Canon budget 50mm, 85mm, 10-22mm

[Bob Gruen]

Got the lenses mounted up so I thought some first impressions were in order:

50mm F/1.4: Verified that the image jumps when rack focusing changes direction. Would be good for static shots, but the 1.2L is the one to have.

85mm F/1.8: Beautiful image, but the clutch between the lens and the manual focus ring is too loose (or mine is bad from the factory). Mechanical focusing is out, so I'm waiting on the controller.

10-22mm F/2.8-3.5: Just like Ken Rockwell stated this lens is slow, wide, and razor sharp. The DoF is measured in feet or yards, so unless the talent is kissing the lens they will be 'in the background'. There must be some funky lenses in that body though, because there is no barrel distortion at all. Walls are eerily straight.

28mm F/1.8: Left it in Kansas City (oops), so that first impression is pending.

35mm 'L' and 50mm 'L': Going to order tomorrow, along with some ND filters and gradients.

The Redrock Mattebox works well, even with the ultra-wide 10mm.

Bob

 

[Matthew Blight]

Hey Bob,

Any chance of posting some pics/grabs?

Matthew

 

[Emanuel A.]

(...)

10-22mm F/2.8-3.5

(...)

Bob, it is f/3.5-4.5 instead.

E.

 

[Joel Kaye]

85mm F/1.8: Beautiful image, but the clutch between the lens and the manual focus ring is too loose (or mine is bad from the factory). Mechanical focusing is out, so I'm waiting on the controller.

85 F/1.8 works for me but it's probably the least favorite of my lenses for build quality. I've never heard great things about the Canon 50mm f/1.4 so I didn't buy that one. Sigma 50mm F/1.4 for Canon is very nice though... .similar to 35mm L in quality. The 24mm 1.4 and 35mm 1.4 are rock solid lenses. Those guys alone are a good reason to own a Birger.

 

[Paul Leeming]

Odd about the 85/1.8 having mechanical focus issues, because I have its twin the 100/2 and it's got a very smooth feel and decent travel (though the 1.2L lenses are better of course at 4-5 time the price I paid for mine second hand).

Maybe get hold of another sample to see if it is indeed just your copy?

One other thing, you are using firmware 19X for the Birger right? I think earlier versions had issues working with both the 85/1.8 and 85L/1.2 which could also explain your findings....

HTH

Paul

 

[Bob Gruen]

The 85 f/1.2L is different in that all focusing is electronic, and the ring is attached to a sensor that feeds data to the focusing servo. It simply will not move the glass without power. The more I think about it the more I think my 85mm is defective...

I'm actually sending my 3 cards back to Red for the Firmware update, and the one drive I have on order is a few weeks out. Due to work issues I won't be able to work with my camera for a month or so... :-(

Bob