Canon’s first 24-70mm zoom with a large maximum aperture.
Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro Lens
An update that adds image stabilisation to a popular macro lens.
Tokina AT-X 16-28mm f/2.8 PRO FX Lens
A fast, high-performance ultra-wide angle lens for Canon and Nikon DSLRs with 36 x 24 mm sensors.
Tokina AT-X 17-35mm f/4 FX Lens
A relatively distortion-free, wide-angle 2x zoom lens for Nikon and Canon cameras with 36 x 24 mm sensors.
Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 II DG HSM Lens
An ultra-wide zoom lens for digital SLR cameras with both ‘full frame’ and APS-C sized sensors.As is apparent by its name, Sigma’s 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 II DG HSM is a second-generation product that updates the popular 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG ASP HSM that was introduced in 2002. Interestingly, its RRP in Australia is just over $250 lower than the MSRP posted on Sigma Corporation’s US website, which makes this lens excellent value for money for Australians.
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Lens
A well built standard zoom lens for DSLR cameras with ‘APS-C sized’ sensors.Tamron has tagged its new 17-50mm F/2.8 lens with the ‘SP’ label, indicating Super Performance, which puts it into the professional product category. It also bears the Di II, indicating a second-generation, digitally integrated lens that is designed for use with ‘APS-C sized’ sensors and mounts are available for Canon, Nikon and Sony DSLRs. As tested on a Canon EOS 300D, it covers a field of view equivalent to approximately 27-80mm.
Sigma DC 18-200mm 1:3.5-6.3 Lens
Sigma’s new 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC zoom lens is marginally heavier than the similarly-featured Tamron lens we reviewed in issue 25 but also somewhat smaller in size and considerably cheaper. Designed specifically for current DSLR cameras with ‘APS-C’ sized sensors (1.5-2.0 field of view crop), this lens has internal focusing, which prevents the front from rotating, making it ideal for use with angle-sensitive accessories like polarisers and graduated filters.
Tamron AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Lens
Digital integration is now available for a popular long-range zoom lens.
Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens
This professional quality, mid-range zoom lens has been designed specifically for the ‘APS-C’ sized sensors used in all of Nikon’s DSLR cameras and is quite a different beast from the 18-55mm lens supplied with the D50 camera reviewed in this issue. Covering a picture angle equivalent to 25.5~82.5mm on a 35mm camera, it maintains its fast f2.8 maximum aperture throughout its zoom range, giving it a big advantage over the cheaper optic for photographers who shoot in dim lighting and those who require a high level of depth-of-field control with differential focusing.
Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED Lens
Purchasers of Nikon DSLR cameras that come with 18-55mm or 18-70mm lenses will probably want a long zoom to extend their shooting capabilities. The recently-released AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED has been designed specifically to meet this need. Available in black or silver (to match the D50), it can be used for subjects as diverse as candid portraits, sports, nature and wildlife photography.