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post by ableh

New slot machines Kr in the Pentax lineup between the entry level model Kx and K-7 enthusiast. Visually, it is much closer to the Kx but a closer look under the hood reveals that the new camera has been improved in various fields. Specifically, Kr now shows the point of active focus in the viewfinder when the shutter is pressed halfway. The lack of this feature was one of our main points of criticism of the Kx and Km (which is almost certainly why the prism Kr is slightly larger than Kx).

Despite the visual similarities with Kx Kr is supplied with components of both the Kx and K-7 and includes some completely new features as well. Kx as he captures the images and 720p video onto a sensor of 12.4. As the K-7 pictures and menus can be viewed on a 3.0 inch LCD screen with 921k pixels resolution. In addition, Kr offers the widest ISO (100 to 25,600 in enhanced mode) and the fastest burst mode (6.0 fps) of all current Pentax DSLRs. New features include an IR interface simple (wireless data transfer to compatible devices), a method of treatment of substance and a Night Scene HDR. For photographers who can not decide whether they prefer AA batteries or a rechargeable property as a source of their power unit offers two options of Kr. It comes with a rechargeable battery AA standard but can be used with an adapter optional.

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post by ableh

The first version of this lens won the nickname of his bigmir Heft 4.25 pound and enormous size.

Now is the Son of bigmir ($ 1,600, street), lighter at just under 4.2 pounds, but with a number of optical improvements, including image stabilization.

Like the original, this 50-500mm offers the widest range of zoom-10X-all objectives Sigma full-frame. It is much wider than the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS (4X) or Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR (5x) stabilized full editors.

An equivalent 75-750mm on most DSLRs APS-C sensor, it has four elements SLD HSM Sigma AF and silent AF motor that allows manual focus touch-ups. Its construction is superb, with a pretty

arrival and a removable tripod collar with grooves for grip.

In our test lab, its sharpness SQF numbers were excellent at 50 and 100 mm. As expected, they fell to Very Good Good then 200mm and 300mm, respectively. At 300 mm, it was just a little less than comparable Canon 100-400mm IS zoom. (Because of equipment limitations, we could test only SQF focal length 300 mm.)

Our DxO Analyzer Version 3.2 tests three focal lengths from all way out of 500mm is only a slight distortion of scope, a great improvement on the scores of distortion of the original Bigmir.

capacity of Close-up were equally impressive: The maximum magnification ratio reached 1:2.7 at 200mm, compared to only 1:05 of the comparable Canon, Nikon, Sigma and more.

The results OS? Three users obtained sharp images at shutter speeds 2 to 4 times slower than what was possible without OS. Bravo!

Most shooters use this lens on a tripod, eliminating the need for OS. And the earlier version, while more production, is still selling at $ 1,059 (street). Most of the many other new lens, however, it may be the best choice.

SPECIFICATIONS

• 50–500mm (48.61 mm–n.a. tested*), f/4.5–6.3 (f/4.33–n.a. tested*), 22 elements in 16 groups. Focus ring turns 130°. Zoom ring turns 130°.
• Focal lengths marked at 50-, 100-, 135-, 200-, 300-, 400-, and 500mm.
• Diagonal view angle: 46–5 degrees
• Weight: 4.17 lb filter size: 95mm
• Mounts: Canon AF, Nikon AF, Pentax AF, Sigma AF, Sony AF
• Street price: $1,600

Distortion:

• At 50mm, 0.20% (Slight) barrel
• At 200mm, 0.25% (Slight) pincushion
• At 500mm, 0.26% (Slight) pincushion

Light falloff:

• At 50mm, gone by f/5.6
• At 200mm, gone by f/7.1
• At 500mm, by f/10

Close-focusing Distance:

• At 50mm, 18.25 inches
• At 200mm, 21.75 inches
• At 500mm, 65.75 inches

Max. magnification ratio:

• At 50mm, 1:5.10
• At 200mm, 1:2.71
• At 300mm, 1:4.11

Stabilization: 2–4 stops

just post by ableh

Sinar has announced that the “p-reflex” system that allows homeowners to use their DSLR body like the back digital enterprise system to the camera via an adapter. Currently compatible with Canon and Nikon, the system provides access to a range of medium format lenses and camera accessories such as bellows, filters, etc. An included adapter quick release “also allows users to easily change the orientation of the body camera from landscape to portrait and vice versa. The P-SLR system comes in different combinations of mounting a bellows adapter and quick release, and a number of optional accessories. It will be available next month a retail price of 1980 Swiss francs (~ € 1,440).

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just post by ableh

PowerShot G-series has represented a formidable presence at the top of the tree a compact camera. From the viewpoint of a photographer-sharp, there is little in the market that can match its alloys zoom range, flexibility of the lens, build quality and level of manual control. Somehow the Ricoh GX and the Nikon P series has never quite have the same effects but the Panasonic LX3 was enough to tempt some potential customers away, with a bright lens and convincing (for performance) compact low light.

The G11 seems determined to reclaim its position as the champion did not need from the market, though, combining what Canon describes as ‘high sensitivity’ CCD. In what was perhaps the first, the company has pushed the number of pixels compared with the previous model. In principle, there is no downside to having more pixels if you consider the whole picture (apart from the size of larger files that may slow down the camera and fill your memory card is faster and the additional complications have to apply noise reduction before demosaicing, which is not something that many people who are willing or able to do so). However, the photosites are often greater than the less dense pixel sensors will tend to receive more light, in the same exposure, making it easier to produce images that look clean at the pixel level. Almost as if to Canon compact to be practical all-boats.read original canon powershot G11

Canon-EF-180mm-f-3.5-L-USM-Macro-Lens

Canon EF 180mm f/3.5 L USM Macro Lens is Canon’s longest macro lens. This lens offers a 1:1 macro work the longest distance of any Canon lens and produces a beautiful seamless backgrounds out of focus. Another difference the Canon EF 180mm L USM Macro Lens f/3.5 having is that when this lens is the Canon’s longest and heaviest black. This is the lens L, so addictingly build excellent quality come together with this weight.

just post:read the original Canon EF 180mm f/3.5 L USM Macro Lens

by.ableh photography

Canon TS-E 24mm 1:3.5 L II

clearly shows the light on an important announcement, but one of the most interesting developments is technically possible must be slipped under the radar of many enthusiastic photographers. Canon introduces two new controls perspective lens for its TS-E (‘Tilt and Shift to) the range of EOS’, in the form of TS-E 24mm F3.5 L II and TS-E 17mm F4L. But while both quite naturally took center stage as a wide-angle perspective control optic ever made for SLR system, good design features significant improvements over the existing main.

What is revolutionary about the two lenses is that both enables, for the first time (at least for wideangle focal length specifically designed for DSLRs), the independent rotation of the tilt and shift axes relative to the camera and each other. (Design ‘Hartblei Super Rotator’ achieve the same movement, but uses a long optical longer focus initially designed for medium format cameras) Prev. Tilt axis defined as the standard on 90 º to the axis of shear, and the lens can be modified to set them both in the same axis if the user desired. This restriction has now been removed, making the movement of the lens, and therefore a creative choice, more flexibility. Rotating mechanism of the slope and shift + / -90 °, enabling a shift in any direction, and in addition independent mechanism rotating tilted + / -90 °, allowing the slope in any direction relative to the shift. This function allows photographers to maximize depth of field in their images without stopping down as far as they otherwise would be needed – important when it wants to squeeze every last pixel of detail from the latest 20 + Mp DSLRs while avoiding adverse effects of diffraction.

Canon has also gone to town in optical design, including the use of high precision aspherical element for maintaining the distortion is minimized, and multiple UD element to reduce chromatic aberration. In the case of TSE 24mm F3.5 L II, this means the formula is much more complex than its predecessor – 16 elements in 11 groups, compared with 11 elements in 9 groups of older design. According to Canon’s image circle is also much bigger – compared with 67.2mm 58.6mm – which in principle allows a greater range of movement without vignetting. The lens also uses the company’s new ‘Sub Wavelength structure Coating’, designed to reduce flare and ghosting dramatically in the lens containing a large radius curves – especially wideangles. Also included is the time-mode aperture diaphragm of the circle, which is designed to give a rendition of interest to the out-of-focus images.

Prices for all these improvements are, however, beautiful heart. Version ‘H’ command $ 1,000 premium over the lens to the introduction of an older, which means the cost is almost the same as the EOS 5D Mark II body. There would be more than a few owners of the original lens was wondering if it’s worth the upgrade, and whether a new optical motion and offers flexibility enough reason to get out of credit card. Let’s see what we can find.

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Review based on a production Canon EOS 550D, firmware version 1.0.6

The Canon EOS 550D is a difficult product to categorize. Ostensibly designed to appeal to first-time DSLR buyers and enthusiasts, it offers a lot more technology, and at a higher price, than we might expect for a camera aimed squarely at this sector. Although it might seem logical for the 550D to replace the EOS 500D, the older camera is set to continue in Canon’s lineup, which leaves the 550D pinched between its entry-level (represented by the still-current EOS 1000D and the 500D) and nominally enthusiast (the EOS 50D) peers. Confusingly however, apart from build quality (which is all but identical to the EOS 500D), the 550D has more in common with the prosumer EOS 7D, and – perhaps even more confusingly – it out-specifies the EOS 50D in many areas.

Central to the impressive specification of the EOS 550D is a high-spec movie mode which offers full HD capture at up to 30 fps, manual control over exposure, and the option to use an external stereo microphone. The new camera also inherits the EOS 7D’s sophisticated metering system (which brings it a lot closer to similarly positioned Nikon SLRs).

So why has Canon apparently risked cannibalizing 7D sales by releasing such a similarly-specced, lower-end model? Well, Canon might have invented the ‘entry-level’ DSLR way back in 2003 with the attractively priced (for the time) EOS 300D, but these days, this sector of the marketplace is pretty crowded. Far from enjoying a monopoly, Canon, like all manufacturers, faces a stiff battle to make its products stand out amongst their numerous peers. To this end, Canon has pulled out all the stops with the EOS 550D and produced the most highly-specced Rebel we’ve ever seen. Now that a production sample has arrived in dpreview’s offices, we’ve had the chance to subject it to our full in-depth test procedure. Read on to find out how it performs.

Headline features

• 18 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• DIGIC 4 processor with ISO 100-6400 (Expansion to 12800)
• Continuous shooting at 3.7fps
• Full HD movie recording with manual control and selectable frame rates
• 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 Clear View LCD with 1,040k dots
• iFCL metering System with 63-zone Dual-layer Metering Sensor
• Quick Control screen to change shooting settings
• Exposure compensation +/-5 stops (although viewfinder scale is still +/-2 stops)
• Select maximum value for Auto ISO
• External Microphone socket
• Movie crop function
• Eye-Fi connected functions compatibility

EOS 550D vs EOS 500D Key differences

• Higher resolution 18MP CMOS with gapless micro lenses
• ISO 6400 no longer in ‘expanded’ range (12,800 max remains the same)
• Redesigned buttons and new movie/live view button
• Customizable auto ISO ranges
• Improved 63 zone metering (iFCL)
• 3:2 format screen with more pixels
• Improved movie functionality
• Slightly higher burst shooting rate (though buffer holds fewer shots)
• HDMI control (CEC)
• SDHX Compatible

canon-EOS-1D-MarK-II-N

canon-EOS-1D-Mark-II-N-back

EOS-1D Mark IV Features Completely Redesigned 45-Point Autofocus System, Fast 10 fps Continuous Shooting, 16-Megapixel Resolution, Outstanding ISO sensitivity, and Full HD Video Recording on selected Frame Rates

LAKE SUCCESS, NY, October 20, 2009 – Canon USA, Inc., a leader in digital imaging, is proud to introduce the next evolution in the EOS 1D series cameras: Canon EOS-1D Mark IV digital SLR cameras. EOS-1D Mark IV is a high-speed multimedia performance with a monster 16-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor, Dual DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor, and 14-bit A / D conversion of the data, all at 10 frames per second (fps), with the widest range of ISO Canon has produced to date. This new camera also features full 1080p high-definition video capture at frame rate can be selected Canon packaged in the most violent and long lasting, professional camera body.

Achieving peak Canon 1D Mark IV digital SLR is the new autofocus system that began with 45 AF points including 39 high-precision cross-type focus point capable of tracking fast-moving athletes or wildlife accurately at speeds up to 10 frames per second. With detection capabilities greater problem than previously plus newly redesigned II AI Servo AF focus prediction algorithm, Canon EOS-1D Mark IV cameras set a new standard for performance among professional digital autofocus SLRs. Is taking pictures for the six o’clock news or the front page, EOS-1D Mark IV is a digital SLR camera to freeze the classic fast-moving action with high-speed stills, or take stunning HD video with dynamic color and image quality. To accompany the new EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera, Canon also announced a new accessory, the WFT-E2 wireless file transmitter II provides photographers with a wide range of professional digital connectivity.

“Canon is working hard to become the leader of imaging in all our businesses. The purpose of this has triggered our innovation and R & D efforts to engineer the most advanced autofocus system that Canon has ever produced. We are proud to announce that the camera will provide the ultimate in imaging quality for professionals working in all areas of multimedia imaging, whether it’s action photography, Photojournalism or HD video and cinematography, “said Yuichi Ishizuka, Senior Vice President and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon USA

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV camera is a professional photographer will intrigue in almost all categories of Photojournalism and sport by nature, wedding, portrait and fashion for commercial, industrial and law enforcement. What makes the EOS-1D Mark IV camera is different from its predecessor, but focus on the various systems and improved image quality, is amazing Full HD video capture capabilities. With the new functionality, the 1D Mark IV digital SLR meant to appeal not only is a professional photographer but also a diverse market of professional videographers and filmmakers who are looking for exceptional video quality Full HD, amazing low light performance, outstanding portability and durability level not had occurred in most HD video cameras in this price range.

New 45-Point Autofocus System
the new EOS-1D Mark IV digital SLR camera features Canon’s most advanced auto focus system-to-date. It is equipped with newly developed 45-point AF sensor that displays 39 high-precision cross-type AF points, and all the new II AI Servo AF mode gives still photographers, and performance strength and focus to track fast moving subjects at speeds up to 10 frames per second. With more than twice as many cross-type focus points as the EOS-1D Mark III and the new AF sensor construction that enhances performance in low light and with low contrast subjects, EOS-1D Mark IV has a detection capability greater problem than the previous EOS models . To complement the various improvements AF, Canon has developed a new predictive AI Servo AF focusing II algorithm to significantly improve transient response and stability by making better decisions on the focus tracking in a variety of shooting conditions.

Amazing High ISO Performance
Wedding and event photographer shooting in low light without flash can take advantage of Canon’s ISO broadest coverage and highest performance ever. EOS-1D Mark IV camera ISO speed settings range from 100 to 12,800 in the 1 / 3 or 1 / 2 stop increments with L Expansions ISO settings: 50 to bright light or H1: 25,600, H2: 51,200, and H3: 102,400 even for situationsThe most dim. Photographer and documentary filmmaker who worked on the available light will be impressed by the low sound quality 1D Mark IV images, capture stunning still images and video even at high speed setting of ISO 12,800. High ISO, low light still pictures further improved regulated by the Canon High ISO Noise Reduction feature, is now the default settings on the camera.

EOS-1D Mark IV, EOS HD Video Powerhouse
Over the past year, Canon EOS Video HD technology has changed the way users capture 1080p HD video and opens new doors for a multimedia journalist and Hollywood cinematographers with full manual exposure control, frame rates selected, and the interchangeable lenses on some of the largest and most sensitive image sensor in the market.Canon continues the trend of this innovation with the new EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR with Full HD capture and full manual exposure control, plus the frame rate can be selected in the new all-APS-H sized image sensor is similar in size to the Super 35mm motion picture film frame .Large sensor allows the filmmakers to achieve a shallow depth-of-field as cinematographers traditionally done using a cost much higher-film equipment.

More than 50 Canon EF lenses are compatible with the EOS-1D Mark IV, incredibly creative videographers provide choice, including an impressive selection of professional opening of L-series prime and zoom lenses, macro, Tilt-Shift and optical Fisheye. Canon EOS-1D Mark IV allows for a three-resolution video recording – Full HD 1080p and 720p HD in 16:9 aspect ratio and Standard Definition (SD) in a 4:3 aspect ratio. The camera will record full HD at 1920 x 1080 at the selected frame rate 24p (23.976), 25p, or 30p (29.97); and 720p HD or SD video recording on either 50p or 60p (59.94). SD video can be recorded either in NTSC or PAL standards.Recorded voice either through internal monaural microphone or optional external microphone connected to a stereo microphone input. The camera also provides in-camera video editing function allows users to delete the beginning or end of the video clips directly on the camera to eliminate unwanted footage and accelerate the post-production.

Image quality and performance
Core EOS-1D Mark IV camera is outstanding picture quality, a newly developed 16.1-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor featuring the latest and most advanced proprietary technology. These technologies include dynamic photodiode construction increase to increase the reach and gapless microlenses are positioned closer to the photodiodes to improve the efficiency of light collection. The quality transmissive color filter array has been improved to increase sensitivity.Canon also enhanced the sensor circuit to improve noise reduction before the image data exported from the CMOS sensor to the rest of the image processing chain.

With 60 percent more pixels than the EOS-1D Mark III, EOS-1D Mark IV employs Digital SLR Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors with approximately six times the processing power of DIGIC III for the full 14-bit A / D conversion at 10 fps. High-speed continuous shooting up to 121 Large JPEGs are probably using a UDMA CF card. The camera also features three shooting modes for flexibility with RAW Full RAW (about 16 million pixels), F-RAW (about nine million pixels), and S-RAW (about four million pixels). Three additional records JPEG format (M1, M2 and Small) also available.

The 14-bit per channel conversion is facilitated by the dual DIGIC 4 Processors provide subtle tonalities in the final capture all 16,384 different tones in each channel (red, green and blue) at full frame rate of 10 fps. New RAW images shot on the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV uses the entire 14-bit space when converted to 16-bit TIFF files in Canon Digital Photo Professional (DPP) software, supplied with the camera at no extra cost. The 14-bit A / D conversion is also the foundation for Canon’s Highlight Tone Priority feature takes maximum advantage of the wide camera dynamic range to preserve detail in areas highlighted in the picture. New Canon EOS-1D Mark IV digital SLR camera also features an improved white balance algorithm to make a more accurate colors when shooting under low color temperature light source such as household tungsten lamps.

EOS-1D Mark IV features Canon’s digital SLR Peripheral Illumination Correction dark repair function that may occur in the corners of the picture with most of the lens when used on their biggest hole. When activated, it will automatically be applied to JPEG images and video clips such as a shot. For RAW images, can be applied in the DPP software.

Other new features include a large three-inch solid structure II Clear View LCD screen with 920,000 dot / VGA resolution, wide 160-degree perspective to improve the clarity and colors more accurately when reviewing images and video shooting. The new in-copyright information featured professional camera help secure copyright control over pictures by specifying the data directly into the camera and add information for each image file in Exif metadata. Additional features include a fluorine coating on low pass filter for better dust and improve drive EOS Integrated Cleaning System.

Minimize Post Production with Enhanced Canon’s Auto Lighting Optimizer
Action photography really is all about speed, fast to catch the subject quickly focused and fast frame rates. However, all this might speed is wasted if slowed by the long post-production procedures to regulate the quality of the image. EOS-1D Mark IV digital SLR helps reduce post-production work with a strong Auto Lighting Optimizer (ALO) system. When activated, Canon ALO automatically adjusts your optimal image brightness and contrast on the fly for the camera image processing, reducing the cut highlights while keeping dark areas as clear and detailed as they actually appear. By optimizing the brightness and contrast on the camera, Canon ALO system significantly reduces the need for optimization of post-production drawings, and gives photographers the image quality they can take directly to the press. Demanding professional photographers who tested ALO clearly states that this feature will reduce their production of post-optimization process images with more than 75 percent. Canon ALO work well Rawi and JPEG images and video recording.

Rough Reliability
Canon has taken every step to ensure that the EOS-1D Mark IV digital SLR camera has the highest level of weather resistance in the EOS line. IV on camera 1D Mark combines a variety of design features that increase durability and reliability for professional duties. For example, the 1D Mark IV body, chassis and lens mount and fully weatherproof gaskets and seals 76 around all the buttons and stitching. Includes an internal body and chassis, including the mirror box, which was built with magnesium alloy, one of the most powerful and rigid available for heavy metals. To increase the power, the lens mount is built with stainless steel. In fact, when used with Canon Speedlite 580EX II and / or the current L-series lens, the camera system remains fully weatherproof, so that professionals can concentrate on getting the shot instead of worrying about protecting their equipment.

New Wireless Connectivity
Canon is announcing the availability of the new WFT-E2 II A * wireless file transmitter for EOS-1D Mark IV digital SLR cameras. The WFT-E2 wireless transmitter II is very small and versatile device that offers professional photographers a variety of connectivity options including digital IEEE802.11a/b/g and Ethernet, is ideal for commercial and studio work. In addition to adding the ability to connect to a wireless network for 802.11a, the new WFT-E2 II A increase the wealth of professional features new to the photographer’s tool kit. Connecting new feature allows photographers to a fire at the same time up to 10 remote cameras, and a renewed WFT remote server mode allows you to use Live View, the control settings, and fire EOS-1D Mark IV via the Internet from anywhere in the world using standard Web browser or a lot of Web-enabled smart phones. Also, geotagging is now possible via Bluetooth, using a compatible GPS device to add the coordinates of the image data.

Price and Availability
The Canon EOS-1D Mark IV digital SLR camera is scheduled to be delivered to U.S. dealers in late December, and will be sold in a body-only configuration at an estimated retail price of $ 4,999.00 ii. Final pricing and availability Canon WFT-E2 II A wireless file transmitter will be available later this year.

nikon-d90-1

August 27, 2008—Today, Nikon announced details of their latest DSLR, the D90, the successor to the D80. Pixel count has increased from 10MP to 12MP, continuous capturing is now faster at 4.5 fps (vs. 3 fps for the D80) and the LCD has gone from a low resolution (230,000 pixel) 2.5” unit to a high resolution (920,000 pixel) 3” unit.

The Nikon D90 also adds a Movie mode capable of capturing 1280×720 pixel images at 24 fps HD with sound. This is a first for a DSLR and it’s a feature I expect to see a lot more since Live View is now a pretty standard feature (and Live View is required to shoot movies). The D90 also adds face recognition technology.

At $999, the D90 is very competitively priced. The Canon EOS 50D, which was announced yesterday, is $1399 for the camera body alone, though the EOS 50D has a higher pixel count (15MP vs. 12MP), faster continuous shooting (6.3 fps vs. 4.5 fps) and a faster shutter (1/8000s vs. 1/4000s). On the other hand the EOS 50D lacks a movie mode and in-camera editing capability.

The Nikon D90 looks like a pretty good camera at a very reasonable price. It seems to have all the features that most people will want and I’m sure the addition of the ability to shoot movies will boost sales. The available 18-105/3.5-5.6 lens with VR for an extra $300 is also something that might attract buyers to the Nikon D90.

Nikon D90 Main Features

* 12.3-effective megapixel DX-format CMOS imaging sensor
* Continuous shooting up to 4.5 frames-per-second
* ISO sensitivity from 200 to 3200 (expandable to ISO 100 and 6400)
* 3” super-density 920,000-dot color LCD monitor
* Built-in image sensor cleaning
* 11-point AF system with Face Priority
* Shutter speeds 30-1/4000s, flash sync at 1/200s
* One-button Live View
* In-Camera Image Editing
* D-Movie Mode — Cinematic 24 fps HD with sound
* Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II with Scene Recognition System
* Auto Active D-lighting
* GPS geo-tagging
* Price $999, $1299 with 18-105/3.5-5.6 VR lens

The Zoom Lenses

product category

Canon EF 28-90mm f/4-5.6 (USM) – Price class $100

This is Canon’s low end basic zoom lens, often sold in “kits” with an EOS body. It’s small, it’s light and it’s cheap. The construction uses lightweight plastic, even for the lens mount – though the optics are all glass. The lens feels fairly flimsy and I don’t think I’d want to try drop testing it!. Though it has manual focus, it has no manual focus ring. To focus manually you rotate the front end of the lens barrel. Focusing is loose and undamped and quite sensitive to small rotations of the barrel. In addition the barrel wobbles up and down quite a bit, which isn’t a good sign for optical alignment! There is no distance scale (hence no IR focus markings). A basic lens at a low price. Though the lens is available in USM and MM (Micro Motor) versions, this isn’t the ring USM motor with FTM (full time manual focus). There really isn’t a significant difference between the MM version and the USM version, though Canon claim the USM version is quieter and focuses faster. It probably is and does, though I’m sure the difference isn’t very significant.

EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM – Price class $200

This Canon zoom lens is a huge step up. It’s solidly constructed with a metal lens mount. It has a ring USM motor with full time manual focus, a distance scale and IR focusing marks. It’s a little bigger, a little heavier and about twice as expensive as the 28-90, but it’s a much better constructed lens. Manual focus is smooth, well damped and geared so that fine adjustments can be made, as you would expect from a ring motor FTM USM based lens. The current version is the “II” model, though it is optically identical to the original model which was tested here. The differences are mainly cosmetic.

EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM – Price class $400

This Canon zoom lens is significantly larger and heavier than the 28-105 but is of a similar solid construction with a metal lens mount, ring USM motor, FTM, distance scale and IR focusing marks. It also has image stabilization which allows it to be hand held at shutter speeds about two stops slower than would otherwise be possible and still get sharp images. It costs about twice as much as the 28-105. It takes a significantly larger filter than the other two lenses (67mm vs. 58mm). Manual focus is smooth, well damped and geared so that fine adjustments can be made, as you would expect from a ring motor FTM USM based lens. This lens uses one aspheric element (neither of the other lenses tested have aspheric elements) which may contribute to better performance – at least that’s the idea behind using aspheric elements