[crewl1]

Hi all, it's me again. Thought I'd share some user's experience so the next person on the list can fully utilise the lens' greatness without having to climb a learning curve.

Aperture:
Don't get too excited if this is your first F1.7 lens because wide open it is not very sharp (as expected), but stop down to F4 and you'll get very very good results. Standard shot with F8 is always fool proof. You can play with F2.0 - 2.8 but be very careful with focusing.

Focusing:
It is quite hard on my K5 with default screen, even though I use manual focusing lenses 90% of the time. Just be careful and take your time, with wide aperture it is very easy to have soft main subject.

Handling:
No complaint at all - simply a nice little lens.

Hood:
Yes it comes with a hood, put it on all the time if you don't mind the size. It adds robustness and protection to the lens too.

UV filter:
Comes with the lens too. I put it on most of the time because this is not my lens - I don't wanna spoil it. But sometimes I replace it with the hood to prevent potential light artefact - even though the filter should be nice quality (it's made by Asahi on the label).

How to use manual lens on digital camera: How to Use Manual Lenses on Pentax DSLRs - Tutorial Videos

Enjoy and pass it on!

Good tips, thanks.

Current list:

monoloco - Mexico/USA

severalsnakes - USA

njphotog - USA

hmirchev - USA

Giklab - Slovenia

wullemaha - Japan / Austria

calculator01 - Canada

Neville - South Africa

PabloFP - Argentina

ballhog - USA

[mythguy9]

Thanks myth guy, I'm looking forward to trying the lens, I'll be here in SE Alaska for another month so I'll get some shots here and send it along to severalsnakes. Any idea on the shipping time?

Thanks,

Greg

It usually takes 2 weeks from USA to Oz, I would imagine the same time the other way.

[severalsnakes]

The traveling 50 travels fast! Looking forward to sharing in the experience.

[calculator01]

It usually takes 2 weeks from USA to Oz, I would imagine the same time the other way.

It took my one and only package to Adelaide 3 months. It then took my friends package from Adelaide here 1.5 months. Even letters take a few weeks.


Might not be normal, but that is my experience. I am also not in Alaska

[dcBear78]

I buy hockey gear out of California that only takes 2 days to get to regional Australia. So I guess a lot depends on how things are sent.

[mythguy9]

The nifty fifty travels light, I hope that will mean faster postage!

[ivanvernon]

Thanks for the heads up mythguy.
Everyone, please keep in mind that the lens should be used and sent along as expeditiously as possible, so everyone can get a chance without having to wait for very long after signing up.

List update as of 18 July 2014:

mythguy9 - Australia (current)

monoloco - Mexico

severalsnakes - USA

njphotog - USA

hmirchev - USA

Giklab - Slovenia

wullemaha - Japan / Austria

calculator01 - Canada

Neville - South Africa

PabloFP - Argentina

ballhog - USA

How can I sign up on the traveling nifty fifty list?

[wullemaha]

Hey everybody

with all the stress I currently have, I probably won't be able to participate in any timely manner.
Can you please take my name off the list?

Thanks!
Cheers

[crewl1]

Hope it gets better soon.

List update:
monoloco - Mexico/USA

severalsnakes - USA

njphotog - USA

hmirchev - USA

Giklab - Slovenia

calculator01 - Canada

Neville - South Africa

PabloFP - Argentina

ballhog - USA

ivanvernon - USA

[southlander]

It took my one and only package to Adelaide 3 months. It then took my friends package from Adelaide here 1.5 months. Even letters take a few weeks.
Might not be normal, but that is my experience. I am also not in Alaska

Canada to Australia is slow. I also know from experience, buying an M series lens from someone way up north in the Canadian Rockies. The seller made enquiries and found that Canada Post wait until a container is full before posted items gets on their way to Oz. There's obviously not a lot of packages being sent between Canada and Australia, so the wait can be long (I think it was nearly two months to Adelaide for the M lens).

The package volume between USA/Australia is far higher and the postage time is quite reasonable.

[monoloco]

I received the "nifty fifty" yesterday and am looking forward to trying it out. I was surprised at how tiny it is.

[crewl1]

I received the "nifty fifty" yesterday and am looking forward to trying it out. I was surprised at how tiny it is.

Thanks for the update, look forward to the pictures.

[crewl1]

Hi Monoloco can you give us an update?
Post some pics and let us know when will you be passing it on.
Thanks.

[monoloco]

The lens arrived at the busiest time of my work season so, I've had limited time to use it, but I'll be back home tomorrow, and I'll try to get some photos posted in the next week and send it on.

[crewl1]

It always turns out that way Appreciate the update.