Aharpo.581
net.rec.photo
utzoo!decvax!harpo!kjg
Thu Apr 29 16:28:40 1982
Zoom lenses: First responses to request
Well, folks, here are the first round replies to my zoom lense
info request. Below is a short summary. I, too, am confused
since there are now a wide variety of [japanese] brands some
of which I've heard and others (Kiron) to which I've just been
introduced. My first impressions:
Vivitar Series 1 70-210/3.5 Macro - larger than most (67mm filter)
but appears to be excellent quality construction. (~$200-260)
Vivitar 75-205/3.8 - smaller, macro at short F.L. only (~$140-200)
Tokina 80-200/4 smaller yet, well constucted, smooth handling
If I don't gat the Series 1 this will probably be it ($120-150)
I've handled a few others, but I think the above are superior zooms.
Mod Photo had a recent test report on a Tokina 50-250/? ATX which
they were impressed with.
One question: Is it unreasonable to expect a one-touch to remain in focus
through its zoom range? Apparently not, since most I've examined don't.
SUMMARY
Recommended: Kiron 80-200/4
Soligor 70-222 (?)
Tamron 24-48
Tokina 35-105
Tokina 80-200/4
Not Recommended: Soligor 70-210 (but this is ~6 yr old)
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KIRON:
Kevin - I too was in the market for a zoom for my Canon AE-1.
After looking at several magazines I was completely confused!
So, I went to a cohort who is also the manager of the best camera
shop in town and he strongly recommended the Kiron 80-200 f4
which has a list of ~ $350 but which I bought for ~ $225.
This is an *excellent* lens - I have been extremely happy with it.
It is easy to use, being a true zoom, and the macro focusing end is
attained w/out having to futz w/any special settings. The reviews
that I have read all praise this lens quite highly and at least from
what I have been able to tell from my own experience, they are justified.
I don't know much about the Vivitar lens, except that it exists, and
from its specs it sounds like a good deal. Check around though, or
better yet, shoot some pictures w/one and see how it *feels* A large
part of being happy w/a lens has to do w/how it feels when you try to
use it - ie, how fast can you focus/zoom on a moving subject? Don't
buy anything until you get it mounted on your camera and try to work
with it!
Good luck - I'd be interested in hearing about what you decide.
Cheers...
Jim Jenal
BTL/CB
(...!cbosg!nscs!jpj)
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SOLIGOR:
I have a soligor 70-222 macro zoom for my A-1. It has been an excellent
lens so far. The one-touch action is nice and smooth, it's not
unreasonably heavy for what you get. It's also got a build in lens
shade, which I don't think (but no absolutely sure) that the Vivitar
has. The macro facility is usable, but a little annoying because you
have to twist the macro ring as well as the normal focus/zoom ring
to obtain the framing that you want. I'd certainly recommend it,
but I don't know what to tell you about it vs. Vivitar - just check
them both out in the stores (order it from NYC - much cheaper!!) and
pick the one that feels better. I'd be willing to bet the optical
qualities are virtually identical and both excellent.
- Glenn Golden (...houxi!houxg!lime!glenn)
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SOLIGOR:
I have a Soligor 70-210 zoom that I've been using
on my Canon TX for about 6 years. I have a number
of complaints about it & coul\not/ recommend
it. Focus is oddly off particulrly at long focal lengths
and the lens cap keeps falling off.
Bob Warren
cbosg!nscs!rew
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TAMRON 24-48:
I recently got a Tamron 24-48 wide angle zoom, also on recommendation
that it is of execellent quality (the Tamron SP lenses are their equivalent
to Vivitar's series 1 line, and are supposed to be about the same quality).
I haven't had enough experience with it to say anything about the pictures it
takes though.
-Rich Fujimoto
(I don't know my network address)
I think his address is:
decvax!fujimoto -kjg
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TOKINA 35-105:
We have a Cannon AE-1 Program which we bought WITHOUT a lens.
For it, we bought a Tokina 35-105 close-focus, one-touch.
This is our all-purpose lens which we keep on the camera ALL THE TIME.
When we were in the market, we compared lab reports and prices,
and got opinions from others. According to a lab report in
"Popular Photography", it is the best lens available (this particular
lens, not all Tokina lenses). We've had our Tokina lens since
January, and so far we love it.
We picked up the lens at the New York Camera Exchange for $199
which was the best price around at the time.
----------
TOKINA 80-200/4:
I have a Tokina 80-200/f4.0 zoom that I bought last summer
to take on vacation out west. I've used it fairly extensively and
have been very pleased, considering it cost only $120.00. (I bought
it from a photo shop here in town, so I paid a little more than you
would if you mail ordered it.) I was a little apprehensive about
the rather small maximum aperture, but considering I generally use fast film,
and frequently shoot Fuji 400, it's not been a handicap except for focusing
in dim light. Features:
* One-touch focusing/zoom - this is extremely handy, and
makes the lens very easy to use.
* Small size - about 4" long, and quite light.
* Takes 55mm filters/accessories
* Minimum aperture f/22
* Focal length markings on the barrel, but no depth of
field marks. Have to rely on stop-down if you want to
preview depth of field.
* Infra-red focus correction indicator (how often does that
get used, anyway?)
* Comes with lenscap, cleaning cloth and a soft, pouch-style
case.
Image quality has been surprisingly good. If I remember
correctly, this particular lens got a fairly favorable review in
Modern Photography last year. A macro version is available for
about $30 dollars more. Tokina makes a custom tele-extender for
this series lens, and reports are it's got good optics and not
too expensive. (~$60).
The lens feels well made. Balance is good, there are no
noticeably plastic parts, or manufacturing short cuts. I looked at
several other lenses in this category and price range, and none were
better made than the Tokina. I have since bought their 28mm/f2.8
wide angle, and it's equally well made, and also inexpensive. On the
whole, I heartily recommend Tokina lenses in general, and the 80-200/f4
in particular, as very good buys. I could easily have spent more,
but after using the Tokinas, I can't for the life of me figure why
I would want to.
David Bryant
cbosg!djb
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VIVITAR:
I have the vivitar series 1 70-210 and have been satisfied with the quaility
of pictures produced. By this I mean that the quality of pictures produced
is as sharp and undistorted as those produced by the standard 1.4 lens that
came with the camera. The only drawback with this lens is that it's big and
heavy, but I understand the new series 1 zoom is somewhat smaller and lighter
than the one I have. When I got it, most people I asked said it was
significantly better than anything else around. Not having the time and
resources to check this out first hand, I took their word for it. That was
a couple of years ago however, so I can't say if that's still the general
consensus.
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