Lens News

Nikon announced three new wide-angle Nikkor lenses this morning: the AF-P DX Nikkor 10-20MM F/4.5-5.6G VR, which is a compact, ultra-wide-angle perspective DX-format zoom lens; the AF-S Fisheye Nikkor 8-15MM F/3.5-4.5E ED, which is a circular fisheye zoom lens; and the AF-S Nikkor 28MM F/1.4E ED: a wide-angle, prime lens.

A small earthquake didn’t stop Sony from unveiling two new wide-angle zooms in their ever-expanding line of full-frame E-mount lenses at a press event today in beautiful Santa Barbara, California. Shutterbug was on hand to test out the new Sony glass, which includes a fast FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM wide-angle zoom and an FE 12-24mm f/4 G ultra-wide zoom.

When Sigma introduced their new super-wide zoom in late 2016 I was eager to give it a try. Among their Art lens offerings, the Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM lens ($1,599, MSRP) serves as an upgrade to their 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 (still available at an MSRP of $949) with a constant f/4 aperture; a nine-bladed diaphragm; FLD glass elements; an updated HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) that uses 1.3x the torque for fast and smooth autofocus operation; 16 elements in 11 groups construction; and what Sigma claims is “the largest aspherical element in the industry” to minimize distortion, ghosting, and flare. The angle of view ranges from 84 to 122 degrees, with mount compatibility for Canon, Nikon, and Sigma DSLRs.

If the used camera lens you see online is packaged with a leash and a bone, odds are very good that it’s a dog. But in the absence of obvious evidence, how can you tell a bargain from a bagel? It’s impossible to physically examine the merchandise before purchase. And you can’t always trust what you see in the listing photos. However, you can conduct a thorough inspection upon receipt. Here are 10 things to check the minute the used lens is delivered. 

We watched this video at least a dozen times over the weekend and we still can’t get enough. Mats Wernersson is some kind of master craftsman or maybe he’s just a really clever guy with what Jeff Spicoli would call “an awesome set of tools.”

In commenting on an obscenity case back in 1964 Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart famously quipped, “Hardcore pornography is hard to define, but I know it when I see it.” The same can be said of bokeh, a Japanese term for the perceived quality of the out-of-focus areas in a photograph.