nkpstudios's stats
- Review count222
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- First reviewJanuary 9, 2015
- Last reviewJune 30, 2024
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- Average rating4.3
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- Answer count49
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- First answerSeptember 12, 2016
- Last answerAugust 6, 2021
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Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens: Get sharp, clear photos with this Canon medium telephoto lens that delivers vibrant color and clarity with fast, quiet focusing. The 85mm focal length draws attention to your subject and transforms the background into a soft blur for professional-quality portraits and impeccably detailed close-up shots.
Customer Rating
5
Great value and quality!
on January 9, 2015
Posted by: nkpstudios
Verified Purchase:Yes
The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 II USM lens is a moderate weight (15 oz), very well built lens. It does not come with the appropriate hood, the Canon ET-65 III. You get both a lens cap and a mount cap, all packed inside tight conformal foam to protect the lens during shipping. There's also a very brief manual and the usual warranty paperwork.
The lens offers AF and manual focus, and allows manual focus even when AF is set to on, a very useful feature for low-light and other challenging focus situations. This is a USM lens, and as a direct consequence focus is fast and precise, just as you'd expect.
The AF/Manual switch is in a reasonable location, close to the camera body. There is a range indication on the barrel of the lens behind a transparent window which serves to keep dust and debris out of the workings of the lens. Manual focus is controlled with a broad, easy to manage textured ring about mid-body on the lens. During focus, nothing external on the lens body moves or rotates, so there are no complications for using polarizing filters, and no concerns about the lens "pumping" air and so causing dust contamination in either the lens or camera with use.
The lens lacks any form of image stabilization. IS is showing up in more and more lenses, though for the price... perhaps this is one of the justifications for building IS into the camera body. I'm sure that this design wouldn't be anywhere near its current price point with IS added to the build. One last point is that since the lens is a fairly fast design, perhaps there is less overall need for IS (though that argument falls completely apart the first time you *do* need it!)
It takes a 58mm filter, though I highly recommend the use of the ET-65 III hood rather than a filter; filter use should be limited to polarizers, neutral density filters and so on, rather than keeping a filter on the lens with the idea of protecting it. Here's why: filters create a flat surface over the end of the lens that can (and often does) create low-level reflections. These are most apparent in low-light shots, but they are almost always there. In the case of a UV filter, no other benefit is gained (UV can't get through the lens system anyway) other than physical protection. The hood, however, keeps the lens out of harms way quite effectively, and it increases contrast and reduces flare at the same time by preventing light from entering the lens at high angles of attack. I have shot with both hoods and filters, and after decades of experience, I have to come down firmly on the side of hood technique. It only takes one shot ruined by a filter reflection to wake up to this reality; and hoods never, ever compromise an image. They're simply the best way to go. Finally, the hood for this lens is inexpensive, well worth the extra few dollars it costs.
Aperture is controlled by an 8-blade system. The available f-stops range from f/1.8 wide open to f/22.0 fully stopped down. MTF (sharpness) peaks at f/5.6, and vignetting is almost gone by that setting.
On my camera, an EOS 50D, resolution loss from diffraction effects begin at f/7.6, so in many ways, the "sweet spot" for this lens for me lands naturally at f/5.6. On a camera with a lesser sensel density such as the 40D, diffraction doesn't set in until higher f-stops, but you're beginning to lose sharpness from other effects, so I'd still call the sweet spot as f/5.6 (which also provides a fairly extensive depth of field) for shots where detail is the primary consideration.
For portraits, you'll want to go right for f/1.8 if lighting conditions allow in order to take advantage of the shallow and pleasing DOF isolation this lens is famous for; background blur is very soft yet very strong, while the in focus region remains deep enough to keep the important features of the face in focus from ear to nose. The loss of MTF at f/1.8 is noticeable, especially once you get a feel for how the lens performs at f/5.6, but in my opinion, the compromise is perfectly acceptable in a portrait context. There's another benefit as well; at 85mm, and especially on a crop body like the 40D or 50D, this lens allows you to get some distance from your subject which tends to make them more comfortable, while giving you the modest compression that is the hallmark of any telephoto lens. Portraits "pop" and backgrounds blur away with commendable speed. Head-and-shoulders work will put you at about eight feet, and as the lens can focus down to just under three feet, this gives you considerable control over framing without ever running into a limit imposed by the lens design.
This is also a truly excellent lens for not-very-wide field astrophotography, although at critical focus and maximum aperture, chromatic aberration will make itself felt on the brightest stars, which you will then have to compensate for. I have successfully used this lens to capture the the Orion nebula, Andromeda galaxy, Triangulum galaxy, and a number of other astro objects that range from the easy to the difficult, all using no more than a standard (non-tracking) tripod, this lens, and the EOS 50D. On a crop body, 85mm (136mm effective FOV) is definitely the place to be to compromise between star trailing and magnification, and the f/1.8 aperture allows fast enough exposures to eliminate trailing at ISO 1600 and above.
I carry this lens nested in a large camera bag (a Tamrac 5612 Pro 12, *highly* recommended); I rarely put the lens on the camera until I am ready to use it, and when I am done, I take it right back off, cap it, and bag it without wasting any time or motion. I do both the assembly and disassembly "blind" in the bag, using the bag top to shield the camera and lens from the wind and environment as best I can manage. The lens has a raised alignment dot that makes blind assembly practical. It's the size of the overall investment that drives this behavior, of course; both the camera and a lens like this deserves -- demands -- good care and that is just what I try to provide.
Physically speaking, this lens isn't as large as you might think. Canon did a great job of packing a lot of glass (nine elements in seven groups) into a decent form factor of 3" diameter by 2.8" long; even with the hood mounted, this lens provides a fraction of the intimidation factor of, for instance, the 70-200mm f/2.8L. But at 85mm, it can still "get in there" and catch a lot of action without forcing you to crop to extremes. It's light enough that you can shoot for quite a while before fatigue sets in, an issue that will rear its head in any situation that goes on a while, like a wedding or a play (and that low-light capability is great for stage work, where a flash annoys literally everyone.) Plus it is black, and so looks more like it is designed as part of the same camera system, unlike the L's with the white bodies. That's also less distracting in a dark theater.
I can honestly say that this is definitely one of my favorite lenses. I have a fair collection of primes to compare it to, some of which are L glass, and I've got some great L zooms as well; yet for portraits, I inevitably turn to this specific lens as it outperforms everything else I own in the successful shooting methodologies I find myself returning to over and over. Frankly, at the price, I think it is perfectly fair to characterize this lens as a "must-have"; if you're ever going to shoot a portrait, trust me, this is the lens you want (even over the 85mm f/1.2L, which has far too narrow a depth of field for most reasonable portraiture, though you can't beat it for light-gathering.) Like Canon's 100mm f/2.8 macro lens, the 85mm f/1.8 is one of those where you're left scratching your head as to why it doesn't have an "L" designation. It is an outstanding performer.
If Canon were to re-do this lens, I'd like to see them add image stabilization, and perhaps some modern anti-CA elements, as this is the one area where this lens occasionally bites the photographer in high-contrast situations. Until that day, though, this lens is unmatched by anything else in Canon's line for price/performance, and I can't imagine anyone ever regretting its purchase.
My Best Buy number: 0596454577
My Best Buy number: 0596454577
I would recommend this to a friend!
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59of 59voted this as helpful.
Charge and display your DUALSHOCK 4 wireless controllers with the officially licensed Charging Station for PlayStation 4. Charging is an ease - Simply place the DUALSHOCK 4 on either side of the station, and click down to see the LED base light up to indicate charging level. When fully charged, click down to release contact and simply leave the controller on the station. Feel confident your controllers are always ready to game as it charges on display alongside of your PS4 console
Customer Rating
4
No more wired charging
on January 9, 2015
Posted by: nkpstudios
Verified Purchase:Yes
This is the best charger on the market. It utilizes the port underneath the controller rather than the micro USB on top. The controller's light is the indicator of charging and when it is finished. Charging it will pulse amber and when it is full it will turn off. No trying to line up the port on the controller to charge is a breeze. Click down to charge, click down to separate the controller from the charger. No complaints and it is an OFFICIAL PS4 accessory.
My Best Buy number: 0596454577
My Best Buy number: 0596454577
I would recommend this to a friend!
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This Pioneer BDR-XD05S external drive allows you to archive up to 128GB of data on BD-R QL media and up to 100GB of data on BD-R TL media, plus supports DVD and CD formats, so you can burn your favorite movies and music to discs.
I GOT IT TO PLAY Blue Ray. what exactly do i need to do.i have a lenovo lavieZ.
Plug it in and use your favorite media player. You can use VLC Player or whatever other player you'd like.
7 years, 6 months ago
by
nkpstudios
This Pioneer BDR-XD05S external drive allows you to archive up to 128GB of data on BD-R QL media and up to 100GB of data on BD-R TL media, plus supports DVD and CD formats, so you can burn your favorite movies and music to discs.
will this drive work on usb 2.0?
does this drive, only work with a usb 3.0 pc input?
It will work with both. USB 3.0 is backwards compatible with USB 2.0 ports. I believe the only difference will be the drive performance. Read/Write speeds may be effected since there is a difference between USB 2.0/3.0 bus speeds..
7 years, 6 months ago
by
nkpstudios
This Pioneer BDR-XD05S external drive allows you to archive up to 128GB of data on BD-R QL media and up to 100GB of data on BD-R TL media, plus supports DVD and CD formats, so you can burn your favorite movies and music to discs.
is it compatible with Microsoft 10
This Pioneer BDR-XD05S external drive allows you to archive up to 128GB of data on BD-R QL media and up to 100GB of data on BD-R TL media, plus supports DVD and CD formats, so you can burn your favorite movies and music to discs.
Will this work with my 2015 iMac?
This Pioneer BDR-XD05S external drive allows you to archive up to 128GB of data on BD-R QL media and up to 100GB of data on BD-R TL media, plus supports DVD and CD formats, so you can burn your favorite movies and music to discs.
Does this work with Windows 10 Windows Media Player
Yes it is recognized just like any other CD Drive within Media Player.
7 years, 6 months ago
by
nkpstudios
Orbi Whole Home WiFi System delivers up to 3.0Gbps high-performance WiFi. Sleek, modern design with high-gain internal antennas for up to 5,000 square feet of coverage. FastLane3 Technology creates a dedicated Tri-Band WiFi for seamless 4K streaming and gaming everywhere in your home. Keep a single WiFi name for uninterrupted connections as you move from room-to-room. Circle Smart Parental Controls runs on Orbi Routers for a smart way for families to manage content and time online, on any connected device. Provide internet access to guests without sharing your personal network password. Orbi is ready right out of the box and compatible with your ISP. Just use the Orbi app to get started with better WiFi, everywhere in minutes.
I want to know if this will work with Dish Sattelite and a wireless internet card
Yes. If it is connected to your wireless network now then it will work with the Orbi
7 years, 9 months ago
by
nkpstudios
Orbi Whole Home WiFi System delivers up to 3.0Gbps high-performance WiFi. Sleek, modern design with high-gain internal antennas for up to 5,000 square feet of coverage. FastLane3 Technology creates a dedicated Tri-Band WiFi for seamless 4K streaming and gaming everywhere in your home. Keep a single WiFi name for uninterrupted connections as you move from room-to-room. Circle Smart Parental Controls runs on Orbi Routers for a smart way for families to manage content and time online, on any connected device. Provide internet access to guests without sharing your personal network password. Orbi is ready right out of the box and compatible with your ISP. Just use the Orbi app to get started with better WiFi, everywhere in minutes.
What type of features does the app have? Can you control devices in the way that EERO and Luma are marketing? I've had Netgear routers for years. But need a mesh system . Currently, the UI for these routers are very limited.
The app needs a refresh but it is the Netgear Genie app. You can do a search online for the interface.
7 years, 9 months ago
by
nkpstudios
Orbi Whole Home WiFi System delivers up to 3.0Gbps high-performance WiFi. Sleek, modern design with high-gain internal antennas for up to 5,000 square feet of coverage. FastLane3 Technology creates a dedicated Tri-Band WiFi for seamless 4K streaming and gaming everywhere in your home. Keep a single WiFi name for uninterrupted connections as you move from room-to-room. Circle Smart Parental Controls runs on Orbi Routers for a smart way for families to manage content and time online, on any connected device. Provide internet access to guests without sharing your personal network password. Orbi is ready right out of the box and compatible with your ISP. Just use the Orbi app to get started with better WiFi, everywhere in minutes.
What is the user interface / app like? Does it have the ability to control the setup and individual device control like the EERO and LUMA have? I currently have a R8000 and it won't cover the home and the interface does not provide much control over wor
I can't speak on EERO or LUMA as I have never used them. If you are a R8000 user then you know the interface is fairly simple and nothing flashy. You will be used to the interface. The Orbi logo replaces the Netgear Genie Logo. The mobile app is Netgear Genie so you probably know how to use that as well. I would say Netgear needs to do an app refresh, but it is functional. I have used almost all of the Nighthawk line and I can honestly say the Orbi system is the BEST Netgear product offering coverage/performance utilizing a mesh network. If you need better coverage then get an Orbi system as it will provide double the coverage and seamless WiFi roaming without sacrificing performance. These are the 2 major reasons to upgrade over your R8000. Performance is similar for both.
7 years, 9 months ago
by
nkpstudios
Power your Apple devices with this Belkin charge dock. It comes with a Lightning connector that charges iPhones and an integrated magnetic charger that provides Apple watches with more juice when needed. The single built-in cable of this Belkin charge dock lets you charge both devices simultaneously, saving you the inconvenience of using multiple cords.
Want to know if watch same as phone text or voice ??
I am unsure of your question because of the wording, but I will try to answer what I think you mean. If you are asking can you type a text on the Watch like on a phone, currently the answer is no. When watchOS3 is released it will do that but currently you can only select preloaded text responses or use voice to text. One good thing is the watch is smart enough to offer responses to questions as preloaded texts as well. For example if someone texts you:
What time do you want to meet? 3pm or 4pm?
The watch will have those two times as replies in addition to the preloaded/saved texts from your iPhone.
I hope this helps. With the WatchOS3 release looming it will be a great watch. Right now, it is a bit slow and clunky and you can tell it is Apple's first attempt at a smart watch.
What time do you want to meet? 3pm or 4pm?
The watch will have those two times as replies in addition to the preloaded/saved texts from your iPhone.
I hope this helps. With the WatchOS3 release looming it will be a great watch. Right now, it is a bit slow and clunky and you can tell it is Apple's first attempt at a smart watch.
7 years, 9 months ago
by
nkpstudios