Digital Camera Review » lens

Nikkor AF-S 50mm F/1.8G lens by Nikon

Cuzzy — Sat, 07 May 2011 00:59:03 +0000

Nikon has announced the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G lens, a compact, prime lens that combines the versatility of a 50mm focal length and the benefits of a fast aperture for photos and movies.

Fast f/1.8, compact FX-format prime (fixed focal length) lens
Optimized for FX-format D-SLR cameras but equally at home on any Nikon DX-format D-SLR, this updated classic with a fast maximum aperture is ideal for everyday shooting, perfect in low lighting situations and great for producing images with beautiful background blur (bokeh). The AF-S 50mm f/1.8G includes Silent Wave Motor technology (SWM) for fast and precise autofocus, M/A Focus Mode Switch for seamless changes between manual and autofocus operation and an aspherical lens element for outstanding optical performance with high contrast.

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 85mm f/1.4G Review

Cuzzy — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 05:16:53 +0000

The Nikkor AF-S 85mm f/1.4G was announced August 2010. It’s the longest of four prime lenses sporting an f1.4 focal ratio in Nikon’s current range, with the 50mm, 35mm and 24mm completing the line-up.

On both DX and FX format bodies the 85mm focal length is considered a prime candidate for portrait-photography as it gives you some distance from your subject which leads to a flattering perspective. This, combined with the capability to render blurred backgrounds with a smooth bokeh, makes 85mm f1.4 lenses very sought after.

In this review we’ll have a look at Nikon’s latest and most expensive 85mm prime, and find out whether the lens lives up to the expectations.

According to pdnonline:

Nikon portrait photographers should sit up and take notice: the new Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G is a worthy follow up its legendary predecessor. If you already own the old 85mm, this new version is not necessarily a reason to go out and empty your bank account. The improvements are subtle but noticeable and appreciated. For one, the new lens’ Nano Crystal Coating really helped reduce ghosting and flare with backlit shots so if you find yourself frequently shooting in variable lighting where the sun might sneak up on you, you’ll like this upgrade. The Silent Wave Motor also helps make this portrait lens even more discreet so you can get the shot without causing a paparazzi-like ruckus. And, most importantly, the maximum f/1.4 aperture produces stellar shallow depth of field with great background blur. We also found the lens to be more consistently sharp in the center than its predecessor when shot wide open. If you don’t already own a Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 lens, go out and get this new classic. However, if you’re on a budget, the cheaper Nikon 85mm f/1.8 or Sigma 85mm f/1.4 might suffice.

Canon EF 8-15mm Fisheye

Cuzzy — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:08:39 +0000

EF 8-15mm f/4 L USM is released and going to be on the market. This is the world’s first fisheye zoom lens to offer both ‘circular’ and ‘full frame’ images. This replacement for the EF 15mm F2.8 fisheye will produce circular images

London, UK, 26 August 2010 – Canon today unveils the world’s first fisheye zoom lens offering both circular and full frame images, thanks to an extreme wide-angle focal range of 8-15mm. Replacing the EF 15mm f/2.8 fisheye, the new EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM is the latest addition to Canon’s L-series range of professional lenses, providing outstanding image quality, constant aperture throughout the zoom range and a robust design for reliable shooting in challenging weather conditions.

When paired with Canon’s full-frame DSLR bodies, such as the EOS 5D Mark II or the EOS -1Ds Mark III, professional photographers can choose to capture circular or full-frame fisheye images, allowing them to view a scene in a completely new and unique way. This new level of choice provides enhanced creative flexibility when shooting scenes such as the night sky, where the full 180º horizontal and vertical fields of view (FOV) allow every detail to be captured with incredible clarity in one single image.

When used with EOS bodies featuring APS-C or APS-H sensors, the EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM produces a more traditional, full frame fisheye view. A zoom-lock mechanism on the lens body allows the range to be limited to the focal length that ensures the best possible full-frame view without unsightly vignetting around the edge. ‘C’ and ‘H’ markings can be found next to the zoom operation ring, indicating the wide-angle zoom position where vignette-free shooting is possible with either sensor, allowing photographers to achieve optimum results with any EOS body.

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Sony E-mount lens

Cuzzy — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 07:06:45 +0000

Sony with it’s 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS E-mount telephoto lens are going to be in store from 10-09-2010 from $800 in the US and £699 in the UK.Zoom range are 27-300mm is designed for the company’s NEX series of interchangeable lens cameras and camcorder. It will join the existing line-up of E-mount lenses – the 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 zoom and 16mm F2.8 pancake wide angle.

Find out more at dpreview.com

Panasonic 3D lens

Cuzzy — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 06:27:57 +0000

Panasonic has announced it is developing a digital 3D interchangeable lens for the Micro Four Thirds system, to be launched by the end of the year. The lens will include two optical paths, projecting left and right image pairs onto the camera sensor. These twin images can later be combined to provide a single 3D image using the company’s 3D image processing system and displayed using one of its Viera televisions. The company says it will be the first such lens for a digital system.

The system is likely to work in a similar manner to the one introduced with the company’s HDC-SDT750 camcorder, launched earlier this morning. This attachment lens also projects pairs of images onto the sensor of a modified version of one of the company’s existing camcorders. Unlike this system, the development press release for the Micro Four Thirds lens focuses on still images – it is not yet clear whether existing Micro Four Thirds cameras could (or could be modified to) shoot video with the lens.
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DxO Optics Pro adds more than 60 lens correction modules

Cuzzy — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 04:18:14 +0000

DxO Labs has updated its DxO Optics Pro raw converter software with more than 60 lens and cameras combinations for Canon, Nikon, Olympus and Sony users. These new lens correction modules join the existing list of over 2000 combinations. The modules are available for immediate download from the company’s website.

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Olympus M Zuiko Digital 14-150mm F4-5.6 lens review

Cuzzy — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 03:17:37 +0000

Just posted! Our lens review featuring Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds superzoom, the M Zuiko Digital 14-150mm F4-5.6. This latest addition to the company’s Pen range continues with its downsizing theme, and is dramatically smaller and lighter than most similar SLR lenses. It also promises fast and silent focusing optimized for video shooting. So is this mini-marvel the ultimate general-purpose travel zoom?

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Carl Zeiss announces Distagon T* 2,8/25 ZF.2 lens for Nikon

Cuzzy — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 05:54:24 +0000

Carl Zeiss has announced the ZF.2 version of its 25mm f/2.8 wide angle prime lens for Nikon F mount. The company’s ZF.2 series of manual focus lenses comes with an electronic interface (CPU), allowing full support of automatic exposure modes and the inclusion of lens-related data to the EXIF. The Distagon T* 2,8/25 ZF.2 lens is now available at a retail price of €755.46.

OBERKOCHEN, Germany—June 8, 2010. Wide-angle lenses capture a large depth of field: A dragonfly that lands on a water lily while you can clearly make out the numerous blossoms behind its shimmering body; rocks, moss and cracks which create designs and formations extending to the horizon.

The Distagon T* 2,8/25 lens from Carl Zeiss can create such unusual perspectives—in more than just nature photography. Now this popular and time-tested wide-angle lens is also available in a ZF.2 version for single-lens digital reflex cameras with F bayonet. With its very small focal distance, this newcomer to the ZF.2 lens series offers all the creative possibilities of manual focusing in photography. The ZF.2 has an electronic interface (CPU) that supports all exposure modes of the camera like shutter priority, aperture priority and program mode, as well as manual mode (even with camera bodies without AI-coupling lever).

The Distagon T* 2,8/25 ZF.2 is therefore ideal for photo enthusiasts who value creative, high-quality images alongside the comfort of automatic exposure control. You no longer have to manually set the data for focal length and speed in the cameras menu because the lens passes on these parameters to the camera. In addition to standard data such as lens manufacturer, date and metering mode, lens data such as the correct aperture value is also automatically saved. Thus, the ZF.2 lens is easy to use, even under tough situations. Martin Klottig, Marketing Manager for the Camera Lens Division of Carl Zeiss AG explains: “Often, you’ll find that you’re pressed for time to capture that perfect shot, for example when photographing animals. The Distagon T* 2,8/25 ZF.2 enables the photographer to hold on to just the right moment and take unique shots with confidence each time.”

The new Distagon T* 2,8/25 ZF.2 is available at a retail price of 755,46 € (excluding VAT). The ZF.2 lenses come in eight additional focal lengths, 3,5/18, 2,8/21, 2/28, 2/35, 1,4/50, 1,4/85, and the two macros 2/50 and 2/100. For more information, visit www.zeiss.com/photo.

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