Lens News

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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...

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...

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 Originally made for creating "full sky" images when pointed straight up, they had long ago been adopted by photographers for...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Peter K. Burian  |  Jun 01, 2008  | 

Considering the many D-SLRs that are introduced each year, it's no surprise that virtually every lens manufacturer is also expanding its line of new products. That includes both digital-only lenses--for cameras with a typical small sensor--and multi-platform lenses suitable for any SLR. The latter are particularly important now because of the increasing number of...

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...

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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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...

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...

Steve Anchell  |  Nov 01, 2007  | 

If photography is your pastime, you can afford to indulge in toys. If it is your occupation you tend to be more selective about what you spend your money on; toys are an extravagance--you couldn't afford 'em when you were struggling, and you don't need 'em now that you have a client base which likes your style.

But what if a toy is also...

Joe Farace  |  Aug 01, 2007  | 

At PMA 2007 Lensbabies introduced the medium format version of its third-generation selective focus lens for Mamiya 645 and Pentax 67 cameras. That's right kiddies, it's a new lens that's engineered for use with medium format film (remember that stuff?) cameras.

The optic in the Medium Format Lensbaby 3G produces the same effects as the optic in...

Roger W. Hicks  |  Aug 01, 2007  | 

"My" Leica M8--a loaner from Leica for review--came with a 50mm f/2 bar-coded Summicron. The 18x27mm sensor turns this into a 67mm lens in 35mm terms: rather long for someone whose standard lens on 35mm has for decades been a 35mm. So as soon as I got the M8, I started using other, older lenses. There is, after all, an enormous choice, from 12mm (18mm...

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