x-other's reviews

  • Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 SP AF

    7 out of 10 points and recommended
    Sharp
    Build quality, slow focus, hunting on dim light conditions

    The image quality is excellent with my D200, but within 4 months I couldn't focus on infinite despite of any lack of damages on the lens or camera. The clutch focus is more facile than A/M button, but shows some lack of precision (must be a little bit rotate before switching from one mode to another).
    I have to take it back from the service and I have to decide if to keep it or to add another 300 EUR for 105 VR.
    I really don't know if mechanical construction and some trouble with it worth to spend some more money for almost the same image quality. I'll let you know!

    reviewed March 6th, 2008
  • Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G IF-ED AF-S Nikkor

    1 out of 10 points and recommended
    Sharp, Fast, Great IQ
    Front focus, poor construction quality.

    UPDATE May 31st 2010:

    Well, since my previous review I've already changed the lens two times. So, overall, in less than 2 years the lens got broken 3 times because of the zoom ring which suddenly got rough between 28 and 24 mm. I don't know why is this happens, but I know that to get it fixed costs around 1.000 EUR. Mine was covered by warranty, but if it not, everyone can imagine how efficient this lens can it be.

    I would not recommend it whatsoever!


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    I brought this lens from a retailer in Romania. I did not make the focus test right after I got it thinking it's silly to make it for a high grade lens. Finally when I did the test it showed about 2 mm front focus with the worst results at 70mm f/4. I went back to Nikon’s authorized service in Bucharest and they decided to change it right after I strongly refused to accept an “18-55 f3.5-5.6” as a replacement lens while mine was supposed to be sent in Germany for recalibration.
    It's a shame for Nikon to have such a poor level of service in Romania. Imagine that you must wait up to 1-2 months to get back your lens or body back from the service because locally they are not capable to repair it and they must send it to Germany of other Nikon service. It happens me before with my D200 which showed well know banding issues.

    It took about 4 months to have again quality problems with the replaced 24-70 f/2.8. Right before Christmas, during a photo session, unexpectedly the zoom collar becomes rough among 28mm and 24 mm and then it got stuck there. It's strange that I did not drop the lens or broke it. As a matter of fact I took care of it more than I took care of myself.

    I took it back to the same Nikon's authorized service but this time they refused to change it, they keep it in service although they’re on holidays until January 5th, and again they were not able to provide a back up lens other than 16-85 f/3.5-5.6 AF-S VR. I'm shooting with d700 and I could not offer to my customer’s 5mpx pictures with a poorer IQ due to the lens. I'm expecting to get it back no early than February again because they couldn't repair it locally and have to send it to Germany. Probably it's just a screw issue...

    Because I needed a wide lens for some shootings, even that 24 mm was wide enough for a FF, I had to go to the retailer to buy a brand new 14-24 f/2.8 in order not to get dropped by my customers. I wanted to buy that lens but not under the circumstances described above.
    This experience cost me two trips to the service meaning 320 km made it twice because I'm not leaving in Bucharest and the cost for the new lens being forced by the circumstances. And yes, I'm frustrated because all of this!

    SHAME NIKON, SHAME ON YOU!

    Step inside:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-other/

    reviewed December 25th, 2008 (purchased for $1,683)