disappointed with my zoom lens

[Soujrnr]

Hi Israel,

I had the 35-70mm f2.8 as well but I sold it when my wife was in the hospital because I needed to feed my kids and pay some medical bills. Being in debt sucks...especially when it affects my ability to keep my house and cars and feed my kids. I really liked it and may get another one when I can save up enough for it.

I hope you have a most excellent Christmas and a joyful, prosperous new year! Stay safe.

Good day!

Mike

[Soujrnr]

Hi Jimmy,

You're correct. The Nikon does offer the 1.5 magnification factor. That suits me fine because it takes me closer to the action with my soccer pictures. In any event, I'm considering going with a prime lens to see if it would make a difference for me. The beauty of the zooms in an environment such as a bar or other musical venue is that I can vary the focal length on the fly and compensate for my ever-changing positions and distances. I am also looking at a monopod right now that is very, very light and very strong (able to hold something like 15 pounds) and has a pistol grip on a ball head. It's very versatile but not cheap. It would probably solve some problems.

Have a most excellent Christmas and a safe, joyous, and prosperous new year!

Good day!

Mike

[Soujrnr]

Hi Bob,

Yup, a monopod is definitely on the wish list for next year (hey, that's only a week away!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] ) The 50mm 1.4 might work but I do a lot of close-up work so as to not have my band pictures cluttered. I think the 50mm might be a bit wide for it. I had a gorgeous 50mm with my old Pentax and nothing took better pictures in terms of saturation and clarity. It was a wonderful lens and a great workhorse. Heck, I may just get one anyway. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Have a great Christmas and a safe, joyful, and prosperous new year!

Good day!

Mike

[Soujrnr]

Hi John,

Ya, I know how badly that my 300mm amplifies any little bit of camera shake. As I've told others in this post, I have my eye on a very nice monopod and I may also get a shorter focal length lens and try to get closer to the action as well. I'm not always afforded the opportunity to get in close enough to warrant using something like an 50mm or 85mm but they'd be nice additions when I needed them. In the mean time, I do use every "prop" at my disposal (leaning on walls, tables, or whatever else might be considered stable) but there is just no substitute for a sturdy mono or tripod and a fast, capable lens to adorn it. I'll just keep shooting away and hope that Santa will consider my plight and put a new, shiny new monopod under the tree. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] (Don't laugh...it could happen....maybe.....someday....when I'm rich.....)

Have a safe and wonderful Christmas and a joyful, prosperous new year!

Good day!

Mike

[Soujrnr]

Hi Jayson,

I've been looking at the Tamron line a bit. I've read some good things about their lenses but am still hesitant only because I really love the Nikon glass. I have both Nikon glass and Sigma right now but would love to add some lovely new Nikon glass to my collection. Decisions, decisions. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] The money tree I planted in my back yard doesn't seem to be budding at all so cost becomes a large factor (so what else is new, right?). I guess I'll just have to see what business comes my way and how many pieces of paper with pictures of dead presidents on them come my way so that I can get some nice glass.

Have a wonderful Christmas and a joyful, prosperous new year!

Good day!

Mike

[Soujrnr]

Hi Eric,

Ya, I shoot both close up and from afar. I usually bring my two zoom lenses with me to shows because they offer me focal lengths ranging from 28mm up to 300mm and all at f2.8. That range covers just about everything I shoot. A monopod is on my wish list and I've been looking at a very nice one that has a ball head, pistol grip, will hold up to 15 pounds of equipment, and folds up very small when not in use. It's made of polycarbon or some such "otherworld" material and is very, very light but it doesn't come cheap. I hope I didn't make Santa's "bad boy" list [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

In the mean time, I'll just have to keep leaning on walls, pillars, or other relatively stationary or stable objects and hope for the best.

Have a great Christmas and a joyful, prosperous new year!

Good day!

Mike

[jtsmith]

At 399 at most stores with Tamron's rebate of 30 dollars until December 31 is a very SWEET LENSE.

Image below Fuji S2 with a Tamron 28-75 xr 2.8.

J T

[Soujrnr]

What a lovely shot, JT! Kelly is beautiful beyond words! Whenever I see her, my heart skips a beat. It would appear that the Tamron line looks pretty good. I'll perhaps give it a shot. I think Andy Pearlman uses them as well but I'm not certain.

Have a great Christmas Day and a wonderful new year! Thanks for your input.

Good day!

Mike

[jtsmith]

I am lucky to have her on my team. She's an incredible beautiful woman. That's for sure and I count my blessings that she's there time and time again.

I have used the Tamron 70-300 on my old S1 and I own two...it's good for the price but it's too slow for your needs plus the variable aperture on zoom...

In my opinion for the money you will not find a sharper digital lense then that 28-75 .....