Tokina 100mm f/2.8 AT-X M100 AF Pro D Macro
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Review Date: Mar 6, 2016
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $379.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Light, balanced on a DX body. As sharp as any lens I've ever shot. Great bokeh. Versatile; macro, portrait, short tele. Nothing better!
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Cons:
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None at all.
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The best bang for the buck of any lens I've ever owned. Great lens for anything. This coupled with a 35mm prime makes a great travel kit.
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Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD SP AF
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Review Date: Mar 6, 2016
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Very best choice for 70-300 zooms. What a bargain! Great balance; lightweight, sharp; VC is staggeringly effective--sets a new standard.
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Cons:
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None
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Replaced a Nikon 80-200mm f2.8. Don't miss it like I thought I might. This lens is a joy. Great balance on a D7100; wonderful reach on APS-C body. No drawbacks to note at all.
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Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM "A"
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Review Date: Mar 6, 2016
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $799.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Heft and build inspire confidence; great shooting experience. F4 more than acceptable. Very sharp; nice bokeh. Very usable focal length, of course.
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Cons:
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82mm filters expensive; forced to buy new ones.
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Has quickly become one of my favorite lenses--ever. IQ is inspiring. Very good sharpness; nice depth for a zoom. Focus and zoom are both smooth as butter. Image stabilization works well. No focusing problems. Sigma has really stepped up their QC. A lens that is pure joy to use.
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Tamron 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF]
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Review Date: Mar 21, 2007
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $450.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Sharp, fast, smooth zoom ring, well-balanced. A very competent lens for the money.
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Cons:
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None.
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I thought Tamron would be hard-pressed to ever beat the bang-for-the-buck of the 28-75/2.8, but they did with this great lens! It feels better, is built a bit better, and is actually sharper. Even the whining focus motor adds a little fun. Recommended with no reservations.
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Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
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Review Date: Nov 29, 2005
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,250.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Very well made, substantial but light compared to 24-70L. Sharp, good contrast. The IS works just as advertised--maybe better; it is very quiet and just seems to work invisibly. The focus is particularly fast and silent.
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Cons:
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Early price seems a bit high.
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I am using this lens as my all-in-one travel lens with a 20D. I have previously owned copies of Canon mid-range zoom Ls (28-80L, 24-70L) and suspected that the 24-105L would be a bit of a step backward (given the f/4 limitation) in image quality sacrificed in the name of IS and a wider, useful range. But I have been very happy with the image quality. That L "wow factor" is very much a part of the joy of this lens. It has quickly become my workhorse. I love it.
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Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
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Review Date: Sep 16, 2005
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $420.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Light, fast, sharp, solidly built, FUN.
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Cons:
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None.
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This is now my favorite lens. Of course it's sharp (as every review has stated), but it also works and feels like a superior lens is supposed to. It is simply a joy to use. A stunning lens.
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Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC
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Review Date: May 23, 2005
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $410.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Compact, lightweight, durable, fast, sharp. Weighted well on a 20D. Great walkaround lens. Bang-for-the-buck. Adds a usable consistent 2.8
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Cons:
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Zoom ring's a bit scratchy--but no big deal.
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After spending time with the Canon 17-40/4L and the Tamron 17-35/2.8-4, the Sigma 18-50/2.8 EX DC is the best bargain. Adding the consistent 2.8 in such a light lens makes for a great walk-around lens and also provides a wonderful addition to a wedding/event setup, providing a fast wide sharp wide angle zoom. This is one of those lenses that compares well technically with its competitors, but shines most in simple every-day handling. It just feels good and looks good on a 20D. After suffering through L fever and getting on and off the current Tamron bandwagon, I have found that this lens and the Sigma 70-200/2.8 EX HSM are my two favorite lenses. (They just may end up being all I need.)
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Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM
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Review Date: May 9, 2005
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $800.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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It feels right, works right, and seeing the results on print or screen is a religious experience.
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Cons:
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The only problem is that this lens diminishes the fun of using anything else.
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After obtaining and using this spectacular lens, I made immediate plans to sell my 100/2 USM and my 70-200/f4L. I know I'll never use them as long as this lens is an option in my bag. This lens makes photography thrilling!
Other lenses I have used were all considered "good value for the money"--this thing is just over the top. It is so much fun to use that sometimes I have to log on to FM and on to this review site--just to get a look at the thing while I'm at work. I'm a pathetic puppy--but this lens is inspiring.
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Tamron 28-75MM F/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF)
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Review Date: Mar 29, 2005
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $350.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Great pics. No limitations at all in picture quality. Light and well-made for the price. A genuine bargain!
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Cons:
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The lens extends as it zooms. Sometimes very noticable.
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I've used this little gem as my go-to lens for almost nine months. I've never been disappointed or felt limited at all by the build quality or results. It's light, durable and the picture quality lives up to every glowing review I've ever read.
My satisfaction with this lens led me to also purchase the 17-35mm f/2.8-4 and I have been very pleased with both. (I tried the Canon L equivalent for several days, but having lived with the Tamron 28-75, I quickly realized that the Canon was not superior in image quality, so I returned it, bought the Tamron and enjoyed the $300 savings!)
Yes, if I were a pro, I would probably need what the L-quality lenses bring to the table. But, both of the Tamron "tools" are a joy to use--and I enjoy the feeling of cashing in on two real bargains!
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