In the ever heated debate of Tamron vs. Sigma vs. Nikon/Canon, a new competitor has arrived. Tamron has released an update of their popular 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. Ever since Tamron began to create the new SP series lenses, starting with the 45mm, 35mm, and 15-30mm lenses, they’ve been hitting home runs. Having extensively used the 45mm f/1.8 SP lens, and doing a few shoots with their other new lenses, I had high hopes for the new Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 G2.
Nikon announces new Nikkor 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 zoom lens for full frame cameras
A new zoom lens is coming from Nikon: it’s AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm F4.5-5.6E ED VR. It’s designed for Nikon full-frame cameras, and video shooters will especially find it attractive because of the fast and quiet AF performance.
This is the first FX Nikkor lens with a stepping motor, which makes the AF fast, smooth and quiet. Additionally, it’s equipped with VR function that provides a level of compensation equivalent to a 4.5-stop increase in shutter speed, which is an improvement over their current 70-300 f/4-5.6 lens. Nikon has released a sample video filmed with this lens, along with some more details and specs.[Read More…]
Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 “all-in-one” zoom lens officially announced
After the unofficial news about the release of Tamron 18-400mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD, the company now officially announces it, along with the price and the full specs. This is the world’s first ultra-telephoto all-in-one zoom lens, and it’s made for APS-C DSLR cameras. It covers the range from wide-angle to ultra-telephoto, allowing you to shoot in different kinds of situations.
Tamron soon announces 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 lens for APS-C cameras
According to the source of Nikon Rumors, Tamron is about to announce a new lens. It will be an 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD, a zoom lens designed for APS-C DSLR bodies. Going from a wide angle to a telephoto zoom, this will be a lens that gives you a variety of possibilities.
How zooming with your lens and your feet changes relationship between foreground and background
Before you raise your torches and pitchforks, this is not another post about how focal length affects your subject, or whether you should “zoom with your feet” or not. I’m sure you’ve already seen how changing focal length and/or distance changes perspective, but this video answers an important question – what can you do with this information?
Jay P. Morgan shows examples how changing your focal length and getting closer or further away from the subject affects the relationship between the foreground and the background. Knowing this helps you achieve different things in a shot, gives it different looks and meanings, or helps you avoid distracting elements.
Sony’s new FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens looks perfectly suited to the A9
Well, if Sony are introducing a new Alpha A9 camera aimed at sports and wildlife shooters, you just know they’re going to announce a lens to go with it. And that they have, with the new FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6GM OSS lens.
It’s a full frame lens, featuring a double linear motor and Direct Drive Super Sonic wave Motor to keep it quick, accurate and quiet. Advantageous for both sports, wildlife, and video shooting. Sony claim it has “corner to corner” sharpness. Although, on a variable aperture zoom, I’ll wait until I can see the results for myself.
New Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens is now available for preorders
100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary is one of four lenses Sigma announced earlier this year. After the pricey 135mm F/1.8 Art lens, this is the second one from the series released for preorders. The price is now officially announced, and this time, the surprise is rather positive.
Here’s why you should try out even the worst lens before you decide to ditch it
My collection of lenses grows each month. I’ve recently accepted the fact that I didn’t buy a big enough cabinet to store them all. In an attempt to free up some room I decided to conduct a culling. In the process of getting exceptional lenses, sometimes I have to buy a batch in order to get the one I’m after. Recently, I bought such a box which had one lens I wanted and the rest were all “bonus” junk. One of these freebies was an old Minolta SR mount Vivitar 80-200mm f/4.5. This lens is a one-touch, push-pull style zoom; slide the fat ring of the lens to adjust the focal length and to adjust focus you simply rotate the same ring. The lens’ ring is about as a tight as a 30 year old sock. With even the slightest tilt it sloppily slides forward or backward. There is a term for this condition which is called ‘lens creep’. Usually lens creep just means that the heavy front barrel of a zoom lens slowly drifts forward or backward, depending on which way it’s angled. Mmyeah… on this lens, the zoom ring itself “creeps” about as smooth and quiet as a bowling bowl thrown down a flight of stairs.
Tamron releases new ultra-wide and tele-zoom lenses
Tamron has introduced two new lenses: tele-zoom SP 70-200mm f/2.8 and ultra-wide 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5. They feature improved optical performance and some new features to make image quality even better. These lenses are versatile, affordable, and definitely competing with Nikon and Canon in terms their prices.
This wide angle zoom lens is a hidden gem of vintage lenses, and it’s incredibly cheap
The winter sun was low to the horizon as I steadied myself upon a rather uncomfortable wooden perch. My back to the sun and downwind, target in clear sight, I drew in a deep breath then slowly exhaled as I prepared to take the shot. At the bottom of my breath I waited for that brief moment between heart beats as I took up the slack in my finger. Thump thump… Thump thump… squeeze. The sharp report from my mouse-click heralded the confirmation of success. “Congratulations, you won! OLYMPUS OM-SYSTEM S ZUIKO AUTO-ZOOM 28-48mm F/4 MF Lens W/HOOD (HAZE)”.
