Hi,

I have Nikon F70 camera. With that I have Tamron SP AF 28-300mm lens. I have this setup since five years. The matter of fact is that the results of my pictures are not good. The results are not sharp and colors are dull. I want a change now.

I beleive the main reason for that is the low quality of the lens. After some research I
have conculded that I should go for Nikon 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5D-IF AF Nikkor.

Please advise that will it be a good decision. What will be the pros and cons with this.

Thanking you in anticipation.

Regards,

Rizwan Abbasi

Nikon's 28-105 is highly regarded in it's price range. I had one for a few years and was very happy with it until I damaged it. I did replace it with a Tokina 28-80 f2.8, and this lens is sharper.

There is also the old 24-120 (you can find them cheap on Ebay). It's heavy, but it gives a wider angle, which can be very interesting. Be careful with the newer G lenses as they will not work with the F70 in manual mode (you need the aperture ring).

Cheers,

Steph.

I do agree with the lens choices, but my question is.... Could part of the problem be bad prints from C41 film?

I do agree with the lens choices, but my question is.... Could part of the problem be bad prints from C41 film?

That's a very good questions, Paul. Without a test to compare the Tamron lens to another lens, it will be impossible to isolate the problem. A couple of testing options are to take the camera and Tamron lens to a shop where you can try the Nikkor, shoot the same subject with both, and then compare the results. If the results are similar, then try having the same image printed at another lab. Poor C41 printing and/or processing is always a hard problem to identify.

I have utilized both Tamron and Nikon lens' over the years and the difference in quality (if any) is minuscule.
However, I prefer Nikon simply for the possibly irrational reason that I like "most things Nikon".
Lame, maybe, but hey, why lie?

Poor C41 printing and/or processing is always a hard problem to identify.
Good point about possibly bad prints from the lab. If their equipment isn't set up right, the prints can be soft. If you don't have a local shop to try equipment out at, then just try another lab. That should rule out one of the variables - or at least make it more likely that this is or isn't the problem.

That's a very good questions, Paul. Without a test to compare the Tamron lens to another lens, it will be impossible to isolate the problem. A couple of testing options are to take the camera and Tamron lens to a shop where you can try the Nikkor, shoot the same subject with both, and then compare the results. If the results are similar, then try having the same image printed at another lab. Poor C41 printing and/or processing is always a hard problem to identify.On the money again Papa John. I was just perusing the forums and saw the original post here and thought the same thing as you stated. Additionally, is the film outdated, is there camera shake involved? Is the cameras meter working properly? Are the cameras settings correct? Over the years it has been my experience that the first thing culpritized is the camera and the last thing culpritized is the person snapping the photo.

Unless you have a lab that's really freaking good, with a printer you trust, I'd recommend NOT using C41 to test on, especially for color. Use E-6 instead.
Try to be somewhat scientific about it when testing- ie: same exact shot, exposure, aperture, ect. Make notes, and get out the loupe!
The Nikkor 28-105 is an awesome lens, and you will be much happier with it than the 28-300. The 28-300 just doesn't have the contrast and crispness to it that the 28-105 will, especially wide open. And yes I've tested both back when I ran a photo store. :)

Hi,

I have Nikon F70 camera. With that I have Tamron SP AF 28-300mm lens. I have this setup since five years. The matter of fact is that the results of my pictures are not good. The results are not sharp and colors are dull. I want a change now.

I beleive the main reason for that is the low quality of the lens. After some research I
have conculded that I should go for Nikon 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5D-IF AF Nikkor.

Please advise that will it be a good decision. What will be the pros and cons with this.

Thanking you in anticipation.

Regards,

Rizwan Abbasi

I have one Tamron Lense and two Nikon Lenses. But then I'm using a digital camera. If my test photos where low quality compared to the Nikon lenses it would of made a one way trip back to the store.

GRF

28-300mm lens? That is a ridiculously long focal range.

You are asking for trouble buying a lens covering that large range. I suggest you save up and buy two zoom lenses. Get a wide angle zoom and a telephoto zoom.

And some good shoes and actually walk back and forward to get a good shot, not walk up and just zoom in and out on your subject!! It will make you think more about your pictures... Anyone agree?

28-300mm lens? That is a ridiculously long focal range.

You are asking for trouble buying a lens covering that large range. I suggest you save up and buy two zoom lenses. Get a wide angle zoom and a telephoto zoom.

And some good shoes and actually walk back and forward to get a good shot, not walk up and just zoom in and out on your subject!! It will make you think more about your pictures... Anyone agree?

I was thinking of buying the 28-300mm Tamron lense but ended purchasing the Nikon 28-200mm AF for a little less. I had both lenses on the camera before I make my selection. For me selection was based on where I was going to be taking the photos from and I would not need the 300mm. I was told by the sales person the they sell a lot of them mainly for the film camera, a true wide to tele lense.

GRF