Rokinon 85M-C 85mm F1.4 Aspherical Lens for Canon (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This lens really is a gem! It is remarkably sharp wide open as long as you focus accurately. The focus ring is a little stiff, but works very smoothly with no play at all. Lens build is pretty solid, only the lens cap and hood feel kind of cheap. Bokeh with this lens is gorgeous, even stopped down. Be aware that this lens has manual aperture, and is not chipped, so there is no communication between it and the camera. That means you get no focus confirm and no f stop setting will appear in camera or in the EXIF data. I'm not sure why, but in my case on my 5D it shows as 50mm focal length in the EXIF. I've seen programmable focus confirm chips adverstised for this lens on E-Bay, but have no idea how well they work.
Mark

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The Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Lens for Canon is an ultra-bright lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.4. Although you can only use this lens in manual focus mode, it is fully compatible with the automated features available with digital SLR cameras. It is compact and lightweight, and offers the ideal focal length and bright aperture for use as a portrait lens.

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Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Reviewers below have already described how great this lens is -- I add my voice to the choir but wanted to write here about the decision process that led to 17-55. As others have also said, choosing the camera is relatively easy but choosing the lens (or lenses) is mind boggling. I spent the better part of two weeks researching online and going to photo stores. The 17-55 was barely in my peripheral vision when I started. Of course the first thing I considered was the 18-200VR. All the reviewers like it -- Rockwell was practically orgasmic -- and softly bashed the 17-55 as a heavy, expensive and overkill for most. I looked at many options and kept coming back to the 18-200 as the best all round but something wouldn't let me pull the trigger. And it's this: I like natural light. Many of my photos are references for painting, and I do a lot of portraits and some landscape. Getting the best color, in natural light is my highest priority. In amongst the 18-200 reviews there were a few hints about it being a bit dark at the 200 end (even with VR allowing slower shutter) and about "creep" of the lens when held vertically. I liked the possibility of a one-lens for all situations but began to wonder if I would get my use out of the 200 end without flash or tripod. Came to the 17-55 and dismissed it several times until finally tried it in a photo store. In retrospect, the reviewers suggest focusing on your priorities and for me the 17-55 made the most sense. I admit that I am partial to the simple feel of the lens -- phrases like "built like a tank" carry a lot of weight with me. I'm careful but do use the stuff. I also got an 85 1.8 for portraits so for the two lenses spent double the price of the 18-200VR -- not what I had planned on. But this selection focused the dollars to the heartland priorities and perhaps eventually I will bracket these with a 12-24 (third party) and a longer Tamron. The value of SLR, it seems to me, is to choose the options that match your needs.

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L1)NIKON 17-55MM F2.8G IF-ED (2147)

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