climber's reviews

  • Tokina 50-135mm f/2.8 AT-X 535 AF PRO DX

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Excellent sharpness and IQ, superb buil quality, accurate focus
    slow focus motor, CA

    The lens is absoloutly astounding. Image sharpness above f3.5 is comperable to prime lenses (canon 50mm f1.4). Focusing is very precise and the build quality is comparable to Canon L series (i have a 200mm F2.8L prime).

    I used to be an owner of a Sigma 50-150mm f2.8, before i got this lens. Sigma had problems with front focusing, so i sent it back to service. They somehow managed to adjust the focusing, but after using it for a year I sold it, because the image quality of Sigma 50-150mm f2.8 was not impressive.

    The only minus of Tokina is slower focusing than Sigma HSM or Canon ultrasonic and a litlle CA. But the price is right..

    I can strongly reccomend this great lens!

    reviewed April 21st, 2009 (purchased for $450)

  • Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM APO

    7 out of 10 points and not recommended
    HSM motor, EX built quality
    focusing issues, image quality is just average

    I used to be an owner of a Sigma 50-150mm f2.8, before i got Tokina 50-135mm f2.8.

    Sigma had problems with front focusing, so i sent it back to service. They somehow managed to adjust the focusing, but after using it for a year I sold it, because the image quality of Sigma 50-150mm f2.8 was not impressive.
    The only plus is excellent HSM motor.

    Tokina 50-135mm f2 is just way better than this problematic, bad focusing, average IQ Sigma...

    reviewed April 21st, 2009 (purchased for $600)

  • Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Excellent image quality, construction, speed, accuracy, dreamy bokeh, BLACK
    NONE

    I was looking for something special, light and inconspicious. I was looking for a fast lens with the best image quality and bokeh.

    Forget about the white L zooms, forget about the IS. Back to the roots.

    Have you ever tried a portrait at 200mm at f2.8? The bokeh is sweet and dreamy, simply out of this world.

    I use this lens a lot with a 1.4X TC and there is almost no loss of IQ. Canon 200mm f2.8 L is one of the best lenses out there.

    reviewed April 21st, 2009 (purchased for $700)

  • Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF SP AF

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    great image quality comperable to L series, accurate focus, light, cheap
    build quality, slow focus

    This lens is one of the best kept secrets. Image quality is comparable to L lenses. Extremelly sharp. It's light, compact and the price is right.

    The only minus is the build quality and focusing speed.

    I highly recommend this excellent lens!

    reviewed April 21st, 2009 (purchased for $450)

  • Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    excellent image quality, EX build
    slow and noisy focus

    Excellent image quality, EX build, true macro lens, not expensive.

    The only minus is slow and noisy motor.

    reviewed April 21st, 2009 (purchased for $400)

  • Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    fast, small, excellent image quality above f2.2, inexpensive, USM
    useless below f2

    Excellent lens, great image quality, fast focus and nice bokeh. Inexpensive.

    But don't try to use this lense below f2.2.

    reviewed April 21st, 2009 (purchased for $400)

  • Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

    4 out of 10 points and recommended
    none
    slow, poor image quality, poor build quality

    Don't use this lens, spend a few 100EUR and buy yourself a lens that you can realy enjoy.

    Poor image quality, slow, noisy, bad construsction, plastic mount.

    I've got mine in the kit and gave it away for free.

    reviewed April 21st, 2009

  • Canon EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    USM, good image quality on APS-C, lightweight
    CA, distortion, slow

    A nice beginner lens with good IQ, USM and lightweight.

    reviewed April 21st, 2009 (purchased for $300)

  • Canon 1.4X Extender EF II

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    The best TC, allmost no loss in IQ when used with prime lenses
    NONE

    This TC is amazing. I use it a lot with my 200mm f2.8 L prime. There is allmost no loss of image quality.

    Superb piece of equipment.

    reviewed April 22nd, 2009 (purchased for $350)

  • Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    great zoom range, built quality, very good image quality, price/performance
    none for this price

    Great walk arround lens with very good image quality and price/performance. 70mm is very usefull comperable to standard 17-50 zooms.

    It's a very nice beginner lens.

    reviewed April 22nd, 2009 (purchased for $400)

  • Canon EF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 II

    3 out of 10 points and recommended
    you can get one for free
    plastic mount

    Image quality is bad, buil is bad, motor is so slow and noisy, buzzing like a bee. I had to look twice before i realized that this is actually a Canon lens.
    What were they thinking? Plastic mount???


    Don't use this one. Just buy yourself a decent lens.

    reviewed April 22nd, 2009