Lenses

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Lens Test: Sigma 18–250mm f/3.5–6.3 DC OS HSM AF
- By Julia Silber on September 2, 2009
At 13.8X, this digital-only 29-400mm equivalent (on DSLRs with 1.6X lens factors) offers the broadest zoom range of any Sigma lens. Joining Sigma's first digital-only superzoom of 2004, the 18-200mm, this $530 (street) lens adds optical stabilization (OS), four elements of super-low-dispersion glass (SLD), an internal focusing design that facilitates use of lensbarrel accessories, and an extra 50mm.
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Lens Test: ProOptic 500mm f/6.3 mirror lens

A welcome, if quirky, addition to your optical tool kit.
- By Peter Kolonia on September 2, 2009
A 500mm lens for under $200? Believe it. Adorama's ProOptic 500mm f/6.3 ($160, direct; www.adorama.com) shares all the strengths-and drawbacks- of inexpensive catadioptric lenses. Often called mirror or reflex lenses, these tele primes have more in common with telescopes than with conventional lenses. The ProOptic's unusual design prevented us from testing it on our optical bench, but we did use it extensively in the field.
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Lens Test: Olympus Zuiko Digital 14–54mm f/2.8–3.5 II AF

It’s faster and focuses closer than any comparable kit zoom.
- By Julia Silber on August 31, 2009
Leave it to Lensmaster Olympus to offer the fastest (and, at $600, street, the priciest) kit lens today— with the closest focusing of any comparable zoom. A step-up option for the E-30, this 28–108mm full-frame equivalent has more reach than Oly’s standard 14– 42mm f/3.5–5.6 kit zoom. And it’s a remake of an earlier lens, with a circular aperture for smoother edges in defocused areas and seals to resist splashes and dust. Three of its 15 internal elements are aspherical.
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Lens Test: Tamron SP 10–24mm

This lens can handle everything from tight interiors to broad, horizon-spanning landscapes.
- By Julia Silber on August 27, 2009
Tamron's widest zoom ($480, street), this lens belongs to the exclusive SP (Super Performance) line, which traditionally offers stronger resolution, contrast, and flatness of field than the company's other optics. A digital-only lens, it's a 16-37mm equivalent on DSLRs with APS-sized sensors.
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Lens Test: Canon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 EF-S IS AF

This lens boasts the broadest zoom range of any interchangeable optic from Canon to date.
- By Julia Silber on August 26, 2009
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Lens Test: Sony DT 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 SAM AF

This kit zoom is among the sharpest and least distorting of Sony’s DT family of DSLR optics.
- By Julia Silber on August 24, 2009
This new entry level wide-to-moderate-tele kit zoom ($200, street) was unveiled with the Sony Alpha 230, 330, and 380 cameras and is designed for APS-scaled sensors. A 27–82mm full-frame equivalent, it boasts Sony’s relatively new Smooth AF Motor (SAM).
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Lens Test: Sony Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16–35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM AF

Well suited to landscapes, street photography, interiors, travel, photojournalism, and low-light work.
- On July 23, 2009
This pro-quality, high-speed zoom ($1,900, street) is one of the growing fleet of full-frame lenses Sony has introduced in support of its Alpha 900 pro-level full-frame DSLR. On Alpha bodies other than the 900, it scales up to a 24–52.5mm equivalent. In addition to three aspheric and two ED lens elements for controlling aberration, the lens offers Sony’s quiet Super Sonic Wave focusing motor and coatings to suppress internal flare and ghosting.
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Lens Test: Nikon AF-S VR 70–200mm f/2.8G

A bread-and-butter tool for many Nikon pros.
- On July 22, 2009
First produced in February 2003, this full-frame zoom ($1,900, street) has since become a bread-and-butter tool for many a Nikon pro. Scaling up to a 112-320mm equivalent on DX bodies, it has more elements of ED glass (five) then any other current Nikon zoom. Also on board: Nikon's silent SWM AF motor, an internal-focusing design, and full teleconverter compatibility. Its Vibration Reduction system doesn't work with all Nikon bodies, so check compatibility with your DSLR before purchasing. Hands On:
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Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM AF

The price is high, but so are the rewards.
- By Julia Silber on June 25, 2009
Replacing Canon's original 16-35mm f/2.8L of 2001, this full-frame ultrawide for pros ($1,450, street) has two UD glass elements to suppress chromatic aberrations, and three aspheric elements to minimize linear distortion. A 26-56mm equivalent on APS-C sensors, it delivers fast and quiet autofocus, smooth bokeh, internal focusing and zooming, and solid, dustand moisture-sealed construction. HANDS ON:
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Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G

The first DX Nikkor with the classic advantages of a high-speed “normal” lens.
- By Julia Silber on June 24, 2009
The first DX Nikkor with the classic advantages of a high-speed "normal" lens ($220, street), this 52mm full-frame equivalent is also the fastest DX and widest nonfisheye digital-only Nikkor prime. It has a single aspheric element, Nikon's super-quiet SWM autofocus motor, and rounded aperture blades for smoothly defocused image areas at all apertures. HANDS ON:
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