john_meyer13

Thanks everyone for taking the time to comment.

Do you feell there's any advantage in having straps with quick release clips? I would have thought that they would have made the strap feel more intrusive than it need be.

If quick release is deemed to be a useful thing to have, what about using small - probably metal - snap clips on the end of strap's webbing to clip on to the camera's (D200) strap eyelets? Would these possibly be less bulky?

Regards

John

David, that's interesting. Where did you get your Upstrap? Is there a stockist in the UK?

Out of interest, what version of the Optech did you use previously?

John

I can't make up my mind as to what straps to buy when I get my second camera

body. Your input would be much appreciated.

I know straps are a very personal think. You either love them or hate them.

Having played around with the normal strap that came with my D200, I don't think

I like the idea of having a strap round my neck. I think I'd be happeir with one

on each shoulder. The question is, which one?

I have bought the R-Strap to use when out socially and it works well. But I

don't think I'd be happy using it for weddings. The shoulder pad's a bit bulkier

than I was expecting, and to use two would look a bit odd over a smart wedding

suit. A bit like a gunslinger! No, it's got to be shoulder straps.

Those that I've loooked at on the web are the Optech range and the Upstrap. The

Upstrap seems simple and, so people say, keeps the strap on the shoulder very

well, but I don't think it's available to look at in the UK. The Optech, on the

other hand, seems attractive because it's possible to remove the strap quickly

if the loop version is used. I'm a bit unsure, though, about the plastic

snap-clips being a bit bulky and getting in the way. Also, I'm unsure as to

which version is best to use on the shoulder and whether they stay out.

So, cutting to the chase, what do you use?

Regards

John

Very good but text too small on D300 test.

Keep up the good work!

John

Hi, Jim

Thanks for your quick response.

Just for the record, I take your point about returning gear, but on this occasion, there wasn't a local dealer that had both lenses for me to inspect and try. I really didn't have much option other than to buy online.

The dealer I bought the lenses from did say that if I wasn't happy with my purchase, there was a 'seven day rule' in the UK that allowed for a full refund if not satisfied when items are bought online. I wasn't aware of this beforehand. It was only him saying it that made me aware.

Regards

John

I've just bought two 'fast' lenses and I don't know whether to keep them. D'you

reckon I should?

They are the Tamron 17-50 2.8 and the Sigma 50-150 2.8. The Sigma's front

focussing so that would have to be corrected by exchange or calibration.

I bought them because I thought I should have them as I've recently started to

photograph weddings and I wasn't sure if my D200 and Nikon 18-200 VR was the

right combination to have.

The 18-200 is a great lens. What I love about it is its ability to capture just

about anything that's happening without having to change lenses or cameras. What

it's not so good at is low light ceremonies and, perhaps, shallow depth of field

shots.

The reason I'm not sure whether to keep them is that I think I'd need another

body (probably a D300) so I wouldn't have to keep changing lenses - something I

hate doing, especially with large lenses and when outdoors. With the few

weddings I've currently got booked, I don't know whether I could justify another

body purchase just yet.

I have got two other lenses - Nikon 50/1.8 & 85/1.8 but haven't used either that

much. I was thinking of trying the 85mm for low light ceremonies but I'm not

certain that it would have the reach.

So, in conclusion, do I send them back and think about getting them and another

body when I feel the purchase can be justified and perhaps better kit might be

available? Or do I keep them and use them with my D200 at specific, more

lens-convenient changing times during the day?

Just to reassure you, I do have a cheaper Pentax backup combo that I keep just

in case of emergencies. Fortunately I haven't had to use it.

If you can help me decide, I'd be really grateful.

Regards

John

I'm looking for a normal zoom for my D200 and, as I see it, other than the Nikon

17-55 which, for me, is too expensive, the only other contenders are the Tamron

17-50, Sigma 18-50 and the Tokina 16-50.

Now I wouldn't mind spending a bit more for the Tokina over the others if it was

a better lens, but somehow, from what I've read, it's not that brilliant.

What's your experience of the Tokina? Is it good? And if it is, why's there so

many negative reviews of it?

I don't like the Sigma zoom very much as it turns in the 'wrong' direction. The

Tamron seems a good buy, but my reasoning is that one SHOULD get a better lens

if buying the Tokina, considering that it costs getting on for twice that of the

Tamron.

I'd be very interested in your comments.

Regards

John

Russ, thanks for that clarification.

Is it not awkward with two R-Straps? Wasn't it designed/intended to be used on its own? Surely the camera secured to the strap closest to your chest is restricted by the other camera's strap. Or does the strap cross over close to your neck and thereby make it possible?

A picture showing you wearing both straps and cameras would be useful.

Regards

John