New "L" lens...

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Managed to pick up an as-new Canon 70-200mm f4L lens recently.

Completely gob-smacked at the difference in quality from my 17-85mm kit lens.

Sharpness and Colour correction are amazing.

Attached are a couple of pics of kids etc - real rough hand-held first attempts!

Camera: Canon 40D

ps...middle one isn't my kid!!!

[Benny L (Ben)]

Originally Posted by dugnsuz

Managed to pick up an as-new Canon 70-200mm f4L lens recently.

Completely gob-smacked at the difference in quality from my 17-85mm kit lens.

Sharpness and Colour correction are amazing.

Attached are a couple of pics of kids etc - real rough hand-held first attempts!

Camera: Canon 40D

ps...middle one isn't my kid!!!

yep, yep saw the exact same when i bought my first "L"

oh and nice shots btw

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Originally Posted by Benny L

yep, yep saw the exact same when i bought my first "L"

oh and nice shots btw

The difference in quality just jumps right out at you!!!!

They say the 70-200mm f4L is the entry level lens that gets you hooked on the harder stuff like the 300mm f2.8!!!!!

[Benny L (Ben)]

Originally Posted by dugnsuz

The difference in quality just jumps right out at you!!!!

They say the 70-200mm f4L is the entry level lens that gets you hooked on the harder stuff like the 300mm f2.8!!!!!

hahahaha! I'll agree with that just check out my sig lol

[snowyskiesau]

When I bought my 40D last year, I got the 70-200 F4 IS USM L at the same time.
The 17-85mm lens that came with the camera rarely gets a look in. It's the 70-200 all the time.
Nice shots too.

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Originally Posted by snowyskiesau

When I bought my 40D last year, I got the 70-200 F4 IS USM L at the same time.
The 17-85mm lens that came with the camera rarely gets a look in. It's the 70-200 all the time.
Nice shots too.

The 17-85mm is on ebay as we 'speak'!!!!!!

[snowyskiesau]

So what lens is next on the 'To Buy' list?
I'd like the 135mm but it's a big investment.

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Originally Posted by snowyskiesau

So what lens is next on the 'To Buy' list?
I'd like the 135mm but it's a big investment.

It's a toss up between the 1.4x extender or a bass guitar amp!!!
Jury's out at present!!!
Doug

[avandonk]

Your autofocus will not work below f4. If you don't believe me will lend you a Canon 1.4x teleconverter to try it out. PM me.

Nice images. It is really scary to see what a DSLR can do with a decent lens.

Bert

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Originally Posted by avandonk

Your autofocus will not work below f4. If you don't believe me will lend you a Canon 1.4x teleconverter to try it out. PM me.

Nice images. It is really scary to see what a DSLR can do with a decent lens.

Bert

Thanks Bert,
So as soon as I attach the extender to my f4 lens it'll become a f5.6 lens - so AF will be disabled is that correct? Not a problem for astro stuff, but a minor pain for daytime stuff - don't imagine dragging this lens about as a walk around lens though!

Doug

[madtuna (Steve)]

Originally Posted by dugnsuz

The difference in quality just jumps right out at you!!!!

They say the 70-200mm f4L is the entry level lens that gets you hooked on the harder stuff like the 300mm f2.8!!!!!

Dougie..I read all the hype about the L series lens and eventually Ebayed up the same lens.

I will never buy anything other than L series glass again!. The difference is amazing

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Originally Posted by madtuna

Dougie..I read all the hype about the L series lens and eventually Ebayed up the same lens.

I will never buy anything other than L series glass again!. The difference is amazing

Update - bought the 1.4x EF Extender (as you know)
But, recently bought the "nifty fifty" as my grab and go lens.
That's the 50mm f1.8 MkII - the cheapo plastic lens that performs well above it's build quality and price-point($100 on ebay)
Much better than I expected again!!! It's nice to be in a constant state of wonder!!!!
Attached is a happy snap taken with the 50mm lens and 40D

Cheers
Doug

[AlexN]

from my memory the 50mm 1.8 mk2 is plastic body, metal mount. Is that correct?

No photographers bag is complete with out a an exceptionally fast 50mm.. I myself have the nikon 50mm 1.8 and the 1.4, I would have sold the 1.8 when i got the 1.4 but for what people offer you for a perfect condition 2nd hand lens its just not worth it...

Nice happy snap doug. You've gotta love that background blur that only a 1.8/1.4 can provide... Very sharp features, lovely depth.

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Originally Posted by AlexN

from my memory the 50mm 1.8 mk2 is plastic body, metal mount. Is that correct?

Naah Alex,
Plastic Fantastic all the way!!!
Mount is solid plastic too, but I felt that the construction of the lens - often criticised heavily in reviews, was not as bad as implied.
Glass is very nice for the price, and the AF worked well too.
Unfortunately (for me) I've just sold this little gem to gary beal in order to fund my 40D mod adventure, but I'm sure I'll buy another 'nifty fifty' down the track.
Doug

[rogerg (Roger)]

Originally Posted by dugnsuz

Completely gob-smacked at the difference in quality from my 17-85mm kit lens.

Yeah... I remember what it was like when I got my first L lens, also the 70-200 F/4, several years back now... Every single shot looked stunning, no matter how rubbish the subject