sivrajbm's reviews

  • Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

    7 out of 10 points and not recommended
    USM, 2.8, great color
    2.8 soft, 4.0 ok

    I took this one back.
    I'll just keep my little Tamron 17-35.
    My Tamron was slightly sharper @ 2.8, better @ 4.0 and equal every where else. The Canon is faster focusing and constant with a warm tone. I thought if it was shaper than my Tamron I'd keep it. Not a chance. The Tamron is a much better buy for the money.

    reviewed October 24th, 2005 (purchased for $1,399)

  • Tamron 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di SP AF

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    sharp, fast, smooth
    not 2.8 thru range

    The best that under 5 bills can buy.
    I recently had an opportunity to buy a 16-35L.
    I took it back, this little Tamron more than held it's own against the "L". I jsut can't see enough of a difference to justify paying another 12 bills for such a marginal improvement. The "L" was slighty faster, but not sharper @2.8 so what's the use.
    This lens is still the bomb in my book. I couldn't replace it and I tried.

    reviewed November 4th, 2005 (purchased for $469)

  • Sigma 1.4X EX DG APO

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Sharp, Fast, good construction
    None

    A Very Good TC for the $$$. On my 70-200 it is as sharp as without the TC. I didn't notice any degradeing of speed or IQ. The colors are still vibrant and the contrast is still good. Sigma scores again.

    reviewed September 18th, 2007 (purchased for $160)

  • Sigma 2X EX DG APO

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Surprising image quality
    losing two stops

    A very good converter. The construction is top notch, I like the Sigma finish. On my Sigma 70-200/2.8 w/1-Series cameras this and the 1.4x do an Excellent job. In bright light the AF is still snappy. In lower light the AF does slow down. I am quite pleased with the IQ I got with these combos. The color and the contrast is quite good Sigma scores again.

    reviewed October 1st, 2007 (purchased for $209)

  • Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Fast, sharp, beautiful bokem
    Hood attachment

    Fast apeture, fast focus, sharp @ 1.8, Beautiful blur.
    I really like this little gem. It makes an excellent portrait lens. The hood is a must to cut flair and and richen colors and contrast. Excellent lens everyone should have one in their bag.

    reviewed October 30th, 2007 (purchased for $315)

  • Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Speed, handling, bokem, build, smooth operation, IQ with good copy
    Price compared to Tamron 28-75

    After several tries I finally have a good copy of this lens. I had soft copies before but this one was as sharp and at some aps sharper (2.8) than my Tamron. I had a very good copy of the Tamron. I shoot weddings and special events and really wanted the focus speed of the Canon. The only fault to the Tamron is it can be a little slow to focus. if you can't get this lense get the Tamron save up your money and decide later. If you go for this one and get a good copy off the bat you'll be a happy camper indeed...Finally, I'm happy

    reviewed October 31st, 2007 (purchased for $1,039)

  • Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Fast, sharp, beautiful bokem, IS
    Not black, price

    The only reason for the 9 rating is I've had several soft copies of this lens. My Sigma 70-200/2.8 was sharp out of the box, it was better than every other copy of this lensI had gotten until this one. Finally I'm a happy camper. The only reason I kept trying is for the IS, I do weddings and events sometimes if I wasn't very careful I would get soft blurring. I really like this lens, hate the price. I finally see what others have said about this lens. My only problem is now I need to sell my beloved Sigma. The King is dead, long live the King.

    reviewed November 7th, 2007 (purchased for $1,474)

  • Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM APO

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Fast HSM, sharp @ 2.8, solid construction, smooth, beautiful bokem, black body
    None

    Absolutely wonderful lens. I had this as my main long zoom for almost two years now. I can't say enough good things about it, fast, sharp @ 2.8, beautiful IQ, Black body, balanced well on my 1-series. Alas the King is dead.

    I finally found a Canon 70-200/2.8is sharper than my Sigma ( I had to pixel peep to see the difference ). I only needed the IS for low light wedding and event shooting. I kept hoping Sigma would give this lens their OS, oh well.

    If you're not making money this is the lens to get unless you have to have IS. I've got large steady hands so I could shoot down to 1/50-60 with this lens ( I'm a excellent pistol and rifle marksman former USMC ). So bottom line don't be afraid to get this lens, you wont be sorry.

    reviewed November 7th, 2007 (purchased for $700)

  • Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Sharp, Fast focusing, great IQ, quiet, FTMF, great color, great build.
    Not 2.8 but neither is the price

    Ok, I tried not to like this lens. I wanted the 16-35L II, I got this one for a great price, just couldn't pass it up. I may still get the 16-35L II but later, this lens does everything but shoot @ 2.8. It is fast and sharp, my two favorite things in a lens. I've continued to be free of my Canon curse. My last three "L's" have all been SOTB (sharp out the box). Don't ask how many were not, it offends some people. Anyway try it you might like it. Now I can go for the 135L next.

    reviewed March 24th, 2008 (purchased for $470)

  • Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Fast, Sharp, Excellent IQ, Mad Bokem, Built like a tank, Beautiful Build Quality...WOW worth every dime...
    Doesn't come with CP and a nice storage place in hard case or nice soft case, picky huh :-)

    Ok, first of all got this beauty for a GREAT price. (Still had that new lens smell ) Totally unmarked with all the parts, UT date code. I've shot and played with it for a couple of months before I gave this review. This lens is the BOMB, it's fast to focus and EXTREMELY sharp. I can see why everyone raves about this lens. I shot some HS Baseball & Soccer with it last week. This is my first Great White and it's excellent it also takes the 1.4tc extremely well. I bought a nice Domke J-612 and Canon CP for it. I'm planning to get a 2x II also for a 600/5.6is. All I can say is WOW it's worth every dime...

    reviewed April 14th, 2009 (purchased for $3,000)