eBay Hong Kong sellers and lens upgrade questions

BiGT-

BiGT-

BiGT-

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7 May 2009
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Couple of questions please:

1)Is it safe to purchase these lenses from a Hong Kong seller, most things from Hong Kong are fake, I know its a silly question but Is it possible that these are fake Sony/Tamron lenses? or am I safe buying from them?

Tamron 90mm f/2.8
Sony DT 50mm f/1.8

2) Is this Sony DT 50mm considered a Macro lens?

3)also Is it worth getting this Tamron 90mm for £126 more bearing in my that I am a student and money doesnt grow on tree's:p


What I want to achieve from my new lens is to take close ups of insects and well basically macro photography.
 
I believe the issue with buying from Hong Kong is that camera bodies have local warrenties which means that you are screwed if it goes wrong.

I am pretty certain that lenses on the other hand have international warrenties so it's much less of an issue. I doubt they would be fake lenses, however, I have read recently that lenses are cheaper here than in Hong Kong despite most being made there. If this is true, I'd wonder why they would be cheaper on ebay?

I haven't used the lenses so can't give feedback.
 
Buy the tamron for macro work. If you can't afford it new buy it used from TP or shops like ffordes mifsuds etc etc... And The only HK place I would trust is onestop.
 
The issue is as soon as you have a problem. Maybe the package doesn't arrive. Maybe the lens arrives broken. Maybe then lens works but is very soft, or has severe back-focusing. If that happens, and we any 3rd party lens from Sigma/Tamron/Tokina th odds are very high, then good luck gettignt he issue resolved.

And you will find not all lenses have international warranties. And you may find that you wont be able to send a broken lens to Tamron/Sigma/ etc. in the UK for repair but to an international centre back in Japan/china. Often, Sigma/Tamron in the UK will only repair or correct lenses purchased in the UK. Even if you send it back to some Japan headquarters (at your expense) you may find they wont repair the lens because actually it is a grey-market lens. If they do repair it and send it back then you can look forward to paying taxes and Duty, AGAIN.


Now I hear most of the HK sellers are fairly relaible. Its just when things go wrong that you might have a nightmare time sorting it out. Buying form a hgih-street shop in the UK will solve most issues.
Buying 2nd hand will save you cash
 
^
In my experience around 1 in every 6 or so was poor optically or had some flaw with the focus system ect. So it's a big risk to take. Keep hunting around for used lenses but it might take you a while to find the lens you want simply because they're aren't anywhere near as many Sony fit lenses floating around as Canon or Nikon ones. I think the third party macro lenses (tamron, sigma and tokina) go between £200 and £250 used.
 
hmmm yh I understand what you guys are saying, why is it so expensive :(

before I decide to purchase the tamron 90mm, can it take really close macros? as in these brilliant bee/fly/wasp shots when you can see the fine detail of their eyes or do I need some extension tubes ?

Thanks
 
The Sigma 105mm and Tamron 90mm are both 'true' macro lenses. The magnification is 1:1. So your sensor is about 25mm long, the Tamron/Sigma can focus close enough for a 25mm object to FILL the viewfinder/sensor. The longer the focal length the further back you can be for the same magnification (The 180mm Macro lenses are popular for bugs because of this).

It's also a nice focal length 90/105mm, not bad for portraits and the f/2.8 will knock the background out of focus well.

It's expensive because good glass isn't cheap. To get a lens that focuses fast, is sharp, contrasty with great colour takes a lot of development and detailed manufacturing. Compared the majority of 1st party lenses these pair of 3rd party macro lenses are great value.
 
great reply thanks a lot, last 2 questions :)

1) Is there a major difference between a 50mm macro and 90mm? is it worth the £100-£200 difference to go with 90mm

2) anyone know a website where I can rent some macro lenses to try them out?
 
1 - 90mm/105mm (depending on Sigma/Tamron- both great) is much longer and will give you a bigger working distance. The focal length is also more compressed and would give better macro shots. As far as I see there is no real difference in cost from the 50mm to 90mm lens? Unless your on about the 50mm f/1.8. Thats not a macro lens and won't provide close-ups.

2 - Because your using a sony system I don't think your going to find anyone rents them out at the moment (one store talked about doing it last year, but pulled out because there isn't enough demand). Really the only brands where you have a good choice of what to rent are the Canon/Nikon systems.
 
For information's sake...

I bought some Sigma lenses in Hong Kong with international warranties. One developed an AF fault back in the UK so we contacted Sigma UK. Basically they will honour an international warranty as long as you provide proof that you have paid UK duty. Unfortunately we didn't know this at the time and didn't declare them at the airport. Mind you, I'm not entirely sure we would have done that even if we'd known :).
 
I guess its a risk......taking into account the price and the risk of importing I have made the conclusion of selling all my camera equipment:(:eek::rolleyes:

Its just too much to spend being a student.
 
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