Two great Canon lens reviews by Alan Watts, one of our valued customers.

Canon EF 14MM F2.8L II USM
I admit - this lens is a bit esoteric! But it can give you shots (and a quality of shot) that in my experience no other extreme wideangle can. Let me explain...

This shot was taken at the Villa San Michele on Capri. It’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful views in the world, with the villa’s sphinx looking out to Ischia ahead and the Bay of Naples to the left. But with an ordinary wideangle, you just can’t get the whole view in, not just because the actual space for standing in and shooting from is very small, but also because its usually packed with other people, thereby obliging you to stand as forward as possible (and further reducing the potential to include all the required subject matter).

And with a typical super-wide lens, designed for the maximum possible horizontal stretch, the verticals generally go completely to pot.

So this lens is the solution. It really can give you shots that other lenses cannot. From the picture, you’d hardly think you are looking at such an extreme wide angle image. Yes, this lens is a rare beast, and yes it’s expensive. But once you’ve got it...12

I actually bought this lens knowing it could get the shot at the Villa that had beaten me on a visit 5 years previously. But then you find other applications for its exceptional qualities too. If you like city centres for example, or are looking for new ideas on landscapes...

Canon EF 70-200MM F4L IS USM

If there is an ideal travel lens, it’s this one. Small and light, it’s the most versatile single lens there is. The F4 aperture is wide enough for just about anything - after all, we generally travel to bright and sunny places, don’t we? And if maximum speed really is an issue, then just crank up the ISO.

I generally use my lens attached to a 1DS/3. The camera body is heavy, sitting solidly in my hands. I see this as an advantage, because this F4 lightweight lens then goes almost unnoticed and in no way affects the rock - like solidity or balance of the camera I am holding. In turn, the potential for camera shake is reduced to the minimum. Heavy bodies are an image stabiliser in their own right - and hence much better than the opposite combination of a smaller, lighter body that’s less easy to grip and hold firmly, coupled to a big, heavy, more wobble - prone lens sticking out even further from the front!

And by being small, this lens is also less conspicuous and intrusive, as well as being much easier / quicker to get in and out of a gadget bag.

This picture was taken last year on a dusty road in Rajasthan (transport being a key interest of mine). The autofocus latched right on the chaps in the pick-up truck almost instantly. A possible shot that came and went in a couple of seconds. No real time for framing - just press the button. Result? Subject nice and sharp, background soft. Perfect.

So a really great lens, and worth every penny.

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