Lens Reviews

[grumpy bear]

After another longish reply to a lens choice thread, I wondered if there was any mileage in a Lens review thread or threads. Maybe set out by manufacturer. ie Nikon, Canon, Sony, Sigma, Tokina etc

Each post could be titled by the lens size and Manufacturer and could contain detail like that found here http://www.bythom.com/1735lens.htm for the star ratings and why. There is already a sample images thread so I wouldnt suggest duplicating that but it may help others when it comes to selection.

Just a thought.

[Chicken Pox]

did you want PHers do the reviews if not perhaps put a link in to here
http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/

Edited by Chicken Pox on Friday 26th February 14:11

[arej]

For Canon fit lenses (and other Canon products), this site is brilliant: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/
Very in depth and lots of details.

[Simpo Two]

grumpy bear said:

There is already a sample images thread

It would seem sensible to combine the sample images with the reviews, no?

[onomatopoeia]

If you have a Minolta or Sony there is already an excellent website full of lens reviews at dyxum.com

[grumpy bear]

To all of the above,

Yep I know there are loads of review sites elsewhere, I dont need a review site but I thought we as a group have some experience of variosu lenses both good and bad, know a lot about the strengths and weaknesses etc. and this could help repeated posts on lens choice questions. As far as combining with the sample images I think linking the two makes perfect sense but it isnt my call.

[Chicken Pox]

grumpy bear said:

To all of the above,

Yep I know there are loads of review sites elsewhere, I dont need a review site but I thought we as a group have some experience of variosu lenses both good and bad, know a lot about the strengths and weaknesses etc. and this could help repeated posts on lens choice questions. As far as combining with the sample images I think linking the two makes perfect sense but it isnt my call.

hence my question of clarification if you were referring to PHers for review of lenses or other sources

might be worth if you kicked off a review of one of your lenses as an example, those with the same lens join in then if ok with mods post the link to the thread next to the example pics in the "which lens" thread? Then we could use the same format for other lens reviews?

[Simpo Two]

grumpy bear said:

I dont need a review site but I thought we as a group have some experience of variosu lenses both good and bad, know a lot about the strengths and weaknesses etc. and this could help repeated posts on lens choice questions.

The problem as I see it is that there are many different skill levels on the forum. That's what makes it so interesting, but it also means that reviews may not really be sound. To take a personal example, 5 years ago I thought the Nikon 18-70 was fantastic. Then several thousand shots later I had a Nikon 17-55mm f2.8 and then realised the 18-70, whilsta very good kit lens, was not fantastic in the grand scheme of things - and so my views were opinions but not necessarily correct.

That is why meaningful reveiews are probably best left to the experts (and not me!)

Edited by Simpo Two on Friday 26th February 21:52

[tinman0]

Simpo Two said:

Chicken Pox said:

I dont need a review site but I thought we as a group have some experience of variosu lenses both good and bad, know a lot about the strengths and weaknesses etc. and this could help repeated posts on lens choice questions.

The problem as I see it is that there are many different skill levels on the forum. That's what makes it so interesting, but it also means that reviews may not really be sound. To take a personal example, 5 years ago I thought the Nikon 18-70 was fantastic. Then several thousand shots later I had a Nikon 17-55mm f2.8 and then realised the 18-70, whilsta very good kit lens, was not fantastic in the grand scheme of things - and so my views were opinions but not necessarily correct.

Maybe, maybe not.

You just have to be able to identify what level that person is at when they reviewed it. So your initial review is still perfectly valid, but in its context.

Trouble with lens reviews is that you always get someone who swears by something and won't be changed, and you always (for all reviews) get the person who got the lemon. So it's trying to find the bit in the middle that's important.

[Chicken Pox]

Simpo Two said:

Chicken Pox didn't say it was Grumpy Bear said:

I dont need a review site but I thought we as a group have some experience of variosu lenses both good and bad, know a lot about the strengths and weaknesses etc. and this could help repeated posts on lens choice questions.

The problem as I see it is that there are many different skill levels on the forum. That's what makes it so interesting, but it also means that reviews may not really be sound. To take a personal example, 5 years ago I thought the Nikon 18-70 was fantastic. Then several thousand shots later I had a Nikon 17-55mm f2.8 and then realised the 18-70, whilsta very good kit lens, was not fantastic in the grand scheme of things - and so my views were opinions but not necessarily correct.

That is why meaningful reveiews are probably best left to the experts (and not me!)

Um I didn't write that corrected for accuracy

[Simpo Two]

Chicken Pox said:

Um I didn't write that corrected for accuracy

Ah, yes. Fixed now!

[MonkeyHanger]

tinman0 said:

Trouble with lens reviews is that you always get someone who swears by something and won't be changed, and you always (for all reviews) get the person who got the lemon. So it's trying to find the bit in the middle that's important.

Plus, the sample size on here would be comparatively small. Even though PH has a Gazillion members the photography forum is still fairly quiet.

I find this to be about as good as it gets...


http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/

[tinman0]

MonkeyHanger said:

tinman0 said:

Trouble with lens reviews is that you always get someone who swears by something and won't be changed, and you always (for all reviews) get the person who got the lemon. So it's trying to find the bit in the middle that's important.

Plus, the sample size on here would be comparatively small. Even though PH has a Gazillion members the photography forum is still fairly quiet.

I find this to be about as good as it gets...


http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/

Yeah, that's what I've been using recently. Again, remove the enamored and the hateful and find the reviews in the middle.

[grumpy bear]

After starting this thread and seeing the replies I have realised that I was barking up the wrong tree. Still some good information came out of the replies and I think an alternative angle may be better. A review of review sites:

The idea is what does the site cover ie manufacturer, lenses bodies etc and why you value the opinions or why you might not.

I’ll start with the ones that I have used to help me select and which I have been able to confirm the opinions.

http://www.bythom.com/nikon.htm

This is the site Thom Hogan. It covers both bodies and lenses but centres on Nikon. He does cover reviews of third party lenses in Nikon fit.

The star rating system is easy to understand and the format is pretty consistent which makes comparision easier. I have been able to confirm the opinions on the following lenses:

AF-S Zoom-Nikkor ED 17-35mm f/2.8D IF
AF-S Zoom-Nikkor ED 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF DX
AF-S Zoom-Nikkor ED 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G IF DX VR
AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor ED 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF
AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor ED 70-200mm f/2.8G IF


http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html

The site of nature specialist Bjørn Rørslett, it is not as easy to use the Thom Hogan site but the comparisons do at least show the progression of a lens development. Again he is Nikon based.

AF-S Zoom-Nikkor ED 17-35mm f/2.8D IF
AF-S Zoom-Nikkor ED 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF DX
AF-S Zoom-Nikkor ED 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G IF DX VR
AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor ED 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF
AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor ED 70-200mm f/2.8G IF
AFS VR Nikkor 300 mm f/2.8 G ED-IF
50 mm f/1.8 Nikkor AIS, AF

http://www.kenrockwell.com/index.htm

Ken Rockwell is a legend in his own lunchtime, he has an opinion on everything. Supposed to be a multi brand reviewer but is Nikon biased and likes cheap and will take cheap over almost any other criteria. I will look to see what he has to say but we go with the opinion of Thom Hogan and or Bjørn Rørslett first and foremost.

Other sites suggested in this thread but I haven’t personally used. Perhaps someone else could offer some insight.

http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/