Posts Tagged ‘ef’
For years, I have been using my 28-70 f:2.8 Canon zoom as my “normal” lens. It is sharp (Oh baby is it!) and at 2.8,fast enough for just about any pro or serious amateur. But there were plenty of times I needed a little more coverage than the 28MM focal length provided. Since most of my work is with long-lens and fast (and expensive) zooms, I couldn’t pony up the bucks for Canon’s superwide f2.8 zoom. When I saw the price on the 17-40MM lens and the fact that it was the “L” flavor with pro glass, I bought it immediately. I’ve had it for about a year and I have already sold several pictures – published in glossy magazines with picky photo editors. And I trust it to give me sharp pictures, even at the extreme settings – wide open and at the 17MM end. You have to remember to always use the weird looking but effective lens hood to control flare and as with any very wide lens, look at the edges of the frame (your feet could be in every picture!) It’s light, good enough to use as your normal lens and with their new 70-300 IS DO lens could make for an amazing and compact travel kit. So while Canon’s lens experts probably built this one for the growing digital crowd, as a film user I think it’s the bargain of the year and is in my camera bag every time I go on assignment. I suggest that you get a good quality “thin” UV filter and polarizer and you will be set to explore the exciting world of ultra-wide photography.
Important update: I recently returned from an assignment to Monte Carlo to test drive sports cars. Part of the deal was to get thrill rides from a pro driver up and down the French mountains above Monaco. Armed with my 17-40MM an EOS 1V, 540 flash, and Velvia 50, I clicked off a whole roll of film during my turn in the passenger’s seat. The magazine editor called me when he saw the slides and said that the shots in the car were the “strongest images” in the shoot. Yup, the lens is that good.
Canon EF 17 40mm | societyofherbariumcurators
A Must-Have for Amateurs!. I just purchased this product several days ago and I’m already in love with the improved image quality of my 50mm shots. Shifting from my newer Canon Rebel Xti with kit lens to this is like night and day. The bokeh in images comes out like I imagine when lining up the shot, and the fixed length makes me want to keep this lens in for all walk-around shots.
Taking others’ reviews into consideration before purchasing, the lens does feel rather delicate ( ~ 1/4 lb.); but please also remember, it’s also < $100. No other lens of this price range (new) falls into the same category. Bottom line, get this lens if you wish to change your beginner DSLR experience from that of the kit lens. For portraits and landscapes alike, you can't go wrong with the 50mm F/1.8!