On Feb 22, 2007, at 6:14 AM, K.Takeshita wrote: >>> Reviews don't really tell you enough, imo. How can you judge a lens >>> without using it? >> >> No, but they're a damn good starting point, nothing like a bit of >> scientific >> testing and it's never done me any harm in the past. > > Agree. > I for one cannot afford to test each lens by buying them first. If > and when > I discover the lens was a dog, it's too late. Everybody here knows > how to > read "lens test". Also, PDML exists for those seeking for info and > we can > obtain first hand info from those who actually use it. > So, I would certainly search for useful info on a lens before > buying it. As > John said, it is a good starting point.
Ken, A review of specs and testimonials is just a starting point. Once the question is put and various people offer their opinions based on their use of a lens or lenses, then going on to say "But they all seem to be compromised and not as good as I hoped!" means absolutely nothing until you actually test the lens in question by using it. I review specs, test reports, and ask/read people's opinions before I buy things too. I don't judge the items in question until I've actually used them. Some I choose not to try based on poor ratings, tests, opinions ... and then I see work that blows me away done with them. Then I go beg and borrow one to try out for myself. In the extreme, I'll buy a lens from a vendor who offers a "satisfaction return" period, test it extensively within that period, and return it if I feel it is not what I want. There is also the notion of 'accommodation time'. We get used to the foibles and issues with any piece of equipment or software, learn ways to work around them, and get comfortable with that. New things pose change, and change is always a challenge. My opinion on this boils down to: - Gathering test reports and opinions to determine whether something is interesting/useful is a good thing to do. - Making your 'final' judgments based on those second-hand reports isn't sensible. Hearing complaints about lenses from a person having no direct knowledge of them is, to me, both annoying to listen to and a waste of bandwidth/time/etc. Or maybe I'm just an intolerant old git. ;-) best, Godfrey -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
