Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM SLD Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens for Pentax Digital DSLR Camera

You looking to find the "Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM SLD Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens for Pentax Digital DSLR Camera" Good news! You can purchase Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM SLD Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens for Pentax Digital DSLR Camera with secure price and compare to view update price on this product. And deals on this product is available only for limited time.

Price: $1,509.00    

Product Feature

• Construction 16 Groups /22 Elements Angle of view 46.8 - 5 F stop range 22 Closest Focusing Distan

Product Description

New Sigma APO 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM. This is a 10x high zoom ratio ultra telephoto zoom lens incorporating Sigma's original Optical Stabilizer function. This lens covers a wide range of focal lengths from 50mm to 500mm ultra telephoto. The OS (Optical Stabilizer) function offers the use of shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower than would otherwise be possible. For Sony and Pentax mount, the built-in OS function of this lens can be used even if the camera body is equipped with an image sensor shift anti-shake system. As compensation for camera shake is visible in the view finder, the photographer can easily check for accurate focus and ensure there is no subject movement. Four SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements provide excellent correction of color aberration. The Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghost and ensures high image quality throughout the entire zoom range. This lens has a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.1 (at the focal length of 200mm) making it ideal for close-up photography. This lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), ensuring quiet and high speed AF as well as full-time manual focus capability. The addition of the optional 1.4x EX DG or 2x EX DG APO Tele Converters produce a 70-700mm F6.3-8 or a 100-1000mm F9-12.6 MF zoom lens respectively. This lens is equipped with a Petal-type hood to block out extraneous light. The filter size of this lens is 95mm and the lens is supplied with a step down ring enabling digital cameras with an APS-C size image sensor to use an 86mm filter. *It is not possible to use a Polarizing filter with the step down ring. If you attach a Polarizing filter, you may not be able to remove it from the lens again. *For Pentax and Sony mounts, it is not possible to use the AF and the built-in OS function of this lens when attaching it to film SLR cameras as well as Pentax K100D. *Nikon and Pentax mounts do not have an aperture ring. Some functions may not work depending on the camera model.

Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM SLD Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens for Pentax Digital DSLR Camera Review

Just received the lens. Using with a Cannon EOS XTi.

Pros
- Sturdy feel to the lens
- Impressive focal length range.
- Good picture quality throughout the range (speaking as a non-pro)
- OS pretty good. Taking acceptable quality hand-held shots at full extension in bright sun.

Cons
- Autofocus not working out-of-the-box. Of note that this lens was NOT in the serial number range specified by SIGMA's customer alert.
- Very poor response time on queries to SIGMA's tech service.
- Some (minor) vignetting noticable at longer focal lengths.
- Does not work with my TAMRON teleconverter even though this TC does function with my Cannon lens.
- Heavy

Returning the lense for replacement through AMAZON due to the autofocus issue. Will see how well the next one does.

UPDATE:
Received replacement lense from AMAZON with working autofocus. Took it out today for extensive testing and am well pleased so far. Focal range is impressive and am getting good shots throughout the range. OS function gives reasonable good shots even when hand held at 500MM. Normally use with a monopod however.

Tempted to upgrade my rating from 2 to 4 stars however will leave it at 3 for time being. Issues:
- Continued poor SIGMA customer service. My email requesting Tech assistance after first lens' failure is now 5 days old with no response from SIGMA. In same period I returned original lens to AMAZON, got a replacement and tested it (kudos to AMAZON Customer Service). Had similar poor response experience with SIGMA when I was originally researching the lens.
- Some residual caution about reliability of the autofocus function. Seems to be a fairly common issue with this lense. I'll withhold judgement until I have a bit more field experience with the lens.

NEW UPDATE:
Took lens overseas for several weeks of heavy-duty use. Still pleased. A few (minor) comments:
- Autofocus still working however does tend to have difficulty in finding the perfect focus point for "busy" backgrounds. Tend to use manual focusing a bit more than I would like.
- Range for this lens is impressive as previously indicated. Great for wildlife photography. The 50MM low end is however not quite good enough for the wide/scenic shots. Find myself carrying a good point-and-shoot camera to get those scenic vistas as too much trouble to keep changing lenses.
- Never did get a response from SIGMA tech service. Academic now - however can't help wondering if they really exist. Not looking forward to dealing with SIGMA if the lens ever needs maintenance.

YET ANOTHER UPDATE
Currently 1.5 years after purchase. Autofocus not functioning. 12 days turnaround time for repairs through SIGMA New York -- with $44 to FEDEX for shipping/boxing. Better impressed with SIGMA customer service than I have been in the past.

Most of the consumer Reviews tell that the "Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM SLD Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens for Pentax Digital DSLR Camera" are high quality item. You can read each testimony from consumers to find out cons and pros from Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM SLD Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens for Pentax Digital DSLR Camera ...

Sanho HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA 2 Multimedia Storage / Player - 250GB

You looking to find the "Sanho HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA 2 Multimedia Storage / Player - 250GB" Good news! You can purchase Sanho HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA 2 Multimedia Storage / Player - 250GB with secure price and compare to view update price on this product. And deals on this product is available only for limited time.

Price: $369.95    

Product Feature

• Backup 2GB in 1 minute with full data verification
• High Res 3.2" color LCD screen displays JPEG & RAW
• Fast real RAW image decoding. Supports any RAW type
• 2.5" SATA HDD capacity
• Ultra powerful battery (backup up to 250GB per battery)

Product Description

Sanho HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA is made for professional photographers needing to instantly view, organize as well as back up memory card content. Fourteen different card types can be used with this unit, with back up speeds of up to 2GB per minute supported. Realtime CRC data verification ensures error free import with no overhead on copy speed/time. JPEG and all types of RAW files are supported including those from medium format cameras. The 3.2" LCD monitor provides a clear display of images, which can be viewed in full screen, thumbnails or slideshows. Computer-like file operations makes it easy, among other functions, to locate, delete, rename, and copy files between memory cards and internal HDD

Sanho HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA 2 Multimedia Storage / Player - 250GB Review

Traveling with a digital camera involves the potential risk of loss. Losing the camera = loss of the images. Backing up to this unit every day ensures that the images are separated from the camera and are secure. Plus you can look at the images without the bulky camera - handy. And it works quickly and easily. Highly recommend!

Most of the consumer Reviews tell that the "Sanho HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA 2 Multimedia Storage / Player - 250GB" are high quality item. You can read each testimony from consumers to find out cons and pros from Sanho HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA 2 Multimedia Storage / Player - 250GB ...

Apple iPad 2 MC987LL/A Tablet (64GB, Wifi + Verizon 3G, White) 2nd Generation

You looking to find the "Apple iPad 2 MC987LL/A Tablet (64GB, Wifi + Verizon 3G, White) 2nd Generation" Good news! You can purchase Apple iPad 2 MC987LL/A Tablet (64GB, Wifi + Verizon 3G, White) 2nd Generation with secure price and compare to view update price on this product. And deals on this product is available only for limited time.

Price: $587.95 $582.07   

Product Feature

• Apple's iOS 4, 1 GHz dual-core Apple A5 custom-designed processor
• 64GB of memory
• 9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology
• WiFi 802.11 b/g + Verizon 3G
• 2 lbs

Product Description

The all-new thinner and lighter design makes Apple iPad 2 even more comfortable to hold. It's even more powerful with the dual-core A5 chip, yet has the same 10 hours of battery life. With two cameras, you can make FaceTime video calls, record HD video, and put a twist on your snapshots in Photo Booth. And the iPad Smart Cover (not included) attaches magnetically and wakes up, stands up, and brightens up your iPad 2.</br>All-new thinner, lighter design</br></br>Up to 10 hours of battery life</br>iPad Smart Cover (sold separately)

Apple iPad 2 MC987LL/A Tablet (64GB, Wifi + Verizon 3G, White) 2nd Generation Review

For anyone out there who is considering whether or not to make the leap and purchase the iPad 2, this review is for you. If you're still debating between the iPad 1 and the iPad 2 check out my review of the first generation iPad right here on Amazon to see a discussion of its strengths and weaknesses with a number of people commenting (both positively and negatively) over the past 11 months.

Let me begin by saying this upfront, I don't work for Apple, I don't own Apple Stock, and whether you buy an iPad, Xoom, a laptop or a pad of paper and pencil I don't get anything for writing this. I'm not an Apple "fanboy" although I can give credit where credit is due and lately Apple has deserved a lot of credit for some of their products.

Physical Characteristics
The iPad 2 is absurdly thin. More importantly than it's thinness is its tapered edge which feels more natural in your hand. One of the biggest complaints about the original iPad was it really wasn't tremendously comfortable to hold for long periods at a time. For a tablet device designed to be held, that's a pretty big deal. Apple really has done an amazing job of cramming everything into an even smaller space than before and the difference is really noticeable when you're holding the device. In addition to the tapered edge, Apple managed to reduce the overall weight of the iPad 2. That might not seem like a huge deal to most, especially when you consider the weight difference isn't tremendous when you're already under 2 pounds, but I spend a good part of my day holding the iPad in my hands and the weight difference is surprising by the end of the day. The first generation isn't heavy by any means, but the iPad 2 outshines it.

New and "Improved"
Apple doubled the RAM in the iPad 2 from 256MB to 512MB. What does that mean? For most casual users, probably not a whole lot. There is a performance bump that everyone will see the effects of in things like loading times for webpages that are open in the background, but 256MB was sufficient for most daily use and games. If you're planning to use your device for some of the more graphically intense games the iPad 2 does offer a better method of graphics processing that'll help deliver faster images with fewer jerky movements. If you're just playing Angry birds and reading e-mail you're not going to know the difference.

The screen is the same for all real purposes. It is technically a "new" part in that it isn't identical to the old, it's a bit thinner and more efficient, but it's the same resolution. The Glass is thinner though, and this amounts to a fair bit of the weight loss from one generation to the next. In playing with the device it seems surprising but despite feeling lighter it actually feels more sturdy in your hands. I still wouldn't suggest dropping it, but if it were to fall the iPad 2 certainly feels like it might stand a better chance to survive. Try not to drop it though.

The addition of 2 cameras was expected. Some were a bit surprised to see the first generation released without the cameras. Whether it was for a price point consideration, or a means to get people to upgrade, Apple held off until iPad 2. The cameras do a reasonable job, but they're not going to replace a dedicated digital camera, or really even the camera on your phone for most still images. The cameras do a substantially better job with video, and FaceTime is probably one of the best reasons to get the iPad 2 over the original iPad. For those who might not be familiar, FaceTime is Apple's face to face conferencing system, kind of like Skype, or if you'd rather, kind of like the Jetson's TV/Phone. With the push of a button you can be having a face to face chat with a loved one just about anywhere in the world (provided they're on a wireless network at the time). FaceTime doesn't work over 3G natively (it can be used over a wifi connection created by a 3G device however) so you're not going to be able to use it in your car anytime soon. This is probably a good thing though. It is incredibly easy to use and if you know other people with an iPad 2, iPhone 4, or Mac it's a lot of fun.

Smart Covers aren't really "smart" but they're really very useful. Not only do they provide a stylistic enhancement of the device, but they serve a practical and functional purpose of doubling as a screen protector and stand in 2 configurations. You can find them in a variety of colors and from third market suppliers, and it's a safe bet that more will be out soon to capitalize on the magnetic sensors in the iPad 2. It's unfortunate that this same feature can't somehow be retrofitted to the iPad 1, I wouldn't have thought a case would be a compelling reason to consider a product over it's competitor, but these covers are really so useful it's hard to understand why they've not been there since the beginning.

Multitasking Support
One of the biggest knocks against the iPad when first released was the lack of native multi-tasking support. Jailbreakers added the feature quickly and Apple soon realized it would be a requirement for any future device's success and released an OS update that included the feature. The iPad 2 capitalizes on that progress and takes it a step further with the increased RAM enabling more open applications to be suspended at once, and the time to open or close an application has improved as well. That said, even the first generation managed to open and close apps faster than most people would be used to on their computers, so while this is an improvement it's more akin to showing off.

Apps
One thing that Apple has clearly the advantage in for the moment is app availability. The App store has close to 70,000 iPad specific Apps, all of which will work on the iPad 2. The new cameras will undoubtedly see this list expand rapidly, as will the inclusion of a gyroscope for gaming and motion based uses. There are also a substantial number of professional applications ranging from document creation to photo editing and vector drawing. Chances are if you can dream it, there's an App for that (and if not you might want to get started on one to fill in the gap). The Android market is making a strong showing, and ultimately it'll likely be a strong competitor, for now it still has a ways to go, but any potential buyer should consider the strength of the application market before buying a tablet.

Pros:
Weight. Seriously. The minimal weight of this thing is by far the most impressive feature about it in my opinion. It seems to defy physics and logic that so much could be in such a small space working that hard for that long.

Battery Life. From full to dead my iPad 2 went just over 11 hours with the movie Robin Hood showing twice during that time, the screen at half brightness, wifi turned on, an Angry Birds marathon and a good portion of a book in ibook. That's better than a work day and that's constantly on.

Books. This is definitely a Pro, but reading itself could go either way. The great benefit to the iPad is having access to Google Books, ibook, Nook, and Kindle. This allows for some comparison shopping and price competition (although for the most part they're all usually about the same). Reading in the evenings in bed is great as the back light means you don't have to worry about keeping others awake, but the glass screen causes some glare trouble when trying to read outside or near a sunny window. If you're an avid outdoor reader the Kindle might still be your best bet.

Cons:
Still no dedicated USB support. While there is a camera add-on that allows for certain USB devices to be used there is no option for mass storage. Some of the Android Tablets allow for this and if you find yourself wanting to use your tablet as a standalone storage device this might be something to consider. The device can read from certain flash drives though, but is largely limited to photo and video files. Jailbreaks offer solutions to this, but those come with their own issues as well.

Still no dedicated SD card slot. This is troublesome on two fronts. First, if you want to import pictures from your camera you have to have an adapter which is just one more thing to carry around. Second, the lack of expansion means you're limited to what you purchase in terms of storage. I purchased a 32GB iPad last time and never filled it up completely, so for me capacity wasn't an issue. If you want to be able to have your entire movie collection with you though... you may want to consider whether the iPad 2 can meet your space requirements.

HDMI output. Really this is a Pro and a Con. The iPad does allow for HD output over HDMI but again it requires an adapter. All of these adapters are additional purchases for features that some tablets offer built in. This can be a pain, but then again if you're not likely to ever use HDMI Output then you're not paying for something you won't use.

No Flash Support. This is becoming less and less of an issue as the internet and web developers are moving away from Flash for many websites, but there are a lot still out there relying on Adobe's Flash to run properly (including a lot of web based games). Before you pick a tablet consider what kind of websites you frequent and try and determine if they are Flash driven or not. If they are you may really want to consider something from the Android offerings as it is expected that they'll have at least some Flash support.

If you're in the market for a tablet device the iPad 2 should definitely be on your short list. If you're uncertain it is always best to go and play with these things hands on first if you can. Best Buy is a good place for that, so are Verizon Stores since they have the Xoom and 3G iPad. Don't get pulled into the hype and mania that comes with an Apple release. They're exciting and new, and they're impressive enough to warrant some excitement, but it will die down and there will be other products that prove a strong competitor to the iPad 2. If you're looking for right now though, this is probably your best bet. I gave the device 4 stars, as I did the iPad 1. I did this in contemplation of the features offered by competitors that are absent from the iPad, most notably the requirement for adapters for USB/SD/HDMI. While these features are there, they aren't as convenient as in other tablets. With that in mind I firmly believe that the iPad more than makes up for this in usability, reliability, and design and in those areas far exceeds its current competitors.

Most of the consumer Reviews tell that the "Apple iPad 2 MC987LL/A Tablet (64GB, Wifi + Verizon 3G, White) 2nd Generation" are high quality item. You can read each testimony from consumers to find out cons and pros from Apple iPad 2 MC987LL/A Tablet (64GB, Wifi + Verizon 3G, White) 2nd Generation ...

Nikon 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IF Autofocus Nikkor Zoom Lens

You looking to find the "Nikon 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IF Autofocus Nikkor Zoom Lens" Good news! You can purchase Nikon 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IF Autofocus Nikkor Zoom Lens with secure price and compare to view update price on this product. And deals on this product is available only for limited time.

   

Product Feature

• Ultra-compact, lightweight G-type 7.1x zoom lens with 62mm filter attachment size
• Shortest closest focusing distance of any 28-200mm lens: 1.3 feet at 200mm
• Three aspherical lenses and three ED glass elements for higher optical performance
• Seven-blade rounded diaphragm achieves a natural blur for out-of-focus elements
• Nikon D-type design provides precise distance information for flash and ambient light exposure processes

Product Description

Md) Cl) Aa) Nik 28-200 F/3.5-5.6g Af

Nikon 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IF Autofocus Nikkor Zoom Lens Review

I bought 28-200 G today to compliment the 50mm and 18-70 kit lens. I had some hope that the lens would be "good enough" and I'm very surprised at just how good this small lens is. I also tested the 24-120 VR. Call me crazy, but it seemed soft to me. When I got home I looked at the tests and the results from the VR lens were actually fine, so I think it was just the viewfinder. What really killed it for me was that 120 was just not enough reach (for me) for a really versatile walk-around lens. I took the 28-200 home and did some tests. This is a very nice lens. I found images very close in sharpness to the kit lens wide open. The near instant focus wasn't there of course (and missed!), but otherwise this is a lens that does a lot of things well. Focus was spot on and I tried some test macro shots fully zoomed in, also very nice. It's small and light and feels quite sturdy. At under 300 dollars it's a bargain that gives you all the reach you need in most cases. I couldn't see the point in waiting for the 55-200. It's simply starts too high for a walk-around all-in-one lens. I did more tests and shot a detailed object with the 28-200, 18-70 and the 50mm 1.8 all at 50mm at F6. The 28-200 was sharper than the kit lens! Samples may vary of course, but there's little doubt that the little 28-200 is nicely designed item that will also handle some macro work. Nikon also has a new 55-200mm on the way, but on a DSLR it'll be poor for a walk-around. I plan to add the 80-400 VR soon.

As others have said, the 28-200 may be a lens to live on the camera most days. If you're looking for a very nice all-in-one for that vacation or casual use, this lens delivers. Now if they make this lens a VR with the S motor we'd really be cooking!

Capt Robert B

Most of the consumer Reviews tell that the "Nikon 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IF Autofocus Nikkor Zoom Lens" are high quality item. You can read each testimony from consumers to find out cons and pros from Nikon 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IF Autofocus Nikkor Zoom Lens ...