Aftermarket Lenses & Accessories

[BrianS]

I'm currently looking at getting some new lenses for my Nikon FM-10. Since I'm on a somewhat limited budget, I've beed looking at lenses from other manufacturers. I was wondering if anyone here had any experience with lenses from Vivitar and Phoenix. Vivitar has a 100/3.5 macro lense for under $150 (compared with $600 for a Nikon lense) and Phoenix has a 19-35/3.5-4.5 that I'm interested in. Does anyone have experience with these two manufacturers? Any comments and/or suggestions would be much appreciated!

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Brian Schmidt
railohio@hotmail.com
ICQ #21630753
AIM - railohio

[Gats]

Sorry, Brian, but Phoenix I haven't heard of and Vivitar I associate with reasonably priced point and shoots (that's what is generally available here, Downunder). Check the online camera guides - use the Google link below. http://www.trainboard.com/smile.gif

Though probably out of your current budget range, have a look at what Sigma (http://206.151.91.7/shopzone/sigma/lenschartb.htm) has to offer. Yes, they are pricey but are usually less than the OEM equivalent and of high quality. Tamron (http://www.tamron.com/) may also supply what you are looking for as well. Not quite to Sigma's quality but neither is their price.
A strong suggestion would be not to shortcut on quality when it comes to lenses.

Gary.

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Gary A. Rose http://www.pnc.com.au/~audiosat/cat01.gif
The Unofficial TC&W page (http://www.pnc.com.au/~audiosat/)
TrainBoard Moderator and Member No.377
N to the Nth degree!

[kotubyr]

I have some experience with a borrowed Vivitar zoom. I find them good value. Not as sharp as Nikon or Canon but no where near the cost. Ultimately, your focus, exposure and composition will have more to do with the quality of your shot than the lens will. Only in the hands of the really good ones will you be able to see the difference in the qualtiy of the lenes.

I have a Chinon zoom, similar to the Vivitar in cost and quality, and I'm happy with it. My shots today don't look as good as the shots I took 20 years ago. The reason? 6-8 rolls a week then versus 6-8 rolls a year now. Quality is a function of the guy (or girl) behind the camera.

Don't worry about what others think too much. Get what you like and can afford. Later, if you find it doesn't meet your skills, trade it in on a upgrade.

Don't know anything about Phoenix.

Keep shooting!

[rsn48]

The Vivitar 100 macro was reviewed in Popular Photography as an excellent value. The quality and sharpness of the photos were excellent almost through the entire range of F stops. I bought and have used this lens and have been very happy with it.

Also consider the Vivitar 19 - 35 milimeter lens in their Series One production. It isn't excellent value...but it is very good value. For train photography, this is the lens I use the most. This lens was given a good review, you will be happy with it. Of the two lens, I know you will find the wide angle to be much more useful.

Good luck, and happy shooting.

[rsn48]

The phoenix wide angle did not perform as well as the Vivitar Series One wide angle. The cost on the Vivitar was quite reasonable compared to other ones in that category. If I'd had the bucks, I probably would have bought the Tamron zoom wide angle.

I do many of my shots quite close in to the trains and the wide angle is a blessing. I also shoots lots of photo's in the Fraser Canyon where the wide angle brings out the awesomeness of the canyon - more in veiw.

[hudsonut1]

I have always had good luck with Vivitar lens but have't bought any in the past few years.
Ron Morse

[Gats]

Welcome aboard TrainBoard, Ron.

Brian, keeps us all informed of your decision and you might like to add a review after using the lens/lenses you decided on. http://www.trainboard.com/smile.gif

Gary.

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Gary A. Rose http://www.pnc.com.au/~audiosat/cat01.gif
The Unofficial TC&W page (http://www.pnc.com.au/~audiosat/)
TrainBoard Moderator and Member No.377
N to the Nth degree!