lord_malone's reviews

  • Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Rock solid L build. Outstanding color, contrast and bokeh.
    Heavy chunk of glass. Slight learning curve. Slow to focus esp. in low light.

    This is a superb lens. Everything good that needed to be said about this lens has been said. Once you've mastered this lens, the priceless photos you'll capture more than justifies its heavy price tag. I would like to use it on a FF body (currrently mounted on a 1.6x crop body) as it gives me a little too much reach in certain situations. Though I said weight was a con (for most), it doesn't bother me in the least bit. However, it has proven a little too much for my petite wife to handle. About the only thing that hinders this lens from being absolutely flawless is its slow focus. I've missed several shots because of this. Overall, its an exceptional lens and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

    reviewed February 20th, 2006 (purchased for $1,350)

  • Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Good usuabel WA zoom range, outstanding color, contrast. Quality L build.
    Cost is a killer.

    I traded in my 17-40L for this lens. I found myself really needing that extra stop in certain situations. This lens did not disappoint. However, I found that the 17-40L performed as good, if not better in some cases, than the 16-35L and at almost half the price. I would only recommend the 16-35L over the 17-40L if you absolutely without a doubt needed that extra stop. I've examined shots taken wide open with this lens, and though it may appear a little soft when compared with shots taken with my prime lenses, the differences are negligable. As someone already pointed out, it's a WA zoom. Softness at maximum aperature is inherent in these types of lenses. I think people expect too much from this lens. It does what its designed to do, and for what it is, performs exceptionally well. For the price paid, I can see why people would expect this lens to perform better than primes and cook their breakfast for them too.

    reviewed February 20th, 2006 (purchased for $1,250)