LBA: an hour in NYC...

hamidlmt · 11-27-2007, 05:36 PM

I've just returned from the Berkshires in upstate New York, where my wife and I spent Thanksgiving with her family. It was a wonderful trip and my photography mainly centered around family candids. We also went to visit her older brother in Queens. On the way out of the city, they graciously accommodated my wish to make a singular stop in Manhattan. I had one place on my mind. B&H Photo!

Wow! What a store! 2 stories of electronics goodness. After security approved my camera bag, I fiercely charged upstairs, hunting for Pentax glass. I found my way, marveling at the little section off lenses... yet, more Pentax lenses than I've ever seen gathered in one place.

I asked to try out the 77mm 1.8 Limited and the DA* 50-135mm 2.8. After a few test shots, my wife and her sister would not let me leave without getting a lens. I was so torn! Both were amazing!

The incredible samples from forum members of the 77 Limited was a huge part in my investment in Pentax. The store model was back-focusing and I began to feel that longer length primes weren't as useful as a telephoto zoom. I happen to love primes.... the 31 Limited being my most used lens. I thought the 77 would round out my primes... the 14, the 31, the 50 and the 77...

I tuned in and listened to my inner voice. Man... the DA* was sweet. Relatively light and balanced on the K10D. Quick focusing. Near silent focusing. Weather-sealed. Love the focal range. That's it... this lens is MINE!

So, it's Tuesday and it's supposed to arrive on Thursday! I opted to ship it since here in Oregon we don't pay sales tax. $15 for 3 day shipping vs $80 for sales tax.

I will post a few of my in-store snaps of both lenses later in this thread.

weatherwise2 · 11-27-2007, 06:39 PM

envious. I bet the 50-135 will be great and looking forward to some photos

vievetrick · 11-27-2007, 06:57 PM

Lucky you!!!!!

egordon99 · 11-27-2007, 07:20 PM

Congrats! It will make a great doggie lens

I took lots of shots of my parents' dogs (peka-poo and chinese crested) over Thanksgiving and they came out great! It's also a great people lens

Unfortunately, my Tamron 28-75mm hasn't been getting much use lately, the DA* is THAT great!

m8o · 11-27-2007, 10:02 PM

2nd floor? a lot of Pentax glass? Is all that new? I was there just a few months ago and I don't think that was there then... Just the main SLR section downstairs in the back-right of the store.

ycl · 11-28-2007, 05:10 AM

Originally posted by m8o

2nd floor? a lot of Pentax glass? Is all that new? I was there just a few months ago and I don't think that was there then... Just the main SLR section downstairs in the back-right of the store.

Hi -- Yes, B & H recently renovated (within the 5 weeks, I believe) and now has a huge 2d floor for the SLR stuff. (I'm not sure what'll happen to the old SLR area downstairs in the back -- currently it's walled off). And, yes, finally there's a full Pentax "stand" where anyone can just pick up the K10 and K100 and try how they feel in the hand.

JCSullivan · 11-28-2007, 07:01 AM

I'd like to know one thing. What do you have that not one, but two women, wouldn't let you leave without purchasing a lense!!!

Good on you pal. Enjoy it and post the fruits of your labour.

vizjerei · 11-28-2007, 07:07 AM

Originally posted by JCSullivan

I'd like to know one thing. What do you have that not one, but two women, wouldn't let you leave without purchasing a lense!!!

Good on you pal. Enjoy it and post the fruits of your labour.

I thought that would only happen in dream...

m8o · 11-28-2007, 07:47 AM

Originally posted by vizjerei

I thought that would only happen in dream...

When I read this response before reading the quote it was responding to, I though it was in response to hearing B&H has a 2nd floor of all [D-]SLR equip and a full Pentax stand...

JasonS · 11-28-2007, 07:53 AM

Originally posted by vizjerei

I thought that would only happen in dream...

I have dreams including two women too, but not in this context.

hamidlmt · 11-28-2007, 09:22 AM

Originally posted by egordon99

Congrats! It will make a great doggie lens

I took lots of shots of my parents' dogs (peka-poo and chinese crested) over Thanksgiving and they came out great! It's also a great people lens

Unfortunately, my Tamron 28-75mm hasn't been getting much use lately, the DA* is THAT great!

Have you posted your doggie shots? I'd love to see them! I love the Tamron lens.. such a great zoom.... it's almost hard to imagine a better one!

Originally posted by m8o

2nd floor? a lot of Pentax glass? Is all that new? I was there just a few months ago and I don't think that was there then... Just the main SLR section downstairs in the back-right of the store.

They must have redid things. On the first floor they had they used SLR and lens section, including a Pentax section. Upstairs they had the Pentax booth with the SLR's and against the wall they have all the lenses you could ever want!

And, yeah... my wife and sister in law are very understanding... can't go 3000 miles without getting a lens! They even said, I might as well get the 50-135 over the 77 since it was just a few hundred more!

I don't seem to be getting to the in-store shots very quickly. I took well over 300 shots in a bit less than a week. I'll try and post them soon.

egordon99 · 11-28-2007, 09:40 AM

I have some more that will be put up tonight (as well as lots of my Pomeranian at home that I haven't uploaded yet)

Haven't really compared the Tamron and the Pentax in the 50-75mm range, would make an interesting experiment.

m8o · 11-28-2007, 11:42 AM

Evan, those belong here... https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/14351-your-pet-day-post-up.html

Great focus. That's the 1st lens I bought (instead of the kit lens). Though the Voigtlander has been glued to the camera of late, I've been thinking it's time to put the Tamron back on! (actually, it's time to get my camera fixed! ...then put the Tamron back on

)

egordon99 · 11-28-2007, 11:56 AM

Haha, those aren't actually my pets, they belong to my parents. They were taken with the DA*, NOT the Tamron. I know Hamid takes some great dog shots so I wanted to show him how the DA* and dogs get along.

I'll try to get some of MY doggie online tonight, he's been posted before - A furry Pomeranian named Chase.

Off to check out the pet post you linked to....

**Lowell Goudge** · 11-28-2007, 12:53 PM

Originally posted by JCSullivan

I'd like to know one thing. What do you have that not one, but two women, wouldn't let you leave without purchasing a lense!!!

Good on you pal. Enjoy it and post the fruits of your labour.

I see a lot of people have the same question, usually it's the opposite, women who won't let you within 100 feet of a camera store

11-27-2007, 05:36 PM	#1
hamidlmt Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gresham, Oregon USA Posts: 1,217	LBA: an hour in NYC... I've just returned from the Berkshires in upstate New York, where my wife and I spent Thanksgiving with her family. It was a wonderful trip and my photography mainly centered around family candids. We also went to visit her older brother in Queens. On the way out of the city, they graciously accommodated my wish to make a singular stop in Manhattan. I had one place on my mind. B&H Photo! Wow! What a store! 2 stories of electronics goodness. After security approved my camera bag, I fiercely charged upstairs, hunting for Pentax glass. I found my way, marveling at the little section off lenses... yet, more Pentax lenses than I've ever seen gathered in one place. I asked to try out the 77mm 1.8 Limited and the DA* 50-135mm 2.8. After a few test shots, my wife and her sister would not let me leave without getting a lens. I was so torn! Both were amazing! The incredible samples from forum members of the 77 Limited was a huge part in my investment in Pentax. The store model was back-focusing and I began to feel that longer length primes weren't as useful as a telephoto zoom. I happen to love primes.... the 31 Limited being my most used lens. I thought the 77 would round out my primes... the 14, the 31, the 50 and the 77... I tuned in and listened to my inner voice. Man... the DA* was sweet. Relatively light and balanced on the K10D. Quick focusing. Near silent focusing. Weather-sealed. Love the focal range. That's it... this lens is MINE! So, it's Tuesday and it's supposed to arrive on Thursday! I opted to ship it since here in Oregon we don't pay sales tax. $15 for 3 day shipping vs $80 for sales tax. I will post a few of my in-store snaps of both lenses later in this thread.

11-28-2007, 05:10 AM	#6
ycl Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: NY, NY, USA Posts: 37	Yes -- new 2d Floor Originally posted by m8o 2nd floor? a lot of Pentax glass? Is all that new? I was there just a few months ago and I don't think that was there then... Just the main SLR section downstairs in the back-right of the store. Hi -- Yes, B & H recently renovated (within the 5 weeks, I believe) and now has a huge 2d floor for the SLR stuff. (I'm not sure what'll happen to the old SLR area downstairs in the back -- currently it's walled off). And, yes, finally there's a full Pentax "stand" where anyone can just pick up the K10 and K100 and try how they feel in the hand.

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11-27-2007, 06:39 PM	#2
weatherwise2 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Warwick, RI Photos: Gallery Posts: 740	envious. I bet the 50-135 will be great and looking forward to some photos

11-27-2007, 06:57 PM	#3
vievetrick Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Easthampton - Massachusetts - USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,183	Lucky you!!!!!

11-27-2007, 07:20 PM	#4
egordon99 Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Outside of Philly Posts: 1,561	Congrats! It will make a great doggie lens I took lots of shots of my parents' dogs (peka-poo and chinese crested) over Thanksgiving and they came out great! It's also a great people lens Unfortunately, my Tamron 28-75mm hasn't been getting much use lately, the DA* is THAT great!

11-27-2007, 10:02 PM	#5
m8o Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: 40°-55'-44" N / 73°-24'-07" W [on LI] Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,092	2nd floor? a lot of Pentax glass? Is all that new? I was there just a few months ago and I don't think that was there then... Just the main SLR section downstairs in the back-right of the store.

11-28-2007, 07:01 AM	#7
JCSullivan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Windsor, Canada Posts: 3,056	I'd like to know one thing. What do you have that not one, but two women, wouldn't let you leave without purchasing a lense!!! Good on you pal. Enjoy it and post the fruits of your labour.

11-28-2007, 07:07 AM	#8
vizjerei Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,418	Originally posted by JCSullivan I'd like to know one thing. What do you have that not one, but two women, wouldn't let you leave without purchasing a lense!!! Good on you pal. Enjoy it and post the fruits of your labour. I thought that would only happen in dream...

11-28-2007, 07:47 AM	#9
m8o Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: 40°-55'-44" N / 73°-24'-07" W [on LI] Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,092	Originally posted by vizjerei I thought that would only happen in dream... When I read this response before reading the quote it was responding to, I though it was in response to hearing B&H has a 2nd floor of all [D-]SLR equip and a full Pentax stand...

11-28-2007, 07:53 AM	#10
JasonS Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Omaha Posts: 74	Originally posted by vizjerei I thought that would only happen in dream... I have dreams including two women too, but not in this context.

11-28-2007, 09:22 AM	#11
hamidlmt Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gresham, Oregon USA Posts: 1,217 Original Poster	Originally posted by egordon99 Congrats! It will make a great doggie lens I took lots of shots of my parents' dogs (peka-poo and chinese crested) over Thanksgiving and they came out great! It's also a great people lens Unfortunately, my Tamron 28-75mm hasn't been getting much use lately, the DA* is THAT great! Have you posted your doggie shots? I'd love to see them! I love the Tamron lens.. such a great zoom.... it's almost hard to imagine a better one! Originally posted by m8o 2nd floor? a lot of Pentax glass? Is all that new? I was there just a few months ago and I don't think that was there then... Just the main SLR section downstairs in the back-right of the store. They must have redid things. On the first floor they had they used SLR and lens section, including a Pentax section. Upstairs they had the Pentax booth with the SLR's and against the wall they have all the lenses you could ever want! And, yeah... my wife and sister in law are very understanding... can't go 3000 miles without getting a lens! They even said, I might as well get the 50-135 over the 77 since it was just a few hundred more! I don't seem to be getting to the in-store shots very quickly. I took well over 300 shots in a bit less than a week. I'll try and post them soon.

11-28-2007, 09:40 AM	#12
egordon99 Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Outside of Philly Posts: 1,561	I have some more that will be put up tonight (as well as lots of my Pomeranian at home that I haven't uploaded yet) Haven't really compared the Tamron and the Pentax in the 50-75mm range, would make an interesting experiment.

11-28-2007, 11:42 AM	#13
m8o Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: 40°-55'-44" N / 73°-24'-07" W [on LI] Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,092	Evan, those belong here... https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/14351-your-pet-day-post-up.html Great focus. That's the 1st lens I bought (instead of the kit lens). Though the Voigtlander has been glued to the camera of late, I've been thinking it's time to put the Tamron back on! (actually, it's time to get my camera fixed! ...then put the Tamron back on )

11-28-2007, 11:56 AM	#14
egordon99 Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Outside of Philly Posts: 1,561	Haha, those aren't actually my pets, they belong to my parents. They were taken with the DA, NOT the Tamron. I know Hamid takes some great dog shots so I wanted to show him how the DA and dogs get along. I'll try to get some of MY doggie online tonight, he's been posted before - A furry Pomeranian named Chase. Off to check out the pet post you linked to....

11-28-2007, 12:53 PM	#15
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	Originally posted by JCSullivan I'd like to know one thing. What do you have that not one, but two women, wouldn't let you leave without purchasing a lense!!! Good on you pal. Enjoy it and post the fruits of your labour. I see a lot of people have the same question, usually it's the opposite, women who won't let you within 100 feet of a camera store