Whether taking professional candids at events or family snapshots at parties, the winter season means an abundance of holiday festivities, and that also means more photos taken indoors. It’s important in these situations to be able to move quickly on your feet while dealing with low light and tight quarters, and a quality standard zoom that starts wide will cover many of the unique compositional needs working in environments where close-ups matter as much as being able to capture the full view of the scene.
Most standard zooms start wide in the 24mm to 28mm range, but choosing how much to spend will influence how far into the telephoto range a standard zoom will go. While a longer focal range definitely will cost more, nine times out of 10, having that extra throw will make the difference between missing a photographic opportunity and catching it. Your zoom can move much faster than your feet, after all.
Another important consideration is the aperture of the lens. Remember that large apertures will provide you with faster shutter speeds for working in dimly lit interiors, and they also will bring a nicer bokeh to images, especially with backgrounds that often include festive lights.
Canon
With a rumored replacement imminent for the popular 24-70mm ƒ/2.8L, the EF 24-105mm ƒ/4L IS USM wide-angle to portrait-length telephoto zoom from Canon might be a better choice for photographers looking to make a purchase now. The lens extends an extra 35mm over the focal range of the 24-70mm, and though you lose a stop of light from the 24-70mmƒ/2.8L, you also spend $200 less for a much longer zoom. The 24-105mm sports IS Image Stabilizer Technology for up to three stops of shake reduction. (The 24-70mm replacement is expected to offer image stabilization, as well, but the current model doesn’t have it.) Lens construction features one Super-UD glass element with three aspherical lenses for minimizing chromatic aberration and distortion throughout the zoom range. The ring-type USM (Ultrasonic Motor) provides autofocus with an exterior switch for quickly switching to manual focus. On sub-full-frame APS-C cameras, the 24-105mm translates to about a 38-170mm range. List Price: $1,249.
Nikon
The new AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm ƒ/4G ED VR standard zoom offers a fixed aperture in a big 5x zoom. Nikon’s VR II (Vibration Reduction) image stabilization helps to reduce camera shake by up to four stops, making it an ideal choice for handheld shots and quick framing. Nikon is known for excellent autofocusing capabilities in its cameras, and the Silent Wave Motor in the 24-120mm provides fast and quiet autofocus. There’s also an M/A Focus switch for disengaging autofocus to manual. The lens includes two Extra-low Dispersion ED elements and three aspherical lens elements for minimizing chromatic and other kinds of aberration, as well as a Nano Crystal Coat for reducing ghosting and interior flare and a Super Integrated Coating (SIC) for enhancing light transmission efficiency. The versatile lens provides a 35mm equivalent of 36-168mm when used with Nikon’s sub-full-frame cameras. List Price: $1,299.
Olympus (Four Thirds)
The Zuiko Digital ED 12-60mm ƒ/2.8-4.0 SWD for Four Thirds cameras is compatible with the E-mount of Olympus cameras, as well as Panasonic’s LUMIX DMC-L1, L10 and Leica’s Digilux 3. Four Thirds mounts provide a doubled focal range thanks to the size of the Four Thirds sensor, which means that the seemingly conservative 12-60mm lens is the equivalent of a healthy 24-120mm zoom. (Though the sensor size is the same and the focal range is also doubled, the Four Thirds System is not to be confused with the newer Micro Four Thirds mirrorless mount. Four Thirds lenses can be used with Micro Four Thirds bodies via an adapter, however.) Olympus’ very fast SWD Supersonic Wave Drive autofocusing system was introduced with the 12-60mm, and the lens is ideal for close-ups, too, with a minimum focusing distance of less than 10 inches. The lens works with Olympus’ In-body Image Stabilization for up to five shutter speed stops of blur compensation. List Price: $999.
Olympus (Micro Four Thirds)
Though the cameras feature a sensor the same size as the Four Thirds System, the advantage to Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras is a more compact design, which means lighter and more efficient lenses. Compatible with Micro Four Thirds System cameras like the Olympus PEN series and the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G1, GH1, GF1, G10, G2 and GH2 (as well as the upcoming Panasonic AG-AF100 video camera), the Micro Four ThirdsM.Zuiko 14-150mm ƒ/4.0-5.6 from Olympus offers a 35mm equivalence value of 28-300mm for a very long range in a single portable package. Measuring 2.5x3.27 inches and weighing only a little more than half a pound, the 14-150mm still manages to pack in 15 elements in 11 groups, including a DSA lens, Aspherical ED lens, ED lens and three HR lenses for keeping optical aberrations as minimal as possible. Just as in the Four Thirds System, Olympus chose to add In-body Image Stabilization to camera bodies rather than the lenses, resulting in cost and size savings for lenses. List Price: $599.
Pentax
The new 7.5x smc Pentax-DA 18-135mm ƒ/3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] DC WRmay sound a lot like alphabet soup, but the acronyms spell out some interesting features. The DA line of lenses is designed specifically for the characteristics of a digital sensor with a more efficient and compact build. With a 27.5-207mm 35mm-equivalence value, the 18-135mm includes a Quick Shift system for switching from auto to manual focus, and a Direct Current DC internal focus IF motor provides autofocusing with minimal noise. Construction is weather-resistant (i.e., WR), with a Pentax SP Super Protect coating for repelling dust, water and grease. An AL aspherical lens element is included internally for spherical aberration compensation. List Price: $529.
Sigma
A popular standard zoom for a variety of mounts is the 17-70mm ƒ/2.8-4 DC Macro from Sigma. Available for Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony and, of course, Sigma, the lens is designed exclusively for APS-C-sized sensors with a 35mm equivalence of approximately 27-112mm. (It’s not compatible with full-frame cameras.) OS Optical Stabilization has been added to the lens (excepting the Sigma model) for four stops of shake reduction. Depending on the mount, the minimum focusing distance is 8.7 or 7.9 inches, and maximum magnification is 1:2.7 or 1:2.3, making it a great close-up and macro lens as well. The HSM Hyper Sonic Motor (not included with the Sony version) provides quiet and fast autofocus with a manual override switch, and SLD Special Low Dispersion glass elements, aspherical elements and a super multi-coating optimize light transmission. Estimated Street Price: $449.
Sony (A-Mount)
For Sony Alpha-mount cameras (and Minolta DSLRs), the SAL-2875 28-75mm ƒ/2.8 zoom has a fast constant aperture throughout the zoom range, making it a great choice for shooting indoors when you prefer to use as little flash as possible. The lens is lightweight at only 20 ounces, and the minimum aperture of ƒ/32 offers larger depth of field than most other zooms in this class. The SAM Smooth AF Motor works quickly and quietly and, conveniently, the SAL-2875 has a built-in lens hood rather than one that need to be affixed to the front of the lens, saving you time during lens changes and making it a little easier to move around. Keep in mind, unless you’re using the full-frame A850 or A900, the 28-75mm lens is the approximate 35mm equivalent of a 45-120mm lens on Sony’s sub-full-frame APS-C cameras. List Price: $799.
For Sony Alpha-mount cameras (and Minolta DSLRs), the SAL-2875 28-75mm ƒ/2.8 zoom has a fast constant aperture throughout the zoom range, making it a great choice for shooting indoors when you prefer to use as little flash as possible. The lens is lightweight at only 20 ounces, and the minimum aperture of ƒ/32 offers larger depth of field than most other zooms in this class. The SAM Smooth AF Motor works quickly and quietly and, conveniently, the SAL-2875 has a built-in lens hood rather than one that need to be affixed to the front of the lens, saving you time during lens changes and making it a little easier to move around. Keep in mind, unless you’re using the full-frame A850 or A900, the 28-75mm lens is the approximate 35mm equivalent of a 45-120mm lens on Sony’s sub-full-frame APS-C cameras. List Price: $799.
Sony (E-Mount)
This last year has been particularly exciting for photographers with the introduction of mirrorless, interchangeable-lens camera systems. Pioneered by Olympus with its PEN series, Sony has also entered the arena with the popular NEX-3 and NEX-5 digital cameras. (Sony’s NEX-VG10 interchangeable-lens camcorder uses the same E-mount series of lenses, as well.) The line is fairly new, so as of this article there are only two available zoom lenses, the 18-55mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 (27-82.5mm in 35mm equivalence) and the much more versatile18-200mm ƒ/3.5-6.3 (27-300mm in 35mm equivalence). The NEX line is compatible with Sony’s Alpha-mount lenses, as well, via the optional LA-EA1 adapter. List Price: $299 (18-55mm); $799 (18-200mm).
This last year has been particularly exciting for photographers with the introduction of mirrorless, interchangeable-lens camera systems. Pioneered by Olympus with its PEN series, Sony has also entered the arena with the popular NEX-3 and NEX-5 digital cameras. (Sony’s NEX-VG10 interchangeable-lens camcorder uses the same E-mount series of lenses, as well.) The line is fairly new, so as of this article there are only two available zoom lenses, the 18-55mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 (27-82.5mm in 35mm equivalence) and the much more versatile18-200mm ƒ/3.5-6.3 (27-300mm in 35mm equivalence). The NEX line is compatible with Sony’s Alpha-mount lenses, as well, via the optional LA-EA1 adapter. List Price: $299 (18-55mm); $799 (18-200mm).
Tamron offers two all-in-one zooms, the AF18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC for Canon and Nikon DSLRs, and the AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 for Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony cameras. The Di II lens is compatible with sub-full-frame cameras only, and the 18-270mm range offers an incredible 15x zoom that covers a 35mm equivalent of 28-419mm. Tamron’s Vibration Compensation VC system is included for reducing camera blur, and the lens also offers macro capability with a 1:3.5 magnification and a minimum focus distance of 19.3 inches. The 18-200mm is available for more systems than the 18-270mm, and it includes Di sub-full-frame, APS-C compatibility in an efficient package of only 14.3 ounces and a length of only 3.3 inches. Estimated Street Price: $629 (AF18-270mm); $289 (AF18-200mm).
Tokina
Designed for Canon EOS APS-C and Nikon DX sub-full-frame camera mounts, theAT-X 16.5-135mm DX starts at a wider angle than most standard zoom lenses, making it an ideal choice for working in narrow shooting conditions. The lens is comprised of 15 elements in nine groups, with three aspherical elements, two compound elements, a multi-layer coating and one all-glass element for precise optical reproduction of the image. The 16.5-135mm DX features a mechanical zoom system that minimizes play and reduces zoom creep. Weighing just a little more than 20 ounces, the lens is just shy of three and a half inches. Estimated
Information From : http://www.dpmag.com/gear/lenses/toolbox-wide-angle-zooms.html
Related Search
Malaysia Camera Online Store
Canon Camera Malaysia Online Store
Nikon camera Malaysia Online Store
Tokina Camera Online Store
Sigma Camera Online Store
Sony Camera Online Store
Tamron Camera Online Store
.jpeg)
0 comments:
Post a Comment