Koivulehto wrote:
AFAIK, the 180L is still slower to focus than 100 macro. The speed feels OK, if it only needs to change the focus slightly, but if it misses the focus, it will take loooong to travel back and forth, as with all macro lenses. My hit rate when chasing dragonflies in the air was below 1% last summer with this lens - I will try 300 L f/4 IS with an extension tube next summer instead. The slow focusing speed is also a problem e.g when tracking an ant on a hot day.

For macro work a 1.4 TC is otherwise fine, but this lens won't autofocus beyond 1:1 with a Canon TC, i.e. the minimum AF distance grows (since the camera body is aware there is a TC in place). For steady subjects this is not a problem (since MF works fine), but the extra distance & extra magnification would be very useful as such for small lively insects.

Here is a successful example of my last summer's macro shots with this lens, with Canon 1.4 TC added:

I do street photography and event shooting. I also do some travel and landscape and the occasional product shot.

Non-L Prime
1. Sigma 20 1.8. Hands down best prime I've ever used.
2. Sigma 30 1.4 as good as 35L on a crop if you get a good one. I did on my first try.
3. Canon 100 f/2 or 85 f/1.8. The 100 has better optics, 85 has better length on a crop body
4. Canon 60 macro or Sigma 70 macro
5. Canon 100 macro

Non-L Zoom
1. Tamron 17-50 2.8 easily the best
2. Tamron 28-75 2.8 cheap, also great. 90% as good as 24-70L
3. Sigma 10-20
4. Sigma 100-300 f/4.... awesome
5. Sigma 70-200 macro

L Prime.
1. 200 1.8
2. 85 1.2 (would be higher were it not for the slow AF)
3. 135 f/2, but it's long-ish on a crop body
4. 35 1.4 if you get a good one. in my experience there's little difference between a good one and a good sigma 30 1.4 on a crop body
5. 200 2.8

L Zoom.
1. 70-200 IS
2. 24-70 (bit weird on a crop, great on FF)
3. 20-35 2.8 (better distortion control than 16-35 below)
4. 16-35 2.8 (if you get a good one, it's still worse than sigma 20 1.8)
5. 100-400

dinoadventures wrote:
3. Canon 100 f/2 or 85 f/1.8. The 100 has better optics, 85 has better length on a crop body

The 85/1.8 has better optics as well, based on my own experience and every lens test I've seen other than photodo, which I believe tested a bad copy of the 85/1.8.

Why do we have threads like this when we have a 'reviews' section that gives thorough ratings by actual owners of the lenses? In my experience, those ratings are as close to the gospel as it gets. (Just beware the ratings on a 'new' lens. Once it's been out a year the blooms sometimes whither (as in the 70-300DO--folks loved it for a couple of months, then reality set in)

my favorite lens is the one that's on the camera at the time I shoot. There's plenty of lens reviews that you can find this info.

Hobbyist and enjoy: Landscape, Wildlife
Friends require me to do work unpaid Wedding, Portrait, Event

I've starred the ones I've had personal experience with them. The rest is just fillers from what I've seen, heard, or want.

Non-L Prime

1. CZ 21mm*
2. CZ 15mm
3. CZ 35mm PC*
4. Leica 19mm
5. Zeiss 1700/5.6

Non-L Zoom
1. Sigma 300-800
2. Sigma 70-300 Macro*
3. 70-300DO
4. Sigma 12-24
5. 17-55/2.8IS

L Prime.
1. 200/1.8*
2. 85/1.2II*
3. 400/2.8
4. 400/4DO
5. 1200/5.6

L Zoom.
1. 70-200/2.8IS*
2. 24-70/2.8*
3. 16-35/2.8*
4. 100-400/4
5. 24-105/4

Go Tiny,
Go Huge,
Or Go Home.

cad3 wrote:
Hobbyist and enjoy: Landscape, Wildlife
Friends require me to do work unpaid Wedding, Portrait, Event

I've starred the ones I've had personal experience with them. The rest is just fillers from what I've seen, heard, or want.

Non-L Prime

1. CZ 21mm*
2. CZ 15mm
3. CZ 35mm PC*
4. Leica 19mm
5. Zeiss 1700/5.6

Non-L Zoom
1. Sigma 300-800
2. Sigma 70-300 Macro*
3. 70-300DO
4. Sigma 12-24
5. 17-55/2.8IS

L Prime.
1. 200/1.8*
2. 85/1.2II*
3. 400/2.8
4. 400/4DO
5. 1200/5.6

L Zoom.
1. 70-200/2.8IS*
2. 24-70/2.8*
3. 16-35/2.8*
4. 100-400/4
5. 24-105/4

Go Tiny,
Go Huge,
Or Go Home.

All the non L lens you listed are none canon, do you have to use brackets to attach them? are they manual focus only? is there a good place to find reviews on them? I know so little about them. ty

Yes, you do have to use an adapter to use them. Yes, they are manual focus. I have heard that you can get special adapters for special lenses that will autofocus.

And this forum is a good place to ask people who have those lenses and what they think.
Or you could do what I do. 90% lurker. 9% obnoxious posts. 1% helpful posts. Consider yourself lucky to get one of my 1%
If you lurker long enough you'll learn a great deal.

Also, you can try google. I find that helpful for a particular lens.

Good luck!
-C

Disclaimer: I've only owned/used a handful of these, but I consider them the top 5 in their respective categories. I'll add an * to the ones I have owned or used (or still own).

Non-L Prime
1. C/Y Zeiss 21mm Distagon*
2. C/Y Zeiss 85mm f1.2 Planar 50 Yahre
3. C/Y Zeiss 100mm f2 Planar
4. C/Y Zeiss 35mm PC-Distagon*
5. Leica 50mm Noctilux

Non-L Zoom
1. C/Y Zeiss 35-70mm f3.4 Vario-Sonnar
2. Nikon 17-35mm f2.8
3. Leica 21-35mm f3.5-4 Vario Elmar
4. Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 (or 28-75mm)*
5. EF 70-210 f3.5-4.5*

L Prime.
1. 135L*
2. 200 1.8 L
3. 85L*
4. 35L
5. 24L

L Zoom.
1. 70-200 f2.8 L
2. 80-200 f2.8 L*
3. 70-200 f2.8 L IS
4. 24-70 f2.8 L*
5. 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L IS


Edited by cogitech on Jan 06, 2007 at 01:14 AM GMT

Johnny Bravo wrote:
Why do we have threads like this when we have a 'reviews' section that gives thorough ratings by actual owners of the lenses?

Because there are no Zeiss, Leica, Zuiko, Voigtlander, etc. lenses in the reviews section (and there are many Tamrons, Sigmas and Tokinas missing too, not to mention many older but excellent Canons and Nikons).

cad3 wrote:
Yes, you do have to use an adapter to use them. Yes, they are manual focus. I have heard that you can get special adapters for special lenses that will autofocus.

And this forum is a good place to ask people who have those lenses and what they think.
Or you could do what I do. 90% lurker. 9% obnoxious posts. 1% helpful posts. Consider yourself lucky to get one of my 1%
If you lurker long enough you'll learn a great deal.

Also, you can try google. I find that helpful for a particular lens.

Good luck!
-C

Hi Chris!

How's my (hrm, your) CZ21 doing? I hope you are still enjoying it as much as I did

Yeah, how do we go about getting those other options added? I was floored that we have a whole Alternative lens forum, but no Leica, Zeiss, etc sections for review?!?!
wtf?

Ps. Paul how would you compare the C/Y Zeiss 85mm f1.2 Planar 50 Yahre against the Canon 85/1.2II

PPs. I'm loving it immensely. I do hope you'll be able to get another one soon and thanks again!

cad3 wrote:
Yeah, how do we go about getting those other options added? I was floored that we have a whole Alternative lens forum, but no Leica, Zeiss, etc sections for review?!?!
wtf?

My sentiments exactly.

Ps. Paul how would you compare the C/Y Zeiss 85mm f1.2 Planar 50 Yahre against the Canon 85/1.2II

I've never compared them myself, but those who "know" say there is no comparison. Maybe that's why the Zeiss goes for around $7000.

PPs. I'm loving it immensely. I do hope you'll be able to get another one soon and thanks again!

I'm so glad to hear that you are enjoying it. I still miss it very much, but my little Zuiko is working out great for me. Some day I'll get another one. Some day.

I have enjoyed reading the responses here myself. Just as interesting as the review section because of the varied lens and comments.

So I don't get flamed for participating instead of getting out and doing something, I am photographing my LCD screen as I type.

Love portraits of my kids and grandkids so I lean that way in lens ratings. I have owned, rented or tried the lens I have rated. Except for the "wish I had" ones.

Non-L Prime
1. Canon 85mm f/1.8
2. Canon 100mm f/2.0 - really a tie with # 1
3. Canon 60mm macro
4. Sigma 30mm
5. Sigma 150mm (the 50mm and 105mm are great too)

Non-L Zoom
1. Canon 17-55mm IS- The best I have and have had
2. Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 - Beat two Canon 24-70mmL's - really
3. Tokina 12-24mm
4. Canon 70-300mm IS non-DO - deserves better than #4- great lens
5. Sigma 10-20mm - fun, like the Tokina

L Prime.
1. Canon 300mm f/4 IS - Awesome for portraits. Wow photos.
2. Canon 135mm f/2
3. Canon 200mm f/2.8 - 1,2 & 3 take beautiful people photos. Unreal bokah, all
4. Canon 400mm f/5.6 - I had a bad rental copy. I feel a good copy would be great
5. I would like to have an 85mm f/1.2 II

L Zoom.
1. Canon 70-200mm f/4
2. Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 - even though my Tamron beat it head to head
3. Canon 24-105mm IS - I would have one again if not for the 17-55mm IS
4. Canon 17-40mm f/4
5. I want a 70-200mm f/4 IS next. Potential #1

Good lord give the man a break, just answer his question and let him learn the way he wants too.

I've had limited experience so I'll comment as I can...
Non-L Prime
1. 100mm macro
2. 85 f/1.8
3. 50 f/1.8

Non-L Zoom
1. Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (I know its not Canon but its impressed me more than any canon non-L zoom)
2. EF 70-300 4-5.6 IS
3. The EF 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 USM II - I know the quality is so-so at best, but it has worked very well for me without breaking the bank. I couldn't afford the 24-105, and didn't really want to carry around the 28-135 IS.


L Prime.
Not much of a prime guy, I like the flexibility of Zooms. But...
1. 300 f/4 L IS

L Zoom.
1. 17-40 f/4 L
2.16-35 f/2.8 L
3. 70-200 4L IS
4. 70-200 2.8L
5. 100-400 L

cad3 wrote:
Yeah, how do we go about getting those other options added? I was floored that we have a whole Alternative lens forum, but no Leica, Zeiss, etc sections for review?!?!
wtf?


I agree, Not just Leica and Zeiss, But what about the alternitive systems like Sony, Olympus, Pentax etc?

I have a topic over on the alternitive systems board discussing this:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/490067#4223578

Thanks for all the added comments, I just ordered the 85 1.8 lens. Felt it filled my gap in the non L primes. Can't wait to try or buy some of the larger L primes like the ones that DLenard posted.

Thank for the info on the Leica and Zeiss lens, a whole different world of lens it seems.

OK Roger, here's my Top 7 :

1. 70-200 f/2.8L

2. 24-70 f/2.8L

3. 100-400 f/5.6L IS

4. 400 f/5.6L

5. 17-35 f/2.8L ( When I can, I'll replace it with the 16-35 )

6. 300 f/4L IS

7. 85 1.8

I've also used the 28-105 & 100-300 zooms & they were Fine!

Have Fun!!!

Based on what I've owned...

Non-L Prime
1. Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro (may as well be an L lens)
2. EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
3. Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM
4.
5.

Non-L Zoom
1. EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
2. Tokina ATX-Pro 12-24mm f/4 DX
3. Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM
4. Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM
5.

L Prime.
1. EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
2. EF 135mm f/2 L USM
3. EF 85mm f/1.2 L USM
4. EF 200mm f/2.8L USM
5.

L Zoom.
1. EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
2. EF 70-200mm f/4L USM
3.
4.
5.

EOS20 wrote:
cad3 wrote:
Yeah, how do we go about getting those other options added? I was floored that we have a whole Alternative lens forum, but no Leica, Zeiss, etc sections for review?!?!
wtf?


I agree, Not just Leica and Zeiss, But what about the alternitive systems like Sony, Olympus, Pentax etc?

I have a topic over on the alternitive systems board discussing this:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/490067#4223578

Thanks!