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2012 Top Products Of The Year: Cameras, Lenses, Software, Bags, Accessories & More
Accessories, Amateur Digital SLRs, Lenses, Pro-Quality Digital SLRs, Software & Computers
Edited by Georg... • Sep 18, 2012 • Published: Aug 01, 2012 • 8 comments
Every year the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA), a worldwide association of photo and imaging magazine editors, meets to pick the Best of Class in a wide range of photo categories. As the sole US member of the association, Shutterbug joins editors from Europe, Asia, and Africa in the nominating, judging, and selection process. One of the most exciting aspects of photography today is the constant advancement of technology and design, and this year’s Top Products reflect that spirit and those accomplishments, including new categories of Video D-SLR and Mobile App. Editor George Schaub joins all fellow TIPA members in congratulating those selected to receive the prestigious TIPA award. (To learn more about TIPA, please visit the website at: www.tipa.com.)
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A Canon EF 70 to 200 f2.8L IS USM Lens Album
Lenses, Test Reports
Peter K. Burian • Mar 01, 2002 • 0 comments

While shooting stock images around historic St. Augustine, Florida, and closer to home during Veterans Day events, I used this lens extensively for people, birds, architecture, and various travel subjects to assess autofocus response, IS effectiveness...
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A Classic Goes Digital; The Leica M Mount
Lenses
Jason Schneider • Sep 01, 2006 • 0 comments

In the first noteworthy change to the Leica M mount since its introduction back in 1954, all Leica M lenses delivered to dealers starting on July 1, 2006, will have a 6-bit digital black and white code applied to the bayonet ring. The physical dimensions and mechanical specs of the venerable M mount will remain exactly the same, so both coded and non-coded lenses can be used on...
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A Trio Of Tamron Zooms; SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF], AF28-200mm F/3.8-5.6 XR Di Aspherical [IF] Macro, And AF70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2
Lenses
Peter K. Burian • Dec 01, 2006 • 0 comments

Because of the increasing popularity of digital SLR cameras, Tamron has been upgrading their line of lenses to the "Digitally integrated" (Di) standard, employing methods discussed in our Technology sidebar. Some of the new products (Di II series) were designed exclusively for digital cameras with the typical APS-size sensor, while others (Di) are multi-platform...
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AF VR Zoom Nikkor 80 to 400mm f4.5 to 5.6D ED
Nikons Vibration Reductio Entry
Lenses, Test Reports
Peter K. Burian • Aug 01, 2001 • 0 comments

Although most advanced photographers use a tripod when possible, some subjects and situations call for a handheld camera. Examples include sports where full mobility is required, candid shots of people, birds in flight, and even indoor...
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After The Kit Lens; Tips On Expanding Your Optical Options
Lenses
Jon Sienkiewicz • Apr 01, 2008 • 0 comments

Now that you've mastered the standard zoom lens that came with your D-SLR, you have to be asking yourself "what's next?" You bought a D-SLR instead of a compact camera so that you could change lenses. The question is: which lens to buy first? The answer is easy, but it all depends on what kind of pictures you like to take.

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Bronica Zoom Lens Duo
Lenses, Test Reports
Steve Bedell • Jan 01, 1998 • 0 comments

I shoot over 90 percent of my work using medium format cameras. Like many portrait/ wedding photographers, I envy the 35mm shooters. They've got it all--long lenses, motor drives, zooms, fisheyes, etc. But watch out 35mm, because all these features I...
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Buying Smart; Lenses; Camera Brand Vs. After-Market
Lenses
Jon Sienkiewicz • Aug 01, 2009 • 1 comments

“Some OEM lens makers sell exactly the same item in the same configuration to more than one camera manufacturer.”...
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Canon 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM Telephoto
Equipment Reviews, Lenses
Stan Trzoniec • Jun 06, 2012 • Published: May 01, 2012 • 2 comments
Out of all the telephoto focal lengths, the 400mm is my favorite, so I looked forward to Canon’s updated 400mm f/2.8L. At about $11,499 list price (slightly less on searched street prices) it’s for those who absolutely need a fast, fixed focal length lens in their still and/or video work, and that’s work that pays well.
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Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Equipment Reviews, Image Tech, Lenses
George Schaub • Jul 12, 2011 • 1 comments
Perhaps the most versatile of all moderate tele zoom focal lengths, the 70-200mm or thereabouts range is a hallmark and standard-bearer for many optical companies. Being a constant aperture (fast) zoom, this lens opens up numerous focusing, depth of field and perhaps as important low light shooting possibilities that make it a lens most Canon photographers aspire to own. Introduced last year, we got a chance to work with one and were so impressed we thought we’d revisit it with a quick review.
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Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM: The Long & The Short Of It
Lenses
Joe Farace • Sep 08, 2011 • Published: Aug 01, 2011 • 5 comments
Canon offers five different 70-300mm zoom lenses in its product lineup. Why so many? They obviously think this is a popular and practical focal length range and I happen to agree. I even own one of them myself—the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM—but the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM tested is the mac daddy of ’em all. Part of the reason for its high price tag ($1599) is that it’s the only one of the five lenses that is resplendent in white paint (the better for TV cameras to see), making it part of the “L” series. (See “Just For The ‘L’ Of It.”) Canon’s L lenses typically have wide apertures fixed throughout the zoom range but in this case all five lenses in this focal length range have identical f/4-5.6 apertures.

The new Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM telephoto zoom lens features two Ultra Low Dispersion (UD) elements for improved image quality and reduced chromatic aberration. It incorporates a floating focusing mechanism for sharpness from close-up (3.9 feet) to infinity plus an Image Stabilization (IS) system that Canon claims increases usability by approximately four stops. The IS system includes a function that allows it to continue to operate even when the camera or the lens, the latter being a better idea, is mounted on a tripod. There’s an optional ($189.95) Canon Tripod Mount C for mounting on a tripod or monopod but I was unable to get one for testing. The lens is dust- and water-resistant and features a Fluorine coating that resists smears and fingerprints and significantly eases lens cleaning, but that doesn’t make me suggest less vigorous lens protection. More later.
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Canon EF Super Telephotos With Image Stabilizer
Lenses, Test Reports
Peter K. Burian • Aug 01, 2000 • 0 comments

Ever since its introduction in 1995, the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM--the first lens for 35mm SLR systems with an Image Stabilizer (IS)--has won acclaim and honors. Most prestigious were the European awards: "Lens of the Year" and "Best Lens"...
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Canon's EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM
An Incredibly Small, Fully-Corrected Telephoto Zoom With High-Tech Diffractive Optics
Lenses, Test Reports
Peter K. Burian • Nov 01, 2004 • 0 comments

All Photos © 2004, Peter K. Burian, All Rights Reserved

When it was announced in 1995, the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM zoom was truly unique, as the world's first 35mm system lens with a built-in Image Stabilizer (IS). Versatile, compact, and great for low-light shooting without a tripod, that zoom has been very popular in spite of mixed...
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Canons f1.0 USM
A Super Speed Lens
Lenses, Test Reports
Stan Trzoniec • Apr 01, 2002 • 0 comments

Ever since I started in photography I was enthralled with the virtues of good, clean available light photographs. After high school my graduation present was a Heiland Pentax complete with an f/2 lens. Combining that with Tri-X film--then rated...
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Canon’s 50mm f/1.2 Rangefinder Lens; A Legend In The Super-Fast Realm
Lenses
Roger W. Hicks • Sep 01, 2005 • 0 comments

Canon's 50mm f/1.2 in Leica screwmount (39mm x 26 tpi) is something of a legend. Introduced in 1957/58, it is very fast and today it is relatively affordable. The main alternatives, after all, are either Leica Noctiluxes (the 50mm f/1.2, 1966, discontinued, or the 50mm f/1, 1967, still current) or two vanishingly rare lenses introduced in 1955, the 50mm f/1.1 Nikkor and...
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