Filter Reviews

Do you ever find your pictures boring? If you do, get this lens, and your pictures will have a whole new dramatic look, becuase of its super wide angle. Another advantage is that a wider angle allows you to take pictures at a slower speed, good for darker occasions, because the shaking of hands would have a smaller effect. The third advantage is compared with most of the other Canon professional lens, this is very small, which makes it easier to use at public places where bigger lens means more attentions, and more attentions means less oppotunities. I didn't say anything about the lens's actual picture quality, because Look, this is a Canon Professional lens(the red ring at the top of the lens indicates professional, instead of regular yellow), there is no question about the quality of the pictures! ( And of course, though wide-angle, the pictures are not twisted at the corners at all.) It's the best you can get out of an SLR! But of course, good equipments is only half of good pictures, you will never be able to take good pictures even with the best lens if you don't learn and don't experience. Good Luck. And by the way, ... send me the lens promptly, no taxes, good price.

This lens is for Canon EOS cameras. EF 28-70mm F2.8, EF 70-200mm F2.8, and this lens--EF 17-35mm F2.8, together is one series of professional zooming lens. They all have the same diameter, 77mm. 17-35 is wide angle, 28-70 is midzoom, 70-200 is long distance. I have all of them, and use them on different occations with my EOS 3. All three lens have the same superb quality, but have different uses. If you have all of these three lens, you will be able to take almost any pictures you want, and all the pictures that you take would have a very professional look even if you are an amature, since a good photographer is made up with half the equipment, and half the person.

This is not just my favorite lens, it is one of the nicest things I own.

I love wide-angle photography, and the extra field-of-view I get with a 17mm wide-angle (over a more conventional 28mm) is dramatic. I took this on an extended vacation in Japan and found it to be the only lens I really needed for the entire trip (I also brought my 28-135 IS and my 50 mm f/1.4 but really needn't have). There is something about Japan that really cries out for a super-wide angle (small interiors for one thing). On a more recent trip to Spain I admit there were times I wish I had my 28-135 with me for a little more reach, but this 17-35mm is still my primary lens.

I think the optics on my 50mm 1.4 are noticably better than this lens, but I have become so accustomed to the 17mm view that I find a "normal" focal length practically useless.

There is marvelously little distortion in this lens at 17mm.

It is worth noting however that you will undoubtedly get shadows from even the thinnest filters (I have a very very thing polarizer filter that I use with this lens and even it will crop the image, the lens is so wide.) Also, when I use the built-in flash on my A2E the lens will cast a shadow in the image, which is annoying (a little hard to explain, but the point is that you see so much at 17mm that the lens itself blocks the flash). Someday I will get an external flash to avoid this problem.

This is not so much a review as a cautionary note.

I've done a lot of research on filters and the such since my son tested positive for exposure to lead.

Both of the reviews of this filter (I have this or a similar Honeywell which is great but I am not sure which model.) Anyway, both of these reviews mention vacuuming the filter(s) to extend the useful life of the item. IF you are using a HEPA filtered vacuum, and only if you are using a HEPA filtered vacuum, should you think of this. But the cost of these filters is not so great that this makes much sense.

If you are not using a HEPA filtered vaccum, than all you are doing is sucking the stuff you don't want to breath out of the filter (which is what you bought the machine to do in the first place) and blowing it back into the air (which is what you boght the machine to prevent.)

Basically, the few bucks you save is not worth the risk.

HEPA filters were developed by the US Atomic energy commision to remove radio active particles from a contaminated environment. So they are more than sufficient for removing dust, mold spores, cockroach feces and dust mites which have been known to cause respiratory problems such as asthma.

Don't go by the light on the your Honeywell unit to tell when it's time to change the filter because the manufacturer wants you to change it as frequently as possible. When you find that the flow of air has slowed down and dust in the vicinity of the unit tends to collect more, then it's time to change the air filter. Also, vacuuming the outside of the filter may prolong the life. I vacuumed my HEPA and found that there was an increase in air flow afterwards and less dust collecting around the unit.

Before ordering a replacement HEPA filter for your Honeywell (or other brand) Air Cleaner, be sure to check the model number on the unit. This filter is for the smaller round unit (Model 10500) and for the smaller of the two upright units with handles (Model 17000). I replace my HEPA filter every year because I am very allergic to cigarette smoke, pollens, dust, molds, and other allergens and irritants. Also, this HEPA filter has pre-filters that wrap around it, so you may want to order a box of those, too. The pre-filters should be changed every 3 months, but I check them more often and vacuum off any accumulated pet hair.

With a househould full of animals (literally! 2 cats, a dog, a 10 year old blue crown conure, and 14 chinchillas) I really rely on this unit to help keep the dust and animal dander down in my home. It is a compact, yet VERY efficient, unit that has a special design to allow air to be circulated 360 degrees. The replacement filters and pre-filters are affordably priced, but I have found that cleaning them with the vacumn once a week extends their life by quite a bit.

I also have friends who are senstive to animal dander and having these purifiers in my home have helped cut down on dander so tremendously that my sensitve friends can now enjoy the time they spend in my home without having to worry about their allergies flaring up.

I haven't had mine for long but I can say there's a distinct difference in the air I breath. It's smells and feels better. My nephew now wakes up from his nap without a stuffy or runny nose. The noise from the fan is minimal and soothing so it helps him to get to sleep as well. Great product at reasonable cost.

I have 2 large dogs,2 cats, 2 VERY dusty birds and allergies...all in a 2 bedroom apartment. This hepa filter has been a God send. It is absolutely quiet,so I can run in on the high setting and still sleep well. The carbon filters are relatively inexpensive and the HEPA does not need to be replaced often. I have had other types of filters in the past ,they were loud and heavy and this one is small and quiet and does just as good a job.

I had minolta maxxum st si camera and this lens is a perfect match for that silver color camera.

This lens not only looks great, but is an outstanding performer on my Minolta HTsi Plus. This matchin silve lens and body is a nice touch, but should not be mistaken for quality. This lens is much wider than the 30mm or 35mm lenses many cameras come with and a f3.5 is relatively fast compared to other lenses like it on the market. It's large 62mm filter ring size also give you flexibility with your other lenses. Just by 62mm filters and step-up rings for your other lenses. I have been very happy with the lens, and highly recomend it.

The Minolta Maxxum AF 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 II Silver Zoom Lens with Lens Hood is a very good quality camera and has a low price that comes with it.

This is a top-notch lens, tack sharp and fast (f/2.8) across it's entire zoom range. The built-in tripod collar will save a lot of stress on your camera mount, you'll see why when you lift this sucker - it feels like a brick. On the downside, auto-focusing can be a little slow. If you have an older camera body with an underpowered auto-focus motor it may not be able to keep up with a fast moving target. My N90s can handle it pretty well, but I don't do many action shots. If you shoot sports or other fast action, you should consider the AF-S version. It's internal motor eases the load on the camera and improves focus speed, but make sure you're body can use AF-S lenses.

If you're a casual photographer who generally uses fast film, this lens is probably overkill. If you're very serious and shoot slow film, it will help you squeeze out every stop possible. The wide aperture is also great for minimizing depth of field, very useful if you shoot through wire at the zoo and for isolating subjects against a busy background (think great portraits). If you do get it, do yourself a favor and get a good monopod, your arms will thank you! I can't stress enough that this thing is *HEAVY*!

This camera takes the most amazing photos. They are clear and crisp. No graininess when I enlarge to any size. I also have the Zoom lens Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6D with auto-focus. It is great!! I have taken the most amazing photos at concerts ( just make sure cameras are allowed) The photos came out like I was right up on stage!! I love this camera. It is easy to use, and once you feel comfortable with manual adjustments, they are easy as well.
I obviously am not a professional and have never taken classes in photograpy and I am amazed at the beatiful photos I have been able to take.
This is one camera you don't want to be without.

Just got back from a Bulls game: excellent close-ups of Pippen, you can even see a drop of sweat falling from his chin. So clear!!!

I used 80~200mm AFD ED Nikkor lens for the past four years on my Nikon F5 and FM2.One of the best lenses Nikkor has made, and may be the best among other brands of its range.I can enlarge its photos up to 28X18.5 inch and may be larger with V-good to excellent results.Its ED(Extra Low Dispersion)element/?s is/?are working perfectly.The only drowback of this lens is its weight specially when used with a heavey wieghted camera body.

This 105mm Sigma macro lens with a fast f/2.8 aperture satisfies you in every department. First of all it gives you a 1:1 true life size macro and these macro images comes out truly amazing... extremely sharp, good color saturation and contrast(on Pentax ZX-7). The 105mm focal length is also suitable for taking portraits. Portrait results have also come out extremely well. The EX finish is aesthetically pleasing, scratch proof and has a metal alloy body for sturdiness. The hood which is provided along with the lens matches well with it. One can also use a 77mm dia lens cap which fits perfectly on the hood, so that the hood can remain permanently on the lens (hood is threaded so that it can screw on the lens like filters.)

A bit of a bother is the clutch mechanism which on has to engage/disengage while changing between MF/AF. But on the positive side, the focus ring doesn't move (in AF mode) and one is more at ease while holding the camera. The other thing is the long rotational travel of the focusing ring while focusing a subject and in AF mode this could sometimes take a while. This could be somewhat solved by using the focusing limiter switch.

Definitely, a well made lens optically and structurally and should satisfy one and all.

I bought this lens when they had a sale. It was [price] without shipping charge, and I think the price was the lowest anywhere.
I love this lens. It is a lot sharper than EF 28-135mm IS, which I use most of the time. Now I can take good pictures of teeth from my patients and also good portraits for my baby.
Overall it is very versatile and overall quality is excellent, and I would recommend to anyone interested in macro photography.

Sigma 105 EX macro is considered one of the best primes for its optical quality. MTF tests, which determine how sharp the lens is, place it just below the famous Canon 100mm Macro. The EX sign tells that the build quality of the lens is higher than that of a consumer-grade product. The big plus is a price. It is almost twice cheaper than Canon 100mm. ALso, it comes with the case and a hood and Canon does not. The drawbacks, however, include potential incompatibility with the future Canon camera bodies. I would highly recommend this lens for advanced amatures on a tight budget.

This 105mm Sigma macro lens with a fast f/2.8 aperture satisfies you in every department. First of all it gives you a 1:1 true life size macro and these macro images comes out truly amazing... extremely sharp, good color saturation and contrast(on Pentax ZX-7). The 105mm focal length is also suitable for taking portraits. Portrait results have also come out extremely well. The EX finish is aesthetically pleasing, scratch proof and has a metal alloy body for sturdiness. The hood which is provided along with the lens matches well with it. One can also use a 77mm dia lens cap which fits perfectly on the hood, so that the hood can remain permanently on the lens (hood is threaded so that it can screw on the lens like filters.)

A bit of a bother is the clutch mechanism which on has to engage/disengage while changing between MF/AF. But on the positive side, the focus ring doesn't move (in AF mode) and one is more at ease while holding the camera. The other thing is the long rotational travel of the focusing ring while focusing a subject and in AF mode this could sometimes take a while. This could be somewhat solved by using the focusing limiter switch.

Definitely, a well made lens optically and structurally and should satisfy one and all.

I bought this lens when they had a sale. It was [price] without shipping charge, and I think the price was the lowest anywhere.
I love this lens. It is a lot sharper than EF 28-135mm IS, which I use most of the time. Now I can take good pictures of teeth from my patients and also good portraits for my baby.
Overall it is very versatile and overall quality is excellent, and I would recommend to anyone interested in macro photography.

Sigma 105 EX macro is considered one of the best primes for its optical quality. MTF tests, which determine how sharp the lens is, place it just below the famous Canon 100mm Macro. The EX sign tells that the build quality of the lens is higher than that of a consumer-grade product. The big plus is a price. It is almost twice cheaper than Canon 100mm. ALso, it comes with the case and a hood and Canon does not. The drawbacks, however, include potential incompatibility with the future Canon camera bodies. I would highly recommend this lens for advanced amatures on a tight budget.

Just began taking pictures with my Minolta Maxxum 5, which came with a lens up to 90mm. That was great but I wanted more. Since I like taking nature pictures, and portraits, I needed a macro lens. This one fit the bill. I highly recommend it to anyone. With the lens that came with the camera, and this Sigma lens, I will be set for a long time. It is also very easy to use in both Automatic Focus or Manual, and it's not heavy or cumbersome to carry.

Great buy!!!

This lens was an upgrade from my old Sigma 75-300 zoom, which was fine in it's time but just plain worn out. For those who aren't familiar with the Minolta Maxxum series, be aware that this lens has a pretty slow auto focus, but that is a limitation of the body and not the lens and it is still usable. You'll get more satisfaction from going manual focus.

I love this lens. Very accurate at all focal lengths, below average lens "flair" even without the included lens hood, and very comfortable in the hand. The ergonomics are first rate; you can hand carry it all day without much discomfort unlike the new Canon USM lens's, which are truly excellent and fast but Really Heavy.

The best thing is the Macro feature, which at 300mm gives a 1:2 ratio. This translates to incredible close-up 300mm shots at just 9 inches away!!! Fantastic, but bring your tripod (which you should have anyway).

Not a second of regret for this one.

This is a magnific lense for your photos with a great price and high quality.

I own two Nikon N80 bodies. I used to own Nikon lenses only. Then I had trouble with the Nikon zoom and traded it in for a Sigma. Funny thing - the Sigma focused more clearly and easily than Nikon's own lens! I also own a Tamrom 1.4 teleconverter which did not work at all with the Nikon lens - but it works beautifully with this Sigma lens. I recently got some wonderful closeups of butterflies using the teleconverter with this lens - hand-held! I highly recommend this lens.

I wanted to rate the review of this product by Gary Joye, but I could not access it from the customer review section. The intro of this review was shown to me as a related product to other Sigma lenses.

As a telephoto zoom, this lens is very versatile. Its a fine (100-135mm) portrait lens. Its great for sports or animal photography (135-300mm). With the macro feature, its wonderful for taking photos of flowers and nature. And with its long telephoto capability, it makes a cool girl watching lens. For capturing the mood of summer or of being on vacation, nothing says it better than a pretty girl photographed in the location in local attire. (With a telephoto zoom lens, even for a portrait, its easier to separate the subject from the crowd or background in order to frame the composition perfectly.)

As a Nikon owner, I use this lens with my Nikon N-90, which has a flash sync speed of 1/250th of a second, fast enough to hand hold with a telephoto lens. I also use the dedicated Nikon SB-28 flash which has a zoom head to extend the flash's range; and when combined with the Nikon "D" lens mount on the Sigma lens (which tells the camera subject distance) and Nikon's 3-D Matrix Metering, this combination of equipment allows me to shoot telephoto fill-flash in broad daylight (with no extra thinking required. Just compose and shoot). Nothing makes the subject pop -- in terms of brightness and color -- more than fill-flash. I'll usually use the Sigma 70-300 in this set-up to capture animals or people. (My friends are always amazed at the brightness and color saturation of my photos. They think I use special film.)

I also employ this lens/camera/flash combination (using 400 or 800 speed film) to photograph my son's basketball games indoors. By using a fast enough film, I can perfectly balance the ambient light with the flash to create perfectly natural indoor sports photos. (Using flash makes the color of his jersey pop. Attempting to shoot indoors using only available light will leave the colors murky.)

When I'm out and about, I'll normally carry, as a back-up to my Nikon/Sigma set-up, an autofocus point-and-shoot 35 mm camera (such as my Olympus Stylus DLX 28-90) so I don't need to change lenses. (It's much easier to whip out the autofocus camera for the wider angle shots than it is to switch lenses. It's also much lighter to carry.)

What's best about the Sigma 70-300 is that it does all of the above -- at a very affordable price. If you're looking for a great telephoto zoom, this is the lens to get.