cheap telephoto lens (Page 6): You're right about not cheap. I just bought a 50-500 on ebay, used for $370. We'll see how a used one works out. Brand is a sigma which gets decent...

scooter1 Loc: Yacolt, Wa.

wapiti wrote:

Good telephoto lens don't come cheap. I would look at used lenses, perhaps manual focus ones for some good buys.

You're right about not cheap. I just bought a 50-500 on ebay, used for $370. We'll see how a used one works out. Brand is a sigma which gets decent reviews.

graybeard

PHRubin wrote:

That wasn't an attempt at a cheap shot. I have decades of experience but needed to practice to get good photos when I first got my Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens. My technique wasn't good enough to work at 600mm until I practiced. I suspect that a newbie will have similar results.

OK if I mis-interpeted your reply I apologize. I have been using SLRs and now DSLRs since 1968 so I guess my technique is as good as it is going to get. Those 2 front end lenses were part of a bundle when I first got into digital photography 5 or 6 years ago. All, or at least most, of those bundle toss-ins are garbage.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

graybeard wrote:

OK if I mis-interpeted your reply I apologize. I have been using SLRs and now DSLRs since 1968 so I guess my technique is as good as it is going to get. Those 2 front end lenses were part of a bundle when I first got into digital photography 5 or 6 years ago. All, or at least most, of those bundle toss-ins are garbage.

Accepted. The Tamron 150-600 G2 is my first experience with a 35mm EQUIVALENT lens of over 900mm on a DSLR. It is more sensitive than my bridge camera when on a tripod.

User ID

chikid68 wrote:

br The cheap Opteka lens generally has a fixed ap... (show quote)

The above is quite wrong ... except for
the remark that the aperture will show
up as "0.0". But everything else is way
off, even opposite of reality.

The lens IS coated.
It does have an ADJUSTABLE aperture.
Coatings do NOT reduce light transmission.
It WILL work perfectly on auto exposure.
It will NOT cause over exposure.

Just use it. It's not rocket science and no
tricky bidnez is involved. I have used such
lenses with EVERY genre and generation of
interchangeable lens body you ever heard
of. IOW, I tell you what I KNOW, not just
stuff I read and failed to comprehend, as
describes too much of the "advice" around
here lately.

Enjoy.

=========================

BTW, to use auto exposure, A-mode will be
fine with any camera. Most cameras just act
like A-mode when you set P or S mode with
such lenses, so thaz cool. BUT, until you test
to confirm that P and S are same as A, just
stick to A-mode for auto exposure.

.

scooter1 Loc: Yacolt, Wa.

graybeard wrote:

OK if I mis-interpeted your reply I apologize. I have been using SLRs and now DSLRs since 1968 so I guess my technique is as good as it is going to get. Those 2 front end lenses were part of a bundle when I first got into digital photography 5 or 6 years ago. All, or at least most, of those bundle toss-ins are garbage.

Agreed
Graybeard. I got 2 good lenses and some garbage stuff. Finding that out now but it was a good buy only counting the camera and 2 good lenses.

scooter1 Loc: Yacolt, Wa.

User ID wrote:

The above is quite wrong ... except for br the re... (show quote)

I'll try that thanks.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

graybeard wrote:

OK if I mis-interpeted your reply I apologize. I have been using SLRs and now DSLRs since 1968 so I guess my technique is as good as it is going to get. Those 2 front end lenses were part of a bundle when I first got into digital photography 5 or 6 years ago. All, or at least most, of those bundle toss-ins are garbage.

Kit lenses are usually meant for the beginner I think. Most are good, just not PRO quality. They will take good vacation pictures..... And print a great 4x6 for the album. Some are even super sharp and will print bigger......I entered s photo in a world wide photo contest taken with a kit lens, and did not win, but did get an honorable mention. It was 8x10 I think, maybe bigger, I even lost the photo on a move.... Wish I still had the digital file but can not find it...I used to keep them on a floppy at that time.

So not all kit lenses are garbage.

graybeard

frankraney wrote:

Kit lenses are usually meant for the beginner I th... (show quote)

I was not referring to kit lenses. I was referring to the add on magnifiers (I don't think they are true lenses) that some sellers bundle with a camera and lens combo. Often they also include those useless mini-tripods, a cleaning kit and the like. My Canon 18-55mm kit lens works fine, except at it's widest it introduces barrel distortion.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

graybeard wrote:

I was not referring to kit lenses. I was referring to the add on magnifiers (I don't think they are true lenses) that some sellers bundle with a camera and lens combo. Often they also include those useless mini-tripods, a cleaning kit and the like. My Canon 18-55mm kit lens works fine, except at it's widest it introduces barrel distortion.

You are correct on that. I think some are called macro lens add on......those are all crap.....

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

scooter1 wrote:

I was photographing an eagle off my back deck the ... (show quote)

Sounds like you are using a lens that does not communicate exposure to the camera. You should be able to adjust EV up to -3 to help compensate.

scooter1 Loc: Yacolt, Wa.

All of you have given me your time and knowledge on this. Thank all of you for your input. It is greatly appreciated.

User ID

CHG_CANON wrote:

People who have the skills and a willingness to provide actionable
tips in response to a request for help, they need an actual image
as the basis for the discussion and analysis. ..... ....

As a broad generality thaz absolutely true. But in the case of
a noobie using a non-coupled lens as if it were a native lens,
no sample is needed.

So thaz the question to the OP: Are there electrical contacts
on the rear of the Opteka ? If not, the problem is technique.
If contacts are present, there is a hardware fault.

If an issue of technique, dump the Opteka and get a coupled
lens. It has no monetary value. Just ditch it. You could watch
some U-toobs about using non-native lenses. Most likely that
will further encourage ditching such a lens. But if you are the
adventurous type then just follow the U-toob advice carefully.

It's been a few moons since you first posted your problem. If
it's now sorted out, hallelujah. If not, you could always take
up water colors :-)

Leitz Loc: Solms

RWR wrote:

Posting a picture won’t prove anything we don’t already know.

I disagree. Not everyone here knows what an overexposed photo looks like, so they ask for an example.

scooter1 Loc: Yacolt, Wa.

User ID wrote:

As a broad generality thaz absolutely true. But in... (show quote)