Samy's Camera Photo Connect Podcast

Canon is well known for its L series lenses, and they have lived up to expectations with the Canon EF 100 to 400-millimeter f/4.5-5.6L Image Stabilization II UltraSonic Motor Lens. It is an upgrade from the previous model, and photographers can't stay away from this lens. The EF 100 to 400-millimeter lens has an inner focusing ring UltraSonic Motor, which allows fast and accurate autofocusing. Autofocus along with the rotation-type zoom ring and image stabilization allow for this lens to produce sharp images even without a tripod. Many wildlife photographers will enjoy this lens because of its ability to capture animal subjects clearly regardless of whether they are static or moving. Even if the subject is moving, the image will not display any visible distortion or flares. The EF 100 to 400-millimeter lens is also resistant to dust and water, which allows any photographer to take their lens through rough conditions. The Canon EF 100 to 400-millimeter L lens is not just good for wildlife, it excels at sporting events as well. While it may be a little stiff when changing focal distance quickly, it is great for shooting multiple shots at whatever focal length you prefer. The image quality is even sharp when the lens is wide open. The price may be a little expensive, but it is worth it for any photographer who wants to produce clear images with great color, contrast, and sharpness.

Fast autofocus is a quality a lot of photographers, both professional and amateur look for, and with the Canon EF 100-millimeter f/2.0 UltraSonic Motor Autofocus Lens, it is a quality that is achieved. This well built, small, and lightweight autofocus lens is great for portraits, candid photos, and environmental shots, including anything with a shallow depth of field, such as flowers and plants. There is little to no distortion, regardless of distance or f-stop. Sharpness can be seen throughout the entire frame, and there is essentially no distortion. While the Canon EF 100-millimeter f/2.0 UltraSonic Motor Autofocus Lens has its perks, the downside of the autofocus feature is that it is very loud and can be picked up if you are recording video. Also, there is no image stabilizer in this autofocus lens, so it is best to keep a watchful eye when taking your photographs. Regardless of how loud the autofocus feature is, this lens does extremely well in low light situations due to its wide aperture. It focuses very quickly thanks to the ring-UltraSonic Motor, which helps maintain sharpness even when it is completely open. The Canon EF 100-millimeter f/2.0 UltraSonic Motor Autofocus Lens will make a great fit for professionals and beginners alike.

The Canon EF 100-millimeter f/2.8 Macro UltraSonic Motor Lens can be used for a multitude of shots, but it specializes in close-up photography. If you have ever wanted to get a photo of an ant or a small leaf, this is the lens you want to purchase. This lens is a fixed 100-millimeter lens, so it does not have any zoom capabilities, which can make using it for portraits difficult if you are a beginner. Standing away from your portrait subject at a distance will ensure your image will be very sharp, but with the 2.8 aperture, you will need patience since it is slow. The EF 100-millimeter f/2.8 Macro lens has an autofocus feature, which some say is a little slow, but once the autofocus finds its focal point, it is extremely precise and clear. This lens does not have image stabilization, but it is not a necessity when using macro focusing distances. Also, due to internal focus, the macro lens does not change length when it is focused. The EF 100-millimeter f/2.8 Macro lens works well in low light environments, and has beautiful color and contrast with no chromatic aberrations and has minimal distortion. It is a heavier lens than most, but this can be solved by bringing along a tripod or a strap. Whether you are taking photos of jewelry, nature, or people, this macro lens will always deliver a sharp as a tack image.

A lens that can handle close-up shots as well as far subject shots is Canon's EF 100-millimeter f/2.8L Macro Image Stabilization UltraSonic Motor Lens. With the macro lens, you'll find that the manual focus ring is very smooth, which is critical when it comes to macro photography, especially at wider apertures. Macro lenses typically require use of a tripod or a monopod in order to avoid any blurriness caused by shaking, but the image stabilization features of this macro lens negates the need by giving you more time to focus on getting the macro shot you want rather than adjusting a tripod. Even though the autofocus feature is not the quickest of Canon's L series, it is still very smooth and produces clear images with little to no need for post processing. The build quality is definitely different in comparison to other L series lenses due to the fact that the Canon EF 100-millimeter f/2.8L Macro lens uses engineering plastic rather than metal. This means that the lens barrel can flex, and the focus ring can stick if you pinch it too hard, but as long as you are aware of these situations then they can be avoided. Nature photographers will love how sharp and colorful their images of wildlife will be with this macro lens. Regardless of whether you are shooting something far-off in the distance, or right in front of you, the Canon EF 100-millimeter f/2.8L Macro Lens is an investment you should consider.

The Canon EF 16 to 35-millimeter f/2.8L III UltraSonic Motor Lens is an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens that is used both by professionals and enthusiasts alike. Regardless of whether you are shooting still photographs or recording videos, they will be captured with edge-to-edge sharpness every time in good lighting conditions. Some vignette corner shading can occur in dark conditions when the lens is being used wide open. However, the EF 16 to 35-millimeter lens can be used in a variety of conditions from cloudy days to sunny days and still produce clear images. Fans of image stabilization will appreciate the sharp shots this lens will deliver with the EF 16 to 35-millimeter's image stabilizer turned on, and even the crisp shots it can produce with the image stabilizer turned off. Even using this lens handheld will produce sharp images that normally would just be seen with a tripod. The improved peripheral illumination in the lens helps to reduce distortion at extremely wide angles that occurred in earlier versions of the EF 16 to 35-millimeter lens. It is recommended that this lens be used with a single-lens reflex camera that has a full-frame sensor, but it is not a requirement. The Canon EF 16 to 35-millimeter f/2.8L III UltraSonic Motor Lens is suggested for anyone who wants to produce high-resolution photos and videos, whether it's for their job or just for fun.

As part of the L series, the Canon EF 16 to 35-millimeter f/4.0L Image Stabilization UltraSonic Motor Lens does not disappoint with its excellent image quality. Many people use this lens for landscape photographs, but it is incredibly versatile and can be used for much more. An ultra wide-angle zoom has been incorporated into the image stabilizer, allowing for exceptional performance even in low light. The lens minimizes chromatic aberrations throughout its zoom range. Aberrations and slight distortion may still occur under extreme conditions of contrast and color, but they are not very noticeable and can be corrected in post. The sharpness of the EF 16 to 35-millimeter lens runs corner to corner regardless of f-stop, and allows the small details in an image to pop. The autofocus is fast and quiet, and the manual focus ring is very precise due to its smooth resistance and high quality. Even though this lens is made of engineering plastic, it feels very solid, and is dust-resistant as well as water-resistant. No matter what your skill level is, the Canon EF 16 to 35-millimeter f/4.0L Image Stabilization UltraSonic Motor Lens will meet all of your needs.

Designed specifically with sports and wildlife photographers in mind, the Canon EF 200 to 400-millimeter f/4.0L Image Stabilization UltraSonic Motor Lens with Internal 1.4x Extender is the best lens for any sporting event or wildlife trip. The lens is highly resistant to dust and water, making it a very versatile lens that can be used next to a waterfall on a hike or if it starts to lightly rain at a football game. The internal 1.4x extender is an excellent feature for any wildlife photographers who wish to capture a small subject, such as a bird in a tree, without having to approach them up close. Since the extender is internal, adding any additional 1.4x extenders as an attachment when the internal switch is on will cause your image to turn out blurry. The extender is turned on and off by switching a lever, which is a benefit because it allows the autofocus feature to remain in focus regardless of whether the extender is switched on or off. Without the extender on, the zoom is still extraordinary throughout its entire range. The zoom range can also be quickly increased, which means you will not have to change lenses in the middle of trying to capture an eagle flying overhead anymore. Regardless of your skill level, if nature or sports are your primary subjects, the Canon EF 200 to 400-millimeter lens with internal extender is exactly what you need.

The Canon EF 24 to 105-millimeter f/3.5-5.6 Image Stabilization Stepper Motor Zoom Lens has many qualities that are typically found in an L series lens rather than a typical zoom lens. The price makes it appealing to novices and professionals alike. Regardless of if you prefer taking photographs or videos, the smooth and quiet autofocus and tracking features allow for zero noise disturbance. There is a special coating on the lens to help reduce the chances of ghosting and flares, ensuring every photo is of high quality. Despite this coating, the zoom lens is not weather sealed, so taking this lens out in rough weather is not a great idea. Since it is made of engineering plastic, it is a good travel lens since it is lightweight, but it still feels solid and of good quality. This zoom lens' sharpness allows for minimal chromatic aberration, and the image stabilization makes it possible to use the lens without a monopod or tripod. The Canon 24 to 105-millimeter zoom lens also has a lens lock that prevents the lens from creeping, so your shots will remain in focus, regardless of if you bump the lens or not. Even though the image quality all around for this lens is high, the image quality is at its best at narrow apertures. If you are looking for a sharp lens that is up to L series standards with a non-L series price point, this is the lens for you.

As a photographer, if you are looking for an everyday lens that can be used in all conditions, including low light, the Canon EF 24 to 105-millimeter f/4L Image Stabilization II UltraSonic Motor Lens is for you. This lens is easy to carry around, and its image stabilization feature works very well, negating the need to carry a tripod with you. The image stabilization is quiet, which is a bonus for videographers since they will not have to worry about any background noises appearing in their videos. The zoom range of the EF 24 to 105-millimeter lens is amazing, regardless of whether you are shooting landscapes, portraits, or sporting events. The Canon EF 24 to 105-millimeter lens is an ideal lens for high-resolution full-frame sensors of single-lens reflex cameras, but can be used with other cameras as well. Whether you are looking for a wide-angle view or a mid-telephoto view, the EF 24 to 105-millimeter lens can get the job done. This lens has improved peripheral brightness in comparison to older versions, along with an aperture that helps deliver illuminated, sharp images with nice background blur. Even though it is a little heavier than other lenses, the Canon EF 24 to 105-millimeter f/4L Image Stabilization II UltraSonic Motor Lens is well worth the price for its sharpness, color rendering, and zoom speed features.

With the Canon EF 24 to 70-millimeter f/2.8L II UltraSonic Motor Zoom Lens, you can take beautiful shots of essentially any situation you find yourself in. Even when the lens is wide open, image quality is extremely sharp. Build quality is debatable depending on your preference of metal versus plastic, but for this particular lens, Canon has constructed it using engineering plastic. A lens exterior being made of engineering plastic allows for it to be lighter than its previous version, which was made entirely of metal. The engineering plastic still feels as though it is high quality, so build quality is still good. Being a mid-sized lens, the Canon EF 24 to 70-millimeter f/2.8L II UltraSonic Motor Zoom Lens allows for sharpness from one edge of the frame to the other. This particular zoom lens does not have image stabilization, which is something a lot of people look for, but this can be easily fixed by using a tripod or a monopod if any shaking occurs. This zoom lens does come with a lens hood, however, it attaches to the moving end of the lens, which makes it more vulnerable to being hit. The Canon EF 24 to 70-millimeter f/2.8L II UltraSonic Motor Zoom Lens has one of the fastest autofocus features ever designed by Canon, which may help make up for it not having image stabilization. The lens also has an extension lock feature that prevents it from loosening after heavy use over a long period of time. There can be some chromatic aberration in low light conditions, as well as some vignette shading, but both of these can be fixed in post.

A standard zoom lens with great macro capabilities can be hard to find, but if you buy the Canon EF-24 to 70-millimeter f/4.0L Image Stabilization UltraSonic Motor Standard Zoom Lens, you will be very pleased with your purchase. The lens has incredibly clear focusing abilities even without the macro feature, though the macro feature allows for beautiful magnified shots. This lens delivers high-quality images and details throughout its entire zoom range. Low light conditions will not be a concern due to its image stabilization. Even night shots with long exposure will be razor sharp. The Hybrid Image Stabilization system features up to 4 stops of stabilization, compensating for angular and shift camera shakes, making stabilization possible even when in macro mode. Some chromatic aberration may occur along with some vignette shading at the short end of the zoom, but these can be fixed in post. The autofocus feature of the Canon EF 24 to 70-millimeter Standard Zoom Lens is very quick, quiet, and precise. The inner focus and ring-type UltraSonic Motor permits the photographer to have full access to manual focus even while in autofocus mode. The Canon EF 24 to 70-millimeter lens is dust-sealed and water resistant as well as fluorine coated on the front and rear elements to decrease the chances of fingerprints or smudging.

The Canon EF 28 to 300-millimeter f/3.5-5.6L Image Stabilization UltraSonic Motor Autofocus Zoom Lens is a great go-to lens with solid build quality for photographers of all experience levels. The autofocus feature is very fast and silent, making it perfect for recording video if need be. With an amazing focal range, the Canon EF 28 to 300-millimeter f/3.5-5.6L lens can do anything from giving you a clear macro image of an ant to an ultra-wide landscape shot. The versatile range gives photographers the ability to use it for any event they go to, including sporting events with low light conditions, portraits, architectural shots, and more. Since this lens has image stabilization, it removes any chance of your images coming out blurry due to camera shake. If you are using the autofocus feature in low light conditions, it has been known to wander, so manual focus may be the best in those situations. Even though the Canon EF 28 to 300-millimeter f/3.5-5.6L Image Stabilization UltraSonic Motor lens is expensive, it is well worth the price for how versatile it is. Most people who purchase this lens never take it off their camera bodies since it can replace anywhere from three to six different types of lenses with everything it does. The sliding barrel zoom feature allows you to look at different framing options very rapidly, and having the ability to go from a focal length of 28 millimeters to 300 millimeters without changing the lens is valuable on its own. This autofocus zoom lens is worth the expense.

The Canon EF 28-millimeter f/1.8 Wide Angle UltraSonic Motor Autofocus Lens is solid, great build quality, and is easy to take into places because of how compact it is. This wide-angle lens works incredibly well in low light, allowing it to produce images with extreme sharpness and quality. However, the lens can have difficulty in bright light, so if you are photographing a bright blue sky, heavy chromatic aberrations may occur. Chromatic aberrations can easily be fixed post production. The autofocus feature of the Canon EF 28-millimeter f/1.8 Wide Angle UltraSonic Motor Autofocus Lens is fast, silent, and features an excellent focus ring. The autofocus feature can even lock on in dark conditions. While this lens can be used for a variety of different events, it is best for scenic photographs rather than portraits. For being such a reasonable price, the Canon EF 28-millimeter f/1.8 Wide Angle UltraSonic Autofocus Lens is an excellent wide-angle lens to buy due to the speed and accuracy of its focus system, its ability to provide sharp image quality, and its proficiency with color.

As part of the sixth generation in Canon's 400-millimeter f/2.8 series, the Canon EF 400-millimeter f/2.8L Image Stabilization III UltraSonic Motor Lens is well worth its expensive price. It has come to be the world's lightest 400-millimeter f/2.8 lens, and it is highly recommended for professionals and advanced photographers. This lens is perfect for photographing nature, sporting events, and more. It is primarily perfect for these types of photography due to its lightweight since it can be used handheld rather than with a monopod or tripod. The weight in the lens has been rebalanced towards the rear of the lens, making it easier to support in comparison to previous versions since its weight is redistributed to the palm of your hand rather than the front of it. Since the EF 400-millimeter lens is part of the L series, it has excellent and sturdy build quality. The lens is also weather sealed in order to prevent dust and moisture from making its way into it, and the front element has a fluorine coating in order to repel dirt, water, and grease from the surface. The Canon EF 400-millimeter lens has a great focal length and max aperture that allows for sports, wildlife, and photojournalistic opportunities. With this focal length, it is possible to capture subjects without being too close to them, whether it's an athlete out on the field, or an animal out in the wild, they will not need to be disturbed. Any professional or advanced photographer should consider adding the Canon EF 400-millimeter f/2.8L Image Stabilization III UltraSonic Motor Lens to their collection.

For its price, the Canon EF 50-millimeter f/1.4 UltraSonic Motor Lens is a good deal for how versatile it is. The autofocus feature is fast and quiet, but the focusing is inconsistent with almost every shot even when different f-stops and distances are tested. Focus speed and accuracy can also depend on the camera body, contrast, and the light levels of the environment. That being said, when this lens is used at 1/50 shutter speed, it will produce a sharper image with less of a soft appearance. The lens is wide enough for group and individual portraits, and will result in minimal distortion of the subjects in the photograph. However, at certain contrasts, some chromatic aberrations can occur at wide apertures. Vignettes can also happen at wide apertures on full frame. The Canon EF 50-millimeter f/1.4 UltraSonic Motor Lens has versatile focal length, and is great for low light photography with no flash. This lens is not recommended for beginners due to its need for a strong understanding of depth of field to work properly due to challenges with the focusing features.

A must-have lens for amateurs and professionals alike is the Canon EF 50-millimeter f/1.8 Stepper Motor Lens. It is a very affordable lens for people who are just starting out and can't afford an expensive lens, but want to dive into the world of EOS prime lenses. The EF 50-millimeter lens is small, making it easy to fit into any photographer's camera bag, or even a purse if need be. The lens is lightweight, but still has a solid feel to it, so there is absolutely no sacrifice of build quality. It is a versatile lens that produces clear images, bright colors, and creates an artistic blurred background. There is no need to worry about distortion or chromatic aberrations with this lens, even when the lens is used wide open. A coating on the lens allows for great color balance while reducing ghosting and flare. Many photographers look for lenses that have the ability to capture sharp images even in low light conditions, and with the Canon EF 50-millimeter lens, low light photographs are exceptional. This lens also has an autofocus feature that works very quickly and accurately. However, if you intend to shoot videos with this lens, an external mic is a necessary purchase if you have the autofocus feature turned on since it can be noisy. If manual focus is a preference over autofocus, you will like the new and improved focus ring, which makes this lens the most compact 50-millimeter Canon lens. Any photographer should have this lens in their camera bag.

Canon's versatile EF 600-millimeter f/4L Image Stabilization III UltraSonic Motor Lens allows for the action to be brought up close and clear in almost any situation. This autofocus telephoto prime lens is part of Canon's L series, making it a must have for professional and advanced photographers. The autofocus feature is fast, and makes the lens great for capturing fast-moving subjects such as animals and athletes. The EF 600-millimeter lens also works very well in low light conditions, experiencing little to no noise interference. Photographers will appreciate the ability to work handheld in low light conditions because of how sharp the image quality is. Weather should not be a concern with this lens since it is weather sealed against dust and moisture, making it an ideal lens for outdoor use. The lens even has heat-rejecting paint and a two-layer barrel structure, allowing for all day shooting outdoors, even in hot weather. The EF 600-millimeter f/4L Image Stabilization III UltraSonic Motor Lens has a full-time manual focus mode, allowing photographers to choose their preference between autofocus mode and manual focus mode. Fluorite elements in the lens reduce the chances of chromatic aberration and distortion, and Subwavelength Structure Coating reduces opportunities of flare and ghosting. Both of these features allow for less time spent post processing photographs. This lens is a must for professional and advanced photographers who wish to have a high-quality telephoto prime lens from Canon's L series.

As part of the L series, the Canon EF 70 to 200-millimeter f/2.8L Image Stabilization III UltraSonic Motor Lens is a must have for professional photographers especially. The lens works best outdoors, even in low light conditions, which makes it perfect for low light landscape shots. Indoor lighting, on the other hand, is not ideal for this lens. If you enjoy shooting sporting events or fast-moving objects, be aware that the focal ring of the EF 70 to 200-millimeter L lens has been known to loosen up over time, which will impact the quality of the image along with how quickly the lens can follow your fast-moving subject. The Canon EF 70 to 200-millimeter f/2.8L Image Stabilization III UltraSonic Motor Lens has excellent image quality overall, and the f/2.8 maximum aperture of the lens allows for fast shutter speeds and a beautiful background blur across its entire zoom range. While the autofocus feature of the lens may not be the quickest of the Canon lenses, it is quiet when it is used for video recordings, so unnecessary background noise from the autofocus feature will not be a concern. Along with having no noise disturbances, the combination of Canon's Air Sphere Coating and an updated Super Spectra Coating have significantly reduced the chances of lens flare and ghosting in images for the Canon EF 70 to 200-millimeter f/2.8L Image Stabilization III UltraSonic Motor Lens. Any professional who wishes to add another L lens to their collection should purchase the EF 70 to 200-millimeter f/2.8L Image Stabilization III UltraSonic Motor Lens.

Looking for a camera lens that has an image stabilizer can be expensive, but the Canon EF 70 to 200-millimeter f/2.8L UltraSonic Motor Telephoto Zoom Lens does not need an image stabilizer due to its high shutter speed. This telephoto zoom lens is extremely versatile, making it work extremely well in any environment you wish to take photos in. With its UltraSonic Motor, the autofocus feature is extremely fast, accurate, and is quiet for photographers who wish to record film without hearing any unwanted sounds in the background. Even in low lighting, the autofocus feature thrives, which makes it a great lens for any sporting events that may take place in a poorly lit gym, or even if you want to take photos outdoors when the sun is going down. The EF 70 to 200-millimeter f/2.8L UltraSonic Motor lens is in its element when it is at a distance, but it can still be used for portraits as long as they are at a distance of at least 15 to 25 feet. The lens has excellent build quality, but is a little heavier than most, so a tripod is a good investment. With the help of a tripod and the one-handed zoom feature, close wildlife shots are more than possible with this lens. Its shallow depth of field is useful for portraits and will aid in isolating the subject of your photograph, regardless of what is in the background. The EF 70 to 200-millimeter lens' vibrant colors, ability to handle contrast, and high shutter speed allow it to be used by beginners and professionals alike.

The Canon EF 70 to 200-millimeter f/4.0L Image Stabilization UltraSonic Motor Lens is excellent if you are looking for a lens suitable for travel and photojournalism because of its portability and lightweight size of 27.2 ounces. This lens has fast and accurate focusing abilities, and it helps images remain sharp, bright, and colorful. When shooting architecture, which includes a lot of horizontal and vertical lines, a distortion where objects will curve toward the center of the image, called a pincushion distortion, may possibly occur at 200 millimeters, but will become less distorted as you widen the lens. Due to the Canon EF 70 to 200-millimeter f/4.0L Lens having an Electro Focus lens mount, it is compatible with all Canon digital single-lens reflex cameras, making it a very accessible lens. When traveling, there is no need to worry about moisture or dust gathering in the lens because it is moisture and dust sealed. If you are shooting in infrared, there are infrared focusing marks that will display at 70 millimeters and 100 millimeters. The distance scale window for the lens features both feet and meter scales, suitable for whatever your needs may be.