Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR DX AF-S Nikkor Review Round-Up

nikon-16-85mm-f-35-56g-ed-vr-dx-af-s-nikkorIf 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 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX ED VR Nikkor Wide Angle Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras

Photo Zone

Despite some shortcomings the Nikkor AF-S 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR DX is probably still the best DX standard zoom lens in Nikon mount to date. It is very sharp throughout the range although there could be a little less field curvature (curved focus field) at 16mm. The level of distortions and lateral CAs is comparatively moderate for such a lens (still a bit high in absolute terms). Vignetting is generally well-controlled except at 16mm @ f/3.5. The rather slow max. aperture may be a bit unfortunate because the achievable bokeh is rather underdeveloped in conventional scenes. … The build quality is on a good level but don’t expect professional grade quality here. All-in-all an obvious choice but not flawless … which is why I had to agonize a while about the optical rating but I believe that the lens is somewhat more desirable than the AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G ED although it’s a bit like comparing apples and oranges here. READ FULL REVIEW

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Lowepro Rezo TLZ-10 Review Round-Up

lowepro-rezo-tlz-10Need a very compact but high quality case for a Canon EOS 350D Digital Rebel XT? The Lowepro Rezo TLZ-10 Case is a good solution for lenses up to the size of the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens. The camera strap will not fit inside the case with this combination, but I did not have a problem with it hanging out. ? ?The Lowepro Rezo TLZ-10 Case features modern styling and good quality construction. RAED FULL REVIEW AT DIGITAL PICTURE

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Get information and user reviews for this bag from Amazon: Lowepro REZO TLZ10 Digital Camera Case Gadget Bag

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Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC AF Review Round-Up

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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 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 AF DC OS HSM Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

Photo Zone

The Sigma AF 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC is naturally a compromise but the package is a bit more sound compared to its more ambitious sister lens – the AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC. Sigma seems to have followed a quite interesting design approach – ignoring distortions and focus on the rest and this works out pretty well. The lens is very sharp specifically around the wide end of the zoom range but the tele settings aren ´t bad either. CAs are about average and vignetting could be a little better at wide-open aperture. Nonetheless these are viable compromises for an extremely compact 7x zoom. Unfortunately the AF performance of the lens isn’t quite as promising. On the EOS 350D AF accuracy is totally unacceptable when using a focal length below 50mm – I haven’t really experienced another lens (besides the 18-200mm) which performs as bad in this respect. Trusting the camera is no good idea here. I used the lens extensively during a recent vacation and after a couple of days I gave up and disabled AF for wide angle shots (Note: normally I’m using the central AF point only for better accuracy …). The lens may work out better on an EOS 30D or EOS 400D. “¦ READ FULL REVIEW

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Tenba Airbooks Review Round-Up

tenba-airbooksBased on Tenba’s Air Case frame, this series isn’t designed for cameras, but rather for keeping your portfolio safe and presented in style. The black exterior is made of ballistic nylon; the interior compartment has cutouts to help the client pull the portfolio or mounted prints out. An external pocket holds a shipping label. Tenba will even personalize an Airbook with an anodized aluminum plate engraved with your name or logo. Sizes range from 8.5×11 to 16×20, to fit a variety of mat and board sizes. From $160 to $200. READ FULL REVIEW AT POPPHOTO

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Get information and user reviews for this bag from Amazon: Tenba Airbook – 16×20

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Nikon 70-210mm f/4 AF Review Round-Up

nikon-70-210mm-f4-afIf you own or have used this lens, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below.

Photo Zone

The Nikkor AF 70-210mm f/4 delivered decent but not exceptional results. The resolution is excellent at 70mm but a little soft at 135mm @ f/4 and 210mm @ f/4 so the speed advantage compared to current consumer grade zoom lenses is somewhat relativized – stopping down to f/5.6 is advisable here. Despite the full format design vignetting is a little high at 210mm at wide-open aperture but otherwise it is well controlled. The level of distortions is unusually low for a zoom lens. Lateral CAs are moderate but purple fringing can be a problem in harsh contrast situations. The build quality is relatively decent although the approach is a bit dated. … READ FULL REVIEW

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Lowepro Rezo TLZ-20 Review Round-Up

lowepro-rezo-tlz-20Need a compact but high quality case for a Canon EOS 350D Digital Rebel XT? The Lowepro Rezo TLZ-20 Case is a good solution for lenses up to the size of the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L USM Lens. The camera strap will not fit inside the case with this combination, but I did not have a problem with it hanging out. ? ?The Lowepro Rezo TLZ-20 Case features modern styling and good quality construction. RAED FULL REVIEW AT DIGITAL PICTURE

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Get information and user reviews for this bag from Amazon: Lowepro Rezo TLZ20 Digital Camera Case and Gadget Bag

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Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L USM EF Review Round-Up

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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: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

Photo Zone

The Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 USM L was able to produce a very good performance in most aspects. The center resolution of the lens is exceptionally high regardless of the zoom and aperture settings. The border performance is lower specifically towards the extreme ends of the zoom range and at large aperture settings. At medium apertures the border performance is one a very decent level. The sweet spot of the lens is clearly at 24mm where it easily outperforms all tested Canon fix-focals to date. Typical for most full frame lenses vignetting is no big issue on an APS-C DSLR. The high barrel distortions at 16mm as well as CAs at 24mm could be a little better. The build quality of the lens is great and it is a joy to use. All-in-all it is a very good lens but if you don’t need the f/2.8 setting and that extra mm at the wide end you may as well save quite some bucks by preferring the EF 17-40mm f/4 USM L which performs basically just as good. READ FULL REVIEW

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Tamrac Expedition 8 Review Round-Up

tamrac-expedition-8Tamrac’s largest backpack, this new model can easily hold multiple D-SLRs, each with its own accessories, plus a 400mm f/2.8 supertele and a bunch of smaller lenses, with filters, gadgets, and cables. Dual “wing pockets” on either side of its QuickClip tripod harness allow fast access to small but important things like spare CF cards and batteries. The wings incorporate Tamrac’s easy-to-understand Memory & Battery Management System flags, which show what’s fresh and what’s spent (or full). A five-way adjustment harness system customizes the fit for any size photographer. READ FULL REVIEW AT POPPHOTO

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 from Amazon: Tamrac #5278 Expedition 8, Expedition-Sized, Multi-Format Photographic Backpack, Black.

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Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC AF Review Round-Up

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

Photo Zone

There’s no such thing as a free lunch in lens land and the Sigma AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC is no exception here. The resolution figures are generally quite decent and regarding the extreme zoom range you may accept the very pronounced distortions present throughout the zoom range as well as a few other shortcomings. Unfortunately the AF accuracy leaves something to be desired with this lens especially towards the long end of the zoom range. Typically such a type of lens is used by beginners on entry level DSLRs where a rather dark viewfinder combined and an average AF system don’t really help here. So if you’re interested in this lens it’s a good idea to take your DSLR to your trusted photo dealer around the corner to check whether the camera’s AF system is really up to the task. If so it is a good compromise between quality and zoom range. READ FULL REVIEW

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