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Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro
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Review Date: Jan 22, 2010
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Recommend? no |
Price paid: $75.00
| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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Sharp when not wide open.
Mechanically well built.
Affordable for a macro.
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Cons:
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Wide open not as sharp.
If focus misses, it hunts for a long time.
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This lens isn't horrible. But it wasn't a good fit for me.
When I was using this lens for my lens review site I also had the original EF 50mm 1:1.8 on hand. The Compact Macro gives up a full stop of speed compared to the 1.8. My testing also seemed to indicate that the EF 50mm 1:1.8 was sharper at 2.8 than the Compact Macro. Both of these 50's are well built (Remember, I had the original metal mount 50, not the current 50mm 1.8 II). But the 1.8 is shorter and more portable. Focus performance was good unless it missed focus in low light. It was a long wait for the Compact Macro to run through it's long range.
In one image I was surprised to see a mild flare. That image was the exception.
Maybe if I did more macro work, having the Compact Macro would make sense. But if I was serious about macro work, I would look to a more serious macro lens.
Sorry Canon, this one isn't my cup of tea.
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Canon EOS 10D
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Review Date: Jan 22, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $125.00
| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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Affordable, rugged, capable enough for 95% of what I do.
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Cons:
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Slow to startup, no B&W image preview option.
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After spending some time with Canon's Rebel XTi, I purchased a second hand 10D for nearly free. It was put to use doing product shots. The convenient thumb wheel made it a better camera for full manual use and the smaller file sizes, compared to my 400d, were just fine for the work I was doing.
After starting my <a href="http://www.camerology.com">lens review</a> site, the 10D became a workhorse in evaluating lenses. I even did a short write up on the 10D.
Because I was already invested in the EOS line the 10D was a good fit for me. But, because of its depreciated price, the 10D is the best value of any digital body on the market. It is quite capable despite its age. I miss being able to view images in monochrome on the tiny LCD. The startup time is quite long and sometimes annoying. But for the low cost and great capabilities I'll tolerate those minor faults.
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