Due to the higher standard in manufacturing and the use of ultra-high quality optical elements, the L-series EF lenses are more consistent in focusing precision when used in the field compared to the budget-priced types. For example, I know I don't have to double-check whether the L-series lenses have focused precisely at the optimum point because they would, given their greater sensitivity to AF speed as well as the more powerful microprocessors used within. Shot at 28mm Shot at 35mm Shot at 50mm Shot at 80mm As stated earlier, the EF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 V USM lens has a flare-blocking diaphragm built-in. This feature is also partly responsible for the higher image quality obtainable by the zoom lens. Shooting against brightly-lit light sources such as powerful spotlight or the afternoon sunlight has little or no flare in the photos. The first photo (below, left) was shot during Hong Kong singer Eason Chan's news conference. In the middle of the photo is a spotlight used by a TV crew. Since I like to shoot most of my subject matters in backlit situations, I have no qualms about using the EF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 V USM zoom lens in this way, with some help of TTL fill-in flash from Speedlite 540EZ on my Canon EOS-1N camera. Shot against a brightly lit spotlight Shot against the sunlight The second photo (above, right) was shot against the sunlight which was partly hidden behind the clouds, but as anyone can see, there is no sign of flare anywhere in the photo and the partially completed buildings are well-rendered without sacrificing the details in the shadow and highlight areas. << Back to Main . 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 .