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retrofocus
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Registered: Apr 19, 2007
Location: United States
Posts: 2445
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Review Date: Mar 28, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $338.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Sharpness, color reproduction, AF speed and reliability
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Cons:
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no lens hood included, additional Canon tripod collar is too expensive
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I bought this lens unplanned in an unopened box when CircuitCity closed down. Before I used the Sigma 105 mm f2.8 macro lens which always provided me with very satisfying results.
The more I was surprised to see the better performance of this Canon lens. Main difference is the AF - the Canon lens works very reliable with center focus. I always needed to use the Sigma lens in MF mode while I can use AF with the Canon lens much more often.
Optically both lenses perform equally well - the Canon is track sharp and has an excellent color reproduction. The lens body designa of both lenses are different - while the Sigma front lens lies protected inside of its lens body, the Canon front lens is located on one end of the lens body. So far I did not observe any lens flare problems with the Canon lens due to this.
As with the Sigma lens, the Canon 100 mm macro lens can be combined with extenders to increase the max. magnification.
Unfortunately Canon does not include a lens hood here (never for all EF lenses) and of course also not the optional (much too) expensive tripod collar.
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 Mar 28, 2009
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Bobby Yarner
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Registered: May 1, 2007
Location: United States
Posts: 407
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Review Date: Mar 17, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $490.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Very sharp
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Cons:
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Build–but not really an issue
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This is very sharp.
i use this to make stereophotographs.
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Mar 17, 2009
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mmari
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Registered: Mar 20, 2008
Location: Singapore
Posts: 21
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Review Date: Mar 11, 2009
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Recommend? |
Price paid: $450.00
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Pros:
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sharp sharp sharp even wide open, fast af, non rotating/extending front element, works with 3rd part TC (kenko)
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Cons:
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hood & tripod collar sold separately
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sold my 1st copy buy i miss it so i bought another one. couldn't be any happier with this lens.
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Mar 11, 2009
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bobby_novatron
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Registered: Feb 15, 2009
Location: Canada
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Feb 15, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $700.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Incredibly sharp, fantastic colors, nice contrast, very pleasant smooth bokeh.
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Cons:
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Size and price. Fixed focal length makes portraiture a little fussy.
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Everything that people say about this lens is true. It is pure magic. This lens has taken my photographic hobby to "the next level". It takes incredible macro shots but also takes simply beautiful portraits. I cannot say enough positives about this lens.
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Feb 15, 2009
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Ken Hernandez
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Registered: Oct 3, 2007
Location: United States
Posts: 254
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Review Date: Feb 4, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $318.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Super sharp, solid build, fast AF, great colors,price.
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Cons:
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None
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I have been waiting to get this lens for over a year, and finally caught a killer deal ($318.00) at Circuit City's "going out of business" sale. This lens is AWESOME!
It opens a whole new world of shooting. Highly recommended to everyone.
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Feb 4, 2009
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Hitendra
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Registered: Feb 16, 2007
Location: India
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Jan 26, 2009
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Recommend? |
Price paid: Not Indicated
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Pros:
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Excellent image quality, superb balance, well built.
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Cons:
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None
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Jan 26, 2009
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joezasada
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Registered: Feb 24, 2005
Location: Canada
Posts: 3047
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Review Date: Jan 16, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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wickedly sharp. possibly the sharpest canon lens. 1:1 magnification.
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Cons:
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slow AF.
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every canon shooter should have this lens. if you use it for what it's intended - close-up photography - the results are stellar.
also works good for portraits.
AF is too slow for sports though
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Jan 16, 2009
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kengroff
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Registered: Jan 5, 2009
Location: Canada
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Jan 5, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Sharp! No hesitation to use wide open, great for macro and portraits, very nice bokeh, not too heavy, nice build quality.
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Cons:
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Focusing is slow, can hunt a little in the dark...thats about it.
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No complaints here, this lens is sharp! Not too heavy on the 30D, use it for some macro and was using for some portraits too before I got my 70-200mm 2.8. Very smooth bokeh, usually requires a tripod for macro to get a bit more depth of field but that is to be expected. Used it as a short telephoto before the 70-200mm and its only flaw is that it focuses fairly slow, but I guess it was never really intended for that. A gem of a lens! Should have a red ring but then the price might go up :-)
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Jan 5, 2009
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Antony
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Registered: Jun 5, 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 666
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Review Date: Nov 30, 2008
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Very sharp, does not require 1:1 tube. Well made.
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Cons:
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As with all non-L series lenses, it does not come with a hood. I recommend getting one immediately.
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Overall an excellent lens, and given there are no L series macros below 180mm it is very popular with professionals. Build quality is very good for a consumer lens. Recommended.
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Nov 30, 2008
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oajlu
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Registered: Nov 19, 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 170
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Review Date: Nov 20, 2008
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $570.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Solid build, fast focus speed, good price, very sharp
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Cons:
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none
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Nov 20, 2008
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muevelonyc
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Registered: Nov 18, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 178
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Review Date: Nov 1, 2008
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $445.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Incredibly sharp, true 1:1 macro, fixed lens barrel (won't extend or turn), large focus ring, price, aperture speed
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Cons:
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AF tends to hunt in certain macro instances (usually means you need more light), wish it has rubber sealing like my L lenses, 58mm instead of 77mm threads
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For a $400 lens, this thing is insanely well priced and versatile. It's incredibly sharp, well constructed, and has a fixed barrel length like most L lenses (won't extend or turn). However, it doesn't have the rubber seals like my L lenses have.
It's got a true 1:1 Macro size, which gives it the ability to shoot amazing macro shots. The AF in macro shots tends to hunt a bit if you don't have enough light. Even if you have a flash, maybe manual focus it first, then let AF go, or just go full manual with a narrow aperture (f/11+).
It's also great for headshots. I have the ABR800 ringflash and my EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS is way too big to be mounted on that for portrait, but this suits the job perfectly. Since it's a prime lens, the sharpness is insanely great! Take the same ringflash with the moon unit, and it becomes the perfect macro setup for shooting objects and jewelry without the need to setup a full blown light tent!
This lens could easily pay for itself with just a gig or two!
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Nov 1, 2008
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skibum5
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Registered: Jan 20, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 13147
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Review Date: Oct 13, 2008
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $350.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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does macro (duh), extremely sharp right from wide open, doesn't extend in macro range, very flat focusing plane
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Cons:
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AF isn't always precise for subjects more than 8' away and while fast not as fast as the 60 macro
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AF isn't always precise for subject more than 8' away, but I almost soley use it for macro anyway; vastly less compact than the 60 macro (otoh gives you more working room and works on FF) and slower and less precise distance focusing than the 60 macro.
extremely sharp right from wide open and one of the sharpest corner to corner, very flat focusing plane, lets you do 1:1 at a greater distance than the 60 macro, doesn't extend in macro range
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Oct 13, 2008
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n0b0
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Registered: Sep 22, 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 5654
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Review Date: Sep 28, 2008
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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VERY sharp and excellent image quality. Lens doesn't extend to get to 1:1.
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Cons:
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None.
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It's not just "sharp for a non-L lens", it's sharp for ANY lens. If you're just macro beginner, this really is your best choice and as mentioned, it's also great as a portrait lens.
As for tripod collar, it really depends on how you shoot macro. I shoot handheld almost exclusively so I don't consider it a necessity and while I did buy the lens hood, I hardly use it as well.
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Sep 28, 2008
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oceangoing
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Registered: Sep 6, 2008
Location: United Arab Emirates
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Sep 6, 2008
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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sharp, fast focus, reasonable price, internal focus
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Cons:
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no tripod collar, no lens hood
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after deciding to buy a macro lens, i had to choose between two lenses: canon 100 mm f2.8 usm and sigma 150 mm f2.8. i tried both lenses on my 40D. even though sigma gave more distance to work i decided on canon for the sharpness and fast focusing. since then it proved many times that i've given the right decision. with the build quality, sharpness, fast focusing and the reasonable price it comes, it really is a compliment from canon. the pack could still include the collar and the hood or at least one. if you are keen to follow up the macro life forms, this is a best choice. go ahead and grab one.
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Sep 6, 2008
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Peter Kotsa
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Registered: Nov 1, 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 265
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Review Date: Aug 12, 2008
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Fast focus, Sharp even at 2.8, lightweight
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Cons:
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no collar included
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One of the best value macros around.
Certainly sharp as an "L", and focus speed is considerably faster than the 180mm.
I have had the Sigma 150 mm 2.8 and the Canon 50 mm 2.5, and I find that this lens is faster in focussing than both, and better images quality as well.
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Aug 12, 2008
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Sorensiim
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Registered: May 30, 2007
Location: Denmark
Posts: 403
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Review Date: Aug 11, 2008
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $600.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Sharp, Fast and silent USM autofocus, price, light weight, relatively sturdy, does not rotate or extend during focusing.
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Cons:
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Front element is RIGHT at the front of the lens, just waiting to get some nasty scratches.
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Man this thing is SHARP! Makes my L's (16-35 + 24-70) look soft in comparison. The USM autofocus is fast and actually useable for macro. I have a set of shots taken with it here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dk_spook/sets/72157606554142963/
Awesome lens.
Only nitpick is that the front element is so "out there", just waiting to get some nasty scratches. Fix: Aftermarket lens hood or good UV filter. Problem solved.
Build quality feels real solid, much better than my 50mm F/1.4, but not up to par with my L's.
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Aug 11, 2008
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Reviews
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Views
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Date of last review
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206
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461211
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Apr 16, 2013
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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95% of reviewers
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$470.83
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Build Quality Rating
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Price Rating
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Overall Rating
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9.12
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9.24
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9.6
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