Lens News

The big news about the Leica M-D (Typ 262) is what it doesn’t have. It does not have autofocus. It does not provide through-the-lens viewing. And it’s not compatible with any zoom lens. 

Leica, Panasonic and Sigma announced today at the photokina show in Germany that they are forming the “L-Mount Alliance” to try to create a new lens mount standard for full frame mirrorless cameras.

In my heart I know that few readers can afford these kinds of expensive lenses, but there are always those who can and for the rest of us, it’s something to dream about.

If you own and use an M-series Leica, a Zeiss Ikon, or a bayonet-mount Voigtländer Bessa, Leica’s 16-18-21mm Tri-Elmar is so staggeringly desirable that it is almost easier to list the reasons for not buying one than to list its advantages—though these are easy enough to list, too. It is compact, sweet handling, sharp, contrasty, rangefinder-coupled, unbelievably convenient, and...

Every photographer knows that it can often be difficult to quickly change lenses safely when you’re on location or capturing images in a city or in the wilderness. The Lens Flipper in a unique device that takes the stress out of the process. It is an easy to use double-sided locking lens cap with its own strap.

The late Mr. Newton was certainly onto something. I believe the overwhelming desire of most portrait photographers is to please the client, with seduction, amusement, and entertainment far from their minds. Let me submit this idea: shoot what the client says they want and then shoot something challenging their assumptions. Most wedding clients tend to be traditional but even introducing black and white or infrared images can increase sales and show clients you’re thinking outside the veil.

High-performance zoom lenses with fast maximum apertures are powerful tools for everyday shooting, and in this battle of the mid-range zooms, you’ll see a comparison between two of the best: The Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM, and Sigma’s 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art.