PMA 08; Great New Lenses For SLR Cameras
Peter K. Burian, June, 2008
Considering the many D-SLRs that are introduced each year, it’s no surprise
that virtually every lens manufacturer is also expanding its line of new products.
That includes both digital-only lenses—for cameras with a typical small
sensor—and multi-platform lenses suitable for any SLR. The latter are
particularly important now because of the increasing number of D-SLRs with a
full-frame sensor, including a Sony model to be released later in 2008. On the
other hand, the smaller digital-only lenses remain popular because they’re
more portable and sometimes, less expensive. They’re really ideal for
anyone who owns a D-SLR with the APS-C size or Four Thirds sensor, by far the
most common formats.
I also noted several other interesting trends. First, there has been a growth
in the number of lenses equipped with ultrasonic focus motors and/or with Image
Stabilizers. It’s also worth noting that some of the independent-brand
Nikon mount lenses are being equipped with the focus motor that’s essential
for autofocus with the D40/D40X and D60. And as Olympus, Pentax, and Sony aggressively
develop their D-SLR lines, we’re seeing more lenses in mounts for these
brands.
Several existing lenses are now available in additional mounts, including
two of the Sigma II EX DC HSM-series models: the digital-only APO 50-150mm f/2.8
II for Pentax and Sony/Maxxum and the APO 70-200mm f/2.8 II in those mounts
and also in Four Thirds. Tamron is now making a Pentax AF mount version of its
highly-rated SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF zoom. Existing Nikon-mount
lenses that have been updated with a focus motor include Sigma’s 18-200mm
f/3.5-6.3 DC and Tamron’s AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di II, SP AF17-50mm
F/2.8 XR Di II, and AF70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2.
Lenses With Stabilizers
Although current Olympus, Pentax, and Sony D-SLRs are equipped with sensor-shift
stabilizing devices, Canon, Nikon, and Panasonic continue to rely on lens-based
Anti-Shake systems. That’s why we’re still seeing new lenses such
as Sigma’s (digital-only) 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM with the company’s latest
Optical Stabilizer (OS), said to offer a four shutter speed step advantage over
the non-stabilized model. A versatile zoom, it’s also compact (72mm filter
size) and quite affordable (under $500, estimated MSRP) considering the OS system,
Special Low Dispersion (SLD) and aspherical elements, super multilayered coating,
and ultrasonic HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) autofocus system. This lens is available
in Sigma, Canon, Nikon, Pentax, and Sony/Maxxum mounts but the OS device will
not function when it’s used on any Pentax or Sony camera with a shake
reduction system.
Note: Owners of Pentax D-SLRs should also be aware that the
K100D and the (discontinued) *ist D series of cameras cannot autofocus with
any ultrasonic AF lens of any brand. That limitation does not apply to the newer
Pentax models: the K100D Super, K10D, K20D, K200D, and future D-SLRs.
A fine alternative to an inexpensive 18-55mm kit lens, Nikon’s new (digital-only)
AF-S DX Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR zoom ($650 MSRP) offers greater versatility
and image quality; it’s also equipped with the latest Vibration Reduction
(VR) stabilizer. The new VR II system is said to provide a four shutter speed
step advantage to minimize the risk of blurring caused by camera shake. This
is a high-quality lens with (ultrasonic) Silent Wave Motor (SWM), two pieces
of Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass, three aspherical elements plus Super Integrated
Coating (SIC) to minimize flare and ghosting. The rounded seven-blade diaphragm
opening gives out-of-focus background elements a more natural appearance. This
zoom is quite compact (67mm filter size) and not very heavy (17 oz) in spite
of the VR system and rugged construction.
A multi-platform telephoto with most D-SLRs, Sigma’s heavy (67 oz) APO
150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM zoom will often be mounted on a tripod using the
included accessory. Even so, it can be used handheld so Sigma has incorporated
their Optical Stabilizer in the barrel. That device is said to provide a four
shutter speed step advantage, very useful because the maximum apertures are
quite small. This is an impressive lens ($1200 estimated MSRP) in other respects,
too, including three SLD glass elements and rear (internal) focusing to provide
optimum image quality. Super multilayered coating reduces flare and ghosting
while the ultrasonic HSM motor provides high-speed autofocus with a Canon, Nikon,
Pentax, Sony, Maxxum, or Sigma D-SLR.
The Image Stabilizer system in the current Canon pro lenses is effective when
the equipment is mounted on a tripod, making this a logical feature with the
new multi-platform EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM telephoto ($11,999 MSRP). As you might
expect, this moisture- and dust-resistant lens—with a magnesium-alloy
barrel—incorporates all the best of Canon’s latest technology, including
fluorite and UD elements for superb image quality. All of that also applies
to the similar EF 200mm f/2L IS USM telephoto ($5999 MSRP) designed for low-light
photography; other benefits include close focusing to 6.2 ft and a circular
aperture system that enhances its background blur rendition.
Wide Aperture Lenses
Although zooms with small maximum apertures are fine for most picture taking,
lenses with much wider apertures are still being developed, including some covered
in other sections of this report. Pentax recently discontinued many of its multi-platform
lenses but has replaced some with digital-only models, exclusively for D-SLRs
with the APS-C size sensor. Their “fastest” new models are the DA*
200mm f/2.8 ED [IF] SDM and the DA* 300mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM, both weatherproof
and equipped with the ultrasonic SDM (Supersonic Drive Motor) AF motor and ED
elements. As a bonus, the Pentax “Quick-shift Focus System” feature
allows for manual focus at any time while in AF mode. This internally-focusing
duo ($1099 and $1299 MSRP, respectively) also benefits from Super Spectra multilayered
coatings.
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