April 2, 2009

From Gerald R. Lucas
Revision as of 11:23, 13 January 2021 by Grlucas (talk | contribs) (Updated cat.)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
The printable version is no longer supported and may have rendering errors. Please update your browser bookmarks and please use the default browser print function instead.

New Toy

Go wide or go home. I finally have my first Canon “L” lens: the EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM. And it’s a beauty.

Canon-16-35mm-l.png

I started a new set on my Flickr account to feature some shots from this gorgeous piece of glass. I’m sure I’ll add to it for a while, at least until the novelty wears off. The first impressions are excellent: solid and well built, it feels just right on the 5D.

Before this lens, I had the excellent Tokina AT-X 124 AF PRO DX 12-24mm f/4 which I bought the day before my wedding, May 19, 2006, and used for about 3 years. The Tokina is a tank, and I took some wonderful pictures with it. However, it had two drawbacks for me: it was slow, both to focus and in aperture. It is a wonderful lens in good light, but forget about using it in low-light situations. Also, the focal length was a bit too far at 30cm, especially at 12mm. Still, even with these “drawbacks,” the Tokina is an excellent lens, and I have no regrets about purchasing it.

The Canon 16-35mm makes up for the Tokina’s drawbacks. It’s fast: the USM is quick and silent, and the aperture is f/2.8, letting copious light to my 5D’s full-frame sensor and creating creamy bokeh. The focal length also bests the Tokina at 28 cm, though it seems like I can get much closer than that.

If the rain stops, I should be out there giving this beauty a full test this weekend. Stay tuned.

Canon Camera Information
Camera: Canon Digital Rebel XT1, Canon EOS 30D, Canon EOS 5D, or Canon EOS 6D • Prime Lenses: Sigma 10mm f/2.8 EX DC Fisheye HSM, Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM, Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM, or Canon EF f/1.2 85mm L USM • Zoom Lenses: Canon EF f/2.8 16–35mm L, Canon EF 24–70mm L, Canon EF 70–200mm L IS USM, Tokina AT-X 124 AF PRO DX 12-24mm f/4 • Processed with Apple Aperture.