The launch of the new Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S II made me think. At $3,197/£2,999 at the time of launch, this is a seriously expensive lens that is surely out of reach for anyone other than a full-time pro who can treat this lens as a logical business decision.
Tamron 35-100mm f2.8 Di III VXD is launched with a very interesting focal range
The new Tamron 35-100mm f2.8 Di III VXD does not cover one of the classic focal ranges, and this makes it all the more interesting. It’s not the first time Tamron has bucked the trend, and this new lens offers a fascinating alternative to 24-70mm standard zooms, 24-105mm zooms and even 70-200mm portrait/event lenses, with a constant f/2.8 aperture, modest cost and relatively light weight.
Best Canon RF lenses on a budget: these are the ones I bought with my own money – and why
Here are the Canon RF lenses I have bought with my own money, for my own work as a travel photographer, photography writer and camera and lens tester. Canon’s exotic L-series lenses might be the stuff of dreams, but when it comes to parting with my own cash, I find common sense starts to take over.
The new Canon RF 14mm f/1.4 L VCM fills a gap that maybe shouldn’t even have been there
Canon has done a good job in filling out its RF lens range since the introduction of its new mirrorless lens mount. That’s probably just as well, given its stranglehold on third-party licensing. The new RF 14mm f/1.4 L VCM is certainly a great addition, especially for astrophotography, landscapes, architecture and interiors – but why has it taken Canon so long to produce an ultra-wide prime lens of a type you would take for granted in other systems?
The new Canon RF 7-14mm f/2.8-3.5 L Fisheye STM has a 190-degree angle of view!
Canon has at last added a fisheye lens to its RF mount line-up, and it’s a zoom lens not a prime. The RF 7-14mm f/2.8-3.5 L Fisheye STM offers both a fully circular fisheye image that fits entirely within the sensor area and a full width diagonal fisheye effect that fills the frame. It’s kind of like getting two fisheye effects in one, depending on the focal length you use.
Which are the best cameras for manual exposure?
While all mirrorless cameras and DSLRs offer manual exposure controls, and some higher-end compact cameras too, they don’t all make it easy. So this guide is designed to highlight some of the camera features and designs you should look for if you want to reconnect with manual exposure techniques.
Nikon launches the Nikkor Z 24-105mm f/4-7.1, a neat new low-cost standard zoom
It’s an interesting move from Nikon which has previously concentrated more on high-end lenses. It’s going to extend the appeal of the Nikon Z system to beginners and first-time Nikon users. It’s currently being sold on its own, but we can expect to see it turning up in camera/lens bundles soon, specifically the Nikon Z5 II, where it’s likely to be better value for money.
Don’t buy the camera you think you might need tomorrow, get the camera you need today
You can’t future-proof your camera purchases, and if you try to anticipate what you might need in the future, you risk guessing wrong and spending money on things you don’t need.
JJC FDA LED-1 Negative Copying Kit review: excellent results, low, low price
Verdict: 4.5 stars This JJC kit solves a problem for analog shooters trying to get their 35mm negatives and transparencies into their digital workflow. It comes with everthing you need, including a USB-powered light panel, a 6-frame negative strip holder and a dual mounted transparency holder. It’s cheap and it works brilliantly. There are a couple of tiny niggles but honestly, at this price, it’s just brilliant.
Laowa 35mm f/2.8 Zero-D Tilt Shift 0.5x Macro review
Verdict: 4.3 stars I’ve used tilt/shift lenses before so I know how they work, but I did find the Laowa 35mm f/2.8 Zero-D Tilt Shift 0.5x Macro unexpectedly heavy and somewhat awkward to use. There wasn’t much space around the lens on my Sony A7 III to easily operate its knobs and adjusters. I’m also not sold on the 35mm focal length for this type of work. But the quality of construction, and the results and control this lens offers, are pretty exceptional.