|
Use of different lenses with the D30 / D60 / 10D / 1D / 1DMkII |
|
by Wheelie D30/D60/10D/1D/1DMkII |
|
On this page , I display pictures taken with the lenses I own or owned . My intention was not to prove or to show one is better than the others . In fact , I'm more than happy with the results I get with each of them . I'm not out to test them on MTF or making curves tests . I need lenses I can rely on and that are predictable in their performances for what I need .What would be THE best overall lens will not necessarily meet my needs or finances . Nor could it meet yours .... The pics I display are not artworks as I took most of them in my immediate reach and are only showed to prove or not the quality of these lenses . I'm not overly critical as all these lenses range from excellent to outstanding quality . I need to add I get no sponsorship of any kind and I have to buy ALL my lenses at the high European prices from my very own thin wallet !
|
|
EF 50mm 1.8 ser I / D30 |
|
The 50mm 1.8 ser I is identical to the ser II , except it's metal built . Optical performance is the same . Outstanding ! |
|
EF 50mm 1.8 ser I / D60 |
|
EF 70-200mm L f4 / D30 |
|
My 70-200mm L f4 is the one I prefer but the one I use least .It's not an all-around lens but as I'm a ' compression lover ' , I'd use it all the time . When going out for landscape pictures , it's always with me . On many occasions , I can't get close enough to the subject and this one is very helpful . The quality is outstanding and the control on DOF , despite its relative small aperture of f4 , helps a lot . Although I shouldn't say it's better than my other lenses, it gets my preference . But, that's because of my particular shooting conditions
|
|
EF 28-135mm IS USM / D30 |
| The 28-135mm IS USM is an all-around lens I use most of the time , when I take my camera just in case of ...Also when I know I will need a ' wide angle ' . When shots in low light conditions are scheduled , this is the one I choosed for its ability to shoot at very low shutter speeds ( down to 1/8s , handheld ) . |
|
EF 28-70mm L 2.8 / D30 |
|
My 28-70mm L 2.8 is another great favourite . I love it for indoor portrait sessions . It's for me , the perfect focal length . A must for who is serious about photography .I sold my first one due to it's limited range but , as soon as it was possible , I bought another one . |
|
EF 24- 85mm 3.5/4.5 / 10D |
|
When I bought this lens , my intention was to keep it till I got an opportunity to buy a 28-70mm L . Given it's performance on my 10D , I decided this one was a keeper . Light to carry , offering plenty of contrast , sharpness and good colors , I think I'll learn to live with its only shortcoming : its color is champagne .... |
|
EF 70-200mm L 2.8 /D30/D60 |
|
The 70-200mm L 2.8 is the most difficult to comment about ... It gets my preference as the f4 got in its time . Built like a tank and , almost as heavy ! Definately not the all purpose lens but , when it comes to have an outstanding tele lens , I think this one will be difficult to beat ( perhaps the 100-400mm L ? ) . A friend of mine named her Elle ... I call her the same . With much respect and admiration . One of the very best lenses out of the Canon range and , probably , their best zoom ! |
|
EF 20-35mm f3.5-4.5 / D30 |
The 20-35mm f3.5-4.5 is a good performer . Should be interesting to compare with the 20mm f2.8 prime . It has become , naturally , my standard lens . Photodo results were fair and I felt , somewhat , scared about the picture quality . I'm comforted now as , 8x10 prints are tack sharp and well exposed . I love it . |
|
EF 300mm L f4 USM IS / D60 |
Got my 300mm L f 4 IS and after several hundreds of shots , I'm really impressed by its sharpness and contrast . Using a prime is much more challenging to get a good frame than a zoom lens . Anyway , I like it . I bless Canon for the IS ..... More , it can easily be used as a macro lens . Where the non IS version's minimal focus point was 2.5 m , the IS version can go as close as 1.5 m . IS allows me shots at 1/15th of a second , handheld . |
|
Sigma 28-70mm f 2.8 EX / D60 |
As I missed my Canon lens but was not sure I would use the focal range more than in the past , I went for the Sigma EX 28-70mm 2.8 . At 1/4th of the Canon's price , I didn't expect the same quality and .... didn't get it ! But almost and , certainly , when stopped down . Fortunately , from f 5.6 it proves to be a good all around lens and very useful for close-ups . Well worth considering ! Tip in case you're considering a Sigma lens : look for the auctions of the-great-sellers on e-bay . Only new lenses and a great , great service . Fast , effiscient and very good communication . |
|
EF 85mm 1.8 / D60 / 1D |
| My 85mm 1.8 produces similar , tack sharp and nicely contrasted photographs as the 50mm . Also , the bokeh is incredible ! |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
EF 100-300mm L 5.6 / D30 |
|
The 100-300mm L 5.6 , although discontinued offers a real bargain ! It's current low price doesn't reflect it's high optical performances . I loved to own it despite the pump action to zoom , feature which I liked the least .No USM doesn't mean it cannot be used for action shots ( as shown below ) . I regret its sale and will buy one back as soon as I'll find a new/mint condition one in Europe . |
|
EF 70-200mm L 2.8 and x1.4 Extender / 10D |
|
The x1.4 Teleconverter offers a usefull - but expensive - alternative to tele lenses . Maybe I was expecting too much from this combo but although the results are not bad at all at 280mm , they don't come near the quality I got from my 300mm L 4 . I know , I shouldn't compare apples and oranges... |
|
EF 200mm L 2.8 Ser I ( Prime Pipe ) / 1D |
| Although I loved all of my three 70-200mm L 2.8 , I choosed the 200mm prime pipe for it's size , weight and .... black color .This lens gives fantastic results but the incorporated lenshood is ridiculously short . Maybe , it's there only to carry the red stripe ? Anyway , this is the sharpest lens I owned so far . Colors and contrast are outstanding as well . I used it together with the 1.4 extender and , amazingly , there was no deterioration at all of the image quality ! Sold it and ordered the Magic Drainpipe 80-200mm L 2.8 .... |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||
![]() |
![]() |
|
Sigma 15-30mm 3.5/4.5 / 1D |
| I admit I was rather skeptical about this ultra-wide zoom but as so many users praise this lens , I decided to give a go . Well , all I can say is I second those who found it to be very sharp from corner to corner and nicely build . Optical quality is excellent and flare can be kept under control , except when the sun is in front of the lens , which is quite normal and no exception for a lens of this type . All in all in a wonderful tool to use , giving uncommon perspectives and allowing great creativity for the user . Highly recommended !!! |
|
Same great results with the 10D |
|
EF 80-200mm L 2.8 ( Magic Drain Pipe ) / 10D |
| Many owners of this lens claim it's sharper than the newer 70-200mm models which followed from 1996 - the 80-200 was introduced in 1991- and , having sold my last 70-200mm , I decided to give it a try . So far , I'm not disapointed . It's tack sharp at all apertures and offers good contrast and neutral color rendition . It's long , heavy ( some grams less than the 70-200mm IS ) and ... black . The zoom ring is much smoother than on the 3 samples of 70-200 2.8 I previously owned ( maybe due to some wear considering its age ) and a real joy to use . No continue MF as there is a switch to use that function but it's not a problem . No USM but the Micromotor is fast enough for my purposes even if it's noisier than current models . Beautiful lens which will be given a Kenko TC as the Canon TC's can't be used on this model . And , at the current prices they're going for ( $600 for a mint sample with tripod collar ) , they're a steal . But , don't wait : demand is high and this affects the asking prices .... Just bought my 3rd sample as I wanted a MINT one , with everything working like new and I believe I found it . This one , if it lasts , will stay with me forever . |
|
Blacks & Whites with the EOS 1DMKII |
|
And some colours ( with my 3rd sample ) I' ve been searching a lot but eventually found the ONE I will keep . A truly splendid lens . |
||||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
|
EF 28mm 2.8 / 10D |
| From the lenses I owned , I feel sorry to say this one is the one I liked the least . Not because it's not a good performer but rather because I didn't ' feel ' it . Maybe , I was spoiled with my previous wide angles , all zooms . |
| Second sample and second
conclusion
Still in need of a small , light prime wide ( not too wide ) lens , I took the risk to try another sample of this lens . After my first shots , I find myself liking this lens . Good contrast , colors and very sharp . These small wonders are cheap and easily found on the second-hand market . A joy to use and ... to pay for ! |
|
EF 17- 40mm 4 L / 10D |
| I sold my Sigma in an attempt to go ' all ' Canon . My first impression is I didn't make a mistake ! This lens is lighter , less obstrusive and has a wonderful feel of construction quality. As far as optics are concerned , my (short) experience with it is very positive , although it doesn't outperform the Sigma 15-30 . Also , 2mm less is a lot on a 10D but I don't regret the expense . It gives the best results between 5.6 and 11 .This wide angle zoom is simply fabulous ! So much , I can't decide which one of my 70-200 IS or 17-40 I'll take on my camera .Maybe the 50mm ? |
|
EF 70-200mm 2.8 L IS / 10D |
| I'm still not sure the optical performance of this lens is on par with the 80-200. I can't get rid of my mixed feelings about it . But ... what sold me to it is the IS . This function allows my old shoulders to get sharp pictures without requiring the systematic use of the widest aperture or high ISO . I'm amazed I can get sharp pics at 1/10h at 280mm ( lens at 200mm + 1.4 Extender ) .Nor that the images look worse than those shot with the 80-200 but they miss that magic touch the older lens provides .At least with my copy as when I used the one of a friend , the difference was much less obvious . Anyway , I get sharp images where otherwise I should get nothing . And , I decided to buy another 80-200 to use in good light conditions when high shutter speeds are possible . So , I'll own a good zoom to countreact my weakness and another that will replace several primes ... |
|
EF 70-200mm 2.8 L IS + EF Extender x1.4 II / 10D |
|
Zenitar MC 16mm 2.8 Fish EyeZ/ 1DMkIIe |
|
It's a well known fact , fish eyes and very large wide angles give distortion ( in this case a lot ) as soon as the horizon is not kept horizontal . To put this right , there is the defishing method . To me , the easiest software to use is the plug-in Panorama Tools which comes for free . Some users already have explained their workflow and this one I found excellent and easy to follow : Razzi's Photolog How to defish for a Canon D30, D60, 10D and 300D Conclusion : I find this lens AMAZINGLY cheap solid small sharp fun to use |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|||||
|
Out of the camera |
Defished |
Out of the camera |
Defished |
||||||
![]() |
|||||||||
|
Some beautiful samples send in by my friend YanniG from Athens |
|||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||
|
MC Zeiss Sonnar 135mm 3.5 / 1DMkII |
| I am very ,
very amazed with the quality of the pics my 1DMkII produces in
combination with the Sonnar . I was fortunate to get mine with an M42/EOS
adapter already fitted and ready to go . Ok , it doesn't AF and you need
to set your camera to Av to keep the automaic light metering ( aperture
set to 1.0 ) . Also , you will have to select the max aperture in order to
focus correctly , then choose your desired aperture , meter on the area
you want and shoot . Not as fast ( 1 to 10 ) as with the EF lenses but a
great quality at unknown prices in the EF range . Also , I
(re)discovered the joy of composing , focusing and metering carefully
before to push the trigger .I have to admit it's not really adapted
anymore to street photography , sports or candids . But I started
photography some 32 years ago and everything had to be done manually
then
.... For info , I paid my 135mm ( new ) with adapter ring € 110 on ebay . Beat
that....
A very interesting article to read : Manual lenses with EOS cameras |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
|
EF 24-70mm 2.8 L / 1DMkII |
| Wow !!!! That's the word that comes to my mind when working with this lens . It's truly superb . I got the 28-80 2.8-4 L which was only a little inferior but had slower focus . Also , I owned two samples of the 28-70 which were every bit as outstanding but the added 4 mm make a huge difference ! Comparing it to my 17-40 , I'd say the image quality is superior . To my tastes , the focal lenghts are also more practical . In many cases , 24mm is enough ( for me ) while the 70mm does allow portrait photography and is very practical as a short tele . My sample does not show any FF or BF .It's fast , tack sharp , has lovely colors and contrast . The focal range does the job for street photography . I love it ! Yes , it's bulky . Yes , it's even more heavy than it looks . But , it's so well balanced on my 1DMkII . No doubt and no shame to say it's the best wide zoom I owned so far . |
|
EF 200mm 2.8 L Ser II / 1DMkII |
| Having owned 2 samples of the Series I , I noticed NO difference between the ' old ' and the new . Both perform outstandingly . I consider they're the sharpest lenses I used ( along with the 50mm 1.8 ser I and the 85mm 1.8 ) . Right , I had no opprtunity or luck to own ( yet ) the MYTHS like the 85mm 1.2 ; 200mm 1.8 , 300mm 2.8 , 135mm 2 or even the 50mm 1.4 . Nonetheless , this lens is a winner and one to keep . The advantage over the Ser I is the detachable but much larger lens hood . Yes , it's also much more fragile than the built-in one of the Ser I .... What a lens ! | ||||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
EF 35 - 350mm 3.5/5.6 L |
|
I had been seiously thinking about an all-around lens I could use in almost any circumstance for outdoor photography . Several brands are offering zooms with a wide focal range but these never could convince me the image quality would be on par with my other lenses. The 35-350 seemed a worthwile choice but at a price ! Recently I saw one in new condition and still under warranty at a price I was willing to pay for such a lens . Honestly , I didn't expect it would perform as well as my other L's so , I was very pleasantly surprized by its performances . Tack sharp from 35 to 350mm ( yes , it is ) with nice contrast and well saturated colors . It's heavy but not more than the 70-200 IS so that's not an issue . What I don't like ( yet ) is the pump action . At 350mm it doubles the size of the lens which doesn't feel well balanced . I guess I need to get used to that ... By the way , this is the only lens I use in P mode as it's much more convenient to keep the shutter speed in accordance with the focal length . |
|
EF 135mm 2 L / 1DMkII |
800pixels size jpeg reduced 80% |
Well , after all those good lenses I owned , this one is really special . Due to my mobility problems , I was not that much inclined to use primes . Knowing it will never quit my bag and never be far of my camera , I gave it a name which fits perfectly : Jaws . It's sooooo sharp , it's a shame to compare other lenses to it . I'm speaking about affordable lenses ( < 1000 Euro ) not the myths of the Canon line . What made me decide to go for this one , are the numerous favorable comments on the dpreview and Fred Miranda forums .Also , it's so easy to choose the desired DOF . Splendid ! It even has some more sharpness than my all around prime , THE 80-200mm 2.8 L ! Treads to read and to admire the pics : http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/158752/0 Samples below : RAW , ISO 800 , f10 and f2 to show the differences of bokeh . The Christmas pics of Scooby ( my dog ) were shot at ISO200 , F4 , 1/30 and Metz CT-4 . |
100% crop |
|
EF 300mm 2.8 L / 1DMkII |
|
I fulfilled a dream .... it's not the IS version , it's not new ( 1998 ) but it's in pristine optical and cosmetic condition . I thought I had seen the sharpest lenses I can afford but when I looked at my Tiff files , I became aware I made another step forward . It's as good as it's heavy . Ok , it's not handy to carry or to use in a wheelchair but it's worth every effort ! It has more than every lens I used so far but why is it sooooo heavy ? Also , why is it sooooo visible in a crowd ? More about this lens once I will have use it more than just 2 times . Also , I want to try it with the x 2 Extender ( a 600mm f 5.6 seems another dream made possible ) . End of story : This lens was without any doubt the nicest I ' ve ever owned It was a bunch of superlatives : sharpness , contrast , colors , fast AF , bokeh , outstanding from 2.8 but ..... too heavy for my use . With much sadness and regret , I sold it to a young lady who will use it with her Wimberley head and give it tender loving care . Although it can' t be replaced quality wise , I'll buy myself another 300 mm 4 L which is lighter , more convenient to carry and to use but will never give me te excellency of the regretted 2.8 .... |
|
EF 300mm 2.8 L + TC x 2 |