chorleyjeff

I don't know about official lens failure rates but my experience is quite the opposite to yours. I would say, though, that a sample of two is not really statistically relevant in either your case or mine. You may have just been unlucky, and I may have been lucky with mine. It would be interesting to see if any official data is available anywhere.

 

I have a Sigma 105 that I bought over 6 years ago and it's still my portrait lens of choice and my walk-around macro lens (I use a specialised macro lens when the opportunity arises).

 

I also have a Tamron 28-300 superzoom that I bought in 2004 and it's still sitting on one of my spare camera bodies as a 'grab' kit. That one went to tropical Australia with me and performed extremely well in the humidity and ever since..

 

Neither are as fast focussing as the Canon originals but I wouldn't expect them to be. They are a lot cheaper after all.

Thanks for reply.

I asked the question because two items has no statistical use at a all.

It would seem there are no public stats on the matter but no doubt professional users would have an informed opinion. Would a professional on assignment in a remote part of, say, Africa use anything but a Nikon or Canon lens with a professional digital camera?

Jeff

That's weird. The Tamron 28-70mm (my 'go to' lens for Minolta SLR) is still going strong, at least it was 4 or 5 years ago when I was still using it.

 

It may just be coincidence? especially if the sample size under discussion isn't statistically large enough to give a significant result. How much did you use the Sigma & Tamron in relation to the Minolta/Sony lenses?

The Sigma is not used much. Only for macro and the I use manual focus- I don't want the gear stripping again.

The Tamron is lightly used from time to time.

I know two is of no statistical significance which is why I asked the question.

My other hobby is painting for which there are negligible "capital" costs and paint is a lot cheaper thank inkjet ink which is maybe why I resent the high cost of equipment :-(

I have had numerous Minolta and Sony lenses over the years and only one, a very cheap 35-80mm kit lens, ever failed or gave any trouble.

I have had two non Minolta/Sony lenses. A Sigma 105mm macro and Tamron SP 70-300mm. The focussing mechanism on the Sigma failed and cost £60 to repair (some years ago) and Tamron ceased to focus a couple of weeks ago and the estimated cost of repair is £110. ie a 100% failure rate for third party lenses. The Tamron uis especially annoying because I upgraded from my Minolta 100-300 which had been a faultless performer.

I researched both lenses before buying but nothing was flagged about reliability. Does anyone know if data is available about lens mechanical reliability? And is it poor quality that has contributed to my lens failures or is it something like third party manufacturers having to work around patents that makes their engineering less reliable? Or again are lenses now just another limited life throw away consumer product?

Jeff ( feeling poorer than I did this morning)

Well, not so much Chorley itself, more little villages like Heapey, Euxton and Whittle-le-Woods. Mind you, we're talking of early Industrial "troobbl at t'mill" Revolution days. Back when NO-ONE expected the Spanish Inquisition...

Hmmm.

Euxton a little village? More like a conglomeration of post war estates. I should know because I used to live there!!, And now there is Buckshaw Village next to it on the former huge ROF site.

And W l W ismuch the same.

You forgot to mention Brinscall although the locals still refer with disdain to the folks who live on jam butty estate. But it is an ok place although the 55" of rain p.a. is a pain and the wind always blows

And there was much trouble at t'mill when the Militia put down a few revolting peasants at Birkacre a' stairt o' t'induztrial revolution but I think those days are past now that we have moved into a post industrial phase.

Just back from town watching the locals enjoying their morning pasties around Market Street. Good to see the kids putting on a few pounds ready for rigours of the winter to come.

Jeff ( plotting my escape to the sunny south )

don't worry, you post what YOU like!!

 

we all like different styles of photography, was just a little joke.

 

Leon

I thought so, but I do have an unfortunate inclination to take words at face value which is a problem I have to work at.

Hello, Jeff and welcome to TIPF - nice to have another member from the proper side of the Pennines.

 

Show us yer pics!

 

Korky

My generation is the first in my family to be born in the County Palatine.

My male antecedents came from Yorkshire and the females were gathered from various non Lancastrian places.

My pics are on my non internet connected PC and it is a pain to put the occasional one on my IPad. Just had an attempt to load a pic from this IPad but was kicked off because the file was too big. I'll have to try and save some pics with lower resolutions and see how they look. But I am drinking a cheeky ( i.e. cheap ) glass or two of red so not tonight.

Careful, Jeff - Herr Lumix has done this before. He'll convince you that he's a long-lost relative just so's he can have a free holiday at your house.

 

Last time he did this, he said he was Fuji's love child and he got a buckshee three-week stay in the back bedroom.

 

Be warned!

 

Korky

I've already put him off.

But would anyone really want to come to Chorley?

Hi Jeff

 

My late dad was a genealogist and found that many of our ancestors came from around the Chorley area  

 

Welcome.

Not me though.

My antecedents are from Yorkshire and Ireland.

Your ancestors did well to get away.

Welcome along.

 

hope you like bugs, cars, boats, Australia, and Morecambe

 

oh and portraits from Fuji.

Oh dear -

I like landscapes, mostly of the West Pennine Moors, Forest of Bowland and Yorkshire Dales. And trackside pictures of railway steam engines.

i'll check out the galleries to see what appeals

cheers

Jeff

Hi Jeff, welcome from Morecambe! Nowt wrong with pictures of Morecambe, Leon 

Ah. Morecambe.

I used to be a district valuer responsible for Morecambe as well as Fylde,Blackpool, Wyre and Lancaster districts..

I'll dig out some Morecambe photos.

Cheers

Jeff

Hello folks.

I have been accepted into the site and hope to be able to contribute some images in due course.

I use Sony cameras A580 and A290 with Sony 16-80, Tamron SP 70-300 and Sigma 105mm lenses (Tamron lens after light use for a couple of years from new stopped focussing a couple of weeks ago when away from home Grrrrrrr). Print my own stuff on Canon 9000 A3+ printer.

I have got the LRPS distinction and now pondering the possibility of doing the ARPS distinction although I fear it may be a step too far.

I usually adjust my pictures in LR4 but for the purposes of the forum will probably use PS Touch or PS Express on my IPad.

I do mainly outdoor photography and avoid photographing people.

Hope that's enough for now.

Jeff