macman's reviews

  • Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    V Sharp, Excellent Image Stabilisation, Very Well made, and a very useful zoom range.
    It is heavy, but managable.

    When I first started checking the reviews of this lens I was a little worried as there were some reviews around on the net which said it was soft. Further investigation showed that these reviews were all quite old and were around the time the lens was first released. Narrowing it down to more recent reviews the opinions change and all seem to think this lens is excellent. I suppose that is one of the problems with the net, nothing gets updated.
    I have been most impressed with the performance of this lens and I am still knocked out by the image stabilization when I press the shutter.
    I have taken what I think are some stunning photos with this lens, at what would have been ridiculous shutter speeds for the focal length. The extra magnification afforded by the APC sized sensor really helps when photographing subjects such as birds.
    I am a very happy owner1

    reviewed March 5th, 2009 (purchased for $1,344)

  • Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Everything
    Nothing

    Oh wow, what a lens!
    I thought long and hard before I bought this lens and wished I hadn't taken so long.
    I love wide angles and this is just stunning. I took this lens to Brazil and the shots I got just knocked me out. It costs a lot more than others but this will last you a lifetime and give you much photographic pleasure.
    I cannot recommend this lens highly enough.

    reviewed March 5th, 2009

  • Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Sharp, 4 stops image stabilisation, build and handling.
    None

    I was astounded at the amount of stabilisation this lens offers. It makes available light photography a bit of a breeze as you can shoot at very slow shutter speeds. The lens feels solid and handles very nicely.
    Vignetting did not bother me and with 'peripheral illumination' selected on the 7D my pictures did not show any undue problems.
    All in all a great lens to have it will carry on nicely from the EFS 10-22mm lens in terms of focal length.
    I can't wait to get out and take some more photo's, which is what it's all about in the end, and this lens makes you want to do that!

    reviewed December 18th, 2009

  • Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Image quality, image quality, image quality!
    Weight, but then I suppose that is to be expected.

    I had always dreamed of owning a big white one day, well that day came and what a lens it turned out to be. Fantastic image quality, even with the 1.4 converter it produces stunning images.
    I have printed out A4 sized prints which were cropped from the original somewhat and they are truly stunning.
    It needs a good support, so a decent tripod and gimbal head or a big beanbag.

    reviewed November 27th, 2010 (purchased for $7,500)