matesa's reviews

  • Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF SP AF

    7 out of 10 points and recommended
    Center sharpness warm color
    Bad left side blur

    Purchased based on good reviews allover.
    Set on tripod and shot a city view at 17, 24, 28, 35, 50 mm from f4 to 11 with Canon 20D.
    The left 10% side of the picture is blurred more than my Canon 18-55 Kit lens up to f8.
    A little better than Canon in the center and better on the right corners.
    Better colors (warmer) than Canon kit and better contrast.
    At 35 and 50 mm, marginally better than my Canon 28-135 except for left side and better colors( my Canon sample is too green).
    I certainly did not get those sharp results as in the Blur Index on SRLGear or @ PhotoZone.
    Maybe a bad sample? Be aware.

    reviewed March 22nd, 2007 (purchased for $464)

  • Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    Sharp to 250 mm
    Weak at 135 mm

    A nice surprise from a middle price lens from Canon. Tested against a 28-135 mm Canon up to 135 mm, it was vastly superior at 70 and 100 mm and VG overall. A weakness around 135 mm and then sharp again to 250 mm @f8. My sample exhibit a very sharp 200 mm @ f11. On a 1.6x Canon 20D it offers a real 400 mm zoom (250 mm).
    Use it @ f5.6 or 8 up to 150 mm and @ f 8-11 above.
    Stabilizer works well also on the tripod.
    VG contrast, good color.
    Satisfied overall.

    reviewed March 22nd, 2007 (purchased for $575)