Originally posted by ftpaddict Something tells me this would have been better suited in the "Post your photos" forum.
Yea. I just got the lens in the mail Friday.
I wanted to get around to the review part. Everything you've read about the lens in online reviews is correct -- both good and bad. So I don't have much to add there, but I must say this is one very nicely constructed lens. I'd say it's the best made between my FA 50mm, DA 18-55MM, and the DA 18-250mm. The construction is more reminiscent of an M series 50mm than a current FA or DA.
It's also really good at the 'macro' shots. It makes a good lens for flowers. The close focus is something to behold. I just put the camera on the ground with the violet centered and 1" from the lens and took the shot.
The lens is also very compact. It's smaller than the DA 18-55mm and the DA 18-250mm
As someone mentioned in the forums, the distortion can be controlled. To me, shots from this lens don't look fisheyed -- it just exhibits extreme barrel distortion.
If you crop off the extremes of the photo, it approaches a more rectilinear look. In any event, it doesn't appear to be as distorted on the edges as some fish eye lenses.
I bought it for the extreme field of view, and the distortions don't bother me -- but that is completely subjective.
I'm super pleased.
With regards to the purchase. I bought this at buydig.com. They had the lowest price I could find. I have no complaints with the transaction per se, but be advised they use Federal Express and require a person to sign for the package. I had someone home to receive the package. Two days in a row, they neglected to ring the door bell or even knock on the door; they just put a sticker on the window and said they would return tomorrow because no one was home. So Friday, I had my spotter, literally, run the truck down in the street with breaks squealing to get the package. Perhaps FedEx is totally incompetent or corrupt around here, but I don't think I'll be buying anything from merchants that use them in the future.