Designed for exclusive use on Canon digital SLR cameras with smaller-size imagers, this Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II aspherical macro zoom lens is ideal for a host of situations. The high-power zoom lens–which offers an equivalent focal length of 28-300mm in 35mm format–adds versatility to your lens menu, zooming from a true wide perspective to an ultra tele zoom, all in an amazingly easy-to-use design. As a result, the lens is ideal for everything from landscape shots to sports and wildlife photography. The lens also incorporates several of Tamron’s proprietary core technologies, including aspherical elements that minimize chromatic aberration, a multiple cam mechanism, and an integrated focus cam design. The technologies combine to create the world’s lightest, most compact 11.1x digital zoom lens. Other features include an angle of view of 75 to 7 degrees, a minimum focusing distance of 17.7 inches, and a 62mm filter diameter. All Tamron lenses carry a six-year warranty.

Note: The Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II zoom lens is not designed for conventional cameras or digital cameras with image sensors larger than 24mm x 16mm.

Specifications

• Focal length: 18-200mm
• Maximum aperture: f/3.5-6.3
• Lens construction: 15 elements in 13 groups
• Angle of view: 75 to 7 degrees
• Type of zooming: Rotation
• Diaphragm blades: 7
• Minimum aperture: f/22
• Minimum focusing distance: 17.7 inches
• Macro magnification ratio: 1:3.7 (at f=200mm)
• Filter size: 62mm
• Corresponding mounts: Canon
• Lens hood: Yes, flower shaped
• Dimensions: 2.9 inches in diameter and 3.3 inches long
• Weight: 14 ounces
• Warranty: 6 years

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Tamron Lense
I am a novice photographer. Alot I do not know. I ordered this Tamron lense thru Amazon. When it arrived (timely), it caused my camera (Canon Rebel Xti)to shut down. Would not work. I contacted Tamron and explained the “error msg” I was getting from the camera and after brief conversation w/tech person at Tamron it was determined that the lens was flawed and for me to contact Amazon and explain this and get a replacement lens. Uh-Oh, right? Let me tell you that a call to Amazon was all it took. A new lens was shipped that day express mail (free of charge) with an authorization label to send the faulty lens back in the same box with charges reversed to them. The new Tamron lens arrived and is working beautifully on my camera. Bottom line? This is a fine lens and Amazon (in my opinion) is one great and reliable company that I will use without hesitation.

1 Star Very fuzzy
Disappointed with the lens. Not clear at all and very slow to focus. I returned it immediately.

1 Star Slow focus
I am a professional wedding photographer and I tried this lens on my canon 7D at my daughter’s Halloween party at school. I’m glad I didn’t bring it to a wedding off the bat. The room (as most school rooms are) is well lit from windows and the florescents were on – the lens couldn’t pick up on the dark costumes to grab fast enough. It hunted a lot and I lost some shots. At the widest, there was A LOT of blur around the edges. Not a crisp shot. I returned it today (after receiving it the day before yesterday). I do have another Tamron zoom that is slow to focus, but this one was much slower in lower light – would not have worked at a wedding ceremony (especially a church) nor a reception.

4 Stars Upgraded from stock lense
I bought this lens to upgrade from the lense that came with my Rebel XTI. I used the “old” lens (18-50mm) on a two week trip to Scandinavia last year and did not bring a longer one due to luggage limits. I bought this one for a three week trip around the Canadian Maritimes this fall and it provided much more flexibility in the shots I could take using just one lens. As for improved quality of the photos, I guess its hard to say since I sharpen all of my photos and when framing an image in the view finder, I allow for a little cropping during post-processing in Photoshop. I much prefer it to the original lens for the range of shots I can take while travelling without having to switch out lenses.

1 Star Bad Leans
I don’t recommend this Leans, the one I got it is not sharp and all the pic it takes are soft and not sharp

maybe the one I received is like this but I can write a review for the product I got

Buy/More Info

Bringing a new level of versatility and capability to flash photography, the Speedlite 430EX II features a powerful flash (guide number of 141 ft./43m at ISO 100) with a fast recycling time in a compact, durable body. A one-touch quick-lock mechanism makes it easy to attach or detach the 430EX II from the camera and a metal foot has been added for strength and durability. Flash controls can now be set through the camera’s LCD screen on compatible EOS Digital SLR cameras. The Speedlite 430EX II is also quieter, recycle time is 20 percent faster (as compared to the 430EX) and since it is compatible with Canon’s wireless E-TTL, it can be used as an affordable “slave unit.”

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Case needs a belt loop
Not much to add that hasn’t been said, but I wish the storage case had a belt loop. It wouldn’t add more than pennies to the cost, but would let you carry it on your belt when you need it but don’t want it mounted full time, or let you run your camera bag strap through it when space in the bag’s at a premium. Still five stars.

4 Stars Canon 430EX II
The Canon 430EX II. Using the unit with the Canon SX1 IS and works very well. Controls easy to work. The LCD is large enough, but in low light a little hard to read. Some of the functions can not be used with the SX1, but for my use it’s no problem. The way the unit locks on to the camera is much better then turning the screw knob I had on my 540EZ. I looked at the 580EX, but that is a bit to large for the SX1. I think it’s a good flash for the amature or pro. Ordered from Amazon and had the unit in 3 days.

5 Stars yes please
Great flash, enough said. Small in size and in price when it comes to new flash units. Works great, especially since I do not need anything bigger!

5 Stars Canon Speedlite 430EX II
Obviously, goes well with the EOS cameras. I’ve only had it for less than a week, so I’m still learning how to use the large number of features. These features provide a lot of flexibility, especially when coupled with all of the different camera modes. Recycle time and battery consumption also seem to be good, again given the short amount of time I’ve been using it (but a lot of test shots). I’ve gotten good results with flash coverage as far as 30′ (which may not be its limit, but it’s as much as I’ve used so far). The low light focus assist is a great benefit in speeding up the camera’s focus under those conditions. It’s not a small unit, but not unwieldy, either. The rotate/bounce really helps to soften the sometimes harsh flash light. This seems to be a great addition to my EOS camera.

4 Stars Very Good overall
Before I bought this item, I did a little research by reading reviews from people who’ve purchased this particular flash as well as asking those with more experience. I was told that the 430EX was a good flash to get started with–and they were right. I use a Canon Rebel XSi(450D) and I tried looking at the 580 but it looked much too massive for it. Although the 580 has features that the 430 doesn’t, I’m not a professional photographer that owns a studio for portraits and stuff, so I decided on the simpler model. I love the fact that it swivels up and down, left to right to achieve certain lighting effects that you wouldn’t get with lower-end flashes. I was a tiny bit disappointed that the light it emits isn’t much stronger that the built-in flash, BUT in order to be fair, I haven’t had the opportunity to discover its maximum potential yet. There is a shutter synchro function (as well as other functions) that I haven’t played around with, and when I do, I’d be sure tell you all about it. Overall, its a good flash to own and I’d recommend it to those who, like me, are just getting started learning the fine art of photography.

Buy/More Info

Perfect for expanding your creative options on compact cameras and entry-level EOS DSLRs, Canon’s Speedlite 270EX adds power and flexibility for enhanced flash photography anywhere. Light, compact and small enough to fit in your pocket, Speedlite 270EX features 2-step coverage for 28mm and 50mm focal lengths, plus a highly useful bounce-flash function for amazingly easy, polished results. An indispensable complement to your Canon camera, Speedlite 270EX is a perfect extension of your photographic genius.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Speedlite 270 EX
This flash was purchased to use on my canon G9 and I did not want something too large. The 270 EX is the perfect size for this and all G series cameras. The tilt head is also an added benefit for bounce flash. I find this flash to be more than adequate for interior shots and would not shot without it.

5 Stars Nice compact flash to take anywhere
I bought the 270EX to add to my Powershot SX10IS. Using the flash unit is simple: snap on, turn on, aim, fire. That’s it. Have two AAs handy. That’s all you need. No knobs, no digital settings, no programming of any kind. No frills. But this little unit will do the job. Since the SX10IS is now my backup camera, the 270EX provides the portability and basic added service I need. No professional shots with this speedlite. But pictures with the SX10IS are so much better illuminated now and not overly harshly. I also use a diffuser and I recommend you use one too, if you eventually settle on this little unit. The price is right and the results just perfect for the kind of photography the 270EX is designed for. Give this flash a serious consideration. You won’t be disappointed.

4 Stars simple, affordable, easy.
I have a Canon PowerShot Pro1 and I’m working on upgrading it with some accessories. This is the first accessory flash I’ve ever owned and I’ve found it to be quite capable, especially considering its relatively inexpensive price tag (compared to other more “professional” models).

The flash runs on two AA batteries, so it’s easy to carry spares and pop new ones in in just a few seconds, even while you’re on the go. The unit slides easily onto my Canon camera, but will not mount up to my old 35mm Minolta. I had been under the misguided impression that all ‘hot shoe’ fittings were universal across the camera world and I was proven quite wrong. Anyway, once mounted, the flip of a small switch locks the flash securely to the camera. The flash also comes with a protective nylon-feeling bag in which to store the unit when not in use.

The flash is quite versatile for a beginner or intermediate photographer as the flash output is fully adjustable (through your camera’s menu settings). The flash itself has physically adjustable settings for regular “straight on” flash photography, as well as telephoto pictures. The flash will also tilt upwards to varying angles to allow you to ‘bounce’ the flash off the ceiling in order to create a softer, more natural overhead lighting effect instead of blasting your subject straight on with a blinding flash.

I’ve taken nearly 200 photos on my first set of batteries, and I am noticing that the flash takes quite a while to warm up initially, however once warm, it seems to recycle in between shots at a reasonably quick rate.

In summary, if you want to expand your Canon D-SLR camera’s flexibility and usefulness without dropping $400-500 on an accessory flash, this is the one for you. This unit has a smaller size and a smaller price tag than many other models, but packs a lot of punch.

5 Stars Great entry level flash
Perfect flash for my new Canon SX20IS. Compact size and easy controls with the ability to bounce the flash.

5 Stars Speedlite 270EX – nice little package
I’m really happy with this flash. I tested it against my 430EX in my livingroom by bouncing both off the sloped ceiling. I tested both with and without a diffuser. I have an Omnibounce for the 430EX and a Zeikos diffuser for the 270EX. The 270EX did just as well as the 430EX with consideration to exposure, albeit the 430EX took no time to recycle and the 270 about 1-2 seconds. No recycle time if shooting straight ahead. Not bad for such a small package. Fits my G11 and SX10 very nicely. At less than 1/3 the size of the 430EX it’s very light and easy to carry.

Couple of caveats –

270EX has no manual controls so flash exposure must be done with the camera.

The head doesn’t swivel so the camera cannot be used in the portrait position if you want to bounce the flash off the ceiling. You can bounce it off the wall though if side lighting. Bouncing off the ceiling can be accomplished by using a hot shoe adapter cord and removing the flash from the camera and then aim the flash at the ceiling.

Although the 270EX isn’t as powerful as the 430 series, extra reach can be obtained by bumping up the camera’s ISO one notch.

All in all a powerful flash for it’s size.

Buy/More Info

compatible with select Canon digital SLR cameras * rated at 7.2V, 1800mAh * no “memory effect” — may be partially charged without reducing battery capacity * compatible with Canon LC-E6 battery charger *

User Ratings and Reviews

2 Stars just a battery that does what it should
WAY too expensive for what it is: just a rechargeable battery that is worth about $5. Canon should be proud of themselves for EXTREME price gouging. They could charge $10 for this item, make a huge profit doing so, and not alienate their customers.

The electrical capacity is ok, but not great. And the “smart” feature is slightly better than useless. Yes, it is nice to see how much charge is remaining, but that feature is not worth the $50+ that Canon robs you for.

I tried a generic battery for about $10 (including its own charger), but that battery was physically slightly too big and it jammed in the camera and had to be pried out. This Canon battery fits properly, so I’m stuck buying Canon batteries until I can find a generic that fits.

5 Stars One just isn’t enough…
For anyone who thinks this battery is expensive, I say “You must be new to digital photography!”. Ever since I got a camcorder a decade ago, then later started using little digital cameras, and now finally the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, battery power has been an issue. Gone are the days of mechanical SLR’s with little button batteries for the meter!

Today’s electronic image-making devices use major power. Without a good battery, you have nothing but a brick. I have developed a habit of having plenty of power available. I purchased the battery grip so I could put two batteries in the camera, and have the AA-battery clip in reserve. I want to take pictures not drive tent stakes with my brick!

These batteries provide plenty of power to shoot. But as the manual warns, the more you review your images, the more you use Image Stabilization; the more you auto-focus, the faster the batteries will drain. And if it’s cold outside…. You want to have power to spare if you’re serious about making images. These are the batteries you want. Don’t fool yourself into saving a couple dollars on a generic battery – you will not get a real savings. They don’t provide as many charge cycles and they don’t report their status as well. It’s not worth the savings!

5 Stars Buy Canon or go home!
Buy this Canon brand battery for you 5D Mark ll. It’s worth the price for the battery info feature of your Mark ll. Go Canon or go home!

5 Stars Great product
Great product from Canon. Very satisfied.

Canon LP-E6 Battery Pack for Canon 5D Mark II Digital SLR

5 Stars good and high quality battery for reasonable price
I bought this one for ~$60 on amazon. It’s a bargain already since its original price (last year) was $120 and up. This is a high quality, high capacity battery with some integrated information chip (which show you the history of battery, recharge, no. of shots taken, etc.). It’s not something luxury – just a “nice to have” feature.

Buy/More Info

Bring your photographic subjects closer with this Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Image Stabilizer Telephoto Zoom Lens. It is designed with Canon’s Optical Image Stabilizer technology and is compact and light. This high zoom ratio lens is equivalent to a focal length of 88-400mm in the 35mm format (when used on Canon EOS cameras compatible with EF-S lenses). The image stabilizer effect is equivalent to a shutter speed about 4 stops faster than the same size lens without Image Stabilizer. In other words, if the slowest shutter speed you could formerly hold a 250mm lens steadily was 1/250th of a second, with Canon’s 4-stop stabilization correction, you could hand-hold at shutter speeds as slow as 1/15th of a second. It also uses a UD-glass lens element to correct chromatic aberration for excellent image quality throughout the zoom range. Filter Size – 58mm Max. Diameter – x Length 2.8 in. x 4.3 in./70 x 108mm (maximum lens length) Weight – 13.8 oz./390g Canon 1 year limited warranty

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Very impressive lens
I did a lot of research prior to buying this lens. I have a Canon Rebel XSI, and the combination of this camera and the 55mm to 250 mm telephoto lens is excellent. The image quality is very, very good. I purchased it from Quality Photo through Amazon.com and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. Great price, fast delivery.

E.F. Stone

Fitchburg, Ma.

4 Stars Great value.
I received this lens in a package with my T1i. I think it compliments the kit lens (18-55mm) immensely. Now I have everything covered from wide to telephoto. The IS works very well even out to 250mm. I can hand hold most shots @250mm in daylight. Photos of the moon at night are incredible. You can what seems like every detail of every crater. Great value for the money!

5 Stars Good stable lens
I’m still learning what this lens likes and doesn’t like. For example, it does vignette sometimes but I can see that ahead of time and I just back off full telephoto a bit.

If you’re a novice, don’t forget to turn off the IS when using a tripod. And just because there is IS, it doesn’t mean there won’t be hand shake problems at less than 1/250th speed.

Set camera to center focus so that you get what you want in focus. I use Auto focus 98% of the time. The lens is very responsive and you have to be careful to focus on what you really want. Got some nice sharp photos of small, fast birds in flight and some dogs on a dead run.

Color quality seems good for the most part. Occasionally I get something with a bluish tinge but I think that’s the camera rather than the tele since other pics of the same area at the same time were fine.

As one reviewer said somewhere, get to know what the lens will and won’t do.

I’m really pleased with the price and the results. I don’t want to spend $1000 on a lens since this is a hobby not a profession.

5 Stars I love this lens
This is the first lens I used other than the lens that came with my EOS Rebel XS kit and I love it. I bought it for my family trip to Walt Disney World and it performed better than I expected. The auto focus can be a little slow but not that bad to deal with. Picture quality is really good. Over all I am happy with the purchase.

5 Stars Cannon EF-S 55-225mm Lens Review
This lens was a gift for my girlfriend who is an avid, professional photographer. It was an instant hit with her. The picture quality of this lens with the image stabilization was second to none. Also, the ease of use of the lens was excellent. Finally, Cannon is an excellent company with excellent manufacturing. This lens was a good buy and a very good product.

Buy/More Info

Tamron applies the Di (Digitally Integrated) logo to lenses with optical systems designed to meet the performance characteristics of digital SLR cameras, and this 28-75mm Di autofocus zoom lens is no exception. Boasting revolutionary downsizing XR technology, the lens is among the smallest and lightest models in the history of fast zoom lenses. In fact, it looks just like an ordinary standard zoom lens, but offers a fast constant maximum aperture that will reshape your photographic horizons. Specific details include a constant maximum aperture of f/2.8, a minimum focusing distance of 13 inches, and a rotation-type zoom. As with all Tamron lenses, the 28-75mm lens carries a six-year warranty.

• Lens construction: 16 elements in 14 groups
• Angle of view: 75 to 32 degrees
• Zooming type: Rotation
• Diaphragm blade number: 7
• Minimum aperture: f/32
• Minimum focusing distance: 13 inches
• Macro magnification ratio: 1:3.9 (at 75mm)
• Filter diameter: 67mm
• Accessories: Lens hood
• Mount: Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony
• Dimensions: 2.9 inches in diameter and 3.6 inches long
• Weight: 18 ounces

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars tamron via canon
IDEAL WALK AROUND FRIEND OF YOURS

MONEY SAVIER

MY BELIEVE JAPANIS TECHNOLOGY TYPICALLY PARALLEL WITH EACH OTHER , EVEN DIFERENT COPMANY’S SHERE THEIR SECRETS ..TO SUPPORT NATIONAL MARKETING IDEAS ..

28-75mm autofocus zoom lens with f/2.8 maximum aperture

EXELENTLY meet performance characteristics of digital SLR cameras

Minimum focusing distance of 13 inches; rotation-type zoom

Smaller and lighter than most fast zoom lenses; weighs 18 ounces

Measures 2.9 inches in diameter and 3.6 inches long; 6-year warranty

DO NOT THINK TOO LONG !!

If you are here you are not the only one who use it ( proudly ?!!!)

5 Stars High quality optics
I have both the Canon 24-70 and this lens. The quality and sharpness of the image taken with this lens is outstanding. I really can not tell them apart from the Canon (BOTH PIN SHARP). I use this on my back-up camera but it’s easier to carry around for a long period of time – much lighter. The build quality of the Canon is better and it is a much sturdier lens. The Canon has full time manual which I need when shooting weddings – I was concerned with damaging the Tamron which does not have full time manual. Overall this lens is an outstanding value – I would not hesitate to buy it.

4 Stars Great for indoor sports
I had problems taking indoor basketball shots with the f3.5 zoom, and this f2.8 zoom solved my problems at 1/2 the price of a canon.

4 Stars Good Value for a Fine Lens
Not having the change to spring for the Canon “L” equivalent, I did my research and decided this would more than suffice. Having used it for some recent photos, I can say it was a good decision. Build quality seems quite good and the zoom mechanism has just the right feel. Sharpness at normal aperatures is very good and even at f2.8 is not too soft on my Canon 20D. Should make a good ‘walkabout’ lens and even a credible portrait lens at 60mm+ (although it is hard to beat the portraits taken with my 50mm f1.4). There is a little autofocus searching under dimmer light conditions, but not bad and certainly not a problem for normal landscape photos that I like to take. Comes with a short hood, unlike many Canon lenses. My first Tamron. Nice job Tamron!

4 Stars Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8
I’m a novice photographer and for me this was not only a steal but a huge upgrade. Seems on par with the standard Canon line of lenses in terms of construction.

Buy/More Info

This universal high-power flash unit for Canon digital SLR cameras is the perfect accessory for any photographer looking for reduced red-eye, evenly lit subjects, or more power for telephoto shooting. This flash can be effective at ranges of over 50 feet, reduces shadows, and adds depth to your pictures thanks to the adjustable head, which zooms, swivels and tilts for added versatility.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Good in a pinch…
I have had this flash for a little over a month now. I am very “anti-flash” and will pretty much do ANYTHING I CAN not to need one. There is only so much you can do with your aperture, ISO, and shutter speed before you start losing serious quality in your photos…sometimes you just need to bite the bullet and use the flash. I find that this flash paired with a Lumiquest Portable Softbox and bounced off a white ceiling really does the trick in low light situations. I haven’t had much of a problem so far…and it has made it possible to take crisp photos even in an almost dark area. I say, for the price, it is certainly worth a try.

4 Stars Great flash for the price
I recently purchased this flash for my Canon Rebel XS and was a little worried about buying a flash that didnt have the Canon name on it, but when I looked at the price difference between the Canon 430 and this, I decided I would try this out. So far, I am quite impressed with the flash. The flash level seems bright but not too bright and with a omnibounce diffuser on it, it takes great pictures in low light settings. The reason I gave this a four rather than a five is that it does have a little bit of a cheap plastic feel to it and since it is not a Canon, you can not do as much adjusting with the flash inside the camera. Overall great product, especially for those on a budget, need a spare flash, or just starting in the DSLR world.

2 Stars Did not last very long…
I bought this for my daughters Canon EOS XSi, which she uses for her photography class.

She got about a month worth of use from it, then it died. Just beyond the return policy limit. Go figure.

Qualiy was just ok… maybe 8/10. Could be a little more solid in my mind.

Functionality was about a 9/10. Not bad for a $50 flash.

I really like(d) the telescoping flash lens, which converts the flash from direct to diffused flash instantly without adding a separate diffuser. VERY nice feature.

I would give it a 4/5 if it did not die on me so soon.

5 Stars Bright bang for the buck
Great value for this product. I’ve been using it for about 4 months and can confidently recommend it. Bright, with new batteries (rechargables) recycle time was 1 s. Simple functions, lightweight and stellar with a soft box. Great as an off camera flash too.

Look, if you want to compare a $500 Canon Speedlite to this $50 product you’re barking up the wrong tree. I don’t see Motor Trend comparing an Acura with a Yugo. But if you want a great intro flash to learn about strobes then you can’t beat this deal.

3 Stars My experience with the Precision Design Flash
The flash was a little difficult to use at first. I was in a gym at a volleyball game and the lighting was very dim. I had to adjust the flash several different times to acquire a clear picture – which meant I missed some “Kodak” moments. I am learning how to bounce the light but overall it is a good product.

Buy/More Info

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens offers the highest possible optical quality with no change in aperture over the full focal range of the lens. This allows photographers to set exposure at the widest aperture and zoom all the way through to 200mm without having to decrease shutter speed. Developed for use with a Canon SLR camera, this autofocus telephoto zoom lens offers optimized use with the Canon EOS series digital cameras. Of particular note, Canon has introduced an image stabilizer (IS) that adjusts to meet the demands of professional photography. IS reduces dramatically the image blur caused by camera shake. Gyro sensors detect unwanted vibrations, triggering the corresponding movement of a correcting lens group perpendicular to the optical axis. This alters the light path, returning the image to its correct position on the sensor or film plane. For shooting immobile subjects, Mode 1 corrects for movement in the image along both the horizontal and vertical axes. For shooting while panning horizontally to follow a moving subject, Mode 2 turns off vertical correction and prevents the effect of dragging the subject back through the frame. The lens’ Ring-type USM employs ultra-sonic frequency vibrations to drive auto focus with unrivalled speed and near-silent operation. A powerful CPU and improved AF algorithm contribute to speed performance. The EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM includes distance metering information, providing compatibility with the E-TTL II flash system of late model cameras such as the EOS-1D Mark II, EOS-1Ds Mark II, EOS 5D and EOS 400D. When used in conjunction with Canon’s range of EX Speedlite flash units, the lens passes distance information to the flash algorithm for markedly improved flash exposure metering. Includes Lens hood and soft pouch

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars I’m just rating what I received.
I ordered this lens new from an online merchant recently and after taking it out to shoot for one day, I’ve found that it performs remarkably- when it performs.

I am not rating the 70-200 F/4L IS in general, but rather the one that I received. I thought about not writing a review just so that the raving 5star reviews wouldn’t be skewed but I thought this might be helpful for people who thought it might be too good to be true that nobody got a lemon. It’d be unfair for me to choose to only write a great review just because everyone else did, ignoring the flaws that mine came with.

The lens that I got seemed to be a lemon (which speaks of Canon’s quality control). I tried focusing to infinity manually (tried on both MF and AF) and it just wasn’t getting there. It would rotate from Macro all the way up to about 3/4ths of the way to infinity and it would stop. I put on the lens cap and pressed the shutter halfway to see if it did what it’s supposed to do (try to focus from Macro to Infinity) but again, it would never reach infinity. In fact, when it was rotating towards infinity, it would get stuck and make a scratchy noise. The zoom would also sometimes not turn all the way to 70mm, but if I messed with the focus ring a little bit, the zoom ring would work again. One time it got to the point where the focus ring wouldn’t change the area of focus at all.

The reason why I gave this any stars at all was because I’m giving it 3 stars because it did perform well a couple times and when it did, the image quality as far as saturation, contrast and sharpness were fantastic. Expected better quality control for an L lens so I took off 2 stars. I’ve returned this lens and bought another copy. When it comes, I will give an update to this review.

5 Stars Best zoom lens on the planet
Wow! That’s what you will say when you see your first images from this lens!

It’s not hype, it’s for real.

Small, light, super sharp, super high IQ, super-fast AF, excellent 4 stop IS.

There’s not a lot more to say.

4 Stars Great staple, “go-to” lens.
I have owned this lens for over a year now.

The first lens I purchased had severe front focusing issues and was not as sharp as I would like in a lens of this price range. I returned it and the 2nd copy has been perfect. Having spoken with other enthusiasts, this doesn’t seem to be an uncommon experience, and Canon may have some quality control issues, which is why this is rated a 4 instead of a 5.

The new lens is wonderful, tack sharp, good build and focuses quickly. I use it to do dog photography and it is great outdoors. Indoors for action shots in low light, I would go with the 2.8 over the f/4 to get those really crisp photos in low light conditions. Otherwise great all around zoom lens at a good price. Image stabilization has really come in handy too.

5 Stars Amazing quality in all aspects, cant wait to use it on a full frame.
Optical quality:

The best I’ve seen, period. The pictures I take with this lens standout even around pictures taken with other L lenses like the 17-40 at F/8. This one is sharp from F/4 until diffraction starts to affect (f/16) and is sharp at all zoom points.

IS capability:

I wish all my lenses had an IS like this one does. I can even take sharp pictures at 1/15 at 200mm. It does drain battery a little faster but not to be an issue at all, I even forget about it.

Construction quality:

Solid, excellent… L grade.

Portability

I laugh at the guys lugging the f/2.8… the only reason I would consider the 2.8 is for indoor sports (freezing action) or portaits.

This one at f/4 still produces nice bokeh when taking portraits.

Usability

Of course, its up to you. I have a 40D and found this lens to be too long for normal use. Im buying a 5D mk II and one of the great things about that is that I will be using this lens more. On an APS-C camera the lens becomes usable only for far subjects (more than 20 feet) or head portraits.

Use with the 1.4 tele extender

Great. It still gives excellent optical quality and everything works perfect (remember you loose 1 stop of light however).

4 Stars Beautiful Lens
I use this with a 5D and the combination creates some lovely photos. I had to try two copies of the lens because of corner softness. Its capable of producing gorgeous shots. Works well with the 1.4x adapter.

Buy/More Info

EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM extra wide-angle to telephoto zoom lens with 35mm equivalent of 24-136mm * compatible with Canon APS-C format digital SLR cameras * Image Stabilization allows in-focus shots with longer exposure times (up to four stops slower shutter speed) * ring-type Ultrasonic Motor for fast, silent autofocus * available full-time manual focusing (automatically overrides autofocus) * minimum focus distance: approximately 14 inches * lens is 3-7/8″ long, 3-1/4″ in diameter *

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Good walkaround lens
I bought this lens to make it one of two lenses to walk around, being the other one the Canon EF-S 17-55 f2.8 IS USM.

This lens has a good color saturation, sharp image quality and fast Autofocus. the 85mm focal length is very useful to zoom at something without having to carry your longer zoom around. I use this lens mostly at day time, and the 17-55mm F2.8 is my inside-night time lens, although I can stretch the IS and make good pictures in low light.

After having lenses from Tamron and one Sigma, I can really say that Canon is the best way to go if you aren’t in a tight budget.

4 Stars Excelllent Lens, Heavy
I bought this lens because I had dropped my Cannon Rebel XSi and damaged the lens that came with the original camera kit. I am an amateur. This lens is easy to use, hardy, takes pictures very quickly and gives me great close-ups. It does definitely add more weight to the camera.

5 Stars Fantastic Walk-around for APS-C dSLRs
I was one of the early fans of this lens, and to my knowledge, one of the first guys to get their hands on one and play with it, from the moment I held this lens, I knew she was a winner

Lets start with the build quality, its fantastic, ok its not quite L-level, but it is considerably better than the old 17-55 f/2.8 IS I owned, as in its put together much better, the build is similar to a midrange Nikon lens [Such as the 16-85 VR] which is a good thing, the zoom and focus rings both operate smoothly, but are also reassuringly firm, there is a slight bit of zoom creep between 24-35 I’ve found, but nothing major to worry about

AF-wise, its a very quick performer, probubly one of the faster USM lenses out there, and its also very quiet, even for a USM lens the soft noise is well..softer…and the IS functions completely silently and smoothly, and as advertised, its good for at least 4 stops of stabilization, I’ve managed 1/4 shots with ease at 85mm for instance…

Optically, this lens impresses, people may criticize its variable aperture nature but its tack sharp wide open, even at 15mm, distortions are very good [They test even less than the 24-105 f/4L on a full frame camera] and the colors have a very nice zest to them, The only down side is the chromatic aberration, which is a tidge high, but its also easily correctable from what I’ve seen, and certainly not as bad as some people would make it sound, overall I’ve been very impressed with this lens optically, its one of the best lenses I’ve had [And I've owned the 24-105 f/4L IS and the 17-55 f/2.8 IS] and its my favorite walk-around lens ever

My only other complaints are the fact that it should include a hood for the price, Canon is still the only manufacturer who forces you to buy $45 lens hoods for $700-800 lenses just because they’re not an L lens…Its quite annoying to be honest..but again, I knew that going into this..

Overall, its a fantastic lens, don’t mock it till you try it

4 Stars good not great
This lens is the perfect walkabout lens covering 23-135 with the 1.6 factor.

Distortion is at a minimum, and although not a fast lens, the IS makes even hand held shots sharp.

The downside of this lens is that both in sunlight, and in studio flash conditions chromatic aberration (purple/green fringe) is evident in all shots. Granted it is less pronounced than with the cheap kit lens (for the 7D) but none the less at 1:1 resolution there is chromatic aberration in every shot where dark and bright come together in high contrast.

The Canon software that comes with DSLRs does a very good job of removing the fringe from photos, however that means unlike Nikon’s in-camera processing of the image to remove fringe, an extra manual step of doing that on the Canon is necessary for any images that are more than casual snapshots.

If you want 1 lens for a very wide to slight tele range, this is probably the best thing available for 1.6 crop factor. However even if the price is near L lenses, this is not an L lens and it will be apparent when zooming in 1:1.

4 Stars Excellent walk-around lens
If you have to pick one high-quality walk-around lens for your Canon APS-C (1.6x) dSLR, this is it. I debated between this one and the Canon 17-55m f/2.8 IS; the additional range won over (the extra 2mm on the wide end helps noticeably, and longer telephoto reach is nice too), and being 25% cheaper didn’t hurt. The big advantage of the other lens’ f2.8 max aperture could be important to some. I shoot a decent bit of video and don’t mind the smaller aperture for a little more latitude in focusing errors; even my stills are rarely shot below f5.6, though I do have other lenses to cover other needs (50mm f/1.4 USM and 70-200 f/2.8L IS).

Coupled with the EOS 7D, this lens is perfect as a fairly compact and very capable kit. Images are sharp and colorful, focusing is quick. Build quality feels solid. No issues at all!

Why 4 stars only then? Dunno, found it hard to give 5 stars when I compare it with my faster L lenses, even though those are much more expensive. Guess it’s an absolute rating scale for me

Buy/More Info

The EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens could very well be the essential multipurpose lens for every camera bag due to its ability to capture sharp close-up images of small objects as well as beautiful portrait-length telephoto shots. The incorporation of Canon’s new Hybrid IS in this L-series macro lens allows it to compensate more effectively for camera shake during close-up shooting and marks a significant improvement for professionals and advanced amateurs utilizing macro photography for portrait, nature or wedding shoots.

New Hybrid IS Technology: Designed Especially for Macro Photography
The world’s first* optical image stabilizer for SLR cameras was introduced in the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM in 1995. Since then, Canon has made continual advancements in IS systems to enhance panning capability and improve compensation for camera shake. Now, in a move aimed at extending image stabilization to the macro realm, Canon introduces its Hybrid IS in the new EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM another first for Canon and the world.

Conventional image stabilization technology is useful for reducing the effects of camera shake in non-macro shooting situations. When shooting handheld close-ups at 1x, however, camera shake makes it difficult to achieve acceptable results even with lenses incorporating conventional image stabilizers. Now, thanks to the Hybrid IS found in the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, Canon extends IS technology to the macro realm, making it easy to obtain clear handheld close-ups a world first* and a definite advantage in environments where use of a tripod is not an option.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Effectively two lenses for the price of one
I bought this lens as a macro lens, for close up work. Wow, what a lens. My 11-year-old daughter picked it up the next day while I was at work and took some spectacular photos of her bearded dragon lizard. She got right up to it, 1:1, and got amazing shots of the lizard’s scales. Please note that I did not give her any training on the lens. She just picked it up and started shooting in manual focus, image stabilization on. We’ve been wandering around the house and yard taking closeups of everything we can think of.

What I was not expecting was the value this lens provides for portraits. It is so amazingly sharp, it gives amazing results. This is a benefit I was note expecting, but wow. I’ve effectively gotten two lenses for the price of one. You’ll want good lighting, as with all portrait shooting.

My sole complaint, which almost feels petty, is the weight. We have a Canon EOS Rebel T1i, an EOS small-body SLR. Strap on this lens and a Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash, and you have a lot of weight on a smallish SLR body. Please note that my hands are large, while my daughter’s hands are small. She loves the feel of the camera and doesn’t feel the lens is to heavy. Big performance in a lens means its going to be heavy, so no points off for this.

5 Stars Great!
Great lens! We had been looking for a new lens for portraits and decided on this one. Picture quality is great! Crisp, clear, quick focus (and we have a fast moving toddler)! Price on Amazon was by far the best that we found. A great addition!

4 Stars Wonderful Pictures, (not quite perfect function)
To start off, this lens deserves 5 stars on outstanding picture quality alone. I currently own the 70-200 F/2.8 IS, the 50mm 1.4 and now the 100mm L Macro. I was always weary of reviewers that say primes are the only way to go….but after 3 different 70-200mm lens’s, I am learning why. The zooms have a niche, but PQ is alway better on my primes. That being said…

I really really like this lens. It re-inspires me to get out and take pictures; it is fun all over again. The color contrast is just the way you like it. The bokeh, as others have mentioned, is very smooth in transition (see my sample pictures). The lens is made of a newer plastic barrel, but it is far from the cheaper non L variety. It is very acceptable for its size.

I hear the IS isn’t very useful up close and personal. It is my opinion that it is VERY useful for everyday real world applications. I was shooting baby pictures in very low light from 7 inches away, and most my pictures were keepers (of course I positioned myself to be stable). The IS is very quiet and smooth. I think it is worth the money.

There is a reason I gave it 4 stars. I have noticed on several occasions that the auto focus travels and doesn’t lock. This only seems to happen in low light and on objects that aren’t dynamic, for example baby pictures (smooth skin, no hard lines). However, for this price, it shouldn’t happen as much as it has.

I have had this lens for about a month and I think it is my favorite, no wait, it IS MY FAVORITE. I will update my review as I get the opportunity to judge it on true macro work, bugs, plants etc.

I cannot compare it to the former 100mm, but so far, I don’t think I would go without the IS. I just find that I need it more often than I don’t.

Hope this helps. If you can afford it, this will be one of your favorites too.

4 Stars Excellent Lens but IS not a cure-all
I upgraded to this lens from the EF 100mm 2.8 non-IS Macro. As others have stated, the IS with this lens is not a cure-all. Extreme macros (especially with extension tubes) will still have to be done on a tripod. I have been able to get keeper shots hand held with anything over about 2 ft. Others may have more luck closer as I am pretty shaky.

I’ve used it a couple of times for portraits, and I have to say it’s beautiful. The bokeh is velvety smooth and the sharpness, color and contrast are just outstanding! Much better even than some of my other “L” lenses and well worth the upgrade from the non-IS version.

My main reason for buying this lens is nature/flower/insect macros. Once we actually have bright sunlight again (it’s Winter now) I have no doubt I’ll be getting the sharpest flower macros I’ve ever gotten hand-held. I’ll update on that later.

5 Stars This is an amazing new macro lense of Canon!
I bought this lense recently on Amazon and immediately in love with it. The build quality & its “look&feel” is good enough for a L-series lense. According to Canon, this is the first L lense that made of “engineer plastics” instead of traditional aluminum metal. But I see no difference in the build quality. In fact, this is even better in term of weight (this one is one of low weight L-series lense).

For quality, it really significant & invaluable to have the IS on a macro lense. I did test two lense (the original 100mm f/2.8 Macro and this new 100mm f/2.8L IS lense). The IS made the difference:

- At the same aperture (let say 3.2); the new 100mm 2.8L IS produced nicer bokeh and better contrast, color.

- At low speed (below 1/60) – the new 100mm 2.8L IS obviously defeat the non-IS. A picture at 1/20s with IS enable is sharper than 1/100s of the old lense (without IS).

In my opinion, this lense is also usable for many other purposes (other than macro) for example: portraiture – this will be in between the 85mm and 135mm lenses, with the IS feature and nice bokeh & sharpness, this lense is also very nice for portraits, especially for kid portraits (if you already had three 85mm 1.2L-II, 100mm 2.8L, and 135mm 2L lenses – I have nothing to say; but if you can have only one of them, then 100mm can be a good choice since it can fill a lot of jobs!)

I wish Canon will release 135mm f/2L with IS enable soon. Otherwise, this one will be my first lense in the three lenses: 85mm 1.2L, 100mm 2.8L IS, 135mm 2L.

Buy/More Info