Cosina 19-35/3.5-4.5

I bought this lens with HK$750 (second hand) with no regret at all. This is the lens I really happy with, not only because of its price, same good as the Canon EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 which I previously owned. The optical performance (sharpness and contrast) is excellent from 19mm to 28mm when stopping down to f/8 (35mm is fairly good when you further stop down to f/11 or f/16). Obviously optically better than my Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS (and far more better than the Tokina AF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5) after my several trials and tests throughout the whole range and between different apertures of these three lens. The only complaint is the accuracy of the auto focus between 19 - 28mm - when I need the best result I always need to turn the facal ring to 35mm for auto focusing first and then switch to manual focus for picture composing between the facal range.

I have owned one of these Cosina lenses for approx 5 years and used it on EOS 5 film camera EOS 10D Digital, EOS 400D and lately (until it went wrong) on my new EOS 5D Mk2 with some brilliant results. Yes there is vignetting on some settings and some softness on the extremes sometimes, just allow for it and crop, it's no big deal.I have Canon lenses that do the same. But I have some incredible night shots taken on my holiday in Menorca. You can get in real close and its great for inside churches/cathedrals etc; Until now it has never let me down and I am sorry it's gone wrong. For the price it can't be beaten.Buy one you won't be sorry.

This lens is great value for money and has completely changed my photographic habits. I am using it for sweeping vista type shots, treescapes, some close up work of pets, and I am really happy with it.

I had a Cosina SLR many years ago and it was a terrific camera, and this lens is well up to standard. For the price it cannot be beaten.

If you want to enlarge your prints to wall size MAYBE you would then notice some CA or other deleterious effects, but for normal usage, enlargements up to A3 (I've done some) and the web it is a fine lens.

I use Cosina 19-35/3.5-4.5 on a Canon EOS30D & 20D.

For a low cost lens you cannot go wrong with the Cosina 19-35mm lens. It performs as well as or better than lens costin 2 -3 times the Cosina lens.

The lens hood looks a little shallow, but seems to do a credible job.

Treat this lens with care (do not drop it!) and it will give you great service.

You use this Cosina lens with a film based camera because you want to get in close yet get everything in. Stop the lens down to f-8 and everything is nice and sharp.

For the price it's great, I brought mine for £45 and use it as a photo journalistic type lens for situation and scene setting photos. Yes, you can get Canon and Nikon f2.8s that give straighter lines and better construction and edge quality but at what price? And the better quality is only slight for lots more money. At best the newspapers will use the photo at a 6 x 8 size, sure 14 x 16 with not be really great, but when was the last time you printed or got a photo that size?

For normal occasion usage i.e. sunny days with good light - group and family portraits - or sweeping landscapes it's fine.

Cosina know what they are doing as they make the Nikon FM10, Olympus 2000 and the canon T60 as well as the Bessa Rangefinder series. Everyone is different so try one and may be you will like it.

35-mm owners: STAY AWAY from the Cosina lens

Digital owners: be advised that even center sharpness is not very good and edge sharpness, even at f11 is very poor

I traded in this lens for a Nikkor 18-35 and the difference is huge.