Tamron SP AF 11-18mm F/4.5-5.6 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Lens

Tamron’s new SP AF11-18mm F/4.5-5.6 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) lens is the company’s first ultra-wide zoom lens designed exclusively for DSLR cameras with ‘APS-C size’ sensors. Available with Canon, Konica Minolta and Nikon mounts, it is surprisingly compact. This is largely due to a new design that uses a large-aperture glass-moulded aspherical element, hybrid aspherical elements and elements made from high index/high dispersion glass and low dispersion optical glass. You pay a premium for these high-tech materials but the overall performance of this lens fully justifies its price and it remains more affordable than similar lenses from the camera manufacturers.

Tamron AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Lens

9 Rating

A stabilised zoom lens with an extended focal length range that will suit many photographers who want just one lens for their DSLR.Usable with both DSLR cameras and 35mm AF-SLR film cameras, Tamron’s new AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di lens is designed for use with DSLR cameras that lack sensor-shift image stabilisation (Canon and Nikon). It provides an angle of view equivalent to approximately 43-465mm on cameras with ‘APS-C’ sized imagers. Relatively compact and lightweight for its class, it will attract travellers and photographers who want a single, extended-range lens with a wide coverage.

Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Lens

9 Rating

A ‘premium-class’ update to Tamron’s budget-priced 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di lens.Tamron’s SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD lens was released in time for the company’s 60th anniversary. The ‘SP’ label denotes ‘professional’ build quality, while other welcome additions include an Ultrasonic Silent Drive (USD) AF drive motor and Vibration Compensation (VC) stabilisation plus Full Time Manual focusing when the lens is in AF mode.

Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Lens

9 Rating

A competitively-priced, general-purpose lens with the longest current zoom range and effective image stabilisation.Designed specifically for DSLR cameras with ‘APS-C sized’ imagers, Tamron’s latest ultra-zoom lens, the AF18-270mm Di-II claims to offer the world’s largest zoom ratio of any current lens. The 15x zoom covers angles of view that range from the equivalent to a 28mm wide angle to a 419mm ultra telephoto in 35mm format. As such, it represents a genuine ‘all-purpose’ lens for DSLR users who wish to cover as wide a variety of subjects as possible without having to change lenses.

Tamron AF 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II Lens

9 Rating

A compact and affordable extended-range zoom lens that will suit travelling photographers.In its new AF18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Macro lens, Tamron has provided an impressive 13.9x zoom magnification yet only added 0.2 mm in diameter and 0.6 mm in overall length to the dimensions of the AF18-200mm Di-II lens. Designed specifically for DSLR cameras with ‘APS-C’ sized image sensors, this lens covers the equivalent of 27-375mm on Nikon, Pentax and Sony camera bodies and 28.8-400mm on a Canon DSLR. We tested the lens on the new Nikon D60, which lacks a built-in focus drive motor and, therefore, relies on the AF motor in the lens for all autofocusing.

Tamron AF 18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Lens

9 Rating

An affordable lens with good performance for photographers seeking a one-lens-for-all-purposes solution.With a zoom ratio of 13.9x, Tamron’s new AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro lens provides a good single-lens option for DSLR photographers whose cameras have APS-C sized imagers. Weighing less than half a kilogram with the supplied lens hood attached it covers focal lengths equivalent to 27-375mm when fitted on a Nikon, Pentax or Sony DSLR camera or 28.8-400mm on a Canon DSLR.

Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Lens

8.8 Rating

A compact, lightweight all-in-one 15x zoom lens for cameras with APS-C sized sensors.Announced early in December 2010, Tamron’s 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD lens introduces a new PZD (Piezo Drive) ultrasonic motor that delivers faster and quieter autofocusing. Claimed as the world’s most compact, lightweight lens with a 15x zoom ratio it is designed for DSLR cameras with APS-C sized sensors and is initially available in Canon and Nikon mounts, with a Sony mount without VC stabilisation to follow in May.

Sony SAL85F14Z Planar T* 85mm F1.4 ZA Lens

9 Rating

A fast, high-performance prime lens that is ideal for portraits and candid photography.The name alone should be an assurance to knowledgeable photographers that the Sony CZ Planar T* 85mm F1.4 ZA is no ordinary lens and the ‘Planar’ tag reflects its noble ancestry. The original Planar was a six-element symmetrical lens designed by physicist, Paul Rudolph, at Carl Zeiss in 1896. It was very popular with serious photographers for its speed and pictorial qualities and offered consistent performance over a wide range of imaging ratios.

Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM Lens

8.5 Rating

A very fast prime lens that covers a ‘normal’ angle of view and is designed for ‘APS-C’ format DSLR cameras.Designed exclusively for DSLR cameras with ‘APS-C’ sized image sensors, Sigma’s 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM lens is solidly constructed and available in mounts to suit all popular brands – including Olympus and Panasonic. On the Canon EOS 40D and 400D cameras we tested it on, this lens equates to a 48mm lens on a 35mm camera – which is close to a ‘standard’ viewing angle. It cannot be used on DSLRS with ‘full frame’ sensors because it vignettes at the corners of the frame.