claus's reviews

  • Nikon 85mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Very sharp and contrasty
    Expensive, but there's no free lunch. Worth every cent.

    This lens rocks. Period.

    Because I know that the reviewer is strongly Canon biased I suggest SLRGear to reconsider their staff for reviewing.

    There is a high risk to lost their credibility.

    [Editor: It has no bearing on our review comments, but for the record I actually happen to be a Nikon shooter, and am very happy with my equipment.]

    reviewed October 28th, 2010 (purchased for $1,690)
  • Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD SP AF

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    sharp already wide open and at all focal lenghts, very good VR
    color rendition on the cooler side

    I had the Nikon AFS 70-300 VR for abt. 2 years. Since I got the Tamron lens I sold the Nikon lens because the Tamron is overall a tiny little bit better (especially at the 200...300mm range) than the Nikkor.

    This is my first non-Nikon lens (I own 19 Nikon lenses) and I'm quite happy with it.

    reviewed December 22nd, 2010
  • Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM

    6 out of 10 points and not recommended
    good AF , very sharp at f4 and up in the center, almost complete lack of CA.
    poor build quality for the price , soft until f2.8 , very soft at f1.4, never gets tack-sharp

    it is a plain overpriced lens.


    only pros I found are : its fast and accurate AF and its good flare performance.


    I returned this one and I decided to use my Samyang 35f1.4 instead.


    if it is not sharp below f2.8 , what is the point of having this super expensive prime or choosing it over the very very sharp almost flawless 70-200f4.0?


    for me it is an useless prime, period.


    I compared this lens to my Nikon 35f1.4G and Minolta 35f1.4 and both of these 2 outperformed my Canon 35f1.4.


    I think this was the worst released Canon.

    reviewed October 10th, 2012 (purchased for $1,200)
  • Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

    4 out of 10 points and recommended
    sufficient AF and built quality
    poor IQ wide open to f/4.0, very soft from 1.2 to 2.8, never gets tack-sharp

    Compared to the Nikon AF-S 85/1.4 this lens is rather soft and not as contrasty.

    From f/4.0 on this lens will satisfy my needs but gets never tack-sharp. Rather disappointing for this high price.

    I tested this lens against the older Canon 85/1.2 and the Nikon AFS 85/1.4.

    reviewed April 3rd, 2012
  • Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD IF Macro SP AF

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Sharp (!) and low weight
    AF is on the slower side

    No VR and no weathersealing but very high optical performance at a price you can't withstand.
    Tested with a D700, D5100 and D600.
    .

    reviewed November 20th, 2013 (purchased for $497)