Digital Camera News and Reviews

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

DIWA Labs has tested the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lens on the new Canon 450D / Rebel XSi DSLR camera. Although the Canon 450D / Rebel XSi DSLR camera got a pretty low price it is able to produce pictures of very high quality. DIWA Labs says that the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lens does not live up to what the camera is able to due to poorer performance from the lens. Maybe one should look for a better lens at a higher price to supplement the Canon 450D / Rebel XSi DSLR, if one can afford it.

Check out the test of the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lens with Canon 450D / Rebel XSi DSLR here.
The tests done by DIWA Labs are very technical so you need to read their test guide to understand the test results.

‘Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 SSM (SAL-2470Z)

The German review site Photozone has tested Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar ZA T* 24-70mm f/2.8 SSM (SAL-2470Z) lens. This Sony lens seems to be designed for the new fullformat DSLR, but it also works with the existing APS-C DSLRs. On APS-C DSLRs the 24-70mm f/2.8 lens will have a field-of-view equivalent of 36-105mm.

Photozone ends up giving the Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar ZA T* 24-70mm f/2.8 SSM lens a very good review as the lens does not produce any vignetting or distortion (on APS-C DSLRs).
The only downsides for this lens is some poor bokeh at 70mm f/2.8 and some flare.
Overall it seems like an excellent lens from Sony.

Read the full test / review of the Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar ZA T* 24-70mm f/2.8 SSM (SAL-2470Z) lens here.

Olympus Zuiko 14-35mm f/2.0

DIWA Labs has tested the Olympus Zuiko 14-35mm (equivalent to 28mm to 70mm) f/2.0 Digital ED SWD lens on an Olympus E-3 DSLR body. This is the first standard zoom lens that features a constant f/2.0 aperture.
It doesn’t come as a big surprise that DIWA Labs says that this lens delivers excellent results as it is a part of the top range from Olympus
They even had to turn down the “normal” sharpening done by the E-3 camera as the pictures become over sharpened with the Olympus Zuiko 14-35mm lens. Seems like a really great lens if you can afford the hefty price tag.

Check out the tests of the Olympus Zuiko 14-35mm f/2.0 Digital ED SWD lens with Olympus E-3 DSLR here.
The tests done by DIWA Labs are very technical so you need to read their test guide to understand the test results.

AML-1 Close-up Lens

Sigma has announced that a new lens, the AML-1 close-up lens, dedicated to their DP1 camera. The lens make the camera able to focus closer and it attached to the optional hood adapter (HA-11).
The lens will be available in June 2008 at £44.99 (suggested retail price).


Press release:
AML-1 Close-up Lens

Close-up Lens dedicated to the Sigma DP1 camera

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new AML-1 Close-up Lens dedicated for the Sigma DP1 camera.

* Enables focusing between 20cm and 33cm
* Exclusive design provides advanced optical performance
* Super multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting
* Construction of 2 elements provides correction for color aberration and distortion

When this lens is attached to the optional Hood Adapter HA-11, it enables close-up photography with a focusing distance between 20cm and 33cm. The exclusive design creates high image quality and the super multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting.

The lens construction of 2 elements in 1 group provides correction for colour aberration and distortion and delivers a high level of optical performance.

Specifications:
Lens name – AML-1 Close-up Lens
Filter size – 46 mm
Lens construction – 1 groups 2 elements
Focus distance – 20 cm – 33 cm
Maximum magnification ratio – 1:8.2 – 1:14.9
Suggested retail price – £44.99
Available June 2008