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I have recently decided to sell off some of my favorite lenses to fund some continuing education. You can see whats for sale in the "For Sale" section of the blog! Two items sold right off the bat and will be going to good use! Thanks!
Nikon 50-300mm f/4.5 ED AIs
Here is another lens I was not looking for but sort of fell into my lap. I have been on the lookout for a good mid-range zoom since I let my Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-D go some time back in favor of the cash. It was a great lens but tended to hunt a little too much in low light, which was when I used it most. I decided the money would be better and I would eventually annie-up the cash for a 70-200mm VR. Well that still hasn't happened and probably won't for some time.
In the meantime, I am working on paying off some debt as well as paying for continuing education at the local college. I still keep a camera-fund going because it may be the only thing that keeps me sane. Recently this manual focus Nikon 50-300mm f/4.5 ED lens went up for sale for such a great price, I had to look into it. I had never really seen anything about this lens but knew the *ED meant great glass. After seeing it being offered on KEH in EX condition for over $800 and eBay for nearly $1000, this price was peanuts. I went ahead and bought it since I figured I could easily get my money back if the lens wasn't for me.
Wow. All I have to say is, "Wow". OK, so I actually have a lot more to say on this lens but that simple thought was the first and only thing on my mind when I was checking the sharpness of the first images I made with this lens. This lens is incredibly sharp, even wide open it performs unbelievably well. I haven't even seen a hint of CA yet.
Let me just say, if you find one for a killer price relative to those I have mentioned, I say go for it. The lens is manual focus and heavy, so it can be a beast to handle. The front filter is 95mm! Optically, it may be one of the best zooms I have used to date.
More on this to come!
Vivitar Series 1 VMC Filter
I didn't know these filters even existed but this came along with one of my Series 1 lenses. I couldn't sell it. It's too cool. And well-made to boot! I have never seen another one!
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That looks like the 8th and final version of the Nikkor 50-300mm f4.5 ED...nice find and definitely worth some peanuts...lots of peanuts...just acquired one myself after looking a few years for a mint copy....have been impressed with the lens throughout it's focal lengths wide open not to bad,but stopped down to f8-11 is fairly impressive...I haven't bothered with a monopod yet,the first head I grabbed was a fluid and mounted this leviathan...I'll see how it handles on a gimbal head this weekend...also have a fairly nice copy of the Nikkor 50-300mm non-AI 2nd version,which AFAIC is a relic which IMHO isn't really usable at the long end,and only stopped way down.
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Boomer Depp
Boomer -
ReplyDeleteFrom what I have read, indeed the older version is not nearly as good a performer as the newer *ED version. Honestly, this lens is reshaping not only my impression of zoom lens capabilities, but my whole idea of third-party lenses. After shooting with this out and about for a few weekends I have sold off many of my third-party lenses of similar focal lengths simply because I can tell I just won't be using them all that often! As far as peanuts go, I managed to find this MINT copy (I mean this thing is perfect!) for $250 BIN on eBay. Probably my best eBay find to date. This lens is pure awesome. Keep me posted on your results. I have been in the process of doing a write-up on the lens but have just been busy/lazy with the holidays so it is taking a little longer than usual.
That's quite the bargain..did some testing today at various focal lengths wide open to f8,familiarizing with the lens...will be looking forward to your review,as always...
ReplyDeleteHi great readding your blog
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