Vivitar Series 1

[Pooky]

Would it be worth it getting this: http://www.shutterbug.net/equipmentreviews/lenses/0800sb_vivitar/
for R2000?

 

[bwana]

Dead link - Nothing there.

 

[Pooky]

Ah damn hold on I will get one.

 

[Pooky]

Here, the lens on here: http://www.shutterbug.net/equipmentreviews/lenses/0800sb_vivitar/

 

[Pooky]

Or here: http://catalog.ebay.com/Vivitar-Zoo...ftrksidZp4295QQ_fclsZ1QQ_pidZ48202980QQ_tabZ1

 

[ldmelsa]

Yo Pooky

I seriously think you should consider this:
http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/70300_di_a017.asp
R2000 at SA Camera:
http://www.sacamera.co.za/proddetail.php?prod=TAMLENS014
Here are some shots from it:
http://www.pixel-peeper.com/lenses/?lens=9

I had a look at some of the photos at 300mm at f/5.6
I'm very impressed. 300mm lenses, at this price, are usually fuzzy at f/5.6 300mm.
This is better than some Sigmas and Canons I checked out for about R3500.

This is only 1024x###, but you can already see the fuzzy effect on the whiskers:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ldmelsa/2422220872/sizes/o
That was a cheap Canon lens (about R3500 I think it was)

 

[mercurial]

How would you rate this against the out-and-out Canon 100mm f2.8 macro lens?

 

[bwana]

How would you rate this against the out-and-out Canon 100mm f2.8 macro lens?

That's a very different lens. A fast fixed focal length vs a slower telephoto zoom.

 

[Pooky]

Hey thanks ldmelsa that looks good, better than the one I posted?

 

[ldmelsa]

I would not know.

 

[mercurial]

That's a very different lens. A fast fixed focal length vs a slower telephoto zoom.

Ok Just wondered how it would compare, since that Tamron has a macro feature.

 

[koffiejunkie]

For that money I'd much rather get a new Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro. It's just under R2000 from B&H. I browsed through pixel-peeper quickly to find a few shots at the longer end.

Click for the big ones:

 

[mercurial]

The Sigma costs R2489 at sacamera.co.za .

Between this Tamron and the Sigma, which is better?

 

[mercurial]

It's R2300 at orms.co.za .
It's also R1550 at orms.co.za but I think this one is slightly different. The only drawback for me is that it does not have IS, or in Sigma's case, OS.

 

[koffiejunkie]

There are two versions, one has APO in the title, the other doesn't. The APO version is good, the other one isn't. Can't help you with the pricing - it's $250 at B&H which is still under R2000. Hell, I got it at Photo Optix (retail, not known for reasonable prices) for under R2000.

 

[mercurial]

Yeah, saw that. But it doesn't have image/optical stabilisation. That is a drawback, especially when focussing at 300mm or the build up to it.

 

[koffiejunkie]

You're not going to get stabilisation for R2000 unless (hypothetically) you compromise seriously on the quality of the glass.

Anyway, there are other ways to stabilise your shot if you have to. Lean against something, get a pod, etc.

 

[Wynsam]

Sure you can get an image stabilsed lens for less than R2K

I got a 70 -210 f4 imagine stabilised lens for R900. It was second hand, but takes pics just like a brand new one, what a beaut!

 

[mercurial]

You're not going to get stabilisation for R2000 unless (hypothetically) you compromise seriously on the quality of the glass.

Anyway, there are other ways to stabilise your shot if you have to. Lean against something, get a pod, etc.

I know. I wasn't referring to the price, but rather the fact that the lens lacks the IS or OS feature. I'd be much happier paying more and get the benefit of IS/OS.
This lens probably suits cameras with built-in IS. Not very helpful to a Canon consumer.

 

[koffiejunkie]

Sure you can get an image stabilsed lens for less than R2K I got a 70 -210 f4 imagine stabilised lens for R900.

We were talking about 70-300mm

It was second hand, but takes pics just like a brand new one, what a beaut!

I'm pretty sure we were discussing new prices - everything changes when you go second-hand. You can get anything for under R2000 if you buy from the right person.