BetterPhoto Q&A
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Mark Freeman		Test shots on slide film I have always been a Nikon prime lens user.. but a car accident left me with a bad back so now cannot travel with all my gear... so I will buy my first zoom lens. The problem is that the Nikon 28-200 zoom is not that good from what I have read on the net, words like heavy, huge, soft pop up in reviews. So I was told about a Tamron 28-200 XR lens the newest smallest model on the market. I have read some good reviews and some bad reviews? The Tamrom website shows photos taken by this lens but fail to let you down load the larger version to chaeck out. they only show tiny little samples taken and expect one to say "wow". So I ask is there anyone here that owns this new 28-200 XR Tamron zoom and use slide film. Is it sharp when the shots are displayed up on the big screen? Thanks for listening, hope anyone can help with advise. I travel. 35mm SLR, I love landscapes to candids and use fuji slide film 100 iso and Velvia. The shots are often used in camera club contests so sharpness is a must. To love this question, log in above May 06, 2002

doug Nelson		I've beaten this point of view into the ground, I know, but, we have to accept compromises if we expect one lens to do everything well. When you need 28 or 35-mm at f2,it won't be there. For good travel work, you don't want distortions of straight lines in your architectural shots. You might get image sharpness comparable to prime somewhere in the 28 to 200 spectrum, but not everywhere. Also, in the longer focal lengths, I hope you have excellent hand-hold technique, or use a tripod. If zoom is important, buy the best you can afford, maybe, 20-35, a 50, and a tele zoom. But then, you're back to multiple lenses. To be fair, I have not seen recent tests or used any wide spectrum zooms. I think, though, that if it sounds too good to be true, it is. My primes have spoiled me rotten to sharpness and distortion-free 28. If weight is an issue, as it is with my Canons, consider a rangefinder for travel. A new Voigtlander Bessa R2 with 28, 50, 75 and 90 lenses won't be any heavier than one Nikon body and a prime. Cost will be comparable to Nikon bodies and primes. You'll be able to shoot a shutter speed slower with a rangefinder, as you won't have the mirror slap and aperture-closing whack. If you like the all-in-one lens, look at Leica's 28-35-50 (not a zoom, but a tri-focal). A Leica M6 with that lens will cost $3,000, a drawback. Check out rangefinder cameras in general at cameraquest.com, a wealth of information. Again, here come the compromises- no long teles, no macro, and no zooms. How important is sharpness? To love this comment, log in above May 06, 2002

Mark Freeman		thanks for the input, I have alot to think over.. I agree our prime lens spoil us rotten. A prime lens owner gets use to having their lens produce sharp, high quality images. We take them for granted after a while. I have never owned a zoom in my entire life, hated the idea from the start but now my situation has changed and the humble "zoom" is on my "maybe" shopping list. Now I will add your thoughts and ideas to my list and try and weigh it all up with time. Im in no hurry to buy a zoom just yet, old habits die hard.. LOL. I will try and work out via day trips out what my limit is when it comes to weight in my camera bag. thanks for the ideas ! :) To love this comment, log in above May 07, 2002

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