Comparing Lenes in a Store.

[GovtLawyer]

I would like to go to B&H or Adormama and try some better lenses on my XT than my Sigma 18-200. I am not really unhappy with this lens, but I'd like to compare others. It has been suggested to me that it is not really possible to properly evaluate a lens in a store as the LCD screen is not the ideal way to view a photograph. Makes sense to me!

So, if I go to a crowded store and take photos with my lens and the other ones, what is the best subject to shoot and what should my settings be? I'm assuming I should shoot wide open, or at least match the widest F stop of my lens and the others. Should I focus, in particular on the long end of telephoto zooms, on subjects relatively close, or try and shoot across the room?

[chtgrubbs]

Unless your primary mode of shooting is low-light hand-held work this really won't be a valid test. In order to know what a lens is capable of you need to use a tripod in good light with a detailed, textured, multi-colored subject at various apertures. Also shoot tree branches againts bright sky to check for color fringeing and flare and shoot a specular reflection from a shiny object to check for fringeing and flare.

This is a very good reason for having a good working relationship with a local dealer who will allow you to test a lens this extensively. I doubt B&H or Adorama will allow it.

[gasrocks]

I agree. That is why there are so many forums. Read, study what others say. Many test sites on the web as well. I wouldn't be in a store before I knew what I wanted, or had it down to 2 lenses (spec wise) and was trying to see how they felt, how heavy, etc. Salespeople love it when you haven't decided yet.

[bvi steve]

Hi,

I had a dilemma when I wanted to buy a small P+S to carry in my glove box. I couldn't chose between a A95 and a S1IS. Ijust took my own CF card to the store and they were more than happy to let me try them both out. Then I could take my card home to check them out on my computer. By the way I chose the A95 for it's higher pixel count and its real view finder.

[Jackal]

When I went I went to ritz at the mall (I was bored and had my camera with me) I spotted a 17-40 L and asked to try it on. I had no tripod so I set it on the counter to test. (didn't post a picture of this one)

The light is super low so if you're not going to be using the lense for low light it might not even be useful to take shots inside.

I had to use 800 ISO for this shot. It's at 1/60 shutter speed. This shot was handheld

But yeah, if you're planning on testing these at the store prepare to push a high ISO. Unless there's a big window near you....or the people are crazy enough to let you walk outside haha.

Heh, I walked into other electronic stores and the salesmen are sooooo funny. "Hey do you have a fisheye screw on attachment for that camera? It makes it 100 times better trust me I'm a professional photographer."

[GovtLawyer]

Unless your primary mode of shooting is low-light hand-held work this really won't be a valid test. In order to know what a lens is capable of you need to use a tripod in good light with a detailed, textured, multi-colored subject at various apertures. Also shoot tree branches againts bright sky to check for color fringeing and flare and shoot a specular reflection from a shiny object to check for fringeing and flare.

This is a very good reason for having a good working relationship with a local dealer who will allow you to test a lens this extensively. I doubt B&H or Adorama will allow it.

Well, in stores like B&H and Adorama, you have a 14 day, no questions asked return policy. I just thought there might be a way, beyond the reccomendations of others (BTW, there are very few lenses less than $1500 that everyone on a forum agrees on) in which you could get a good idea of the lens. Obviously, the feel and speed of focus can be determined in a store.

[ttmatsu]

I've never had a problem testing lenses in stores. As long as you don't walk out of the store, they don't have a problem - just open the door and shoot daylight scenes out the door. Some stores let you use their PCs attached to their demo printers to view your test shots but I always bring my laptop just in case. If it is approaching handholding limits or it's a really long telephoto, just ask if you can use one the tripods/heads they have set up in the store (I've done that too).

[Mohawk]

I drag my laptop along with my camera. The stores in my area have no problem with testing the lenses. I take my shots, go back to the car, and see what is up. It works, I like all of my lenses.

Mike

[ScottE]

I shop at a store that will let me shoot from a tripod outside the front door at the brickwork and signs on stores across the street. (The clerk comes with me but I have shopped there so long they would let me take the lenses home on spec if I wanted.) That is how I chose the Sigma 50-500 over the Canon 100-400. The clerk thought he had a sure sale on the Canon and was surprised that the Sigma performed as well and perhaps slightly better at longer focal lengths.

At the time I was shooting film and the store obliged by running a film through their processing machine so we could examine it with a loupe. Now I would just take a laptop and compare digital files.

Scott