The

Photo Experience

      

Photo Equipment

 

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    BIG GLASS                                                       

There is some really good glass available that rivals that of the major brands.   While the independent lens manufactures typically cater to the price conscious, sometimes they develop some really interesting and advanced technology such as the Vivitar Series 1 line (1970's) and the current Sigma big glass with HSM.
Sigma 300-800 F5.6 Nikkor 1200 F11 AIS 400 F5.6 Nikkor P

Vivitar 800 F8
What's in the bag
Non camera bag
A step beyond

Lens User Matrix
Lens Advantage
Test Compare
Body Startup
SLT
     COLLECTIBLE:                                                             

The photo experience can include the purchase equipment that you will never use even though you think you will.  Collectors just act this way.  All of the non-collectible equipment that I own was purchased for a specific purpose.  .  I am very fortunate to have inherited an old Contax IIIA so I don't have to go to the expense of purchasing a collection.  However, I did purchase a CZJ Sonar 85 F2 in order to fill out the collection.

Contax IIIA

  
Surf Belt
Macro Belt

 

   

 

 

 

      ALMOST COLLECTIBLE:                                                             
Starting a collection of Nikon lenses from the 60's and 70's is relatively inexpensive.  Even the 200mm F4 in excellent condition is less than $80. 
  Nippon Kogaku   

18 F4 Nikkor

 200 F4 Nikkor Q
 
    CURRENTLY IN PRODUCTION:                                                                   
This is the latest and greatest, at least for Nikon.  Lens analysis is limited to handling in the field.  There are other web sites with comprehensive test results. 

24-120 Nikkor

200 F4 Micro Nikkor

500 F4 AFS-D

    

 

   

 

  

     Unique Glass:   Sigma  50 F1.4,   50-150 F2.8,   120-300 F300 F2.8                                               

"Glass" is really the most important component of photographic equipment. While modern digital bodies make it all happen, they also depreciate rapidly while good glass should last a lifetime (and maybe even go up in value.) 

    

Most serious Canon and Nikon users will prefer the camera manufacturer's own glass but third party lens manufacturer's such as Sigma have introduced some really high quality lenses with special capabilities .

Sigma's

  
 
     Making the move to Sony for Sports                                             
 

  Advantages of Sony A77 + 70-400

     -  8 FPS with continuous auto focus

     -  in body stabilization - lenses less mechanically complicated

     -  EVF shows exactly what the final image will look like include depth of field

     -  Camera focuses when view finder placed near eye

 

     -  no image stabilization in lens - less complicated lens - lenses more expensive

     -  quality of 70-400 is excellent - in lens focus is fast & responsive-

     -  sharp at 400 unlike most other zooms

 
   

01/04/09