

    & 55/1.2 or 50/1.2 and a 85/105/135 lens too? Used there seem to be

    some very good prices. And I much prefer to manual focus my lenses, I

    shoot scenes or thing, not action so I have the luxury of focus time

     

    I don't wnat to come in here and go "50/1.2 and 55/1.2 - are they any

    good" becuase I would get the standard forum 'welcome' of "use the

    search". I am hoping there are a couple of good website that I can go

    to to learn about Nikon manual focus primes. Thank you, tis my first

    Nikon forum post.

    Kodak Top, Sony up there, forget Nikon, get a Canon

    in Sony/Minolta

    Posted

    <p>Firstly, as requested by the thread originator, here is my <a href="http://www.maxxumeyes.com/ForSale.htm" target="_blank">For

    Sale Page</a>.  (link opens new window, no pop-ups or ads just a hidden

    page on one of my sites).  The sale starts on 04-Mar through 11-Mar, and is

    a little like my own eBay.  Its bids, but they are blind and by e-mail, so

    no need for the $15 bid for the 200/2.8, because it won't get your name on the

    screen - the whole thing will remain blind until the end, then the PayPal bills

    get sent out on the Sunday 12-Mar.</p>

    <p>Now, that will look like I'm dumping out of Minolta.  But actually

    that's my MaxxumEyes review lenses.  Which I did intend to sell "at

    the March photo show when Minolta launched the 7Dii and 9D".  Well

    that was my intention, I was looking to take advantage of the used price

    rise.  </p>

    <p>Things change!  In fact I was intending to keep 16/28/35/50/85/135/300

    as a 7-lens set, and use them in pairs or three when out for a shoot.  I'm

    not a zoom fan you see.  But then, I was only using these 7 for about 2

    months, and I was still in the which lens do I take dilemma.  So, I have

    changed to keeping just 28/100/300 - so my travel set is 28 & 100 - that

    decision was based on a three day photo shoot in Paris about a month ago, I took

    16/28/50/135.  And 4 primes is a nightmare in handing.  With 4 you do

    spend your time changing lenses.  With two you don't.  Anyway, this

    thread isn't about prime selection. </p>

    <p>Back to your thread.  If I was dumping Minolta (I'm not), I would

    actually go to Nikon.  Sure Canon have lots of new camera, a new one every

    five minutes it would seem, and full frame etc.  But I'm not interested in

    paying full-frame premium, I actually like the 1.5x crop.  And I also like

    to manual focus my lenses.  I would go to Nikon and use manual focus prime

    lenses.  You can get really good deals on things like the manual focus

    500/4 - and move the lens from an AF dream (silly money) to a reality. 

    Likewise on the 300/2.8s - in manual focus they are well priced.  And I

    like manual focusing.  So Nikon and Pentax have the only dSLRs that let you

    use their old manual focus optics.  </p>

    <p>Me, if I dumped out of Minolta.  I would be all Nikon.  And that is

    coming from someone who spent 1987-2004 in Canon, FD through EOS > D30. 

    Having also owned OM, Nikon FE & FM & 55/micro & rangefinder along

    the way.  If the Epson RD-1 wasn't 3x the price it should be I would get

    one of those.  And have a 7D + 300/2.8 for wildlife and no other Minolta

    optics. </p>

    which macro lens?

    in Pentax

    Posted

    am i right in thinking that certain Penta manual focus lenses are fully compatible with the digital bodies? Macro photography is pretty much all manual focus anyway, are manual focus macro lenses cheaper than the newer AF ones?

    *ist DL + 40/2.8 pancake - travel everywhere option?

    in Pentax

    Posted

    Ken - thank you for the photo

    Jeff - I can't get your link to work?!

    James - thank you for the link and for letting me descover the Pentax manual focus tilt lens!! *istDL is a definate now. Thank you also for the shots of the lens and the example shots of the wall. I see sharp centre at f2.8, sharp edge at f5.6. Looks plenty sharp enough for my needs.

     

    Are the tilt lenses super hard to find? Any idea on a guide price.

    *ist DL2 announced

    in Pentax

    Posted

    I'm not switching systems. I'm adding the *ist DL + pancake (possibly later a tilt lens) for the lens. Its lens first, body to hold. I'm keeping my investment in my Minolta system, well camera, grip, three primes.

     

    The luxury bit was that my original system in Minolta was planned to be 4-5-6 primes. I ballooned it out to 15 as a testing project, but they are all bought used and with the plan to sell them all on within 6 months. Which is just what I'm doing. The only change is that despite finding what I would call my keeper set of 7 primes. I'm slimming to a shocking 3 primes only. Which allows me to pop-in and get the *istDL and 40/2.8 pancake.

     

    I guess I'm lucky that I have no printing costs. I don't even own a printer (well have Canon 6x4" postcard thing) but I spend zero on printing or running costs. Coming from a 100+ films a year shooter to now a 10,000 frame a year digital shooter is a HUGE cost saving.

     

    I LIKE Digital!!

     

    My prints are replaced by my websites.

    *ist DL + 40/2.8 pancake - travel everywhere option?

    in Pentax

    Posted

    Thank you all. I have decided that I will get a Pentax *istDL + 40/2.8 pancake.

     

    My Minolta kit will be slimmed to 7D + 28/2 + 100/2.8 + 300/2.8 - once I've sold my spare Minolta primes I'll probably also get the Ricoh GR Digital as a pocket camera

     

    This give me:

    - Ricoh for a carry camera everywhere

    - DL+40 for work travel smallest space smallest dSLR camera

    - 7D + 28 + 100 for city breaks. 300 is for wildlife shots

     

    Look forward to seeing Pentax bring out the other pancakes.

     

    Anyone know of a better deal into the UK other than getting *istDL + kit lens from eBay HongKong, pay the tax, sell the kit. Looks like the cheapest deal around. What return price should I expect for the kit lens. It will be unopened and still in the box.

     

    Thanks for your advice people.

     

    Could someone confirm that I can just leave the *istDL in Aperture mode, and spot meter and AF and each time I turn it on it will remember those setings. I've never used a Pentax before.

    *ist DL + 40/2.8 pancake - travel everywhere option?

    in Pentax

    Posted

    Just about to close a deal on one of my spare Minolta lenses, which is about the same cash as the *ist DL body. Moves me to 80/20 go/no-go on the DL+pan. Have website name lurking for a new project dedicated to the set-up too.

     

    You've helped people - thank you. All planned to be a one lens system. But I never stick to my plans, will be interested to see the other pancakes when they launch of course.

     

    Anyone want to sell their MINT 40/2.8 pancake? chris [at] vividoptic [dot] com - that's me

    *ist DL + 40/2.8 pancake - travel everywhere option?

    in Pentax

    Posted

    Richard, Ryan - thank you. This is just the advice I needed. People in one system. Jump for a pancake or ltd ed lens and a body to hold it. Just my situation. And thanks for the note on not moving to the mini-chip on the compact.

     

    So I am typing to people with FF dSLRs that have an *ist and a small prime as a knockabout camera. Well, my main body is already a 1.5x and I'm a happy digital cropped guy. So the crop I am used to.

     

    Pentax roadmap. Doh! I'm such a Pentax newbie. I see that there is a wide and a portrait pancake lens on the map. Good to see there are plans for more. Not sure if this influences my decision too much. Given the f2.8 ness of the 40mm I am happy with the longer lens (effective 60mm) if that makes sence. I like to take close-up shots of things with normal lenses, so it won't ge a great deal of use as a scenic lens. Although for architecture crops it would do well.

     

    Thanks again people. I'm still 50/50. Love the look of the new DL2, shame its not for Europe. I like the retro buttons, do i wait or the Samsung DL2, or have i got that all wrong?

    *ist DL + 40/2.8 pancake - travel everywhere option?

    in Pentax

    Posted

    <p>

    Mmm, thanks guys. So if you are all recommending a normal sized small lens instead of the pancake, then I should stick to my Minolta 7D (or get a 5D, its smaller body) and use my current Min 28/2 or even 50/1.7.

    </p>

    <p>

    This is certaintly the cheaper option. Already have the lenses, and the batteries and the CF cards. A side jump for one lens carrying box (*istD L or L2) would involved new battery and card investment.

    </p>

    <p>

    So I am at these options:

    </p>

    <p>

    - *istD L + 40/2.8 pancake ... smallest dSLR package I can get

    </p>

    <p>

    - Minolta 5D + my Min 28/2 or 50/1.7 .... bigger in the lens dept

    </p>

    <p>

    - Ricoh GR Digital ... small chip

    </p>

    <p>

    - Epson RD-1 ... way out of budget

    </p>

    What is SSM?

    in Sony/Minolta

    Posted

    other than AF speed? Start/stop speed, AF accuracy? What would you like it to do?

     

    I'm guessing the SSM means its better than non SSM. You could always switch to manual focus if you don't like it?

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