Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM Review (Photography Blog)

Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM Review

The Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM (price & specs) is the standard choice for many pros using Canon full-frame cameras. The lens has image stabilization, macro features and an ultrasonic motor for AF. Although it has a price tag of $1499 it is still cheaper than the heavy discussed Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM (price & specs), which comes at $2199. If you can live without the f/2.8 (but there is Canon’s excellent IS instead) this lens may be the right glass on your full-frame DSLR (like the entry level Canon EOS 6D (price & specs), the cam used to test the 24-70 f/4).

Photography Blog reviewed the 24-70 f/4 posting an exhaustive review (check the various sections about the lens’ sharpness, samples images here). In the conclusion they write (emphasis mine):

Given its L-series billing, the Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM build quality is reassuringly excellent and it makes a perfect partner to a full-frame Canon DSLR like the EOS6D that we tested it with. Auto-focusing is quiet and quick, with the ability to manually override it and focus manually if required proving a nice touch. The capable image stabilisation system used in conjunction with a high-ISO monster like the 6D is a low-light shooter’s dream ticket, making it easy to hand-hold the camera and get the shot, despite the relatively slow maximum aperture of f/4.

Canon EOS 6D price check:  B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

[via Photography Blog]

More EOS 6D Impressions By DPreview

DPreview added six more pages to their Canon EOS 6D (price & specs) review. The new information:

We’ve added our noise, dynamic range, resolution and test scene shots to the preview, including analysis. We’ve also gone back and re-worked the introduction and expanded on our first impressions of the camera.

Click here to read DPreview’s updated Canon EOS 6D preview

Click here to go to DPreview’s test and analysis section

B&H has a cool EOS 6D kit on sale. Get Canon’s entry level full-frame DSLR with the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS lens for $2499 (click here).

Canon EOS 6D price check: [shopcountry 7139]

Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM DxOMarked (very sharp!)

Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM DxOMarked

DxOMark analyzed the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM (price & specs) using a EOS 5D Mark II (price & specs), and the nifty pancake got figures:

Considering its relatively low price, the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM was a solid performer on our DxOMark Camera Lens Ratings. […] it rates among the top seven standard prime lenses (with a focal range between 35mm and 85mm) achieving an overall DxOMark Score of 26.

Strengths of the Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM include resolution […] Additionally, our sharpness measurements and field maps […] indicated that the lens delivered relatively consistent edge-to-edge sharpness from f/2.8 to f/11.

Other strengths include its low geometric distortion and well-controlled chromatic aberration as indicated by its low Chromatic Aberration score of 10µm.

The one weakness of the Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM was the strong vignetting evident at the widest apertures. You can see from the vignetting field maps below that at f/2.8, there is heavy shading across 2/3 of the field.

The Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM actually has price tag of $149. A bargain for a lens that has such a good perfomance (click on shop name): B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA.

The 40mm pancake performs slightly better than the much pricier Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM(price & specs), and the cheaper EF 50mm f/1.8. As you can see, all three lenses have very good sharpness figures.

Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM DxOMarked

[via DxOMark]

Sigma EF 35mm f/1.4 DG Reviews Round-Up

 

Sigma EF 35mm f/1.4 DG Reviews

Well, just two Sigma EF 35mm f/1.4 DG Reviews. :-)

The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG (price & specs), part of Sigma’s “A” (Art) line-up, is getting very positive reviews allover the web. Having a price tag of $899 it is also affordable for most of us.

Photography Blog has to say:

If the new 35mm F1.4 DG HSM lens is anything to go by, Sigma are definitely raising their game with the recent introduction of their three new lens ranges (Art, Sports and Contemporary). The Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM is a fast and tack-sharp lens that exhibits low chromatic aberrations and very little barrel distortion. Vignetting at wide-open apertures is the only real optical issue of note, something that other fast lenses also suffer from, and stopping down to F/4 solves the problem altogether.

SLRgear writes:

Sigma’s produced an excellent lens in the 35mm ƒ/1.4 DG HSM, with comparatively great performance at the ƒ/1.4 aperture setting, where the lens will no doubt be used for the majority of the time. There’s a lot to like here: great results for sharpness, low chromatic aberration, and low distortion. There is some significant corner shading when used wide open, but coupled with the corner softness at the same aperture settings this contributes to an interesting look and subject isolation. If you’re looking for corner-to-corner image sharpness you’ll need to stop down. The Sigma 35mm ƒ/1.4 is definitely priced to compete, and designed to perform.

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Update – More About The Metabones Speed Booster (Guess Which Is The FF Cam!)

Update: According to Japanese site dc.watch.impress the Metabones Speed Boost adapter will be on sale in Japan at the end of January 2013.

Update2: click here to read Metabones' white paper about the Speed Booster adapter. 30 pages of tech talk.

More About The Metabones Speed Booster. EOSHD did some simple but effective tests with Metabones' amazing Speed Booster adapter (we reported here). In short: the Metabones Speed Booster makes a lens wider and faster. Sounds like voodoo? It isn't, just clever engineering. To give a visual aid to what the adapater promises to deliver, have a look at the following two images. Only one was shot using a full-frame DSLR.

More About The Metabones Speed Booster
Image courtesy: EOSHD

Did you guess which pic was shot with the full-frame camera? Both pics were shot using a Sigma 24mm F1.8 (price & specs). The top one using a Sony NEX-7 (price & specs), the bottom pic using a Canon EOS 5D Mark III (price & specs)

As you can see the field of view is as good as identical. Quoting EOSHD: “The Speed Boost effect on aperture is highly evident too. On the NEX 7 the camera reports the maximum aperture as F1.3 and it is certainly brighter. […the] “depth of field is as shallow on the NEX 7 as the 5D Mark III despite the difference in sensor size.“

I agree with the following statement: “This is a groundbreaking product for photographers and cinematographers alike.” The EOSHD post has more samples to check and an exhaustive description on how this wonder thing works.

A synthetic description how the adapter works: “If your sensor is smaller than full frame, shrink the image that the lens throws to fit over it. That is the principal behind the Metabones Speed Booster which essentially gives you the full frame look and a brighter image all at once…“

With this adapter:

  • A 24mm wide angle like the Canon 24mm F1.4L becomes a 24mm wide angle on the Sony FS100 (price & specs), with the same shallow DOF and field of view as on the 5D Mark III

  • A F1.2 aperture on a Canon lens becomes F0.90, a significant 1 stop brighter image in low light

  • Depth of field becomes shallower – the same as it would be on full frame

[EOSHD via Fujirumors]

 

Canon EOS-1D X Review (ephotozine)

New Canon EOS-1D X Firmware Released

ephotozine reviewed Canon’s professional flagship, the Canon EOS-1D X (price & specs). Highly weather-sealed body, an advanced AF system, plenty of controls, outstanding low light performance. This toy has everything a professional photographer may wish. In the verdict they write:

If you’re looking for the ultimate in speed, image quality, and performance, as well as exceptional low light performance then the Canon EOS 1D X certainly delivers in abundance. With extremely high ISO settings available it’s possible to shoot in low light situations hand-held where you would normally have to setup a tripod and timer, as long as you don’t mind using these higher ISO settings.

[…]

The Canon EOS 1D X gives the best low light high ISO performance of any full frame Digital SLR yet! One of the biggest negatives about this camera is the price, with the Canon EOS 1D X being one of the most expensive full frame Digital SLRs available, however, for those seeking the ultimate in speed, and low light performance, the price will be justified, assuming you have the budget for it.

They list the following pros:

  • Exceptional high ISO performance
  • Excellent image quality
  • 2 year warranty offered on Canon Pro bodies
  • Extremely solid build quality
  • Large, bright optical viewfinder
  • Fastest shooting full frame DSLR available
  • Large bright optical viewfinder
  • Great 3.2inch screen
  • High speed focus

and cons:

  • Size, Weight
  • Expense (Nikon D4 cheaper)
  • Lacks in camera HDR of following models

The EOS-1D X got a “highly recommended” rating. Canon EOS-1D X price check: [shopcountry 4119] [via ephotozine]