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Markins Q-Ball M10
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Review Date: Aug 17, 2005
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $340.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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the ball action is very smooth, as is the panning base. once you lock the ball down - it's not moving. this head is a joy to use. even with the ball unlocked and the panning base unlocked, there's no play or wobble.
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Cons:
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the panning base lock not very strong - but it's strong enough to keep it from turning while using the thing. i noticed when i locked it down to screw it onto my tripod legs, there was some slippage.
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this is a great ballhead. the pin on the clamp doesn't bother me at all. doesn't take much to loosen the clamp enough to lift the plate out of the clamp. actually, i like the pin. don't have to worry about my gear sliding out if i leave it too loose. the only downside, is Markins didn't offer Fed Ex. i hate waiting around for big brown.
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Nikon SB-800 AF Speedlight
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Review Date: Jan 22, 2005
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $360.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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good powerful flash, nice accessories, good recycle time.
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Cons:
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a bit pricey, but i would buy it again over the sb-600
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highly recommended
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Tamron AF 70-300MM F/4-5.6 LD Macro
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Review Date: Jan 22, 2005
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Recommend? no |
Price paid: $170.00
| Rating: 5
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Pros:
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good zoom range, built in macro function, cheap
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Cons:
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slow af, hunting, chromatic abberations, softness at 300mm
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this lens is ok for someone who does not really care for optical quality but would like a lens that gives a good zoom range . i have managed to get some decently sharp photos out of this lens, but it is soft above 200mm. chromatic abberations are a very big problem for this lens despite the "LD" glass. the macro function can be handy for closeups, but by no means is a good alternative to a true macro lens. the af is loud and slow and hunts a lot. other than that, the lens is light, and works pretty well below 200mm.
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Tamron SP AF90MM F/2.8 Di Macro 1:1
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Review Date: Jan 22, 2005
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $490.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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razor sharp lens, lightweight, nice bokeh, smooth manual focus
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Cons:
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not internal focus, lens grows
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this is the sharpest lens i own, it is plastic, but really well built. the switch from af to mf is very easy, and the mf is nice and mooth. it's nice and light - the front element is deeply recessed, so the lens hood is not needed (i've never used it). the autofocus speed is acceptable, and fairly reliable. i would recommend this lens to anyone. the lens pictured for this review is not the tamron sp90 di.
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