jkrupnik's reviews

  • Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    It'a "all that"
    None, for the price.

    This is the lens that crop sensor owners have been dreaming about. It is sharp. It is contrasty. It has a very effective IS. It isn't too heavy, despite it's full 72mm front end. Given it's image quality and speed, it IS the L lens of the crop sensor range.

    It has become my walkaround lens of choice, and delivers under any condition that doesn't cry for a faster lens to be mounted. It is the best of the best within it's very useful zoom range.

    I own a raft of Canon glass, so I'm not raving about this lens because it is the only zoom I own. One advantage of being a middle aged photographer who happens to be single again is that I can buy any lens that tickles my fancy as soon as the budget allows. This is the first lens that a new Canon crop sensor body owner should buy. It is a winner by any standard.

    All over the net, I hear three wrote complaints about this lens. First, some people are offended that it does not sport a red ring. Get over it, as S lenses simply don't do red. The glass is L all the way though.

    The second complaint is that the lens body isn't metal. That tickles me, as the same people tend to wish that the lens was lighter... Go figure. The reality is that the lens is very well constructed, very smooth in operation, and that despite people crying for a metal lens at the same price, I have yet to read a disaster story where the polycarbonate shell failed under less abuse than would have sent a metal body L lens to the repair shop.

    Bottom line; This lens looks good, feels good, and can hang with the best. I'm glad that it is plastic, as it is still light enough to carry around all day, and an extra ounce would be an ounce with no benefit.

    Third, many people complain that the factory hood is too expensive, and should be included in the kit. What can I say? Canon only includes hoods with L lenses. Some people don't use a hood. I bought the lens first, and then bought the hood. I think it's a fair deal.

    The hood is very well built, and is not expensive at all. I think I paid about $56 for it, and it is worth every dime. Of course, I prefer plastic hoods, as they protect the lens from impact better than a metal hood, but that is a personal choice. No matter plastic or metal though, the Canon hood reeks of quality.

    That's it. The 17-55 f/2.8 lens is a winner, and will compliment any crop sensor body as a favorite walkaround lens. Canon did their homework before building this lens, and the consumer wins.

    Jim K.

    reviewed January 4th, 2007 (purchased for $980)

  • Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Small, light, ultra IQ
    none to date

    This might be the flattest field, and sharpest lens that I own. It is nearly as light and small as a standard 50, and just a little longer. The USM focus is fast and accurate. There can be an issue (there will be an issue) when the lens is hunting for focus lock from an opposite extreme, but the full time manual focus ring gets you in the ballpark right now.

    This is the perfect portrait lens, has good macro working distance, and beats other Canon offerings with a stick. That includes the 100mm macro lens.

    The 60-S lens has top image quality, offers far better handheld results, has a good working distance, is far lighter, and is a much better crop sensor portait lens. Besides that, it is pretty cheap.

    Bokeh is also sweet with this lens, and with it's small size, it is not intimidating to the average subject. It's a class winner with no need for excuses.

    Jim K.

    reviewed January 4th, 2007 (purchased for $378)