Lens News

There are plenty of rules about which focal length lens works best for different types of photography. For example, many of us were taught to reach for a 50mm or 85mm lens for portraiture and a 24mm ultra-wide for interiors, architecture and landscape shots.

Cleanliness is next to sharpliness, at least where camera lenses are concerned. A few specks of dust can be overlooked, but when the front element has been tagged with a thumbprint it’s time for cleaning. 

If you’re shopping for a portrait lens, or just trying to figure out which lens you own is best for people pictures, we encourage you to watch this video from AdoramaTV before making a decision. Phoenix-based pro Mark Wallace offers an interesting perspective that may challenge some of your preconceptions.

Outdoor and travel photographers take note. The compact and rugged Pentax KP DSLR is a lot of camera in a tough, portable package, making it an ideal traveling companion. The 24-megapixel KP features a dustproof and weatherproof camera body with 67 points of sealing yet it weighs only 1.4 pounds and is small enough to fit into a laptop bag. This APS-C-sensor-based DSLR also features five-axis in-camera shake reduction, a top sensitivity of ISO 819,200, and high-speed continuous shooting at up to 7 frames per second. Best of all, if you like shooting outdoors even when the weather outside is less than optimal, the Pentax KP is designed to shoot in temperatures as low as 14 degrees F. You may freeze but your camera won’t.

Nikon announced three new wide-angle Nikkor lenses this morning: the AF-P DX Nikkor 10-20MM F/4.5-5.6G VR, which is a compact, ultra-wide-angle perspective DX-format zoom lens; the AF-S Fisheye Nikkor 8-15MM F/3.5-4.5E ED, which is a circular fisheye zoom lens; and the AF-S Nikkor 28MM F/1.4E ED: a wide-angle, prime lens.

A small earthquake didn’t stop Sony from unveiling two new wide-angle zooms in their ever-expanding line of full-frame E-mount lenses at a press event today in beautiful Santa Barbara, California. Shutterbug was on hand to test out the new Sony glass, which includes a fast FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM wide-angle zoom and an FE 12-24mm f/4 G ultra-wide zoom.

When Sigma introduced their new super-wide zoom in late 2016 I was eager to give it a try. Among their Art lens offerings, the Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM lens ($1,599, MSRP) serves as an upgrade to their 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 (still available at an MSRP of $949) with a constant f/4 aperture; a nine-bladed diaphragm; FLD glass elements; an updated HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) that uses 1.3x the torque for fast and smooth autofocus operation; 16 elements in 11 groups construction; and what Sigma claims is “the largest aspherical element in the industry” to minimize distortion, ghosting, and flare. The angle of view ranges from 84 to 122 degrees, with mount compatibility for Canon, Nikon, and Sigma DSLRs.