Sometimes reading reviews on lenses can be a bit like googling info about a body symptom, worse thing you can do, I'm just about to shell out over a grand on a Nikon 70-200 2.8 VR 1 after owning a sigma version and the way some of the reviews go on ripping it to pieces saying there is some bad copies it like going through the sigma quality control guff all over again, but knowing Nikon lenses and the 70-200 being one of the best ever made I shall still be going ahead with the purchases, but reviews don't half put the doubters on!
Reading lens reviews
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jamesoliverstone
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Tell me about it, I stopped reading them years ago. Trust me, that lens has been the go to for pro's for many many years and with good reason too. 
jamesoliverstone
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Nowadays I find somewhere that has one and go along with the body and shoot a few test shots 
33L
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I was going to get a 28 1.8, read a review that said fringing was not well controlled wide open like my experiences with multiple canon 85mm 1.8 lenses. Made me put in a lot of overtime for the 35L 1.4.
Reviews can highlight problems you didn't know existed however you've got to take a pinch of salt to some comments like QC as the next box off the shelf will be fine.
Reviews can highlight problems you didn't know existed however you've got to take a pinch of salt to some comments like QC as the next box off the shelf will be fine.
ivandobski
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I generally take comments like "I've got one of these, the reviews are wrong, it's a fantastic lens..." with a pinch of salt.
Very rarely do people admit they've either bought a dud or can't notice a difference once they've upgraded.
People are easily swayed by popular opinion, if it's "known" for x then x will be found whether good or bad.
Reviews aren't perfect but when they're relatively consistant in their imperfections then they're much more use than someone singing the praises of their new pride and joy who has done little or no comparative analysis with anything else.
Very rarely do people admit they've either bought a dud or can't notice a difference once they've upgraded.
People are easily swayed by popular opinion, if it's "known" for x then x will be found whether good or bad.
Reviews aren't perfect but when they're relatively consistant in their imperfections then they're much more use than someone singing the praises of their new pride and joy who has done little or no comparative analysis with anything else.
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specialman
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I generally trust www.photozone.de and that's about it when it comes to lens reviews. So far, every lens I've bought has worked out exactly as they've said....
Unfortunately, Sigma does have this thing surrounding its products, especially on forums, where someone had a problem and now everyone says it's a major issue. The 70-200 I bought did have a back focussing issue but once that was sorted under warranty I was very pleased, especially as it was half the price of the Nikon.
I have the Nikon now and will say it is a beautiful piece of equipment and one I won't be changing for the foreseeable future.
Unfortunately, Sigma does have this thing surrounding its products, especially on forums, where someone had a problem and now everyone says it's a major issue. The 70-200 I bought did have a back focussing issue but once that was sorted under warranty I was very pleased, especially as it was half the price of the Nikon.
I have the Nikon now and will say it is a beautiful piece of equipment and one I won't be changing for the foreseeable future.
the4thversion
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It's Ken Rockwell for me. He's got a sense of humour and seems to know what he's up to. A lot of good information on there about lenses too. Interestingly one about how sharpeness is overrated.
jamesoliverstone
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Really? Are you sure about that?
Personally I think the guy doesn't know much about what he is talking about as there is a lot of incorrect and ill informed opinion on there, rather than facts.
If I were you I would find somewhere else to get your info...
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Do like this bit
"I need to know the limits of each part of my system so that I can work around them. If I know a lens is softer wide-open, then duh, I know how far to stop it down to get fantastic results. It's the great results I seek; finding the limits is merely a means to getting great results.
The first thing I've always done when I've bought a new camera or lens is to push it to its limits. I find the limits, make a note of it (which is what started this website), and then go out and shoot. I don't worry about it again.
Sadly, many people try to test their lenses, but get disappointed and think they have a defective product when all they've found is its limits, or more often, limitations in their own technique. Let me assure you, every product has its limits, and with digital cameras today, anyone can find them.
Only idiots find something's limits, and let themselves get stuck there complaining about it. It's every artist's duty to find his tools' limitations so he can work around them. Americans didn't walk on the moon in 1969 by sitting around complaining about all the reasons we couldn't get there."
"I need to know the limits of each part of my system so that I can work around them. If I know a lens is softer wide-open, then duh, I know how far to stop it down to get fantastic results. It's the great results I seek; finding the limits is merely a means to getting great results.
The first thing I've always done when I've bought a new camera or lens is to push it to its limits. I find the limits, make a note of it (which is what started this website), and then go out and shoot. I don't worry about it again.
Sadly, many people try to test their lenses, but get disappointed and think they have a defective product when all they've found is its limits, or more often, limitations in their own technique. Let me assure you, every product has its limits, and with digital cameras today, anyone can find them.
Only idiots find something's limits, and let themselves get stuck there complaining about it. It's every artist's duty to find his tools' limitations so he can work around them. Americans didn't walk on the moon in 1969 by sitting around complaining about all the reasons we couldn't get there."
littlemonster
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I read reviews - I read a mix of professional reviewers, consumer reviews and I also always search TP to see what's thought of it here.
I also look at test shots at various apertures.
But you do have to remember that people often only post problems, so the problems you read will often be a very tiny minority.
I also look at test shots at various apertures.
But you do have to remember that people often only post problems, so the problems you read will often be a very tiny minority.
the4thversion
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I've never had a problem with the reviews so far.
Obviously I don't just blindly follow, I make my decision based on the resources provided and reading a few other reviews on top but my first stop is that site.
