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This large-aperture telephoto zoom lens (fixed F stop type), provides f/2.0 aperture through the entire zoom range. It is equivalent to 70-200mm on a 35mm camera, and covers from medium-telephoto range of natural angles to telephoto area with a compressed perspective effect. Its fast shutter-speeds and soft out-of-focus image behind the main subject are an ideal for portrait, theatrical, and sports shooting under the low-light. Luxurious optical glass elements, such as four ED lenses and one super ED lens, are used to give the highest image quality with optimal resolution and contrast.
Hands on:
This matte-black behemoth has a rubberized and ribbed focusing collar and knurled zoom ring. The former is smooth-turning; the latter, somewhat stiff and overdamped. Four soft-touch, AF-lock buttons surround the outer lens barrel, and the lens both focuses and zooms internally. There's also a removable tripod collar, and three-way focus-limiting switch: close-up (1.4 to 3 meters), nonclose-up (3 meters to infinity), and full ranges.
In the lab:
A true optical standout by almost all measures, the lens produced SQF sharpness/contrast numbers in the Excellent range at 35mm and 100mm, and "Double Excellent" at 75mm, with most scores at or above the 90th percentile; its lowest score was an admirable 79.4%. Ditto for distortion. DxO Analyzer 2.0 tests found only Imperceptible pincushion distortion at 35mm, 75mm, and 100mm (0.04%, 0.06%, and 0.08%, respectively). As for light falloff, we found marginal evidence of it at 35mm and 100mm (gone by f/2.5), and none detectable at all at 75mm. At the uniform close-focus distance of approximately 48.5 inches, maximum magnification ratios ranged from 1:22.8 at 35mm to 1:8.77 at 100mm -- for macro mavens, that's the Achilles' heel.
Conclusions:
It's heavy and -- ouch! -- expensive, but it promises optical performance that, in many circumstances (low light with moving subjects, for example), could give a pro a significant competitive edge.
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User Reviews
Here's how our visitors have reviewed this lens.
RATINGS |
AVERAGE RATINGS |
Overall quality |
10
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Ease of use |
9.5
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Fit and finish |
10
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Versatility |
9
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Legibility of exterior markings |
10
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Smoothness of zoom |
10
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Hoods and filters |
9.5
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Overall value |
10
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RATING SCALE: 1 = WORST 10 = BEST |
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