DoFJerk's reviews

  • Tokina 12-24mm f/4 AT-X 124 AF PRO DX SD

    7 out of 10 points and recommended
    Sharp at wide open, Low Distortion (distortionless at 24mm), Economic
    too much CA, medium contrast

    This lens is producing sharp image event at f/4. But at 24mm, distortionless, the stoping down is required to get sharp image as at 12-20mm.

    Nice color reproduction but a bit low contrast. This is good lens for photographer who need low-light shot. You can wide-open with low vignette.

    Not recommend for shooting a high contrasty scence with having blowout area, because color fringe from CA with cannot be correct easily.

    reviewed November 16th, 2006 (purchased for $430)

  • Nikon 105mm f/2.8D AF Micro Nikkor

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    High Contrast and Sharpness
    Slow focus

    Highly recommended macro-lens for Nikon mount.
    Better even than 105VR in term of image quality, sharpness, chromatic aberration.
    Some visible CA (but still least than 105VR), that can easily correct by Photoshop and Nikon Capture.

    Too much extend lenght of lens when full life size focusing. Slow focus speed (better using manual focus for near 1:1 magnification).

    Moving lens tube prone to suck some dust/particle inside of it.

    reviewed November 16th, 2006 (purchased for $690)

  • Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    Ultra wide, Silient, Good color reproduction, Low CA
    High Vignette

    This is the favorite lens for outdoor and landscape shooting, that normally use f/8 to f/11.
    Need to stop down to get sharpness for entire frame, wide-open will cause vignette on your photo.
    In real scence, this lens show very little CA while having high contrast and color.

    For Canon fans this lens can beat 10-22, because it price and good image quality.

    reviewed November 16th, 2006 (purchased for $490)

  • Nikon 85mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    Lightweight, Good color reproduction
    Some visible CA at wide open

    Inexpensive, good color reproduction, smooth & natural skin tone. Better sharpness get start at f/2.

    If you can't effort 85/1.4, this lens will not let you disappointed.
    If you love protrait, you will love this lens.

    reviewed November 26th, 2006 (purchased for $340)

  • Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR AF-S Nikkor

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Sharpness and VR
    Extend length when zooming

    Nothing to spend a lot of words for this lens, other than "Exceptional Image Quality".

    Great sharpness, Low CA, and VR at reasonably price.

    If you are want to travel around and carry minimum lens, this would be one in your bag.

    reviewed January 8th, 2007 (purchased for $720)

  • Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF Nikkor

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Inexpensive f/2.8 Pro lens, Good Optical Performace
    Noisy & bit slow AF Operation, AF/MF Ring easy to crack

    Get rid off third party telephoto lens with this Pro lens. Optical performace is good, with some visible CA and bit low Contrast at wide open.

    If you want inexpensive f/2.8 pro lens for most of Nikon body, buy this lens other than third party lens, it will never let you down.
    A better optics can be found in discontinue AF-S version. Or you move up to the top grade optics quality with expensive AF-S 70-200 VR version.

    One major flaw you might found on 80-200/2.8 is that the AF/MF switch ring is prone to crack.

    Because of it doesn't an silence wave motor inside, the AF operation quite slow when equipped with prosumer SLR. If you want faster AF speed you might need to use Pro body or move to 70-200/2.8VR version.

    reviewed January 8th, 2007 (purchased for $1,000)

  • Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Sharp, Impressive Axial CA, Low vignette, Good Bokeh
    AF in low light, bulky, soft at corner

    I use this lens with D700.
    This lens make me happy when shot at large aperture, the Axial CA is lower than other lens in the same class.
    The Bokeh is also very nice. Very sharp event at f/2.0.

    Found some AF hunting under low light, but not much a problem.

    reviewed July 16th, 2010 (purchased for $420)