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Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 AF APO DG OS
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Review Date: Feb 22, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Good OS system. Sharp wide-open. good weight. A lot cheaper than 80-400vr
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Cons:
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barrel is thick for my hands. build quality scratches easily.
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I tested 2 samples; one for canon and the other for nikon. I was surprised that the nikon sample was alot sharper wide open. Of course, i bought the nikon mount. I can manage to handhold this lens down to 1/125th speed. Sweet!
Focusing is fast; at least much faster than the 80-400vr. If there are two factors for me to choose over the 80-400vr, it will be price and focusing speed.
btw, the 80-400vr has better colour, contrast and details.
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Nikon 85mm f/1.4D IF AF Nikkor
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Review Date: Feb 22, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Sharp at f1.4 Bokeh is beautiful. Handy and fast
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Cons:
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a little exp
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I fell in love with this lens the moment I put in on my camera. The handling and feel of the lens is wonderful. The image at f1.4 was quite magical; colours and contrast are excellent.
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Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED NIKKOR AF-S
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Review Date: Feb 22, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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sharp from 2.8 onwards, fast focusing, balanced weight, solid build, great colours and contrast
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Cons:
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none maybe just a tad expensive
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A perfect lens in my opinion. Great for street and snap portraits. My No.1 walkabout and event lens.
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Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF
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Review Date: Feb 22, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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excellent contrast and colours. sharpness from f4 onwards
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Cons:
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soft at f2.8
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When used at f4 apertures onwards, this lens rocks at every aspect. But, I was hoping for it to be sharp at f2.8; just like the AFS80-200f2.8.
Build is excellent as usual with lenses of this calibre. I wouldn't recommend this lens for portraits unless you can live with the softness at f2.8.
For general photography, this lens will do well in most situations except low light; again because of the softness.
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Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
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Review Date: Oct 7, 2008
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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AF speed compared to equivalent zooms, built quality, Image quality, contrast, sharpness at this category, price now, IS rocks
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Cons:
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extends long
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After using it for 2 weeks shooting birds, I am pleased with the results. Sharp wide open at all ranges and AF is fast enough for most situations with a 1dmk2. It struggles with the 30D and 40D.
On the 50D, AF tracking was better. 
Coupled with the 1.4x TC, image quality was still good. I tried the 300f4 IS L USM with the TC and the sharpness at 420mm could not compare with the 100-400L at 400mm.
I am glad I found an excellent copy.
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Canon EOS 1D Mark II
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Review Date: Oct 6, 2008
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Speed, AF tracking and focus, spot metering on focus point, price is low now, build quality, dynamic range
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Cons:
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two button operation, LCD small.
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When I first used a 1dmk2 with a Canon 300f2.8L IS last year to shoot birds in flight, I was very badly poisoned by the pure speed and accuracy of this combination! What a machine!
Now, after using the 1dmk2 for a week with my 100-400L, I am a happy man. Wonderful handling, accuracy in focus and details. Even when I used a 1.4x TC with the 100-400L, I was able to get nice shots of my birds.
Highly recommended for birding! Needless to say.
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