I contacted Soligor about their 2x tele-converters as I noticed that many firms have released new converters and that some (Soligor included) have special converters for the digital Canon EOS series. They answered (quickly, I may add :-) ) that the 2x convertors are only coated from one side but that because the sensors in digital cameras reflect light, they require double coating. There are two new issues to me in this:

  • The sensors reflect light? Does this disturb the picture with any lens when using a slow shutter speed?
  • What kind of coating is used for converters (or lenses in general) and what is it used for? (obviously it has to do with reflection, but how/what?)


Now I’m sure, I’m buying a Canon 20D. I discussed the camera with the corner-photostore guy who also just ordered one, and he said an interesting thing: don’t get the lens. Apparently, it’s giving rounded off images. Now, I don’t have the worlds most fancy 28-80 lens on my EOS 500, but I’ve never had a problem with lenses. So, I went to look for some reviews. The lens in question is a EF-S 18-55/3.5-5.6 (here reviewed by photo.net). I guess my main point is having one that I can get close enough with, as my trusty 28-80 will become a 45-128 lens. Thus 18-55 should overlap nicely, and I really shouldn’t need to go for the 17-85 lens. The conclusion from photo.net comes in the beginning of the article: it’s good enough. Right. I’m not an expert. If I was, I’d buy the Canon 1MkII or something. Done deal, I can’t afford the other lenses. (Interestingly, I haven’t found any packages with a 20D and a 17-85 lens)

But, just for fun, let’s take the reviews: DPReview brings us 17-18 and 10-22 lenses and a Speedlite 580EX flash.


New Canon EOS camera out. I read this review
and particularly I noted The camera also has long exposure noise reduction as an option. Does anyone have any experience with such noise reduction? Does it work satisfactory?