In article <332689EB.7C8D@simmons.swmed.edu>, walberg@simmons.swmed.edu says...
>SAS wrote:
>> On 10 Mar 1997 17:23:24 GMT, "Doug Fraser"
>> wrote:

>> >Does anyone have experience with this lens? Is it top notch?
>> >I have the opportunity to purchase a used one for $419 CDN and suspect this
>> >is quite a reasonable deal.

>> I have two, and they are excellent. It is a workhorse lens. Not a
>> real exciting focal length, but a very useful lens for most.
>> Mine took a ten foot fall with me. I broke my back in three places,
>> and needless to say the lens only needed $90 repair.
>> Anyway, I would give up to $450 used, but it would have to be
>> spotless, or at least in ++ condition. People who own these tend to
>> put them to a lot of use, so I would only go used if the situation was
>> right.

>I have one for sale. Like new, spotless. Covered by a filter. With
>the box and instruction book. It works perfectly and has no problems.
>With blank US warranty papers. Asking $300 (this includes shipping in
>US from Dallas). One of the things I really like about this lens is
>that it is fairly small and light - easy to carry. I like the lens but,
>strangely, I have more fun using my F2 and Weston meter and my beat up
>38 year old 105/2.5.

Odd, isn't it, how much nicer it is to use the old, nicely-made
gear than the newer, plastic zooms and cameras... If one is out
for the product only (the photograph), newer-style gear can be
fine - but if one is out also for the pleasure of making the
photograph (the process), it does seem more satisfying to use
solid, nicely-crafted gear and full manual (and mental) control
(rather than relying on technology, with all its faults and virtues,
to make many of the photo-making technical decisions). A Weston meter,
an F or F2 Nikon with small standard prism, and a couple of great lenses
is FUN to use! (And I CAN understand THAT side of Leicamania....! ;-)
BTW, going back to the 28-70mm Nikkor - I found the performance
level of the one sample I tried not impressively high...
Hope This Helps