markenoch's reviews

  • Canon EF 24mm f/2.8

    7 out of 10 points and recommended
    Good sharpness, small and lightweighted
    Flare problems

    I had this lens for about a month. Bought it used. I used it as a walkaround lens, since with the 1.6x multiplier, it is has about the same fov as a 35 mm lens for film. A range I used much in the film days. Construction is good but not great. The focus wheel is a little flimsy and overall it feels somewhat cheap. Autofocus is fast but noisy. It makes a buzzing like sound as it focuses. Sharpness is good even wide open on a 6 megapixel camera. Didn't notice much vignetting either. But didn't look for it. My copy had severe flare problems when doing nightphotography. But then again I bought it used, so it could have been a former owner maintance problem - I suspect there was something wrong with the coating. That made this lens useless for me. But if you wan't a small, lightweight and cheap lens and like the 35 mm fov, then you should give this a closer look.

    reviewed December 3rd, 2006 (purchased for $150)

  • Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    High optical quality, cheap
    Build is cheap but so is the price

    I love this lens. It has everything going for it - well almost. Pair this lens with a Rebel XTI, shot raw processed with ACR and you have image quality matching what did cost 6000 USD a couple of years ago. Yes, I'm talking 1Ds with L-lens quality. It's image quality can't be faulted. Sharpness great, vignetting low, ca low and disortion low (lower than the 1.4 in fact). The build quality are it's only con. However at this price you can afford to buy, a new one if the old one breaks.

    reviewed December 3rd, 2006 (purchased for $150)