TomK's reviews

  • Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    It Came With My 20D
    almost non-existent MF ring

    Despite what you will read about the technical performance of this lens, it does hold up well for general family coverage. I've been much happier with the images from it that I expected. In a bundle, I essentially paid $100 for it, so it's hard to complain. I've added a Canon UV filter and Canon lens hood so it looks professional.

    Canon should've given us equal sized zoom and focus rings, as using this lens for Manual Focus work is frustrating. It otherwise spoils the exceptional value.

    Here are some images, shot with the 18~55 ...

    http://www.koettingfoto.com/Canon1855/

    reviewed October 20th, 2005 (purchased for $100)

  • Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    Very Sharp Images, Great Focal Range, Fast & Reliable Focus, IS
    Disappointing Build, Wicked Flair Issues

    If you're doing event work with an EFS body, you need this lens. We got one to be a wedding mid-zoom and have been pleased. Once you get over the initial sting of poor build & a stiff zoom ring, the quality of the images will win you over. Sharp details & snappy contrast are the hallmarks of this lens ... enlarged details are as sharp as primes in this focal range. The focus is very accurate and very good in low light.

    Optically, the only concerning thing is a flair issue, particularly with indoor spot-type lights (which we encounter at weddings). This prevents me from giving the lens a 10 on image quality.

    reviewed July 17th, 2006 (purchased for $1,179)

  • Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    One of the world's 'perfect' lenses
    None

    The Precious - sharp images, fast focus, perfect weight, reference-quality build. At under 900USD, it's a steal. I've owned nice SLR gear since 1976, and am normally a wide angle shooter ... this is my favorite lens, of all time. How's that for an endorsement?

    reviewed July 17th, 2006 (purchased for $845)

  • Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    canon's best lens value
    noticeable CA wide open - frustrating close focus range

    This lens does seem as sharp as the Nikkor 85 I once had, but it's a great lens with exceptional build + focus. I really love using it.

    Two nagging downsides are ...

    1. at f1.8, there's noticeable purple fringing
    2. it doesn't offer as much magification as an 135L or 85L making some real world shots an issue ... often, I just want to get closer, but this lens won't go there.

    Anyone considering this lens should also consider the 100 usm as well.

    reviewed July 17th, 2006 (purchased for $389)

  • Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    so much fun - nice build - flair resistant - low distortion
    f 4.5 on the long end - silly lens hood

    The images have a 3D quality to them and there's not vertigo style distortion that plaques some ultra-wide lenses.

    The zoom ring is a joy to use, very smooth since it came out of the box.

    I often shoot in marginal light and find the f 4.5 a problem ... but there's no other ultra wide for an EFS camera I'd rather have.

    reviewed July 17th, 2006 (purchased for $589)

  • Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    sharp images, decent build, great bokeh
    no focus limit switch - embarrassing lens hood fit

    This lens has a great reputation, and I have found the images to very very sharp. I particular love the focus fall off and bokeh at f2.8 for portraits. Beautiful.

    The frustrating thing that will eventually force me to part with this lens is the lack of a focus limit switch. If you're shooting portraits in AF mode, the lens will cycle through all of the focus steps down in Macro range before arriving at your portrait distance. Not a big deal when shooting macro (most will be in full time MF then anyway) but really puts a damper on this lens as a fast action portrait lens - such a pity as the image quality is there in spades.

    The optional Canon lens hood is a joke in regards to fit - it wobbles ... a poor fit unlike any product I've seen from Japan in the last 30 years or so

    reviewed July 19th, 2006 (purchased for $389)