Some time ago I obtained a Samyang 28-200/4.0-5.8 lens. It functioned
very nicely, and the focusing was pretty crisp. It turned out to be pretty
versatile for walk-around photos, especially in the Desert Botanical Garden
(DBG). I found that there are other lenses of this range, one made by Cosina,
another marketed by Sears, and another marketed by Vivitar. The ones available
on evilBay tended to be too expensive, damaged, or a mount that I could not
(Canon, Kiron) or would not (Minolta) use.
That changed last week when I came across a Vivitar 28-200/3.5-5.3 with an
OM mount and a hard leather case for a mere $25 total. I got it this morning
and just finished an initial test, finding that the optics are every bit as
clear as the Samyang, and I can clearly read the label on a utility transformer
1/8 mile away, same as with the Samyang. Focusing control is about the same as
with the Samyang, being about 180-degrees from infinity to full 1:4 macro. And
the macro focusing comes closer than the Samyang, down to about 1m vs. 1.5m.
When the weather cools down in October or November I'll take this lens out
for a fairly rigorous test at the DBG.
Chris
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro
- Hunter S. Thompson
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