Click Here to Vote for your dSLR Dad Camera of 2008!

Posts Tagged “Sony lens”

Sony_Lens_SAL-100M28 100mm f2.8 Macro

Photozone has released another in-depth lens test. This time, they are focusing closely on Sony’s Macro Alpha Lens, the 100mm f/2.8 Macro (available now at Amazon and B&H Photo).

The Sony 100mm f/2.8 macro is able to produce very sharp results combined with a negligible amount of distortions, vignetting and lateral CAs. However, longitudinal (axial) chromatic aberrations can be quite a problem in out-focus areas (f/2.8-f/5.6) resulting in a magenta to greenish tint in some situations - this is not unusual but unfortunate nonetheless. The build quality of the lens is fine although it doesn’t win any crown when looking towards the competition a la Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR or the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro. Same goes for the AF speed which does still rely on the slotted drive screw rather than Sony’s faster SSM (ultrasonic AF drive). The biggest problem of the Sony 100mm f/2.8 macro is probably its price tag - at around 600US$ it is substantially more expensive than the third-party alternatives without offering much if anything on top.

Regarding the third party alternatives referenced above. For around $200 less, a Sony dSLR Dad looking for value should check out the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens. You can read the entire review over at Photozone here.

Popularity: 13% [?]

Tags: , , , , ,

Comments No Comments »

Sigma Lens_50mm F1-4 EX DG HSMI’ve begrudgingly kept my Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens, mainly because the actual lens assembly pops-out of the housing from time-to-time so I can’t sell it. At $80 it is a great value, but it’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer (until f/2.8). I was looking at the Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens (available at Amazon and B&H Photo), but it seems somewhat soft at the corners, even on a digital body. It also doesn’t have the same high quality feel as Canon’s excellent EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Lens (which I loved, available at Amazon and B&H Photo).

Well, leave it to Sigma to announce a quality, large aperture alternative, the new 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM standard lens. It will be offered in Sigma, Canon, Nikon, Pentax*, Sony* lens mounts. The * means if your Pentax or Sony camera body does not support HSM, auto focus will not be available. With any luck, this 50mm f/1.4 will be match the quality of their fantastic Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens. Hopefully, Sigma will release this at a street price under $300.

Excerpts from the Sigma Press Release (2008-3-18):

  • Standard lens with large maximum aperture of F1.4.
  • It creates sharp images with high contrast and ensures superior peripheral brightness.
  • Incorporates molded glass aspherical lens, perfectly correcting coma aberration and creating superior image quality.
  • Super multi-layer lens coating reduces flare and ghosting.
  • Hyper Sonic Motor HSM ensuring silent, high-speed AF. (more…)

    Popularity: 19% [?]

    Tags: , , , , , ,

Comments 1 Comment »

Sony_Lens_SAL2470Z_Vario Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/2.8 ZASony_Lens_SAL70300G_70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 GSony has announced two full frame lenses at PMA2008 this year. The headliner is the SAL2470Z Vario Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA, co-developed with Carl Zeiss. This gives a fast, high quality zoom lens to Sony Alpha and Minolta dSLR Dads. It should to be fantastic optically. It has to be, because when the Full-Frame Alpha 24-Megapixel Flagship comes out this year, it will turn small optical flaws into gross inadequacies.

The SAL70300G 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G was also announced. Both models feature Sony’s Super Sonic wave Motor (SSM) technology. (more…)

Popularity: 21% [?]

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Comments No Comments »

Google

All Content Copyright 2007-2008 SAKE Productions LLC. All Rights Reserved.