Lenses

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’s latest long-range zoom lens, the AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro, extends the range of the zoom at the wide-angle end of the spectrum and covers a popular range of focal lengths for amateur photographers. Like the 28-300mm Di lens we reviewed in Issue 21 (February/March 2005), it’s surprisingly compact and light in weight for its range.

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.

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.

An affordably-priced long-zoom lens that will suit photographers who want a single ‘go-anywhere’ lens for their DSLR cameras.Sigma’s versatile 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 DC OS lens has been designed as an all-purpose lens for digital SLR cameras with ‘APS-C size’ image sensors. Offering an 11x zoom ratio and a minimum focusing distance of 45cm at all focal lengths, this lens will appeal to photographers who want a single, long-range zoom lens to fit on their camera body. A built-in Hyper-Sonic Motor (HSM) uses ultrasonic waves to drive the autofocusing controls, providing fast and quiet AF.