Archive for Reviews
A Workout, but Well Worth it
Posted by: | CommentsCanon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras Review
If you use this lens on a 1.6X camera body such as the XT, 20D, or 30D you end up with a 160-640mm equivalent which is an impressive range by any standard. You can also add the 1.4X TC for a 896mm upper limit or the 2X TC for an amazing 1280mm. Of course this comes at a price, and I’m not just talking money. You will have to use a tripod, cable release, and mirror lockup a lot of the time when using such long focal lengths. Plus this thing is very heavy and very large and people will take notice. So if stealth photography is your goal, go with something like the 70-300 DO.
That being said, this is an amazing lens, admittedly a little slow near the long end, but to get down to f/4 would have most likely doubled or tripled the price and weight, so it seems like an acceptable trade-off.
If you want sharp pictures, an amazing zoom range, and a good workout, but don’t mind being the center of attention, this is the lens for you.
Brian Koch (MI United States)
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E-P1 owners, your dream lens has arrived
Posted by: | CommentsPanasonic LUMIX G 20mm f/1.7 Aspherical Pancake Lens for Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Cameras
If you own an E-P1, you absolutely owe it to yourself to get this lens right now. I used to own the 17mm and loved its size, but found the image quality lacking. There are plenty of detailed reviews of this 20mm lens out there so I’ll spare the tech details.
I’ve had this for a little over a week and the performance is just amazing. Auto focus speed is very good, not super speedy, but definitely not slow. Images look sharp even wide open with lovely bokeh. It’s not quite as nice as the Panasonic/Leica 25mm 1.4 for 4/3, but it is half the price and 1/4 of the size.
I have some good glass like the Olympus 50mm f2 and Olympus 14-52 mark II 2.8-3.5 via the adapter, but those will probably stay on my E-620 since this Panasonic 20mm fits the E-P1 like a glove.
It’s amazing how this lens makes the E-P1 come alive like no other lens I’ve used on it befor
Bay Wiz (SF, CA)
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The best lens I own
Posted by: | CommentsCanon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM SLR Lens for EOS Digital SLRs Review
I have had this lens for several months now and let me start out by saying WOW. I looked at the lens in the store along with the Sigma 12-24 and I was in total awe of what I saw though the view finder with the Canon 10-22. This is an ultra wide angle lens that is incredible. I went home and thought about where I would use this lens and determined that I would use it quite a bit. I went ahead and bought the lens and I continue to be more impressed with it every time I use it. I have used the lens for both close-up (which can give you some very interesting distortion shots)and wide angle shots with great success.
The 10-22mm is equivalent to 16-35mm field of view using a canon 20D which is not a full frame sensor. With a minimum focal distance of .24m (about 9.5 inches) you can get very close to objects and still get alot of focal width in the photo. There is incredible clarity in the lens. The photos I have taken are very clear with only a slight hint of softening at the corners at 10mm; everything else is sharp after that. There is a little barrel distortion at 10mm but everything else up to 22mm is nice. I have not gotten any light flare in my photos. The Ultrasonic motor is very quiet. The depth of field is outstanding. A slim UV filter helps prevent some slight vignetting at 10mm. With a maximum aperture that ranges from f/3.5 to f/4.5, the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Lens is a medium speed lens. I would recommend using a tripod if you are at all unsure about your ability to hold the camera still for action shots with this lens. The lens it’s self is fairly light weight. If you are going to use filters the lens requires 77mm.
The lens can produce some interesting distortion shots if you are taking close-ups and are not perpendicular to the object. For close-up shots with out distortion it is best to be perpendicular to the object.
Inside the lens housing there are three aspherical lens elements and a Super UD element that produce clear vibrant shots. The lens it’s self sturdily built and comfortable to handle.
M. A. Filippelli (Roseville, CA, US)
Shop for the best deal on a Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM SLR Lens for EOS Digital SLRs
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Outstanding Lens!
Posted by: | CommentsCanon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras Review
I have used a different brand 70-300mm zoom before which worked well, but it was noisy and slow to focus. The Canon 70-300mm is absolutely silent and extremely fast in focusing, and produces absolutely outstanding photos. So good in fact, that I have posted a few of the images under this lens for you to judge yourself. Photos that I took at the Atlanta Zoo, under all types of lighting conditions. The lens produced incredible photos. All were hand-held shots, most of which were at the full 300mm range. And the IS is incredible. I had one photo which was taken in the shade and I was shooting with aperture priority and wide open.
I did not realize how well the IS stabilized my photo till I looked at the exif data on my Flickr site – the shutter speed was 1/10th of a second, hand-held, and at 275mm. What more can you say about a lens, to obtain sharp photos like that. This lens is an absolute winner for me! For a sharp, fast, quiet lens with a tremendous zoom range, this is the next lens you want to buy!
Frank R. Shoemaker Jr. (Metro Atlanta USA)
Shop for the best deal on a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras
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AMAZING LENS
Posted by: | Comments Canon – Lens – 50 mm – f/1.8 II – Canon EF Review
This lens is amazing, it gives incredible depth of field, Im using it on my canon t1i and ive had incredible results. Im a still photographer for a film and the producers have been extremely happy with my pictures.
BUY THIS LENS. trust me.. you wont regret it.
Carlos G. Davila (New York)
Shop for the best deal on a Canon – Lens – 50 mm – f/1.8 II – Canon EF
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Excellent FIler at a Great Price
Posted by: | CommentsTiffen 58mm UV Protection Filter Review
I purchased the 55mm filter for my Konica Minalta 18-70mm lens. The quality of the filter is excellent. My photographs are exceptionally sharp and, of course, the filter protects the lens.
When using the lens at 18mm, due to the thickness of the filter band, a small bit of vinetting is evident. This is to be expected with a standard filter used at a strong wide angle focal length. For those doing extensive wide angle photography, a special thin banded filter is a better choice.
Overall, an excellent filter at a great price.
Robert Kornberg (New York City)
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Best lens in its category
Posted by: | CommentsNikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Review
I got this lens to replace my older Quantaray 70-300mm. I got tired to losing a lot of images to camera shake at the 300mm end. Plus the lens I had was old (almost 10 years) and optically it wasn’t that great. The Nikkor 70-300mm w/VRII is perfect for me. I love the way the VR works. I’ve been able to get useable images taken at the 300mm end with a 1/6th shutter. Very impressive.
No more camera shake issues at the long end. I’m also very impressed with how sharp it is (it is sharper than my 18-70mm) and also the focus is fast and quiet. It is on the big side, but not to much larger than any other 70-300mm lens. I’m very happy with the performance of this lens. I find the addition of the VR to be very much worth it. Granted its not a fast lens and I never intended it to take the place of or performe like an f/2.8 lens. Its not fair to compare it to any f/2.8 lens. Comparing to the previous 2 Nikkor 70-300mm models or any of the 3rd party 70-300mm’s, this newest Nikkor addition is the best. For the average amerture hobbiest this is a great lens to compliment any of the kit lenses.
Kyle D. Gendron (Burlington, MA United States)
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Professional photographer view of this camera
Posted by: | CommentsCanon PowerShot SD780IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Deep Red) Review
I am a professional photographer that owns the Nikon D300 and Nikon D80 slr cameras for professional business. I bought this little camera because I was seeking a pocket size “everyday” camera that I can pull out when I need to and to take to social engagements where my other equiptment is too bulky and something I don’t want to risk. In reading some of the reviews, I think that this camera is getting either too good a review or definitely too bad.
People: this is a small pocket size point and shoot camera that has up to ISO3200, 12.1 megapixels and video capability all rolled into a product that can be bought for $200 on sale and taken ANYWHERE with ease. It is ONLY a point and shoot and NOT an SLR so therefore, does NOT take phenominal pictures that a $5000 SLR camera with expensive lenses would. It is ONLY a point and shoot camera so therefore when you HAVE noise up in the 1600 Iso range or in the video camera, having purchased this for this kind of money without expensive lenses should not come as a surprise even compared to all the other Camera point and shoots and its competitors.
My point here after owning this for 2 days but having owned a previous Canon point and shoot for 5 years before the Nikon slrs? Canon makes a PHENOMINAL product that does what its supposed to do in this tiny little portable package. If you want to make money off your photos? If you want to have pristine quality…go get an SLR and plunk down $1500 or more dollars on ALL the lenses and bodies and education that will make that happen. If you want a convenient cute little camera that gets the job done VERY WELL…THIS is well worth the money. As a professional photographer, this is my new everyday camera…the Nikon D80 is my backup and vacation camera..and the Nikon D300 is HANDS DOWN the “bread and butter” camera for there is NO comparison.
For the average person who wants a GOOD camera that does what it should IF YOU RESEARCH ALL the features and LEARN what this can do….THIS is your camera.
Marybeth
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Another great DSLR from Nikon
Posted by: | CommentsNikon D3000 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens Review
I’ve had my Nikon D3000 since it was first released about 4 weeks ago and I’m really pleased with it. I’m an amateur/hobbyist photographer and for a year or so I haven’t really been sure what DSLR to get. The Nikon D60 was a great camera, but I just didn’t want to be stuck with it’s basic 3-point AF system. Now that I’ve had my D3000 for a while I’m really glad I waited. The 11-point AF system (the same as what’s in the D90 and D5000) was really worth the wait. Also, while I wasn’t really too sure about the CCD sensor I have no complaints about it and I’m really pleased with image quality. The only problem with the image quality is low light performance, which is not the greatest, but I can’t really complain – for the price it’s great.
The button layout is great (just like all the other Nikons), I really like the 3-inch display, and some of the in-camera editing features have proven to be really useful. Also, though I don’t really like compact DSLRs that much, I have to say that once again, Nikon has done a great job at it, and even though it’s small, it’s really comfortable to hold. If you’re in the market for a DSLR, regardless of your level of photography, I’d highly recommend this camera.
Bostrom
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Took The Plunge
Posted by: | CommentsCanon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Super Telephoto Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras Review
Had the Canon 500mm f 4.0 super telephoto and was very satisfied with the superb quality but found I needed more reach without using the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters. Having to change converters in the field, with weather and huimidity being what it is here in south Florida concerned me.
With the bare lens I can achieve the same result as I did with the 500mm without fumbling to attach the converters on the fly.
Just a note: Some may disagree, but I saw no discernable I.Q. degradation from the 1.4x converter when attached to the 500mm. With the 2x there was a slight softness at long range.
I use the 800mm with a Canon 50D and Canon 5d MarkII with wonderful results.
The drop-in 52mm circular polarizing filter[accessory] provides gorgeous color contrast and saturation during cloudless sunny daytime use.
Super fast auto-focus with two IS settings that help keep this large lens functioning in windy conditions.
Another note: This lens will auto-focus fast with the aforementioned camera bodies but will not auto-focus if a 1.4x converter is attached, although the IS will function. You would need to use a 1D or 1Ds series body to have auto-focus function with the 1.4x converter and then it would only utilize the center focus point. Auto-focus will not work with “any” camera body with the 2x converter attached to this lens….
Have taken some great wildlife shots down here in the Everglades and Florida Keys and hope to get to use this amazing lens in other locales soon
W. Giordano (florida keys)
Shop for the best deal on a Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Super Telephoto Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
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