A review of Canon EF

Just the other day I found some pics I shot with one of my EFs a few years ago. We had a tree removal outfit remove three dead pine trees from our backyard. I used my EF and three Tamron lenses to record the process. The Tamrons were the 01B 24mm f/2.5, 30A SP 80-200mm f/2.8 LD, and 60B SP 300mm f/2.8 LDIF. The images were scanned on my Epson 4990 flatbed scanner, set to 3200 ppi. The photos were reduced in size for display here, else nothing has been done to them.

I set the EF to Shutter Priority and fired away.

The SP 300mm f/2.8 LDIF

http://michaelmcbroom.com/treeremoval/treecutting1.jpg

http://michaelmcbroom.com/treeremoval/treecutting2.jpg

http://michaelmcbroom.com/treeremoval/treecutting3.jpg

http://michaelmcbroom.com/treeremoval/treecutting5.jpg

http://michaelmcbroom.com/treeremoval/treecutting6.jpg

The 24mm f/2.5

http://michaelmcbroom.com/treeremoval/treecutting7.jpg

And the 80-200mm f/2.8 LD

http://michaelmcbroom.com/treeremoval/treecutting8.jpg

http://michaelmcbroom.com/treeremoval/treecutting9.jpg

Interesting review, it does sound like a great camera but having been gifted a near mint F-1 I don't think I'll ever need to get one (GAS Permitting).

Can I just say however that the image of the reed bed that your shared with the review is stunning - I'd be happy with that on my wall.

 

Cheers!

Thanks a lot. All those photos have been taken in recent two years and not far from where I live.

Best

Jarek

Heh. I have a minty old F-1 and I still couldn't resist scoring an equally clean EF, just to have it more than to use it.

It is a as nice to have as to use one. I have a stock of Fujichrome Velvia and Agfa Scala films and regularly take photos with the EF.

Best

Jarek

Great captures. I remember dreaming of the Tamron 60B. Of the three lenses you mentioned I had only the 01B in the old days. Those Tramron lenses were truly excellent.

Great work!

Best

Jarek

Just the other day I found some pics I shot with one of my EFs a few years ago. We had a tree removal outfit remove three dead pine trees from our backyard. I used my EF and three Tamron lenses to record the process. The Tamrons were the 01B 24mm f/2.5, 30A SP 80-200mm f/2.8 LD, and 60B SP 300mm f/2.8 LDIF. The images were scanned on my Epson 4990 flatbed scanner, set to 3200 ppi. The photos were reduced in size for display here, else nothing has been done to them.

 

I set the EF to Shutter Priority and fired away.

I must agree regarding the quality of the Tamrons. As Adaptall-2 lenses, they are also imminently practical for somebody like me. I have a few systems that do not have more than just a couple or three lenses, but I have Adaptall-2 mounts for them. One system I just bought into has no lenses -- the camera I bought, a Contax 139 Quartz, came with an Adaptall-2 Tamron, so I was all set with that camera because I now have a Yashica/Contax Adaptall-2 mount for it. Of course, one of these days, I'll have to buy a Contax lens for it -- just to see if they really are such legendary optics. I'll probably get a T^ 50/1.7 cuz even those are fairly expensive.

Now in the above case, what the photos show is not only the quality of the Tamron optics, but just as important, my EF exposed the subjects absolutely correctly in Shutter Priority Auto. Also, one would expect, given the lenses' wide open apertures, that the EF's focusing screen will give a bright easy-to-focus view, and so it did. Gives me confidence with that camera that it will perform as expected.

Yes, Adaptall-2 was a neat system that still proves its value even on digital cameras. I have hardly any experience with Contax/Yashica lenses but I still use Contax G1/G1 system and most of the Contax G lenses are excellent performers.

Best

Jarek

I must agree regarding the quality of the Tamrons. As Adaptall-2 lenses, they are also imminently practical for somebody like me. I have a few systems that do not have more than just a couple or three lenses, but I have Adaptall-2 mounts for them. One system I just bought into has no lenses -- the camera I bought, a Contax 139 Quartz, came with an Adaptall-2 Tamron, so I was all set with that camera because I now have a Yashica/Contax Adaptall-2 mount for it. Of course, one of these days, I'll have to buy a Contax lens for it -- just to see if they really are such legendary optics. I'll probably get a T^ 50/1.7 cuz even those are fairly expensive.

 

Now in the above case, what the photos show is not only the quality of the Tamron optics, but just as important, my EF exposed the subjects absolutely correctly in Shutter Priority Auto. Also, one would expect, given the lenses' wide open apertures, that the EF's focusing screen will give a bright easy-to-focus view, and so it did. Gives me confidence with that camera that it will perform as expected.

I have a general question on the EF body (stupid question, maybe). I just picked up an EF body on a whim to go along with my collection of A-1, AE-1, F-1 new and FTb. Is the EF strictly an automatic exposure body only, or is there a way to shoot in full manual exposure mode? My FD lenses do allow you to set the aperture lever on the back of the lens which will allow manual adjustment of the aperture without the lens needing to set to the "A" mark, but this gets to be a pain. My FDn lenses don't have this feature. I'd just like to use my external meter and shoot manually if at all possible.

Manual - YES

Manual - YES

Thank you. I just got the correct batteries and getting ready to put if through some tests to check for light leaks, etc. If I set the aperture value on the lens barrel (not using "A"), will the camera stop the lens down when pressing the shutter button?

Yes. If the lens is set to F5.6, it will stop down to F5.6 when the shutter button is pressed.

Thank you, Jim...that's good to know. Just wanted to confirm before putting in a roll of film. Thanks again for answering.

Thank you, Jim...that's good to know. Just wanted to confirm before putting in a roll of film. Thanks again for answering.

Note that even though PX625 batteries now are 1.5volts, the camera will adjust for that.

Also, the shutter speeds from 1/2 to 1/1000 do not need a battery to function.

Lastly, check to see if your slow speeds (like 4 seconds) work. If not, play with the shutter speed dial for a while.