Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
![Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II VC LD Aspherical [IF] Lens](http://www.ericreagan.com/photos/638057096_2BJtn-L.jpg "Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II VC LD Aspherical [IF] Lens")
The Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II VC LD Aspherical [IF] is made exclusively for Nikon-mount DSLRs with an internal focusing motor. This lens is equivalent to an 26-78mm angle of view on a full frame camera.
The Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens will be available in September 2009 at an initial price of approximately $650. Check availability on Amazon.com.
You can also check availability of the coming Canon version of this lens via this link.
More details in the press release below. [Read more…]
Now that you’ve read about 50mm lenses, lenses to help you learn and how camera lenses are made, the time has come to check out what telephoto lenses are possibly best for your system. Every photographer should have at least one just in the case the situation arises where you need a longer piece of glass to get that shot. Of course, some systems do telephoto zooming better than others. If you want to switch from one system to another system you’ll learn that some systems may give you the actual results you want in a different package. As a paparazzo in training, I’m learning this first hand.
Here’s a list of those great lenses are your system. [Read more…]
When we buy our DSLRs, chances are that we mostly shoot and grow with using just the kit lens provided for us by the manufacturerers. What some of us DSLR users don’t realize until we’ve grown enough is just how wondrous and useful a good 50mm lens with a wide aperture is. I’ve blogged before about learning on different lenses, but the 50mm is the one lens every photographer should have in their bag. If you havent’ got a 50mm lens or if you have one and don’t seem to cherish it that much, here are reasons why everyone should go out and shoot with just your little 50mm gem. [Read more…]
Many photographers start out timid and not wanting to do what they have to in order to unleash their true creativity. Once you start shooting though, and you start to become braver, bolder and more confident in your craft. Your lenses are really what teach you to do your job. Even when you become advanced, semi-pro and pro there are always certain lenses that you can go back to in order to learn more about what you can do with your creativity and vision: and they’re not always 50mm’s either!
For that, here are some of the best lenses to learn with no matter what experience you have: [Read more…]
Today, Sigma announced a new super-range zoom lens, the 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM. The new Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM will be available in March 2009 in Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony and Sigma mounts.
The combination of optical stabilization (OSM) and the hypersonic motor (HSM) makes this lens very attractive as a consumer-level all purpose lens. In my opinion, Canon really botched the opportunity to make solid super-zoom lens with its new EF-S 18-200mm IS lens by failing to put a USM motor inside it, which has resulted in a slower and noiser autofocus. If the price is right, perhaps this Sigma 18-250mm lens can fill that void with a fast focus speed and optical stabilization.
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Sony Digital SLR Cameras
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Sigma Digital SLR Cameras
More details in the press release below. [Read more…]
Tokina has announced that it will adding in-lens autofocus motors to its Nikon-mount versions. This change will enable autofocus for the budget D40, D40x and D60 bodies. Tokina will start by adding the new motors to the AT-X Pro SD 12-24mm F4 (IF) DX wideangle lens — the new lens will have a ‘II’ tacked on the end. Tokina is exhibiting a motorized version of this lens at Photokina and will be updating other lenses in its lineup in the future.
Tokina has also announced that it will be delaying the recently announced AT-X M35 PRO DX for the Canon. The release date has been pushed back to late January because of development difficulties with the focus system. The Nikon version is unaffected and on schedule.
Lensbaby is changing up its line of bendable lenses, according to an announcement at Photokina. The company is also adding an entirely new lens, the Composer. The Composer relies on ball-and-socket twisting with a focusing ring, rather the bellows bend/focus system of older Lensbaby lenses. It also has an Optic Swap system, allowing you to swap the lenses inside the Composer for different options.
The Lensbaby original is being replaced by the Muse, which is mostly similar but will have the Optic Swap system. The Lensbaby 3G is being replaced by the Control Freak, also with the Optic Swap system.
Nikon has announced a new 50mm lens, the AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G. The new 50mm lens features the Nikon Silent Wave Motor and a fast f/1.4 aperture. The new AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G will be available in December for about $440. Check availability at trusted online retailer Adorama.
Carl Zeiss has launched a new 21mm super wide angle lens: the Distagon T* 2.8/21. The lens is suitable for both digital and analog full-format SLR cameras with EF (ZE), F (ZF) and K (ZK) bayonets. It’s a modernized version of the the Contax system. The Distagon T* 2.8/21 is scheduled for delivery by the end of this year with the ZF and ZK versions. The expected selling price will be 1,399 euros.
The lens is ideal for architectural, journalistic and landscape photography, according to Carl Zeiss’ press release. The shortest possible distance setting of 0.22 m promises great perspectives.
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United Kingdom/Republic of Ireland, 17 September, 2008: Canon today strengthens its line-up of EF-series lenses with the introduction of a new fast aperture prime lens: the EF 24mm f1.4L II USM. Replacing the EF 24mm f/1.4L USM, the EF 24mm f1.4L II USM has been completely redesigned to provide an exacting partner lens to Canon’s new EOS digital SLRs, the EOS 50D and the EOS 5D MKII.
The EF 24mm f1.4L II USM offers:
Superior image performance
Featuring a 13-element, 10-group lens, the EF 24mm f1.4L II USM is designed to achieve the highest standards of image quality. Two high-precision GMo aspheric lenses are employed to correct various forms of aberration such as curvature of field and distortion, with a floating mechanism ensuring crisp corner-to-corner detail throughout the focal range. In addition, two UD lenses reduce the chromatic aberration common in wide-angle lenses. [Read more…]