2009 | Photocrati

Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Review Round-Up

sigma-120-400mm-f45-56-dg-os-hsm-apo

If you own or have used this lens, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below.

Get information and user reviews for this lens from Amazon: Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AF APO DG OS HSM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

SLR Gear

Sigma has produced a nice telephoto zoom here, and the inclusion of optical image stabilization will be a welcome upgrade from its previous offerings in the similar range. This stabilization is necessary, as good image sharpness in the telephoto range is only obtained when stopped down to Æ’/8 or Æ’/11. Using a smaller aperture in this range usually demands a slower shutter speed, which is usually a recipe for blurry images when using long-zoom lenses. With image stabilization, you get a steadier platform. In the final analysis, it becomes fairly obvious whether this lens is for you; Pentax and Sony users really don’t have any comparable options in this range, and while the Nikon and Canon offerings are slightly better choices optically, they’re more expensive. If absolute image quality at full telephoto is your objective, you may have to invest slightly more money into a telephoto prime, but shooting stopped down to Æ’/8 or Æ’/11, you can get fairly good images out of this lens, and with image stabilization, you don’t even need a sunny day or a tripod anymore. READ FULL REVIEW

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Nikon D200 Review Round-Up

nikon-d200 If you own or have used this camera, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below. Get information and user reviews for this camera from Amazon: Nikon D200 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-135mm AF-S DX f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF Nikkor Zoom Lens

Imaging Resource

The D200 really goes far beyond what would normally be considered as a prosumer model. In virtually every detail, the Nikon D200 creates a new category, that of a compact professional SLR. The Nikon D200 consistently impressed us with its ruggedness (including full environmental seals, a first on a camera selling for less than $4,000), excellent user interface, exceptional feature set, and sure-footed performance. One of the D200’s weak points is clearly that it uses so much antialiasing and so little in-camera sharpening. …Another weak point is high-ISO image noise. … Its few shortcomings aside, the Nikon D200 truly does establish a new level of performance, functionality, and ruggedness at a competitive price point. … Bottom line… highly recommended. READ FULL REVIEW

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Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G Review Round-Up

nikon-70-300mm-f-4-56g If you own or have used this lens, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below.

Ken Rockwell

If you are looking for a cheap, lightweight zoom for film or FX this is excellent for the price. I can’t see any reason to buy the so-called ED version over this except for the metal mount and compatibility with my manual focus cameras. On my D70 I can hand-hold it fine down to about 1/125 at 300 mm, at which point only about 50% of my shots are clear. Light weight works against you here, since a heavier lens would do a better job of stabilizing the setup. If you stop it down a little or don’t zoom beyond 200 mm its images look the same as the $1,000 lenses. Just don’t expect it to last in heavy, daily professional abuse. “¦ READ FULL REVIEW

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Nikon D40 Review Round-UP

nikon-d40 If you own or have used this camera, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below.

Get information and user reviews for this camera from Amazon:

Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Imaging Resource

While geared for the entry-level market the D40 packs enough features into its diminutive frame to keep serious enthusiasts interested as well. It’s also the smallest and lightest Nikon DSLR to date, so the point & shoot photographer looking to move up to a real SLR, can do so without having to put up with the heft and bulk that the genre usually dictates. I can tell you that the Nikon D40 is one of the finest family cameras on the market. I’ve really enjoyed shooting with it, and would seriously consider it as a second camera to something like a D80, D200, or 30D. If you’re just getting started in SLR photography and want a light, sweet, competent, and simultaneously friendly digital SLR, the Nikon D40 is a superb choice. READ FULL REVIEW

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Sigma 55-200mm f/4-5.6 DC AF Review Round-Up

sigma-af-55-200mm-f-4-56-dc

If you own or have used this lens, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below.

Photo Zone

The Sigma AF 55-200mm f/4-5.6 DC is a budget lens and it shows in some aspects such as small max. aperture combined with a limited zoom range and some mechanical shortcomings (rotating front element and coupled focus ring). Nonetheless the lens is also capable to deliver quite impressive resolution results. So if you can live with its shortcomings and you just can’t spend more for a faster or longer tele zoom the Sigma is a viable option. READ FULL REVIEW

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Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX Nikkor Review Round-Up

If you own or have used this lens, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below. Get information and user reviews for this lens at Amazon:Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor Lens

Photo Zone

The Nikkor AF-S 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED DX delivered a more convincing performance compared to its kit companion (18-55mm DX). The resolution is very high throughout the zoom range (best at 55mm) and there’s only a slight decrease in contrast at large aperture settings (200mm). Vignetting at large aperture is quite pronounced though and there’re very pronounced distortions towards the long end of the zoom range. CAs are very low. Corresponding to its price tag the build quality is quite a bit less impressive due to the extensive usage of rather cheap plastics and accurate manual focusing is next to impossible. All-in-all it is a good choice for casual users but the rather small max. aperture is a limiting factor for creative tele photography. READ FULL REVIEW

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Lowepro Slingshot 100 AW Review Round-Up

The Lowepro Slingshot 100 AW is currently the smallest of the Slingshot models. Characteristic of a sling type of case is the single padded and liberally adjustable shoulder strap that goes over the head and hangs on a shoulder. The Slingshots are designed to hang from the right shoulder. An additional strap and clip under the right arm optionally secure the case while it is in the on-the-back position. A handle is provided for carrying the Slingshot off-the-shoulder. The AW portion of the product name refers to the “All Weather” protection provided by a just-the-right-size rain jacket stored under the padded section of the back of the case and held in place by hook-and-loop fastener. Pull it out when needed. The rain jacket is of course for the case – not you. ? ?The Lowepro Slingshot 100 AW pads and the case itself are very protective – very typical for Lowepro gear. Quality construction is also typical Lowepro. The external material is a strong, durable Nylon. The case itself is very light. ? ?The Lowepro Slingshot 100 AW is comfortable to carry even when fully loaded (the small size does not allow a too-burdensome load to be created). Your back is treated to a thick pad that very adequately insulates your body from the camera body. The small case size makes it easy to navigate forests and crowds of people while wearing the pack. Accessing the camera is fast and easy – the case works as designed. There is not much room for fingers to hook onto the grip of the 30D body with the lid only partially opened (as is typical for quick access in the field). I didn’t find this to be a big problem, but a little more room would be welcomed and would make access easier for a 20D/30D/40D class DSLR. READ FULL REVIEW AT DIGITAL PICTURE

If you own or have used this bag, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below.

Get information and user reviews for this bag at Amazon: Lowepro SlingShot 100 All-Weather Digital Camera Backpack (Black)

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Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED AF VR Nikkor Review Round-Up

If you own or have used this lens, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below. Get information and user reviews for this lens at Amazon: Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED Autofocus VR Zoom Nikkor Lens

Photo Zone

The Nikkor AF 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR is a decent performer but it also comes with a few glitches. Optically the lens shows a very good but not exceptional resolution characteristic except at 400mm at wide-open aperture where the borders could be a little better. Vignetting is basically non-existing on an APS-C DSLR and the level of distortions is quite low. CAs are an issue at 80mm and 400mm, less so in between Generally the build quality is pretty good but regarding the price class of the lens Nikon should have used a little less plastic and a better tripod collar. The AF performance is acceptable on the D200 but don’t expect it to be a speed daemon in this respect. READ FULL REVIEW

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Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX OS AF Review Round-Up

If you own or have used this lens, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below.

Get information and user reviews for this lens from Amazon: Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX OS APO RF Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

Photo Zone

The Sigma AF 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX OS is an impressive piece of equipment. In terms of build quality Sigma seems to have catched up with the genuine brand offerings. Nonetheless the lens didn’t convince completely. In the lab the sheer quality figures are surely good enough with slightly better MTF results than the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 USM L IS but in the field the OS didn’t really feel as reassuring or mature (or I had too much coffee at the time …). The rather odd shutter delay issue when shooting several images in a row didn’t help either to lift the impression. It’s interesting that Sigma managed to implement FTM (full-time manual focusing) combined with a conventional AF motor – this is certainly something that we’d like to see in other lenses as well. On the downside the AF is a little on the slow and noisy side. All-in-all the lens should go through a little extra fine-tuning. READ FULL REVIEW

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Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro AF Review Round-Up

If you own or have used this lens, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below.

Get information and user reviews for this lens at Amazon: Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Aspherical Large Aperture Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

Digital Picture

The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Lens is a well-built, well-spec’d lens with a decent price. It does not outperform (physically or optically) Canon’s similarly spec’d EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens, but it costs less than half as much. The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Lens’ AF is very loud but reasonably fast (although the noise makes it sound slower). The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Lens is sharpest at the wide end of its focal length range. At 24/28mm, the 24-70 is very sharp in the center at f/3.2. However, performance gets progressively worse as the focal length is increased. To me, 70mm f/2.8 is not usable on this lens. At 70mm f/4, center performance becomes useable. Corners (1.6x FOVCF corners included) need an extra stop at all focal lengths to become very good – generally becoming very nice at f/5.6. … If the prices were the same, I don’t think anyone would choose the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Lens over the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens. But, the Sigma is less than half the price of the Canon. And for that reason, many people are willing to overlook the physical and optical quality differences between these two lenses. READ FULL REVIEW

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