Tamron 180/2.5, great price (Australia)

[Paul . Stregevsky]

Those of you familiar with the Tarmon 180/2.5 SP LE IF (Aniversay Edition) know that it is held in extremely high regard as a lens that is sharp at all apertures and very well built. It's 81.5 mm wide, 124 mm long, and weight 856 g (about 30 oz.). Filter size is 77mm. The lens formula is 10 elements in 7 groups and includes LD (low-dispersion) glass. It was made, if I understand correctly, only in 1986. I have a long, highly favorable review from a 1986 issue of Amateur Photographer The editors implied that Tamron made only 1,000. That sound strangly low; I can usually find 1 or 2 listed at any time. Some quotations I've collected: Rated 3.8 out of 5 in Olle Bjernulf’s comprehensive web listing. But curiously, this ranking was eighth out of nine. Brian Schneider, June 12, 2000: “I’ve had one for years, VERY sharp, focusing ring kind of stiff, quite heavy. The contrast is just a bit lower than other primes I’ve had." Our own William Robb, June 2000: “It is heavy. Don’t try using it with extension tubes unless you have a SOLID camera body (ummm, kind of eliminates the Pentaxes). [Brian] did say the Tarmron 2X flat field converter would be agood ancillary purchase for it. It’s close focus, around 1.25 meters unaided.” This lens usually goes for $400 to ^00 U.S. But an Australian shop is advertising one in EX+ condition, in Niikon Adaptall mount, for $294 ( listed as 595 Australian)! http://sites.netscape.net/eurocameras/stock_List.htm, There's one catch: No refunds to customers outside Australia. That's how this two-man operation holds prices low. So please: Will one of our members--preferably, someone in Australia--rescue this jewel from the clutches of some undeserving Nikonite? Perhaps the sellers will agree to change the mount to Pentax for a few bucks more. Paul Franklin Stregevsky [EMAIL PROTECTED] W: (703) 834-4648 - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .