your favorite glass

*nostatic* · 09-15-2009, 05:20 PM

While I loved my FA ltd primes, moving to a different system forced me to look at different glass. I settled on Canon for a couple of reasons, some of them I can't really afford yet (35/1.4, 50/1.2, 85/1.2). But I did pick up the 24-105/4 IS (better than the 16-50* copies I tried) and the 50/1.4 (a lot cheaper than 31/1.9).

The lens that really sold me though was the 70-200/f IS. I tried it in the store and was smitten, and today my copy showed up. It is everything the 50-135* was and maybe a little more. With the FF the DOF is about the same, and the lens IS is at least as good as the body IS. But this thing is wicked sharp at all focal lengths and apertures. There is some fall off at 70mm wide open but that is about it. It isn't much heavier or bigger than the 50-135*, and in fact with 67mm opening seems almost a bit small on the 5D2.

So what's your "can't live without" glass?

*pingflood* · 09-15-2009, 05:23 PM

The 400/5.6 -- I've shot nearly 3000 frames with it on the 50D and a few thousand more on the 1Ds2. Never let me down. Fantastic wide open, autofocus so fast you wouldn't believe it until you tried one, color and contrast out of this world. And all for $850 used.

I am also very fond of the rest of my gear. Great glass, all of it.

*Andi Lo* · 09-15-2009, 05:25 PM

Isn't 70-200/4 still bigger than 50-135 in terms of dimensions, and especially length? I guess it doenst matter to the subjects as all they see is a big honking tube

My favourite lens is tied between Tamron 28-75 and SMC Tak 50/1.4. If I have to choose one on APS-C it'll be tamron, if it's a full frame / film body it'll be the Tak.

Sorry that it's still pentax... off brand forum and all

*pingflood* · 09-15-2009, 05:29 PM

The 70-200 is like 1.5" longer, but lighter weight.

*k100d* · 09-15-2009, 05:41 PM

someone say 85L and show some pictures

rparmar · 09-15-2009, 05:43 PM

FA77

all anyone should need, really

*nostatic* · 09-15-2009, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by Andi Lo

Isn't 70-200/4 still bigger than 50-135 in terms of dimensions, and especially length? I guess it doenst matter to the subjects as all they see is a big honking tube

My favourite lens is tied between Tamron 28-75 and SMC Tak 50/1.4. If I have to choose one on APS-C it'll be tamron, if it's a full frame / film body it'll be the Tak.

Sorry that it's still pentax... off brand forum and all

70-200/f4 IS - 26.8 oz (760g) 3.0 x 6.8" (76 x 172mm) 67mm filter

50-135*/f2.8 - 24.2 oz. (685g) without hood, 27.0 oz. (765g) with | 3.0 x 5.4 (76.5mm x 136mm) | 67mm filter

The tube isn't that much honkier. The reality is that unless you have a really small dSLR, then a subject isn't going to notice a huge difference between K20d 2/50-135* and 5D2 with 70-200. Although the off-white color of the Canon is a little more of a giveaway. Or maybe it makes it look less imposing...not sure.

Isn't the 85/1.4 Nikkor supposed to be another legendary lens?

Samsungian · 09-15-2009, 06:00 PM

I was under the impression you can microadjust the Canon made lenses with 5DII.

Have you followed this procedure with your 70-200mm f4L IS lens?

Canon allows you to micro adjust every eos lens they've made since 1987. Handy Feature. Let us know if you can improve upon your favorite lens? I'm curious.

I wish my 5D Classic offered this customization option. Well "wish" but without paying $2,699 for a 5D II to get it

I think it covers +20 to zero to -20.

AF microadjustment for the 1Ds mark III, 1D Mk3, 5D Mk2

Originally Posted by nostatic

While I loved my FA ltd primes, moving to a different system forced me to look at different glass. I settled on Canon for a couple of reasons, some of them I can't really afford yet (35/1.4, 50/1.2, 85/1.2). But I did pick up the 24-105/4 IS (better than the 16-50* copies I tried) and the 50/1.4 (a lot cheaper than 31/1.9).

The lens that really sold me though was the 70-200/f IS. I tried it in the store and was smitten, and today my copy showed up. It is everything the 50-135* was and maybe a little more. With the FF the DOF is about the same, and the lens IS is at least as good as the body IS. But this thing is wicked sharp at all focal lengths and apertures. There is some fall off at 70mm wide open but that is about it. It isn't much heavier or bigger than the 50-135*, and in fact with 67mm opening seems almost a bit small on the 5D2.

So what's your "can't live without" glass?

*pingflood* · 09-15-2009, 06:15 PM

I was all excited to test the microadjust feature on my 50D only to find out none of my glass needed it.

*Ash* · 09-15-2009, 06:20 PM

Really hard to decide - depends on what I'm shooting..
Prime - 77 ltd
Wide zoom - 12-24
Tele zoom - Tamron 70-200
But the 16-50's on the camera most of the time - and I couldn't be happier with it...

*nostatic* · 09-15-2009, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by pingflood

I was all excited to test the microadjust feature on my 50D only to find out none of my glass needed it.

what he said. So far all three lenses seem spot-on wrt AF though I haven't shot any focus test sheets (and likely never will).

Kind of odd seeing the off-white lens on the body. Have to get used to that...