Having just bought one of these, I thought I would share some experiences of the lens in the real world.
By that I mean that I won't be reviewing pictures of boxes or anything.
First thing to say is that the lens, as expected is very well built; I tried a 28-135IS - and that is flimsy by comparision.
Being an L you do get the lens hood (EW-83H) in the box together with a soft bag.
I have found the lens to be very sharp and I can't say the extremes have been any worse or better than the centre - but then I am using it on a 350D 1.6 cropped body, so I'm not seeing the edges of the lens.
This is one of the first shots I took, which shows several things, sharpness, contrast and colour.
This next shot is from the same day, and is of my sister, taken indoors, @ 105mm, ISO100, f/4 and 1/15".
This one shows just how effective the IS is, although I would have braced myself against the edge of the chair I was sat on.
The final couple of shots are of the same image - this time my youngest daughter. This was taken at 84mm, f/4.0 1/125, ISO200. The second shot is around a 100% crop.
This really does show how sharp this lens can be.
AF is relatively quick and locks on quietly and with little hunting.
I have found that nailing the focus to be relatively difficult - although I think that is down to the body and not the lens; the AF points on the 350D are quite large I think, and accurately selecting the eye for example is difficult. That or my technique needs working on!
It is also not a lens for fast action - using AI focus/Servo the AF just isn't fast enough - but then this lens isn't designed for action.
Handling on camera.
I find that the weight of this lens is perfect on my 350D (I do have the grip) it balances well.
Its a lens that will see a lot of use.
By that I mean that I won't be reviewing pictures of boxes or anything.
First thing to say is that the lens, as expected is very well built; I tried a 28-135IS - and that is flimsy by comparision.
Being an L you do get the lens hood (EW-83H) in the box together with a soft bag.
I have found the lens to be very sharp and I can't say the extremes have been any worse or better than the centre - but then I am using it on a 350D 1.6 cropped body, so I'm not seeing the edges of the lens.
This is one of the first shots I took, which shows several things, sharpness, contrast and colour.
This next shot is from the same day, and is of my sister, taken indoors, @ 105mm, ISO100, f/4 and 1/15".
This one shows just how effective the IS is, although I would have braced myself against the edge of the chair I was sat on.
The final couple of shots are of the same image - this time my youngest daughter. This was taken at 84mm, f/4.0 1/125, ISO200. The second shot is around a 100% crop.
This really does show how sharp this lens can be.
AF is relatively quick and locks on quietly and with little hunting.
I have found that nailing the focus to be relatively difficult - although I think that is down to the body and not the lens; the AF points on the 350D are quite large I think, and accurately selecting the eye for example is difficult. That or my technique needs working on!
It is also not a lens for fast action - using AI focus/Servo the AF just isn't fast enough - but then this lens isn't designed for action.
Handling on camera.
I find that the weight of this lens is perfect on my 350D (I do have the grip) it balances well.
Its a lens that will see a lot of use.
