Fran Saunders - Long Lenses
Jack C. Leighty/Susan J. Noble (jleighty@chesapeake.net)
Thu, 15 Jan 1998 11:01:00 -0500 (EST)
-->>>>>>> Next Section <<<<<<<
Content-Type: Text/Plain; charset=US-ASCII
Fran:
I also use Minoltas - a Maxxum 700si and X700s. A manual Sigma 600
mm F8 mirrored (catadioptric) on an X700 has been great for bright
days and distant birds. The highlights that look like donuts is
seldom a problem. Shutter speeds are often fast enough to get a
sharp image hand holding the camera. It now costs $381.00 at B&H
Photo (www.bhphotovideo.com). The down side is that even as a
mirrored lens it is bulkier and heavier than other comparable lenses
that cost a little more. For traveling, a carry-on, waterproof case
with other lenses (35-80, 70-210), filters,etc. becomes a load.
I've made, what I consider, (and I dump lots of slides) a number of
"publishable" photos with the 600 - some hand-held.
The Maxxum body has a lot of advantages that I like - spot metering,
bracketing, etc.. Its heavier, but the autofocus zoom lenses are
smaller and lighter. A full range of focal lengths, from wide angle
to long, fit into a smaller carry-on case (Cabellas has a great
price on one that's just the right size at the moment). A lens
combination that you might want to look at for your Maxxums is the
autofocus Tamron 200-400 F5.6. It's price at $555.00 is still a
bargain. More than Sigmas, but I believe it has advantages for
birds, etc.. Tamron also sells a 1.4x converter that allows full
function of the auto-focus lens, and pushes the 400 to more than 500
with minimum effect on the light transmission. They also make a 2x
which has more light effect, of course. Best wishes.
Jack Leighty
Huntingtown, MD
jleighty@chesapeake.net