February 2010 news and reviews
Just posted! Our lens review featuring Nikon's re-mastered version of its professional workhorse fast telezoom, the AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm F2.8 G ED VR II. When we reviewed its predecessor a couple of years ago we were mightily impressed by its performance on DX cameras, but rather less so on the then-new FX format. On its release Nikon claimed the new version was designed to address such concerns, and give 'excellent edge to corner quality on today’s FX format cameras' - so does the lens live up to its billing?
Cosina has announced the Voigtländer-branded Apo-Lanthar 90mm F3.5 SL II close focus lens for Canon, Nikon and Pentax mounts. Maintaining the same 50cm minimum focusing distance and optical construction of the previous, SL version, the lens has been redesigned with a smaller body. Additionally, by mounting the included close up lens, its closest focusing distance can be reduced down to 32cm, giving a magnification ratio of 1:1.8. Priced at ¥58,000 (~ US $645) for the Canon EF mount and ¥55,000 (~ US $610) for the Nikon Ai-S mount and Pentax KA mount, it will be available in Japan from early March 2010.
Just posted! Our lens review of the Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM. Sigma's latest superzoom is essentially an extension of the company's older 18-200mm design, but now sports both optical image stabilization and an in-lens hypersonic autofocus motor for users of Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony DSLRs. But in this popular segment of the market it faces stiff competition, not only from the camera manufacturers' own offerings but also from Tamron's superzoom designs. So how does it measure up?
- Adobe Camera Raw/Lightroom59.9%
- Phase One Capture One Pro8.1%
- DxO OpticsPro8.0%
- SilkyPix1.8%
- Iridient Developer0.8%
- RawTherapee3.5%
- Manufacturer-specific software (Nikon Capture NX-D, Canon DPP, etc.)9.0%
- Other8.9%
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