Pugwash9's reviews

  • Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    Build, handling, USM, IS, Zoom Range, Price
    Not a lot

    Not as sharp as my Tamron 17 – 50 F2.8 but the canon is much better built & focus is so much better. I also like the handling of this lens with my 40D.

    reviewed August 12th, 2009 (purchased for $400)

  • Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Sharp well built bargain lens
    A liitle soft at 1.8

    I agree with all the positives that folk have to say about this lens. I use it with a 40D. If you are looking for a lens of this focal length stop reading reviews just go and buy it.

    reviewed August 12th, 2009 (purchased for $526)

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

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    Sharp
    Build quality, handling

    There are lots of reviews about this lens. I guess the quality can vary so it might be worth being clear that you can exchange this lens from the retailer if you get a soft copy.

    It’s a bit of a bargain and my copy is VERY SHARP. However the focusing is noisy and feels slow. The BUILD QUALITY IS POOR, the front element on mine has come loose twice. This was easy to fix but appears a common problem. Against this Tamron offer a long guarantee and otherwise it has been 100% reliable.

    Optically I love this lens but 90% of the time I use my Canon 17 - 85 as a walkabout, it’s not as sharp just nicer to use!

    reviewed August 12th, 2009 (purchased for $400)

  • Tamron 55-200mm f/4-5.6 Di II LD Macro AF

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Lightweight & value for money
    None at this price

    I purchased this lens 2 years ago for a trip to India for use with my 40D my sole priority being for a light lens. Was therefore rather surprised but just how good a performer this lens was despite its lowly price. The obvious trade off for the weight being its speed, but there was no way I was going to carry a Cannon 70 – 200 f2.8.
    It is surprisingly sharp especially if stopped down and has proved to be very reliable. All in all better than the average and at this price an absolute bargain.

    reviewed March 6th, 2010 (purchased for $104)

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

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    IQ, Very Sharp, light, well constructed.
    Not exactly fast, but its not designed to be.

    A clear improvement on the somewhat underated Canon 17 - 85. This is one sharp lens.

    Now the price had dropped it is good value. Its a shame it has not got L series build quality and weather sealing, but then it has not got L series price or weight.

    reviewed January 21st, 2011

  • Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Excellent IQ,
    Not a lot, being picky for the money could be faster and/or have IS

    Despite all that has been said as to how sharp this lens is, and I totally agree I was still surprised by its IQ when I got a copy, it has out-standing IQ. Frankly on my 40D while stopping down a stop or two may improve things marginally it really seams unnecessary. Although some have reported it as having problems with flare I found the opposite. Along with the also very sharp canon 15 - 85 it will live on my 40D. While the 15 - 85 overlaps the 10 - 22 they do for me compliment each other.

    reviewed August 22nd, 2011

  • Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Range, image quality, IS
    Weight

    With canon producing several new lenses lately I thought I would report my experience with the 24-105. My experience with this lens has been very positive, I have used this excellent lens extensively over the past 2 years with a 5D mkiii for travel, sport and family. It has performed faultlessly with excellent image quality and IS. It is just a great general purpose, robust, go anywhere lens, and although on the heavy side balances nicely on the 5D. I like having the extra reach over the 24-70.
    I would not recommend it as a general purpose lens for a “APS-C” camera like the 7D unless you plan to upgrade to a full sensor camera in the very near future, as the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM provides a better walk-round range for this type of camera, also you will not be missing out on IQ with this lens

    reviewed March 24th, 2015

  • Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Image quality, sharpness, weight, is
    None...

    Read all the reviews before committing to buy and was not disappointed, the IS all canon claim and the IQ beyond reproach. WOW this is one great lens..... to me well worth the premium over the older non IS version.

    Used with a 5d mk111 and f4 no real handicap even when used for sport/ low light.

    reviewed October 16th, 2013 (purchased for $1,200)