GAS - Lens Suggestions

[Birma]

I have GAS - Gear Acquisition Syndrome (as coined I think by Henry ).

I don't really 'need' another lens, photography is just a hobby, but I am thinking of getting a new lens none the less. I was all set to get the Tamron 60mm f/2 Macro. It has had some pretty nice reviews, including DK's comments. I don't currently have a macro lens and I am increasingly doing a lot of close-up shooting, currently using a Min 50/1.7 + cul, or a Min 70-210. 60mm will be a nice range for macro as well as people shots. It is a reasonable £359 at Mifsuds.

Then I saw that Jessops are selling the CZ 16-80 for £399 (with free p&p). I can also get a 12% discount at Jessops at the moment. For APS-C this would seem to be a great walk-around as well as going pretty wide for landscapes. Obviously there is the risk here of getting a dodgey copy, but on the plus side it is a Zeiss! In (sort of this range) I also have the Tam 17-50/2.8, Sony 18-70 kit lens, and Minolta 24-105. I realise as well that the CZ 16-80 may well be replaced soon (probably why Jessops are seeling them off).

So, I'd welcome any thoughts along the lines of:

Option 1 - get the Tamron 60mm macro as I have no real macro lens.
Option 2 - get the CZ 16-80 as it is probably the best in the range for APS-C.
Option 3 - save the money for a Nex 7, 70-300G, 70-200 2.8, etc. etc.

Oh, I'd describe my preferred type of photography as "outdoors" .

[Dusty]

Get the CZ, sell the Tammy and kit lens, and use the additional funds for the Sigma! You lose the f2.8 that the Tammy gives you, but you get a CZ!

Of course, my problem is that I can never justify selling anything. I'd need to keep the Tammy for when I get a second body.

There was a time when having GAS was not a problem, but I went from GAS to REC - Raising Expensive Children. Taking my eldest to a week of camp on Sunday, she's begging my for a horse. Of course, that means a new house in the country, which I can't afford, to buy a horse that I can't afford. Just the day-to-day of 4 kids taxes my meager salary. That's why I buy so little now.

Dusty

[KevinBarrett]

I think the days of the dodgy 16-80 are long behind us. Just don't buy a used one, and you'll be okay. I'd say go for that one. Even if it's about to be replaced (highly unlikely, IMO), I still haven't heard of anybody that regretted getting one. Heck, I have a 17-50 like you, too, and even I'm considering it.

As for the macro lens, I don't know how your 70-210 performs but mine is pretty soft and full of CA at the long "macro" end. If I were to venture back to a Macro lens, my next try would be with the Tamron 60/2. I didn't so much like the Sigma 70mm, but it had more to do with not liking macro, period.

[pakodominguez]

Hi,

OK this is my idea: sell the 50 f1.7; the 24-105 the beercan and buy the 60 macro and the new Tamron or Sigma 70-200 f2.8.

-I understand the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 is a good lens. Unless you NEED a Zeiss, keep it
-the Sigma or Tamron are better lenses than the beercan, a little bit bigger also..
-the 60 macro will be sharper than the 50 f1.7 so you won't need it anymore.
-the 24-105, unless you have an excellent copy, doesn't resolve more than 10 MP...

Apparently recession is over, good for us!

[Birma]

Three very interesting options guys, thanks very much for your suggestions. I will have to think on it some more .

[Harpooner]

Whilst pondering your options, do you find yourself checking the £399 ZA @ Jessops several times a day, just in case you miss the offer?

I'm still tempted by it, though I reckon the weakest lens in my bag is my old Minolta 70-300, so I'm leaning towards a Sony 70-300 G to replace that...

[redsim74]

Hi Birma,

I keep meaning to post samples of the Tamron 60/2, with you in mind.

Unfortunately, as it's winter here the weather is awful and it gets dark before I get home from work. My other problem is that my A700 is having focus issues, so I'm doing some tests with the KM5D.

[Ossie]

Hi Birma

FWIW my SAL16-80cz is superb and is my walk around lens. At the price you have found it, it seems a steal. Some months back I attended a lecture by a pro photographer who showed some stunning macro images of insects. He didn't bother with a macro lens just a large zoom, up to 300mm if memory serves me correctly and a 2x or 3x close up filter.

I also have the SAL70-300G. A great lens but sees very little use. The results are consistently excellent.

Ossie

[Chris Malcolm]

Don't forget all the fun of GAS is over once you make the purchase

[Wes Gibbon]

Don't forget all the fun of GAS is over once you make the purchase

If only! After the purchase comes the next lens/expensive bit of kit to dream about, save up for...

[mikeriach]

Birma,
To me you hit the nail on the head, you don't have a true macro so you have a gap.
If you really want to try your hand at macro then I don't think there is a better choice value for money at the moment. You've already got a reasonable wide zoom in the Tamron (which I don't).
I bought an old Minolta 35-70 f4 a month ago for £30 and it is great. Lovely and sharp. I needed it to shoot through a mesh fence as the 18-250 end element is too big to fit through the mesh.

Mike
PS If you are anything like me you don't enjoy returning to the A100 other than the ISO100 perfomance.

[Mark K]

I have GAS - Gear Acquisition Syndrome (as coined I think by Henry ).

I don't really 'need' another lens, photography is just a hobby, but I am thinking of getting a new lens none the less. I was all set to get the Tamron 60mm f/2 Macro. It has had some pretty nice reviews, including DK's comments. I don't currently have a macro lens and I am increasingly doing a lot of close-up shooting, currently using a Min 50/1.7 + cul, or a Min 70-210. 60mm will be a nice range for macro as well as people shots. It is a reasonable £359 at Mifsuds.

Then I saw that Jessops are selling the CZ 16-80 for £399 (with free p&p). I can also get a 12% discount at Jessops at the moment. For APS-C this would seem to be a great walk-around as well as going pretty wide for landscapes. Obviously there is the risk here of getting a dodgey copy, but on the plus side it is a Zeiss! In (sort of this range) I also have the Tam 17-50/2.8, Sony 18-70 kit lens, and Minolta 24-105. I realise as well that the CZ 16-80 may well be replaced soon (probably why Jessops are seeling them off).

So, I'd welcome any thoughts along the lines of:

Option 1 - get the Tamron 60mm macro as I have no real macro lens.
Option 2 - get the CZ 16-80 as it is probably the best in the range for APS-C.
Option 3 - save the money for a Nex 7, 70-300G, 70-200 2.8, etc. etc.

Oh, I'd describe my preferred type of photography as "outdoors" .

1
I have had two 16-80 and the performance is very close to 24-105. A macro is a macro and you need one. Why not the new Sony micro

[Birma]

Thanks very much to everybody for their thoughts and suggestions. I had pretty much decided on the Tamron 60mm f/2, and on checking Jessops today I notice that they are now out of stock for thde CZ 16-80 so that pretty much seals the deal . Warehouse Express now have my order for the Tamron. If Jessops get any more stock at this price then I may have another attack of gas. As Wes says, it appears to be an affliction not resolved by a single purchase, and then I hear there are more Sony lenses to be released today ... .

On cool, calm reflection I suspect Pako's suggestion may be the most sensible approach overall, but I will want to try out the Tamron before getting rid of the Min 50/1.7 (it's my favourite kens at the moment!). Selling the beercan, 24-105 etc. I suppose is sensible if heading toward the 70-200/2.8. I suspect I may have trouble, like Dusty, at letting go of old kit.

[Birma]

I got the Tamron 60mm f/2 on Friday and I was very pleased with the lens. It will take some more time to convince me that it replaces the Min 50/1.7. Sadly the copy I have received has lots of visible dust inside the lens, including one sliver of what looks like cardboard so it will be going back to Warehouse Express on Monday for a replacement. I'm a bit disappointed to get a new lens from a reputable dealer in this state. Most of my lens purchases have been second-hand, and I have only had one with a single visible spec and that was "as advertised".

Here is an example picture taken while testing, and before carefully studying, the lens.

[redsim74]

Nice shot, Birma.

The weather here has been terrible the last few weeks, little opportunity to shoot anything of interest. Hope your replacement lens comes through quickly.