Phoenix 100-400mm

ivoire · 09-27-2010, 10:48 PM

I've been debating on the K5 or the Bigma as the next major purchase. And then comes along this odd lens for a few $s and lba kicks in. So here's a couple of cropped images at 400mm.

Last edited by ivoire; 03-14-2011 at 07:17 PM.

Nowhere Matt · 09-28-2010, 08:34 AM

The moon is made of cottage cheese?
I have similar thoughts and opinions with an older Five Star 500mm. The Sigma 50-500 is a fantastic lens; I borrowed my cousin's a few times. It can make getting the exposures and images so much easier and pleasing. And then we have lesser lenses such as the Phoenix line up or others that are considerably less expensive and can produce satisfying images. There is no doubt in my mind.

**boriscleto** · 09-28-2010, 08:55 AM

A few from the Promaster version.

ivoire · 09-28-2010, 10:36 AM

The Phoenix isn't a great lens (reminds me of the Tamron 70-300mm in many ways) but with a bit of work produces decent everyday snapshots. You can squeeze some detail out of it with a bit of work. It has very fast zoom creep and needs a wide rubber band to hold it in place when shooting anything other than level. It also requires a lot of light for decent images at 400mm (the high iso of a Kx would help). I hope to try it out at an upcoming airshow where the flexibility may prove useful. Until the $s come for a Bigma, I'll just have to make do ($90 to try the Phoenix didn't seem too extreme).

**boriscleto** · 09-28-2010, 11:09 AM

You paid $90? Man, you got hosed. Mine was $84 after shipping.

ivoire · 09-28-2010, 11:38 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

You paid $90? Man, you got hosed. Mine was $84 after shipping.

*%#@* there goes my subway lunch! Have you tried yours for aircraft? I use the f*300 for wildlife and really didn't want to dish out $s for a 55-300 with the K5 and Bigma on the horizon; just needed something with a bit of variable length for the short term.

**boriscleto** · 09-28-2010, 11:48 AM

Haven't done any aircraft photography, even though I live just a couple miles from the Syracuse airport.

I haven't used the lens since I got the DA L 55-300. Can't afford * glass or a Bigma. Maybe someday.

ivoire · 09-28-2010, 11:55 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

Haven't done any aircraft photography, even though I live just a couple miles from the Syracuse airport.

I haven't used the lens since I got the DA L 55-300. Can't afford * glass or a Bigma. Maybe someday.

$s are my holdup now also, I'm hoping for more photo work before the holidays. The 55-300 is still a possibility if the K5 gets my attention. I'm familiar with your town, grew up in Elmira. My Nieces are in Syracuse

**boriscleto** · 09-28-2010, 12:09 PM

I'll be in the Elmira/Corning area for a few days at the end of October. It's rained here for 3 days in a row, so depressing. Looks like it's going to be a nice weekend though. I think I'll take a ride out to Montezuma NWR and see what's going on.

09-27-2010, 10:48 PM	#1
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381	Phoenix 100-400mm I've been debating on the K5 or the Bigma as the next major purchase. And then comes along this odd lens for a few $s and lba kicks in. So here's a couple of cropped images at 400mm. Last edited by ivoire; 03-14-2011 at 07:17 PM.

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09-28-2010, 08:34 AM	#2
Nowhere Matt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Nowhere Land Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,362	The moon is made of cottage cheese? I have similar thoughts and opinions with an older Five Star 500mm. The Sigma 50-500 is a fantastic lens; I borrowed my cousin's a few times. It can make getting the exposures and images so much easier and pleasing. And then we have lesser lenses such as the Phoenix line up or others that are considerably less expensive and can produce satisfying images. There is no doubt in my mind.

09-28-2010, 08:55 AM	#3
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	A few from the Promaster version.

09-28-2010, 10:36 AM	#4
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381 Original Poster	The Phoenix isn't a great lens (reminds me of the Tamron 70-300mm in many ways) but with a bit of work produces decent everyday snapshots. You can squeeze some detail out of it with a bit of work. It has very fast zoom creep and needs a wide rubber band to hold it in place when shooting anything other than level. It also requires a lot of light for decent images at 400mm (the high iso of a Kx would help). I hope to try it out at an upcoming airshow where the flexibility may prove useful. Until the $s come for a Bigma, I'll just have to make do ($90 to try the Phoenix didn't seem too extreme).

09-28-2010, 11:09 AM	#5
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	You paid $90? Man, you got hosed. Mine was $84 after shipping.

09-28-2010, 11:38 AM	#6
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381 Original Poster	Originally posted by boriscleto You paid $90? Man, you got hosed. Mine was $84 after shipping. %#@ there goes my subway lunch! Have you tried yours for aircraft? I use the f*300 for wildlife and really didn't want to dish out $s for a 55-300 with the K5 and Bigma on the horizon; just needed something with a bit of variable length for the short term.

09-28-2010, 11:48 AM	#7
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Haven't done any aircraft photography, even though I live just a couple miles from the Syracuse airport. I haven't used the lens since I got the DA L 55-300. Can't afford * glass or a Bigma. Maybe someday.

09-28-2010, 11:55 AM	#8
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381 Original Poster	Originally posted by boriscleto Haven't done any aircraft photography, even though I live just a couple miles from the Syracuse airport. I haven't used the lens since I got the DA L 55-300. Can't afford * glass or a Bigma. Maybe someday. $s are my holdup now also, I'm hoping for more photo work before the holidays. The 55-300 is still a possibility if the K5 gets my attention. I'm familiar with your town, grew up in Elmira. My Nieces are in Syracuse

09-28-2010, 12:09 PM	#9
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	I'll be in the Elmira/Corning area for a few days at the end of October. It's rained here for 3 days in a row, so depressing. Looks like it's going to be a nice weekend though. I think I'll take a ride out to Montezuma NWR and see what's going on.