Photoclubalpha

Having just returned from a trip to Jordan using two cameras (Voigtlander with 21/4 and Sony A700 with SAL18250) I thought I'd check on the focal length usage of the latter. Despite having the Voigtlander for the real wide angle stuff, the ratio of shots taken on the Sony A700 in the 18-80 range to those taken in the 90-250 range was 5:1 over several hundred shots. This may not be a big surprise in a country famed for Petra and the desert but it is nevertheless quite interesting for me because I bought the SAL18250 for range but in practice it hasn't really been needed. No problem, it's still useful to avoid changing lenses in the desert, except I have found that a lot of the shots were slightly de-focused. Since the AF on the camera is OK (checked with a Minolta 135/2.8 and a Minolta 28-135mm zoom) and the shutter speed was typically over 1/500 with f/6.3 or more, this is more than likely to be a lens issue. Interestingly, even at infinite focus, the lens marking showed it to be just below infinity, particularly at the wide end of the zoom range. I bought the lens in preference to the CZ 16-80 thinking it was a more useful range and also because most reviews of the latter (including an excellent one by DK) suggested poor QC and variability in samples, which i find a real bore (who wants to repeatedly return a lens for replacement?). However, while the SAL18-250 is a useful walkabout lens I suspect the CZ16-80 may turn out to be the more generally useful one. At this juncture, however, I shall wait for the A900 to come down in price because I already have a Minolta 28-135mm zoom which is quite exceptional and would pretty well duplicate the CZ range on full frame.

I too went with an 18-250 over the 16-xx as my main lens. Given that I have a very good copy of the Minolta 70-210/3.5-4.5, I really could have stopped at 80 or 105 for many of my images. On a recent hike I did more bird images than before, thanks to the length of the 1-lens solution.. but as you note, much of my work has been at shorter FL. Now I'm seeking a lens to let me go wider than 18; not certain if 16 is far enough either, so the lens adventures continue

I use the 18-250mm quite a lot for travel and I use it all the way from 18mm to 250mm. I use it at both ends and all the way through the zoom range.

Coming back from the first photo-safari I organize in Peru (REF: http://www.photoclubalpha.com/about/club-activities/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and http://www.phototeka.net/qosqo.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) I can tell you that I used mostly the 17-35 f2.8-4 and the 28-75 f2.8 on the A700 than the Tamron 70-200 f 2.8 that I brought I don´t know yet why, because is big and a little heavy and intimidating for some people... I used a 12mm fisheye too, but not that much.

I havent reviewed the pics yet (I´m still in Lima, coming back to NYC on saturday) and I´ll be bussy for a couple of weeks (and with limited internet access at work...) so I´ll wite more about that experience, an d the project for next year soon

Regards

After a winter with little photographic activity I ventured out over Easter first to take some Jpeg pictures of steam trains for my wife using my excellent A700. Here I found the Tamron 18-250 most useful in that, almost like a video camera, you can start taking distant photos at 250 and follow the train to a nearby position and still cover the whole rake at the 18 mm setting. This is an excellent lens for definition and I can well understand that David Kilpatrick gave it a good write-up when released. I am not keen on the F6.3 at the long end. I recently purchased the Tamron 70-300 F4-5.6 and also used it. It appeared a good deal lighter at the long end than the 18-250 although only around 1/3 stop faster. I could only use it where I did not need to go below 70 mm. For Alamy shooting I reverted to Sony/CZ 16-80 mm and RAW. It really is "horses for courses". I am selling my Tamron 55-200 now as I really do not need it any longer. This is also an excellent lens. I must say that if you are not looking for ultra fast zooming then for lightness and quality these Tamrons are really good. I was thinking of buying the Sigma 120-400 instead of the Tamron but the nearly 2 Kg weight really put me off. This brings me to the 500D/D5000 releases. Having looked at the specs. I really see no reason why I should be envious of these. There is nothing I can see I need that I cannot find in my A700. After a week I would have broken that odd swivel screen Nikon have conjured up for the D5000. If I need video I will buy one of these small HD videos you can purchase for under £500. I do hope that Sony do not fall into the trap of using their energy on emulating these devises.

I will also travel soon, touristically, and I'd say the Sony 18-250 will be my main lens. I plan to take along the Sigma 10-20, & M50/1.7 (though normaly I don't use it a lot).

Probably also take the KM 28-75/2.8 as low light zoom.

Plan to leave the 28-135 and beercan at home, though I like both lenses. 28-135 is just not wide enough, heavy, and long MFD. Beercan too long for a city trip.

Anyway, I have not yet decided. Maybe leave the 28-75 at home using the 50/1.7 in the evening. Take the beercan (my favourite) instead - just in case... The CZ16-80 might be just perfect for my city-trip, but I don't have one

pakodominguez wrote:Coming back from the first photo-safari I organize in Peru (REF: http://www.photoclubalpha.com/about/club-activities/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and http://www.phototeka.net/qosqo.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) I can tell you that I used mostly the 17-35 f2.8-4 and the 28-75 f2.8 on the A700 than the Tamron 70-200 f 2.8 that I brought I don´t know yet why, because is big and a little heavy and intimidating for some people... I used a 12mm fisheye too, but not that much.

I havent reviewed the pics yet (I´m still in Lima, coming back to NYC on saturday) and I´ll be bussy for a couple of weeks (and with limited internet access at work...) so I´ll wite more about that experience, an d the project for next year soon

Regards

Pako, when you have time to assemble your best pix and all your experience, I would be very pleased to consider publishing in Photoworld.

David

Qou vadis bossel?

Don't forget to get some shots for us too, you know, to show off when you come back!

Bon voyage monsieur,

Yildiz

aster wrote:Qou vadis bossel?

We plan a short trip through northern Italy, Cinque Terre, maybe Milano and then a few days in Venice I shall return with plenty of pics for Henry's rotten buildings thread

Soounds very good Bossel,

Let's see how 'rotten' down those dusty roads can you go and dig out some derelict pieces of old-time habitation. Your samples fofrom Turkey are nice and humorous.

More is always welcome.

Yildiz