sjp010's reviews

  • Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    Small, light, inexpensive, fast silent ring USM, good build quality
    contrast a little weak wide open, hood is huge and probably useless

    This is a very useful lens wide angle lens for a full frame camera if you're on a budget or need to pack light. If you're looking for ultimate image quality, click elsewhere. If you want a cheap 20mm lens that is reasonably well built and gives good image quality at f/5.6 or f/8, this may be what you're looking for.

    On a APS-C camera, there are plenty of better options than this. This lens is all about getting you into UWA territory on a full frame camera without breaking the bank.

    reviewed May 21st, 2012 (purchased for $175)

  • Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Small, great build, very sharp away from extreme corners
    slightly soft wide open - clears up by f/2.2, hood not included

    Honestly, I think this lens has an undeservedly bad reputation among "technical" reviewers on the internet. I'm sure it sucks at shooting test charts wide open. I don't shoot test charts - I shoot people indoors (groups, activity-based portraits, etc) with this lens on an original 5D with wide apertures. The image quality is great as far as I am concerned. Test chart reviewers knock this lens for soft corners at wide apertures - I couldn't' care any less about that in my style of photography.

    Build is great - very solid and fast AF via ring USM.

    My only real complaint is the noticeable softness at f/1.8. It's useable there, but it's so much better just 2/3-stop away at f/2.2 that I shoot there most of the time.

    reviewed May 21st, 2012 (purchased for $360)

  • Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Great IQ, great AF, great build, great value
    That Canon hasn't managed to replicate this lens at 50mm

    This is really a great lens. I remain blissfully unaware of what life is like for 85L shooters, but I have a hard time imagining how much better it really can be. I guess an extra stop is important, but for 4x the cost I don't think I'll ever try it - the 85/1.8 is too good in so many categories.

    I really wish Canon could construct a lens of this quality at 50mm.

    reviewed May 21st, 2012 (purchased for $360)