Bee's reviews

  • Tokina 100mm f/2.8 AT-X 100 AF PRO D Macro

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    Price, Sharp and Contrasty, Build quality
    Slow AF, CA

    I have used this lens for almost a year now.This is an excellent lens, very well build and balance and very nice image quality for the price.
    To me, it produces warmer images than Canon lenses and sharpness is almost the same.
    It shows some CA when wide open. However, if you are buying this for macro shots ( which it's designed for) you probably will not use AF and you will use it in smaller apertures. I am using a Canon version and I am happy I saved some money instead of buying the more expensive Canon, which has a lot faster AF and less CA.
    I believe when this lens is mounted on Canon EOS Digital, it drains battery (at least on my camera), but I searched the web and I just found one complain about this problem with Tokina lenses in canon mount.

    You can see some sample shots at http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2470/3707470317_72c6052909_b.jpg

    reviewed April 21st, 2009 (purchased for $350)

  • Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Price, Image Quality
    Well, with this price?

    When I tried to write the cons for this lens, I stopped and could not force myself to write anything. As most of the others wrote, this lens has a very slow AF, AF motor is very noisy and there is no usable focus ring on it. I sometimes feel it may break to pieces when it tries to focus!
    However, I try to be fair. This is the least expensive lens in Canon family. It is a 1.8 lens and it is very sharp if you step it down to F4 and up. It is a very good portrait lens on an APS digital SLR.
    It is very light and you can put it in your pocket.
    It looks like a toy, feels like a toy and sound like a toy, but wait till you see the results and you will realize you've got good glass for every penny you've spent.
    If you are going to make a living out of a 50mm lens, get the L version, but if you are a hobbyist or you just want to experiment, you will not regret buying this lens.
    This is the "nifty fifty", and I love it!!
    For a sample photo, check:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/baabak/2407923340/

    reviewed April 21st, 2009 (purchased for $100)

  • Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Price, Zoom range, Construction, Focus speed, Optical Stabilizer, Excellent Warranty
    Weight

    This is my first Sigma, and to make a long story short, I am really happy with it.
    I was saving to buy the Canon 100-400L but after the price increase, I looked around for another zoom in that range.
    I read some positive reviews about this Sigma and I thought I will give it a try. This is a very nice lens that comes with hood, case and collar. It is a heavy lens (about 4 pounds/ 1750 grams) and it uses 77mm filters.
    Autofocus speed is fast ( almost as fast as Canon) and Image Stabilizer ( Sigma calls it OS) does a good job.
    In some reviews, it's been pointed out that OS makes too much noise. It is noisier than Canon but it is nothing annoying or loud ( at least to me).
    The annoying thing about OS is that you have to turn it off before you turn off your camera.

    As everybody else has mentioned, it produces softer images than Canon wide open at 400mm. However I usually use it at f/8 and I am happy with the results. It is very sharp around 300mm.
    I must tell you that I am not a pro and I am not trying to make a living out of photography. It is my hobby ( and an expensive one!!) and this lens with it's zoom range and price was exactly what I was looking for.

    There is one more thing I have to mention. This lens came with 10 years ( yes, 120 months!!!) Sigma Canada warranty. If a company stands behind their products like this, they deserve my money. I am sure this will not be my last Sigma.

    If you need some of my sample photos, you may check this link:
    http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3578/3561047790_f8e7060f25_o.jpg

    http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3596/3600423434_4bd13e471f_o.jpg


    I hope you find this short review useful.

    reviewed May 24th, 2009 (purchased for $1,100)