I shoot most weddings with the 70-200mm and only feel the need to switch lenses occasionally. These huge ultrateles work great with converters, but these lenses are so big that it's not fun to carry them. Zeiss completed production of ten 50mm f/0.7 lenses, of which NASA bought six, Zeiss kept one and film director Stanley Kubrick bought three to shoot a candle-lit scene in his film Barry Lyndon. We’ve chosen cameras that can take great photos and make it easy to get great looking video, rather than being the ones you’d choose as a committed videographer. I sell my used equipment on Lensfinder, and although most of it is nowhere near as rare as the $180,000 Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6L USM, it feels good to be part of a community of photographers trying to give their equipment a second life. The 14-24mm f/2.8 Art lens from Sigma is available in Canon, Nikon, and Sigma mounts. Manual-Focus for 35mm Film Classics. Here is a link to the Canon version of this lens. User Reports – YOUR views on camera gear! I’d like the 70-200 2.8 but also shoot newborns in my home studio. Mirror lenses enjoyed popularity mostly in the 1960s and 1970s. Zeiss – well, the whole line just knocks you dead. They had the advantage of actually having run tests on everything they rated. Some people think 50mm is the ideal focal length. There was a special deal on Olympus PRO lenses so I choose this one. The Sony ZV-1 was designed specifically for vloggers, but this compact camera is an excellent option for still photographers too. Buy only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection. Ummm. Considering the price, size and quality of this lens, this has to be one of the best “normal” lenses ever made. Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens – Without a doubt, this is the best wide-angle lens available for Canon DSLR cameras (but most people consider it to be slightly inferior to the comparable Nikon 14-24mm). What’s the point of mirrorless!! It must be a great lens but there is no way this lens (or any zoom lens for FF, in fact) comes close to the 50 apo. The Leica 50 SL is $5300 or so, and is only 50mm. In 1928, Zeiss formulated the design for what would one day be the world’s fastest lens. Despite a couple of quirks, we think it's a camera that photographers and non-photographers alike will find fun to use. Find out in this review! They wanted to produce a lens without one compromise to image quality, and they succeeded. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Whether you’re shooting a war or a wedding, this lens has the field of view and lack of distortion to put all the “mmm’s” in Summicron. Canon EF 70-200mm f4L is also outstanding lenses because of its price. Put this on a dual-slot & vertical gripped Canon mirrorless and it’s the wedding lens for the ages. So if you’re prone to banging your gear into a wall, you might want some equipment insurance. The amount of blur is not especially huge, it's "only" 90mm f/2,4 in full frame equivalent but this lens has some of the smoothest bokeh I've ever seen, way better than a regular 85mm lens. The main question is: how much better is this versus the affordable f/1,8 version ? I was hoping you would write up using M lenses on the Canon, as you mentioned a while back. The truth about the focus stacking feature of the EM-1 ii, Geotagging with Olympus – tutorial with screenshots, An Investigation of E-M1 Focus Bracketing, killer combo: MC-20+Pixco16mm tube+60mm OLY Macro+Raynox505, Using the MC-14 Teleconverter on the Olympus 60mm macro lens, Olympus Color Science in general and then the Pen-F, 300mm F/4.0 focus performance - a review based on my user experience, M43 flexibility for Macro photography with Oly 60mm F2.8, extension tubes, raynox M-250 and MC-20 TC, Some random tips and thoughts on focus stacking, Pen F owners (I developed a Fuji Velvia 50 profile you can try). What’s your take on the 10-24mm for an amateur? Well, this impulse buy was probably one of my best purchases ever. I respectfully disagree. But the older OM stuff was inconsistent in color rendition from one design to the next. I didn’t really take that into account in deciding which lenses to include. Nikon 400mm f/2.8G ED VR II AF-S Lens – I know… I know… this lens costs more than many used cars. FX DSLR DX DSLR. 28 elmarit, 35 cro asph, 50 cron V5 and Rigid. In this buying guide we've rounded-up several great cameras for travel and recommended the best. When Canon announced the 28-70 RF f2 Lens I was sold! Or here is a link to the Nikon version. The Zeiss Otus us another lens that renders like this Canon. The Leica 50 f/1.4 Summliux for the SL also gave a similar quality with color and contrast and smooth buttery bokeh. I used to own the 24-105 f/4 Kit lens with the R but I am not an f4 kind of guy so sold off that lens in anticipation of trying out this 28-70 which has a constant f/2 aperture. Yet this lens offers a very similar rendering across the entire focal range. Heavy for a lens, but when you hold it you kind of support it with your hand like you are cradling it. As only YouTube photographers do, he then went on a photoshoot with the best lens ever and posted it for the whole world to enjoy, even if you can’t afford an $800 lens. Canon 135mm f/2 Lens – As I mentioned previously, I tend to prefer zoom lenses for portraiture, but most pros LOVE this lens for portraits. This lens produces acceptably sharp, but not ridiculously sharp, images. The problem was, they couldn’t get close enough, and telephoto lenses for the large-format cameras used by press photographers in those days were not available. See my full review of the Nikon 28-300mm lens here. It is quite large but Im worried I wont have the space…You said you use it for portraits, is that only outdoor? Read on to learn about our favorite enthusiast long zoom cameras. No compromise on quality. The Canon 7D Mark II might be more than five years old, but for sports and wildlife photographers, it's still a great - and affordable - option. Again, I have only seen lenses like this a very few times. If you want a camera that you can pick up and use without having to page through the manual first, then this guide is for you. Or here is a link to the Sony version. With that in mind, the MFT lens we've included here is a bit less than 50mm: its 42.5mm focal length equates to 85mm in full-frame terms. Yalding This 36lbs monster is the kind of lens you use once, and then tell regale your buddies with stories of your virility and stamina. The 1st image below was at ISO 25,600 at f/2 with the 28-70 RF and the EOS-R. Believe it or not, I like the rendering, art and soul (and almost everything else except the size and weight) of this *zoom*(!) Tim. Nikon 105mm f/2.5No longer in production, this legendary portrait lens is renown for its sharpness, contrast and “compression” of scene elements. I can already hear some of you. It would be impossible to make a list of lenses that pleases everyone. Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 AF-S Lens – This lens is outstanding in every way. Generally, wildlife/sports lenses cost well over $6,000; therefore, the availability of this lens has broken down barriers in the industry and created opportunities for photographers. The zoom was operated by a push-pull control around the barrel, and the maximum aperture was f/2.8. Shot it extensively on the M240, M10 and SL. WE ARE COMPENSATED FOR REFERRING TRAFFIC. Today, it’s hard to find a truly “bad” lens. So to me it is like four primes in one large lens, with auto focus and superb build. The RF sensor has a shorter registration distance, ie the distance of the rear lens from the sensor than the EF. One of the best lenses I have used yet this Canon offers a similar vibe and look and quality to that Otus. -;) Olympus has produced some very good glass over the years. I’ve used Nikon, Leica, Hasselblad, Olympus, Pentax and Contax. I’m lusting after this lens. WE ALSO PARTICIPATE IN AFFILIATE PROGRAMS WITH BLUEHOST, CLCJ, SHAREASALE, AND OTHER SITES. Shooting both brands has helped me to see the advantages and disadvantages of both systems. my next lens gonna be the 100mm canon macro… just need the money for it now…, Great article for Canon and Nikon users… but I’m disappointed to noticed that as everywhere else you forgot about 3rd camera and lens maker. Sony doesn’t do this, Nikon doesn’t do this. Barry, another Leica (and Canon) shooter here. http://www.amazon.com/Tokina-16-28mm-Digital-Nikon-Cameras/dp/B003V1YGSW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1310879323&sr=8-2. To begin at the beginning, the first classic camera lens must be the one used by the camera that introduced the world’s first viable method of photography. Leica 50 APO f/2 is another lens that is superb. If you’re looking for the sharpest camera lenses, or cheaper camera lenses, then you’d be wise to check out Lensfinder. I had a couple of Leitz lenses that were superb (including the 35 Summy you mention), but too many lenses were cloudy or malfunctioning after they were 15 to 20 years old. Memory card size-how much is enough vs how much is just overkill? Stevie to be able to do the thing you so into Good suggestions. Also, many have noted this lens does not have any image stabilization. In fact, I would say that, for around $950, this is the best deal on any lens on the market other than the 50mm prime. Mine is well centered and sharp from corner to corner at f/1,2. But which ones are the top Canon EOS R5 lenses? I often buy 3 copies of a lens I want, test all three, keep the one I like the most and sell the other two. All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998 - 2020 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved. For around a hundred bucks, you’re getting a lens that works perfectly with every Canon EOS camera ever made, i.e. As I mentioned in the video I use it for exposure compensation. Most importantly in this wide lens is that of all the lenses Zeiss has ever made, this is the only lens that has zero distortion. I reviewed that lens HERE if you are interested in seeing what I thought of it. I know it’s been a rocky road Sharp, fast, good bokeh. It was a retrofocus design, which meant that, unlike non-retrofocus lenses, the rear element did not foul the movement of an SLR’s mirror. Then, in 1966, American space agency NASA revived the project to produce a lens capable of photographing the dark side of the moon. Then when I was in 7th grade, my parents picked up an OM-4 for me on a trip to Hong Kong and I shot the crap out of this lens. If this lens were made smaller, the quality would have suffered. So the projected picture has to be sharp on that plane. Kent ME18 6AL The one thing I can tell you for certain right now is that the lens blew my mind when it came to image quality and build quality of the lens. It is most famous for being used in the Sutton Panoramic wet-plate camera successfully made, after a false start by its first manufacturer, by London optician and instruments maker Thomas Ross in 1861. Of course you're welcome to get serious and get the 400mm f/2.8, 500mm f/4, 600mm f/4 — or the 800mm f/5.6 which is the world's best birding lens. The 24 f1.4 really is an awesome lens. Whether you've grown tired of what came with your DSLR, or want to start photographing different subjects, a new lens is probably in order. This list would be incomplete without this lens. Although eventually made in a variety of lens mounts, the Zoomar was mostly associated with the Voigtländer Bessamatic 35mm SLR. An all-metal Voigtländer camera fitted with the Petzval lens in 1841 became the first purpose-made portrait camera. When will that pro body arrive? Most modern cameras will shoot video to one degree or another, but these are the ones we’d look at if you plan to shoot some video alongside your photos. The Leica 50 APO f/2 is another lens that is superb, and that one comes in at $8,000. You know exactly how much you’re paying for shipping and exactly how long your new equipment will take to reach your house. $8000 and manual focus and of course no OIS. That was the daguerreotype camera. If you want to make it as a photographer, you need other people to help you out! Best Lenses for FX DSLRs (D850, D780, D610 etc.) This nine-element lens weighed in at 5kg, and had a front element diameter of 20cm. I love Leica and have stood up for them for ages when most push hate on them for their pricing. Either situation, considering this is not is cheap camera and lens, is a bit bizarre. Sigma 50-500mm Lens – This is the only lens being included on this list that does not have drop dead amazing optics. I reviewed that lens HERE. Canon had a lot of great lenses in it’s FD line, really hated to see them go by the wayside so many years ago. It was compatible with Canon’s 2x Extender, which increased the focal length to an incredible 2,400mm and reduced the maximum aperture to f/11. Sponsored by Canon? Wowzer! I could hardly disagree. It checks many of the boxes we look for in a lens: decently fast aperture peaking at f/4, a solid DC autofocus mode, a 5-meter minimum focus distance, and a super-far 300mm focal length. Made in Portugal Lenses have Arrived. On Ebay, it’s common to never hear back from the seller about questions at all (especially with prized, in demand equipment like Konica lenses). Sharpness is perfect. I can’t comment about the IS version of Canon’s 2.8, but the non-is version while sharp and my main money maker is not the best lens by any means in Canon’s line-up. Compared to today, the focal length range of 36-82mm was small but successfully covered wideangle to medium telephoto on a 35mm format. Sharp as a tack through most of the focal range, too. New Limited Edition Versions of Leica Classic Lenses. Cheers! I have been waiting since it came out for a review .That’s really good news ! Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 ED AF-S Lens  – For professional portrait photographers, this is probably the most popular portrait lens on the planet. Best combination of manual focus lenses that money can buy! Very vintage built, has insane character to it! At f/2, which is wide open, the lens shines and delivers “the look” I spoke of earlier that others lenses that are more expensive deliver. It will deliver shallow DOF at every focal length and do it with a beautiful quality in color, bokeh, contrast and sharpness. Podcast: Emily Ratajkowski Wants to Reclaim Her Image. Professional videos look professional in large part to the skills and talents of the videographer. The build, the feel and the customizable control ring deliver an amazing user experience with the lens. The 1200mm f/5.6 No Officer It’s Not A Rocket Launcher has appeared previously on JRE…. Sony's a7C is among the smallest full-frame mirrorless cameras you can buy, and in terms of core capability, not much has been sacrificed for the sake of compactness. Well, this impulse buy was probably one of my best purchases ever. What's the best camera for travel? As far as I know. Really wide. Hasselblad X1D DISCONTINUED. IMPROVE PHOTOGRAPHY LLC IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR SITES TO EARN ADVERTISING FEES BY ADVERTISING AND LINKING TO AMAZON.COM. Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S Lens – This is NOT the 50mm f/1.8D that we have seen for years. http://www.kenrockwell.com/zeiss/zm/35mm-f2.htm, http://diglloyd.com/articles/LeicaM/LeicaM-ZeissZM35f2.html, http://www.thewsreviews.com/2011/10/zeiss-235-biogon.html. (Just to cite one example, the Fujinon XF90 f/2 is insanely sharp, and has been named “the sharpness king” by at least one popular review site….And I’ve used Nikon, Pentax, as well.) In fact, many of the best-known names in photography – Leitz, Zeiss and Voigtländer to name but three – began life as lens and optical instrument makers before diversifying into camera manufacture. Here's a link to the Canon version of this lens. I took a workshop with Gene Smith long ago. The result is a long focal length in a shorter-than-normal lens barrel. It's not small but not so big either. The best lens for your landscape photo will not be the best lens for my portrait. I was hoping this would be a killer lens. Cant use the RF lenses on the EF mount. Nice lenses, do you forget to mention canon EF-S 17-50mm f/2.8 lens, In my 7D I keep this lens all the time and what about Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens quickly became one of my favorite for my 5D mark II. The sharpness of the lens is fantastic. Namaste from Kathmandu, Nepal, I’ve got the sigma 24-70 2.8,sigma 24 1.8,and sigma 50 1.4, on my 550d (I like flashless closeups) What a Photoshoot Looks Like With the Best Lens Ever . I’ve shot the same image with two “identical” lenses and gotten very different results. I’d adjust the tile. I still have one here and am still evaluating it […], Canon EOS-R is HERE. The earliest camera lenses consisted of a single piece of glass with a convex curve on both sides. on The Voigtlander 50 f/1.2 M Mount IS BACK IN STOCK! Not used to such a girthy lens. Well, yea, it is large. What does this mean? I went all sigma because of price, as third party lenses I firmly believe these are absolutely great value and fantastic “bang” for bucks “I realized that at f/1.2, this lens is way sharper than the other f/1.2 lenses I tried,” Stern said. I would also be interested to see how they compare. I can see many pros clamoring to this lens, when and if Canon releases a PRO R body. The Voigtlander 50 f/1.2 M Mount IS BACK IN STOCK! Now this doesn’t really bother me at all, but I know some of you love your IBIS and OIS, Just be warned this lens doesn’t have either. Tamron AP 28-75mm f/2.8 XR ZL Di LD Aspherical Lens – The good folks at Tamron let me test out this lens a few weeks ago. When I had the kit lens with the Canon EOS-R it could not give me these kind of r results because it is an f/4 lens. Just curious how those compare. It includes updates to Panasonic's DFD autofocus system, creative photo modes, and video features that come close to matching the more expensive S1H. When that body arrives, if that body arrives that is when this lens will be rocking the worlds of many photographers.