Archive for the ‘lenses’ Category
Posted on September 3, 2008 - by Patrick
Canon EOS 50D with EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Image Samples
It’s a two for one.
Image samples from the new Canon EOS 50D paired with the Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS can be see here. As with the DPR 50D samples the other day, I’m pretty sure these are with pre-production firmware so keep that in mind…
I think the EF-S 18-200mm is doing an admirable job here, but like most lenses of this type you have some softness at the corners, and some Canon shooters might be apt to pass it over anyway based on the lack of USM. Lens selection on a budget always comes down to compromises, and you’ll have to pick which ones matter the most, but if convienience and versatility top your list, this might be the lens for you.
I’ll just add, these samples continue an annoying pattern with the recent spat of 50D samples of few to no high ISO shots.
Posted on September 3, 2008 - by Patrick
Olympus Zuiko Digital 12-60mm 1:2.8-4 Review
Fans of the four/thirds system will want to investigate Camera Labs review of the Olympus Zuiko Digital 12-60mm 1:2.8-4 lens which seems particularly well suited to the E3 in terms of size and for complete weather sealing. Featuring the amazing optics that Olympus is well known for in it’s premium lenses, Camera Labs says:
The Olympus Zuiko Digital 12-60mm is quite simply one of the best quality zoom lenses we’ve tested to date. Its optical performance is superb, delivering very sharp results across the frame at all focal lengths.
-Camera Labs
I’ll add that it continues to get quite gushy from there, breaking into full a fledged love fest by the end.
It certainly isn’t cheap (at about $950), but Olympus Zuiko Digital 12-60mm is a substantial step up for those still shooting with kit lenses. I think the E3 is a very compelling camera (weather sealing, 5fps, very fast AF, flip out LCD, affordable, etc), and this lens is a perfect match.
Posted on September 2, 2008 - by Patrick
Review: Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 VR
Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 VR
Without missing a beat, SLRGear.com has posted their review of new Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens that will be included as the kit lens for the new Nikon D90. While usually it’s a good idea to approach the typical kit lens with a bit of caution, this one looks to be a good deal.
Perhaps the best word to describe the sharpness profile of the 18-105mm is ‘consistent’. With most zoom lenses, especially in the ”kit” category, the designer must juggle a variety of factors, not the least of which is the cost of the design. Frequently a lens will be a good wide-angle performer, only to suffer when used at full telephoto; or, vice versa. This is not the case with the 18-105mm, which shows excellent performance at all focal lengths.
-SLRGear.com
and…
The Nikon 18-105mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 definitely raises the bar for Nikon’s current lineup of kit lenses; consistently sharp, even at large apertures, with good resistance to chromatic aberration. Corner shading is prevalent, but it’s not a noticeable problem. Distortion is evident and irregular, but again, you’re probably only going to notice it if you need your straight lines to be absolutely straight.
-SLRGear.com
That sounds pretty good to me. As of now the Nikon D90 with kit lens is going for $1299 most places. By itself the Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 VR goes for $400 so that’s a $100 saving. As a stand alone purchase $400 isn’t bad, consider the Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX goes for $350 or so with no VR. I’d expect the 2 have similar performance, so it’s all what you need, a little more length, or the benefits of VR?
While you’re deciding, go read the review…
(My advice: If you really want a good walkaround lens that covers all the bases reasonably well, the Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR does the job. You’ll need an additional $250, but you’ll save yourself a little money when you decide (which you will) 105mm just isn’t enough. Later fill in your collection with some specific niche type lenses: macro, 50mm prime, etc.)
Posted on September 2, 2008 - by Patrick
Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM Review
Canon shooters looking for a good 50mm prime, but not willing to shell out $1500 required for the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM, might want to check DPR’s review of the Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM. For $325 you can get a 50mm prime with excellent image quality, and fast AF. The catch?
Obviously the biggest problem is a lack of sharpness at those wider apertures; F1.4 is distinctly soft and ‘dreamy’, especially on APS-C, and whilst central sharpness increases rapidly on stopping down, the corners do lag behind by a couple of stops.
-DPR
All in all if you’re on a budget, you’ll want this lens. If you’re really on a budget get the EF 50mm F1.8 mkII. It’s less than $100, but build quality is begining to suffer.
Get the DPR review of the f/1.4…
Posted on August 26, 2008 - by Patrick
Canon Announces EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, Est. $699
- { Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS }
This will be very popular.
It took awhile, but Canon finally is releasing the widely anticipated, and waited for, 18-200mm IS lens, a format that is wildly popular with Nikon owners due to its “one lens and go” nature. Canon is claiming 4 stops of shake compensation, and according to Imaging Resource:
Canon staff members were unusually enthusiastic in describing its image quality, saying that early image samples they’d seen have led them to believe it’s going to ‘trump everything out there.” If true, that’d certainly be welcome news to Canon fans, and pressure on other camera companies and third-party manufacturers that consumers will welcome as well.
On a personal note, I’m not feeling the silver ring. At all. Better to have been solid black in my opinion, but I digress…
Press release after the jump…
(more…)
Posted on August 23, 2008 - by Patrick
Razor Sharp Photos with the Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro
Crave the tack sharp look in your photos? Then you might want to consider adding Sigma’s 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro lens to your camera bag. I’ve yet to read a bad review of this one, and those looking for a fixed length macro lens, good under low light, affordable (about $350 online), and yes incredibly sharp lens…
Sharp enough to be noticeably better than even other amazingly good lenses, like my 24-70mm f/2.8. It also has nice color transmission and great contrast. I like sharp photos on the principle that you can always make things less sharp later, but it is noticeably unforgiving on human skin — the tiniest crows feet wrinkles show up even at f/2.8. It’s a perfect portrait lens for kids and a great focal length for headshots on APS cameras (equivalent to a 105mm lens, a classic portrait length), but you might want to have a good make-up artist around for adults. On the photo above, I purposefully left the clear-as-day fingerprint on the man’s ring to show you the precision that excessive sharpness requires.
Ryan Brenizer
…are going to want the Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro
Added bonuses: Creamy backgrounds, great for macro and perfect length for portrait work (on APS-C sensors), oh and did we mention the price yet?
read Ryan Brenizer’s review here
Posted on August 19, 2008 - by Patrick
Review of the Canon EF 800mm f/5.6 L IS USM
Est. $12,000
Yes you might want to rent this one. And yes you’ll need a tripod.
The Canon EF 800mm f/5.6 L IS USM Lens shares most of its features of Canon’s other super telephoto lenses - including IS. This IS implementation, however, is rated for 4 stops of camera shake correction. The difference between the 4-stop system the 2-stop IS implementation on the 600 f/4 is noticeable. IS, of course, is usually most helpful when handholding a lens. Since this lens is too heavy for me to consider handholdable (for any length of time at least), some of the IS benefit is negated. IS definitely helps for those quick shots taken handheld - it especially helps with framing at the high magnification of this focal length. Handholding this lens for any period of time is simply inviting an appointment with a rotator cuff surgeon.
It is however built like a tank and features some very fast AF, along with tripod sensing IS. If you shoot nature, you’ll want one.
The Digital Picture has the very good review here.
Posted on August 18, 2008 - by Patrick
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM
{ Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM }
Sigma’s new 50mm prime lens gets reviewed at DPR. I’m pretty much sold on getting the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 due to it’s great IQ and incredible price, but it does look like Sigma’s latest offering is quite good, although noticably larger (it’s huge, frankly) and more expensive. I’m sure it’s good glass, but twice as expensive good, I doubt it.
Posted on January 29, 2008 - by Patrick
3 New Nikon Lenses Announced
In addition to the Nikon D60 and 234 Nikon Coolpix variations, Nikon also introduced 3 lenses which are as follows:
AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED
PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED
AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
press releases below the jump….
