Lens Test

Released in October of 2011, this second iteration of Sigma’s stabilized 11.1X all-in-one zoom ($499, street) offers two seemingly significant upgrades: a high-tech FLD glass element, plus Sigma’s silent HSM focusing motor. This APS-C-only zoom is the full-frame equivalent of about 30–320mm, depending on your camera's body.

Designed to compete with the popular, ultrawide f/4 full-framers from Canon (17–40mm f/4L; $800, street) and Nikon (16–35mm f/4 VR; $1,140, street), this Tokina 17–35mm f/4 ($720, street) is a welcome constant-aperture zoom for pros and enthusiasts alike.It offers two elements of SLD glass for improved control of chromatic aberration and an aspheric element for compactness. With new seals around its moving switches and rings, it promises better moisture resistance than most AT-X lenses. It is available only in Canon and Nikon mounts.

Fast, manual-focus primes for DSLRs are popping up like mushrooms (or, in this case, truffles). The more favorably priced (Vivitar, Rokinon, etc.) may prove to be passing fads, but the made-in-Japan tanks from Zeiss should be around for the long haul. These lenses seem simultaneously cutting-edge and old-fashioned, and the full-frame 25mm f/2 Distagon T* ($1,700, street) is the latest to ride our optical bench.

Photography’s only high-speed, 1:1, long-tele prime, Sigma’s optically stabilized 150mm f/2.8 ($1,100, street) replaces a similar, unstabilized lens from several years ago. More has been updated than just the OS mechanism: This lens produces significantly less distortion than its predecessor, and resistance to weather and dust has been vastly improved.This telephoto macro lens is no lightweight: At 2.54 pounds, it’s almost a pound heavier and a half-inch longer than the lens it replaces. Its tripod collar (included) is much appreciated.