Sniping with 400D and a Lens with a Red Strip at the Barrel Tip

Last year, I wasn’t even into photography one bit. Only in June, while on holiday I played a bit with the Lumix which was the real camera that got me interested.

This was mine, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX7 which employed a sharp, fast and vivid Leica lens

Of course, then on, I had a craving for a dSLR, a digital Single Lens Reflex camera, a meaning of which I never knew nor understood. I only thought of the phrase “SLR” as the Mercedes-Benz supercar, the SLR McLaren. Right after my final exams in 2007, I got one. The Canon EOS 400D. Yes, I admit, I did want the Dark Side’s (Nikon) D40X but the Canon seemed more innovative, more reliable, with the EOS’ renowned super-quick AF algorithm. Also, it included a good in-camera WB bracketing system. Besides that, it’s compatible with every other lens made for EOS/EF/EF-S mounts. Of course, I got the EF-S 18-55mm kit.

This was the lens my 400D was paired with

Soon, the crave for lenses took over. The ones I thought and dreamed of were the Sigma 70-300mm APO Macro DG but I got the Canon EF 50mm 1:1.8 II lens instead. It was warfare if I were to NOT drop by a camera shop, or surf the net on cameras from then on.

Quite recently, I was infected by what Canon users call the famous “L-Disease”. Once, caught, you’ll do almost anything for an L-Series lens. “L” here means luxury. L-Series lenses from Canon are all high-performance, professional-grade, high-end, rugged lenses which are Canon’s very finest. That said, they cost something like a bomb.

I couldn’t take it. I browsed almost everywhere, and finally had the chance, when I learned that YL Camera Service in Pudu Plaza, KL has a wide array of them. I knew what I wanted. The Canon EF 17-40mm 1:4L USM lens it would be. Renowned photographer couleur or Lim Wan Xiong has one to match his past 350D, 5D and now 20D. And I want one to be on my 400D. The 17-40 is surprisingly sharper than the Mark I 16-35 1:2.8L even when all exposure settings are the same. I got my dad to take me to Pudu Plaza and told him about it.

With supplied EW-83E hood

With supplied EW-83E hood

Metal mount! The 18-55mm had a plastic one. This one also has a rubber sealing around it which I think will wear off but is replaceable by Canon’s Service Centre

I finally did get to go last Sunday, 17 February 2008, thanks to my dad (!). Had a chat with the friendly people there, etc. Finally I got one. And awesome it is. I even got to try out the Canon EOS 5D with the lens, which was what screwed up my CF card file naming but it’s nothing much, it’s just the number jumped from 4XXX to 8XXX because of the 5D’s naming. The 5D felt so good my 400D felt like just a chunk of plastic next to it. Still, I’m extremely happy with my 400D and with this lens now. Having a 5D at this age would be a little liability rather than asset. You should drop by YL if you’re in KL/Selangor, they’re great people with great prices. YL carries brands like Canon, Nikon, Sigma, Tamron, Sony, Tokina, Lowepro, Bogen, Manfrotto, dryboxes, Kata Bags, Bagman and many more.

Back to the lens then. This massive heavyweight has a huge 77mm filter thread, making filters cost a real bomb. A Hoya Pro1 Digital Circular Polarizer for it can cost more than a brand new Canon EF 50mm 1:1.8 II lens AND a 52mm Kenko UV filter for it. Madness. I did get a free UV filter from them though. It’s a Malaysian brand, Keep. Meh, I’ll wait for that to spoil and I’ll upgrade to a Hoya or Schneider Kreuznach B+W. The Keep UV filter says it’s made in Japan but I seriously don’t think so. Plus, it’s very reflective, which is bad, prone to flare.

The 17-40 is a very sharp lens after testing it out. Build quality is so good it’s heavier than my 400D’s body+CF card+battery pack. It’s got a textured matte black finish, Ultrasonic (USM) logo in striking red blazed on it’s side, it’s weather, moisture and dust sealed with rubber gaskets at the mount, zoom and focus rings. However, a filter seales everything up as it’s front element extends backwards and forwards within the barrel. It comes with a nice front dustcap with a gold Ultrasonic logo emblazoned on and of course with the regular silver Canon logo. It takes a lot of glass to get such sheer sharpness, and that’s what you see when you look down the lens. Made of L-Series glass with 2 Aspherical elements and 1 Ultra Low Dispersion Glass element, chromatic abberation is absent. This lens is especially attractive with that bright red strip at the tip of it’s barrel.

There’s no compare

These 3 photos of my model car was taken with my 400D, 17-40 1:4 L USM lens, tripod, some creativity and skills I know it doesn’t show the real sharpness because I just resized it and like that, it’s unedited. The next time I blog about the conclusion and review I’ll add 100% crops of the samples

On tripod, taken with Lumix FX-7. I actually use the filter on it, just took it off for this photo as it’s very reflective, as mentioned earlier, blocking the wordings and front element

Compare this to the 18-55mm kit lens and this completely blows the other away. However, the massive size and bulk of this take some time getting used to. As with all L lenses, this ships with a soft suede and leather drawstring case (LP1319) and stock lens hood (EW-83E). The hood is designed more for the lens as a superwide than a standard zoom on Full Frame dSLRs or 35mm SLRs. It’s big and flat, blocking even my pop-up flash. I won’t use it unless I’m outdoors and don’t want flare and want more contrasty and saturated colours. The price? About as much as buying another EOS 400D and 18-55mm kit but I just love this lens for it’s image quality and capability with 35mm SLRs/Full-Frame dSLRs to become a superwide lens. Great piece to my arsenal. Makes me like some real serious photographer.

One last look for you

Right. That’s about all. I’ll post more samples and experiences with the lens once I’ve had enough to conclude it. Might go shooting this weekend.