Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art First Look/Hands On Review and Image Sample Gallery

Sigma 105mm F1.4
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Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
  • Three FLD Elements, Two SLD Elements
  • One Aspherical Element
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor, Manual Override
  • Weather-Sealed, Protective Front Coating
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Removable Rotating Arca-Type Tripod Foot
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

Our preferred reviewer, Dustin Abbott, posted a hands on/first look review video (below) for the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens, and a sample photo gallery too. The Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art just recently got a “Hot One” award from Professional Photographer Magazine.

The Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art sells at $1,599: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II review by D. Abbott

Canon EF 70-200mm F/4L IS II
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Photographer and reviewer Dustin Abbott posted his exhaustive review of the new Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II. 

It’s no secret that the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II is getting one positive review after the other. It’s a great lens, and Canon has another winner here. Btw, the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II also impresses with build quality and low variance.

From D. Abbott’s conclusion:

Some have questioned whether this lens is a worthy upgrade, if enough has changed. If you are looking for a revolutionary improvement over the previous generation lens (perhaps considering updating), that might be a hard choice, but there is no doubt that this is a significantly improved lens on a number of levels. The build is improved, the autofocus is improved, and the image quality is improved. There is no single thing that jumps out at you, but the sum total of the improvements add up to what I believe is the best f/4 lens that covers this focal length. The price tag is at the high end of the spectrum, but so is the performance of the lens. There are solid alternatives to this lens, but if you want the best 70-200mm f/4 lens, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II is the one to get.

D. Abbott’s review comes with a huge set of sample photos, and analyses any aspect of the lens. You may also choose to watch the full review video below.

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II is in stock at major retailers in the US, price is $1,299: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II world-wide:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II review by Optical Limits

Canon EF 70-200mm F/4L IS II
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Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/4 to f/32
  • One Fluorite Element and Two UD Elements
  • Super Spectra Coating
  • Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System
  • Optical Image Stabilizer
  • Internal Focus, Focus Range Limiter
  • Weather-Sealed Construction
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

Optical Limits (former photozone.de) reviewed the new Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II lens.

From their conclusion:

The king is dead and, yes, long live the new king. The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II is everything that the mk I was plus some. It is the perfect playmate for ultra-resolution Canon cameras. It is mostly tack sharp at mainstream settings with no real weakness across the focal length range. Lateral CAs are low and not really an issue. Image distortions can be visible specifically at the long end though and you can spot some moderate vignetting at f/4. If you use digital auto-correction that will be a lesser concern, of course. The quality of the bokeh is good for a zoom lens.

The build quality is excellent but that’s hardly a surprise when talking about a Canon L lens. The low weight and small size are certainly welcomed when carrying around your camera gear all day long. Canon’s improved image stabilizer is impressive. Read the review…

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II is getting one positive review after the other. Canon clearly has another winner here.

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II is in stock at major retailers in the US, price is $1,299: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II world-wide:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Tamron announces 17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di OSD lens for full frame, and it’s just $599

Tamron 17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di OSD
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Tamron 17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di OSD at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to 22
  • Fluorine and BBAR Coatings
  • Optimized Silent Drive AF Motor
  • TAP-in Console Compatible
  • Leak-Proof Lens Seals
  • Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm

Tamron announced the new Tamron 17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di OSD lens. And it has a very affordable price, $599. Pre-order at B&H Photo | Adorama

Tamron press release:

Tamron releases the smallest, lightest ultra-wide-angle zoom lens in its class

A sophisticated balance of outstanding optics and matchless mobility

17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di OSD (Model A037)

August 6, 2018, Saitama, Japan–Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Shiro Ajisaka), a leading manufacturer of optics for diverse applications, announces the launch of a new ultra-wide-angle zoom lens, the 17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di OSD (Model A037), for 35mm full-frame DSLR cameras.

The vision behind the Model A037 is that of an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens, which has a separate concept from SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (Model A012), with superb image quality and easy portability. At just 90mm (3.5 in) in length and 460g (16.2 oz) in weight, it is the smallest and lightest in its class. The focal length ranges from an ultra-wide 17mm that is suitable for professional landscape photography to a standard 35mm good for snapshot photography. As for F-stops, the wide-angle end is a large aperture F/2.8, and at the telephoto end is a fast F/4. The Moisture-Resistant Construction and Fluorine Coating, help to enhance the user’s photographic experience. For those looking to try out an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for the first time, as well as having a lens that is easily portable, the A037 is the definitive choice.

PRODUCT NAME
17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di OSD （Model A037）

DATE OF LAUNCH
The Nikon mount model: September 4, 2018
The launch date of the Canon mount model will be announced at a later date.

Product Information

1. High-performance imaging for shooting vast landscapes in sharp detail

The optical construction (15 elements in 10 groups) uses four LD (Low Dispersion) lens elements to minimize axial chromatic aberrations that can occur with ultra-wide-angle zoom lenses. With two properly positioned GM (Glass Molded Aspherical) lenses, distortion and other aberration can be satisfactorily corrected as well. Being the smallest and lightest in its class* and dedicated to high quality imaging, the engineers have paid particular attention to size. The lens has also been carefully designed to allow peripheral point image reproducibility and thereby facilitate a high degree of sharpness and contrast.
The Minimum Object Distance (MOD) for the entire zoom range is a short 0.28m (11 in), so background blurring is still possible when opening the aperture and approaching the subject close-up with this ultra-wide-angle zoom.
* Among ultra-wide-angle zoom lenses using an F-stop faster than F/4 for 35mm full-frame DSLR cameras. (As of July 2018: Tamron)

Click here to open the rest of the article

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II teardown (Lens Rentals)

Canon EF 70-200mm F/4L IS II
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All images © lensrentals.com and used with permission

Roger Cicala of Lens Rentals posted a teardown of the new Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II lens. Impressive images, and interesting findings too.

Excerpts from Roger’s conclusion:

[…] this is, as we would expect, a very well built lens with robust roller bearings, large brass collars, heavy metal keys, and good weather sealing.

[Lens Rentals has] some hints, and a lot of Roger speculation, about how Canon is getting lenses with such low variance. Here’s what we know: Canon has more optical adjustments than most lenses, not less. So while they may have tighter tolerances (I have no clue), the key seems to be more in a careful optical adjustment of compensating elements than anything else.

It is clear that Canon is going with more, and more straightforward, adjustment of optics than the other manufacturers.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II
Image © lensrentals.com

Be sure to head over to Lens Rentals to see the many pictures of the teardown, and to get the findings.

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II is getting one positive review after the other. Canon clearly has another winner here. The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II is in stock at major retailers in the US, price is $1,299: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II world-wide:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Is a “Mirrorless War” coming? Someone thinks so

Full Frame Mirrorless
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Kevin Raber of Luminous Landscape introduces us to a possible upcoming “mirrorless war”. Is it going to be Canon and Nikon against the rest of the world?

In his own words:

The Mirrorless War is here. In the coming months, things will get real interesting in the mirrorless camera market as Nikon and Canon throw their hats into the ring. Now every major manufacturer will have a mirrorless offering. It’s the camera of the future.

In his video, Kevin Raber discusses today’s situation of the market, and gives some predictions for the future.

Exciting times are ahead. Nikon already officially stated they are developing a full frame mirrorless camera, and that they will announce it to the world on August 23, 2018 (all Nikon full frame mirrorless rumors).

And Canon? Hard to say since Canon started to be very secretive about their agendas. All Canon full frame mirrorless rumors are listed here.