Lens Test

Always on the lookout for exploitable market niches, both Nikon and Canon have been building out the middle of their lens catalogs with f/4 enthusiast versions of the expensive f/2.8 zooms favored by pro shooters. Lenses such as Nikon’s 16–35mm and 200–400mm f/4, and Canon’s 17–40mm, 24–70mm, and 70–200mm f/4 all share basic traits: They’re more compact, lighter, significantly less pricey, and (obviously) slower than their f/2.8 counterparts.

Sigma’s determined climb from an independent supplier of low-cost lenses to an optics luxury brand enters a new phase with the company’s “Global Vision” initiative. More than just a marketing campaign, the program introduces quality-control innovations such as confining all manufacturing to highly automated facilities located exclusively in Japan and the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) testing of every lens produced.

Pentax spent the year 2012 aggressively building out its lens lineup with glass designed for serious photographers. It unveiled its HD 560mm f/5.6 ED AW supertele, its generous 15X all-in-one 18–270mm, and its shockingly compact 40mm f/2.8 pancake. Then there is this 50mm f/1.8 DA SMC ($250, street), which seems more of a workaday tool than an exceptional instrument.

The latest of Nikon’s high-speed, full-frame, wide-angle primes, the 28mm f/1.8G ($699, street) falls between the budget-busting 24mm ($1,999) and 35mm ($1,649) f/1.4Gs and the affordable 28mm f/2.8D ($275). The new 28mm is fast, with up-to-date features such as Nikon’s quiet SWM focusing motor and Nano Crystal Coating for improved flare and ghost control. The relatively moderate price and high utility of this new lens make it an attractive choice for users who can’t spring for Nikon’s legendary f/1.4s.