| As mentioned in the first page, the
prosumer EF lenses are not optically inferior to the L-series types. However, there
are other reasons to consider when choosing between the prosumer types and the L-series
EF lenses (that is, if you can afford them). Low-light shooting is one of them. The
ability to use either the Extender EF 1.4x or the EF 2x is another. Come to think
of it, none of the prosumer single focal length EF lenses are able to utilize either
Extender, too. As explained earlier, the EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM zoom lens was only used for the first phase of the ACMA event. For the second phase - the actual awards presentation ceremony - two L-series EF lenses were used: the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM zoom and EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM telephoto. Due to their large f/2.8 maximum apertures, low light shooting was made possible, given the fact that flash photography wasn't allowed and the space for the photographers covering the event was located about 50 meters away from the stage. Taiwanese heart-throb actor-singer Richie Ren was one of the winners for that event. In the first photo (below, top left), the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM telephoto lens was used without any Extender. The coverage angle of the 300mm focal length was enough to include Richie and his back-up dancers in the background. Fitting the Extender EF 2x to the lens, the picture angle has been narrowed to a half-length portrait shot. The exposures were at 1/125 sec. at f/2.8 (300mm) and 1/30 sec. at f/5.6 (w/EF 2x). The IS function of the 300mm (lens on monopod) was utilized for both shots. An ISO 400 color negative film was used.
When the atmosphere around the stage became dimmer to suit the song rendered by the winning artistes, the usable shutter speed was even slower. The photo of William So (above, bottom left) was shot at 1/20 sec. at f/2.8, ISO 400. With a prosumer EF zoom lens having f/4-5.6 maximum apertures, you will need to use an ISO 800 or 1600 film for the same purpose. Beautiful and soft, out-of-focus background is one of the strong points of the L-series EF lenses. True, the EF 75-300mm IS USM zoom lens is able to do this as well when set at the 300mm position at f/5.6 but an f/2.8 L-type is able to do that with a shorter focal length, like 200mm, as shown in the photo of Sammi Cheng, which was photographed with the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM, at the maximum aperture setting. Text and photos by Philip Chong. Copyright 2000 by Canon Marketing (M) Sdn Bhd << Back to Main . 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . |
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