1. Since I consider my camera gear as tools and not jewels, I would not
hesitate to use any of my lenses in an environment I wish to introduce
my camera to.
2. Seeing at my response above, none of them. You can ask the people
who have seen my gear, the optics and operational aspects of them are
fine, cosmetically they are not pristine. Of course, gear that is not
mine is treated with kid gloves.
I recall the look on Christian's face when he met my original LX, in
Baltimore and before its reskinning. I will let him tell that one :-)
I recall shooting at a Baltimore Colts game in the upper level where a
lens - I don't recall which one fell out of my fanny pack (bum bag) and
rolled down a couple of stairs. No problems with the lens at all.
There was the time that my 77 Limited took a tumble off a table at a
festival, my photographer friend was in panic. I took the focus and
aperture ring along its entire travel and verified that all was well and
did not give it a second thought.
I must admit that this cavalier attitude has come from using Pentax
lenses. I have on two occasions used other manufacturer lenses on my
Pentax cameras. Not as impressed with durability.
There is something to be said about using the right tool for the job. I
don't want to think about what could have been when taking a shot, other
than not having the time to change the lens.
Those who have met me can attest to loading my fanny pack (bum bag) to
the limit to better enhance my options when shooting. When shooting
there are times that I have to sit the lens in the bag when I know the
protection will not be the best, but I have grown up photographically
having my LXen obtaining plenty of dings occur while using in a 'real
world' environment.
I was with a former lurker to the list down in central Florida at some
attraction or another when I set an LX down atop my camera bag as I
proceeded to take an animal shot using another LX; we both looked upon
the LX upon the bag while it slowly rolled over and fell onto the
concrete and produced a good ding on the right top plate. The camera
continues to this day without a CLA. All is fine.
My gear may not look the best cosmetically, but optically they are
excellent. This is even without using filters. I try to use hoods
whenever possible, but this does not prevent me from using my lenses.
Once I am through a shooting episode in inclement weather, I tend to
clean my gear. I know the optical coating is tough. There is always
the question of environmental sealing, but all my Pentax comes up
smiling - the CLAs I do on my camera gear is not unusual considering
their usage.
César
Panama City, Florida
Collin R Brendemuehl wrote:
1. Which lens are you willing to get beat in a harsh environment
when you don't want to take the nice lenses out to play.
2. Which lens will you only bring out in the nicest conditions?
(and as a result this lens, though perhaps now having some age to it,
still looks like new)
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose"
-- Jim Elliott
