In the last month and a half I've amassed a small assortment manual lenses to go with my kit lens. My kids have a small African Violet that sits on the kitchen table by the window, and I have taken to snapping photos of it to test the "macro" capabilities (or lack thereof) of these new lenses. It is the least sientific test ever designed. Different light, days, angles. But fun.

The lenses: Tokins 28mm, Pentax M 50mm, Vivitar 70-150mm, Vivitar 75-205mm (Plus my kit lens not pictured. The 28mm is open to show the bayonet I had to saw off to make it fit.)


The latest addition- Vivitar 75-205mm


Vivitar 70-150mm (Will eventually sell this one or the 75-205mm)


Pentax M 50mm f2 (new version)


DA 18-55mm


Tokina 28mm F2.8

[little laker]

I almost did a similar test, but haven't posted it.

I like the picture from the Vivitar 70-150mm better than the Vivitar 75-205mm. The color looks nicer to me.
The extra 55mm of the Vivitar 75-205mm is nice for nature photographs so if I was in your shoes I'd keep both lenses unless you need the cash for the next lens.

[NaClH2O]

Artistically, I like the shot with the Vivitar 75-205 the best. Technically I'd say the 50mm is the sharpest, but the color is off, did you shoot in JPEG? And yes I do realize this is a highly unscientific, so I ain't complaining or anything, found it interesting and informative.

NaCl(I'm planning something similar soon)H2O

[mediaslinky]

Yes, it was jpeg on that one. (The 50mm) and the white balance was set wrong, so... I should just shoot it again, but I'm lazy right now.

I am in no rush to sell either of the vivitars. I love the extra length, but you pay for it in weight. I'd really like a faster zoom, but then you are talking real money. All the lenses up there cost be about $100 including shipping, just shopping ebay and waiting for the deals.

[little laker]

If we lived close I'd loan you my Sigma 135-400 APO then you wouldn't say that your vivitar is heavy any more
There are some light weight 200mm Zooms out there. I've got a Tokina 70-200mm that I'm sure weighs less then the kit lens. I don't use it often, but it's the first lens that I pack for some of my longer hikes

[mediaslinky]

I updated the 50mm picture. Couldn't stand the bad color balance being a reflection on the lens.