makcv113's reviews

  • Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    Zoom range, image quality, versatility, price
    Slow aperture

    I bought this lens with the Canon 60D, and I use it on a 40D for the imaging company I work for. My work needs a zoom and I chose this over the 17-85mm that I sold recently. My backup lens to the 18-135mm is actually the 18-55mm.

    I like the lens because of the zoom range, you can go wide at 18mm and lengths for portraits @ 50, 85, 135mm. The only downside is that the aperture gets smaller so you might not have the DOF like their primes.

    Sharpness is decent. Autofocus was average. Aside from street photography, I did use this for a night softball game. What happened was that I shot games a season ago and I used the 55-250mm (also reviewed), but this new season I didn't have a real "telephoto lens". The best I had was this 18-135mm. Luckily I had the 60D so I was able to crop some photos since the 135mm wasn't long enough.

    With that said, I guess it's a below average lens for sports if: the field is small, you don't mind walking around to get closer to the subject, have a high MP body to crop, and if the game was in daylight.

    For anything else, this lens is pretty good. Stabilization is great. Has some correctable distortion.

    This lens is one of the lenses I used to shoot this little music cover video:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=697s4mfilu0

    Visit my FB page to get updates on new videos and specific gear used so you know how it was shot. Also feel free to ask questions about anything camera/video/photo related.
    http://www.facebook.com/MAVPMedia
    http://www.youtube.com/user/MAVPMedia

    Here are some photos taken with it:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlaphotography/8028414415/in/photostream
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlaphotography/8028409510/in/photostream
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlaphotography/8028413779/in/photostream
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlaphotography/8028408926/in/photostream

    reviewed September 27th, 2012 (purchased for $200)

  • Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Very useful zoom range, UWA, autofocus with any body (Nikon)
    non constant aperture, slow, barrel extends a little when zooming in, no OS

    I had this lens on a few Nikon bodies that I owned, a D3100, D5000, and D90.

    The lens will AF and MF fine on both AF/non AF motor bodies, at least for the bodies that I had.

    What I love about this lens other than the fact that it's super wide, is the very useful zoom range. If you compare it to a 35mm format, it gives you 15mm at it's widest and 30mm at the tightest. I use the 20mm on the lens when I don't have my prime with me, and the 30mm equivalent for Nikon (32mm for Canon) is perfectly fine if you don't mind the slow aperture that real primes don't have.

    Build quality feels strong, but doesn't give the excuse to abuse it. Autofocus speed was fine with me, I didn't need something super fast. Great for the street if you don't need anything longer than 20mm. When I did, I used my 35mm 1.8G for the 52mm equivalent.

    I recommend this lens for the zoom range. The other lens I'd also recommend is the Tokina 12-24mm for the zoom range also. I don't like the Tamron 11-18mm or the Tokina 11-16mm (unless you need the speed).

    Some sample photos taken attached to either a D90, D3100, or D5000:

    http://flic.kr/p/c7d4Vw
    http://flic.kr/p/csT415
    http://flic.kr/p/cqK1tC
    http://flic.kr/p/c7deEJ
    http://flic.kr/p/crSbnj

    This was taken with the lens but cropped:
    http://flic.kr/p/ckE8dj
    http://flic.kr/p/cnFntS

    Here's my set of the lens:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlaphotography/sets/72157629978341842/

    reviewed August 19th, 2012 (purchased for $375)

  • Tokina 12-24mm f/4 AT-X 124 AF PRO DX SD

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Image quality, tough build, zoom range, constant aperture F4
    my lens crapped out on me, slow aperture F4

    I used this lens on a Canon 500D/T1i body. The build quality of this lens is that of a TANK! Feels solid, but feels like it outweighs an entry-level body. I adjusted to it, and never had a problem with it.

    The zoom range is the most useful, unlike the Tamron 11-18mm or Tokina 11-16mm (if you don't need the fast aperture). The image quality was also good enough for me, but I think it could be a bit sharper, never really complained about it. AF and MF switching works perfect, different, but suck it up and adjust to it.

    The only problem I encountered with it was it one day gave me an error when I try to adjust the aperture past 5.6 at 12mm. If I remember, it was perfectly fine when it was above 18mm. I quickly sold it since landscape photos at the wide end wouldn't allow me to use apertures like f/11.

    If I felt like this was a common occurance, I would not bother getting another copy of this lens. But I know some people that have the same lens and has never crapped out on them. I'd try my luck again with this lens.

    Here are some photos taken with the lens on a Canon 500D/T1i body:

    http://flic.kr/p/bQNHV8
    http://flic.kr/p/bQ9ELP
    http://flic.kr/p/bNqoHa
    http://flic.kr/p/bC2DX7
    http://flic.kr/p/bTLCyR
    http://flic.kr/p/bTLDhP

    Find the whole set on the lens here:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlaphotography/sets/72157629978319118/

    reviewed August 19th, 2012 (purchased for $350)

  • Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    IS, zoom range, image quality
    image quality, poorly built, F4 aperture

    I put image quality for both Pro and Con just because it isn't that good but also isn't that bad. I use this as a street/walkaround lens. The only lens I would get to replace this is the Canon EF-S 15-85mm.

    This lens came with the 40D I currently use (less than 2k actuations) for $400 for body and lens (what a deal!). The thing about the lens though is that the zoom gets semi-stuck at 70mm but with a little more pressure it'll get to 85mm . I don't know why, and I was going to sell it because of it, but after going on the streets I just might keep it for now. The image quality is good enough but it has lens creep.

    I've read about it about CA and image quality. To be real, they're almost right about that, but maybe a little overexaggerated.

    This lens is fine, minus the build quality and how outdated this lens is. I still find this lens on my local Craigslist for ~$300 (I've sold one before for that price too). When with $300 you could find yourself the 18-55 and 55-250 together for ~$250, both IMO having better image quality than this one lens alone.

    But if you don't like to change lenses and want a nice zoom range, there's the Canon EF-S 18-135mm that I can find for ~$200 on Craigslist and STILL have better image quality. So yes, this lens is outdated, and parts or the lens itself might just fail on you.

    I wouldn't recommend this lens for the price, but if you can find one ~$200, I'd jump on it, and that's only because it looks better than the 18-135mm. If we're talking quality, just go get the 18-135mm with that price.

    Here are some photos taken with the Canon EF-S 17-85mm on a Canon 40D (street photos taken at ISO 800, and indoors taken at ISO 1600):

    http://flic.kr/p/cTj2eh
    http://flic.kr/p/cTiX5W
    http://flic.kr/p/cTiXxh
    http://flic.kr/p/cT3uSd
    http://flic.kr/p/cT3ymE

    reviewed August 19th, 2012 (purchased for $250)

  • Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    Quality for price, great in daylight
    slow aperture, not good in lowlight, looks ugly

    I needed a telephoto to shoot a night time softball game. I passed on Tamron/Sigma's 70-200mm 2.8 because I read that they autofocused slow. Also I passed on the 70-200mm F4L thinking that performance wise, it would be almost the same as this 55-250mm.

    Anyways, on the game I shot in Tv mode at 1/250 or 1/200. I had to bump my ISO to 3,200 on my Canon 500D/T1i. Grainy of course, but for small print this lens with ISO performance still delivers.

    So if you're looking for a very cheap lens for sports, don't completely dismiss this lens (or any telephoto). I always try to work with my equipment, instead of the equipment working for me. If you're a beginner and need a telephoto for sports, this will work, but you'll have to adjust your settings accordingly and keep the image size small.

    In daylight this lens produces amazing photos. So that's even better for daytime sports shooters.

    Here's a shot with my Canon 500D/T1i with high ISO from the dugout:
    http://flic.kr/p/bqfs5m
    http://flic.kr/p/bqfrYs
    http://flic.kr/p/bqfrDq

    Here's when the subject is fading into the dark:
    http://flic.kr/p/bZTuUE
    http://flic.kr/p/bDamp6
    http://flic.kr/p/bZTuJd

    Then outfield closest to me (other outfielders were just too dark):
    http://flic.kr/p/bZTuBs

    Then here's the lens in good light:
    http://flic.kr/p/bTLCP2
    http://flic.kr/p/bTLCsV
    http://flic.kr/p/bxMzeW
    http://flic.kr/p/bTLCqP
    http://flic.kr/p/bCK3Vn

    My set with this lens can be found here:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlaphotography/sets/72157629978381584/
    Highly recommended. Can find good deals on your local Craigslist. Buyer beware, always do transactions in public places.

    reviewed August 19th, 2012 (purchased for $150)

  • Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Cheap! Bokeh! Image Quality! Small! Fast!
    Plastic build

    *UPDATE* My latest music video was shot with the Canon 50mm 1.8 and Sigma 30mm 1.4. The 50mm was primarily used for closeup shots of the artist's face. Recorded with a Canon 60D at ISO 3200, this lens saved the night for sure! A keeper!
    Video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYTmwl3w_eE

    Visit my FB page to get updates on new videos and specific gear used so you know how it was shot. Also feel free to ask questions about anything camera/video/photo related.
    http://www.facebook.com/MAVPMedia
    http://www.youtube.com/user/MAVPMedia

    To make it short, get this lens! Especially as a beginner. It is cheap, and you get to experience why fast lenses are desired. You can't ask for much about this lens for the price. You get so much for the little you pay for. Ideally for crop, you would want something a 28mm or 35mm lens because mounting this 50mm on a 1.6 lens it performs like an 85mm lens on a full frame.

    This is a good portrait lens. A good lens to make your subject stand out. Perfect lens for a beautiful blurry background (bokeh). An okay street lens because it is light and small. Average performance wide open at f1.8, my copy was the sharpest at f8.

    Here are some samples with the lens taken on a Canon 60D:

    http://flic.kr/s/aHsjEx3AtV (the majority is the Canon 50mm 1.8, but also includes the Sigma 30mm 1.4. The settings are viewable so you know what lens/settings are being used, but also the difference of the looks you could expect to get)

    http://flic.kr/p/dzkosa
    http://flic.kr/p/dzqTKG
    http://flic.kr/p/dzkoqc

    http://flic.kr/p/dz6zR2
    http://flic.kr/p/dzc4uC

    Here are some samples with the lens taken on a Canon 500D/T1i, I have a set with dedicated for the lens:

    http://flic.kr/p/bk9mDX
    http://flic.kr/p/bbz3b6
    http://flic.kr/p/bbz36k

    This Canon 50mm 1.8 is one of the lenses I used to shoot this music video since it was in low light and outdoors:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51nGTcTXC_Y

    reviewed October 21st, 2012 (purchased for $70)

  • Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 PRO DX SD

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    Fast aperture, fast focusing, tough build
    very short zoom range, flare

    I bought this lens because I wanted an UWA. I've had and owned a few UWA and have reviewed them on this website. But I never owned a fast UWA like this at f2.8, and I gotta say that it does make a difference.

    What I don't like about this lens is the short zoom range. I preferred the Sigma 10-20mm and Tokina 12-24mm because at their long end it's close to the full frame equivalent of 35mm which I used often.

    This lens is sharp when used at f8. I use f11 for landscapes.

    Highly recommended for low light/video shooting like how I did with this music video I shot:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51nGTcTXC_Y
    Other lenses used for this video was a Canon 50mm 1.8 and 18-135mm 3.5-5.6. You can tell which shots were with the Tokina. Because of the 2.8 aperture, I was able to record more light thus the clip being brighter and was able to use the clips from the lens for the official mv.

    Visit my FB page to get updates on new videos and specific gear used so you know how it was shot
    http://www.facebook.com/MAVPMedia
    http://www.youtube.com/user/MAVPMedia


    Here are some photos taken with the Canon 40D:

    http://flic.kr/p/dzc4t1
    http://flic.kr/p/dz6zSF
    http://flic.kr/p/dz6zTB

    http://flic.kr/p/dx7z5x
    http://flic.kr/p/dxd3fC

    reviewed October 21st, 2012 (purchased for $500)

  • Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    Fast aperture, semi fast focusing for my needs, sharp
    Soft wide open, smallest aperture is f16

    *UPDATE* My latest music video was shot with the Canon 50mm 1.8 and Sigma 30mm 1.4. The 30mm was primarily used for most shots except when it was focused closer to the artist's face (50mm used there). Recorded with a Canon 60D at ISO 3200 at 1.4 most of the time, this lens saved the night for sure! A keeper!
    Video here: http://youtu.be/RYTmwl3w_eE

    Also I did a PSA solely with this lens on a 60D. Studio lights were used, I believe my ISO was set at 400 and recorded wide open at 1.4. Pretty good!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5vRo_DY6kg

    Visit my FB page to get updates on new videos and specific gear used so you know how it was shot. Also feel free to ask questions about anything camera/video/photo related.
    http://www.facebook.com/MAVPMedia
    http://www.youtube.com/user/MAVPMedia

    I bought this recently because I wanted a 50mm equivalent for my Canon 40D. It was either this or the Samyang 35mm 1.4 for video, but since I was a photography guy first, I just the Sigma with its AF. Bokeh is okay. There is distortion. I also have the Canon 50mm 1.8 that I used to use more often. I'm liking this Sigma right now.

    Here's some shots with the lens most likely wide open at 1.4:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlaphotography/sets/72157632800390892/

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlaphotography/sets/72157632720048442/

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlaphotography/sets/72157632404865475/

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlaphotography/sets/72157632775569448/

    **UPDATE** I'm now using this on a 60D. Here are some recent photos taken with it. Settings are viewable.

    http://flic.kr/s/aHsjEx3AtV

    reviewed January 1st, 2013 (purchased for $350)