Lenses

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SLR: World-Class Glass

The joys of shooting both wide and close, or from a distance, with Pentax's unique fisheye zoom lenses.
- By Herbert Keppler on December 16, 2008
We've produced every possible useful interchangeable lens," the head of a major camera and lens maker told me. "Name one we haven't." I immediately countered, "A fisheye zoom."
He laughed and was joined by a number of the other top executives of the company. Who would want such a lens?
But one executive seemed more thoughtful. "Not a bad idea," he whispered.
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Lens Test: Nikon 105mm f/2.8G VR AF-S

Stop the shake with this rock-solid player.
- By Julia Silber on December 16, 2008
One of the most useful and praised lenses in Nikon history, the 105mm f/2.8 manual focus Micro-Nikkor of 1984 sired a line of high-speed close-up/portrait lenses, each growing in capability, size, and weight-up to this new 105mm f/2.8 ($830, street). But it goes its predecessors one better with the addition of Vibration Reduction (VR).
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Lens Test: Canon 60mm f/2.8 Macro EF-S USM AF

This 60mm macro is supremely suited to nature or product close-ups, as well as portraiture and low-light work.
- By Julia Silber on December 16, 2008
Canon's first true macro EF-S (digital-only) lens, the new 60mm f/2.8 ($385, street) gives EOS Digital Rebel, 20D, and 30D owners the same magnifying power (1:1) and about the same field of view (96mm equivalent) as its 100mm f/2.8 EF macro gives full-frame shooters. But it's more than a half-pound lighter and $85 less expensive.
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Lens Test: Sony 75300mm f/4.55.6 Zoom

Encouraging test results and attractive new packaging.
- By Peter Kolonia on December 16, 2008
Undoubtedly a cosmetically updated version of the Konica Minolta 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 tested by POP PHOTO in October of 1995, this is the first tele zoom available for Sony's new 10-megapixel DSLR, the Alpha A100. A 112.5mm-450mm equivalent ($230), the lens is full-frame and, thanks to its Konica Minolta lensmount, can mounted and used on KM Maxxum 35mm SLR bodies.
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Lens Test: Sony 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6

Sony chose wisely for its first DSLR wide-angle kit zoom.
- By Julia Silber on December 16, 2008
Almost certainly a cosmetic update of the Konica Minolta 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 released shortly before KM ceded its camera business, this 27-105mm equivalent, produced for the new Sony Alpha 100, turns in some impressive performance numbers, but hides its light under a plastic barrel-and lensmount.
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Lens Test: Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 18-180mm f/3.5-6.3 AF

Head of the glass.
- By Julia Silber on December 16, 2008
Download Full Test Results
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Lens Test: Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX APO zoom

Sigma's new high-performance full-frame tele zoom.
- By Peter Kolonia on December 16, 2008
An updating of its pro-quality 70-200mm f/2.8 EX APO zoom of the mid 1990's, Sigma's new 70-200mm f/2.8 EX macro zoom offers improved lens coatings for suppressing internal flare and ghosting, dramatically improved close-focusing capability, and higher-quality glass for controlling chromatic aberration.
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Optic Nerves? Afraid to buy the wrong lens?

Our Answers to ten common questions will ease your mind.
- By Peter Kolonia on December 16, 2008
Question:
Lensmakers almost always quote the number of elements and groups of elements in their lenses, often with diagrams showing the relative position of the groups. Why? What can I learn from them?
Answer:
Very little, in fact. Those diagrams are largely a matter of curiosity, unless, as one lens- maker spokesperson said, "they're pulled out as justification for higher pricing." (Translation: The more elements, the bigger the bill.)
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Lens Test: Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM AF

Canon's multi-purpose lens.
- By Julia Silber on December 16, 2008
Pro shooters have been asking Canon for an image-stabilized, wide-angle, general-purpose zoom with a constant aperture, weather resistance, and full-frame coverage. (Amateurs have a comparable one in Canon's $420 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens.)
This $1,250 (street) lens, a study in contrasts, is the response. Optically challenged but highly functional, heavy but not fast, a "macro" lens but with average magnifying power, and popular but expensive-it's like the bumble bee, which aeronautically shouldn't fly, yet does.
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Editor's Choice 2006: Camera Lenses

American Photo's editors choose the top ten camera lenses from 2006.
- By American Photo Staff on December 16, 2008
This year our favorite new lenses are evenly split-between those designed for full-frame 35mm coverage and optics specifically made for the smaller-than-35mm chips found in all but a couple of digital SLRs. Does this mean that 35mm film photography is alive and well? Or that lens makers are expecting us to clamor for full-frame digital SLRs?
Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR II
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