So, I got to try out this exotic lens at the Canon workshop in Sri Lanka (Thanks to Roland Poon of Canon Singapore who brought it with him).
I only tested it on an APS-C camera - it is a full frame L lens so it would give much better results on a full frame camera.
When I first fixed the lens and tried it, I could only set it to 10mm - I thought it was stuck! Turns out the lens has a range limiter to limit it to 10mm (optional) on a full frame camera - apparently if you use it at 8mm on a full frame the image is smaller than the sensor area and ends up in a circle, so this can be used to prevent that:
Build quality - perfect, smooth, etc. It’s an L
Size: seems small’ish
Weight - quite light. But not too light, it has L quality build.
So, I guess there isn’t much to say about it - its pretty much perfect.
OK, worst review ever, I know.
A few notes:
=========
- If you own an APS-C Camera, it may be cheaper to purchase an APS-C zoom such as canon’s 10-22 or sigma’s 10-20?
- 8 MM is pretty wide even on APS-C - I had a hard time keeping my feet out of the image. I’m told that the view is 180 degrees on a full frame.
- The lens hood should probably be removed for maximum wideness - especially on a full frame (can it be removed? not sure, didn’t try!)
- The front element bulges out - and is delicate - as with all fisheyes it should not be touched
- the cap is decent - almost an inch tall and fits over the lens hood neatly.
- Overall it felt pretty small in hand.
Here’s a sample image:
Note black corners on this photo - does that mean it is almost 180 degrees on APS-C even??
Also see dpreview’s article on the 8-15mm f4l:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/1008/10082616canon8mm15mm.asp
August 6th, 2011
400mm at f6.3 (click and view original size):
400mm at f9 (click and view original size):
Note: both images have been saved as jpeg, so there is some quality loss.
Summary
When used correctly, the Canon EF 2x II Extender / tele-converter with the 70-200 f2.8l, yields extraordinary results - however this requires a good tripod + cable / remote shutter release - this lens combination is not recommended for candid / hand-held photography.
Close up images work at f5.6 (within a distance of 2-3 meters max - good results require stopping down from f6.3 to f9.0 Shooting distant images with the Canon EF 2x II Extender requires stopping down from f8.0 to f11.0
Construction quality
The Canon EF 2x II teleconverter / Extender is built to L standards - it seems to be environmentally sealed, and includes a nice carry pouch. It is small, light, fits well with metal mounts on both sides, and doesn’t creak. It would probably be at home on the finest lenses and bodies.
Color/contrast
Professional reviewers state Canon EF 2x II Extender has visible contrast loss - however my tests suggested that it isn’t too bad. To my untrained mind, the colors and contrast seemed OK after 6.3, similar to original L colors. It is recommended you shoot in RAW and adjust the contrast / curves a bit, also sharpen +1 (shoot with sharpness set to absolute zero).
Auto / Manual focus
The non IS 70-200 is a very good lens - better than the IS version - however even the best lens struggles to function when zoomed 2x - which is what the Canon EF 2x II Extender achieves.
Auto focus is hit and miss on my camera (EOS Rebel XS), but you may get better results with a 40d/50d or better.
Manual focus is recommended, and a tripod is needed for anything less than midday sunlight - even then it is a good idea.
You should also use a cable shutter release or remote shutter release and self timer / mirror lockup to reduce vibration.
DOF
Shallow DOF seems to exist, no matter how much the lens is stopped down - this is due to various flaws, and the fact that any aperture setting is actually two stops wider - i.e. when you stop down to F8 you are actually at f4 with two stops of light loss. Getting f8 on your original lens = f16 with the Canon EF 2x II teleconverter / Extender.
Taking into account the focal length, it is normal to have various areas out of focus - the best you can do is focus on a prominent feature (e.g. the eye of an animal) and hope everything else isn’t too badly out.
January 20th, 2010
Visited metropolitan recently, they have a new lens (15-85 usm)
have you heard of that lens before?
me either!
anyway, it looks like a good consumer lens - apparently it was released with the 7D
some quick thoughts:
Performance:
no major complaint - lens was sharp, worked as it should have.
pros
good build quality, solid, IS, USM for focus (FTM I think)
15mm is nice
15-85 translates to 24-135? or something like that, I think - which is (IMO) a good range… so someone buying a camera can buy this lens and be OK with it, probably wouldn’t need anything else initially..
distance scale (I think that is what it is called, at least!)
cons
high price ($799 + vat, etc)
a cheaper option would be (18-55 + 55-250)
Verdict
a bit expensive, but a convenient for someone who wants a single lens. if this drops to about $350 or $400 it would be well worth it
for the moment, for someone with $800 to blow, I recommend a 50mm 1.4 (or 85 1.8) and a 55-250
Alternatively, even better - a 50mm 1.8, 85mm 1.8 and 55-250
all should be possible under $800
Quick sample image at 15mm
I will post more samples later, but I can generally summarize by saying that, to my untrained eye, this lens seems OK - it functions well, is solidly built, has cool ‘pro’ features like ring USM and full time manual focus / distance scale - in short, it is an excellent lens, only a bit expensive
distortion
distortion at 15mm was neither good, nor bad, somewhere in the middle. Obviously a bit more than the 18mm but still in the OK range.
if you wanted to, you could fix distortion using software (DXO Labs, photoshop or something?)
November 12th, 2009
I’m trying out a new Canon point and shoot (a480)
Here are two sample photos:
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/5337/img5481jm.jpg
http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/605/img5480b.jpg
I’m definitely impressed by this camera. I will write a detailed review soon
November 5th, 2009
Really good news for dialog TV users - UTV world movies is available as an additional channel, for just $1 + tax! previously, you had to upgrade your whole package (which would cost about quite a bit more depending on what package you were subscribed to.)
So, go ahead, call dialog and request this channel be added on to your subscription, as it is excellent - and at the cost of just $1 approx, a steal
April 27th, 2009
At f2.8, dof becomes paper thin. This means that when you focus on something or someone, everything else melts, in a sea of soft color.
(more…)
April 12th, 2009
These kitteh’s are looking for a new home. They’d like to be moved as a pair, if anyone is willing to adopt them. They love to play with each other..
(more…)
April 4th, 2009
There’s a bird hidden in this photo. See if you can find it (click to view full size)
(more…)
April 3rd, 2009
Sample photo taken with the 50mm 1.8 - at f4 I think..
The 50mm 1.8 is an excellent lens. Its small, light, and quite sharp. At around $80 (10k here via agent) it’s also quite a bargain.
(more…)
February 14th, 2009
Disclaimer. I’m not a photographer. If you want real advice, drop a note to Dominic Sansoni or Sebastian Posingis. I did, and both of them replied with a list of useful suggestions. So thanks guys!
(more…)
January 10th, 2009
Previous Posts
my post is one year from the