The primary emphasis was on D-SLRs during the photokina 2008 show, but many new digicams with integral lenses were introduced, including some inexpensive models strictly for quick snapshooting. While those may find eager buyers, I’ll concentrate on cameras intended for the photo enthusiast. In these categories, only a few trends became obvious, starting with resolution: 13- and 14-megapixel...
Because of the increasing resolution and burst speed of some new cameras, the capacity and speed of memory cards continues to increase. While a super-fast card cannot boost a camera’s maximum framing rate, the extra card speed can provide greater burst depth (more frames in a long series) and shorter data recording times. A high-speed card is also ideal after a long trip, when you’re...
With the growing popularity of D-SLR cameras with sensors of various sizes, most of the manufacturers are working to expand their line of lenses. As expected, many of the latest products are “digital only”: designed for the majority of D-SLRs with the APS-C or Four Thirds size sensor. But (as specified in the text), some are multi-platform products suitable for all 35mm and digital...
As the price of D-SLRs and high-resolution digicams drops to more affordable levels, an increasing number of families and serious photo enthusiasts want a better photo printer. We found lots of new machines at the photokina show, some with high-tech features such as Wi-Fi and Ethernet compatibility. Lack of space precludes coverage of every new product, but the following printers are worth...
The single most prolific lens manufacturer these days, Sigma announced a full 10 new lenses this spring, ranging from an 8mm circular fisheye to the new APO 800mm f/5.6EX HSM. This group included the two zooms tested here, both in the affordable category.
Although most photographers tend to discus the big, fast, pro lenses, the vast majority actually sold are affordable zooms. Sigma makes both types, including their latest APO models like the AF 800mm f/5.6EX with Hypersonic autofocus and the modestly...
As a manufacturer of a wide range of lenses from 8-800mm, Sigma's line also includes true macro lenses for extreme close-up photography. Both of the current models will produce a full life-size rendition of the subject without accessories: the AF...
Until recently, most photographers considered a 19mm or 20mm focal length as the ultimate in ultra-wide, but this is rapidly changing. Thanks to the new technologies for making more affordable aspherical elements, much shorter lenses are becoming readily...
Sigma's two most successful zooms--70-300mm models with extreme close focusing ability--were recently upgraded and labeled with the "Super" designation. Both...