[MadMathMind]

Three weeks ago when I bought the Sigma 17-70 Contemporary, it had a "9.11" forum rating. So I figured it was a sure thing, performance and quality-wise, and I went for it! I paid $369 for a used one, and I do like it so far.

But I'm curious because now it's forum rating has mysteriously slipped to 8.50!

Where can I get unbiased, factual, and consistent lens appraisals when I am shopping around?

Or are any so-called ratings I might find anywhere not really so relevant in actual, real-world use?

The internet is not the place to look for such things. In fact, user provided reviews are highly noisy. Basically, two kinds of people write 90% of the reviews: those who love it and want to proclaim its awesomeness and those who hate it and want to unload on it. That's why so many reviews are 1 or 5 stars. There are people who write something in between, but writing a balanced review is a lot of work because it requires a lot of careful testing, analysis, and time. And people don't want to take the time to write about a product they find "acceptable" or "meets expectations." If you could do a timeline on when a review is written after the purchase, you'd probably find that most people write it within a week of purchase. What you need to look for in reading reviews is common complaints: 10 people reported this part failed, or 5 people complained that X was hard to use, etc.

Some stores email you asking for a review within 2 weeks of purchase. For things like socks, that's fine, but for lenses...you can't learn everything strong and weak about a lens in a week unless you take the thing on a big vacation immediately. But most of us don't buy a lens right before a trip because we're afraid we won't like the lens and end up with horrible photos...

[Jean Poitiers]

On a "K" kick ... recent additions = K 35/2, K 50/1.2 & K 135/2.8

[wtlwdwgn]

Added a beautiful K 28mm f/2 today.

[Cabessius]

Added a beautiful K 28mm f/2 today.

Please, post a picture of it and/or pictures taken with it.
Would you mind telling us how much did you pay for it?.
LBA incoming.

On a "K" kick ... recent additions = K 35/2, K 50/1.2 & K 135/2.8

WOW!!!!!

[wtlwdwgn]

Please, post a picture of it and/or pictures taken with it.
Would you mind telling us how much did you pay for it?.
LBA incoming.

Sure. Here you go.

[LensBeginner]

Sure. Here you go.

...oh my...

[Jean Poitiers]

... WOW!!!!!

Here's the recent trio ... add to them a K 50/1.4 & a K 105/2.8, both acquired earlier.

In the back are the original cases for the 50/1.2 & 135/2.5

---

Last edited by Jean Poitiers; 01-11-2015 at 09:59 AM.

[Cabessius]

You guys are really lucky to live in cities whith pawn shops or cash converters where you can find these jewels. In this small island there´s almost nothing. These items hardly appear on the bay, and when they do they reach too high prices.

[gofour3]

Here's the recent trio ... add to them a K 50/1.4 & a K 105/2.8, both acquired earlier.

In the back are the original cases for the 50/1.5 & 135/2.5

Wow, I have never come across an original case for a K Series standard/normal lens.

What is marked on the top of the case for the K50/1.2?

Phil.

[monochrome]

Lenses Sold Regrets:

K50/1.2
Vivitar Series 1 105/2.5 Macro - bought NOS/NIB
FA35/2

[Jean Poitiers]

Wow, I have never come across an original case for a K Series standard/normal lens.

What is marked on the top of the case for the K50/1.2?

Phil.

Here's a hastily made image ...

SMC
PENTAX
1.2/50

SMC
PENTAX
2.5/135

[gofour3]

Here's a hastily made image ...

SMC
PENTAX
1.2/50

SMC
PENTAX
2.5/135

Thanks! That K50/1.2 case is a rare one, great find. You had to buy the case for the standard lenses back then as an accessory

Phil.

[Imp]

only 6... =)
M50 f/1.7
some Kiron
A28 f/2.8
35-105 f/3.5
18-55 kit
HD DA 55-300

[Michi Joel]

LBA of today, Sigma 10-20mm DC EX, i'm surprised it's no heavy!

Time for an update: 14 lens

Pentax 67:

Takumars 55mm f4, 105mm f2.4 y 200mm f4.

Pentax ME Super, MZ-7 :

Sigma MC 24mm f2.8 Super-Wide II, Pentax-M 50mm f1.7, Sigma MC 75-200mm f2.8-3.5 Zoom III,

Pentax K50:

Sigma 10-20mm DC EX, Pentax DA 21mm f3.2 Limited, Pentax DA 40mm f2.8 XS, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f2.8, Pentax-M* 300mm f4, Tokina AT-X 28-70mm f2.8, Pentax-F 35-70mm f3.5-4.5

I'm selling -M 135mm f3.5 right now

Time for an update: 13 lens

Pentax 67:

Takumars 55mm f4, 105mm f2.4 y 200mm f4.

Pentax ME Super, MZ-7 :

Sigma MC 24mm f2.8 Super-Wide II, Pentax-M 50mm f1.7, Pentax-M 135mm f3.5, Sigma MC 75-200mm f2.8-3.5 Zoom III, Tokina AT-X 28-70mm f2.8, Pentax-F 35-70mm f3.5-4.5

Pentax K50:

Sigma 10-20mm DC EX, Pentax DA 40mm f2.8 XS, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f2.8 & DA* 16-50mm f2.8


Finally no sell Pentax-M 135mm f3.5 (it's cute and cheap ^^)
I changed my Pentax-M* 300mm f4 for a DA* 16-50mm f2.8
I sold my 21mm Ltd i want to sell Tokina AT-X 28-70mm f2.8 & Sigma MC 75-200mm f2.8-3.5 Zoom III but... how much it cost this RARE Sigma lens?????????? the are no information in web.

[Driline]

LBA has won again. I just picked up this Pentax FA 100 2.8 Macro for $239. So far I'm lovin' it. I'm going to need a ring light now so I can shoot those bugs at faster shutter speed and higher F stop. Anyone recommend a cheap one out there?

I also created another "Pentaxian"! I gave my son my 2 year old K-5 along with an F 35-70 macro lens. His Nikon stuff is up for sale now on ebay LOL.



Here's one of my first shots with this lens at F16. It seems to show too much diffraction beyond that F-Stop.