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e.omega
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Registered: Jan 11, 2009
Location: United States
Posts: 2
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Review Date: Dec 23, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $320.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Relatively light in weight, very Sharp wide-open at f/2, fast and quiet autofocus, very minimal ca at f/2, affordable(costs 1/3rd of 135L), well built.
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Cons:
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mfd, dust.
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I have used this lens on ff and on crop and I have to say its wonderful. Very sharp at f/2, produces nice warm colors, and its af is very fast and quiet. I have had no issues focusing in low light with my xsi or 5D. I'm not a professional but I shoot alot of portraits for family, friends, and school. I was torn between the 85mm f/1.8 and this lens but decided to go with the 100mm f/2 as the 85 was to close to my 50mm f/1.4. Its light weight and compact so its easy to carry around. The price is quite attractive at $320-$360 compared to the 135L >$900. The only issue would be dust. I used it for about a week before getting a filter and then I noticed 2 dust specs inside the lens. It doesn't affect image quality so I guess its not big of a deal. For what I paid, I couldn't ask for any better. This is one of the best lenses I have used.
Shot on ff @ f/2:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/efua/4202494012/
Shot on crop @ f/2:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/efua/4035735058/in/set-72157622641546970/
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 Dec 23, 2009
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catchup
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Registered: Apr 29, 2009
Location: China
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Aug 23, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Fast and accurate AF(after calibration in my case), Sharpness at F2, Good Bokeh, Compact size
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Cons:
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Minor Chromatic Aberration in high-contrast situation
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As I wrote in my previous post, my EF100/2 misfocused on 450D shooting from mid-distance. It was calibrated by Canon's post-sale service recently, and the AF is fast and accurate now.
Now I have almost nothing to complaint about this compact and cheap lens except minor chromatic aberration in high-contrast situation. I guess this is the most obvious gap in image quality between this lens and the famous 135L.
Generally I think this is a very good lence. You could see sample pics compared between different Canon lens from the link below. In mid-tele range, this is the third best Canon lens. The only two better than it are 135L and 220/218 which are much more expansive.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=118&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=118&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=5
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Aug 23, 2009
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stephenmak
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Registered: Feb 16, 2003
Location: Canada
Posts: 7
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Review Date: Jun 3, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $320.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Sharp, Great Colour, Cheap (if you buy it right), Good Bokeh, Light, Fast Auto-Focus, F2.0, Quiet, Perfect for portraits on a 5D/1Ds and 1D
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Cons:
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No Red Ring.....
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My Nikkor 105 f 2.5 was probably my all time favourite people lens. Fast, great bokeh. This is the modern equivalent. On a 1.3x crop camera, it's a bit longer, but having had a 135 f 2.0L, this lens for lots less money, is just as good. Also, the lack of the additional 35mm makes a big difference in terms of it's use -- a 135 on a 1D would be 175mm which is way too long.
Even at retail prices, the 100mm is a full 1/3 less money than the 135L. For me, I'd save my money because that can be added to something like a 200L, which is an all time bargain the Canon lineup of L lenses.
Autofocus is super fast, it's light, great bokeh, and it's sharp. It's bitingly sharp at f4.0 and lower, and pretty sharp at f 2.0 (probably sharper than my 24-105L @ 100mm at f4.0).
For what I paid (which was a pittance), it's a great lens. It's light, so you can take it around, and it's fast so you can use it in limited light conditions.
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Jun 3, 2009
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borderlight
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Registered: Dec 6, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 1753
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Review Date: May 31, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $400.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Sharp, fast, small, black
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Cons:
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None
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This is an exceptional lens for a FF camera. The 105mm Nikkor has been regarded as the best standard portrait focal length for years. This Canon version competes nicely with that legendary lens. It compliments the 70-200 f4 zooms, and provides beautiful bokeh @f2 for outdoor backgrounds.
In response to those few comments (3-5 rating) concerning the 100 f2:
1) The 100 f2 has an 8-bladed aperture, not 7.
2) It is a well known fact that Canon doesn't provide hoods for non-L lenses, or UV filters either. If you want real value then purchase a Sigma, or other third party lenses that include a lens hood.
3) If you are dissatisfied with the close-focusing capabilities of the 100 f2 after you purchase it, I suggest that next time to read a lens specifications before purchasing so it will meet your needs in advance. There's always the 100mm Macro.
4) Purple fringing: If you are constantly shooting high contrast snow-filled scenes, make large prints of white skies and tree branches, or are unfamilar about how to correct those rare situations in Photoshop then maybe this lens is not for you. I haven't experienced any CA since I purchased it. This is probably due to not shooting those situations or choosing the right tool that would perform better in those rare instances.
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May 31, 2009
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fteter
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Registered: Jan 24, 2008
Location: United States
Posts: 5
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Review Date: May 30, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Minor CA in high-contrast images with bright sunlight
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I picked this lens up new recently. It was a consolation prize after selling my 135L (which in itself is a long story involving poor decisions by a daughter old enough to know better). After using this lens a bit and checking the images, I'm surprised to find that I don't miss the 135L all that much. In fact, had I owned this lens first, I probably would not have ever purchased the 135L - it's that good.
The build quality is OK...clearly not as solid as an L lens, but you're not paying an L lens price either. In terms of image quality, however, this lens "runs with the big dogs".
This lens really shines indoors, especially in low light. Does a great job for me on both my 5D and 350D, shooting both portraits and indoor sports with available light (I've taken a few basketball shots in available light with this lens that really made me smile). It's simply flawless indoors. Sharp as a tack, even wide-open. Very rich color, especially with the 5D.
My copy does display a little CA wide-open with high-contrast images taken in bright sunlight, but it's nothing that can't quickly be fixed in post processing.
Can't understand why Canon doesn't sell more of these. Highly recommended. An outstanding lens and one of the best values in the Canon lens line-up.
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May 30, 2009
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catchup
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Registered: Apr 29, 2009
Location: China
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Apr 29, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
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Pros:
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Compact, sharpness in close distance
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Cons:
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not sealed very well, is apt to get dust in
purple fringe at large F stops, not just F2
misfocus in longer distance every time, on my 450D!
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I bought this lens more than 2 month ago, brand new.
I strictly tested its focus in close distance on my 450D, using a vertical test card. The result was satisfactory: very fast and accurate. The only thing boths me is the serious purple fringes at F2 if high contrast exists.
Within about 4m it is a great lens, capable of producing nice headshots. But if I shoot from more than 5m away(at F2 of course), it misfocuses every time. When distance goes to 10m, I can clearly see the DoF one or two feet in front of my main subject. So the autofocus is almost useless. I'm not sure it's lens' fault or my 450D's, and these two are going to be sent to Canon for calibration when I got my time. Canon's service in China is quite poor, the calibration could only be done in 2 cities: Beijing and Shanghai.
I've conducted a test under relatively strict condition, and the [email protected] of this lens is a little bit better than my tarmron A16([email protected]@5.6)
The first time I use this lens outdoor, a midium sized dust got into it. So I can not give any credible to it airtightness.
As everyone knows, on an APS body, its background blur is far from as good as on an FF.
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Apr 29, 2009
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toiyeumetre
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Registered: Feb 24, 2008
Location: Vietnam
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Apr 26, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $350.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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AF extremely fast & accurate, compact and inexpensive
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Cons:
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None for my task
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Only 1 word : EXCELLENT
I chose this one over 85 f1.8 for my Canon 30D and no regret. Even its focal a little long on crop body but it suite my taste.
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Apr 26, 2009
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Jman13
Online
Buy and Sell: On
Registered: May 1, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 17289
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Review Date: Apr 26, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $400.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Very sharp, beautiful bokeh, fast AF, wonderful color, well built, compact
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Cons:
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It can have a little purple fringing wide open in very high contrast situations, but honestly, I don't see it much.
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A hidden gem of the Canon lineup. I've owned the lens for over a year, but only really began using it when I went full frame. I bought it for my 30D but it was a bit too long, and after getting the 85L, the 100 f/2 sat unused for a while. I was going to sell it, but I'm so glad I didn't. After I moved to full frame, I realized how much I preferred the 100mm range over the 85mm focal length, and since the DOF is so shallow on full frame anyway, the 85L is going and the 100 f/2 is staying. I've been using the 100 as my longer portrait lens for a while now, and it is simply stellar. At f/2, it is essentially indistinguishable from the 85L at f/2.
The lens is sharp straight from max aperture. Very high resolution at any aperture. Color is wonderful...nice contrast curve and even saturation. The bokeh is stellar. Not QUITE as smooth as the 85L, but pretty darn close. AF is very fast, and the build quality is very nice. Solid and compact. I've also owned the 135L, and the 100 f/2 is 99% of the optical quality of the 135. The only thing the 135 does better really is it controls fringing a little better wide open. That's it.
As mentioned, purple fringing can crop up outside if you blow highlights, but other than that CA is very well controlled, and images are great!
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Apr 26, 2009
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jdryan3
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Registered: Aug 3, 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 328
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Review Date: Mar 14, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Compact, inexpensive, fairly fast AF
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Cons:
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none with lens, but task specific
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I got this when I got the 200 f/2.8, about 3-4 years ago. I had upgraded to the 'new' 5D from a 300D and was trying to start upgrading my lenses. I actually returned the 200 (a great lens) and got the 70-200 f/2.8 for a number of reasons. However I kept this lens since it was f/2.
But I never really used it. It seemed to be the 'poor lens' that always got left behind when I filled my bag. So about a year ago I was going to a small B'Day party and took my 5D and only this lens for fun. I was very happy with the results. Like any prime, foot zoom and positioning were key.
And back into the drawer it went for the most part.
Last fall I got my hands on a new 50D the week they came out - and this was the first lens I put on it. And I have used it a number of times since then on the 50D: compact, decent AF, and while an odd FL @160, it works great in a lot of situations where a little reach is needed, especially stopped down to f/2.8.
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Mar 14, 2009
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petr vokurek
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Registered: Apr 16, 2007
Location: Czech Republic
Posts: 161
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Review Date: Jan 22, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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quality, cheap
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Cons:
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none really
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I bought this lens only after I already had all of the Līs (85 f1,2, 135 f2, 70-200 f2,8...) more or less out of curiosity. All I can say this is such a nice lens! Very compact (especially when compared to the 85 f1,2:-), very fast AF, sharp rihgt from f2. The close focusing ability (0,9m) is another bonus over the 85mm f1,2. Since I bought this lens I rarely use my 135 f2 because the 100mm is smaller and equally good and the focal lenght is often better suited for my needs.
It produces excellent background blur wide open. Of course the 85 f1,2 is better in this respect (it is probably the best of all)but given the price difference one would kind of expect it:)
All in all this is an exteremely useful lens, especially as a complementary lens for zooms. If you cannot afford the 85 f1,2 and want a medium telephoto for portraits then donīt hessitate and get this one. I used to have the 85mm f1,8 and I think the 100mm is better overal, which is not to say the 85mm f1,8 is a bad lens at all. At the price it can be had for either new or second-hand itīs a must-have lens for every canonist.
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Jan 22, 2009
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johnahill
Offline
Buy and Sell: On
Registered: Jan 8, 2006
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 4760
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Review Date: Jan 6, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Great image quality, nice bokeh, very quick and accurate AF, nice build, great price for f2.0 lens
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Cons:
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None
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I was thinking of getting the 135L or 100mm f2 for portrait shots on the 5D, well a 100f2 in nearly new condition came up for sale at a really attractive price, over 3 times cheaper than the L.
Shot some pictures with family at Christmas and very pleased with this lens, it has very fast and accurate AF, super image quality right from wide open and had great bokeh. At close distance the DOF can be quite thin making some very striking images.
I'm very pleased I got this lens, it performs as good as I expected from the 135L but at 30% of the price.
This lens has a real bang for buck appeal.
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Jan 6, 2009
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rfwilliams
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Registered: Oct 12, 2006
Location: N/A
Posts: 19
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Review Date: Dec 23, 2008
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $300.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Inexpensive, Solid, and Tack Sharp @ f/2. On a APS-C body (APS-C = 160mm), I can keep a comfortable distance from my subject.
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Cons:
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It is not an L.
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I bought this lens used on ebay. I already had a zoom that had this focal range (70-200mm 4/L USM IS) but wanted a lens I could use in low light situations. I found just what I needed in this lens. My copy of this lens is tack sharp wide open, corner to corner (on my APS-C Camera bodies).
This lens was such a good lens for the money, I immediately bought a 85mm 1.8 hoping it was the same caliber lens. While the 85mm is another qualtiy vs. dollar winner, it cannot keep up with my 100mm f/2. I can get extremely sharp shots with the 85mm, but the keeper ratio is not as good as what I get with the 100mm.
I would not hesitate one minute to recommend this fine piece of glass. I understand that some samples of this lens are not as great as others, so make sure you can return any ~off~ sample you might purchase and be patient. Once you get a good one you will be well rewarded for the dollar you spent. I cannot say enough good about this lens!
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Dec 23, 2008
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twistedlim
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Registered: Oct 20, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 3175
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Review Date: Oct 2, 2008
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Sharp, light, inconspicuous, fast accurat focus. F/2.0
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Cons:
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Wish it could focus a bit closer.
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Outstanding lens. Sharp, accurate, fast focus. Image quality on par with the 135L at less than half the cost. A great bang for the buck.
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Oct 2, 2008
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dhphoto
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Registered: Feb 15, 2003
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 13811
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Review Date: Jul 5, 2008
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $500.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Good sharpness and contrast, small size, full time manual focusing, decent build. Shares the same hood with the 85 1.8 Cheap for an f2 telephoto. Unobtrusive street-sleeper and cheap alternative to the 135mm f2 L
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Cons:
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It gets a bit lost alongside the 85 1.8 and 100 2.8 macro, but it shouldn't. Slight fringing occasionally, easily fixed if you shoot RAW and correct it
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This is a very fine lens which doesn't get the credit it deserves as a budget 135L, which is what it is
It focuses well, it has excellent colour and contrast, it is a very useful length on full frame and a much better portrait lens than the 100 macro, but it isn't significantly different from the also excellent 85 1.8 to which I think it loses out often.
It's an odd length on a 1.6 crop body, not short, not long, not proper telephoto, but it's excellent for medium length full frame work where the f2 maximum aperture is excellent for out of focus backgrounds.
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Jul 5, 2008
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ALCAN
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Registered: Feb 25, 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 5
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Review Date: May 4, 2008
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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lite, sharp, fair price.
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Cons:
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May 4, 2008
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Kristian ra
Offline
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Registered: Feb 1, 2007
Location: United States
Posts: 53
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Review Date: Feb 27, 2008
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $250.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Accurate AF, price, F2.0
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Cons:
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Gives me doubt whether to bring the 85mm F1.8
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I have been a great fan of the 85mm 1.8, and also the 50mm 1.4. Found a cheap second hand copy of the 100 F2, and I really love this lens. It is all as good as the 85mm - but having switch from the 20D crop body to full frame, I wanted slightly more tele-effect, and this was what I looked for.
Only drawback is that the focus-ring is a tad sluggish, but it is no problem at all. Cannot expect L-build at this price, but optically, it is stellar. Also, considering you will get a 160mm when used on a crop body, you have a quite long tele with F2.0, which is nothing short of spectacular!
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Feb 27, 2008
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Reviews
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Views
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Date of last review
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86
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248360
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Nov 27, 2021
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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97% of reviewers
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$354.31
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Build Quality Rating
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Price Rating
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Overall Rating
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8.78
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9.19
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9.1
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