Well, to say that it took a while to get this lens after requesting it is an understatement, but alas, the lens has finally arrived. I have taken the time to take the lens out a bit so I can share some more thoughts on it than just its appearance and build quality.
Initial Thoughts On The Build
First off, the lens is not quite as large as I was expecting it to be, but at the same time, it is a very sizable lens. My initial thoughts on its build quality are somewhat mixed -it seems solidly built, with high quality plastics, but aside from the lens mount, not much on this lens appears to be metal. That helps to keep the weight down, but I wouldn’t expect this lens to take much of a beating. For $1000, I am not sure they could do much better though.
The barrel extends from this lens quite a bit, so balancing it on a tripod or monopod may get tricky unless you are holding it the whole time. The buttons and focus/zoom rings on the lens seem to be well made, and easy to use. No complaints there. Overall in the build quality department, the lens is solid, but not extremely solid. Take care of it and it will take care of you – not a lens to get if you are rough with your gear.
I have the lens for a month, so if any issues crop up, I can amend this in the final review, but for now, I am happy with the overall build of the lens.
Some Quick Performance and IQ Thoughts
I have not had a ton of time with the lens yet, so I won’t have a lot of examples here or any final thoughts, but here are a few things have stood out to me that I think are worth sharing.
First off, the lens is barely useable at 600mm as far as sharpness goes. If you REALLY need the shot at that range, you can make it work with some extra sharpness in post, but really I wouldn’t use this lens past 500mm.
I was actually impressed with this lens in the AF department. Even on my EOS-M, the AF was pretty quick and very accurate. It only really had trouble with fast moving sports – but that had more to do with the EOS M than this lens. If you are a sports or wildlife photographer and are looking for a cheaper lens for when the F/2.8’s are not needed, this could be a great option for you.
As always, these initial thoughts posts are not meant to be full reviews, just some quick observations about the lens soon after I receive it. If you are interested in getting your hands on this lens you can find it over on B&H for just $1069.
If you have any questions about the lens or want me to specifically touch on any areas of the lens in the final review, please leave a comment below.
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