Lenses of self-torture

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Archive 2008 · Lenses of self-torture

PetKal
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p.1 #1 · Lenses of self-torture

Which Canon lens has inflicted most pain on you ?
Repeated duds ?
Hard to master ?
Paid too much for it ?
Got stuck with a defective copy ?
Gave you shoulder/arm aches ?
Etc.

In order to make the thread more lively, might as well enclose an image or two taken with your "lens from hell".

My most vicious lens was the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 USM III. Tried really hard to make it work but the lens just wouldn't budge. Finally I accepted the idea it was too much of a lens for me and sold the darn thing.

I can not think of one image that I took with it which I liked, with a possible exception of a little boy torturing a goose. I only wish I had my 300 f/4 on the camera at that time.

2012 © PetKal

Nov 26, 2008 at 07:23 PM

Beni
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p.1 #2 · Lenses of self-torture

24-70L, 3 copies, 5 years, endless focus fustration. Now with a 24-105L and the first wedding shot with it was a resounding success, not one single focus or lens alignment issue. I've got my primes for when I need fast and maximum resolution anyway. It's a shame, the 24-70 is a much better lens, much! It's just not reliable for me. Before some uninformed wannabee starts shouting technique - both my 5D's are perfect at f1.8/2 with my primes, all my other L zooms, etc and I've not had any problems with said L zooms (inc numerous 70-200;s) and primes ever!

Nov 26, 2008 at 07:39 PM

jfulton
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p.1 #3 · Lenses of self-torture

Poor goose.

I have a love hate relation with my 24-70L. I hate it's bulk and weight so much that I sold it awhile ago. Of course, I re-purchased it a few weeks later because the results from that lens are solid and necessary for event coverage (ie weddings). Recently I bought another 24-105L (sold the first in favor for the old 24-70) because I still hate lugging the 24-70L around for "fun." In the end, I wasted too much money buying, selling, and re-buying, that i should of just held onto my originals.

Nov 26, 2008 at 07:42 PM

PetKal
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p.1 #4 · Lenses of self-torture

Well, there are early signs already that the 24-70L is going to be in the limelight again.

Nov 26, 2008 at 07:47 PM

Beni
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p.1 #5 · Lenses of self-torture

My 2 year old daughter went off Geese after getting bitten on the finger, we've been away from the lake for a year, maybe try again soon!

Nov 26, 2008 at 07:49 PM

Photon
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p.1 #6 · Lenses of self-torture

I had the first version of the 75-300 IS. The IS wasn't as effective as later versions, image quality was mediocre, AF was slow, MF required switching off AF, build quality was lowest consumer grade. All in all it was a frustration to use. No physical pain, but plenty of mental suffering. I traded it toward a 70-200/2.8 IS. Have never been disappointed with the L, and really didn't miss the longer focal lengths until later. Solved that first by getting the 1.4x and then adding the 100-400L.

Nov 26, 2008 at 09:57 PM

Gary Gray
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p.1 #7 · Lenses of self-torture

16-35 L (Version I)

Not hard to carry, not hard to use. Exceptionally prone to bad images.

Nov 26, 2008 at 10:16 PM

Andi Dietrich
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p.1 #8 · Lenses of self-torture

16-35 I + 17-40s

Nov 26, 2008 at 10:27 PM

Grantland
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p.1 #9 · Lenses of self-torture

my first "L"

Nov 26, 2008 at 10:33 PM

PetKal
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p.1 #10 · Lenses of self-torture

Andi Dietrich wrote:
16-35 I + 17-40s

Just curious, Andy: what lens has eventually healed your WA wounds, if any ? The 16-35L Mk II ?

Nov 26, 2008 at 10:36 PM

AGeoJO
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p.1 #11 · Lenses of self-torture

Well, to a certain degree my first 16-35mm MkII would qualify but I didn't discover that after I sold it and got a second copy a few months later to compare it with....

Nov 26, 2008 at 10:41 PM

Mark Zwiesler
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p.1 #12 · Lenses of self-torture

My 17-55 EFS was the only lens I can say I was regularly disappointed with. I bought it with high expectations, which were never realized. The last straw was when it started collecting dust inside after only 6 months. I sent it in to Canon and got it cleaned, and sold it within days after getting it back. I replaced it with a 24-70, and couldn't be happier.

Mark

Nov 26, 2008 at 10:47 PM

hauxon
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p.1 #13 · Lenses of self-torture

I went for a 2 hour walk with a 400/2.8 L few weeks ago and it is HEAVY. I'm used to my 400/5.6 L and occational use of 500/4 L but the 400/2.8 L is beyond the line of handholdability, at least for me.

Nov 26, 2008 at 10:47 PM

sapro
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p.1 #14 · Lenses of self-torture

Nothing else imposes more pain on my shoulder, my waist, and my legs than the notorious 600/4L IS

But all that is gone when I sit in front of computer and look at the images from it.

Nov 26, 2008 at 10:50 PM

AGeoJO
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p.1 #15 · Lenses of self-torture

Jia, it is time for you to get a slightly lighter and physically shorter but with more reach of an 800mm lens then

Nov 26, 2008 at 10:53 PM

Zander Alberts
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p.1 #16 · Lenses of self-torture

Andi Dietrich wrote:
16-35 I + 17-40s

Really?? My 17-40 is SHARP at f/4!!

Nov 26, 2008 at 10:57 PM

Ian.Dobinson
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p.1 #17 · Lenses of self-torture

Not a canon but mine was a Sigma 100-300/4 . At the time I just didn't understand it. much bigger and heavier than I was used to. wasn't till I sold it I realised how good it was. If I could I would buy another, and why sigma haven't added OS to that isbeyond me as its one of their best lenses.

Nov 26, 2008 at 10:58 PM

PetKal
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p.1 #18 · Lenses of self-torture

AGeoJO wrote:
Jia, it is time for you to get a slightly lighter and physically shorter but with more reach of an 800mm lens then

.

Now, that will not eliminate the pain, Joshua....the 800 will just transfer the pain from his shoulders to his wallet.

Edited on Nov 26, 2008 at 11:00 PM · View previous versions

Nov 26, 2008 at 10:58 PM

Ben Horne
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p.1 #19 · Lenses of self-torture

My 400mm 2.8 IS knocked me in the head during a cold football game. That silver knob that fastens the hood to the lens left a mark.

Nov 26, 2008 at 10:59 PM

sapro
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p.1 #20 · Lenses of self-torture

PetKal wrote:
AGeoJO wrote:
Jia, it is time for you to get a slightly lighter and physically shorter but with more reach of an 800mm lens then

.

Now, that will not eliminate the pain, Joshua....the 800 will just transfer the pain from his shoulders to his wallet.

Well said! +1

Nov 26, 2008 at 11:00 PM

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