lucasbutchart's reviews

  • Canon EF 28mm f/2.8

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    small, lightweight, sharp, affordable
    could have a tougher build

    Just wanted to offset the bad reviews with a good one. This lens produces sharp images on my 5D and T2i.
    Even at f2.8 the images look crisp and the colors are good. Of course with these newer DSLRs color can be tweaked in-camera so it's not a big issue. But I would say this lens' color is neutral, like the Canon ef 50mm f1.8.
    I tested this lens against my ef 50mm f1.8 and found the 50mm f1.8 to be sharper wide open, but still the 28mm was acceptable.
    I can't compare this one against the ef 28mm f1.8 USM but imagine the USM version is better.
    I found this little gem for 30 euros and in perfect condition. It is a great lens value compared to $500 for the USM. This one is also smaller, lighter and has a more standard 52mm front thread size.
    Don't hesitate if you run across one. Many may be 15-20 years old so sample variation from heavy use may be a factor in so many bad reviews of this lens.
    Test it first if you can.
    Here's a review:
    http://moviesamongfriends.ning.com/page/lens-review-canon-ef-28mm-f2-8-best-affordable-wider-lens-for-vid

    reviewed March 31st, 2012 (purchased for $50)

  • Sigma 17-35mm f/2.8-4 EX DG Aspherical HSM

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    Inexpensive, versatile, HSM, full-time manual focus, 77mm filters
    Big, Not super sharp wide open, some focus issues

    Wanted to share some love on this lens. It's similar to other newer plastic Sigma zooms: well made, inexpensive, fast focusing, 77mm filters, very versatile zoom range on full frame, full time manual focusing, focus scale, big zoom and focus rings, flare resistant, decently sharp wide open, nice f2.8 aperture for low light, silent HSM, very good minimum focus distance, and probably more.
    The only issue I have on my D800 is that the focus sometimes goes wacky and I have to remove and remount the lens. After that it works perfectly again. It nails focus every time.
    This lens offers noticeably less contrast, especially wide open, than my Nikon 20mm AI. But it's also much much more versatile. It also focuses super close for crazy wide angle shots. I can't stop singing praises for this lens, especially for such a low price. Don't be scared to invest in this Sigma. I'd imagine this also would be a decent lens on DX (where it'd be a mid range zoom) but haven't tried it.

    reviewed March 6th, 2013 (purchased for $99)

  • Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM

    7 out of 10 points and recommended
    Decent build and optical quality, good range, USM, FTM
    None for the price

    Most reviewers talk about their experience with this lens on an APS-C sensor camera, and they slam it pretty hard because it isn't wide or sharp enough. First of all, why would you ever use this on a crop-sensor camera, aside from maybe curiosity or if it's all you had lying around?
    This is a full frame lens and for that purpose it works fine. Sure, because FF digital cameras are so expensive you should probably invest in better glass, but this lens works fine too, especially if you're using it in an environment where it could get damaged, or as a backup, because it's so cheap.
    With USM it will focus better than most third party lenses (and other Canon lenses too), and the photos it makes are actually decent - helps if the photographer is good too.
    The big drawback is the slow f-stop, but for low light you use primes or flash anyway.
    The other drawback might be that's not as sharp as something like the 24-105L, but should we be comparing these? I've never liked the pictures I get from the 24-105L compared to my primes anyway, so perhaps midrange zooms aren't my thing.
    As a beater everyday FF lens, don't hesitate to use this consumer zoom.

    reviewed May 14th, 2013 (purchased for $150)