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07/12/2005 05:00:27 PM · #1 |
Whew! Just a quick note about a recent attempt to purchase a new lens.
After lots of reading, talking to other members here, and research, I had set my sights on the Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di that many DP members own and are happy with. My local camera store said they had one, for only a few dollars more than it cost online. I like to purchase local when it makes sense (e.g., when I don't get my legs ripped off financially), so I grabbed it. My salesperson checked the shelves, checked the backroom, called the other stores in town... 24 hours later, darn, I guess we don't have it after all. Grrrrr. They say they may be able to get it in a few weeks. I'm leaving for a New Mexico vacation on July 25 and need it by then. No promises.
Go home, search the web. Most places say it's out of stock, a few have it in. Do some checking. The ones who say they have it quickly change to "back order" when I press them. Double Grrrrr. Nobody has it. I checked Amazon, BH, Tiger, Beach, Adorama. Trust me, I checked everyone.
Back to the local shop. What else do you have with a modest zoom range and at least 28mm on the wide end? A Tamron 20-40mm AF f2.7. It's a big, solid, well-built lens. It's a little narrower zoom range but I like the idea of having the extra width. I go home and research it on the web. First of all, nobody on DPC has one (hmmmm). A search for reviews online turns up a mixed bag, but some say it's pretty good (one guy says "leave this one on the shelf..."). Cost is 25$ more than internet cost, but the filter size is huge. A 77mm filter. Grrrr. Need a new circ. polarizer. I talk them into a deal and buy the lens/filter combo.
Bring the 20-40 home, shoot some shots. Soft, soft soft. In all situations, can't get good sharp shots. Compare to 18-55 kit lens on my daughter's Rebel with side by side comparisons. It some shots, it's as good as the 18-55, but the autofocus and metering are horrible. I'm getting very nervous. Do some more testing and over two days, decide that I cannot live with this lens. If the best I can say about it is that it's almost as good as the Rebel Kit, or as good as the Rebel Kit, something must be wrong.
Return lens for full money back. No questions asked. Well, they did ask why, but didn't give me a hard time at all. Good shop.
Today, I sit down with the phone and do some serious research. I looked up all those great camera stores that don't have a big web presence. Nobody has the Tamron 28-75 XR DI. New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia. Bummer.
Finally, Porter Camera in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She says they have it in stock. I make her call around and have someone physically check stock. She does, they do. Whoopee! Place my order. She says it'll be here in 2-3 days.
Motto, don't settle for a lens you're not completely happy with. |
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07/12/2005 05:10:42 PM · #2 |
Good motto. So far I've been completely happy with all my lenses :)
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07/12/2005 05:12:53 PM · #3 |
Wow, doing the research really pays off though.
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07/12/2005 07:11:06 PM · #4 |
..
Message edited by author 2005-07-12 19:43:38.
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07/12/2005 07:17:16 PM · #5 |
Way to hang in there John. I really hope you think it was worth the trouble after you've shot with the Tamron for a while. I love mine.
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07/13/2005 10:33:29 AM · #6 |
| I don't understand it doesn't Canon make decent glass? It seems as though many more Canon users turn to third party makers than other camera brand users such as Nikon. I for one like the color consistency from lens to lens that one lens line provides. Granted I have used other brands such as Sigma, but usually just until I can afford to replace it with a Nikkor. |
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07/13/2005 10:43:18 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by hyperfocal:
I don't understand it doesn't Canon make decent glass? It seems as though many more Canon users turn to third party makers than other camera brand users such as Nikon. I for one like the color consistency from lens to lens that one lens line provides. Granted I have used other brands such as Sigma, but usually just until I can afford to replace it with a Nikkor. |
IMO what's happening here is that the 3rd party lenses are again getting better in quality and are significantly more affordable than the name-brand glass, either Canon or Nikon. In the case of the 24-70mm range, the Canon lens is $1100 USD, and the Tamron 28-75 is $360 USD. The optical quality of the Tamron is quite high, reportedly, and the build is decent. It's a great option for those who choose not to spend big bucks on the pro-level Canon or Nikon glass.
BTW, I think that Nikon users are just as likely to use 3rd-party lenses as are Canon users, you just see much more discussion by Canon users since there are significantly more Canon DSLR owners here on DPC than Nikon (just quoting the facts, don't shoot the messenger, LOL).
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07/13/2005 11:27:03 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by kirbic:
IMO what's happening here is that the 3rd party lenses are again getting better in quality and are significantly more affordable than the name-brand glass, either Canon or Nikon. |
I agree. I looked at a couple of Tamron lenses about 5 years ago when I was looking for something longer than the 35-105 lens I had and they were mostly junk plastic with compatiability issues.
Recently I pulled the pin for the Canon 20D and wanted to upgrade from the basic consumer lens range (I also needed something faster for inside and a little wider to deal with the 1.6 crop). I first looked at the 24-70L since I needed a zoom in this range and speed. I saw the rave reviews of the Tamron 28-75 so deceided to give it a try thinking I would return and swap for the 24-70 if I really did not like it and suck it up and just pay the extra price (nobody locally had it to play with).
I get the lens and I must admit I was surprised - good solid lens with a great picture for a fraction of the price of the 24-70L. I was also pleased with the little touches - 2 bigies for me are; A lens cap that you can get on and off with the lens hood still attached (Canon drives me crazy with theirs) and a lock to stop the zoom extending when walking around.
If the Canon 24-70 was 1/2 the price then I would not have looked at the third-party lenses in the first place but now when looking at other lenses I include the third-parties and that is a loss for Canon IMO since I would not have done that before the 28-75 experience. |
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07/13/2005 12:00:32 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by kirbic:
IMO what's happening here is that the 3rd party lenses are again getting better in quality and are significantly more affordable than the name-brand glass, either Canon or Nikon. |
I agree but I like to be able to shoot say a red sweater or a purple flower with my 12-24 and then with my 500 and it look exactaly the same tone. It will with Nikon because they have strick control over their glass since they make their own and have made color consistancy a priority. 3rd party manafacturers have no consisticy between lenses for quality let alone color. Also no way 3rd party lenses will last 40 or more years like many Nikkors that are going strong.
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07/13/2005 12:25:13 PM · #10 |
Two things...
I know who has that lens in stock - i saw it saturday at 1 pm.... the other thought is consider the Sigma 18-50 2.8 EX DC.
Anyway, contact Garcia Marketing (funny name for photo store...) at 724-869-0100 or 1-800-683-1925. they are good people and prices seem reasonable.
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07/13/2005 12:37:48 PM · #11 |
Thanks prof, but I already ordered the Tamron 28-75 from Parker in Iowa. Should be here tomorrow or Friday. The sigma looks like a great lens too. It woulda been on my list if I had known about it at the time.
oops, Porter in Iowa, not Parker.
Message edited by author 2005-07-13 12:38:29. |
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07/13/2005 01:42:46 PM · #12 |
I was torn...I wanted wider than 28mm, and the most popular option ishte canon 17-40L but i did some research and found great things about the sigma.
I have a slower/cheaper tamron 28-80 and was worried i'd miss the 50-80 or 50-70 range (i have a 70-300 lens) but i don't miss it at all.
enjoy your trip and new lens.
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