... I was honestly worried ordering these because the old saying "you get what you pay for." I've been happy with every shot though. The main lens I wanted was the 70-300mm for zoom shots and I love it. The 28-70mm performs well too. If you are an amateur just looking to expand your camera's capabilities these are perfect. The only bad thing about these lens's is they are not the super performance, super expensive ones the pro's use. This can't really count against the star count because they are not supposed to be. They are great for the price and if someone can get a better deal I'd like to know about it. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Sigma 28-70mm & 70-300mm AF Lens Set For Canon EOS 50D, 40D, 30D, 20D, 10D, Digital Rebel XT, XTi, XS, XSi, & T1i Digital SLR Cameras
... I had already upgraded all of my Olympus Zuiko lenses to the second-tier (above the ones that the camera came with, and below the ones that cost gazillions), but I hadn't gotten around to buying a fish-eye.
I upgraded the others because of their brightness and clarity, but I didn't see a lot of value in a fisheye just yet.
I WISH I HAD DONE THIS SOONER. This lens is bright, clear, and opens up another perspective in my photo opportunities! I recently returned from Big Bend National Park, and this lens came in very handy, capturing the grandness of the Santa Elena Canyon like none of my other lenses could!
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Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Olympus 8mm f/3.5 Zuiko Fisheye Lens for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras
... Just started in dslr one yr ago-nikon d60 + sony alpha. both camera with 200mm lens. lots of nature photos and was considering a longer lens. saw the reveiw for the tamron 500 and decided to go for a try.
tamron is decent but heavy. AF does not work with nikon d40 or 60! MF is ok. tried it on a d50 without problems. tried a 75-300 and really like it.
bottom line-suggest 300mm lens. 500 is great but does not work w/ nikon d40 or 60. it is also heavy. happy photos. :) ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Tamron AF 200-500mm f/5.0-6.3 Di LD SP FEC (IF) Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
... The newer Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens is the latest version of this kit lens, and is a vast optical improvement over this lens. The build quality of the new version is also a little better than this old lens. The new version is now the standard kit lens included with the EOS XSi camera. Best of all, the new one sells for much less than 200 dollars, so I wonder why they still try to sell this piece of junk for such a high price? It doesn't even have IS (image stabilization). There must be people gullible enough to pay good money for below par products, when better can be found for less; if they would just take a few minutes to do a bit of research before purchasing. I have found several photo review sites that give good reviews to the new lens, but this old version is pretty much trashed in the reviews. The old lenses will have II in the name, but not IS; the new lenses will have IS in the name, but not II. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II Lens for EOS Digital SLR Rebel XT, XTI, 20D & 30D Digital Cameras
... Over the years I have owned both Canon's 50mm and 100mm Macro, they are excellent lens and substantially less expensive. If you want to shoot insects and other small, shy creatures outdoors the 180 mm Macro is the lens to get.
Optically the lens is excellent in every way. The 'slow' focus is a function of the huge focal range of the lens, typically manual focus is used for macro photography - for general photography the focus limiter can be used to improve focus time. Construction quality is excellent - although the included lens hood is a rather cheap plastic design, however it functions fine.
I use this lens on a tripod almost all the time - with Macro work you are normally are working a smaller apertures (f8-f16), so relatively slow shutter speeds are the norm - the tripod ring makes transitioning from portrait to landscape very easy.
Additionally this quality of this lens allows the use of canons 1.4x teleconverter with minimal loss of quality - significantly increasing the 'reach' of this lens.
This lens is a good general purpose 'short' telephoto - but not suitable for sports or action photography, Canon's EF 70-200 lenses or 200mm f2.8 lens make better alternatives.
Image stabilization is not available for this lens and would make a very useful addition
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Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Canon EF 180mm f3.5L Macro USM AutoFocus Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
... My first review for Amazon.com! So to cut to the chase, is this lens great? Was it worth the money? Short answer, yes! Since this lens is so expensive compared to third party lens (Tamron, Sigma, etc.) this lens needs to be great, 5 stars and it is. I use it with a Nikon D300, Photoshop Elements 7 and Epson Stylus inkjet printers. Through it's full zoom range 12-24mm I couldn't be happier in regards to resolution, color, contrast. I like the speed of f/4 as I try to avoid using flash. There are other reviewers that will talk about color fringing or distortion. I'm sure they know what they're talking about but I just don't see it in my photos. I must say that 12mm (which is 18mm 35mm film equivalent?) is a whole new world! I'm having fun! If you've been shooting film and have been waiting for digital to "catch up" I think it's finally here. With the smaller format image sensor Nikon has had to come out with a whole new line of lens and I think they are outstanding. I think we are in a new golden age for optics. I never would have thought such a wide angle could be so distortion free. When I started out in 35mm photography, reviews would talk about pincushioning with 50mm lens! Can you believe it? And here is a 12mm ZOOM and I really don't see any noticable distortion let alone something as obvious as pincushioning!
SO if you can afford it the Nikon is worth every penny (and thanks for the great pricing Amazon!) but if you can't there are other less expensive choices with great specs that can meet your needs and where you can be just as creative! Enjoy!
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Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Nikon 12-24mm f/4G ED IF Autofocus DX Nikkor Zoom Lens
... So i've had this lens for about 2 months now and it is my favorite lens in my lineup.. it's the best 50mm lens you could buy and i have no trouble with focusing issues. the auto focus is fast and at f/1.2 it's highly useable. I also had the 85mm 1.2L and after a week of using both, i chose to keep the 50mm and returned the 85mm for a 70-200 2.8L IS. I recommend this lens to anyone willing the shell out the money for it, and whenever i let anyone try the lens out, they are immediately in love with it. although it's expensive i think it's worth every penny and am so glad i picked this lens up. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
... I always used to have a 50mm f/1.4 on my old film SLRs. But then I started getting seduced by the "zoom" phenomenon. And when I first went digital, I got a 12x zoom point and shoot. Yes, a super zoom is fun. But my pictures never seemed as good as the ones I took with that old 50mm f/1.4. So when I finally decided to go back to my photo roots and get a digital SLR I got the Nikon D60. It came with the kit lens (18-55 zoom) for almost nothing over just the body alone but I splurged (It cost about the same as the D60/lens kit) and got this lens too hoping I'd like it as much as my old ones and could get back to basics with it. I've had it now for a few weeks and haven't put the 18-55 zoom on the camera yet! This lens works so well with the D60 especially in aperature priority mode. I usually set it to wide open or maybe f/2.8 to get that fantastic subject isolating small depth of field and beautiful bokeh (cool new photo word). And when the light is dim, I can still take great shots using available light which is almost always nicer than flash. The D60's "Auto ISO" makes this even better. And the manual focus and Auto Focus override works so well it completely solves any problems where the fast and quiet Auto Focus can sometimes get fooled. What a fun lens! I've taken more great photos of people and scenery in the last three weeks than I did in the 5 years before that. I LOVE this lens and camera combo. (See my separate D60 review.)
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Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Nikon 50mm f/1.4G SIC SW Prime Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
... This lens made me regret leaving the DX format. It's about 1/2 the size and weight of the comparable FX format 70-200 f/2.8, and is perfect for portraits, SPORTS, candids, and general walking around.
If you're only going to buy one lens to take pictures of your kids football games, this is it.
THE PROS:
* Fast CONSTANT aperture for low light, fast action (and yes, chasing a three year old round the house is FAST ACTION!)
* Set your camera to aperture priority, set the aperture to f3.5 or f/4.0 and leave your flash at home, you'll have super sharp shots you can blow up to poster size
* Light weight and small... Oh so light and small. This lens, and those like it is why the DX format will be around for a LONG LONG time. You can pack so much more capable glass into a smaller package. I'm not replacing mine with a comparable 70-200, way too big way too heavy... I might just buy a cheaper body just for sports.
* HSM - Super-Duper fast focusing. Perfect for action or candid photography. You want to take a picture of a groom sneaking a kiss, without a flash running the moment, or of your kid getting the winning basket. You want a fast constant aperture lens with HSM (or AF-S in Nikon-speak). I looked at the Tokina 50-135 which I really wanted because it was built like a tank, but it focused WAY-TOO-SLOW for sports.
THE CONS:
I will parrot the other reviewer's cons, but with my own comments:
* No VR/OS - Yes, though I don't see where that matters, VR is for taking pictures of STILL objects hand-held rather than using a tripod. It doesn't really help when you're shooting moving objects. The purpose for buying a FAST constant aperture lens like this is to shoot action or low-light (usually both low-light & action like in a gym).
* Lack of sharpness at f2.8 - True. But NO LENS is sharp at its maximum aperture. Top sharpness comes at 1.5 to 2 stops from wide open (on this lens f/3.5-f/4.0)
* Lens Flair and such: I've not noticed that with the APO glass update, Of course I'm usually shooting INDOORS and in LOW-LIGHT where there is very little chance of getting sun-flare.
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SUMMARY:
DO NOT buy this lens specifically for nature, scenic, architecture, or still object photography. You don't need the fast aperture (and you wont be using it, you'll want more death of field). That's not to say that this lens wouldn't also be good at these tasks, just that you can get a lens more suitable for these duties for 1/4 the price (and look for one with VR/OS to free you from your tripod).
Use this lens for Sports, Action, Candid, Indoor photography. Or as a carry around all purpose lens on vacation, when conditions might be uncertain (packing a 14-24 for wide shots in your pocket). The fast constant aperture and HSM make this the only lens worth owning in the category.
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Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Sigma APO 50-150mm f/2.8 II EX DC HSM Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
... This lens has exceeded my expectations. For about $70 my hopes for quality weren't too high. When the lens arrived the barrel connecting the optical component section the the T-adapter was loose. A simple fix; I tightened it. When mounting the T-adapter, the scales on the lens barrel ended up on the bottom of the lens when fixed to the camera body. Another easy fix: loosen the adapter mount with a jewelers screwdriver and rotate the lens barrel until the scales are on top where they belong.
Optically the lens performs well. The aperature is set with one adjusting ring. Focus is set with the f-stop wide open to get the brightest image. Once focused the lens is stopped down to the desired aperature with a second adjusting ring. Simple.
A word about focusing. I also bought an Opteka 500mm mirror lens. The 500mm preset lens is much!!!! easier to focus than the mirror lens because the depth of field is so much greater.
The lens is light weight and seems well built. Just remember it's a $70 lens and not a $700 lens.
The pictures I've taken have nice contrast and are reasonably sharp if you take the time to focus carefully. This is a manually operated lens so you'll have to do some searching through your camera menus to set up your system to get properly exposed pictures. I use a K100d body and the set up wasn't difficult. That's it. I hope this was some help if you're considering this lens. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Opteka 500mm f/8 Preset Telephoto Lens for Pentax AF SLR Cameras
... i have had this lens for well over a year since i bought it from here. i still use it about 70% of the time along with my 85mm f1.8 and 135mm f2. its a great length for indoors and the 1.8 aperture helps with indoor shutter speeds. has a short minimum focus distance, lets you take close ups of food and small objects.
few cons i can think of are the edge sharpness is a little soft and it tends to back focus sometimes. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
... This lens is amazing. If I had a choice of one lens to leave on my camera forever, this would be it. Its sharp, contrasty, and the angle of view at 12mm is AMAZING. The distortion is minimal to my eyes though I have not measured it. I'm just very happy with the results I consistently get with it.
Its very flare resistant and though the lens is mostly plastic, its feels very solid and well made. Not a whole lot of slop to any of its movements. Its very lightweight, so its not a burden to carry it around. I just wish it was a tad shorter, but this is not a complaint.
The range is very good for a walking around lens, the 24mm upper end gives about a 36mm angle of view equivalent for a 35mm standard film camera.
Just add a 50-135 2.8 and you have a great range for just about everything. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Pentax DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL (IF) Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR's
... It's white. It's metal. It's glass. Some electronic stuff in there, too. It is incredible how humans can make these things. Amazing technology. Great stuff. If you can afford it, you know enough about it by now, don't you? Read up, boys. Then buy this one or something like it. But don't ever, ever, buy a piece of garbage plastic lens, and expect it to give you pleasure, as this one does. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
... I've had my eye on this lens for some time, but was very hesitant to spend the money on it. I bought it a couple of months ago and have used it almost exclusively on my D90 since then. This is a great lens, and I know it was the right lens for me to add to my photo gear right now.
I agree with previous reviewers, there are 2 main reasons to buy this lens. First, if you shoot in low light conditions this lens performs incredibly well. The other day I was at my kids' school taking some musical photos for the yearbook. The auditorium manager was out for the day, so we couldn't turn on the stage lights. We only used the house lights and a very small amount of background stage lights, so it was very dark and I wasn't feeling optimistic about getting some decent shots. But wide open, the lens was capable of producing sharp, clear, decently exposed images.
The other main reason to buy this lens is the bokeh, of course. It is very smooth and beautiful. However, this lens does take some practice and skill when shooting wide open. It is a very sharp lens even at 1.4, but there is no room for error with focus since the depth of field is so narrow.
One other thing that I really like about this lens is it's size and weight. It's hefty and well-built, but isn't too heavy or cumbersome on my D90. I feel perfectly comfortable walking around with this lens. Sometimes people suggest getting a 70-200mm before or instead of the 85mm, but for me this lens is a much better fit and more versatile. Yes, the 70-200mm also has great bokeh, has a more versatile range, and can be better for indoor sports. But it's size and weight are a major negative me. I wouldn't use a 70-200mm for casual portraits, or as a walk around lens, or everyday casual shots. In my opinion, the 85mm is great in all of those situations.
There are some negatives to this lens - it is a little too long on a DX body at times and there are some chromatic aberration and flare issues when shooting wide open.
If you are thinking about getting this lens, do your homework and figure out of this is a right fit for you. For me, it is a very versatile lens and a great performer and I am completely satisfied with it. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Nikon 85mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
... I've never had a true 1:1 macro lens before this one, and I could not be happier. I chose this one because I've had good luck with Sigma in the past, and the focal length translates to about 105mm on my DSLR, supposedly the most common "workhorse" macro length. Extremely sharp photos, especially if you take your time and focus manually. The level of detail captured in a few of the photos I've taken with this lens has been described as "simply stunning" by a prosumer level photog friend. You'll have a blast. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Sigma 70mm F/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
... I have had nothing but great pleasure using this lens. It is tack sharp, focuses quickly (even in low-light) and is just all around superb.
At first the zoom ring was "stiff" but worked out after about a week of steady use.
This lens will not dissapoint! ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Aspherical Large Aperture Standard Zoom Lens for Nikon SLR Cameras
... my favorite lens in my bag. i use this lens on a crop sensor body, which makes it roughly equal to a 200mm viewing angle. a bit long for daily use but serves great for long distance candid photos or detail shots. focusing ring is smooth and autofocus is insanely fast. the background blur from this lens is smooth and soft, very appealing. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
... The Phoenix is a good "long-lens" for the budding photographer. It offers the ability to get that great shot while staying away from the action or intruding upon it. With no f-stop selector, the Phoenix lacks in the high-end functionality route, but with a little practice, this lens will give you what you need to shoot sports, wildlife, etc... from a distance. You definitely need to use a tri-pod or mono-pod while shooting with this lens or you will have horrible results. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Phoenix 650-2600mm Telephoto Lens with Mount for Nikon D200 D80 D70s D70 D50 Digital & Film SLR Cameras
... great inexpensive wide angle lens for those who can't yet afford an "L" lens. quick, quiet, great on a crop body. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
... I was very surprised that it work so great on my Nikon D700 for the price I paid. Auto focus is accurate and fast. You can't go wrong with this one, its a winner. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8-4 DG Aspherical Large Aperture Zoom Lens for Nikon SLR Cameras
... Initially I used a 50 f/1.4 on my 40D, but it was a bit too close for my taste, after tons of research, I found that the 35 f/1.4L received amazing reviews so I thought I would try it out. This lens just smokes the 50 f/1.4 in sharpness, bokeh, colors and build quality. I don't even use my Speedlite indoors anymore because this lens is so fast. A lot of people say that the 24L would work better on a crop, but I think the 24 would be a bit wide for my taste...I'm really digging the normal focal length this produces (56mm on a crop camera). I'm not sure if I even want to upgrade to a FF now because the focal length is so great on a crop cam. All in all, if you want a well built, fast, contrasty prime, don't hesitate...its worth every penny. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
... This lens is good for macro.
it belongs mid-range zoom lens, not wide enough or not tele enough.
for portrait, it is not clear but good for some people as it doers not show too much details, seems the AF did not work perfectly with my D80 camera except you use manual. kind of pain.
hope to have a Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens to take place of this one.
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Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Nikon 24-85mm f/2.8-4.0D IF AF Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
... I have had this lens twice. I am a semi-pro photographer that doesn't have $1000 to spend on a lens. So after much research I went with the sigma. The first one I had worked flawlessly, but I broke it... re-ordered it and I still have my second one. I've had it for about 2 years. over 5,000 pictures or more and I can't tell the difference between it and a Canon L lens I use from work. I will say the ONLY con of this lens is that it is not built as well as the Canon L lens and the zooming isn't as smooth... but.. I don't plan on changing over any time soon. I am looking for the image quality and relatively sturdy lens. Sigma pulls this off great. Other than a little bit of a stiff zoom the lens is perfect. image quality as I said is just as good as the Canon L series, trust me I know. I have taken over 40,000 pictures. There isn't any difference.. and if there is it isn't worth double the price for a canon L series. Sigma is awesome. keep it up. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DG Macro Aspherical Lens for Nikon AFD Cameras
... I bought this lens to use on a Nikon D80 camera. The lens has some limitations as far as light gathering ability but overall I am quite pleased. It takes sharp pictures if it has adequate light. I find it has it's sharpest pictures at f8-f11. At wide open aperature the pictures are somewhat soft. I used this lens recently at school music program where lighting is always a problem and would have to say that overall I was quite satisfied. Although I ended up at Iso 1600 in order to operate shutterspeed where I needed it worked out rather well. In the past these music programs have been a problem.
The lens seems well built and zoom and aperature work smoothly. I don't really like the fact that the lens revolves during focus as I will not be able to use my cpl very effectively.
Over the course of the time I have used it the biggest problem I have encountered was some photos I took of canadian geese. It was a hazy day and the pictures I got were loaded with purple fringing. That is the only time I have had this problem but it was quite bad that day. The geese were lined on both sides and head with p/f.
Overall though I would say for this price point this is a very nice lens. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Tamron AF70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Lens with hood for Nikon-D DSLR Cameras
... I am a amateur photographer, but was encountering situations where I needed a lens of this focal length which could accommodate less available light. My Canon kit lens only goes down to f5.6, and I had heard it was in general a poor quality lens. Well if it is, that makes this Sigma lens nothing but junk.
After receiving the lens, I noticed most pictures were very soft, almost out of focus. So a ran a number of controlled tests against my Canon kit lens, using both Auto focus and Manual focus with the Sigma lens (on a tripod, of course). In all cases, the Canon lens produced MUCH sharper pictures. How could this be, I asked myself.
So I sent the pics and an explanation, along with the lens, to Sigma for repair / adjustment. Two weeks later they returned the lens indicating they had adjusted the AF, and tested the lens, and all was now OK.
I beg to differ. I ran more tests, and guess what! The Canon lens wins again. Needless to say, if you want sharp pictures, forget this lens. You'll probably pay twice as much for the similar Canon lens, but you'll probably get pictures twice as nice. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG IF Aspherical Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
... While there may be wider options available from Olympus and other vendors, this lens is quite flexible in shooting architecture, landscapes, nigthscapes, streets, museums, insides of low-lit cathedrals and even portraits (at tele-end of 44mm eFoV). I also have Canon EFS 10-22m which though wider, is not as flexible in variety of scenarios as 11-22. Image quality rivals primes.
With an aperture of F2.8 and image stabilized body, this lens can take some incredible handheld lowlight shots. On E520 and other bodies with IS, it is possible to take handheld shots as slow as 1/2~1/5 seconds at 11mm. Neither Canon nor Nikkon offers anything similar.
Highly recommended and extremely under appreciated among non-Zuikoholics.
A current and future collectible. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Olympus 11-22mm f/2.8-3.5 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens for E1, E300 & E500 Cameras
... Ive only had my XTI for a few days and let me just say that Ive taken some amazing pictures with this lens, ive read that its great for beginners and better than the 18-55 mm kit lens. I added a few pics that I took with this lens check them out. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Canon EF 28-90mm F/4-5.6 III SLR Lens for Canon Cameras
... I was looking it with suspect for the price. I try to buy it thinking to play. I received it (very good service). After the first photo using NIKON D200 I had been more than surprised for the unespected quality. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Kenko 420-1600mm Super Telephoto Zoom Lens with 2x Teleconverter + Nikon Case + Tripod + Accessory Kit for Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D80, D200, D300, D3, D700 Digital SLR Cameras
... I order this lens from Amazon, well, the package came fast as expected because of 1 day shipping. It's okay to pay extra to ensure the transaction and service. I am totally a newbie in photography. In the very first place, I just want a cam that is much better than point&shoot cam I have so I bought Canon XS. The cam is great at the price as it is the cheapest cam with live view function.
Once I got the Sigma 18-125 lens, it made me feel solid, well build, and somewhat heavier than 18-55 kit lens. I prefer not comment anything about picture quality or sharpness as I am new. I have spent 3 days shooting about 200 pics during daytime, I like it. BUT I opened return to change new one! It was because I feel not so sure about the noise inside the lens and I noticed the hard time to get it focus at night inside my room.
I assumed that it is something wrong while it was shipped. Amazon did a terrible job on packing the item. They were only 2 air bags inside the parcel and the lens box ran loose inside. I just got new unit this afternoon and will try again tonight under the same condition. This time they put 3 air bags inside the parcel. I haven't try it yet but feel the lens has less noise.
If Amazon read this, pleas improve your packaging quality. I used to order a sdhc from other site and it was packed in the same parcel size with tons of foam. This is $300 lens not cloth, please be more CAREFUL.
Anyway, I still recommend you to order from Amazon because you can still change it in case anything wrong.
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Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 AF DC OS HSM Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
... What more could you want. I've used Canon's great 10-22mm and it is a nice lens but as a comparison here is what I found.
-Sharpness goes to the Tokina hands down. While wide open @ 2.8 it might be about equal by the time the Tokina is stopped down to the 3.5 that the Canon is wide open there is no comparison.
-Zoom Range obviously goes to Canon. Much more usable here than the limited almost fixed focal length Tokina. Actually you might even say that the Tokina is close to a prime. Also I liked that extra 1mm on the wide end (it is very noticeable). Myself I don't mind the limited zoom as I'm always on the wide side and don't even use the 16mm.
-Build Quality again this belongs to the Tokina as it is built like a tank as are most of the pro grade Tokinas. Canon's build quality good for this consumer designed lens but is not up to their L (pro) standards.
-CAs Chromatic Aberrations or purple fringing If you are shooting into high contrast scenes (a bridge against a sky background) this is a real problem for both lenses but the Canon is MUCH better here. This is becoming less important as PhotoShop is able to remove it effectively.
-Lack of barrel distortion goes again to the Tokina which is very slight, especially for a ultra wide zoom. It is much better corrected than the Canon.
-Focus Speed Canon with their USM is fastest but not by much. However, the Canon is quieter too. I do like the clutch system of the Tokina once I got used to it. For manual focus (and I use that a lot) the Tokina is well damped, smooth and usable something that can't be said for the Canon.
-Flare Bad in both lenses but here Canon is better as well. Contra light is a demon in both lenses and care should be taken to always use the hood. Provided with the Tokina and conspicuously absent in the Canon which will set you back another 35 dollars or so.
-Aperture Obviously this goes to the Tokina. Not only is it 2.8 constant aperture it is very usable and sharp. It gets marginally sharper when stopped down but it is SHARP even wide open. The biggest improvement is at the edges when stopped down with the center remaining very sharp throughout. To get the same performance from the canon you need to get to about f5.6 to pull in the edges with further improvement to f8.
Well to wrap it up, the Tokina is quite a lens. Couple that to a savings of about $250.00 and it is a no brainer. While no lens is perfect, and with the CAs this lens has it certainly isn't as well, it maintains great quality and the rugged build make it a good choice for me. I am a semi-pro and take about 10 to 15 thousand exposures a year. I need that rugged build. I own several Canon L lenses and this isn't out of place in my bag. I don't miss that 1mm much as with an ultra wide about 3 or 4 steps back gets in the same view. It would be nice to have the range the 22mm gives but not at the expense of the 2.8 aperture.
My recommendation. BUY IT. You won't be sorry.
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Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Tokina 11-16MM F/2.8 ATX 116 Lens for Canon EOS AF Digital - Tokina ATX116PRODXC
... The bad:
Major dissapointment not to have a lens bag, Nikon went cheap on this one.
The lens hood is metal and screw style mount, it is a hassle. You got to be very careful as it is metal to metal threads, so you better screw it in right to prevent permanent damage.
I bought it from Adorama and had no tamper seal, so keep an eye on that...
The good:
Excellent picture quality, very sharp, solid like a tank. I only wish the lens hood was bayonet style. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Nikon 85mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
... This lens is the top of the line wide angle. A significant improvement over the last 14mm and a must have for anyone who loves the distorted look wide angle gives. When I was a kid my dad gave me a very wide lens for an old minolta. Since then i have always loved the look this brings to certain photos. I have tested this lens and the results are spectacular. It is very fast and works well in low light. I highly recommend this lens, despite its price. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM Ultra-Wide Angle Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
... Simply amazing. Crisp and sharp even at the lowest f/stop! The bokeh is beautiful, and the lens feels good in hand. I STRONGLY recommend picking up a Tripod with this one, it's a little heavy on my Canon EOS 450D, and I find myself losing out on some real high quality shots cause of those shaky hands! Get a tripod and get this lens! ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Sigma 70mm F/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
... I order this lens from Amazon, well, the package came fast as expected because of 1 day shipping. It's okay to pay extra to ensure the transaction and service. I am totally a newbie in photography. In the very first place, I just want a cam that is much better than point&shoot cam I have so I bought Canon XS. The cam is great at the price as it is the cheapest cam with live view function.
Once I got the Sigma 18-125 lens, it made me feel solid, well build, and somewhat heavier than 18-55 kit lens. I prefer not comment anything about picture quality or sharpness as I am new. I have spent 3 days shooting about 200 pics during daytime, I like it. BUT I opened return to change new one! It was because I feel not so sure about the noise inside the lens and I noticed the hard time to get it focus at night inside my room.
I assumed that it is something wrong while it was shipped. Amazon did a terrible job on packing the item. They were only 2 air bags inside the parcel and the lens box ran loose inside. I just got new unit this afternoon and will try again tonight under the same condition. This time they put 3 air bags inside the parcel. I haven't try it yet but feel the lens has less noise.
If Amazon read this, pleas improve your packaging quality. I used to order a sdhc from other site and it was packed in the same parcel size with tons of foam. This is $300 lens not cloth, please be more CAREFUL.
Anyway, I still recommend you to order from Amazon because you can still change it in case anything wrong.
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Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 AF DC OS HSM Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
... I have been eyeing this lens for quite a while when it was still being sold at $4900 at adorama (imported) free ship and then suddenly I saw the price soaring to $5900 to my disgust for my inaction. Patiently I continued to scout from amazon when I saw this lens posted at $5119.95 + $30 shipping fee from Cameta....and without blinking an eye I ordered and was very pleased to own this very fine performer in my arsenal now.
It is very fast, sharp and hmmm should I say heavy too?? I am very pleased with amazon for this and I can't complain at this time. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Nikon 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
... It's actually a 500mm f/8 with a 2x teleconverter, bringing it to 1000mm f/16.
That said, it's a great prime lens and for the money I doubt you'll find a better value. You should definitely use it on a tripod; the smallest amount of handshake results in a much larger blurred image when using this lens either at 500 or 1000 (and it's noticeable TTL as well).
Terrific long shots during the day, good for the moon due its brightness. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Phoenix 1000mm f/8 Mirror Lens with Mount for Canon EOS 30D 20D 5D Digital Rebel XT XTI & Film SLR Cameras
... A little tough to get used to at first because all rational thought about aperture settings are to be set aside.
Focusing is,of course, manual in that you must advance or draw back from your subject either hand held or with a tripod and focusing rails.
The depth of field is extremely shallow and you'd better have a good set of eyes to find your optimum focus point.
Viewfinder gets darker as you increase magnification. I have the MR-14EX macro ring lite which has a pair of focusing lamps set on about a twenty second timer which pretty much solves that problem for me.
So far the images are stunning all the way from 1X thru 5X. A 1/16" insect at 5X fills the frame and is in perfect detail.
I have it mounted on a 5D Mark II for now and have yet to try it on any other camera body.
This is a pretty serious consumer Macro lens that can try your patience,but the images you'll derive from it will make it all worthwhile
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Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5X Macro Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
... an ultra high quality lens far superior than the canon counterpart, i actually have the canon 16-35L 2.8 II and bought this lens for my friend who has a nikon d700, i am totally impressed by nikon and especially there 5 year warranty on most of their lenses. if i did not already own canon lenses i would have defiantly switched. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
... This is a superb lens, with a good solid build and a smooth manual focus. Because it's made from polycarbonate rather than metal, it's also surprisingly lightweight. The tripod collar is easy to remove but solid. The filter effect control is a nice convenience.
The automatic focus is not particularly fast, but this is not much of a disadvantage since most photographers use manual focus in macro work anyway.
Highly recommended. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Tamron AF 180mm f/3.5 Di SP A/M FEC LD (IF) 1:1 Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
... This lens is great for the price. It's sharp, fast and the colors are excellent. The only draw back is it is heavy. After wearing it around your neck for a few hours you can really feel it. But it's all worth it. It produces perfect pictures. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Aspherical Large Aperture Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
... I received the wrong lens.
I needed to use the Amazon A-Z guarantee to get a refund from 47th street photo. FYI, 47th St. delivers fast but they do not honor their return policy, so if you order from them, I hope you get what you expect! ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8-4 DG Aspherical Large Aperture Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
... This is an excellent lens. All my pictures are sharp. Amazon shipped it right on time, ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SP XR ZL Di LD Aspherical (IF) with Built-In AF Motor for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
... I bought this because I am on a tight budget, and overall is a good price. I pretty much thought that the Phoenix 500mm Telephoto Lens was going to be not very good. But so far, it's worked good. Very big and bulky but for the price, it does a good job.
The bag is good quality, I love the compartments and you can easily organize your gear. I have enough room for all 6 lens, including the Phoenix 500mm Telephoto Lens. I put that ontop.
The tripod seems sorta delicate, but so far it's held up. And I've put it through hell already and it's still in perfect shape. Perfect height (and i'm 6'1) easy to use, folds down very small.
The cleaning kit is good. Use it often. Don't use the 2x Teleconverter, but maybe I'll try it out.
Overall I give it 5 stars because for the price, everythings great. Specially if you're on a tight budget. ...
Check Amazon Price and Read More Reviews on Phoenix 500mm Telephoto Lens with 2x Teleconverter + Deluxe SLR Pro Camera Case + Deluxe Camera Tripod with Carrying Case + 6-Piece Lens Cleaning Kit for Olympus EVOLT E-300, E-330, E-410, E-420, E-500, E-510, E-520, E-3, E-1 Digital SLR Cameras
