Sigma 10-20mm Vs Tamron 11-18mm Vs Tokina 12-24mm
Peter K Burian has done some tests comparing the the Sigma AF 10-20mm, Tamron SP AF11-18mm, and Tokina AF 12-24mm.
“Sigma AF 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM: The images also exhibit great clarity and impressive definition of intricate detail. This Sigma lens seems to be optimized for the very finest results at focal lengths from about 10-14mm at most apertures. By 15mm, edge sharpness is a bit softer, although central sharpness remains very high.
Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG APO HSM
Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM is a high magnification zoom lens, with 10x zoom ratio from 50mm to 500mm, which is optimized for Digital. The lens employs a seven-group zoom system, which provides a high zoom magnification of 10x. Triple-cam Rear Focusing System ensures high precision throughout the whole focus range.
Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM also equipped with a zoom lock device to eliminate “Zoom Creep” when the lens is tilted down. The tripod mount is composed of magnesium, to minimize total weight and also it is easy to grip and carry the lens due to ergonomic design of the tripod mount.
REVIEWS (last update: 25.01.06)
Canon EF 70-300mm F4.0-5.6 IS USM Problems
Peter M reported: “The domestic Canon warranty repair shop in Sweden (RCC) today confirmed that there is a problem with the new 70-300 4-5.6 IS when shooting in portrait orientation between 200-300mm. They have tested my lens on other cameras as well as other lenses in stock – all show this problem to a certain degree. Canon Sweden are now contacting European HQ in Holland to get their view on how to tackle the problem.”
AFS Nikkor 300 mm f/2.8 VR lens
Bjørn Rørslett has reviewed the new AFS Nikkor 300 mm f/2.8 VR lens and wrote:
“In terms of optical quality, the VR version of the old classic f/2.8 telephoto is the best yet. Colour saturation and image contrast are great, details are rendered with tremendous clarity, and the superb bokeh probably would endear the VR model to many people, including yours truly. I have to admit that going back to my old, AFS 300 mm f/2.8 Mk.I and having to put up with its questionable bokeh when that lens is stopped down, wasn’t easy. But I resent the idea of having to purchase yet another 300mm lens, and besides, for my line of work the new 300 VR wouldn’t be perfect. Downsides - once again - poor VR performance when the lens is mounted on a tripod, and a not acceptable tripod collar arrangement. You have to decide whether or not these drawbacks are show-stoppers for your personal shooting assignments. If you shoot from a monopod or can have sufficiently short shutter speeds, the tripod-mounted inadequacies may not be noticed at all. I expect a huge number of sports photographers will take to this lens as ducks take to water, thus the 300/2.8 VR likely will be the reference medium-length Nikkor from now on. Exeunt the old workhorse, enter the new King.”
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO Lens
Sigma has announced the launch of Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO Lens, a specifically designed lens for digital SLR camera featuring APS-C size image sensor.
PRESS RELEASE
Olympus E-series Lenses Firmware Update
Olympus has announced the release of the latest firmware for certain Olympus E-series lenses.
Firmware updates are resolve problems with the following lenses:
ZUIKO DIGITAL 40mm-150mm F3.5-4.5, Tele Converter EC-14 and Extension Tube EX-25
- Lens data has been corrected to fix problems occurring under certain circumstances when used with the E-300.
- Lenses with the EC-14 are sometimes not recognized when attached to the camera. This has been corrected.
- Lenses with the EX-25 are sometimes not recognized when attached to the camera. This has been corrected.
ZUIKO DIGITAL 50mm-200mm F2.8-3.5 and 14mm-54mm F2.8-3.5
- Improves exposure precision comparable to a full-open aperture setting.
ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 35-100mm F2.0 and 35mm F3.5 Macro
- The aperture operation is steadier.
Canon EF 24-105mm F/4L IS USM Vs Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L
Bill Caulfeild-Browne has written a good article comparing the new Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM with the legendary Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L with Canon 1Ds Mark II @ Luminous Landscape. This is what he says about:
Distortion: Both lenses show significant barrel distortion at 24mm, and pincushion distortion by 50mm. However, Canon 24-70mm shows less distortion than Canon 24-105mm.
Sigma Lenses Exposure Problems
Service notice has once again been issued by Sigma. This time is regarding their exposure problems with some of their lenses when used with the new Nikon D200 DLSR
Sigma Service Notice:
Notice to end-users using Sigma’s Nikon fitting lenses with D200 camera
To our valued customers,
Combination of new Nikon 200 digital SLR camera with our following products can cause improper exposure. To overcome this we will be supplying a free upgrade to our customers. We deeply apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused to our customers.
List of lenses require update for D200 camera:
Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED DX
Ian Andrews has recently posted a his review on Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED DX, The world’s first constant f/2.8 3.2x zoom lens developed exclusively for use with Nikon DX Format, at Ephotozine and writes:
“In summary, the positive points of the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED DX are: Excellent wide-open performance, especially at the wider focal length, Good build quality, Excellent contrast and colour rendition, Good hood included
The negative points area are: Disappointing control of distortion at the wide end, Price, although value for money is relative, Hood useless with on board flashes.
Tokina’s AT-X 100mm f/2.8 PRO D Macro Lens - Review by Peter K. Burian
Peter K. Burian just reviewed the Tokina’s AT-X 100mm f/2.8 PRO D Macro Lens with some sample photos at shutterbug and wrote:
“Focusing is not super fast because of the great distance the helicoid mechanism must travel between the infinity position and the minimum focusing distance. The process produces a metallic hum, but it is not loud enough to scare off any potential nature subjects. For longer distance shooting, as in portraiture, the Focus Limiter mechanism can be useful. This lock prevents the lens from trying to focus at very short distances, helping to accelerate the autofocus process.”
