wl2's reviews

  • Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED DX AF-S Nikkor

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    Sharp, lightweight, good range, smooth zoom action.
    loose focus ring.

    I got this as part of the D80 kit. The lens is well balance with the body. As indicated in the SLRGear review, the lens is very sharp even at the wide open aperature. CA and Vignetting can be spotted at the edge of the photos but they can be easily fixed in software. When using the trial verion of Capture NX, the CA is automatically removed from the NEF images.

    One thing, the focus ring is very loose. I something changed the focus while zooming.

    Overall, the image quality is very high and I would recommend this lens.

    reviewed December 24th, 2006 (purchased for $270)
  • Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF Nikkor

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Sharp, well built, nice boken
    soft in macro range at 200mm

    This lens is extremely sharp through out the range and built like a tank. It produces much better boken than the Nikor AF 105 micro which I own previously.

    My copy is soft at 200mm when set to the minimum focus distance.

    High recommended if the weight is not an issue.

    reviewed December 24th, 2006 (purchased for $1,000)
  • Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG Aspherical HSM

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Good build quality, smooth zoom and focus ring

    The lens is very well built. I compare it with the Nikor 12-24 DX lens when I made the purchase. The Nikor is a bit sharper but the Sigma wins on all the other aspects (distortion, CA control, ...). If Nikon makes a full frame DSLR one day...

    I recently updated its chip for the D200 AF-ON issue. The service provided by Gentec Canada was excellence.

    One thing, the NEF image files produced by this lens is not 100% compatible with Capture NX. The vignetting control does not work although the lens does not need the correction with APS size censor.

    This is my favourite lens and it stays on the camera most of the time. Highly recommended!

    reviewed December 24th, 2006
  • Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S Nikkor

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Very well-built, sharp and bright
    Heavy compared to the Canon equivalent

    As the other reviewer already mentioned, the lens is sharp and well-built.

    I love its range for architecture when I was using the film camera. With the DSLR crop factor, it becomes a normal zoom lens which I used mainly for family photos.

    Highly recommended!

    reviewed December 24th, 2006
  • Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    lightweight, sharp

    This lens is sharp and light. With the DSLR crop factor, it becomes a very usefull portrait lens.

    It is not that sharp wide open. But above F2.8, it is my sharpest lens.

    Given the low price and weight, there is no reason not to have one in the camera bag. Highly recommended.

    reviewed December 24th, 2006 (purchased for $60)
  • Nikon 105mm f/2.8D AF Micro Nikkor

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Extremely sharp
    None

    The lens is extremely sharp by F5.6. At wide open it is on par with the 80-200 F2.8 lens.

    When shooting portrait, it produces broken with pentagon shape.

    I use it mainly for closeup (ie. flowers) and it produces extremely sharp prints.

    Highly recommended.

    reviewed January 1st, 2007 (purchased for $800)
  • Nikon 180mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF Nikkor

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Sharp and light
    None

    The lens is extremely sharp even at F2.8. The built-in hood is very handly.

    Highly recommended.

    reviewed January 1st, 2007 (purchased for $500)