Thanks so much Joe!
We are also now a 3 computer family (2 PC's and a lappy), BUT, the "other" PC isn't connected to the internet at the moment as the internal modem died. I must get that sorted actually as the whole reason for me buying this new PC was to keep the likes of my hubby and kids AWAY from it. I came home one day to find him and the boys sitting on my 'puter playing a computer game (some car racing thing), and as it was "too dark" (apparently) they had changed all the settings on my monitor so that they could see it "properly" - ie. my monitor, hand callibrated and which took me over a month to get perfect and many resends of orders to the lab to ensure that they were printed correctly! I could have throttled them! So, I went out the next day and bought the new PC, and the "rule" is that no-one else is *supposed* to use it except for me... I do understand about the Tokina lenses - I have found it really difficult to know which ones I am actually looking at! However, I did notice that you had said that you own the 28-80 and not any of the other versions. It seems to me that where the Tokina is concerned, the only way to go would be either with the 28-80 or possibly the 28-70/f2.6-2.8. BUT, I do still think that I am leaning towards the Tamron... Thanks for the advice! tan. -----Original Message----- From: jtainter [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, 16 May 2004 10:39 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Test from Tan and f2.8 Normal Zooms "SOMEHOW (I have no idea how, it defies explanation, as most things do where I am concerned! lol), SOMEONE (I'm blaming my hubby cause he was on my 'puter last night), reset the default email addy for outgoing emails to our "family" email address." Which is why we are a three computer family. Only one telephone line though, which causes its own grief. Pentax's 28-70 f2.8 is very fine optically, but is reputed to be of such heavy construction with complicated gearing that some cameras have had trouble moving the lens elements to autofocus. I have the Tokina 28-80 f2.8. It is unbelieveably sharp, even beating some primes -- slightly. (I've done the tests). When Popular Photography tested it they essentially called it best in class. It is big and heavy and, if you shoot into the sun, prone to flare. I rarely shoot into the sun, and have gotten it to flare only once. I've also used it on the *ist D, where it did fine. The newer Tamron 28-75 f2.8 tests equal to the Tokina for sharpness (perhaps even a bit better). It is said to be designed for digital (= better lens coatings, I think). It is also shorter than others when zoomed to its shortest length. It is of the extending barrel design, like the FA 24-90 and the DA 16-45. This is a physical design that I don't like, but am getting used to on the DA 16-45. If I was looking to buy one today it would probably be the Tamron. I believe Bruce Dayton owns one. Joe
