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Lens Test: Nikon 50mm f/1.4G Nikkor AF-S

*The newest version of Nikon's storied prime is a fast and rugged workhorse for everyday use.*
- By Julia Silber on April 23, 2009
The newest version of Nikon's storied 50mm f/1.4 boasts a redesigned optical formula for more effective flare prevention. A 75mm equivalent on Nikon smaller-sensor DX bodies, this $500 (street) full-framer also has a circular-bladed aperture for smoother defocusing. HANDS ON
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Sigma 24–70mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM AF: Lens Test

*Dramatic improvement at top speed.*
- By Julia Silber on April 10, 2009
No lens epitomizes Sigma's new level of competiton with Canon and Nikon better than this 24-70mm f/2.8. When we tested Sigma's previous 24-70mm f/2.8 in 2002, it sold for $380, a fraction of the price of comparable high-speed glass. This newcomer? $900, street.
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Lens Test: Sigma APO 50–150mm f/2.8 II EX DC HSM AF

Fast Friend
- By Julia Silber on March 25, 2009
Rest on its laurels? Not Sigma. Just look at the updated version of its bright 50-150mm f/2.8 digital-only (DC) zoom ($675, street), part of the company's top-drawer EX family of glass. Its predecessor performed admirably in the Pop Photo Lab just two years ago (January 2007). Since then, the company's engineers have twisted, squeezed, and tweaked its design in an attempt (we're guessing) to catch up to the optical superiority of Tokina's remarkable 50-135mm f/2.8.
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Lens Test: Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM AF

We spend some quality time with Canon's new ultra-fast wide angle prime.
- By Julia Silber on March 16, 2009
Canon's third version of its 24mm f/1.4 full-framer (the first was the 1979 FD), this $1,700 (street) prime remains the fastest wide-angle lens for both film and digital SLRs, scaling up to the equivalent of 38.4mm on the Canon EOS 50D. With a new 13-element design (up from 11), upgrades include two aspherical elements (up from one) to combat linear distortion and field curvature, two UD elements for controlling chromatic aberration, an SWC (Sub Wavelength) coating to reduce flare and ghosting, and a more circular diaphragm for smoother bokeh.
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ProOptic 500mm f/6.3 Mirror: Lens Test

A 500mm lens for under $200.
- By Peter Kolonia on March 13, 2009
Believe it. Adoram's ProOptic 500mm f/6.3 ($160, direct; 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: Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC AF

With the broadest zoom range of any interchangeable DSLR lens, this superzoom also packs a Vibration Compensation system.
- By Julia Silber on March 12, 2009
With the broadest zoom range (15X) of any interchangeable lens for DSLRs, this 28-419mm equivalent superzoom ($600, street) also packs a Vibration Compensation system for sharp handheld shooting at long focal lengths or slow shutter speeds.
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Canon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 EF-S IS AF

Zoom this!
- By Julia Silber on March 9, 2009
A 29-320mm equivalent on APS-C Canon EOS models, this lens ($700, street) boasts the broadest zoom range of any interchangeable optic from Canon to date: 11X.
A high-end kit option for EOS 50D owners, it probably owes its existence to the phenomenal success of Nikon's 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR Nikkor. And with the debut of Tamron's far-reaching and stabilized 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 lens (tested in this issue), an 11X Canon may be just the beginning.
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Olympus Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 II AF

Lens-master Olympus offers the fastest kit lens today -- A step-up option for the E-30.
- By Julia Silber on February 25, 2009
Leave it to Lens-master 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. HANDS ON
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Lens Test: Sony 55-200mm f/4-5.6 DT AF

How did Sony's entrant in the digital-only 55-200mm race fare on the testing bench?
- By Julia Silber on December 16, 2008
Sony's entrant in the digital-only 55-200mm race is a low-cost ($230, street) telephoto mate to its 18-70mm kit lens. Unlike some other sub-$250 zooms, however, this 82.5-300mm equivalent sports an element of ED glass and lacks onboard image stabilization -- which it doesn't need because Sony's Alpha bodies have it inside. HANDS ON
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Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM AF: Lens Test

This Sigma offers most of the perks of a top-drawer, high-speed normal lens.
- By Julia Silber on December 16, 2008
Similar in size, features, and price (though not format) to Sigma's 30mm f/1.4 high-speed "normal" prime for DSLRs with APS-C sensors, this 50mm full-framer ($500, street) also belongs to Sigma's EX family of pro-quality glass. Unusually expensive compared with 50mm f/1.4 glass from Canon, Nikon, Pentax, and Sony (the Pentax streets for $200), the Sigma scales up to an 80mm on most DSLRs, and is available in all popular mounts except Four Thirds.
HANDS ON
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