Camera Labs

Cjmchch: is the the Bartman on TM?

_________________

Aidan Hill. com
Nikon D7000 | Nikon 70-200MM f/2.8G VR II | Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM | Tokina 11-16mm F2.8| iMac 27" | MacBook Pro 13" | Crumpler 6 Million Dollar Bag |

Negative to that:

Here's an example of why I don't buy off trademe:

Last night I purchased the:

Canon Lens EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens.

Bartman88's Buy now price on Trademe is $1620.00

Photo.co.nz prices it at $1775.00

I then emailed two two parallel importers and asked for their best prices for the same article, including delivery to Christchurch.

The first was Expert Infotech from Auckland who offered it for $1447.57 delivered.

The second, and successful company was Electron World in Napier where I paid $1370 including shipping. This price is cheaper than if I purchased it from their website.

My 50mm lens was purchased from Expert Infotech and I found them helpful, well priced and have a very good store. (I picked up from the shop). Delivery was when they said it would be. Their website prices are cheaper than their trademe buy now prices.

Electron World would have got the sale if I had received their price 1 hour earlier than I did.

As for parallel imports - well if it is faulty and needs to go back so be it. My 5DMkII had to go back to Canon NZ and that took two weeks so I figure another couple of days isn't going to hurt. The lenses still carry a 1 year warranty.

Overall I have found Trademe to be overpriced compared to what I can pay at retail outlets.

Example of that - I purchased the EF-S 10-22 from Photo and Video in ChCh at a price of $950 after negotiating the price down, then sold it 3 months later on trademe at a profit. From memory I got $1050.00 for second-hand! Go figure.

I'd be happy if they released a 30mm / 50mm lens with IS - it would be even much better for night photography.

Personally I've got the typical 1.8 because of the price (used for about 70€).

If I could afford it I'd go for the 1.4 - in this case I'd even prefer the Sigma 1.4....

_________________
Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III + Canon EOS 33v
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

I got the 50mm f/1.4.

I wanted USM focusing even though it was the inferior micro-USM rather than the ring type. At the time, it was either my most, or second most, expensive lens. I've not been disappointed with this purchase.

_________________
Canon 5DIII, Rebel XTi/400D
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II, 24-105mm f/4L, 50mm f/1.4, 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DO, 85mm f/1.8
Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX Macro
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II
Canon 430EX II
Opteka 13mm, 21mm, and 31mm extension tubes
Vivitar 50mm f/1.8 for OM System

Bought my 50 f1.4 off ebay; used for $220. Luv the lens, tried the f1.8 model, didn't like the focusing ring, to hard to use. Luv the IQ and USM on the f1.4 and luv that there's no fumbling with an AF/MF switch to overide AF...just a touch of a finger (knuckle in my case) gets you to manual focusing, absolutely no fuss. Can't say enough about this lens, just go buy one.

If you want to read an outstanding review (good and bad) of this lens (mine in this case...no bias on my part here lol), Ken Rockwell borrowed my used lens and put it thru it's paces on his 5D Mark II...here's a link to the review.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/50mm-f14.htm

PS. Hope it's ok to post links to other websites that review equipment?!

_________________
EOS-3(2) & EOS 40D (w/drives), EF-S 10-22, EF 17-40 f4L, EF 50 f1.4, EF 100 Macro, EF 70-200 f4L IS, EF 300 f4L IS, EF 1.4x Extender II, EF 12mm & 25mm Ext Tubes, EX 580 II(2), Bogen supports (tri, mono and super clamps, ball & tilt heads), Kata-84 & Domke Brick10 (storage), Domke F2 (Daily; original/1978)
Dell Latitude e6500, Lightroom, DXO & various plugins; Canon FD Collector - Fav kit, T-90 w/200mm f4 macro, ML-3 Ring Lite...Fuji Velvia 50 (film)

I bought a pristine pre-Mark II 50mm 1.8 lens. It showed no signs of use. I paid quite a bit more than a Mark II 1.8, but less than for a new 1.4 lens.

My reasons were primarily for the apparent sturdiness over the current 1.4 and 1.8, as I perceived it, and the clarity of the photos this lens had already recorded. It is my favorite walking-around lens in the city at night, and helped me grow out of my beginner stage of using the "green box" almost all the time. I used this lens when suddenly assigned to go up in a helicopter at night, and photograph people and vehicles from 600 feet. No, not the ideal lens, but with its 1.8 aperture, the best lens I had at that time.

Yes, I do dream of a 50mm 1.2 L, but needed a good macro first, and just strained my budget to buy a 100mm 2.8L IS, as I take quite a few hand-held close-ups. This exceptionally sweet older-model 1.8 is suiting me fine for now, and perhaps indefinitely.

@StillFingers - yep it's fine to link to other sites, so long as that's not the sole reason for your post - and so long as they don't block us in their forums!

I just purchased the 1.8 last night. Reason was it was very affordable.

I first bought the 1.8, and later upgraded to the 1.4 mainly for the build quality. Both take a great picture. Some of my best pics were with the 1.8, sharp as a tack.

I just bought the 50mm 1.4. I wanted USM (even if it is micro USM) and I couldn't stand the build quality of the 1.8. Also I have read many reviews saying the 1.8 is not very good between 1.8-2.8. All of this convinced me to pay the extra £200. Hasn't arrived yet but am hoping I will love it.

_________________
Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin

Depends on what you mean by "not very good". I think it is very good - maybe not the very best but very good.

(Just edited contrast a little, NOT the sharpness)



50mm f1.8 @ f1.8



But well, OK, I'd still prefer the 1.4 version

_________________
Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III + Canon EOS 33v
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

Thanks Jiko for the example. That is still very good image quality and a definite upgrade from my kit lens. If the 50mm 1.4 has even better IQ than that I will be very impressed. I would have bought the 1.8 if it had better build quality. Plus the 1.4 has USM which is a big advantage for me.

Thanks

_________________
Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin

Yeah, it's too bad the old 1.8 MkI is discontinued. Half-decent build quality on the cheap.

I bought the 1.8, it was my first lens with my Canon 30D. Used it exclusively for a few months before picking up a wide angle. Bought it because it came cheap and highly recommended. In hindsight, I should have probably gone with the 1.4 version, as I have come to love shallow DOF and the better build quality would be nice. I'll get that one when I upgrade to FF. Overall the 1.8 has served me well. I've dropped it on the floor, broke in half, and had it put back together and it's still trucking.

_________________
www.aputure.com/blog

I was about to buy this lens Canon EF 50mm f1.2L . Thanks for updating. Can anybody discuss is it the good lens above of these 3 lenses/

_________________
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6
http://cameralensreviewssecrets.com/