Tamron’s super superzoom, a 28–418mm equivalent with built-in Vibration Compensation, offers great close-up potential: The magnification ratio was 1:2.9, and there was no edge falloff at three of four tested focal lengths.
Sigma’s first digital-only superzoom, this circa-2004 lens still has its fans. A 29–320mm equivalent, it handles well, with generous markings, including a six-step macro focusing scale.
Improved optics from the non-OS version: Sharpness at 200mm improved two levels in our test and beat most of the competition. Optical stabilizer gained 2 to 3 stops in handholdability.
Perfect for nature shooting, this long macro-tele has a convenient feature, a window that lets you rotate a filter with the hood in place. Maximum magnification: 1:1.02.
A 29–400mm equivalent, this lens offers the broadest zoom range of any Sigma and is the company’s only superzoom with stabilization. Smooth zoom action, rapid and silent AF, and only Slight-range distortion.
APS version of the classic Tamron 90mm f/2.8, this lens is vastly improved, with groundbreaking f/2 aperture. Excellent optics make this a favorite portrait lens as well as close-up tool. Maximum magnification: 1:0.91.
Very compact and reasonably sharp, this lens has trouble reining in distortion at all focal lengths, especially in the midrange (witness its 2.7% pincushion distortion at 70mm).
One of Sigma’s pro-level, EX-series lenses, this fast, quiet-focusing 77–232mm equivalent showed a lot of sharpness in our SQF tests on our optical bench.
