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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)

---------- 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)

--------- 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) ---------- 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 ------- 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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