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Reviews (95)
08 Feb, 2009
19-35mm F/3.5-4.5 EF Lens for Canon EOS
After searching the web for a bit, I've found that most websites conclude that this lens is one that is sold under various names, including Vivitar, Tamron, Tokina, Cosina, Quantaray, and Vivitar.
I have the Cosina version, but the general consensus with this series of lenses is that for the value, it can't be beat. I celebrated a $19.99 victory and am still happy with the performance of the lens. I wanted a cheap and light wide angle lens to fit the 1D/1Ds bodies and a standard zoom lens for the backup cropped body. And of course, I didn't want a lens that can't perform at all if I'm caught with it mounted.... and to be frank, given its great reputation, I actually picked this one up to see what the fuss was about.
Center performance is generally good (more than I expect for sure). Corners need stopping down, but it gets there with sharpness. Focus is very decently fast. The build varies depending on branding (Cosina version is acceptable as a consumer lens).
If you can pick one up for cheap, this would be an excellent lens. It is as good as people say it is. The next step up would require more funding, the various brand 17-35mm, Sigma 15-30mm, or even the 17-40mm L if you want to have an EF lens that doubles as a standard wide on a cropped body.
16 Feb, 2009
Old Screw Mount M42 Lenses on the Canons
2 of 2 found this helpful So you think the Canon 50mm F/1.8 II EF lens for your DSLR is a bargain? Well, this hunk of glass is not only a fraction of the $100 Canon lens, it also one ups it in a few other ways.
Usually only costing tens of dollars ($30 or so including shipping! maybe cheaper if you get a body with it), this is a lens that doesn't smell plastic all over. From back in the day when quality matters, this Takumar is supremely well made. Everything but the rubber grip is metal and the focus ring turns with just the right amount of resistance. Of course, being only manual focus, it matters they get the focusing ring right... but everything else on top of that hints quality (and being MF, it's also smaller if that matters to you). It's well built and will last you another 40 years.
More importantly though, this thing is sharp. It's sharp wide open and all over. And if you step it down just a bit, it gets sharper everywhere still. The contrast that comes out of the glass is also very good. No complaints about the image quality at all.
But of course it's not perfect. Or else everybody would want one and the prices will surely go up... and then no one would want one. The biggest issue of course is the manual focusing for the modern day auto focusing crowd. If you don't mind the MF, get one of those cheap AF confirm M42-to-EF adapters and you're good to go for all M42 lenses in the future. I personally buy M42 (and others like Contax/Yashica, Nikon, Pentax K) lenses for things I don't need MF. These include studio portraits (everything is under control) and maco work (MF is required here). Be careful if you have a full frame camera though. The 5D/1Ds mirrors can sometimes hit the rear element of fast lenses since they are large and closer to the sensor plane (the only one I know of is the Tak 50mm F/1.4, for which you can get the Chinon/Ricoh/Sears counterpart instead).
You also need a hood if you got some earlier versions where there is no or little coatings (the Super Multi Coated, SMC, whatever else thing). Flare will degrade your overall (not really micro) contrast that can be mostly fixed in PP.
It might not seem like it's worth it to jump to the manual focusing bandwagon when you need to learn another line up (or line ups considering the various brands) of lenses, the good ones, the gems, and the rare ones that you should avoid (very rare). But I find these senior lenses to each have their own personalities. They render the pictures differently than today's have-to-be-sharp run of the mill lenses. I always notice the 3D like images I get from my Takumar 105mm F/2.8 (very under rated lens if you want a good portrait)... something to do with contrast and tones for specific colors and such.
Besides, this is the most economical way to get that F/1.4 and F/1.2 fast and sharp glass without having to sell your kids... which is illegal, by the way.
So if you're looking for something different or you have already owned all the lenses in your camp or your wallet is a bit lighter than you would like, try these blasts from the past. No one I know has ever regretted.
One final piece of info: all Takumars lenses (i.e. Pentax M42 glass) are good. No joke.
06 Oct, 2016
For that price, it's within reach of everyone!
The price of these off brand/imported flash diffusers is awesome. It's lets amateurs and pros on a budget to try these out without much of an investment. A workable and good sized diffuser for $35? Looking for a "disposable" solution in case of traveling or risky setups? It's awesome.
- the thing packs small. It folds neatly into the carry case at 9"x12" and is light. Super.
- overall quality is good. It's not a pro product or premium tiered item by any means, but it'll get the job done for much less and if it breaks, you can still buy a few more (if you want) without breaking the bank. The plastic mount looks like it'll hold if you don't drop it too many times, but the stitching doesn't look too durable and would probably be the first to give, especially since there is a lot of pressure by the wire frames underneath.
- a big plus that the clamping mount can accommodate speedlites of various sizes and it even has a slot if you need to use an umbrella instead of the softbox.
- the softbox part retracts and folds much like you do with a reflector. You need to bend properly and with a bit of force to put the thing back into the pouch. It folds with a little complication... so make sure to get your assistant to do it :-D or don't do it in front of clients or it'll look like it's your first time using it.
- the Bowens mount is good to accept various light modifiers too, certainly a bonus.
- note that some listings separate the mount and the softbox, so make sure to check. And most don't come with a light stand either.
- wish that it has a version in which you can put in multiple speedlites. It makes for a good solution when you need portability
Overall, it's an excellent toy or tool for the price. Can't go wrong if you're looking to spend less for something like this.