Lens Reviews

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The Zeiss Distagon f/2 28mm ZF Lens; A Manual Focus Lens For Film And/Or Digital SLRs
Roger W. Hicks  |  Dec 01, 2008  | 

As soon as I heard about it, I wanted to try the f/2 28mm Zeiss ZF lens; ZF, for those unfamiliar with the current Zeiss line-up, is their superb line of Nikon F compatible manual focus lenses, as distinct from ZM (Leica M compatible) and ZV (classic Hasselblad compatible).

All of the ZF series are also available in ZK (Pentax K bayonet compatible) and a few, though apparently not...

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Tokina’s AT-X 535 PRO DX; A Fast, Constant Aperture Zoom
Jack Neubart  |  Nov 01, 2008  | 

The mid-range zoom I started with when I bought my Nikon D300 was no speed demon, and I was hankering for an f/2.8 lens in the (effective) 70-200mm range. What first attracted me to the Tokina AT-X 535 PRO DX was the fast, constant maximum aperture, providing a bright view every step of the way. What’s more, the barrel on this tele-zoom does not rotate when zoomed: all movement is entirely...

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Leica’s Tri-Elmar 16-18-21mm f/4; Not A Zoom, But Three Focal Lengths In One
Roger W. Hicks & Frances E. Schultz  |  Nov 01, 2008  | 

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...

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Three Olympus Zuiko Digital Lenses; 14-35mm f/2 ED SWD, 12-60mm f/2.8-4 ED SWD, And 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 ED SWD
Peter K. Burian  |  Nov 01, 2008  | 

The Olympus D-SLR system always included a series of pro-caliber lenses targeting serious photographers working with the E-1 pro camera. Since the introduction of the newer E-3, Olympus has also unveiled three high-grade zooms, the first in the Zuiko Digital line with Supersonic Wave Drive (SWD) autofocus. Designed to provide the ultimate in AF performance, this trio offers wide apertures...

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Tamron’s SP AF70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro; A Digitally Optimized, Wide Aperture Pro-Grade Zoom With Close-Focusing Ability
Peter K. Burian  |  Nov 01, 2008  | 

Because of the increasing number of D-SLRs with full-frame sensors, Tamron is upgrading several of their multi-platform lenses to the Digitally Integrated standard. The most recent model, the 70-200mm f/2.8 Di, is optimized for D-SLRs regardless of the sensor size but also provides outstanding results with 35mm SLRs. This zoom has benefited from several improvements, including closer focusing...

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Sigma’s Fisheye Duo; The Sigma 4.5mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM & 10mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM (Motor-In) Lenses
George Schaub  |  Aug 01, 2008  | 

If you ever want a unique point of view try a "fisheye" lens. Like looking through a door peephole (which in fact is a "fisheye" type) this order of lens sacrifices linear correction in favor of a very wide angle of view. Originally made for creating "full sky" images when pointed straight up, they had long ago been adopted by photographers for...

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Tokina’s AT-X 107 AF DX Fisheye Zoom; It Keeps The Look Throughout The Zoom Range
Jack Neubart  |  Aug 01, 2008  | 

I developed a love for fisheyes way back when I was shooting film. In fact, when I took the digital route, the first new lens I bought for my brand-new Canon EOS 5D was a fisheye.

I figured, what better way to celebrate my purchase of a full-frame D-SLR than with a lens that could take full advantage of the larger sensor! So now, fast forward to the purchase of a...

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Four New Summarits; First-Class Tools For The Working Photographer
Roger W. Hicks & Frances E. Schultz  |  Aug 01, 2008  | 

Understatement almost always speaks louder than overstatement; or if not louder, then generally with more authority. The four new Leica Summarits, for M-series Leicas, Zeiss Ikons, and Voigtländer Bessas, are about as far from ostentatious as you can get; they are merely first-class tools for the photographer who knows what he or she is doing.

Neither the...

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PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED; A Pro Perspective Control Lens
George Schaub  |  Aug 01, 2008  | 

Created chiefly for the high-end Nikon D300 and D3, the new 24mm PC (Perspective Control) lens from Nikon can also be used on other Nikon D-SLR cameras, such as the relatively new D60 on which I tested it, albeit with some loss of full automation and functionality. Being a manual focus lens it can also mount on most Nikon film SLRs as well; being a PC lens it is unique in both...

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Sigma APO 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens; A Long Range Zoom with Image Stabilization
George Schaub  |  Jul 24, 2008  |  First Published: Jul 30, 2008  | 

The Sigma APO 150-50mm lens is a moderately fast, super-telephoto zoom designed to work with both APS-C and full-frame DSLR cameras. It offers quite useful close focusing (7.2 ft) and two modes of what they deem "optical stabilization" (OS.) Weighing in at 67.4 oz you always know its there, but then again this is one impressive piece of...

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Canon’s EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM Ultra-Wide Lens
Jack Neubart  |  May 01, 2008  | 

The expansive coverage of a 14mm lens may be more than you think you need. But you'd be surprised to discover that it reveals a world of possibilities that might otherwise escape you. While it certainly is ideal when shooting in open country, a super-wide lens can do wonders in tight quarters. To check out this lens, and along the way explore the potential of this focal...

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After The Kit Lens; Tips On Expanding Your Optical Options
Jon Sienkiewicz  |  Apr 01, 2008  | 

Now that you've mastered the standard zoom lens that came with your D-SLR, you have to be asking yourself "what's next?" You bought a D-SLR instead of a compact camera so that you could change lenses. The question is: which lens to buy first? The answer is easy, but it all depends on what kind of pictures you like to take.

 

...

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Tamron’s AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical [IF] Macro; The First Tamron Lens With Vibration Compensation Stabilizer
Peter K. Burian  |  Apr 01, 2008  | 

Tamron's various 28-300mm "ultra" zooms have been best sellers since their first model of this type was introduced in 1999. Each subsequent version featured improvements and this latest "4th generation" product is the most desirable to date, since it includes a Vibration Compensation stabilizer aside from a wealth of advanced optical technology. A...

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Lens ReviewsMedium Format Camera NewsMedium Format Camera Reviews
Zeiss ZV Lenses For Hasselblad; Classics In The Modern Age
Roger W. Hicks  |  Apr 01, 2008  | 

What is the appeal of "retro" photography? I mean, surely, hasn't everyone "gone digital" nowadays? And equally surely, wouldn't you admit that the three new ZV Classic lenses from Zeiss, for traditional Hasselblads, are as retro as they come?
The answer is no, on both counts.

 

First, film has no more been killed by digital than...

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Sigma’s 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS Lens; The First Multipurpose Sigma Zoom With A Built-In Image Stabilizer
Peter K. Burian  |  Dec 01, 2007  | 

Although Sigma released their first lens with a built-in Optical Stabilizer (OS) system in the spring of 2004, the company employed this technology in only one pro-grade lens, the 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6. That has changed with the introduction of a more compact/affordable (digital-only) 18-200mm OS zoom. Sigma will not comment about future plans, but a reliable source indicates that...

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