dSLR Dad

Popular Photography Magazine as published their review of the Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 Image Stabilized (IS) Zoom Lens:

In the past two years, the 11X IS superzoom has become the ideal general-purpose lens — certainly for shooters whose cameras don’t have on-board shake reduction. This Canon fits the mold. Very light and compact, it’s a gracious and adaptable traveling companion. Impressively sharp, it’s also an obvious choice for handheld low-light pictures, including event and theater work. Its real fortes, however, are close-up macro subjects, distant wildlife, and almost everything in between. Sports? Go for it!

You can read the entire review at PopPhoto.com.  You can also find more reviews at the dSLR Dad Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens Resource Page.  Of particular note, for those of you who may be interested in this lens, there is a $50 instant rebate on this lens through January 17, 2009.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Well, I guess you could say better late than never.  Canon has finally filled one of the largest holes in their consumer lens lineup.  The Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 Image Stabilized (IS) Zoom Lens offers dSLR Dads an option for an everyday, ‘walk-around’ vacation lens.  What is somewhat perplexing, is that this is built upon Canon’s entry-level EF-S lens platform.  This means that Canon will be speaking highly of ‘value’ when it describing the features of this lens.  Value, in this case, both for the consumer and Canon’s business case.  The highlights of this lens include: (more…)

Popularity: 7% [?]

Nikon has unveiled a few new lenses for PMA 2008. Their final introduction is the new PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED, PC (Perspective Control) lens.This lens employs a tilt/shift mechanism that allows you to manipulate image perspective,distortion, and focus in camera. This lens is perfect for the Landscape and Architecture dSLR Dad.

PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED Major Features

• Wide shifting and tilting range (shift: ±11.5 mm; tilt: ±8.5°)
• ±90° lens revolving capability for versatile tilt/shift effects
• Maximum reproduction ratio of 1/2.7 (at 0.21 m/0.7 ft.)
• Three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements for superior sharpness and color correction by effectively minimizing chromatic aberration
• Three aspherical lens elements minimize various types of lens aberration
• Nano Crystal Coat virtually eliminates internal lens element reflections, effectively reducing ghosting and flare
• High-performance Nikon Super Integrated Coating delivers superior color reproduction while substantially reducing ghosting and flare
• Rounded 9-blade diaphragm for more natural appearance of out-of-focus image elements
• Lens aperture can be preset by using aperture ring and aperture stop-down button
• With the Nikon D3 and D300, auto aperture control with electromagnetic diaphragm is possible

(more…)

Popularity: 19% [?]

Nikon has unveiled a few new lenses for PMA 2008. The second is their new AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens. This is a great focal length for any dSLR Dad. Of particular note is the 16mm wide angle, which makes for a very nice 24mm full frame equivalent. The inclusion of Vibration Reduction II image stabilization claims a 4 stop benefit in slower shutter speeds. The rounded 7-blade aperture should also help to blur out-of-focus background elements. All-in-all, this looks like a very solid offering from Nikon.

AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Major Features (more…)

Popularity: 17% [?]

Nikon has unveiled a few new lenses for PMA 2008. The first is their new 60mm AF-S Micro(Macro or close-up for all of you non-Nikon dSLR Dads) lens. This is an interesting market reponse to Canon’s excellent EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM dSLR-only Lens, since it can be used on both full frame and APS-C sized dSLR cameras.

The following is an unedited press release: (more…)

Popularity: 17% [?]

This is for all of you wide angle dSLR Dads. Photozone has just reviewed Nikon’s brand new full frame, 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lens (available at Amazon, and B&H Photo). And it seems like Photozone (which is a great site by the way) liked it:

The Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED N is a phenomenal lens. It is the sharpest ultra-wide angle lens tested to date. The resolution figures are simply stunning and unprecedented (more…)

Popularity: 29% [?]

Tags: 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S, AF-S lens, full frame, lens test, nikkor, Nikkor lens, nikon, Nikon lens, review, SLR lens, super wide angle, wide angle

Big Lenses for those with Big Wallets

Canon actually exhibited prototypes of these lenses at PhotoPlus Expo in October 2007. Today they have announced that the production versions will ship this spring. The following is an unedited Press Release:

CANON U.S.A. INTRODUCES TWO HIGHLY ANTICIPATED TELEPHOTO LENSES AT PMA 2008

EF200mm f/2L IS USM and EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM Lenses Add New Levels of Super Telephoto Performance to Canon’s Market-Leading EOS System (more…)

Popularity: 16% [?]