PeteD's reviews

  • Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF SP AF

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    really sharp away from 17mm
    vignetting at 17mm. No AFS/USM

    This is a super little lens for the money. The Nikon 17-55 may be marginally better but I opted for this considerably lighter and cheaper alternative with no regrets

    reviewed March 13th, 2009 (purchased for $420)

  • Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM APO Macro

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    quality performer, build
    no anti shake

    if you want a macro at something like this length then this should be on your short list

    reviewed March 13th, 2009 (purchased for $600)

  • Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    good build quality, value
    the corners

    This is capable of taking some fun photos, you just have to learn its foibles

    reviewed March 13th, 2009 (purchased for $450)

  • Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR AF-S Nikkor

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    well specified lens AFS VR.
    could be faster than f5.6 at 300 but you pays your money.....

    I do like this lens. I use it a lot for butterflies and dragonflies.

    ok it can't match 300f4 prime but for the money it represents good value

    reviewed March 13th, 2009 (purchased for $450)

  • Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II LD Aspherical IF Macro AF

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    decent all in one solution
    tromboning, no AFS/USM, no VR/IS

    This is one of those odd lenses. the list of flaws include
    an annoying habit of tromboning, no afs/usm and no VR/IS and it isn't as sharp as Tamron's 17-50 and yet as an all in one package it takes surprisingly decent photos.

    The lack of VR is less of a problem to me as I use it as a vacation lens or on family days out (when lens switching isn't going to happen) which does tend to mean good light.

    should you buy one? if you are after the ultimate in image quality no, but if you are after a very competent travel zoom then it is a good package.

    reviewed April 7th, 2009 (purchased for $450)

  • Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 ASPH LUMIX G

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    small, sharp, great fun
    lack of stabilisation

    it's small, it's sharp and it's fast. Coupled with a compact m4/3 camera this makes for a nice unobtrusive little set up.

    it's a tadge expensive and so makes most sense as part of the GF-1 kit. I guess you are paying for size (compare to Nikon 35 f1.8).

    build quality is ok.

    I must admit to being a bit of a m4/3 sceptic at first but this really changed my opinion!

    Now if panasonic would only be so kind as to make 12mm pancake!

    reviewed January 27th, 2010

  • Fujinon XF 35mm f/1.4 R

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Excellent Image Quality
    Auto-focus

    Image quality is excellent, photos are really sharp and I guess this alone makes it a must buy.

    I have no problems with the photos it produces, my only issue is are with the auto-focus which can occasionally misfire and is a little slow in 2012!! It kind of remnids me of the Pan Leica 45 f2.8 for m4/3 in that respect.

    And the lens hood is weird!

    If you want a 50mm equivalent then this is recommended.

    reviewed December 7th, 2012 (purchased for $750)

  • Fujinon XF 18mm f/2 R

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    it's small and it's fast. Image quality is good.
    some ca

    This lens seems to get a bit of negative press.

    Yes the image quality is only very good if not stellar. Some CA and the corners don't reach the levels of the centre. And yes the 35 f1.4 is optically better but given the 18f2 is small and fast it's a lens that sits on my xe1 a fair amount.

    compared to the 35 f1.4 the 18 f2's autofocus is fairly snappy and reliable.

    The lens hood works but is a pain to store.

    reviewed December 7th, 2012 (purchased for $650)

  • Panasonic 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH POWER OIS LUMIX G X VARIO PZ

    7 out of 10 points and recommended
    Small, decent for a kit lens
    none really, perhaps a tadge expensive

    When I bought the GX1 I deliberatly didn't buy the kit due to all the negative comments. After time I read a number of reviews from people I respect and decided that this would be handy for travel.

    Image quality? ok its not a 20mm f1.7 or a 25 f1.4 and as a kit lens it's not a Fuji 18-55 but it does a respectable job. I've not experienced the issue at selected shutter speeds that some have reported and I know a friend hasn't either. Both lenses were bought fairly recently so maybe Panny have done something.


    as an f3.5-5.6 kit zoom it is priced a little high but it is very small. Coupled with a 45-150 and the two pancake primes it makes a very travel kit

    reviewed June 17th, 2013 (purchased for $350)

  • Panasonic 45-150mm f/4-5.6 ASPH MEGA OIS LUMIX G VARIO

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    light small and for a consumer telephoto surprisingly decent
    for the price? none

    purchased as a light weight telephoto option for travel.

    focus is decent and for a consumer grade telephoto the optics are surprisingly sharp. it is a bet lens at 150mm than the 45-200.

    yes I wish it was faster but then it would be much bigger and expensive!

    reviewed June 17th, 2013 (purchased for $250)

  • Panasonic 100-300mm f/4-5.6 ASPH MEGA OIS LUMIX G VARIO

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    good optics in a small package
    stabilisation doesn't work as well as Nikon's VR

    When I first tried this lens I was a little disappointed but as I've got used to it I've come to rate this little lens.

    Optics are very good. I would say it is a little short sighted it does a better job when objects are closer.

    Focus is fine I just wish that Panny/Oly would sort out their continuous auto focus.

    My one gripe is with the image stablilsation which I think is a little weaker than Nikons VR

    reviewed June 17th, 2013 (purchased for $550)