( 83 reviews )
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( 2 of 2 found this review helpful ) Posted: Aug 11 2009
I am an enthusiast shooting on Canon 40D and 5D. Pro: 1. Surprisingly hand-heldable, considering the weight. IS helps a GREAT DEAL. 2. Zoom is extremely smooth, way better than the twist and zoom on my Sigma 170-500. And it doesn't creek! (amazing engineering. In comparison, my old Tamron 18-250 and Sigma 170-500 immediately extend to the full length with a loud thunk when pointing downwards, while my new 18-270 is so tight it's hard to zoom in and out). This is my first push-pull zoom and there is no learning curve at all. I love it! 3. No issue with so called dust pump problem - actually the Sigma and the much smaller Tamron 18-250 suck in more air than this one - you can easily tell by put you hand at the back of the lens and zoom back the lens and feel the air flow for yourself. 4. The lens balances extremely well on 40D and 5D without grip. The Sigma feels significally top heavy in comparison. 5. The color and contrast is L lens at its best, thanks to its quality glasses. 6. The length is quite managable actually, but a very thick lens nevertheless. The Sigma 170-500 is quite slim in comparison. 7. The AF is very responsible and assuring, even in modest indoor light (blinders partially closed). There is no comparison between the Canon L ring type USM and the regular Sigma AF. 8. IS works SEAMLESSLY. No noise, no ify in-between states. It works its magic without my awareness. Tamron and cheaper Canon like 70-300 announce their IS effects in distinctive and sometimes unnerving noises. 9. Background blur is milky smooth if you give enough distance between your subject and the background. My 70-200/F4L has a much more nervous blur in comparison. 10. Very LOW CA (color fringe, purple ring etc) at the long end. This is another nice surprise to me since I've heard many saying otherwise about this lens. 11. Everything about this lens is top quality, hood, collar, fit and finish. Neutral: 1. Not the sharpest lens when pixel peeks, especially wide open. But the wide open shots are way more than 'acceptable' to me as an enthusiast. Here I am talking about hand held shots. I am sure the sharpness will improve on a tripod. 2. This is a very fat lens, white, not light weight, not fast, not cheap, no surprise. Putting this in perspective, this is a rather "cheap" and light weight tele comparing to the other fast tele primes/zooms. I tried out the Bigma in a Tokyo store several years ago and I didn't like the feel of it, the zoom, balance, IQ - didn't use it on tripod at the time. Con: None so far. Bottom line: A very hand-heldable tele zoom with great overall IQ. This is perhaps in the same vein as the Canon 70-200/F4L, 24-105L and 17-40L, relatively affordable with all the L lens advantages with great convenience and assured consistent IQ (AF speed and accuracy, weight balance in hand, mechanical quality all contributes to the end results of course) But they are certainly not the fastest or the sharpest lens on the market. But add convenience to the equation, these are certainly at the top of the game.
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Posted: Jul 12 2009
I'm extremely happy with this lens. It's all that I hoped for, and love the image stabilization. What a difference from lenses without it.I would definitely recommend this lens.
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Posted: Jul 6 2009
Very good sharpness, bokeh, and superfast autofocus. I am very pleased with my purchase of this product.
