A new lens

[stevewool]

Looking for a new lens to add to my collection and its going to be a big one, 500mm to 600mm lens.

When i say new i mean 2nd hand because its something i think i want so i am looking at a cheap one for now and if its what i am wanting i may invest in something later.

Many know i enjoy taking pictures and i want to get better pictures of the moon.

I could go down the mirror lens avenue or get an old lens - both you can get for under £100 - a newish lens could be around £500, and a brand new one, well, lots of cash.

So i thought, pay a little and see if i do get to enjoy it. Lots may say its a false sense to go this way and i agree, but i cannot pay out for something i may not like.

The older lenses are all manual but thats how i take my pictures, so i am not bothered about that, and i have looked into hiring a lens for a few days too but the weather could be crap so i cannot use it too.

Anyone who has a large Nikon fit lens who may think i could use it i would be very very careful with it.

I seem to have lots of watching lenses in my Ebay page, i just have to press and buy

[Terpe]

Steve,
I had a few long lenses, including a 1000mm mirror lens.
To be truthful that mirror lens didn't get used very often.
Your approach in buying a manual 2nd hand is logical and sensible. IMO

What will you be using the long lens for Steve ?

I had a fairly compact 300mm that I used often and would also add a 2x teleconverter to get to 600mm
I realise that your prime lens would need to be fairly fast to start with, but anyway something to consider.

What f stop are those 500mm/600mm lenses these days ?

[stevewool]

Its mainly for the moon shots Peter, They do a nice Samyang mirror lens and its f6.3 and its under £100, with 6 months warranty from the camera shop i always use,
They also have a Kenko teleconverter for sale 1.4 thats £79, and i could use that on my 300mm lens so i could get it to 420mm and just lose 1 stop of light, plus buying this i could use it on all my lenses too,
I do enjoy my camera plus playing with each lens too , but with the cost of each one its not cheap, plus remember its for my hobby so its got to be right for me and no one else, perfect for me may not be perfect for others,
By the way Ems just says go and buy what you want no matter the cost,

[Michael Parnham]

I just recently bought a 70/300 for £894 bargain as it was £1200 F/4-5 6L Canon, nice!

[stevewool]

WOW Michael, make sure you get plenty of use out of it, i will not tell you what my 70-300 cost,
It amazes me when you are out and you see people holding there cameras just swinging them around and you think that with a good lens could be worth thousands , always hold it with the strap wrapped around your wrist i say

[stevewool]

Like i have said i would like to try some of the older lens where lots of it is down to manual settings, i am lucky my camera will do a lot of settings even compensates when you add a older lens too, they are cheaper and yes there is a difference too, but how many people just point and shoot anyway not knowing how to manual focus themselves, but then again why buy a good camera that does everything and you have to do things yourself , hey ho just have to keep looking

[Michael Parnham]

My next lens will be, Canon 100/400 F/4.5-5.6 IS seen one at £1,199 new. BTW make sure you buy a lens with IS

[Michael Parnham]

WOW Michael, make sure you get plenty of use out of it, i will not tell you what my 70-300 cost,
It amazes me when you are out and you see people holding there cameras just swinging them around and you think that with a good lens could be worth thousands , always hold it with the strap wrapped around your wrist i say

Came across a 1200 the other day priced at £18,000 nearly fell through the floor
Question for Peter, what are Tamron lenses like? as I notice they are a little cheaper

[stevewool]

My next lens will be, Canon 100/400 F/4.5-5.6 IS seen one at £1,199 new. BTW make sure you buy a lens with IS

Shop around Michael, you can get it cheaper than that,

[stevewool]

Came across a 1200 the other day priced at £18,000 nearly fell through the floor
Question for Peter, what are Tamron lenses like? as I notice they are a little cheaper

If Peter or yourself dont mind me answering this question i will,

I have 2 tamron lenses , 1 Nikon and a Tokina ,
all do a certain job and would i change them no,
You are right they are cheaper then the Nikon and the Canon too, are they inferior maybe , but its how you use it, if its pleasure so what, if its your profession well thats different ,

[stevewool]

Looks like i have made my decision, just had the Kenko 1.4 teleconverter put aside for me to see it and have a little play,
May even treat Ems to a burger king , happy days

[stevewool]

My next lens will be, Canon 100/400 F/4.5-5.6 IS seen one at £1,199 new. BTW make sure you buy a lens with IS

IS is on the Canon and VR is on the Nikon , i did have it on my old Nikon but i have not got that lens any more , just have to hold it more steady or use a tripod

[stevewool]

Well i brought it, and i cant wait to have a bash at playing with this too,
Even treated Ems to a burger king,
And best of all when i was there and talking to the chap instead of £79.99 i got it for £70, you just cannot beat going into a shop and talk face to face with someone who knows what you are talking about even if you dont

[Terpe]

Wow, that was quick Steve

I hope you find real pleasure and satisfaction. I'm sure you will, it's a quality product and versatile too.
Please let us know how you get on.
Don't forget you will lose light and you will need a decent tripod along with a remote shutter operation

[stevewool]

Thats why i have gone for the 1.4x because of the light, i do have a manfrotto tripod and i always use this if i am taking pictures in macro or of the moon, and the trusted remote too, its amazing how much pressure you put down on the switch when taking a picture, i even stand well back so i am not making the floor move too,
Pictures to follow