Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm 1:1.8G DX review

The AF-S Nikkor Drawbacks F1.8G DX is Nikon's newest relationships, declared in Feb for PMA 2009. Its release came as something of a shock to many experts, not because it's an personalized Drawbacks relationships with a built-in auto-focus web page, but because the 'DX' position indicates that it's developed for use on DX structure methods, and isn't definitely appropriate with Nikon's enhancing FX structure electronic digital electronic camera wide range. According to Nikon, this has permitted the company to style a relationships that has less scaled impact scaly, less significant and more affordable than it would have been had it provided complete dental protection applications of the FX picture group. In impact, the relationships is mainly focused as an cost-effective, huge aperture choice for customers of the entry-level (D40 / D40X /D60) sequence of DSLRs.

The Drawbacks primary duration is approximately comparative to 50mm on an FX electronic digital electronic camera, and the relationships therefore suits into the 'standard' classification, with an position of viewpoint providing none of the 'perspective distortion' associated with wideangle or telephoto relationships. The fast F1.8 highest possible possible aperture confesses more than four times as much mild as the AF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G VR DX kit relationships, which is useful for getting in low mild while maintaining shutter costs reasonably excellent. The 'Silent Routine Motor' allows auto-focus on all of Nikon's DSLR methods, with the engaged extra of enabling the individual to improve concentrate independently in AF strategy if suggested.

The Drawbacks F1.8G features an graphics of 8 components in 6 categories, such as an aspherical element for the difference in aberrations usually associated with huge aperture primary relationships. However contrary to the common 50mm conventional primary for the complete type (FX) structure, this lens's primary duration is rather reduced than the flange wide range from the relationships set up to the imager. This specifications the use of a so-called 'retrofocal' style, which is more usually associated with wideangle lenses; unfortunately this often results in improved aberrations comparative to conventional near-symmetric 50mm styles. So how does the Drawbacks F1.8 DX evaluate up? 

Headline features

• 35mm focal length; fast F1.8 maximum aperture
• Silent Wave Motor allows autofocusing on all Nikon DSLRs
• Full-time manual focus override
• For DX format cameras

Angle of view

The picture below illustrates the angle of view (click here for comparisons with the Nikon 50mm F1.4D):

35mm (DX format)

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm 1:1.8G DX specifications

Street price	• $200 (US) • £200 (UK)
Date introduced	February 2009
Maximum format size	DX
Focal length	35mm
35mm equivalent focal length	52.5mm
Diagonal Angle of view	47º
Maximum aperture	F1.8
Minimum aperture	F22
Lens Construction	• 8 elements / 6 groups • 1 hybrid aspherical element
Number of diaphragm blades	7, rounded
Minimum focus	0.3m (1.0 ft)
Maximum magnification	0.16x
AF motor type	• Ring-type Silent Wave Motor (ultrasonic-type) • Full-time manual focus
Focus method	Internal (rear) focus
Image stabilization	• None
Filter thread	• 52mm • Does not rotate on focus
Supplied accessories	• Front and rear caps • HB-46 hood
Optional accessories
Weight	210g (7.4 oz)
Dimensions	70mm diameter x 52.5mm length (2.8 x 2.1 in)
Lens Mount	Nikon F only

* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area

Original Article:www.dpreview.com

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Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.4G review

 The AF-S Nikkor 50mm F1.4 G is Nikon's newest take on the traditional 'standard lens' idea, and was provided in Sept 2008. It's a alternative the mature AF-Nikkor 50mm F1.4D which we analyzed last interval, with improved optics to better fulfill the requirements of contemporary high-resolution complete kind receptors. The visual system is an new edition of the traditional 'double Gauss' style, with an extra element placed towards the coming back to provide an 8 element, 7 team options. According to Nikon, this increases modification of off-axis aberrations, which guarantees better performance towards the sides of the kind particularly when using huge apertures.

The AF-S place indicates that the relationships functions a built-in 'Silent Wave' web page for quick and silent autofocusing, which also provides complete interface with Nikon's entry-level DSLR methods such as the D60 and D5000. A further advantages provided by this ring-type web page is the 'manual problem autofocus' strategy, which allows the individual to improve concentrate independently after autofocusing. There's also a round aperture style which uses 9 curved knives, for a more organic edition of out-of-focus qualifications.

Of course all these upgrades over the mature relationships come at a cost, and the AF-S 50mm F1.4G is considerably more costly than its forerunner. It also has to competitors with the other new kid on the prevent - the amazing (if a little bit more costly) Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM. So allows discover out out how it investigates to these two relationships, and whether it's value your hard-earned money.

Headline features

• 50mm focal length; fast F1.4 maximum aperture
• Silent Wave Motor allows autofocusing on all Nikon DSLRs
• Full-time manual focus override

Angle of view

The pictures below illustrate the angles of view on FX (35mm full frame) and DX camera bodies:

50mm (FX 35mm full-frame)	50mm (DX; 75mm equivalent)

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.4G specifications

Street price	• $485 US • £300 UK
Date introduced	September 2008
Maximum format size	35mm full frame
Focal length	50mm
35mm equivalent focal length (APS-C)	75mm
Diagonal Angle of view (FF)	46º
Diagonal Angle of view (APS-C)	31º 30'
Maximum aperture	F1.4
Minimum aperture	F16
Lens Construction	8 elements / 7 groups
Number of diaphragm blades	9 (rounded)
Minimum focus	0.45m
Maximum magnification	0.15x
AF motor type	• Ring-type SWM • Full-time manual focus
Focus method	Unit
Image stabilization	• None
Filter thread	• 58mm • Does not rotate on focus
Supplied accessories	• Front and rear caps • Lens Hood HB-47 • CL-1013 Lens Pouch
Weight	290g (10.2 oz)
Dimensions	73.5mm diameter x 54.2mm length (2.9 x 2.1 in)
Lens Mount	Nikon F only

* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area

Original Article:www.dpreview.com

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Panasonic Lumix G 20mm F1.7 ASPH Review

The Panasonic Lumix G 20mm F1.7 ASPH was declared lately as the organic affiliate to the lightweight Lumix DMC-GF1 Little Four Thirds electronic dslr electronic camera, together with a Leica-branded 45mm F2.8 Macro (the electronic dslr electronic camera is also available with a 14-45mm kit zoom). The H-H020, as Panasonic incredibly wants to contact it, is a huge highest possible possible aperture 'normal' primary in a very lightweight 'pancake'-type program. It creates up a quit and a 50 % more mild than Olympus's M. Zuiko Digital 17mm F2.8 hot sweet (which is only partially smaller), and is therefore sure to be of attention to E-P1 entrepreneurs who want to capture in low mild using a relationships well-matched to that online digital camera's measurement.

The F1.7 aperture is quick for a hot sweet relationships, and to accomplish this Panasonic has handled to press a 7 element, 5 team style into that lightweight gun gun gun barrel, such as two aspheric components to help decrease disruptions and chromatic aberration. There's a 7-bladed aperture program, using rounded knives developed to provide an eye-catching, sleek impact to out of concentrate features. Rounding off the specifications is a tiniest concentrate wide range of just 20cm. However it's important to note, that contrary to many of Pansonic's relationships, this doesn't have built-in visual picture stabilisation.

The 40mm-equivalent position of viewpoint may originally appear uncommon, but this is actually a 'perfect normal' relationships, with a primary duration just like the indication angled. What this implies is that it provides pictures in a very quite quite fairly neutral style, completely without any the 'perspective distortion' associated with wideangle or telephoto relationships. While this primary duration was generally less typical than the well-known 50mm primary on Drawbacks cameras, it still packed an reasonable market as the conventional relationships for a wide range of high-quality compacts, such as the Leica / Minolta CL. Indeed with that 45mm F2.8 macro and an future 14mm F2.8, Panasonic seems to be placement the GF1 as the religious heir to companies the CL and the Contax G sequence - as a top amazing realistic electronic dslr electronic camera program for serious electronic cameras lovers. Let's see if the pancake's picture amazing can stay up to such considerable objectives.

Headline features

• 20mm 'perfect normal' fixed focal length; fast F1.7 maximum aperture
• Ultra-thin, lightweight design 
• 'Focus by wire' manual focus system
• Micro Four Thirds mount for Panasonic Lumix G and Olympus Pen systems

Angle of view

The picture below illustrates the lens's angle of view (taken from our standard position):

20mm (40mm equivalent)

Panasonic Lumix G 20mm F1.7 ASPH (H-H020) specifications

Price	• US: $400 • UK: £300
Manufacturer's product code	H-H020
Date introduced	September 2009
Maximum format size	Micro Four Thirds
Focal length	20mm
35mm equivalent focal length	40mm
Diagonal angle of view	57°
Maximum aperture	F1.7
Minimum aperture	F16
Lens Construction	• 7 elements/ 5 groups • 2 Aspherical elements
Number of diaphragm blades	7, rounded
Minimum focus	0.2m / 0.66ft
Maximum magnification	Approx 0.13x
AF motor type	DC Micro motor
Focus method	Unit focus
Image stabilization	No
Filter thread	• 46mm • Does not rotate on focus
Supplied accessories*	• Front and rear caps • Lens case
Weight	100g (3.5 oz)
Dimensions	63mm diameter x 25.5mm length (2.5 x 1.0 in)
Lens Mount	Micro Four Thirds

* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area

Original Article:www.dpreview.com

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Canon TS-E 24mm 1:3.5 L II review

 PMA 2009 was a show incredibly light on well-known opinions, but one of the most officially exciting upgrades may well have decreased unique of many fan camcorders lovers. Concept offered two new viewpoint management relationships to its TS-E ('Tilt and Move for EOS') extensive variety, through the TS-E 24mm F3.5 L II and the TS-E 17mm F4L. But while the latter quite normally got the concentrate as the widest-angle viewpoint management optic ever made for an SLR system, both function a considerable enhancement over existing well-known styles.

What is usually awesome about these two relationships is that both allow, for initially (at least for wideangle primary activities developed particularly for DSLRs), individual spinning of the aspect and shift axes comparative to the electronic digital digital camera and to each other. (Hartblei's 'Super Rotator' styles accomplish identical activities, but using a longer period primary duration optics initially developed for strategy framework electronic cameras.) Formerly the aspect axis was set as conventional at 90º to the shift axis, and the relationships could be customized to set them both in the same axis if the individual suggested. This limitation has now been removed, making the relationships activities, and therefore awesome alternatives, much more versatile. The aspect and shift procedure goes +/-90°, enabling change in any direction, and moreover the aspect procedure individually goes +/-90°, enabling aspect in any direction comparative to the shift. This performance allows camcorders lovers to enhance stage of place in their pictures without preventing down as far as they would otherwise need - essential when looking for to press every last pixel of details from the newest 20+ Mp DSLRs while preventing the bad results of diffraction.

Canon has also gone to city on the the visual styles, such as the use of high-precision aspherical front aspect part aspect components to keep disruptions to a tiniest, and several UD components to decrease chromatic aberration. In the scenario of the TSE 24mm F3.5 L II, what this implies is a significantly more complicated system than its forerunner - 16 components in 11 categories, as in contrast to 11 components in 9 categories of the mature design. According to Concept the useful picture group is also much bigger - 67.2mm in contrast to 58.6mm - which in concept allows an enhanced extensive variety of activities without vignetting. The relationships also uses the organization's new 'Sub-Wavelength Structure Coating', which is developed to decrease dimension and analyze significantly in relationships that contain large curve-radius components - such as wideangles. Also involved is the currently-fashionable round aperture diaphragm, developed to provide an eye-catching edition to out-of-focus locations of the picture.

The price for all these upgrades is, however, quite awesome. The 'II' edition buys a $1000 top fantastic over the mature relationships on its release, which indicates it costs very nearly as much as an EOS 5D Level II human body. There will probably be more than a few entrepreneurs of the unique relationships considering whether it's value the update, and whether the new optics and versatility of activities offer adequate objective to crack out the bank credit cards. Let's see what we can find out.

Headline features

• 24mm focal length; F3.5 maximum aperture
• ± 8.5° Tilt and ±12mm Shift
• Independent rotation of tilt and shift movements (through 90º and 180º respectively)

Angle of view

The pictures below illustrate the angles of view on 35mm full frame and APS-C camera bodies:

24mm (35mm full-frame)	24mm (APS-C; 38mm equivalent)

Canon TS-E 24mm F3.5 L II specifications

Street Price	• $2200 • £1900
Date introduced	May 2009
Maximum format size	35mm full frame
Focal length	24mm
35mm equivalent focal length (APS-C)	38mm
Diagonal Angle of view (FF)	84º
Diagonal Angle of view (APS-C)	60º
Maximum aperture	F3.5
Minimum aperture	F22
Lens Construction	• 16 elements / 11 groups • Aspherical elements • 3 UD glass elements
Number of diaphragm blades	8, rounded
Minimum focus	0.21m (8.3")
Maximum magnification	0.34x
AF motor type	Manual focus only
Focus method	Internal (rear) focus
Image stabilization	None
Filter thread	• 82mm • Does not rotate on focus
Supplied accessories	Front and rear caps, hood
Weight	790g (28 oz)
Dimensions	89mm diameter x 106mm length (3.5 x 4.2 in)
Lens Mount	Canon EF only

* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area

Original Article:www.dpreview.com

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Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm F2.8 ASPH OIS Review

 The Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm F2.8 ASPH Incredibly OIS is one of two lightweight relationships for Little Four Thirds that Panasonic declared together with the DMC-GF1 in Sept 2009, the other being the Lumix G 20mm F1.7 ASPH Hot sweet. Like its brother it suits a lot into a little space; the 45mm actions just 2.5" in each dimension, yet controls to to consist of both visual picture support and real 1:1 macro concentrating ability. Indeed this relationships can concentrate to just 0.15m without modifying in complete - a procedure developed possible by a complicated inner concentrating program which uses three categories in a sailing agreement. The brief telephoto primary duration (equivalent to 90mm on complete frame) is also perfect for getting head-and-shoulders images with an perfect viewpoint.

The relationships uses a complicated graphics of 14 components in 10 categories, such as an ED cup element to reduce chromatic aberration and (unusually for a macro) an aspheric element. The diaphragm procedure uses seven curved knives, to provide a round aperture for sleek version of out-of-focus locations of the picture. There's a also a concentrate limiter change on the element of the relationships gun gun gun barrel, which allows the individual to limit the tiniest available wide range to 0.5m for quicker auto-focus when getting at time varies.

Now all this flexibility and miniaturization (not to bring up the Leica name on the barrel) creates the 45mm macro an costly relationships, which results in Little Four Thirds customers with an exciting scenario. Because the most immediate opposition for the 45mm is Olympus's Zuiko Electronic ED 50mm F2 Macro for 'regular' Four Thirds, which can be used via an adaptor (the Panasonic DMW-MA1 or the functionally similar Olympus MF-2). This relationships won't auto-focus on Panasonic methods, and will only do so hesitantly on the E-P1; but then again macro digital photography fans almost usually perform using details concentrate. It also doesn't have picture support and only provides 1:2 magnification; but in its benefits it's probably the best relationships we've yet examined. So the big query is whether that Leica banner creates the 45mm macro different to be able to keep its own against such impressive stage of stage of resistance.

Headline features

• 45mm fixed focal length; F2.8 maximum aperture
• Compact design
• Macro focusing: 1:1 maximum magnification (2:1 35mm equivalent) 
• 'Focus by wire' manual focus system
• 'Mega OIS' optical image stabilization
• Micro Four Thirds mount for Panasonic Lumix G and Olympus Pen systems

Angle of view

The picture below illustrates the lens's angle of view (taken from our standard vantage point):

45mm (90mm equivalent)

Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm F2.8 ASPH Mega OIS specifications

Price	• US: $900 • UK: £590
Manufacturer's code	H-ES045
Date introduced	September 2009
Maximum format size	Micro Four Thirds
Focal length	45mm
35mm equivalent focal length	90mm
Diagonal angle of view	27°
Maximum aperture	F2.8
Minimum aperture	F22
Lens Construction	• 14 elements / 10 groups • 1 ED element • 1 Aspherical element
Number of diaphragm blades	7, rounded
Minimum focus	• Full: 0.15m / 0.50ft • Limit: 0.5m / 1.64ft
Maximum magnification	1.0x (2.0x 35mm equivalent)
AF motor type	• DC Micro motor • 'Focus-by-wire' manual focus
Focus method	Internal
Image stabilization	Yes
Filter thread	• 46mm • Does not rotate on focus
Supplied accessories*	• Front and rear caps • Lens hood • Lens case
Weight	225g (7.9 oz)
Dimensions	63mm diameter x 62.5mm length (2.5 x 2.5 in)
Lens Mount	Micro Four Thirds

* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area

Original Article:www.dpreview.com

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Canon EF 100mm F2.8 L IS USM Macro Review

 Returning in Sept, Concept took the incredibly uncommon phase of disclosing a new specific development definitely in comfort from any items. The topic was a novel 'Hybrid' visual picture assistance program designed to create up for two unique types of trembling online camera. Analysis more about it here, but generally the assistance is different from existing methods, which only identify and appropriate for changes in the position the relationships is directing, by also investing for straight and smooth in a trench changes in the position of the relationships due to handshake. This has little benefits at lengthy concentrate differs, but as the topic gets nearer it becomes gradually more essential, and in concept provides obtain the most for macro getting.

In Sept the organization successfully provided the first relationships to function this new specific progression, and to no excellent shock it became a 100mm macro. The EF 100mm F2.8 L IS USM Macro connects The rule eos eos amazing short-telephoto choice as a complement to (rather than a alternative for) the existing EF 100mm F2.8 USM Macro, and at a considerably excellent cost. Together with specific progression IS specific progression it income all the regular benefits associated with the top excellent 'L' banner, such as powerful, weathersealed create and the use of unique cup for the difference in aberrations. The visual development is of 15 components in 12 categories, along with just one ultra-low distribution cup element, and the 1:1 highest possible possible magnifier is obtained at a tiniest concentrate wide range of 0.3m.

Canon creates some quite particular statements for the durability of its new IS program, and it's value looking at these in details. The assistance is predicted to provide a 4 stop benefits at more time concentrate differs, losing to 3 prevents at 0.5x magnifier and 2 prevents at complete 1x magnifier. The first of these specifications is quite much par for the course for The rule eos eos existing IS relationships, but even with the Several program it's apparent that the stage of assistance at near differs is predicted to be relatively low (this despite The rule eos eos marketing content stating that it 'enables camcorders lovers to catch amazing close-up injections without the need for a tripod'). So the question audiences will definitely be asking is whether the combination of features provided by the new relationships is definitely impressive to rationalize buying it over the older, but well-regarded non-stabilized 100mm macro.

Headline features

• 100mm fixed focal length; F2.8 maximum aperture
• Macro focusing: 1:1 maximum magnification
• 'Hybrid' image stabilization system for increased effectiveness at close focus distances
• Canon EF mount for full-frame and APS-C DSLRs

Angle of view

The picture below illustrates the lens's angle of view on full frame and APS-C DSLRs (taken from our standard vantage point):

100mm (Full Frame)	100mm (APS-C; 160mm equivalent)

Canon EF 100mm F2.8 L IS USM Macro specifications

Price	• US: $1050 • UK: £989
Date introduced	September 2009
Maximum format size	35mm full frame
Focal length	100mm
35mm equivalent focal length (APS-C)	160mm
Diagonal angle of view (FF)	27°
Diagonal angle of view (APS-C)	17°
Maximum aperture	F2.8
Minimum aperture	F32
Lens Construction	• 15 elements / 12 groups • 1 UD element
Number of diaphragm blades	9, rounded
Minimum focus	• Full: 0.3m / 1.0ft • Limit: 0.5m / 1.64ft
Maximum magnification	1.0x
AF motor type	• Ring-type Ultrasonic Motor • Full time manual focus
Focus method	Internal
Image stabilization	• Hybrid IS • 4 stops • 3 stops at 0.5x magnification • 2 stops at 1.0x magnification
Filter thread	• 67mm • Does not rotate on focus
Supplied accessories*	• Front and rear caps • ET-73 Lens hood • Lens case LP1219
Optional accessories	• Tripod Mount Ring D
Weight	625g (22 oz)
Dimensions	78mm diameter x 123mm length (3.1 x 4.8 in)
Lens Mount	Canon EF
Other	Supplies distance information to camera body

* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area

Original Article:www.dpreview.com

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