About the Camera, Lens and Accessory Reviews

Intent of Reviews

To help you select the equipment that is right for you. To teach you to be a better photographer. To teach you to make better use of your equipment. And just for fun.

How Is Equipment Reviewed?

How the reviews are performed depends a lot on the particular features of the item being reviewed. As the perfect lens (Canon EF 14-600mm f/1.2 L USM IS, 1.3 lb, 4" long, internally focusing, perfectly sharp, CA-free, sub $300 ...) does not exist outside of our minds, I prefer to focus on practical reviews and advice, but am incorporating more and more comparative technical results along with comparative real world performance. You need a lens and there are generally several available for that need, you need to know the differentiators between them to make your decision. My goal is to help you make the right practical choice.

Lens Review Issues

Which camera body/sensor should lenses be tested with? What happens when the next generation is introduced? Which FOVCF should be used? 1.0x, 1.3x, 1.6x? What distance should tests be conducted at? Test charts must be framed exactly the same (very hard with a 95% viewfinder) from an exact perpendicular position for visual comparative evaluation. Which focal length(s) should be tested - zooms have an infinite number of focal lengths? What lighting type? Daylight (never identical), continuous (very hot - can change properties of target), strobes (huge setup effort when changing apertures), flash(es) ... Focus accuracy - if any shot is not in perfect focus, the results (for certain purposes) are altered. The camera must be perfectly squared to the target for accurate results. Results from technical evaluations are time consuming to wade through and present.

Do I get free evaluation equipment from Canon and other manufacturers?

No, all equipment reviewed (unless otherwise stated) are production models purchased on the retail market. Most of it comes from the retailers featured on this site. Though I can't say for sure that they would, manufacturers are not able to hand pick the best item for review this way. And because of the large amount of time required to properly review an item, I am not interested in reviewing pre-production models. I sell much of what I review to finance new items to review.

I am not paid by or affiliated with Canon

Or any other company featured on this site unless an ad or link for that company or retailer appears on the site. All revenue to run this site comes from a small commission on purchases made using the links on the site, ad clicks, ad impressions and donations.

What reviews are coming next?

I always have far more on the todo list than I have time to complete, but I generally make it a priority to review new Canon equipment first. If there are new Canon products available, I am likely evaluating them. After the first priority is settled, I review items that I need/use and items I think site visitors are most intersted in. Third party (Sigma, Tamron ...) lenses are near the top of my current evaluation list. Items displayed without reviews generally have a near-future review "planned" for them. Plans change sometimes. :)