Can someone explain "1:4-5.6 II/III"???

03/07/2003 08:13:07 AM · #1

Hey guys/gals,

I have two Canon EF lenses. One is a 35-80mm and the other is a 75-300mm. I am wondering what these markings on the lenses mean. I think it has something to do with the aperture? Can you help me out???

1:4-5.6 III (from the 35-80mm)
1:4-5.6 II (from the 75-300mm)

Thanks in advance if you can explain to me or show me where to find an explanation of what this really means to me.

Thanks again!

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

03/07/2003 08:56:51 AM · #2

The II and III markings just mean it is the second and third revision or model of that particular lens type.

The 4-5.6 is the maximum aperture available - f4 at the 35mm end and f5.6 at the 80mm end, so your lens is slower at maximum zoom than it is at the widest angle - this is pretty common.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

03/07/2003 10:07:11 AM · #3

Would these be okay lenses to use with the Canon 10D? I'm considering one and I'm wondering if I will initially have to shell out money for a lens as well. By my calculations these two lenses would give me range of 56mm - 480mm with the 1.6x factor.(?) I know I should eventually get something wider angle but I'm not to concerned about that right now. I don't take to many wide angle shots as it is.

Any advice?
Thanks!

Jacko

Canon EOS-20D

03/07/2003 10:13:32 AM · #4

Bill, from what I understand those lenses would work great with the 10D. They operate on the same EOS system. I'll be getting my 10D in a few months. I'm currently researching lenses. You already have a nice set of starter lenses.

03/07/2003 10:17:33 AM · #5

Originally posted by Jacko:

Thanks, Jacko! If you have any money left over after purchasing your 10D and lenses, I'll take it. :-) LOL!!! Thanks for the help!

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

03/07/2003 10:19:20 AM · #6

Originally posted by Jacko:

Jacko,

Have you taken a look at the SIGMA lenses made for Canon? They have a pretty nice range of lenses from what I understand. I believe they have a single lense that goes from 28mm-300mm. That's maybe something to consider. Let me know what you decide on.

Jacko

Canon EOS-20D

03/07/2003 10:34:22 AM · #7

I know I'll be buying the Canon 75-300mm USM IS (image stabilization) lens for sure. I might get somehting cheaper for now in the 28-90mm range, maybe a macro lens too. Maybe I'll just get the 28-135mm IS lens from Canon from the get go and the 75-300mm too. Both IS lenses run for approx. $400-$450 each.

I will be looking at Sigma lenses as well. I know I've read some good reviews on their higher end lenses in Popular Photography. I don't know much about their lower end glass.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

03/07/2003 11:13:24 AM · #8

I haven't tried either of those lenses but they will certainly work with a 10D as it'll take all EF mount lenses.

However, its a case of you get what you pay for - those lenses are both quite slow both in terms of aperture and also focus speed. The USM lenses have much faster focusing. I also think those lenses tend to get panned a bit for being not very sharp - the digital shots seem to show that off to unfortunatly great effect. I'd certainly start out with them though and not worry about it too much. You might want to try renting other lenses to see if you can see a quality difference and only then consider trying a replacement.

The 50mm/f1.8 lens is fantastically sharp compared to any of the consumer zooms and costs about $70 - well worth getting, or there is the more robust 50mm/f1.4 which costs about $300. This is easily one of my sharpest lenses (the 1.8) and at that price if you scratch it, buy another one! :)