Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 review (ephotozine)

tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8
Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2
Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 at a glance:

  • Canon EF-Mount/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
  • One XLD Element, Five LD Elements
  • eBAND, BBAR, and Fluorine Coatings
  • Ultrasonic Silent Drive Autofocus Motor
  • VC Image Stabilization
  • Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction
  • Removable Arca-Compatible Tripod Mount
  • Rounded Nine-Blade Diaphragm

Tamron announced a very interesting lens with the SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2. ephotozine posted their review, and they appear to be quite fond of the SP 70-200mm F/2.8. Quoting:

The Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens is on the same level playing field as lenses costing up to twice as much, punching far above its weight. It may not have the same silky smoothness in operation as its more expensive competition, but it delivers the goods, making no compromise on image quality.

Add to that the amazing VC system and moisture and dust resistance and Tamron have a definite winner on their hands. Read the review…

The SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 is in stock and ready to ship at $1,299:  Adorama | B&H Photo | Amazon.

Product description after the break.

Click here to open the rest of the article

Sigma 14mm f/1.8 ART lens sample photos

Sigma 14mm
The new Sigma 14mm f/1.8

Sigma 14mm f/1.8 at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/16
  • Three FLD Elements, Four SLD Elements
  • Four Aspherical Elements
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor, Manual Override
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • TSC Material, Brass Bayonet Mount
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

DPReview posted a set of 38 sample photo shot with a pre-production Sigma 14mm f/1.8 Art lens. A Canon [shoplink 27766]EOS 5Ds R[/shoplink] was used for the test shots.

The new Sigma lenses are not yet available for the general public. However, you can get notified when pre-orders can be placed.

Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM review

Ef 11-24mm f/4L
View Post

Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L: [shopcountry 29190]

Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L at a glance:

  • L-series ultra-wide zoom lens with an impressive 11mm starting focal length
  • Focal Length & Maximum Aperture: 11–24mm f/4, Closest Focusing Distance : 11 in. / 0.28m
  • New optical design and the use of one Super UD element and one UD lens element
  • Subwavelength Coating (SWC) and Air Sphere Coating (ASC), Inner focusing, ring USM, a high-speed CPU and optimized AF algorithms
  • Full-time manual focus allows manual focus adjustment while in AF Mode

Camera Labs reviewed the Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L lens, one of Canon’s optical masterpieces.

From the conclusion:

What makes the EF 11-24mm f4L USM really special is not just the range but the optical quality. It manages to deliver these massive views with impressively low distortion – so much so that if you’re careful to keep the camera level, you’ll enjoy perfectly straight lines and square geometry across the frame. Even better, details are crisp and well-defined across the frame and into the corners at all focal lengths and even at maximum apertures.[…] The results are spectacularly sharp and well-corrected sharp even when mounted on Canon’s highest resolution bodies – or indeed adapted to Sony’s best mirrorless cameras.

The EF 11-24mm f/4L is no budget lens, though. All this optical awesomeness comes at a price, $2,699.

Canon EOS M6 hands-on video

EOS M6
View Post

Canon EOS M6: [shopcountry 43815]

Canon EOS M6 at a glance:

  • 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 7 Image Processor
  • 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
  • Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps
  • Built-In Wi-Fi with NFC, Bluetooth
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF
  • Up to 9 fps Shooting and ISO 25600
  • Combination 5-Axis Image Stabilization

Camera Labs posted a short hands-on video about the new Canon EOS M6.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II review (impressive performance, D. Abbott)

EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II
View Post

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II: [shopcountry 43039]

At a glance:

  • EF-Mount/Full-Frame Format
  • Maximum Aperture: f/4-5.6
  • One Ultra Low Dispersion Element
  • NANO USM Autofocus System
  • Optical Image Stabilizer
  • Lens Information Display
  • Full-Time Manual Focus
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

Photographer Dustin Abbott reviewed the Canon [shoplink 43039]EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II[/shoplink], a “consumer lens” that’s getting a lot of positive reviews.

In the conclusion he writes:

I was impressed by the overall handling and performance of the new Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM during my review period. It has a nice build (consumer grade, yes, but nice), and quality handling. The new LCD screen has a few debatable aspects, but I applaud Canon doing something to help eliminate what has been one of the main shortcomings of STM type lenses (no distance window) […] I’m also impressed with the image quality from the lens in terms of sharpness, contrast, and control of things like chromatic aberrations and flare. Where I think the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS most stands out (outside of the build) is the overall rendering from the L series lens, which is unquestionably more special. Nice bokeh, smoother transitions, and special color rendition that shows off its premium optics. […] What matters most is that in most every way the EF 70-300 IS II is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, and well worthy of your consideration if you are looking for a quality telephoto lens for either your full frame or APS-C camera body.

And here is the video-review of the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II.

If you prefer reading the review instead of watching the videos, then head over to Dustin Abbott’s site, you’ll find a lot of sample pictures and a in-depth discussion of the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II: [shopcountry 43039]

Sigma 85mm F/1.4 DG HSM is the new DxOMark reference benchmark, beats Zeiss lenses

Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG HSM
View Post

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art: [shopcountry 41663]

At a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to 16
  • Two Low Dispersion Elements
  • One Aspherical Element
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor, Manual Override
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • TSC Material, Brass Bayonet Mount
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

DxOMark analysed the Sigma 85mm F/1.4 DG HSM lens, and the lens got DxOMark best score ever, whooping 50.

In the conclusion DxOMark writes:

With its Art series, Sigma has done much to improve its standing as a high-end lens maker. Until only recently, Canon and Nikon were on safe ground with their high-speed primes, but makers such as Sigma and Tamron (and Zeiss) are beginning to make inroads. While all the full-frame Art series lenses are excellent performers optically, the latest model in the range is also its best. It also happens to be the most expensive to date, but the $1,199 asking price seems reasonable. That it outperforms the Zeiss Milvus and outrageously expensive Otus equivalents probably says enough for most people — and that’s even before discussing the merits of autofocus versus manual on high-speed lenses like this. Read the review at DxOMark.

Not bad for a lens that sells at $1,199. Kudos Sigma, keep on the good work!

Sigma 85mm