Purchasing a Lens

[BtBam]

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical [IF] Macro

So ive decided that this is the best lens for me, but after being told that 1/8 are pretty bad quality im asking here for advice on what i should check for when i go in store to buy this lens.

What should i do to make sure i pick up a good build of this lens?

Thanks

[tim]

Take a few test large fine JPG shots at F2.8, centre focus point, preferably on a tripod or at least bracing yourself. Take shots focusing on something close, further away, and at a distance away. Check on a PC that everything looks focused where it should, and that it looks reasonably sharp.

[ttmatsu]

The most common problem is distant objects are not in focus at 28mm. Take a picture of something across the parking lot or street from the store at 28mm. Now zoom out to 75, focus and hold the focus while zooming back to 28 and take the shot. If the 2nd shot is much better focused, try another lens.

[BtBam]

Hey thanks for your replys, helps me out alot!

But now after contacting the place i planned on purchasing they tell me they have no stock for the next few days.. my camera is here charged and ready with no lens :(

Can anyone please tell me what lens for around the same price but not any worse quality i could enquire about?

[blue_max]

Hey thanks for your replys, helps me out alot!

But now after contacting the place i planned on purchasing they tell me they have no stock for the next few days.. my camera is here charged and ready with no lens :(

Can anyone please tell me what lens for around the same price but not any worse quality i could enquire about?


Sadly, that is why they are in short supply!
It's got very good reviews and is a very modest price (compared to the 24-70L).

Graham

[condyk]

Sigma 24-70mm DG EX Macro ... I have the Tamron and happy with it.Buying again, I might have gone for the Sigma as it was that close a decision.

[BtBam]

yeah i asked about the sigma when i called them earlier thismorning. But they also dont have this in stock. This is becoming rather frustrating i wanna use it haha :)

[Andy_T]

No lens at all ... get the 75$ Canon EF-50/1.8 so that you can at least get shooting while you wait for the other lens to come in!

People will recommend this as a low light lens anyway soon.

Best regards,
Andy

[condyk]

yeah i asked about the sigma when i called them earlier thismorning. But they also dont have this in stock. This is becoming rather frustrating i wanna use it haha :)

Have you tried a different shop :lol: :lol: You are allowed to buy things from different places, at least here in the UK ... and you get two parcels and it's like having two birthdays at once, but you don't feel sick from eating two cakes ... erm, I think :rolleyes:

[BtBam]

I have wholesale at this shop :\


But i will be ringing around tomorrow seeing if i can bargain some places down ( if they have stock )

[BtBam]

after looking around more.. now im considering Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 EX Aspherical DF

over the Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical [IF] Macro

Anyone against this or for this :S

[condyk]

After some shopping around I just bought the first one I found that was available at the best price. You will be fine with either: both have - and + qualities, as with any lens, and for me it ended up with no clear (or even marginal!) winner. I also thought it would be funny to have a lens from Tamron, Canon, Sigma and Tokina :p I dunno why! Funnier anyway that having all Canon L's :lol: :lol:

[blue_max]

After some shopping around I just bought the first one I found that was available at the best price. You will be fine with either: both have - and + qualities, as with any lens, and for me it ended up with no clear (or even marginal!) winner. I also thought it would be funny to have a lens from Tamron, Canon, Sigma and Tokina :p I dunno why! Funnier anyway that having all Canon L's :lol: :lol:


Hey Dave, I bet you would have a third party body if one were made! :lol:

You are at least consistent!

When I read the words Sigma and Tamron in a thread title, I always wonder when we will see the 'cheeky chappie' Avatar appear. It balances my 'Canon only' view at any rate. However, I have never sold a single lens so far. Read into that what you may.
Anyway, that's a very unusual lens choosing philosophy that I think may be unique on this forum - so far!!!

You made my day.

Graham

[condyk]

Hey Dave, I bet you would have a third party body if one were made! :lol: It balances my 'Canon only' view at any rate.


Well ... the honest truth is my FIRST choice was a Sigma SD10 but I couldn't find one at the right price! I then went for a 350D, didn't like it, nearly bought a Nikon but then decided the 300D was spot on for me at this point in time.

However, I have never sold a single lens so far. Read into that what you may.

I read you need to get out and try more stuff :p ... no, seriously, my approach is always 95% performance at 60-70% the price :cool: Luckily, I think I am largely getting 100% performance at 60-70% the price these days :lol:

I would be happy with an L lens in theory. A 400mm IS would do me, or a 100-400mm IS, but as you know the UK prices are scary. Not sure the US people realise what we have to pay, even SH, so that makes me more interested in the value I am getting. I'm a very objective individual by nature, but in that value context, when I research user opinion and then look at prices they just never score well enough for me.

I nearly got a Canon 17-40mm f4 BTW but luckily I was saved by finding my Tokina, which is a cracker, a real undiscovered Gem :p Of course, you have my 70-200mm f4 L too, which was very nice, but even then I'd always go the Sigma f2.8 route now I've tried both ... just more flexibility for me and not much more cash.

[blue_max]

The real problem is, it's almost impossible to try different lenses in different contexts and see if you prefer one over the other. Doing a back to back is also not easy. The only one I was able to do, left me unimpressed.
The 70-200f4 is certainly a corker – it competes with my 135L at that focal length and is almost indistinguishable. Good zoom or bad prime? I think very, very good zoom. I buy second hand as you probably know and don't think I would lose money on any of my purchases (well, not enough to mention). I am very happy with my choices, but have too many! My fear would be trying to convince someone that my xy lens is as good as an L, when it has been updated at least once (seems to happen more regularly).

We only have one person to convince – ourselves. That's all that really matters. I still think it's confusing enough to pick from the Canon line up, let alone going third party. All the lenses mentioned would probably exceed my ability so it is all slightly academic for me.

Who's right? We both are.

Graham

[chap]

I have the Sigma 28-70 f/2.8 and I think it's a great lens for the money. It's a little less expensive than the 24-70 and a good deal easier to find in stock. My only real gripe with it is the lack of HSM (and consequently no FTM and slightly slow AF). The image quality is very good, not up to L standards, but very good.

chap

[BtBam]

decisions decisins :(
Thanks everyone for your help if anyone else has somthing to say please feel free to :)