Posts Tagged ‘Prime Lens’
Canon EF 50mm f1 4 USM Standard and Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
The CANON EF 50MM f/1.4 USM is a standard lens featuring superb quality and portability. Two high-refraction lens elements and new Gaussian optics eliminate astigmatism and suppress astigmatic difference. Crisp images with little flare are obtained even at the maximum aperture. Max. Diameter & Length – 73.8mm x 50.5mm
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Great lens -challenging to use
I have been reading reviews of this lens for many months and finally decided to take the plunge. As an amateur I was hesitant to buy this because of the fact that its zoom was “fixed”, but after a couple of weeks I am as happy as can be. The other issue was that my camera body is a Rebel XT -hardly capable of getting the most out of this lens, but when I upgrade I will not be out the investment. 
Having a prime lens sure is challenging. I actually took this on a couple oh hikes, which normally would have begged for a much more wide angle view in order to best capture the sweeping vista’s, but you know what? This one forced me to really think about my composition far more than the kit lens and have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the images after getting home and viewing them on the PC.
The one thing this lens is best at, indoor photography, is the one thing I have not really done. Can’t wait for the Christmas season and the pictures I am able to snap of various light displays!
5 Stars Love it so much!….
I came across this lens simply by accident!…I like to shoot in very low light, without using the flash, so I really didn’t know how to
solve this problem. I”m a self taught passionate amateur with tons of digital camera questions that needed to be answered.
So, one day, I asked a photographer how could I solve this “low light” problem… he spoke highly of the Canon 50mm 1.4 lens…
I use it for shooting in very low light with great results. And, I never use the flash because I don’t like it!..
For portraits, it can’t be beat!. And the “Bokeh” is always on target! (meaning backround blur)
I constantly use it for my Macro work. I attach a Kenko extension tube to it and the macro results
are stunning!…
A few weeks ago, this lens was “stolen” from me and I immediately ordered another one.
Not all people may have a use for this lens, but for me, its “priceless!”…
5 Stars Canon 50mm f/1.4 takes amazing pictures!
I bought the Canon 50mm lens about a year ago when my daughter was born. This lens is now my only walk about lens. It takes amazing pics in low light conditions and has gorgeous bokeh. I thought about buying the 50mm/f1.2 but couldn’t justify paying over $1000 for that lens. I’m very happy with the 50mm/f1.4.
5 Stars one of my favorite lens!
very nice bokeh separating the subject from the background. very sharp picture. very fast focusing.. i just loves this lens!
4 Stars Great lens for a great price!
This was the first lens I bought after my kit lens. I was going to shoot indoor sports so wanted the wide aperture. This lens produces great pictures that are very sharp. The bokeh is also quite nice. Considering this one is $800 less than the 50 1.2, I think it’s a steal. This lens almost never leaves my camera. I shoot portraits now and it is great for shallow DOF shots! I would buy it again.
Canon EF 2X II Extender Telephoto Accessory
Outstanding optical performance that visually matches the images quality of the host lens / Provides 2-times Photo Magnification Lens construction – 7 elements / 5 groups Overall length – 56.5mm Max. diameter – 71.1mm Package includes Extender Cap, Lens Dust Cap E, Lens Case LP811
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Excellent Product from Canon
This Extender is really great. The image quality is extremly good. However, I think that it is mandatory to use a tripod to get great shots with the Extender. The optical components of the extender are great.
4 Stars Simply put…it performs to expectation!
I have only used this Extender outdoors so far to photograph my 14 year old son’s football game. Simply put…it performed to my expectation and beyond. I saw no loss of quality with these pictures. I sat in the bleachers and was able to zoom in to actually see the player’s faces clearly. So far, I am very excited about this lens extender and the possibilities with football and baseball games.
5 Stars Must have for nature and wildlife photographers
Amazing product with my 70-200 2.8 and this product I was able to take pictures of a Squirrel and it was just as if he was sitting in my living room. The close up was so good that I was able to distinguish the sex of the squirrel highly recommended and worth every penny enjoy.
4 Stars Great to keep in the bag
Will this get the same results as a dedicated 400/500/600mm prime lens..?
Nope.
Did I expect it to..?
Nope.
It’s a great thing to leave in the bag for those times when 200mm is just not quite enough or you didn’t feel like lugging the 300 f/2.8 (or longer) around.
OK, so it drops my 70-200 down to f/5.6 but I can live with that if it means the difference between getting a shot or going home empty handed.
The difference in sharpness in prints is only slight and only found IF you’re looking for it. Most people will never see the difference. That said, care needs to be taken. Using a tripod is almost a must. (FWIW I use one a lot and for ANYTHING shot at 300mm or greater.) Hand holding a 400mm lens is a bit dodgy at the best of times IMO.
Most of the complaints I see for this are by people that either didn’t take the time to check which lenses it will work on or figure that they’ll get exactly the same results using a 70-200 f/4 (or lesser) as they would if they had chosen a fast 400mm in the first place. Not going to happen. Canon is very specific about which lenses can use this…and the body focus specs aren’t exactly hidden either…
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to increase the reach of an already SHARP compatible lens then go for it. If you think you’re going to get Canon 400mm f/2.8L performance for [...] bucks… Well, sorry but, time for a reality check.
So why 4 stars instead of 5?
I don’t want to skew the results and make people think this is something that they must have or can’t live without. IF you can use it, know it’s limitations, and HOW to use it…well then it’s a nice addition to the kit. OTOH, it’s not the end all be all accessory that many people hope/wish/think that it is.
Like I said up top, it’s a great thing to keep in the bag.
5 Stars This may over ride auto focus capabilities
I shoot a lot of long distance action, sports, wildlife, etc. and thought this would be a good addition for my canon 100-400mm. My long canon lens is an f/5.6 and when multiplied by the 2x extender gives it an equivalent of f/11.2, beyond the f/8 capability of the autofocus. It worked fine on manual focus and for many situations, this is actually the best way to go, but for on-the-move photography (birds in flight, football players)it was inconvenient. I ended up sending it back and am going with the 1.4 extender – it does not provide as much range, but does not override the auto focus either. The lens is excellent, just beware of the limitations it may impose on your particular needs.
Canon EF 1 4X II Extender Telephoto Accessory
Attaching this high performance Extender to a 135mm or longer lens, or to the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L boosts the focal length by 1.4 times. With five elements in four lens groups, it preserves the prime lens’ image quality.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Canon Extender is super
I have this canon extender and works wonder if you want longer range. Most of the extender is use for the white lens except for the 28-300mm f4.5-5.6 L lens. Highly recommend this teleconverter.
4 Stars An excellent and compact way to extend your telephoto lenses
The EF 1.4x II Extender is a cost-effective and highly portable way to add some extra reach to your telephoto lenses. One thing to note right up front, though, since apparently some shoppers seem not to realize it, is that it is not compatible with all lenses. It is, in fact, compatible only with a specific set of Canon EF lenses: L-series primes of 135mm or longer, and the 70-200mm L and 100-400mm L zooms. It will not work with other lenses, and in particular it will not work with third-party lenses from Sigma, Tamron, or other manufacturers. It is not a completely generic adapter; a lens must be designed to fit it.
The Extender increases the focal length of a compatible lens by 1.4x, and correspondingly decreases the lens’s maximum effective aperture by one stop. A 70-200mm f/2.8 lens thus becomes a 98-280mm f/4 lens, and a 400mm f/5.6 lens becomes a 560mm f/8 lens. Extended focal length and effective aperture are correctly reported to the camera by the Extender. Auto-focus may become somewhat slower (though with my 70-200mm f/2.8 I have not noticed it), and if maximum aperture falls below f/5.6, auto-focus may be unable to function. (This is not the fault of the Extender, but a limitation of most of Canon’s camera bodies, which require an aperture of f/5.6 or better for auto-focus.)
Image quality is quite good, though one should not expect a lens with the Extender to deliver performance comparable to a longer lens. Canon’s 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens, for example, will deliver a somewhat sharper image at the same focal length and aperture than the Extender with a 70-200 f/2.8 lens (though you may have to go pixel-peeping, or print your photos out at an extremely large size, to see the difference). The standard I apply is that the Extender should do a better job than simply shooting without the Extender and using software to crop and blow up the image. By this measure, it succeeds, though if focus is less than perfect the difference is easily lost.
Along with the increase in focal length comes a corresponding reduction in depth of field, which for some applications will be just as important as the increased magnification. A 200mm lens with the Extender has the same depth of field as a 280mm lens at the same aperture.
So, to sum up, while the Extender won’t deliver results quite as good as longer lenses would, it does a good job, and it’s a lot less expensive than adding to your lens collection, and much more portable than carrying around more lenses. Plus, if you ever do buy longer lenses (assuming that they’re Canon L-series), the Extender will work with them too!
5 Stars Great addition to the lens
I’m using this with a 70-200 2.8L IS USM lens and it works great. Fast focusing, great alternative to another lens. The only downside is the loss of an f-stop.
5 Stars A Must add-on for this Lens
This Canon EF 1.4X II Extender is a must when using the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens. It really complaints the lens and adds to the zoom when needing to get close. I’m really happy I purchase the Extender when I purchased the new lens. You won’t be disappointed at all.
4 Stars A necessary “evil?”
You want reach? You want weather sealing? Here it is. Too bad there is some obvious image degradation. This is my second copy. It seems to work better (that is to say I don’t notice the IQ difference as much) than the first one, however, so I am pleased about that. It’s an inexpensive and cost-effective way to gain a little reach and it only costs one stop of light, so for the most part, it’s worth it. Recommended.
Lowepro Nova 160 AW Camera Bag Black
For 1 Digital SLR with 18-55mm or 17-85mm f/3.5-5.6 lens attached plus 1-2 additional lenses, 2 memory cards and a flash unit
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Perfect for Canon Rebel XS with 3 lenses
I use my bag told hold my Rebel XS as well as all my lenses and have no complaints so far. The lenses I keep in the bag are the Canon 55-250mm IS with hood reversed, the Canon 50mm f1.8, and the Canon 18-55mm IS. I can store all of them without feeling like I am cramming too much in, and can store the camera with any of the lenses attached to it. I had looked at the Nova 140, but it did not have enough space to hold the camera with the 55-250 attached, so it was out. This bag also has lots of pockets for all the goodies you need to carry, including USB cable, cards, filters, etc. This would not work for a full frame camera, but for a consumer SLR such as the Rebel XS, this fits the bill quite nicely.
5 Stars The perfect day kit bag
I have been using Lowepro bags for a long time and I’m always amazed at the simplicity of the design. This bag is perfect as my daily grab-and-go bag for my Pentax K-7 kit. It’s weather-proof, just like my Pentax gear so I don’t have to worry about the occasional rain or snow shower. I keep my SLR with a prime lens in one side (actually laying on the side with the grip facing up for quick access) and have room on the other side for another lens and some filters. The strap is well made and is easy to adjust. The zippers are well made and zip easily open and closed. The bag has an overall well-made fit and finish and is a joy to use. The top handle is padded and very comfortable to hold for short periods or while moving the bag around. Like most other top-flap designed bags, the handle on the top isn’t very useful unless the bag is zippered and clasped closed. A short handle strap instead of a handle would have been a better choice for me, but I’m really nitpicking here.
The memory card pockets and zippered pocket on the inside face of the top cover are perfectly placed. There are a couple of elastic pockets on the outside of each end of the bag along with a zippered pocket on the back (probably only large enough for pamphlets or a map) as well as a compact zippered pocket on the front where I keep some smaller filters. If you have a compact DSLR and are looking for a compact bag to go along with it, I would highly recommend this bag. I can sling it over my shoulder and take it with me wherever I go and it hardly weighs anything. Highly recommended!
5 Stars High Quality…Perfect!
I was trying to find the perfect camera bag for my new Olympus SP565uz and stumbled upon this product…am I ever glad I did! It’s light-weight, just big enough without looking like I’m pretending to be a professional photog, and until I become adept enough with my new camera to buy an add’l lense, the extra section can hold a bag of snacks! Velco strips enable you to block off just the right inside space to house your camera.
It has many pockets, so I can stash my credit card holder, passport and even my tiny-print camera manual. Pockets just for my extra X-D Picture cards, extra batteries, etc. On both sides, on the outside, are mesh pockets perfect for a couple small water bottles.
The feature that really sold me was the fold-over top, so there’s no chance rain can creap in through the zipper…it even has its own “raincoat” stashed in the front pocket. Kudos to whoever designed this!!
5 Stars Just what I needed
Couldn’t be happier with this bag. The photo in the Amazon add makes it appear green, but it’s really a very nice brown. anyway, it’s good quality, holds everything I need (I’m a video producer for the Air Force, but not a photographer, so I’m limited on what I need for my home photo needs). So this holds my K2000, extra lens, flash unit and all the little things I need for it — SDHD cards, spare batteries, etc. This bag won’t hold much more than that, but it holds this much very well. Haven’t used the weather-protection cover yet. My son recently purchased a Canon camera as well, and I recommended going with a Lowepro bag.
5 Stars Well built and roomy camera bag
Got this bag for a Canon SX10 IS. It easily holds the camera, spare batteries and charger, adapters, filters, SD cards, AV and usb cables, etc. It has a rain fly that pulls out of the bag to cover the bag when its raining. Actually it’s a little large for the SX10 IS. I would rather have a little extra space than not enough. Very happy with the Nova 160.
Sigma 50mm f 1 4 EX DG HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new large aperture 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM standard lens. This is a large aperture prime lens with a standard focal length of 50mm, ideal for all digital SLR cameras. This lens has superior peripheral brightness even at the maximum aperture and corrects a possible sagittal coma flare. This lens is perfectly suited for a wide range of subjects enabling outstanding, sharply defined images against a nicely blurred background. The fast, F1.4 aperture makes this lens desirable for use with Digital SLR cameras. This lens effectively becomes a 80mm medium telephoto lens on digital cameras with APS-C size image sensors. The optimum optical design and molded glass aspherical lens elements provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations. The super multi-layer lens coating reduces flare and ghosting. Superior optical performance is also ensured throughout the focusing range. This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 17.7″ (45cm) and has maximum magnification of 1:7.4. It creates a very attractive blur, even when a small aperture is used. This lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), which ensures a quiet and high-speed AF as well as full-time manual focus override. Minimum Aperture – F16 Filter Size – Diameter 77mm / 3 in. Dimensions – Diameter 84.5mm X Length 68.2mm / 3.3 in. X 2.7 in. Weight – 505g / 17.8 oz
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Beats Nikon’s 50mm f/1.4 AF-S
If you’re considering a 50mm f/1.4 prime, you’re probably planning on a lot of low-light people-shooting or structured portraits. I shoot mostly weddings and other events where light is highly variable and flash is sometimes prohibited or inappropriate.
The lens I use most on my Nikon D300 is the fabled Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Zoom, a fantastic general-purpose lens that works well in most situations including low-light environments. But when I shoot portraits or when I can move without restriction (”sneaker-zoom”), I switch to this Sigma 50mm f/1.4, mainly for the unmatched bokeh (i.e., the quality of the appearance of objects in the out-of-focus background).
I compared this Sigma to the new Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S (released soon after the Sigma) before buying. The Nikon is about forty bucks cheaper in most shops. It is unusual for a third-party lens to sell for more than it’s on-brand direct rival, but the higher price of this Sigma is justified.
I can confirm the remarks of other users: the Sigma is slightly softer wide open, but the Sigma and Nikon are tied for sharpness after 1.8. It’s the Sigma’s bokeh that justifies its slightly higher price.
When you shoot portraits, you usually want all the attention on the subject’s eyes. Pinpoint-lights in the bokeh draw attention away from the focal point. The Nikon tends to produce distracting background elements when small, bright lights are present. These can be Christmas lights, distant lights including car headlamps, or small reflections from bright metallic surfaces.
The Sigma smooths out the background, including bright lights, and produces a pleasing blur that does not draw attention (except if you’re a photography nerd who pays as much attention to bokeh as to the subject, in which case the problem is of course yours, not the lens’s).
I noticed at least one other reviewer list the 77mm filter size as a “con.” I respectfully disagree. Yes, 77mm filters are more expensive than smaller ones, but if you’re using other high-quality lenses (such as the pro zooms and many of the best primes), the 77mm filter size means you don’t have to buy new filters. It’s puzzling to me why Nikon chose to make their 50mm f/1.4 with a 52mm filter size — a size most pros and semi-pros don’t much use.
The Sigma is much larger and heavier than the Nikon — large enough to make a difference if you’re carrying it on a walking trip. But its build quality seems higher, as well, and the results speak for themselves.
In short:
Simply outstanding for portraits and low-light indoor people shots;
Bokeh is superior to that of the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 AF-S;
Slightly softer than the Nikon wide open, but equal or better after f/1.8;
Larger and heavier than the Nikon, with arguably better construction;
77mm filter size means more expensive filters, but compatibility with other pro lenses.
This lens represents a huge leap forward for Sigma — so great a leap that I’m sure they’ve shocked themselves. They’ve certainly shocked everyone else.
5 Stars Blows the canon 50mm 1.8 out of the water
I have spent the last year shooting with the Canon 50mm 1.8 Mk II, and for the price, its a great… in fact I’d call it a “gateway” lens- you’ll start wanting more and more lenses after you try it. It made me want a better 50mm in this case. Indeed, I’d recommend the Canon 1.8 to anyone who just bought a new Rebel and wondering what all the fuss is about with DSLR’s. But to the point- this Sigma blows it out of the water in terms of sharpness. No comparison. The 1.8 did fine for what it was, but with the SIgma set at 2.2, the subject in focus is so unbelievably sharp that it can take your breath away. I have never used the Canon 1.4 so I can’t compare the two, but man oh man, this Sigma lens is the business. I have it mounted on an XSI, btw.
I know there are some reviews below that mention issues with focus, but you can chalk one vote here in the “worth every penny” group.
2 Stars Not much better than a canon 50mm 1.8
I bought this lens to upgrade my 50mm 1.8 mkII, unfortunately, this lens isn’t considerably sharper, nor does it produce a strikingly different bokeh as advertised. Yes, highlights will be circular instead of having a pentagon shape, but it pretty much end there to my eye. The build quality is excellent, but it is heavy and bulky. Also, and more importantly, the focus ring offers a lot of resistance while turning, something to consider if you are planning to use this lens for video on a 5d mkii. Finally, the lens front-focuses a bit, but not much.
For the price difference and all the extra weight, I was hoping for better performance.
5 Stars Simply marvelous!
No complaints at all. It’s not even as big as I was led to believe by other reviews despite the 77mm thread. Only downside from the 77mm is that it doesn’t share the same 72mm polarizer I own for other lenses. That’s no big deal though since I primarily use this lens as a portrait lens. On my DX camera (Nikon D90), it’s ~75 mm-equivalent which is just how you want a portrait lens to be. Sharp focus, rich colors, and very nice bokeh. Being able to use this same lens on a full-format camera is just a bonus.
5 Stars Sigma 50mm f1.4 EX DG HSM lens
Yes it’s big, yes it’s heavy, yes it’s expensive, and YES it is better than any other 50mm f1.4 auto focus lenses currently on sale in the market place.
If you can’t take a half decent photo with this lens then blame yourself, don’t blame this lens.
By the way, I used this on my Sigma SD14 and it focuses fast, accurate, and silent.
- Camcoder Accessories (1)
- Camera Accessories (1)
- Canon Digital (1)
- Canon Digital Rebel (2)
- Canon Digital SLR Camera (2)
- Canon Powershot (1)
- Canon SLR (618)
- Photographer Reviews (2)
